The US national soccer team has a tough road ahead of them in the World Cup next summer after being drawn into a group with Italy, Czech Republic, and Ghana. With three of the teams in the top 12 in the world, including the US, this will be a great opportunity for the US team to show it has staying power in the international game. Making out of their group would be a great accomplishment for this group and solidify us as an up and coming soccer power. This article by Ives Galarcep explains how the draw could end up being beneficiary to the US.

Last night a group of 15 of us went to Fire and Ice downtown for a classic dinner. If you've never been to a Mongolian barbecue before, you're missing out because Fire and Ice is the best. All you can eat in general is amazing, but the variety of food they have at Fire and Ice and the experience itself makes for an awesome dining environment. For the record my recommended sauce would be a mix of the schezuan and peppercorn brandy.

Today was pretty typical 2005 Ravens, although they didn't completely suck Kyle Boller certainly didn't do anything great to help the cause. The one high note was that although he got off to a slow start, it's nice to see Mark Clayton stepping into the role Ozzie Newsome thought he would play when he was drafted this year.

Maryland finally broke through in the College Cup and beat New Mexico to win the National Championship. Jason Garey, after four awesome years in College Park, finally got to the top.

Another great win for Maryland today; this one in basketball. A nice way to welcome BC to the ACC and take them down at the Comcast Center. The free throw shooting still needs to improve as well as a strong presence inside to bring down rebounds.

Sorry it's been a few days, but I've been sick with a stomach virus. The biggest news in my world over the past few days has been the declaration by Miguel Tejada that he wants out of Baltimore. From Orioles Hangout:

When the Orioles heard that Miguel Tejada told a reporter that he wanted out of Baltimore they assumed that he was taken out of context or speaking out of frustration. But then a day went by without Tejada backing out and without him returning calls from executive vice president of baseball operations Mike Flanagan or manager Sam Perlozzo. Then, according to published, Flanagan and vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette spoke to Tejada's agents Fernando Cuza and Diego Bentz yesterday and neither backed down from the trade demand. Third baseman Melvin Mora said he spoke to Tejada and that he wanted to be traded unless the front office improves. He told Mora said that the signing of Ramon Hernandez (one of Tejada's best friends and God parent to one of his children) wasn't enough and pointed to the moves made by the Blue Jays. Owner Peter Angelos countered in the Washington Post, pointing out how BJ Ryan got $47 million over five years as a closer when he has just closed one year and $55 million over five years to AJ Burnett who has never won over 12 games in a season. Meanwhile, team's are lining up to speak to the Orioles about Tejada and they are considering trades. The one receiving the most media interest is Tejada to Boston for Manny Ramirez. Angelos said he wouldn't be fond of taking on the $60 million left over three-years on Ramirez's contract, but didn't say he'd reject the trade. Baltimore doesn't necessarily want to trade him within the division, and will find it hard enough for someone to take the $60 million owed to him over the next four years. Of course, they also don't necessarily want to trade him and would like to convince him to stay.

I certainly can't blame him, but it shows volumes about the O's when our unquestioned leader asked to be traded. I was under the impression that Miggy was one of the few elements holding this team together; now the whole organization is up in the air. I don't think we should trade him, I know that's what he wants but he's too valuable to get rid of, even for Manny. Angelos really has some problems right now and I have no idea how he's planning on rectifying the situation.

So here is today's big news story out of Miami. I mean he clearly wasn't innocent and when you claim to have a bomb and reach into your luggage, nothing good will happen to you; but is it just me or should these armed officials be trained to maim people and not fatally wound them.

I think the Bulls get the award for worst choice of throwback uniforms ever...these are just gross:


I know the NBA makes a ton of money putting out these throwbacks but this set is probably the worst basketball throwbacks I've seen brought back. Even sadder than the Bulls wearing them for a game is that people are going to go out and buy these things...that's pathetic.

Just got back from the hospital after visiting my friend Vince; he broke his leg playing snow football yesterday afternoon. It was a pretty sad sight, he had a hard cast all the way up to his groin. Considering the level and pain and drugs he was going through he was in pretty high spirits. Of all the times and places to break your leg, the winter in Boston is probably not the best option. This morning the entire walk to class was through slush and ice and there were people slipping all over the place; I can't imagine navigating Comm Ave on crutches this time of year. Tomorrow he's having a rod inserted into his leg from his knee to his foot, which is needed because he shattered both the tibia and the fibula bones in his lower leg.

For all the sports I've played in my life, I consider myself extremely lucky to have had only one serious injury in my life (I broke my collarbone playing soccer the summer after my junior year of high school). These kinds of freak injuries aren't anything you can really prevent and it sucks that something as casual as playing touch football can turn into something a lot more serious.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas season is in full force. Throughout this time of year, there are many things that really grind my gears, but the number one thing I hate might be the holiday car commercials that suggest buying cars for people as gifts. I mean who the fuck buys a car for someone as a gift; these commercials apply to well less than one percent of the population. If someone is actually going to buy their significant other a car as a gift, they've probably been planning this and won't buy a Lexus on a whim because they saw a commercial on TV. These commercials are completely unrealistic for virtually everyone in the country but car companies keep coming out with these "holiday deals;" they need to stop immediately.

WEEK 13 NFL PICKS

Baltimore d. Houston
Chicago d. Green Bay
Jacksonville d. Cleveland
Minnesota d. Detroit
Indianapolis d. Tennessee
Miami d. Buffalo
Tampa Bay d. New Orleans
NY Giants d. Dallas
Cincinnati d. Pittsburgh
Carolina d. Atlanta
St Louis d. Washington
Arizona d. San Francisco
Denver d. Kansas City
New England d. NY Jets
San Diego d. Oakland
Seattle d. Philadelphia

I don't even like Christmas tree lights that much, but this is pretty damn cool. 34th Street better step up to the plate this year.