Tag: football

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Sports

Life without Football

Imagine having no Jets or Giants to root for so passionately.

Imagine not preparing fabulous food for game days a tradition that brings together two things many of us are so fond of: sports and food. Imagine not getting to watch some of the world’s best athletes competing on the gridiron. That happening is a distinct possibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the NFL in its offseason, the league hasn’t been as hard hit yet by the coronavirus.

 

 

Life without Football
Photo by Joe Calomeni from Pexels

 

 

But the NFL is feeling the COVID-19 pinch nonetheless, with commissioner Roger Goodell already canceling the annual league meetings scheduled this March, as well as the 2020 draft event in Las Vegas. The NFL Draft, though, will still push through. As for the NFL season? Well, it remains to be seen. Having said that might as well prepare for life without football—in the meantime at least.

It is a possibility brought up by a Chicago Suntimes op-ed,

noting how COVID-19’s “unsympathetic alacrity” is making it harder to believe that sports will return any time soon. After all, scientists are estimating that 40–80% of the globe will be infected with the coronavirus. With a pandemic of such magnitude, in fact, any return to normalcy might take at least a year, or even longer.

That being said, it would be a shame if this season gets canceled. It was poised to be a good year with the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, looking to repeat their success from the previous season. They have kept their core, and have been installed by Bwin Sports as the slight favorites to win Super Bowl LV, followed by the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. But all the player movements this offseason have vastly changed the NFL landscape, and have made it more unpredictable. Tom Brady, a legend in New England, left the Patriots, while wideout DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, and Emmanuel Sanders all found new homes via trades

Needless to say, this NFL season has the chance to be super special,

with lots of compelling storylines to follow and a title chase that figures to be ultra-competitive and wide open. In this time of crisis, though, there are bigger things than football. And if that means a season canceled, then so be it. We’ll just have to be ready for it.

It will be for one season only—hopefully.
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Business Featured Fitness Health

The Business of Sport at The DOGPOUND

The Business of Sport
Photo credit Jade Gomez

By Matt Tralli, a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND

Monday Motivation

Dogpound
Matt Tralli. Photo credit Walter Savage

I played many sports growing up in a small town in Westchester County, NY. Each season was a different sport: football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring. I loved playing sports for various reasons. It helped me stay active as a young kid, make new friends, thrive in a competitive environment, and most importantly it helped me develop essential core values through teamwork. The sport that I fell in love with the most was Football. 

I was fortunate enough to play football at a very high level. Playing at the collegiate level for Marist College and then continuing at the Professional level for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in the National Arena Football League. I truly believe football is the best TEAM sport. When you join a football team it is like joining a family. The comradery amongst football teammates is second to none. Unlike many other sports, football is truly a team sport because you need EVERYONE to do their part in order for the team as a whole to be successful. Tom Brady (quarterback for the New England Patriots) would not be the great quarterback he is if it wasn’t for his offensive linemen who protect him when he drops back for a pass. He needs his wide receivers to catch the ball from him when he throws it their way. The running back needs to block and run the ball to help set up the next passing play. All of those things make the offense successful. I didn’t even mention the defense yet, without which championships cannot be won. A football team needs all 65 players to do their part to the best of their abilities to be a winning team. And, who doesn’t want to be part of a winning team?

The Business of Fitness
A winning team. Photo credit Jade Gomez

I believe this mantra is the same for any successful company. That value of “teamwork” was one of the first things I loved about DOGPOUND when I was hired two years ago. The DOGPOUND is a family. Just like a football team, everyone has to do their part in order for DOGPOUND to be the successful company that it is. Trainers have to work together to help achieve a client’s fitness goals. From the front desk to the trainers to the maintenance and upper management, everyone has to be on point to be successful. These core values and teamwork are what make The DOGPOUND unlike any other gym. We are a family and more importantly a community. Clients and staff feel this every time they step foot in the gym. This feeling of unity, working at DOGPOUND, is the same feeling I had at a young age playing sports, especially football. It makes you want to work for everyone on the team so everyone gets that winning feeling. Teamwork is one of the most important parts of any successful business. I believe it is essential for the youth to learn this tool so that when they are ready to start a company or join a company it is built like a football team. It all starts from the top down. Kirk Myers has built The DOGPOUND like a football team and we are an unstoppable force that will not only achieve your fitness goals but help change your life completely.

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Dining Featured Restaurants

Brunch at Buenos Aires Brings Argentina to the East Village

For thirteen years, stepping into Buenos Aires in the East Village has been like entering a different world full of football (read: soccer if you’re from the US), steak, and Argentinian culture. Lucky for us, chef, owner, and Argentinian native Ismael Alba is now serving brunch at his fun and cozy spot on East 6th Street. Alba comes from a restaurant family in Argentina and worked his way through the New York restaurant scene with stints at the Waldorf Astoria and Victor’s Cafe. He has gotten to cook for Pope Francis, Donatella Versace, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, James Gandolfini, and many more notable names, and has an intense passion for Argentina that you can see as soon as you walk through the door.

The new pre-fixe brunch menu is a stellar addition to an already beloved restaurant. For $25 diners can enjoy a two-course meal along with coffee or tea. Another $10 gets you two mimosas, glasses of sangria, or beers. Brunch dishes include empanadas, homemade sausages, and USDA prime steaks. Some of our favorites are the choripan, a homemade chorizo sandwich on an insane slab of bread, and the breaded prime veal cutlet topped with fried eggs and served with mashed potatoes – mashed potatoes for breakfast!! Be sure to top each dish with their addictive homemade chimichurri sauce that will have you cheering en Español.

For dessert, try a caramel crepe, molten chocolate soufflé, or an alfajor, a sandwich cookie filled with caramel and enrobed in chocolate. Along with their main dining room outfitted with Argentinian flair, Buenos Aires has a private dining room that can accommodate up to 25 guests. If you’re looking for someone to validate your choice of french fries or mashed potatoes for breakfast or a meat heavy, delicious brunch, Buenos Aires is the place for you!

Buenos Aires
513 East 6th Street
Sunday–Thursday: 12:00–11:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Weekend Brunch is served from 12:00–4:00 PM

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Sports

LaLiga to host official viewing party at 230 Fifth

Photo courtesy of Pexels

For the first time ever, LaLiga — the top-flight Spanish soccer league — will host a New York City rooftop viewing party of El Clásico, a clash between two of the world’s biggest clubs: Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona.

Taking place on Sunday, Apr. 23, the free day-long event and immersive experience will feature exhibitions from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, an interactive soccer tech zone, hospitality areas highlighting Spanish food and drink, music and live entertainment, a rooftop mini soccer pitch, as well as large screen TVs throughout the 24,000 square foot venue to watch the match. All of it set to the backdrop of a breathtaking panoramic New York skyline!

Making a special appearance will be one of the greatest Spanish players of all-time, Raúl González Blanco, in addition to other top soccer players and personalities.

This all takes place on the Rooftop of 230 Fifth Avenue, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:45 PM. Free attendance with advance registration: www.laliga.es/elclasiconyc. More information can be found on LaLiga’s Facebook page.

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Sports

NYCFC Star RJ Allen Talks To Downtown In Advance Of Sunday’s Huge Match

RJ Allen of NYCFC / Photo courtesy of NYCFC

RJ Allen of NYCFC / Photo courtesy of NYCFC
RJ Allen / Photo courtesy of NYCFC

New York City FC has become one of the most popular clubs to support in all of sports in New York. The teams play their home matches at Yankee Stadium and averages 27,196 fans per game. Though the team has top-tier stars in David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard, one of their key players is RJ Allen, a native of Old Bridge, New Jersey and NYCFC’s starting Right Back.

RJ Allen plays a huge role in the attack for the Boys In Blue, running ferociously up the right flank. He has also made some unbelievable assists this season. NYCFC faces a huge hurdle this Sunday as they face Toronto FC in the second leg of its playoff matchup. NYCFC lost 2-0 in the first leg, but the score was 0-0 until the 83rd minute of the match. To advance, NYCFC must win by two or more goals depending if Toronto scores any such road goals at Yankee Stadium. It will be electric at Yankee Stadium and tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.

After a difficult inaugural campaign for NYCFC, it seems that Patrick Viera really created an identity for the club here in year two. How is it playing for Patrick Viera and what influences have been given by the top three Designated players in Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo?

RJ Allen: Yes, year one definitely didn’t go as we planned, but Patrick stepped in and really took control of our locker room. He put a system in place from day one and we all believed in it and took that challenge on. It is a joy to come to work everyday and play under him. It’s been a great experience so far.

As far as Frank, David, and Andrea, they are some of the hardest-working players you will ever come across. It is a real honor to be in the same locker room as these guys and I just try to learn from them as much as I can while they are around. They are true professionals.

Finishing second place in the Eastern Conference was a huge success but what must the team do to recover from going down 2-0 versus Toronto in the first leg?

RJA: We will make some changes tactically. We are going to go for it, though. We will have to manage the game really well and pick and choose our moments when to commit so many numbers forward over the course of 90 minutes. With the talent we have in our locker room and quality in the final third of the field, it is definitely a doable task and we all believe in it.

NYCFC Supporters have been truly sensational since day one. The fans are always very supportive of the club, the Third Rail and the various fan clubs are very passionate and loud for their team as well. How important is Home field advantage come Sunday versus Toronto?

RJA: Home field is massively important especially going into the second leg two nil down. Our fans are a big part of why we are where we are today. Our fans have been amazing all year and I’m sure they will come out rocking the stadium on Sunday and be very loud.

You are a local lad from Old Bridge, New Jersey, it must be such an incredible feeling playing in front of your family and friends week in and week out during the MLS campaign?

RJA: It’s a very special feeling to be able to see your family and friends after a match or meet for dinner after a game on the weekend. It is something I don’t take for granted and it is a privilege. It’s a dream to have the opportunity to play in front of them week in and week out.

Being raised in the New York/New Jersey area, Where are some Downtown Manhattan spots that are of interest to you and your teammates.

RJA: There is a number of different quality restaurants in New York I like to eat at. One place that my teammates and I eat at often is Tao Downtown. Another one which Valentina and I recently went to was Catch in the Meatpacking District.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSl0ouYSdWA

Categories
Sports

Running with New York Red Bulls star Mike Grella

New York Red Bulls' Mike Grella

New York Red Bulls' Mike Grella
New York Red Bulls’ Mike Grella

In their 21-year history, the New York Red Bulls — known as the MetroStars from 1996 to 2005 — have accomplished so much as a soccer club. They have one of the most beautiful and state-of-the-art stadiums in New York/New Jersey area, they have won the Supporters Shield in 2013 and 2015, and they have had outstanding stars such as Roberto Donadoni, Thierry Henry and Tab Ramos on their roster. But have never won the MLS CUP. This year, with their local star and playmaker Mike Grella, the team is primed to make a huge run in the Eastern Conference, having closed the season with Number 1 seed in the East and earned home field advantage for the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Mike Grella caught up with Downtown on the event of the Red Bulls’ playoff run. He can be followed on Twitter via @MikeGrella10, while the Red Bulls can be visited online at www.newyorkredbulls.com.

Being Raised on Long Island but playing for the New York Red Bulls, how is the experience playing in front of your family, friends and the individuals that have seen you take exceptional strides to being one of the premier playmakers in MLS?

MG: It’s been a real honor and source of great pride to play for your hometown team. I’m a New Yorker and representing the Red Bulls is and has been an amazing experience. My family and friends spent so many years tracking me in Europe, and so this is an awesome treat for them. My wife, kids, parents, and especially my brother have invested so much in to me and my career so to be able to play in front of them is a dream come true.

The Red Bulls finished at number 1 in the Eastern Conference and have been awarded home field advantage throughout the playoffs other than possibly the final. The Red Bulls are searching for their first MLS Cup. How important is home field advantage in MLS?

MG: Home field advantage is massively important. We are very good at home and the record each year since reflects that. On the other hand, the teams in this league are playing at such a high level that we must be aware and ready for any challenge home or away.

The MLS has grown significantly, as represented by TV ratings, stadium attendance and more cities looking to potentially call MLS home. Do you believe the MLS has the capabilities of being on par with perhaps the La Liga or Premier League of the world?

MG: I’m a big believer in the MLS and its potential. I think it can become one of the best leagues in the world, without a question. The infrastructure is there, the youth, the way it’s run…Everything is in place for it to get better and better.

Since the inaugural season in 2015, it seems that the NYCFC versus Red Bulls rivalry has taken off significantly. The crowds have been sold out, the atmosphere is that of Europe, and there is the possibility that you both may meet in the conference final. How is it playing in the Hudson River Derby? I can only imagine the atmosphere in those two potential playoffs games are to be simply electric.

MG: Electric is a good way to describe it. Again, being from New York and being part of this rivalry is special from every perspective. As a player, there’s a huge sense of pride being from NY and playing in this derby. The atmosphere of these games have been fantastic and remind me of when I was back at Leeds. Like I said, the MLS is growing rapidly and this rivalry has only increased that growth up.

Any such Downtown New York spots that you frequently visit and attend with fellow teammates?

MG: We get together mostly in the city. We have had dinners in some of the awesome restaurants the Meatpacking District has to offer. Another awesome thing about Downtown is that it’s only a short path ride to Red Bull Arena.