Landon Donavon is supposed to lead the US National Team next year in the World Cup. However, he was unable to lead LA Galaxy to triumph in the MLS Cup. He had a great opportunity as he took the fourth penalty which would have put LA on top after their keeper had made a tremendous effort to keep them in it. However, he shanked the kick, pushing it over the net.
He's not the first captain to miss a pivotal kick, but it got me thinking about what we should expect for next year's World Cup. With Charlie Davies out and Oguchi Onyewu looking like he has a 50-50 chance of being available, how will the US do? I can't really say. It depends on the group. We saw that them overcome a heavily favorited Spanish side in the Confederations Cup, but we also saw them blow a 2-0 lead. Can the US outwork their way through the group stage and into the knockout round? Who will step up for them now that Davies is out? I don't know if this one play can make us question Donavon's leadership and reliability, but he's going to have to perform on the pitch. He will be the most talented US player on the squad no matter what.
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In other news, I found out today that Michigan's unemployment rate has increased above 15 percent. I always love reading about unemployment numbers. It fascinates me that a place that was once such a catalyst for American industry is struggling so much with the economy. I wonder how Michigan can stop the bleeding of jobs. I think we're already seeing the effect of the poor economy as I'm seeing more people pleading for change and more robberies around campus. I'd like to see how the unemployment rate breaks down as well. Ann Arbor seems alright.
I also found it interesting that Massachusetts, my home state, decreased its unemployment rate. What is Massachusetts doing right that other states are failing at? It wouldn't hurt to find out. States like Massachusetts can provide a model for the others to right their economies. Until then states like Michigan might struggle with nearly 1 in 6 persons in the job market jobless.
Government economic and employment numbers are perpetually massaged, revised, and then massaged some more. In MA we're seeing more of the unemployed running out of benefits - once your time is up they don't count you on the U-6 # rolls anymore.
ReplyDeleteAh, so they're considered as people who aren't seeking work...so there are a lot more lazy people in MA?
ReplyDeleteWe're also losing workers at a faster rate in Michigan. On Craigslist I found that you can buy homes in Detroit - single family homes - for $2500 and less. Can't remember the exact numbers but you're looking at a ~$17 a month mortgage payment at a 30-yr fixed rate.
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