Fruit Market - Santa Marta, Colombia (by whl.travel)
Stan Kroenke, hideously rich.
The current holders of the MLS Cup are Colorado Rapids. An extra-time own goal by FC Dallas defender George John saw The Centennial State gain its first soccer cup since the now defunct Colorado Foxes won the APSL in 1993. It was also the first MLS Cup for the Colorado Rapids.
Owned by Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder at Arsenal and owner of teams across all the major sports in North America, the Rapids play at the wonderfully named Dick`s Sporting Goods Park after five years at the now-demolished Mile High Stadium, followed by four years at Invesco Field at Mile High (home of the NFL`s Denver Broncos).
Perhaps the most recognisable face from their past is midfielder Carlos Valderrama. After a spells at Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, and then back at Mutiny, Colombian Valderrama spent his final year in the game at Colorado Rapids.
Hair Bear loses Bubi Bear and Square Bear in Wonderland Zoo.
Despite being slower than my friend Samuel’s letter from Afghanistan (that Canadian postal strike is getting a bit irritating), and questions over his best position, Valderrama represented Colombia 111 times, scoring 11 times. His international career, coupled with influencial performances for Montpellier HSC in European competitions and, in particular, a French Cup semi-final against Saint-Étienne, made him bigger than his hair. He was transferred to Montpellier on the strength of a performance against England at Wembley in 1988, and a 2-0 loss at World Cup 1998 to England, courtesy of goals from Darren Anderton (that clown got 30 caps!) and David Beckham, marked his last appearance for his country.
Colorado Rapids` first ever manager was Bob Houghton, a former colleague and compatriot in Swedish football with friend Roy Hodgson. Houghton has had nineteen managerial stints, taking him all over the world. His last job was with the Indian national team where he resigned in April after five years in charge. In his playing career he was a competent and traditional English forward.
Bob Houghton
There has been plenty of English connections in recent years. You can make the beginnings of a side with former Rapid players who are currently out of contract: goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, recently released from Wolves, spent two-and-a-half years in Colorado; Manchester United trainee Terry Cooke was at Rapids for four years and last played for Tony Adams’s Gabala FC in Azerbaijan; forward Junior Agogo, who has played for nine different English clubs, scored 11 in 32 games for Rapids; and former Charlton striker Shaun Bartlett (goal of the season 2000-01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPTm0vrX-LU) played for Rapids in the MLS’s first season.
Former Colorado boys with English connections who are now retired include former Chelsea man John Spencer; former Arsenal, Everton and Birmingham midfielder Anders Limpar; and England international goalkeeper Chris Woods.
John Spencer at Chelsea
Nowadays, under the tutelage of Englishman Gary Smith, “firepower” of Caleb Folan (he isn’t scoring much in the MLS either), Aston Villa trainee Danny Earls, and twice-capped Scotsman Jamie Smith, Rapids are fifth in a nine-team Western Conference. They will look to redeem themselves after losing 4-1 at Columbus Crew when they face Houston Dynamo at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.
Monumento de los comuneros.
LA MUERTE DE MARCO RUIZ
Someone new to me: Gabriel Valenzuela, who plays Emilio ?onde in Telemundo’s “La Casa de al Lado”.
Nos llegaron nuevas camisas! 100% Algodòn con bordados en seda hechos a mano.
Campus Party Colombia 2011
