Wow, that was a very unimpressive game. We won, I guess that is good. So many thoughts running through my head such as why is Jermaine Jones wearing the captain band? And doesnt the Panamanian coach look like an alien? rubbish. Lets get to what we can take away from tonights game.

All coaches gamble on selection choices, but JK selection of JJ is starting to puzzle me. He is more of a hazard that creating hazards for other teams. I dont want him as a starter (nor do I think he will be) on the USMNT.

Zusi - The SKC standout delivers yet another above average performance. He was a bit fortunate on that goal but isnt being in the right place at the right time part of the game? So kudos to him.

Brick Shea - Where was this guy? After looking great all season and the trials at Arsenal he must be tired cause he has not showed up in the last two games. He lost balls, made poor passes and was no where to be found. #alittlebitworried

Zach Loyd - He had some good minutes against Venezuela and he made some good plays against Panama, but he must be drinking the JJ juice cause he made some pretty bad decisions before picking up the knock and being subbed in the first half. Still I think he will get more looks in the future which is good. He has a great upside.

Nick Rimando - By far the most impressive player on the field. Nuff said.

Ricardo Clark - Didnt follow up his performance against Venezuela. Lost the ball multiple times.

Geoff Cameron - Harsh call, but to be expected in foreign countries especially south of the border. Was solid while in the game.

Teal Blueberry - He must still be in KC cause he was MIA for the game other than the botched goal that led to Zusi slamming it in.

No one else was worth mentioning on the USMNT. Real tests come next month in Europe.

One final note – You can follow me on twitter at @dinomitedan4 for more laughs and slurs against #RalphsoneManmob.

The views expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Crocketteers.

By Andres Roberto-Bexar Co. Foot

For 90+ minutes Jermaine Jones appeared to be the strongest piece in the midfield for the US against Venezuela in an international friendly on Saturday in Phoenix, AZ in preparation for the qualifying stages to Brazil 2014.

His inclusion to the squad was merely weeks after being sentenced to an eight game suspension received from the Bundesliga for violent conduct during a German Cup match.

Jones, who plays for Shalke, received scrutiny after the match against Borussia Moenchengladbach where he allegedly stomped on midfielder Marco Reus. The referee did not notice the incident but upon further review by a disciplinary panel a “grave misconduct” charge was filed.

The suspension included six Bundesliga Matches and two Europa League ties but did not exclude him from international competition.

Some reports have surfaced that Klinsmann was rewarding a player who was suspended for violent conduct by bringing him into the national setup and handing him the captaincy. There is some fear that this sets a precedent that a players conduct will not be considered when given a leadership role on the national team.

To read the rest of the article CLICK HERE

The Bexar Co. Foot is a soccer blog that reports on news and features from the world of soccer and around the Web with a special attention to the local soccer scene. The comments of Bexar Co. Foot are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Crocketteers Supporters Group.

So im a couple days late, sorry I thought I published this.

Yay! We won 1-0 in stoppage time! WIth our C+ team against a pretty good Venezuela team that looked poor all game.

There wasn’t much to brag about on the win. Although, I must admit I was impressed with Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo). Which is a sigh of relief since Gooch and Tim Ream sometimes scare me back there, its good to know that we are starting to see some good CB’s. Sorry Gonzalez you just moved down the pecking order to #4 in my book and JK little black book.

And that does it for the good news, here comes the bad.

Jermaine Jones had flashes of brilliance being a general in the midfield, and taking charge. Stopping plays, creating, and just being that intimidation that we have known from JJ. Yet, he still showed the bad side of JJ that we have come to know which is giving away poor balls and fouling unnecessary. Im starting to wonder if #dareisayhisname Michael Bradley who has been starting and going the full 90 at Chievo in Italy is moving up in the pecking order.

Benny F. – What can I say about Benny that has not been said before? Much like JJ, he showed flashes of creativity most notably that sweet pass to Brek Shea. Yet, Im still not sure on him. How does he fit JK system? He needs to be more creative in the midfield, keeping those nice passes coming which im not sure if he can do for the full 90.

Forwards that go backwards. Seriously whats it gonna take for our Strikers to score a goal. JEEEZZ!! The kid in the stand with the horrible acne has gotten more action than our strikers lately and he only got to first base. If we have to leave it up to #gasp Ricardo Clark to win the game for us, we are in for some scary times. I know we still have the double D’s in Dempsey and Donavon but seriously they play better when they are in the withdraw striker position. We still need our #1 strikers to put the ball in the back of the net.

And thats about all the players who even showed up for the USA on Saturday night. Anyone make an impression for you?

The views expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Crocketteers.

By Andres Roberto, Bexar Co. Foot

For ninety minutes the US squad put into practice everything they had been learning for the past two weeks. With Jurgen Klinsmann coming out early on referring to this group as a “glorified B team” one didn’t know what to expect from a group of mostly MLS players and first time debutants.

After a few nervous interchanges, the US looked poised to compete with the Venezuelans almost to the point of totally dominating the run of play.

It was clear Jurgen Klinsmann had put in extensive work during the training camps to establish not only his own philosophy but the player’s awareness of each other. This was evident in the shape and interchange between the back four and midfield who tirelessly worked to spurn the attack.

To read the rest of the article Click Here

The Bexar Co. Foot is a soccer blog that reports on news and features from the world of soccer and around the Web with a special attention to the local soccer scene. The comments of Bexar Co. Foot are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Crocketteers Supporters Group.

San Antonio Soccer Examiner, Chris Hockman sat down with Director of Coaching at the Alamo City Youth Soccer Organization, Lance Noble, to discuss their new USL Super 20 club Alamo SC, who will begin play in May 2012.

CH: With a 20 yearold age limit, how about the lower end, do 15 year-olds have a shot?
LN: 15 year-olds have a shot, we’re more than willing to take a look at them but they’re going to need to be top class, to make just the expanded roster, but we’re not afraid to pick one up if he can play.

CH: Do you think you will get the support from clubs outside of ACYSO?

To read the rest of the article click here

Chris Hockman is an active part of the San Antonio Soccer Community, a registered referee & the first ever paying member of the Crocketteers.

The schedule for the inaugural season of the San Antonio Scorpions is now known. The Scorpions play their first ever match on April 7 in Atlanta. Their first home game at Heroes Stadium will be Sunday April 15 for an early evening showdown against the Islanders of Puerto Rico.

There will be plenty of Saturday evening home games, which will make for a great pre-game atmosphere at the Crocketteers tailgate.

The Scorpions’ 2012 schedule is as follows (all times CST; home games in bold):

• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7 @ Atlanta Silverbacks
• 6 p.m. Sunday, April 15 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28 @ Carolina RailHawks
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12 @ Tampa Bay Rowdies
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 vs. FC Edmonton
• 3:05 p.m. Sunday, May 27 @ FC Edmonton
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2 vs. Minnesota Stars FC
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16 @ Puerto Rico Islanders
• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23 @ Tampa Bay Rowdies
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4 vs. FC Edmonton
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11 @ Puerto Rico Islanders
• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21 vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28 vs. Carolina RailHawks
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders
• 8:05 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8 @ FC Edmonton
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 @ Minnesota Stars FC
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
• 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 @ Minnesota Stars FC
• 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 vs. Carolina RailHawks
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 @ Atlanta Silverbacks
• 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23 vs. Minnesota Stars FC

Read the Scorpions news release at the Scorpions Website.

Tags: 2012, NASL, San Antonio, Schedule, Scorpions

Its that time of the year again. No not that time. I already gave up on my New Years resolution to work out consistently at a gym. But instead its time for MLS players to “train”  or be loaned out with European Clubs across the pond. Now this is suppose to be a time to “train” with clubs so the MLS player can come back to the States sharper and just in time for kickoff but is that really the case? Im finding it more and more difficult to believe that this is a “good option” for MLS.

At first glance, it seems like this is a “win win” situation. The trainee gets valuable European experience (whether he goes to a top club or not), he comes back sharp in time for the MLS season, the European club pays a month or two of his yearly salary and the trainee gets a boost of confidence on playing/training overseas, or the winning goal on FA competition which is good publicity for the league. But is it worth it?

Well, like with anything in life this type of “loan or training” is a gamble. You are gambling that MLS club team will come up on top and your player doesn’t wind up hurt (cough Omar Gonzalez) and you find yourself out of the Defender of the Year and a vital defensive piece of your back line. Also, im not to keen on European clubs basically getting a “free try out” on MLS players. Not that I follow baseball (I actually despise this national pastime with the corruption of steroids and pure boredom of the game), but they have a pretty good paradigm when it comes to recruiting players. They have a “posting fee” where the club who wants the player pays a ridiculous amount of money and hopes to work out the contract within 30 days.  The entire “posting fee” goes to the club which in return it can use the cash flow to support the club  in operations, player development and player signings. MLS right now basically has a 30 day no risk trial on MLS players to European clubs. You can have our players and if you like you can keep them for pennies on a dollar transfer fee. This worked when we were a league of college graduates, but MLS is growing stronger and better every year. It is time we take out our pimp hand and tell Europe “hey we saved your ass in WWI and WWII and now you want to use our players to get you through your clubs season with all the your injuries and international duties without any compensation” Europe please! Europe you want to use us, the rate is XXX an hour.  I want MLS to get paid, that is all I am saying and stop letting Europe treat us like a butter face.  Im all for this type of experience as long as our clubs get paid to put the money back in the club.

The views expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Crocketteers.

Jakob Willman, Director of Football Club Ops

SAN ANTONIO – The Crocketteers, San Antonio’s original soccer supporters group, have named Jakob Willmann Director of Football Club Operations. Jakob has been a cardholding member of the Crocketteers since 2009 and was the original goalkeeper for the first ever Crocketteers FC team. Today, Jakob plays for the Crocketteers Open team.

“I am excited to be taking on this new position in the club,” remarked Jakob Willman on acceptance of the role. “I really want to help grow the Football Club element of the Crocketteers for two reasons, to help the Crocketteers reach a larger group of soccer fans and to help bring amatuer soccer in San Antonio to the next level.”

Crocketteers Football Club has grown from 1 team in the Spring of 2009 to 5 teams in the Spring of 2012 with the potential of adding 3 more teams under the Crocketteers banner for a grand total of 8 teams. “With my responsibilities to the Supporters’ Club (SC) side being my top Crocketteers priority, I recognized we needed to find someone to focus solely on running the Football Club”, noted Rich Moore, Vice President of the Crocketteers. Rich previously had led operations of the club side of the Crocketteers and was instrumental in adding to the club an Over 30 team as well as an Over 40 side.

“Like the Crocketteers Supporters group was created to hep facilitate the creation of pro soccer in San Antonio, I hope the Crocketteers Football Club can facilitate the expansion of the amatuer soccer options in San Antonio,” added Jakob. “I believe these two go hand in hand.”

Crocketteers Football Club consist of the following teams:

• Crocketteers Premier (SASA)
• Crocketteers Open (SASA)
• Crocketteers Over 30 (SASA)
• Crocketteers Over 40 (SASA)
• Crocketteers U-14 (NEYSO)

Future:

• Crocketteers Co-Ed (TBA)
• 2 More teams (TBA)

Questions concerning the football club can be directed to Jakob Willman at jakob.willmann@crocketteers.com.

Tags: Club, Crocketteers FC, San Antonio, Soccer

First Phase of Scorpions Community Stadium to be completed in time for Scorpions second season in 2013.

Monday was a busy day for soccer in San Antonio with two significant stadium announcements made from Gordon Hartman, owner of the Scorpions NASL club and the San Antonio Independant School District.

Gordon Hartman announced the plans for the Scorpions stadium in the morning at a “State of the Scorpions” roundtable event.

The stadium, San Antonio Scorpions Community stadium will be privately funded which Hartman stated was the way this should be done, a reversal of his statements a year ago when he sought public funding for the same venue.

The stadium will be built at Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks, behind Morgan’s Wonderland the charity that the Scorpions will benefit, which puts it accross the road from Heroes Stadium where the Scorpions will play their 2012 season, allowing fans to see the progress throughout the season.
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The stadium will include a FIFA standard field which will allow for the venue to host various events, as it also matches NCAA standards and could prove a replacement to Blossom Stadium for San Antonio’s soccer events after Blossom lost the Big 12 Championships this year.

Read the entire article at San Antonio Soccer Examiner

Tags: alamo stadium, saisd, Scorpions, Scorpions Community Stadium, SS&E

Kevin Harmse Introduction & Brief Interview from Crocketteers TV on Vimeo.

First Scorpions signing, Kevin Harmse, is introduced at the January 9th Scorpions press conference. Kevin spoke briefly at the press conference and shared a few words with us afterwards.
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