Queen of Sports

Brian Ching Raising Funds to Build Houston Home

Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo’s forward Brian Ching has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, MLS W.O.R.K.S., and Dynamo Charities to raise $75,000 to help build a house for a deserving family in Houston, Texas.

First part of the fundraising efforts include a special package for Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy fans. On April 10th, the Dynamo are offering a special ticket promotion. Fans who purchase the $99 ticket package will receive: two game tickets, two commemorative scarves and entrance into a post-game meet and greet with Brian.

Click here for ticket information about The House That Ching Built fundraiser. You can also purchase tickets and donate them to charity if you don’t live in the Houston area!

Keep up the good work Brian.

Kick Like A Girl

Writer, director and producer Jenny Mackenzie has made a new short soccer film called Kick Like A Girl. The cameras follow an undefeated third grade girls soccer team, The Mighty Cheetahs, as they compete in a league with all boys teams.

The film is narrated by 8-year old Lizzie (Jenny’s daughter) who battles juvenile diabetes and is a self-proclaimed “soccer girl.”

Kick Like A Girl explores the lessons learned through team sports and provides a commentary about social change since the passing of Title IX in 1972.

Check out the trailer and website for this inspiring little film here.

David Beckham is Back – Sort Of

David Beckham was seen at the La Galaxy practice field in Carson on Wednesday afternoon.

The soccer stud was on crutches while he watched the rest of the team work out. Beckham is recovering from surgery on his torn achilles tendon 11 days ago.

Check out pictures here.

Landon Donovan Visits Venice High School

MLS Galaxy player Landon Donovan has partnered with Visa to create an educational video game that combines soccer with a high-quality financial literacy curriculum to create an innovative approach for helping children and adults learn about personal finance.

Landon also graces the cover of the game and website. He has just returned from a successful stint playing in England.

Visa has donated 10 Apple MacBooks to Venice High School to play the new game, Financial Soccer and for other academic uses.

“It would have been great to learn more about personal finance when I was in school,” said Donovan, who also captains the U.S. national team bound for the 2010 World Cup in just 80 days. “I’ve enjoyed working with Visa to help create and launch Financial Soccer, providing today’s students with the opportunity and tools to learn about the financial world in ways that were never available to me when I was younger.”

Happy Birthday Ronaldinho

Happy Birthday to soccer hottie to Ronaldo de Assis Moreira aka Ronaldinho! The soccer stud is celebrating his 30th birthday.

Fun fact about Ronaldinho: His nickname, Ronaldinho, in Portuguese for “Little Ronaldo,” and is known in Brazil by the nickname “Gaúcho,” in order to distinguish him from another Ronaldo, who was already called “Ronaldinho” in Brazil. Ronaldo simply went by his first name upon his move to Europe, thereby allowing Ronaldinho to drop the “Gaúcho” and remain simply as Ronaldinho.

Alicia Keyes To Open World Cup

Alicia Keyes along with Shakira and the Blacy Eyed Peas have been tapped to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration concert before the first soccer match of the World Cup in South Africa on June 10th.

Twelve total artists will be featured, a mix of mainstream pop artists along with African musicians.

“Music and sports are the lifeblood of African culture, so to combine those in this historic event will be a true celebration of Africa,” said former South African soccer player Lucas Radebe.

Officials are expecting 30,000 people to attend the festivities at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

David Beckham Injured, Will Not Play in World Cup

This weekend, soccer stud and husband to former Spice Girl Victoria, David Beckham tore his Achilles tendon during the final minutes of AC Milan’s victory. The England midfielder will miss the World Cup scheduled for this summer. Beckham flew to Finland for surgery on his torn tendon, which is scheduled for late Monday or Tuesday.

Beckham was hoping to become the first English player to appear in four World Cups, recovery time for his injury is expected to be six months. Beckham posted on his website this morning that he “wants to thank everyone for their messages of support” and that he “hopes to make a swift and full recovery.”

Happy Birthday Landon!

Happy Birthday to soccer stud Landon Donovan who is turning 28 today!

Landon is currently playing with the English club Everton on a ten-week loan from the LA Galaxy.

Fun fact about Landon: When he was six years old, he asked his mother if he could join an organized soccer league. He proceeded to score SEVEN goals in his first game. If that’s not natural talent, I don’t know what is!

Check out Landon’s website here.