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Vote for Soccer By Ives

I wouldn't normally pump up someone else's blog specifically, but when a soccer blog is up against some of the best from the other big sports in the U.S. for a major award like the Best Sports Blog from the 2008 Weblog Awards, I feel it's time to change the rules a little bit. Ives Galarcep and his in-depth news blog Soccer By Ives is in the final 15 against some of the biggest sports blogs from other American sports. Improve your fanhood score and go vote for a fellow footie lover!

Pair of Wizards Receive "All-American" Honorable Mention

Greg Seltzer of Soccer365 and his own blog, No Short Corners, recently posted his "All-American" team of 2008. The team, judged by him to be the best-performing of all American players-regardless of the League-in 2008, included some usual suspects (Oguchi Onyewu, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan) and some new faces (Charles Kazlauskas, Charlie Davies). In the honorable mention section, Seltzer included standout Wizards defenders Jimmy Conrad and Michael Harrington. The list is a who's-who of American soccer stars, so scoring two players on the team is quite an accomplishment. Read the entire list here over at Soccer365.

Espinoza Writes from Camp/Jewsbury Talks Christmas

Jewsbury and Espinoza celebrate together after Jack's early-season goal against the Chicago Fire. The face on that lady above Jack's left shoulder is classic.

Roger Espinoza got back with us last night via email from his time in Miami, Fl with the Honduras National Team. Here is what he said about his time with the squad so far:

So far it’s looking good. We have just been doing fitness for the most part. The practices are tough, but I'm doing pretty well in my opinion. We are practicing two times a day, and sometimes we do three sessions a day. In the morning, we run. In the afternoon, we do some tactics and how the team works, and we are getting prepare for the friendly against Chile on the 18th of January here in Miami. The coach hasn't talked to me yet about my role or had meetings with the other players. I feel that I interact with the team pretty well, and if I keep working hard, things will go my way.

The Men's National Team blog put up a list of what some players in camp gave to other people in their lives and what they received for Christmas. Jewsbury is featured, relating specifically to the child he and wife Brittany are expecting. Read it here.

Monday Wrap-Up

First, former Wizards forward Chris Brown retired from the game over the weekend. Good luck to you after your career, Chris.

Second, follow the U.S. Men's National Team camp through U.S. Soccer's Men's National Team blog at www.mnt-ussoccer.blogspot.com. Jack Jewsbury and the boys kicked off the camp today with some technical and conditioning work, then went for physicals after lunch. We'll look to have Jewsbury and fellow Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza check in soon here at Hillcrest Road for you fans.

Third, don't yet buy tickets to the upcoming World Cup Qualifier between the United States and Mexico. Tickets aren't yet on sale, though they've been popping up at Stub Hub for crazy-high prices. Don't buy them yet.

Finally, the MLS SuperDraft comes next Thursday from St. Louis and will be shown live on ESPN 2 from 1 p.m. CT - 2 p.m. CT. Read the MLS press release about the event here. The adidas Player Combine begins this Friday in Ft. Lauderdale. The Wizards Technical Staff will be there.

New-Look ESPN.com

ESPN.com launched a new-look page design that includes a much more user-friendly look. It is also much more soccer-friendly, as "soccer" is listed as the fourth choice along the upper sport menu bar, ahead of NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball and the NHL. Clicking the "soccer" link takes you to the ESPNSoccernet home page that focuses primarily on the English Premier League and European action. MLS and U.S. Soccer is a primary focus of Soccernet as well, however, and the heavy prominence on ESPN.com is a great thing for the sport in general in this country.

On another note, ESPN has put together a gallery of former ESPN.com themes that is pretty entertaining to scroll through. This is a pretty fun scroll through memory lane.

Conrad Gets Team of the Year Nod/Streeter's Predictions

Hartman makes a list of the top 50 players in MLS put together by a Toronto FC fan.

Allen Ramsey over at Goal.com came up with his MLS Team of the Season yesterday. Captain Kansas City made the list at center back alongside Chad Marshall for his stellar season both guiding the Wizards defense and pushing forward to score six goals. Well done, Jimmy.

Also David Streeter of the Topeka Capital-Journal came up with his predictions for 2009. I think you'll like his pick for MLS Cup. Read up.

In other news, a TFC fan blogger came up with his 50 players of MLS. Kevin Hartman and Jimmy Conrad make his list from KC. I'd add Davy Arnaud and Claudio Lopez to the list (and probably Harrington and Jewsbury too), but it's an interesting starting spot. Check it out and offer him your comments.

Welcome to 2009 and year two of Hillcrest Road. Hopefully the second season was just as fun and useful as the first.