Alex Caulfield

Quiet on the set

Alex Caulfield — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:12:14 +0000

Greetings from Los Angeles. Trading in the training ground for the studio has been an interesting switch. Few people realize how much hard work, precision timing and copious amounts of caffeine go into making a broadcast (particularly a studio show). Below are some shots from my time on set for FOX Soccer’s Match Day and Goals on Sunday. The second photo takes the cake, somehow Eric Wynalda always seems to be the center of attention.

Away Days: Vancouver

Alex Caulfield — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:23:34 +0000

The first thing that will jump out to you about newly-renovated BC Place is the roof. This focal point of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s new building provides a sense of space unrivaled in any MLS venue. It’s a suspension-based structure that is retractable, much like a few of the new European venues seen in Germany. If you ever saw a sporting event in the old BC Place, the amount of light and open air inside the stadium are a remarkable contrast to the dark, domed structure that housed the BC Lions and old NASL Whitecaps.

Then there’s the video board. As part of the renovations, Vancouver installed the second-largest high definition stadium screen in North America, second only to the one at Cowboys Stadium. The largest side is 68 feet X 38 feet, and as you can see from the pictures below, it’s impressive. Add to that the usual beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the second densest urban environment in North America, and you have one hell of a trip.

Unfortunately our final road match of 2011 was a loss, but the overall experience was terrific, and the players were genuinely in awe of BC Place’s infrastructure. For many of them, it was the finest stadium in the League, and most had it in their top three.

Flying Dutchman

Alex Caulfield — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:56:06 +0000

Sonny Silooy was a terrific footballer who climbed to the pinnacle of world soccer with AFC Ajax and the Dutch National Team (that’s him with Edgar Davids in the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final). He also broke my finger on Tuesday. Well maybe, as the fallout from this most recent debacle has yet to be determined.

What is clear is that before a game of staff soccer inside RFK Stadium on Tuesday afternoon (hello, offseason), the D.C. United Assistant Coach decided to show off his world class shooting talents on an extremely amateur goalkeeper (that would be me). With no prior experience or basic training in the art of goalkeeping, I foolishly tried to parry one of the Dutchman’s knucklers.

The end result was the picture below. With experience as a Division III college football player and occasional rugby participant, I probably had no business being in that goal. Lesson learned, next time I’ll punch the shot away instead of trying to palm it. Hopefully this one’s just a sprain, but color me skeptical at the moment.

Fear and loathing in Manchester

Alex Caulfield — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:19 +0000

United and City fans agree on very little, but they seem to be unified in their ire towards striker Carlos Tevez. Ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster Manchester derby, fans of both sides voice their disapproval for the out-of-favor Argentine.

Away Days: Philadelphia

Alex Caulfield — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:50:02 +0000

Some photos from my first trip to Philadelphia’s PPL Park. We played the Union last season in the club’s inaugural MLS match, but that contest was hosted at Lincoln Financial Field. PPL Park was a much more intimate environment, and like its European predecessors, the venue rises out of a working class neighborhood (Chester, Pa.) and features mightily along the banks of the Delaware River. Unfortunately we fell 3-2 in front of a nationally televised audience, but the atmosphere was terrific, and it was one of the more memorable matches from this season.

Andy Najar celebration

Alex Caulfield — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:04:39 +0000

If you haven’t seen Andy Najar’s opening goal from Saturday’s 4-1 United win over RSL, do yourself a favor and have a look. The 18-year-old’s finish is sublime, but it’s the 40-yard through ball from Dwayne De Rosario that makes the goal easy on the eyes. It’s one of the best weighted balls I have seen in MLS, and De Rosario capped the assist with a ridiculous hat trick. Better still, Najar celebrated in style following his fourth goal of 2011. D.C. United team photog Tony Quinn captured the full sequence.

Away Days: Seattle

Alex Caulfield — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:26:36 +0000

It was good being back in the Emerald City, a place that in many ways still feels like home to me. Though United’s result against Sounders FC left much to be desired, I had a great time catching up with family and friends. Here are some of the snaps from my walk around town, our training session at Starfire and the club’s pregame routine at CenturyLink Field.

The road home

Alex Caulfield — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:56:46 +0000

I’m really looking forward to being back in Seattle this weekend. It’s a massive game for D.C. United and the team’s postseason ambitions. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for me, as I began my sports career in Seattle, and there are many friends and family members I’m excited to catch up with. While I’ll be making the most of this trip by reminiscing with those people in the George & Dragon pub, I’m most looking forward to the views (see below). That’s the thing I miss most about Seattle – the simple pleasures of mountains, water and sky. Can’t wait to get back.

Away Days: Sporting Kansas City

Alex Caulfield — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:34:36 +0000

Much has been made of Sporting Kansas City’s newly-constructed LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. I won’t repeat what has already been written – it’s a beautiful facility. From a communications perspective, I was particularly impressed with the club’s post-match media setup. Inside a glass-enclosed press room, commentary from both head coaches is delivered to an an adjoining membership lounge via surround sound. Fans are able to eat and drink while staring through the glass into the post-match press conference, adding a unique feel to this state of the art facility. Below are some pictures I took on our recent trip to KC.

Away Days: Chicago 2011

Alex Caulfield — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:21:12 +0000

Chicago is one of my favorite cities. Anyone who has been there can tell you about its intimate downtown neighborhoods and gorgeous vistas. During last year’s D.C. United visit to the Windy City, I received a quality prank from the players. Jump ahead to 2011, and history repeated itself at the very same restaurant. With the amount of birthdays these guys have allowed me to celebrate on the road, I must be 45 by now. But hey, who am I to turn down a good piece of cake once and a while? Toyota Park is still one of the best stadiums in MLS. Despite several new venues popping up in recent years, once you’ve made the trek down to Bridgeview, you can’t help but admire the stadium’s vantage points and cozy atmosphere. Below are few snaps for our recent trip to Chicago.