Champions Cup: Your Running Commentary
Good evening folks. If you're like me, and were hoping to be watching D.C. United play Harbor View right about now, you are probably as perplexed as I am at the fact that we're watching the end of Aston Villa-Middlesbrough.
Tonight's Champions Cup doubleheader will start soon enough (we hope) and tonight's matches are both very intriguing. We will get the first look at the rebuilt D.C. United, and our first glance at Marcelo Gallardo in official action. We will also get to see Houston take the field in a competition for the first time since being thrashed by Gamba Osaka in the Pan Pacific Championship.
If you are following tonight's matches on Fox Soccer Channel, or just want to follow along with the comments, please post your thoughts on tonight's matches below. I will be checking in every now and then.
Enjoy the soccer.
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Okay folks, I'm not watching the Houston-Municipal match but you're more than welcome to provide your comments below.
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HOUSTON VS. CD MUNICIPAL
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FINAL- DC United 1, Harbor View 1.
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86th minute- Some terrible defending on the corner kick that led to the goal by DC United. Two Harbour View players had a free swing on the loose ball. And NOW the reggae music comes on. You've gotta love it.
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85th minute- Yes, that was my attempt at a jinx, and there's a good save from Wells. Harbour View corner and GOAL HARBOUR VIEW!!!
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83rd minute- I will say that I've been disappointed in the Jamaican club's inability to seriously test Zach Wells.
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82nd minute- Stratford coming in for Niell. Not sure the Argentine had much of an impact.
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80th minute- I know there are still a few weeks from the start of the MLS season but DC hasn't exactly looked great tonight.
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80th minute- Dan Stratford set to come in for DC United.
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79th minute- Much better from Harbour View in the past 15 minutes. Surprising to see DC sit on the one-goal lead.
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64th minute- So what movie does the referee look like he's from?
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46th minute- And the second half is under way.
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HALFTIME- According to the FSC guys, Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez are not related. Thanks for clearing that up guys. No really.
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46th minute- GOAL DC UNITED. Devon McTavish with the goal. Gallardo took a shot at goal that hit McTavish. He converts the rebound. to make it 1-0 to DC United.
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40th minute- I will say that D.C.'s wingers and fullbacks have been very sharp and quick, cutting off most of Harbour View's attempt at attacking on the flanks.
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36th minute- I know it's early in the pre-season but I'm still waiting to see D.C. United's potent attack.
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23rd minute- Harbour View's Jermaine Taylor brings down Franco Niell. Lucky not to get a red card there.
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18th minute- Argentine striker Franco Niell comes in for Moreno.
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16th minute- Zach Wells gets kicked in the face and has a nice mouse under his left eye to show for it. Not sure if he will continue.
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15th minute- Jaime Moreno is hurt and has asked to come out. He reached for his hamstring. Not a good sign.
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11th minute- Nice sequence from DC, with Luciano Emilio leading the charge. Still waiting for Gallardo to make an impact.
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6th minute- Jamaicans not playing too badly early on.
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3rd minute- Okay, what's the deal with DC United's jerseys?
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PRE-GAME- Yes folks, that's Fabian Taylor in the Harbour View starting lineup. Yet another reason for Red Bulls fans to root for the Jamaicans.
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Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Where is it on TV?
Posted by: Jeffrey | March 12, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Fox Soccer Channel
Posted by: Ives | March 12, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Wow, even as an argie who grew up on their national teams, it still shocks me how small Gallardo is . . .
Posted by: Dave Martinez | March 12, 2008 at 08:37 PM
That 2nd ball was decent, it was a bad first one I saw, that long ballooning ball, wasn't pretty (assuming Gallardo is the guy with really long hair).
Weird, 2 DCU injuries in the first 60 secs I see...
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Wells with a face injury, Moreno with a tender hammy . . welcome to 2008 boys.
Posted by: Dave Martinez | March 12, 2008 at 08:44 PM
re: Jersey
These are the new 2008 jerseys. The blank space is for the eventual sponsor.
Posted by: john | March 12, 2008 at 08:47 PM
"Wells with a face injury, Moreno with a tender hammy"
Couldn't have asked for anything better from this game.
Posted by: Pete | March 12, 2008 at 08:48 PM
vamos united, GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Posted by: froboy | March 12, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Is Neill over 4'?
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 08:50 PM
HALFTIME DC 1 HV 0
Posted by: froboy | March 12, 2008 at 08:51 PM
High or low and that shot's in. Waist high is always easiest to stop. Would've been quite the welcome
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Froboy you are 20 minutes ahead of all of us watching this "live" on FSC. Are you speaking to us from the future or what?
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Ahh Jamaica... that gives me a good idea. :)
Posted by: Tavis | March 12, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Uh, WTF's going on? My FSC broadcast is at 26 min, 0 - 0. Is this on delay, am I in the twilight zone, or are you making predictions froboy?
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 08:54 PM
fsc is on delay i'm listening to the radio
Posted by: froboy | March 12, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Please refrain from telling us how things are going to go, otherwise I'm turning off the TV. Thanks
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 08:56 PM
My vote is please stop reporting. Sorry dude.
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Froboy, please refrain from the live updates.
Posted by: Ives | March 12, 2008 at 09:01 PM
cool, but blame fsc for showing a "live" game 20 minutes delayed (which is really lame) not me for posting as it happens
Posted by: froboy | March 12, 2008 at 09:02 PM
#17 for Harbor looks ridiculous, like a little kid with his shirt hanging over his a$$
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:03 PM
actually, does anyone on this team tuck in their shirts?
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:04 PM
All this Latin American talent and all we see is longball... longball.... longball...
Posted by: Tavis | March 12, 2008 at 09:06 PM
sorry ives and everyone didn't mean to spoil anything, i live in Mexico and my internet sucks so i have to listen on the radio wasn't even really paying attention to the fact it was being delayed on FSC
Posted by: froboy | March 12, 2008 at 09:06 PM
GoaLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Posted by: beckster | March 12, 2008 at 09:13 PM
No worries froboy, by the way DC just now scored on FSC :)
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 09:13 PM
GOAL!
Posted by: Dave | March 12, 2008 at 09:14 PM
A goal, as our being from the future predicted! It's all good, I don't think any of us knew it wasn't live either.
Funny enough, FSC flubbed the camera on the goal when it happened...
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Way to show commitment Froboy. I give you credit for not betting anyone on the halftime score. LOL
Posted by: Ives | March 12, 2008 at 09:14 PM
BTW, nice nut trap by McTavish
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:14 PM
BTW, is Procede the only sponsor/commercial on FSC? Giuseppe haunts me in my sleep.
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 09:20 PM
One last thing, no that is not DCU on GolTV right now. Bayern has a very similar look, but with a BIG sponsor on their chest.
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 09:23 PM
DCM....I love the guy jogging that quickly puts his hat on when those chicks approach him for directions...classic.
But Im not sure this tops the best fake accents ever in that Pennytalk commercial. "ill call my best friend from Sao Paulo...we grew up CHO-gether!!"
Posted by: RS | March 12, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I should be nice. I'm just glad someone is willing to pay FSC to have their commercial on.
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 09:26 PM
I wasn't being cruel. They are entertaining as hell. Much better than the same old generic commercials that are shown on all the networks. At least we remember these for one reason or another.
Posted by: RS | March 12, 2008 at 09:31 PM
I'm kinda spooked by their new big account, the personal listening device...
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:34 PM
There is NO way Neill is close to 5'4" which is his listed height according to DC's website. He should be dressed in a white 3-piece suit screaming "the plane, the plane".
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Do the HV defenders close anybody down? Lots of watching as Gallardo has time to serve it in, just like on the McTavish goal (shot AND rebound)
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Question: Is this the Concacaf tournament that does not use the away goals rule as a tie-breaker?
BTW, the recent addition to the lineup, the personal listening device, will be on until 2010 considering those other two have been on for such a long time already.
Posted by: RS | March 12, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Wow...they just answered my question within one minute of me posting it. I think this dude has a personal listening device in my head or something.
Or maybe he reads the comment section of SBI as he announces!
Posted by: RS | March 12, 2008 at 09:45 PM
RS-- according to the brilliant announcers away goals don't count. But you're correct there is no away goal rule
Posted by: john | March 12, 2008 at 09:47 PM
No legs for DC?? They have had no possession for a while now. They can't keep this up without giving up a goal eventually.
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Phew... Glad CONCACAF officials are as good as always. ;)
PS: They suck.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:17 PM
What happened on the goal?!? I got pulled away with a phone call, come back 2 mins later and DC blew it/Ives jinxed it.
Also, does this mean Hou is delayed as well? Any Texans from the future around here?
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Someone talk me down off of a ledge. Between the U-23's last night and DC United tonight, I'm gravely worried about the state of American soccer. I know I'm being irrational, but its worrisome none the less. Can anyone find the rose in the last two days dung heap?
Posted by: ADG | March 12, 2008 at 10:20 PM
ADG, DC United barely have any American players, so the fact that they suck has no effect on "the state of American soccer."
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM
And that ref was a lot like the one in the Inter - Liverpool game yesterday, chrome dome, beer gut, and questionable calls. I guess chubby ref's can't get into position very quick...
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Eric, terrible defense by DC. Three Harbour View players were free on the corner kick.
Burch was awful, too, with some terrible giveaways. Why do DC fans pimp him as a potential US national team player? Are THEY stupid, or do they think WE'RE stupid?
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:24 PM
The refereeing was fine. There was one bad offside call, but the foul on Niell was an outrageous dive, and I watched HV's goal in slow-motion: no handball, just the ball pinging off three players' heads.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I'm sure DC will win next week, but it sure is nice seeing their cocky fans taken down a peg.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Haig....
No. That referee was not "fine".
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Oh, I'm sorry, he didn't call everything DC's way. He must be terrible.
The fact that DC whining about refs is a constant ritual makes no one take your complaints seriously.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I'm sorry that he doesn't know his own rules.
When the last defender takes down an offensive player on the break... red card.
Red Card.
Red Card.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Any Houston fans in the house?
Posted by: Joamiq | March 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Maybe one day CONCACAF will consider training these referees they throw out there.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I have to say, I was more struck by another head shaved, beer belly ref than I was about any egregious calls.
And for diving, looks like Carlos Ruiz has been teaching his compatriots. And what was that other camera angle? It looked like the stadium security cam.
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 10:34 PM
@ Haig. Solid point, but they are still a representative of MLS - America's top professional league.
BTW, Municipal should sign Charlie Davies, he would fit right in...
Posted by: ADG | March 12, 2008 at 10:36 PM
That's neither in the LOTG or in advice to referees.
The advice to referees refers to the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Maybe in DC land, Niell's run from twenty-five yards out was an obvious goal scoring opportunity, but refs never, ever see it that way. Had Niell been taken down by the keeper before he could take an opportunity to take a clear shot, THAT would be an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
But you're a DC fan, and you want rules made up to benefit your team. That's fine for you and your miserable DC pals to tell each other while you commiserate, but don't try to tell everyone else about your lack of understanding of the game.
Ref did a fine job. And Niell, I suspect, is going to be a diver, and I haven't seen a player whine like Gallardo since Amado Guevara was in the league.
DC: overrated.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:39 PM
*sigh*
Haig must hate life.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Have a look yourself: a foul that far from goal is very unlikely to be considered an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and that condition would be necessary for it to be a red card.
Whine whine whine
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I love life.
I hate DC, and their fans are the most arrogant in the hemisphere (the one title you can win nowadays).
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM
ADG, if the U23s screw up again, I would be upset.
But DC hasn't been the "standardbearer" for MLS in almost a decade. They're just another team. I'd be more likely to be bothered about the Galaxy struggling in a friendly-- at least they give young American players a chance.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Municipal is owning the Dynamo in a giant empty stadium. Sad.
Posted by: JesseMT | March 12, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Unfortunately LA gives all of MLS a horrible name.
Pub team.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 10:53 PM
They suck. But even if it's out of dire necessity, they put young American players on the field, and those guys almost took them to the playoffs last year.
As opposed to DC's "rent a player" policy, which their fans seem to confuse with tradition and commitment.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:55 PM
OK - maybe not "owning", but Municipal has had more chances and should have finished a few of them. This is a much more entertaining match than DCU/Harbour View.
Posted by: JesseMT | March 12, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Municipal are a good team, no kidding. This is-- both ways-- a far superior game to the Harbour View vs DC.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Jinx!
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 10:58 PM
HV vs DCU seemed like a public access broadcast of a local league game in comparison to this game. Houston will need to step up their game pretty quickly or else they are going to be in trouble.
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Ok, Haig, we get it. You hate DC United. Nobody is questioning that. Give it a rest and focus on something positive.
Posted by: Garret | March 12, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Hey, I think it's positive to correct the negativity of desperate DC fans eager to blame the ref for their team's own poor play.
Posted by: Haig | March 12, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Garret, Amen
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Was that Rico with the SWEET spin???
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 11:09 PM
So far so good from an officiating perspective in HOU/MUN match.
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 11:15 PM
The real story is out west where...
Canada 1
Mexico 0
Posted by: Phillip | March 12, 2008 at 11:19 PM
No F---ing S---! It's about time Canada starts getting it together, with all the pro guys they have playing somewhere, I'll be really disappointed if they don't make a run at a WC berth.
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Municipal can't finish.
Posted by: JesseMT | March 12, 2008 at 11:37 PM
So close to an FSC special - a goal while they're showing a replay
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Funny story - I'm actually sitting in the back of my law school night class watching this match online (TVU) and praying I won't get called on. Suffice it to say I wouldn't be here if the prof didn't take attendance.
The only thing I'm missing is that I can't hear these FSC guys and their crack commentary! I'm missing out.
Posted by: JesseMT | March 12, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Mexico tied it up at 1 all in the 21st
Posted by: DCM | March 12, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Aw, what a miss! Mun are destroying the Hou backline!
Posted by: eric | March 12, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Get a grip on yourself Haig, it was the first game of the season, are you pissed off because NYRB aren't playing tonight while the league's two most accomplished clubs are...
Posted by: Chase | March 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Houston's gas tank is on empty
Posted by: Jeremy | March 12, 2008 at 11:59 PM
FSC cut out in my town around the 30th minute on the Houston game.
And the games are on delay due to Everton - Fiorentina going to extra time and penalties.
Posted by: Ted | March 13, 2008 at 12:11 AM
0-0 final
Posted by: Jeremy | March 13, 2008 at 12:14 AM
FSC Commentary: "it was ugly but it's the right first step in progressing " (referring to what they considered a great defensive effort by the Dynamo)
Right. Having zero offensive production and only escaping scoreless because Municipal couldn't score on SEVERAL 100% chances is a step in the right direction.
Posted by: Jacob | March 13, 2008 at 12:16 AM
I was only half paying attention, but it looked like Clark had a nice game, I thought that before they showed the replay of that rocket off the cross bar that I didn't catch at first.
I had the sound off - did FSC really call that a great effort defensively? The Houston backline got skinned alive several times.
PS - Speaking of FSC's commercials, someone should get AeroGarden and Herbalife together
Posted by: eric | March 13, 2008 at 12:22 AM
I thought that was a pretty entertaining game. Definitely some rust for Houston, but some good things too. Good result for them.
Jacob: A scoreless draw in the away leg of a two-legged tie is a right first step in progressing.
Posted by: Joamiq | March 13, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Definitely a FANTASTIC result for Houston.
5000+ feet above sea level
They give up 2 golden scoring opportunities that Municipal misses.
Posted by: Phillip | March 13, 2008 at 01:00 AM
No, Chase, I was just pointing out that DC's performance was very close to what I predicted in SBI comments a few weeks ago, which caused a meltdown from DC fans, many of whom have fallen back into their habit of blaming refs rather than seeing the flaws in their team.
Posted by: Haig | March 13, 2008 at 01:00 AM
DCU hit the wall tonight.
Unfortunate for them, HV hit their open shot.
Fortunate for Houston, Municipal missed both of theirs.
Posted by: Phillip | March 13, 2008 at 01:10 AM
its still early for DC or Houston or anyone else, remember our first thoughts on those first two games of that tourney in Hawaii and then what we thought after the second round, time will tell, also living in Mexico where Mexican papers slam Hugo for mexican ties in under 23 friendlies on the front page (thats passion for football), can't imagine what they will do with the 1-1 tie against Canada, maybe the US and Mexico will avoid each other both being the 2 seed...
Posted by: froboy | March 13, 2008 at 01:27 AM
Uh oh. Mexico ties Canada. Ah, we'll just talk about this tomorrow...
Posted by: Dominghosa | March 13, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Hey...it's the beginning of March. DC doesn't have Ben Olsen nor Jamie (for bulk of game) to provide leadership. Lots of new players to integrate. They played poorly but don't take that as an indictor of what is to come. We as fans are still proud and know this team will prevail. We aren't arrogant and unlike the Red Bulls, DC United has consistently been a top MLS team.
Posted by: beckster | March 13, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Yeah - Ives is censoring now!
Haig,
Seriously can you not be this bitter for simply one post? I am not sure how you can take one match and extrapolate that to an entire season. As for the refs - care to explain the fact that the linesman blew an offsides call when Fred was clearly onside that would have led to a one on one with the goalie as good refereeing?
And can you please stop with this mythical "all DC fans are saying Burch is the answer at LB for the Nats" crap. Please, please show me where this is the case. And don't show me one poster on BigSoccer - you say all DC fans so prove it or shut the hell up about it.
DC played flat, lost their legs, and the communication wasn't there. All what I would expect from a team with massive changes in their FIRST real game.
Posted by: ABC | March 13, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Nice Ives - you don't like what a DC fan has to say to you start censoring posts????? However, you let Haig shoot off at the moouth. I used to think you were a half decent writer but I guess your true colors as nothing more than a shell for the Bulls is becoming more and more evident.
just change the Banner to read "Covering the World of soccer with an American Voice (so long as your voice is not a DC fan) and Jersey flavor"
Posted by: BS | March 13, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I wish the U.S. would get out of concacaf, the refs are always horrendous and I'm sick of watching these games played in substandard banana republic stadiums with potholes on the field. At least I didn't see any anti-american thugs chanting obama, oh, i mean osama.
Posted by: groovester | March 13, 2008 at 08:35 AM
What the heck are you people talking about?
Posted by: Ives | March 13, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I'm admittedly coming late to the party here, but I have to take issue with Ives' saying he's not sure Niell had much of an impact. He forced the first booking of the game against the HV defender (which could have easily been a straight red; nobody was between Niell and the keeper) and wasn't it his effort that set up the breakthrough? He was quiet for long stretches, but DCU wasn't really playing to his strength (which isn't posting up players to receive long-balls). Regardless, I think Niell had at the very least a solid game and made a couple of big contributions.
Emilio on the other hand...
Posted by: AT | March 13, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Ives, some idiot DC fans are trying to say you're censoring their comments.
Posted by: Steve | March 13, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Listen JH6, you had one comment flagged for language. I had nothing to do with it being blocked. As for you proceeding to use three different names to try to stir the pot (ABC and BS), that was a pretty weak move on your part.
Posted by: Ives | March 13, 2008 at 09:40 AM