From College to the Pros - The US soccer ladder

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

For Those Who Don't Know...

From The Pitch is a good radio show. I know, this has nothing to do with youth soccer but it does have to do with the fact I've been appearing on From The Pitch with Marcelo Balboa. Last night's show was one of my favorites, so take a listen. You can catch the show on-line, over the AM airwaves in Denver or via podcast on Apple iTunes or MLSnet.com. I think I'll be there again next week while Marcelo is working as Assistant Coach to the US U-20's in Portugal.

So give the show some love. Callers and emailers are appreciated.

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Tuesday, March 04, 2008

FCTP Meets FTP, Tonight...

Tune into From The Pitch with Marcelo Balboa tonight. I'll be one of the co-hosts along with Colorado Rapids U-23 owner, Peter Ambrose.

Guests include:
- Nick Sakiewicz - CEO / Operating Partner of the new MLS team in Philadelphia
- Jason Linscott - Senior Director Ticket Sales, Colorado Rapids
- Jack Huckel - Director of Museum and Archives National Soccer Hall oF Fame Museum

Topics of Discussion:
- MLS Wavier Draft Today at 3 PM
- Philadelphia - It's Official
- Top 20 Players in MLS
- MLS Off-Season Club Transfers
- Glen Davis interview with Oscar De La Hoya

Tune in live, 6pm - 8 pm mst.
# AM-1060 in Denver
# AM-1580 in Colorado Springs
# AM-610 in Vail
# AM-1450 in Buena Vista
Online - Radio Colorado Network

Call in to ask questions:
800-531-3815 - on air
303-485-2152 - on air

Email Questions to MarceloBalboa@yahoo.com

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

FCTP Goes To The Airwaves...

From The Pitch w/ Marcelo Balboa


presented by Soccer Stop and adidas


Tuesday Jan 22, 2008, 6-8 PM (MST)

Tuesday night's guests include:

* John Harkes: ESPN Broadcaster and former National Team player
* Joe Machnik: Major League Soccer's Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner for On-Field Competition
* Bonji: Writer and Contributor to From College to the Pros

What's on Tap for Discussion?

* Landon Donovan's Historic Milestone
* MLS Trades and Signings
* MLS Draft Roundup
* MLS Rumors

Be part of the Radio Colorado Network, call us on the air. Or call us at:

* 800-531-3815 -on air
* 303-485-2152 -on air

Listen On:

* AM-1060 in Denver
* AM-1580 in Colorado Springs
* AM-610 in Vail
* AM-1450 in Buena Vista
* www.radiocoloradonetwork.com

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

FCTP Falls Off The Wagon...

You've already figured out that I can't keep up with the MLS Rookie of the week business. I'm sorry, I really am. Today I am officially declaring that feature is dead. I gave it a good go but it is too tough as the MLS season wears on and work gets busy. If anyone out there wants to join my "staff" and take over the honor of scouring match write ups and trying to make an educated decision on who the best rookie was this past week, please write me or comment below. Work, life and other interesting soccer news has gotten in the way.

One thing that has certainly gotten in the way is my reading of other soccer blogs. Google Reader has hooked me people. I'm going to put a link to the right call "What Bonji Is Reading." It will show you what I share in Google Reader. For those who enjoy blogs but haven't started using a blog compiler, check it out. You subscribe to the blog and then get all of their articles automatically. You can take the time it takes to search for what you want to read and put it into reading. I highly recommend you start by subscribing to your favorite soccer blog, FCTP.

The fall US U-17 residency class has been announced. Top Drawer Soccer does a great job on their write up, check it out. Yes, I found this through Google Reader and someone else's blog. Can't remember who's...sorry.

I got some confused calls from family members yesterday wondering why I wasn't on the radio. Tonight is From The Pitch. It is every Tuesday night from 6 - 8 pm mountain time. Tune in! If you like the logo update we posted the other day, I can put you in touch with the graphic designer who did the update. I'm sure he'd be happy to charge you for a similar service.

MLS is coming down to the final playoff push. Colorado, Chicago and Columbus are all pushing for the 8th and final spot. I love the new playoff qualification format. It really did open up the competition. Instead of both conferences being interested in who is going to get the last spot, now there is one spot for teams from both conferences. Check out the single table widget in the right hand margin to see who is in the playoffs and who is out.

I think Chicago is going to take that magical 8th spot. The addition of Blanco and Wanchope has really helped Chicago come alive in the second half of the season. They can actually go on the road and beat a team they're competing with for the final playoff spot. That is something the Rapids couldn't do. The Rapids need to take notice. Many other teams are improving their situation by signing quality designated players and senior internationals while the Rapids are signing unfit has been former internationals and saving their money on the designated player. GM Plush makes it sound like next year we will see a DP in Colorado, but I'm not so sure. Nothing in the club's history would make me think they are ready to splash the cash on a quality player to bring wins to the club. The Rapids seem to try and emulate the Oakland A's of MLB. When was the last time the A's won the World Series is my question? Ohh, right...1989. When I was still a baseball fan and attended the ALCS where the A's swept the Red Sox to make it to the World Series against the SF Giants and the epic Battle of the Bay that was interrupted by the biggest earthquake I've ever felt. I remember.

Rapids take note, you need to spend to win. My prediction for MLS Cup 2007 is that the two teams in the final will have highly paid players on their roster who know how to score goals in big games. Angel....Blanco...I'm looking at you two.

But I digress....Listen in tonight. Call in to ask some questions. It'll be fun!

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Monday, September 10, 2007

FCTP Hits The Airwaves...

From College to the Pros will be getting some airtime tomorrow evening on From The Pitch, hosted by Marcelo Balboa. We'll be talking about college soccer, up and coming players and more. If you're in Denver you can listen to yours truly waxing poetic on soccer over the airwaves - AM 1060. In fact, many Colorado residents will be able to hear my beautiful voice over terrestrial signals.

AM-1060 in Denver
AM-1580 in Colorado Springs
AM-610 in Vail
AM-1450 in Buena Vista

I want to hear from all you Buena Vista residents!!!

Call in 303-485-2152 or 800-531-3815.

For those outside Colorado, listen on the Internet.

The show starts at 6 pm mountain time and runs until 8 pm. I don't know exactly when I'll be on, so you're stuck listening to Marcelo and the rest of the crew before they let me speak.

Folks, the last time I was available on live radio was 1995 in Lafayette, California. You'd better make sure you tune in this time because who knows if Marcelo will ever invite me back. Talk to you tomorrow!

If you're on myspace, check out the show's page and become their friend.
www.myspace.com/fromthepitch

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Friday, September 07, 2007

How The Mighty Have Fallen...

In the most recent NSCAA Men's Soccer Poll the pre-season #1 UCLA Bruins have fallen out of the top 10 after a rocky first weekend. They were playing some of the best teams in the country away from home. Meanwhile Wake Forest takes over the top spot for soundly winning two games against lower level opponents. This is the age old debate...do you play tough teams early to prepare for the conference games or do you schedule games that will make you look good? What do you all think.

This and more will no doubt be the topic of conversation on the next From the Pitch radio show. Yours truly will be a guest along side host Marcelo Balbo. Check out their myspace page to see how you can listen in on Tuesday, September 11th. The last time you could have heard me on the radio would have been in 1995 on Acalanes High School's KCEQ. I hope I've changed since then. Give us a call on the show to talk about the latest in college soccer and some of the young talent coming up through the US system.

If you have a myspace account, become a friend of the show.

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