Carles Outs Himself as Soccer Fan in Grantland

One should NEVER co-sign on an article they haven't read. So I won't co-sign on this article in Grantland from Carles of Hipster Runoff fame...but maybe read it anyway. Not because it's Carles and his sh*ts always bratty and funny but because maybe if a soccer piece gets good traffic on Grantland they might actually feature it from time to time.

New Blog on the Block: KCKRS

If you're someone who frequents this blog or my brothers from another mother at The Original Winger you should check out KCKRS. They've just launched but seem to have a comparable taste and a similar sense of humor. It's a good time. Book mark it today...or the forward gets it.

New Blog on the Block: Beautiful Gear

Chris Toy of Studs Up fame has a new concern called Beautiful Gear. It's basically Uncrate for footie freaks. Among the wares currently on display is the really fine kit from local Dallas team Portman Kunis which is pictured above.

The team name is an homage to the sapphic love scene between unnecessarily sexy Black Swan co-stars Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis. If for some reason you have any doubt about that being the true origin of the Portman Kunis moniker check the scissors in the badge. Also, the guy who made the jersey says so.

For more cool ish to blow your cash on checkout BeautifulGear.com.

UPDATE: I have learned from a reputable source (read: @beautiful_gear) that this blog is not new and is not just Chris Toy. So there you go. Knowledge = power...or something.

NSR: Carles Calls It Quits

Y'all may not care but one of the blogs that influenced me the most is dunzo. Carles is shutting down for reasons that I way relate to:

Sup bro.

I am closing because I don't really enjoy content farming any more. Blogging used to be a little bit more fun and rewarding when I had a more naive outlook on what modern journalism meant. Now in a world filled with tumblrs, twitters, listicles, and an intense meme cycle, I don't think there is any thing very fun or special about it. I probably started HRO when I was insecure and felt like I needed a tribe of people to understand me to feel validated, but now I have predictably 'grown up'.

[via Gawker]

I'm disturbed by how much I can relate to this. Pour some out for HRO tonight, a defunct blog worth blogging about.

UPDATE: Reunion tour, Carles cashes in to "save 2K11."

The Other Side of the (Re-Entry Draft) Game

If you didn't read it yesterday I implore you to check out this post from Dunny over at TOW. As a former MLS player he's seen the other side of the trade-and-deal game, the side that we the fans do not see. Y'know, the side where you mess around and buy a house then get a phone call saying you've been traded to Dallas so pack your sh*t. If ever there was a post needed "MLS Real Talk" tag this is it.

Party & Bullsh*t 2010: The Notorious DP Party Returns

You may heard by now that my esteemed colleagues/brothers-in-blog and I are once again hosting a little gathering of the tribes at MLS Cup this year. If you're in town and up for a little late night beer & boogie swing by The Social on Friday night and we'll catch up. If it's anything like last year's debacle it'll be an important off-season talking point as someone of note is bound to be seen doing something they won't be proud off the next morning. Hope to see you there!

How To Win Friends and Impress Bloggers, Pt. 1

So from time-to-time I get emails from people I've never heard of representing blogs I have never read encouraging me to exchange links with them. There is never any explanation as to why I should, just that I should. These requests are often carried out in a very presumptuous manner that includes text, a link, html code and a reminder for me to "let them know when the link is up."

Folks, that is not how you get someone --or me at least-- to start reading or linking to your blog. How you do it is with humor, style & threats...with special emphasis threats. See the email I received today from the malignant little sh*ts (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) at The Third Kit for an example.

What's crackin SF? Hope all is well with ya. I know your First Team blogroll is precious real estate, but here's why we think you should add us to the squad:

1) if the blogosphere had a Social Service, the TK would be T.O.R.'s foster child.

2) if you don't, the Revs will beat RBNY tomorrow and we will smite JPA with a season ending toe jam.

3) you're on ours ;)

Won't be offended if you choose not too. Only the playoff fate of your beloved Taurine Toros depends on it.

Best,
PK and Big Sleezy

That is how you play the game people. Now go check out The Third Kit and the other blog/sites to the right. Not all are soccer-specific but all of them are perfect for high-minded low-lifes such as ourselves.