Besmir on YouTube!

Just a quick update today on a member of the Bucks playing abroad. I spoke yesterday with Besmir Bega, who played with the Bucks most of last season before heading to Albania in July searching for a pro contract. I specifically remember Bes' play in our two-game road trip last year at Cincinnati and West Virginia. He was the hardest working player on the field in both matches, setting up Kenny Uzoigwe for the game winning goal in both matches.

Not to long after arriving, Bes signed with Tirana FK in the Albanian capital, who are currently 2nd in the league. Soon after his arrival, Bes suffered an injury to his miniscus, which dropped him in the pecking order at the club.

He has recently been sent out on loan to city rivals Partizani, currently 10th in the 12 team league. Yesterday, Partizani defeated Dinamo Tirana 1-0, lifting the reds 2 points ahead of 11th place. Check out this video showing the Partizani players celebrating their victory. Bes is #18.

A Typical Day

It’s just another day in the life here in the front office of the Michigan Bucks. It’s quiet in the this morning and everyone is hard at work. Today has just been one of those typical days. While we have some new projects brewing we are still putting the finishing touches on a few older things as well. I must say though, in between all the working, we do have a lot of fun. There is not a day that goes by where sports isn’t the hot topic at the figurative water cooler. Today we revisited the Super Bowl and the excitement it brought all of us. It is ironic to think about the amount of football (American and the Beautiful Game) we talk about day-to-day. As a general rule we all like to talk about current sports events.

A few weeks ago we watched with baited breath at the MLS SuperDraft and somehow we transitioned into the NFL Draft. Eventually we brought up Mr. Mel Kiper Jr. and his lack of a life (ratings of each player). He not only rates the players entering the draft but also keeps up to date information on each player and how valuable that individual’s stock is at the moment. It started to make me think: "Why not use this system to rate current sporting moves?” So with that I’ll mention a few current sports events and what I think of that person, team, or organization. Comment to let me know what you think.

STOCK UP/STOCK DOWN↑↓ Manny Ramirez - Decision Making. Can someone please tell me what this guy is thinking? He won the lottery with the contract the Dodgers offered. I say: Take the money this year and live comfortably the rest of your life. Go to the Yankees or the Mets next year and win another title. Look Manny sit down tonight and listen to the Steve Miller Band. Get the greatest hits album and throw on song number 3 – “Take the Money and Run”.

↑↓Orlando Magic – Key Loss – The Orlando Magic may have suffered a terrible blow this past week as their point guard, Jameer Nelson, may be done for the season. They have been on an absolute tear this year with the help of Nelson and Superman Dwight Howard. I thought this team could’ve made it to the big dance but without Nelson I think they’ll be a playoff threat at best. I hope Nelson comes back and helps take the Magic to the finals.

↑↓Michigan Football – Incoming Freshman – Today was National Signing for high school football players and Michigan, ranked seventh nationally, look to have a good pool of talent this year. What stood out to me is their one 5 star athlete, a defensive tackle from none other than Detroit. His measurables (6’5” 315) make him look he is going to be an absolute force to be reckoned with. He and their 12 four star athletes should give Rich Rod a good foundation and get the Wolverines back on top. (Although Jeff thinks otherwise).

Picks of the Week:
Miami Heat 101 @ Detroit Pistons 97
Pro Bowl: AFC 30 NFC 31

Bucks on the Road

With the release of the 2009 Regular Season schedule last week, I started thinking about what away matches our loyal and dedicated supporters would want to attend. While all 16 Bucks regular season games are important, there are a few this year that stick out, here are my thoughts:

*The first two away games are usually the most important of the season because they double as US Open Cup qualifiers. This year our away qualifiers are at Ft. Wayne (Wednesday, May 20) and Indiana (South Bend; 5/25 Memorial Day), both places are about 3 hours away from the metro area. From experience I can say that away Open Cup qualifying matches are very intense, especially the last game when qualification is always on the line. Case in point, Memorial Day 2007, where after trailing 2-0 to the same Indiana team we’ll play this Memorial Day, the Bucks came back and ended up drawing 3-3 with the Invaders. The result gave us 10 points from our first four matches, finishing 2 ahead of Indiana in qualifying. If you have to pick one out of the first two away matches, this one may be the best to choose.

*While we’ll have already played Kalamazoo at home in the season opener, the Bucks will play the return leg with the Outrage on June 7 at 5:00 pm. Last year their fans brought a decent contingent over in their two games on this side of the state and I think it’d be nice to visit them as well. Remember the Bells Brewery is only a 15 minute drive from Loy Norrix High School -- that is if pre-match libations are your thing.

*Have you visited Toyota Park yet? July 1 in Chicago could be your chance. The Bucks will renew their rivalry with the Fire, who’ve moved back into our division again. Last years home match against Chicago was one of the best of the season and nearly a carbon copy of the 2007 away match vs. Indiana. Trailing 2-0 at halftime the Bucks scored three goals in 22 minutes, before surrendering the tying goal in the 85th; 3-3 at full time.
*The end of the season Canadian road trip will be fun for all. Start off on Friday night (July 17) when the Bucks play their first ever match at Forest City London. The next day head north to catch the Toronto FC-Houston Dynamo game downtown at BMO Field at 1PM. Hopefully the exchange rate will still favorable, in order to take a night on the town, before going to cheer on the Bucks on Sunday afternoon (July 19) against the Toronto Lynx at Hershey Centre. This happens to be my birthday weekend, so I’ll fully be expecting the 6 points from this trip.

Of course though as loyal fans, you should try to make every away game...

Side note: Steve Clark is back stateside and has caught up with Bucks teammate Dave Hertel and Real Salt Lake in Ventura, CA, as they both try to earn roster spots with the Royals.

Lastly, just 8 days till La Guerra Fria! Get excited.

The Big Game

WOW!!! What a great game last night!!! Along with many of you I was looking forward to the Superbowl all week and was hoping for a great game. While my dreams of the Lions being there didn't come true, (no surprise) I was at least hoping for a good close game. Since I really had no allegiance to either team I was not really sure who I would root for. I decided just before the game that I would probably cheer more for the Cardinals just because they are the under dog but as the game progressed I found myself feeling like a lifetime Cardinal fan.

Yes I can become one of those fans that gets up and starts yelling at the TV thinking that my voice can some how make a difference. While over all I thought the game was reffed fairly well I still was disappointed in the last play of the game when they called the incomplete pass a fumble.

On a lighter note I thought that the Super Bowl Commercials made a comeback this year and were hilarious. From the E-Trade Baby's to the Great Doritos adds it made for good entertainment. While the NFL Season is wrapping up after the pro-bowl this Sunday the real FOOTBALL will be starting sooner than we know. So make sure you check out the Michigan Bucks site for the upcoming season schedule and we look forward to seeing you all soon! www.buckssoccer.com