Team USA soccer announces 23-man squad for World Cup

The final roster for the U.S. men's soccer team competing in next month's World Cup is now official. Team "USA" might be a misnomer, as 19 of the 23 teammates currently play professionally outside the United States, representing clubs from ten different countries. Among the 4 MLS players is LA Galaxy forward Edson Buddle, who is pretty much the only 'Edson Buddle' that comes up when you Google his name.

The average age of this year's squad is 27, making it the youngest team since the 1994 World Cup.

For more details and other fun facts, check out the full story.

While we at Code Four Athletics aren't in a position to sponsor the World Cup, we'd be more than happy to buy you a cup of coffee. If you're ever in Renton, WA, stop on by and see us. Just look for our cool soccer-ball car out front!

Best soccer jersey color? Think pink.

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) – The tough guys playing in the 2010 World Cup could benefit from sporting pink jerseys.


Color therapy expert Susanne Murphy says all hues emit certain energies and could affect how teams play in the big soccer tournament. She once played in a co-ed flag football league where her entire team – guys included – wore pink and they became THE team to beat. That’s because pink carries positive, “cosmic” energy, and its red undertones help harness physical strength and endurance. Since it’s more subdued than red, it also calms.

Murphy thinks pink would help World Cup athletes be “just aggressive enough” without losing their tempers and getting tons of penalties. She thinks too much pure red in their jerseys could lead to fights on the field because it’s such a passionate color. Instead, athletes should just wear red underwear underneath their uniforms. For optimal focus, she recommends soccer studs go over plays in a room painted yellow prior to games.

Whatever color personally suits you, we've got you covered with our Code Four Athletics Pioneer soccer jersey, available in pink, red and 13 other hues.

Sports Illustrated feature out today: The Beautiful Game

The latest SI cover story is about soccer, and what it means to the world. Writer Grant Wahl's Facebook page features 3 articles from the issue, out today.

While we haven't covered the world (yet), Code Four Athletics has outfitted teams with our brand of soccer uniforms in all 50 states since our founding in 1998. If you're in the market for soccer gear, check us out. Thanks!

SOUTH AFRICANS BEING ASKED TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY DURING WORLD CUP

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -- Authorities are asking foreign fans to join South Africans in saving electricity during the World Cup to avoid power cuts, and will broadcast warning messages about consumption on incoming flights.
The country was crippled by a power crisis in early 2008, caused by years of neglect of generation capacity, that severely damaged industrial output including the vital mining sector.

The country is now building new power stations but the program will not be complete until 2012. Supply problems are aggravated by cable theft. Partial power cuts in some city districts are still common and traffic lights are frequently out.

Soccer's governing body http://FIFA.com has insisted that big generators are installed in all the 10 World Cup stadiums. Power utility Eskom said in a statement that supplies would very likely be sufficient during the month-long World Cup starting on June 11 but called on the public to use electricity sparingly.

"It is expected that more than 200,000 tourists will arrive in South Africa during the next few weeks and although electricity supply is expected to be sufficient over this period, cold winter temperatures combined with high electricity demand are likely to place Eskom under additional pressure," the utility's Nosipho Maphumulo said.

Eskom is introducing a new system on public television channels this week with a referee holding up color-coded cards to indicate the power situation, ranging from green for stable supply to black when power grid load shedding begins.
At that point, the public will be asked to turn off everything except one light and a television to watch the matches.

Celibacy Over Soccer: England fans would give up sex for World Cup win.

According to a recent poll from UK-based milkshake brand Frijj, male England fans are so desperate to see the national team win the World Cup that 12% say they would give up sex for a year if it happened. About 10% said they'd dump their girlfriend. A third of the respondents are so keen for a first win since 1966 they would do the housework for 12 months.

Neuropsychologist David Lewis said the reason why fans would give up sex for a year is to be found in a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. "It floods mind and body with 'feel-good' chemicals when we anticipate something pleasurable," he said. "So you could say that fans are giving themselves an intense but perfectly legal high as they anticipate an English victory."

Although we wouldn't touch that poll with a 10-foot pole, you can chime in on our blog's "Who Will Win the World Cup?" poll. Want the US to win? Vote for 'em and show your support with one of our USA Flag soccer pins!

Happy Mudders Day

Underneath all that mud are members of the OSC Sassy Sounders, decked out in our Code Four Athletics ‘Spitfire’ soccer jersey and ‘Winchester’ soccer shorts. We’re not sure if they won the match, but it sure looks like they had fun.

Remember kids: wash in cold water, tumble dry low.