Time to be honest – I dig on the occasional video game.  And by “occasional”, I mean at least a couple of hours a week.  And by “at least a couple of hours” a week, I mean – oh never mind.  Just understand that I do like some video games.

You will find that the United States is a video game nation powered by Madden NFL. It is the sports franchise that dominates the video game landscape. There are even television shows dedicated to Madden NFL football.  I don’t look down on those people, honestly.  I respect them.  They love playing a game and have a good time.  No harm in that, right?  Well I am no where near that level of fanaticism for any game.  I get the odd game in here and there after work is done and the kids are in bed for the night.  But there is a passion that resonates with me and others like me: FIFA soccer.

The one game that has always held a special place in my heart has been the FIFA soccer franchise, which is produced by EA Sports. I have had a version of this game for every console since the 1996 incarnation.  And much like its big brother, Madden NFL, the game focuses on realism and actual pro player ratings.  You get to experience virtual players who are designed with their actual level of skill as based on the performance of their living counterpart. It lends itself to some very fun and realistic video game action.

I’ve won FA Cups, Olympic medals, Community Shields, and even used Alan Shearer to score a last second game winner allowing long-suffering England to hoist the 1998 World Cup.  Truly I am a man who has been living the dream. So, as you can imagine, in recent versions of the game, the Rooney’s, Messi’s, and Ronaldo’s of the virtual world tend to run rim shod over the “mere mortal” players.

This is why I come back to play over and over again (and also it’s a great way to kill time when I’m on the treadmill.  Seriously, you can jog for like an hour and it feels like 5 minutes.  You have to try it.  Just be safe.  I speak from experience.)  Anyway, I come back to it over and over because of its realism, sort of.  Occasionally, EA Sports likes to make some players even more amazing then their real-life counterparts. 

For instance, when I play against my nemesis, Wayne Rooney, he likes to torment me with jukes and dekes unlike anything you’ve seen from a human.  It becomes downright comical at times.  That is until I try to take him out of the game with an absolutely malicious tackle.  This very seldom works as this super human virtual Rooney detects that somehow.  He manages to keep the ball, dance around my tackle, and proceed to beat my goal keeper in a variety of ways.  I am left scratching my head, vowing vengeance, and then find myself surrendering even more goals as I try too hard to equalize.  Ah – good times, good times!

Come to think of it, I’m not sure why I keep coming back to the game.  That damn Rooney (and Messi, don’t get me started on his virtual prowess.  Craaaaazy.)

I guess I should stop ranting about video games and go get back to my life.  However, if you are cut from the same cloth as me, drop a comment below. Maybe we can even play a game on line sometime.  Just don’t mock me when I flip out over your virtual superstars skills and try to take him out with every member of my back 4.  Also, please don’t ridicule me when my team has to forfeit because too many men have been sent off.  You have been warned.

While some of my American friends and co-workers may scoff at soccer as being a “boring” or “not for them”, they almost all change their tune when it comes to league design.  These friends and co-workers may be criminally insane as well, but that is actually not the point here. (And, for the record, I said “may”.)

Who cares about league design? Well, I do.  So there!  But honestly, in most European soccer leagues, there are no conferences or divisions or playoffs (well standard playoffs as we know them.)  There is none of that crap.  There is one league.  There is one giant table of teams and every team plays with the goal of being number one.  Get a win? There are points for that.  Get a tie? You grab a point for that. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins the title. The simplicity is elegant and refreshing.  And don’t forget relegation.  Oh my, never underestimate the pain and agony of relegation.

What is relegation?

Well, it is a “motivator” to make sure all teams are performing to the best of their ability. Basically, if your team finishes in one of the bottom spots in the table, they are relegated to a lower league the next season.  Then, the top teams from the lower division replace them at the top flight.

To put it in American terms: based on 2011 Major League Baseball standings: Houston, Seattle, and Minnesota would be playing in AAA this upcoming season, and they would be replaced in MLB by the Pawtucket Red Sox, Durham Bulls, and Columbus Clippers.  Insane, right?  Not so much!

It is a crazy and downright frightening feeling to have your favorite team in the relegation “zone” fighting for survival.  And let me tell you, it adds a great deal of tension (and a bit of fun) to the proceedings throughout the end of the season.  You will see teams literally weep with joy for finishing out the season above the relegation zone.  And, on the flip side, you will see the despair of those who are being “sent down”.

To further add to the excitement, teams finishing near the top of the table get to play in special European cups the following season.  These are prestigious tournaments held across Europe with the top teams from leagues from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, and many more.  The revenue streams as well as the credibility that comes from playing in Europe can propel a team for years to come.  They suddenly become a viable destination for the top talent across the globe.

Other amazing aspects of overseas soccer are tournaments like England’s FA Cup.  This prestigious event traverses all of England’s leagues.  So the English Premier League and all of its “minor leagues” get to play.  You win and you keep going.  Normally, an established Premier League team wins this event, which goes on concurrent with the existing season.  But sometimes these lower division teams come out of nowhere and shock the world. In 1980 West Ham was out of the top flight and came through to win it all.  And as recently as 2008, we saw Cardiff City make it to the final only to succumb to Portsmouth (who, incidentally, was the only Premier League team to make the semi-finals!)

None-the-less, it is always a treat to see major teams like a Manchester United take the pitch at an away leg game against a smaller team, like Huddersfield Town in their old Leeds Road stadium.  It can be culture shock for both fans and players.  To use the baseball analogy again, it would be like the New York Yankees showing up in Niles, Ohio to play the single A Mahoning Valley Scrappers.  Their stadium seats a whopping 6,000 or so people. And, more importantly, the game would matter!  It would be worth something, not just an exhibition.  It would be televised internationally! How cool is that? I am sure it would be quite a treat for the fans and players of the minor league team.

Ultimately, the design of these leagues is far superior to those we see in the major U.S. sports.  There is always something to play for.  Be it the top of the table, a particular tournament, or even just avoid regulation.  Every match counts for something.  And we all know that is not something we can say for most of the sports in our country.

Dear soccer fan, please forgive me.

This is my first soccer confession. We have been acquaintances for a little bit of time now and I have to be a bit more forthcoming with you. Personally, it is for the best. While some of this may hurt, I think it is imperative for you and I to be on common ground as this relationship progresses. So, grab an adult beverage (or not) and grit your teeth (or not) as what I am about to tell you may alter the course of our writer/reader relationship. In fact, it may make you lose any and all respect for me (that is, if there was any respect for me there to begin with. I understand that is quite a stretch.)

Here we go:

- For years there have been rumors circulating that I tried to name my first born “Beckham”. In many circles I denied this claim incredulously. It is time to come clean; I did lobby to name our first child after Becks. My wife, being incredibly awesome and having a sound mind, was able to see that doing so was not in our child’s best intentions. I relented. I felt shame. However, there are times when I look at my now 8-year-old son and think, “I don’t care what the others say, if your name was Beckham, that would be bad ass.”

Please forgive me. Are you okay? Can you continue? I hope so, as I must go on.

- Here is quite wicked googly. My wife and I traveled to London on our honeymoon and I never went to see a Premiership match. This confession alternately pains me greatly/gives me a smile. The pain side is obvious. Heck, our hotel was just blocks away from Stamford Bridge (which I didn’t even go see, I’m a horrible person.) It would have been great to see a game over there. It really would have. And we were overseas at such an exciting time in EPL history – Leeds and Chelsea were on the ascendency, Le Tissier was still mucking about and scored his 100th goal with Southampton, and guys like Beckham, Butt, and Giggs were continually trouncing others at the top of the table.

Why didn’t we go? Well, we were busy with other things. So, there’s that.

I’m not sure if you are okay.

You seem as if you are having some sort of a conniption. Let’s just try to finish up, no?

- I have been to exactly one MLS game, only one. Here I am, Mr. Superfan and I have only been to one MLS game? What gives, right? Well, wait. It gets better. The game I attended was in1997 – Kansas City Wiz vs. New England Revolution. Arrowhead Stadium seemed to be about ¼ full. People were unsure what to cheer about. The rules were weird. Honestly, they were still doing kick-ins instead of throw-ins and all that jazz. It was kind of a bad experience. Anyway, this was the second season of MLS. The league was still finding an identity. I only made the long drive from St. Louis to K.C. to see an idol of mine, Walter Zenga, between the pipes for the Revolution. Also, in an effort of full disclosure, Zenga did not even play that day. He rode the bench. It just added to the surreal feel of the event.

Now, that’s not to say I have not been an MLS supporter. Not the case at all, I just haven’t made it to another game. I truly intend to rectify this discrepancy during this upcoming MLS season. I owe it to my wife. I owe it to my kids. I owe it to you. I owe it to myself.

Well, that’s it. Those are my confessions. I trust that the eye-rolling/saliva drooling combo is a sign of forgiveness. Now, those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, right? You can’t tell me that you don’t have a soccer skeleton or two in that closet of yours, right?

We Live Soccer airs on FOX Soccer in the US and on GOLTV Canada and we bring you so many stories about so many different things throughout the season.  We are continually uploading those features to our PROFILES page so feel free to get your bad self over to the page to check out the who’s who and the what’s what and the where’s where in the North American game.  Did any of that make sense?  Short and sweet translation… go check out the profiles of cool things we shot.

I just uploaded a cool clip in which we met up with Bumpy Pitch.  We dig these guys as they make some ridiculously cool clothing.  Here’s the video with some instructions to follow for the rest of your day (but only if you are medically cleared to partake in).  Watch the video below.  Check out some more profiles. Go to BumpyPitch.com.  Buy yourself a shirt.  Go to the fridge.  Grab a drink.  Chill out.

Where have all of the bad asses gone? 

I’m being serious. I’m not saying soccer is without any tough players – not the case at all.  Actually, it can be argued that soccer players are even more bad ass than ever right about now.  Fitness, equipment, and the quality of the game continue to improve all of the time, forcing players to reach new levels in all aspects of the game.

What I’m asking is where are those larger-than-life bad asses?  I miss the Vinnie Jones’ of the world.

While I was growing up, Vinnie Jones was the cat.  Seriously, if the opponents weren’t crapping themselves at the possibility of playing against him, then they had ice in their veins.  He was (and still is) brash, outrageous, and could usually back it up on the pitch.  If he couldn’t back it up, he would at least grab your testicles and remind you of his presence, just ask Gazza.

I think we need more Vinnie Jones/Dunga type guys.

Dunga was a master of intimidation.  Brazil has always had a “soft” reputation.  Their teams play with unparalleled skill and beautiful fluidity.  Traditionally they didn’t have “hard asses”.  Dunga changed that.  Hell, he didn’t even have to do anything.  That buzz cut and scowl said it all.  The fact that he was a damn good defender was just icing on the cake.  Even now, closing in on 50, Dunga still looks like he could play the lead villain in any “Die Hard” film.  Seriously.

Then there is the enigmatic Eric Cantona.  That crazy Frenchman is still considered by many to be the best player to ever don the Manchester United jersey.  That’s a bold statement.  But “The King” brought a physical presence coupled with unbelievable skill and unparalleled confidence to the pitch.  Everyone knew where he was on the field, and every one knew not to mess with him. He was always on the verge of something amazing (or bat poop insane.)  Ultimately, it is not every day that you see a star player run and successfully land a flying ninja kick on a taunting supporter.

_

Flying drop kicks aside…

Today we are challenged to find those types of personalities.  Don’t get me wrong, we are in a hay day of excellent, physical players.  Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Pique, Lahm, and more are all world class and then some.  However, with the exception of maybe Ferdinand in his ill-advised corn row phase, none of these guys strike fear in to the hearts (and genitals) like a Jones, a Cantona, or a Dunga.

Just sayin’.

Now, I’m not the final word here.  Drop us a comment and have your say.  Any up and coming tough guys we should be watching?

Finally, on a sad (and serious) note, American soccer lost an icon this past week.  Harry Keough passed away at the age of 84. You might know Harry as the gentleman who scored the famous goal in the 1950 World Cup game that saw the Americans beat the heavily favored England team.  I can tell you, Harry and his family are all household names in the St. Louis area.  They have done so much to grow and promote the game. It is a shame to see him pass on.  So, wherever you are this week, toss one back for Harry.

Do you shoot moving pictures? Flicker shows? Talkies? You know… movies?  Well if you’re into film and soccer then the Kicking and Screening Film Festival is pretty much right up your alley.

Right now they are accepting submissions for the 2012 festival, so if you’ve created that soccer masterpiece, get on it and get your submission in there!

We caught up with Greg Lalas and Rachel Markus at the festival last year whilst we were hanging out in NYC.   Check what they had to say in the conveniently placed video below…

Go submit your film now Spielberg!

This is cool.  I’m excited.  You should dig it.

What do we all love to look at?  Yes, pictures, photos, images! If you said other things… I don’t know what your looking for, but it’s probably not here.

For those of us who do dig the photographic arts, we thought we would try to introduce you to some of the incredibly talented image makers that are documenting the beautiful game.

Soccer photography. Who takes those awesome shots of your favourite team?  It ain’t me… probably isn’t you either.  If it is, you have a cool job, and I’m jealous. We’ll bring you the first “Soccer Shots” on Wednesday. Hope you check it out!

Hey it’s a bit of a busy time for the national teams.  Both the U.S. & Canadian women are looking to get through the semi-finals tonight to qualify for London 2012.  Let’s hope they both do as they should and make into the final.  And the men just got into some friendly action against Venezuela and Panama.

So we thought we’d give you a little Maurice and unless you are some kind of know it all here the man himself will tell you one thing you don’t know about the Edu.

Do You Know Maurice Edu? – We Live Soccer

Follow Maurice at the Twitter place: @MauriceEdu

So did it go the way you thought it would?  Did Montreal make the right choice?  Do you think Wenger is really stoked to start his career in the Great White North… on an expansion team?  Not to be biased, but we do think it’s pretty cool up here beyond the 49th parallel, but an expansion team… there could be a few lean years ahead.  Hopefully it all works out for ALL the boys in the draft.

Here’s a video from the boys over at MLS talking with the #1 overall pick Andrew Wenger

And for a complete rundown off all the picks, MLS has that for you too

Who really knows… but according the inter-web, Brek dug his time across the pond and could picture himself settling in there. Not the best news for FC Dallas, but if Arsenal or Chelsea comes a calling with a legit offer he’ll probably take the leap.

But he’s not all football. We aired a small profile on “Brek Shea the Artist” back on our 2nd episode of this past season. Here’s a look at him and his off field activities.

You can check out Brek’s artwork at LeftFoot Studio