The latest addition to the family!

I'd like to introduce the latest addition to the Schmidt family, a Jack Russell Terrier named "Ryder". She was born on July 3rd and became a member of the family last weekend!

We've been thinking about getting a small dog for a while, but we decided that if we got a small dog, it had to be a big dog at heart. So far she is acclimating well to the new digs, and she is already letting the big dogs know what's what.

Bleeding Black and Gold!

I haven't taken the time to lavish MASSIVE* praise on my favorite soccer team for a while, so I figured it was about time.

If you notice the (single) table to the right, you will see that the beloved Black-n-Gold are sitting all alone at #1! With 22 games played by ALL teams in the league, there is no "game-in-hand" funkiness going on. The Crew have the best record overall, and league lead is their lead to lose.

Our next game is against the #2 Revolution, at home, on Saturday. We'll be without a few key players who got called-up for National Team duties, but the Revs are pretty beat-up as well. Their whole attacking roster seems to be out with injury save the "too-tight-of-a-jersey-wearing-wrapping-his-thumb-for-apparently-no-reason" Taylor Twellman. We all know that TT is a dangerous player who can change games, but can he do it on his own? And can he do it against the MASSIVELY MASSIVENESS that is the Crew?

It may be a bit premature, but I'm really feeling the Supporters' Shield this year. Making the playoffs will be nice after three consecutive years of missing them, but the Shield would be icing on the cake for what is turning out to be one of the best Crew seasons in recent (and not-so-recent) history.

* "MASSIVE" is an inside joke for Crew fans.