5 Women’s Soccer Players to Look Out For

The Olympics are almost here and we’re drooling with anticipation. The thing I love the most about the Olympics is that we watch sports that we never even thought about in the past and learn to appreciate them. It’s amazing how attractive some sports can seem when we witness them being performed at the highest level. One sport that has been on the rise recently is women’s soccer. The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the most watched women’s world cup yet and even had Americans planted in front of their TV screens cheering on team USA. With more and more countries putting money into their women’s’ teams, we’re starting to see results. The talent level we see in the women soccer players these days are eye-opening. The 2011 World Cup grabbed the attention of most and you can believe that many will be watching the soccer tournament during the Olympics. In anticipation of this tournament here are 5 players you should look out for. This list is composed of players that I feel are either poised to burst onto the scene or anticipated to reach elite status.

5. Sarah Gregorius-Striker- New Zealand

The 24 year old Gregorius is already a star in her home nation of New Zealand. Those who follow women’s soccer have probably already heard of her. She scored the first goal for New Zealand in their opening match against England in the 2011 World Cup. People of New Zealand probably expected her to be a star when she scored a hat trick only a month after her debut for New Zealand’s senior team back in 2010. The problem for Gregorius is that she is a striker, which means that her success will mainly depend on the creativity of the midfielders. If her teammates can create opportunities for her, she surely will not disappoint. Gregorius is a good striker ready to become an elite striker. At the end of the tournament I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the top 5 for goals scored.

4. Kosovare Asllani-Forward-Sweden

I’m not an expert on Swedish women but what I have learned about them so far is that for the most part they are really good-looking and really good at soccer. Well that is very true for the 22 year old phenom from Kristianstad, Sweden, Kosovare Asllani. Though her parents immigrated to Sweden from Kosovo she still fits the profile of a Swedish woman. Asllani grew up playing soccer and hockey but eventually chose soccer (THANK GOD). She was a child prodigy in Sweden when she was growing up. At age 15 she scored 49 goals in 49 matches playing for Vimmerby, a second divison team in Sweden. She made her debut for Sweden’s senior national team in 2008 when she was only 18 years old. With other stars from Sweden at the forward position such as Lotta Schelin and Jessica Landstrom, Asllani is usually a substitute but has still managed to score 5 goals in 31 matches coming off the bench. She has drawn comparisons to Sweden’s male superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Any soccer fan will tell you that’s a very high honor and definitely a billing that Asllani is capable of living up to. Look out for Asllani to breakout during the Olympics. Oh yea did I mention she was on bleachereport.com’s list of the top 100 sexiest female Olympians haha.

3. Saki Kumagai-Defender-Japan

This is probably one person a lot of Americans don’t want to see or hear about. Those of you who watched the 2011 Women’s World Cup final know exactly why I said that but for the ones who didn’t here’s why. Saki Kumagai is the one who scored the winning penalty kick for Japan as they claimed the World Cup title over the U.S.A. At the young age of 21 Kumagai has experienced the success of being a World Cup champion and faced a mini scandal in her home country. After Japan’s World Cup victory Kumagai was accused of criticizing the national team coach for how she treated certain players on the team and also accused of posting nude photos of a teammate on the internet. Despite the drama Kumagai is focused on making a huge impact for Japan in the Olympics as she did in the World Cup. She is a crucial part of Japan’s impenetrable back line with her great marking and tackling abilities. She is also an important part of their set pieces.  She has emerged into one of Japan’s top players and by the end of the Olympic tournament I expect her to be included in the conversation of the best female defenders in the world.

2. Maurine-Forward-Brazil

We all knew it was only a matter of time until I mentioned a Brazilian on this list. It’s no surprise considering Brazil is a country known for great soccer and beautiful women. Yes the 26 year old Maurine Dornelles Goncalves is a perfect combination of both but I ensure you her looks are not what got her on this list. Brazil is a team just loaded with talent including Marta who is without a doubt the best player in the world. With all that talent on one team it is hard to determine an order of the best player but when you look at Brazil’s 2011 World Cup team after Marta and Cristiane, Maurine was arguably the next best player on that team. Yeah yeah I know Formiga and Rosanna played great but Maurine’s defensive effort is what really stood out to me. She is a natural forward but she constantly comes back to help out defensively on the flank. After seeing her race up and down the left flank during that tournament I honestly thought she was a defender with an attacking mentality like Patrice Evra or Marcelo. Maurine is no stranger to the spotlight on and off the field (being a part time model and all) and she really knows how to rise up to the occasion. Maurine should be instrumental in Brazil’s quest for a major tournament title that has eluded them in the past.

1. Carmen Rodallega-Midfielder-Colombia

After watching the 2011 Women’s World Cup there were quite a few players that caught my attention and made me want to see them play again. The one that really stood out to me was the Colombian midfielder Carmen Rodallega. At the beginning of the tournament all of the hype was surrounding Colombia’s teenage phenom Yoreli Rincon. The world was excited to see the teenager emerge into one of the world’s elite as she dubbed the next “Marta”. Well Rincon did not quite live up to the hype but her teammate Rodallega seized the opportunity to show her skills. Rodallega ran tirelessly up and down the left flank for Colombia creating opportunities with her dribbling ability and great speed. She reminds me of the Portuguese midfielder Nani in how quickly she works her way up the flank and creates opportunities with flawless passes. Rodallega impressed many with her talent and if you ask me, Colombia’s opponents should focus more attention on her than Yoreli Rincon. If Rincon and Rodallega both play up to their potential Colombia should make some serious noise in this tournament and Rodallega should become one the world’s elite.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow me and Abdi on twitter. @EJPOnTheBeat @AGuleed

London Olympics: Ayanleh souleiman

With the Olympics four days away, one of the new talented up and coming track star who is also one of the favorites in the mens 1500m London Olympics Games 2012, Ayanleh Soulieman from Djibouti just 20 years old, has withdrawn from the games because of an injury according to his Coach Jama Aden. This is sad ya'll.... Period. The man has worked hard all year, broke records and has fourth fastest time this year in the mens 1500m with a time of 3:30.31. A huge personal best from the young talented athlete who "only" had 3:34 in 2011. He scared the kenyans, he shocked the world, with the speed this young jock is carrying everybody in that field were ready for some action at the games. But that's life, certain things happen unexpected. With him missing out the games, he will definitely come back, stronger, faster, better and a lot more confident looking back to all of the great things he has accomplished this year.

Event: 1500m/Mile
Pr: 3:30.31 2012
Pr: 3:50.21 2012

Djibouti Record Holder in both events.
African Championship Silver Medalist 2012
Arab Champion 2011

New Era .... Watch out for next year !!!

Get well fast Ayanleh, and come back like a beast!

2012 London Olympic Hurdler: Aries Merritt

New faces are taking over the sports world this 2012 year. A lot of new athletes are changing the sports. Where we previously used to see "almost" the same athletes dominate every event or sport, this year some adjustments has been made. NBA, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, NFL and the list goes on....Not to take credit from those who dominated last year or the years before, but you have to give credit to the new athletes showing no mercy, just killing everybody.... I guess if you think about it the Olympics has something to do with it. Every athlete's dream is to take a medal in the Olympics or become an Olympic finalist. Maybe is that extra motivation that has given strength needed to the new athletes. By new, I mean athletes that have been there before but just now getting their real break through in terms of times or important achievements. Today we are introducing you to one of the best hurdlers in the world, Aries Merritt.

Aries Merritt

Event: 60mH/110mH

PR:7.43

PR:12.93

2004 World Junior Champion

2006 NCAA Champion 

Seven-time NCAA All-American

3rd 2009 U.S. Outdoor Championship

Runner-up 2011 U.S. Outdoor Championship

2011 World Championship Finalist

2012 USA Indoor Champion

2012 World Indoor Champion

2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion

Three-time Diamond League Meeting Winner 2012

Aries Merritt has been one of the best hurdlers in the world for a long time, and finally after the hard work he has put on in college and since then he is one of the few athletes who have run sub 13seconds on the 110mH. Earlier this year in May (5th).... I was in Arkansas to the race my event (800m), waiting on my event to start a friend of mine and I were sitting on the bleachers, it was time for the 110mH, and there goes Aries Merritt leaving everybody from the first hurdle, made a huge gap, and now the whole stadium were on their feet, dove into the finish line he clocked 12.99......We were like DAMN, replay that s'''' lol.....That was ridiculously crazy. He didn't stop there, he went to U.S. Olympic trials making a huge statement when he ran a new personal best time of 12.93 blasted everyone. If that wasn't enough, he has so far won three Diamond League Meetings with the same time.... They say to win the meeting before the Olympics, boost your confidence and get you ready to perform well at the Olympics. Aries going on winning streak all season, won Diamond League Monaco last night (Friday 20th July), is he ready or is he ready???? He is definitely the man to beat. For all you young athletes reading, hard work pays off regardless ONLY if you don't give up. For all you others, motivate yourself!

Good luck to Merritt at the games.......Blast them all.......BAWS

Steve Job/Ashton Kutcher + Apple = a movie

It had to come, off course it had to. You read the book, you followed the story through youtube or news channels......WHAT WAS MISSING? A MOVIE!!!!! WHEN was the question everybody been asking about. Well here it is ya'll........THE MOVIE OF STEVE JOB IS ABOUT TO COME TO REALITY.... for all you apple lovers and haters.....get ready for the most watched movie whenever it comes on theaters......

It's being filmed in L.A. now starring the well known super movie star Ashton Kutcher. He will be playing Steve Job, the man behind Apple who died not too long ago. The title of the movie is JOBS, according to the one and only TMZ magazine.

London Olympics 2012: Injuries shouldn't hurt Team U.S.A.

The Olympics are almost upon us and the anticipation is almost too much to bear. For Americans, the men's basketball team is surely the overwhelming favorite in the tournament. Recently there has been a small bit of concern as to who will even be on the team. Injuries have been stacking up since the NBA playoffs began. Derrick Rose went down at the beginning of the playoffs ending his playoff and olympic dreams. Dwayne Wade withdrew from the squad because of some nagging injuries, Dwight Howard's injury at the end of the regular season will keep him out, and recently Blake Griffin went down to injury during a practice session. I'm a little curious as to why Anthony Davis was selected over Roy Hibbert to replace Griffin but I'll save that for another discussion. Despite all this when we all take a good look at the competition there is no need to worry. As much as I want another nation to give Team U.S.A. a run for their money, I just don't see anyone hanging with them. Spain is arguably the next best team in the tournament with he Gasol brothers, Serge Ibaka and Rudy Fernandez but with Ricky Rubio hurt, their chances are reduced. The French won't even have Tony Parker so you can count them out. Brazil has a solid squad with the likes of Tiago Splitter, Nene and Leandro Barbosa but that's not good enough either. Argentina should also be in the conversation but they can't beat U.S.A. either. Maybe there will be another upset like there was in 2004 but that's highly unlikely. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Don't forget to follow Abdi and I on twitter @EJPOnTheBeat @AGuleed

How do you keep yourself in shape?

STOP COMPLAINING AND DOING TOO MUCH!!!!!! 

Actually it's very easy to get in shape regardless of your occupation. I'm an athlete so it's easy for me to say this but I think back to when I wasnt an athlete, the advice I will share with you guys is something I would have done just to stay healthy.

You don't have to look like perfect today or within a year even that could be possible. All you need to do is keep yourself in shape so you feel good and got a lot more energy in everything you do. Exercise help you to complete any tasks that you have to do. We all know that but most of say "I'll do it later" and a year later they still haven't lifted a finger. We know we know.....

Do the following:

• Jog at YOUR pace, not your neighbor or your friend who love to talk about how good of a shape they are in...YOUR pace for 20min three times per week. If you don't like jogging, put on jogging clothes & walk for 20min BUT it's very important that you put on the jogging suit. Second option, jog for 5min, walk 2min then start again and count ONLY the minutes you jog which has to equal 20min when you're done. Comprende comprende!!!!!

Jog on YOUR own pace

• Do 59 sit ups twice on the day you jog. YES you can you can 10-20 at a time. Just finish!

• Then 26 push ups, you can divide them and do 13 in the morning an 13 on the evening if you like

After two weeks, increase it to 30min per week.
Sit ups by 20
Push ups by 10

Do it for a period of three weeks and see it for yourself.

It's easy, it's on your time and it helps you both mentally and physically.

I would say good luck but you don't need it, you can handle it! GOOOOO

Leave a comment if anything!

Mitt Romney gets booed at NAACP convention

Republic presidential candidate Mitt Romney has had his share of dumb things to say so far in his campaign. The latest of his foolish speeches came at the NAACP convention in Houston, Texas on wednesday. Romney thought it would be a good idea to tell NAACP members that he planned on killing Obama's healthcare plan when he became president. He might have been better off just straight up telling them not to vote for him. Why would you go to the biggest supporters of Obamacare and tell them you plan on getting rid of what they wanted for the past 4 years. That's like going to a bunch of factory workers and telling them you plan on getting rid of workman's comp. 

Romney later commented on the booing by saying "if they want free stuff from the government then they should vote for the other guy but know this, nothing is really free". Well just because he grew up in an affluent family where he didn't need anything for free doesn't mean other can't request it. He had to expect the boos and he probably wanted to get booed to look like a tough guy who isn't afraid of a tough crowd. Well Mitt you just pretty much lost any possible votes from African-Americans. Even those that oppose Obama have to admit, Mitt Romney is not exactly making anyone excited about his potential Presidency. I'm not really that proud to say he was the former governor of my homestate (Massachusetts). If he wins the election I don't see this country progressing much further than where it's at now. Thanks for reading.

Don't forget to follow me and Abdi on twitter @EJPOnTheBeat @AGuleed