US Soccer - Bell Ringing, Building Lighting and Other Wasted Chances

The opportunity for all parts of the nation to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of American soccer was sadly missed when US Soccer went to New York this week.

There were a good number of former players in attendance followed by some speeches and executives in suits playing up to Wall Street and the Empire State Building.

 

However, what was missing were the tangible symbols of the celebration. Other than the "100 Years" banners, there was little for Americans to embrace as a remembrance of this event.

 

Our suggestion, dismissed by the Federation without explanation, was to have every team that participated in this year's U.S. Open Cup should have wear a patch commemorating the Centennial on their shirts.

Bobby Moore (left), and Pele (right), with Gerry Francis (center), wear the Bicentennial patch.  

 

Would this idea cost less than the lighting of the Empire State building ? Could it be embraced by every club in the Open Cup from every small town to the biggest MLS city ?

 

What type of legacy has US Soccer Federation to show for itself after 100 years of great history ? The most recent inductees to the US's Soccer Hall of Fame (Peter Vermes and Tab Ramos) were notified that they have been enshrined into a "non-existent" building (no Hall or even a hallway). Don't they deserve better ?

 

In 1976, when the nation was observing its Bicentennial, the much maligned North American Soccer League (NASL), put patches on the sleeves of its soccer teams.  It even allowed its players to participate in a 4 team tournament which included Italy, England and Brazil - called the Bicentennial Cup.

 

The Official match program of the 1976 tournament.

 

It seems with only 100 years to prepare for this anniversary, US Soccer might have planned a bit more substance for all the American people.

 

The good news is that its only April and there is still time to create something for the century mark of the game in America.

 

 

U.S. Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City and London Olympic Artifacts at I.S.A.

The 99th Edition of the U.S. Open Cup was won by Sporting Kansas City as they dethroned the 3-time Champions Seattle Sounders. The battle at Livestrong Sporting Park was physical and it took a penalty shoot-out to stop Seattle from winning an unprecedented 4th straight Cup Final.

Jubilant Kansas City players (above) sport their winner's medals and hold the Open Cup Trophy.

The 99th winners medal which has been added to the I.S.A. Collection.

The seldom seen reverse of the U.S. Open Cup winners medal (above).

American International GRAHAM ZUSI (above) earned his first medal in the 2012 Final.

The match-worn GRAHAM ZUSI jersey, complete with blood and grass strains. The hallmark patch on the inside collar is for LAMAR HUNT, founder of Sporting Kansas City. Hunt's name also appears on the Open Cup competition and trophy.

The reverse of the midfielder's # 8 jersey

 The first Champagne cork (above) from Sporting Kansas City's 2012 victory

Among the celebration was a well traveled ROGER ESPINOSA (far left).

 ESPINOSA starred with HONDURAS in their remarkable run through the 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS

Only days after returning from London, ESPINOSA played in the Cup Final (playing against Brazil above).

The OLYMPIC worn shoes (above) that ESPINOSA wore in the Cup Final.

Another look at the OLYMPIC worn shoes (above and below)

The ticket for the 2012 U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL

The International Soccer Archives has one of the largest collections of U.S. Open Cup memorabilia in the world.

Brick By Brick ... Wall of Champions

The first wave of artifacts for the 2009 WALL OF CHAMPIONS have arrived.

The Richmond Kickers, USL-2 Organization of the Year - managed by VP of Communications Shelley Sowers - contributed the game-worn jersey of top scorer Matthew Delicate. Delicate led the USL-2 goal scoring with 13 tallies.

The USL-1 best regular season record went to the Portland Timbers. As is customary, the club was awarded the Commissioner's Cup for 2009. Japan's veteran of 2 FIFA World Cups - Takayuki Suzuki - was instrumental in the Timbers success and his game-worn jersey will represent Portland.

The Seattle Sounders, who can trace their roots back to the 1970's, capped a successful MLS inaugural season by winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The winning goal was scored by long-time Sounder - Roger Levesque. His game-worn Cup jersey was donated to represent the Seattle Sounders.

The MLS club with the best regular season record - The Columbus Crew - were awarded the Supporter's Shield. The Crew were MLS Cup Champions in 2008 and wore the "Scuddetto" champions star on their jersey throughout the 2009 season. The game-worn jersey of Venezuelan international and team Captain Alejandro Moreno was added to the Wall of Champions.

In addition, a winners medal from the 2009 Open Cup winners will be displayed on the Wall of Champions to represent the Seattle Sounder's first trophy as an MLS club.