What’s Wrong With This Picture? (Updated!)

What's wrong with this picture? That's easy... Henry is the one who should be wearing the MLS jersey and playing for an MLS team.

wow, this picture has gotten quite a lot of comments, lol

Jennifer, I believe this blog has a proud history of stalking -- oops sorry -- appreciating half naked sweat soaked men hugging and kissing during the joys of victory and/or the agonies of defeat.

I'm not sure whether it was an early prerequisite for commenting, but weren't we required to sign kickette's petition to outlaw base-layers at some point? If not we should.

On the subject of shirts and nekkedness, I've been harboring a theory I think it is finally time to unveil. I firmly believe this is the complete basis for the Donovan Beckham detente. Jen astutely pointed out upon Beckham's return that he was no longer wearing long sleeves(!!!!). Some did not take this seriously, I think it was part of the deal (you notice that he finally got the other half of his sleeves back after he scored for the Gal's on Saturday night). Then, I couldn't help but observe that Landon is finally taking his ENTIRE shirt off after every game and leaving it off. Whenever Becks is nekked, Donovan is nekked. An obvious shirt deal. And one that clearly works well for all involved. I haven't seen many Riot Squad members up close, so I can't take a position on whether or not things would have gone more smoothly if their shirts were included in the pact. Yes, no?

Not even close, Jen, I love reading a player's perspective and that was a great description. I'm now officially cheering you on (are you in season?).

Diane, no, not a goalie, although I've played the position from time to time when recovering from knee surgery. I'm an aging forward who has slowed down enough, and can see the field well enough, to be a midfielder. So that's primarily what I play. Unless we're short on defenders -- then I'll do some time in the back. But I'm not at ALL motivated to prevent someone from scoring compared to being extremely motivated to create chances. I hate running a forward down. I'd rather time a beautiful through pass, or make a run into space to receive one.

That's more than you wanted to know though, huh? :)

I assumed that Beckham wouldn't be playing in the second half when I saw him trading shirts with Dani Alves--was thinking that he was like "well, I scored a free kick...goodnight, everyone!"--and was kind of surprised. Then I was even more surprised when he came back out for the second half (last one out of the locker room, natch). I've never seen a halftime exchange of shirts.

Nice! Very nice! Thank you Jen for these lovely photos! XD

al - i like that you lept in with the anti-homophobic read!

i'll out myself as one of those fans who actually likes to see men hug, kiss, and throw their arms around each other and more. as a seasoned watcher of footballer's wives, too, i also nurse a kind of queer-Dallas fantasy version of the footballing world as what "really" goes on. (if you've never watched this show, do! any season featuring "tanya") in my fantasy world, the guys are super comfortable with the affection they feel for each other - and all the forms that such affection might take place.

i'm not a homophobic viewer of this image, in other words, but instead a wildly optimistic one. of course i don't think they are lovers. but i do wish it were possible.

because of course we know how awfully gay athletes are treated by teams, fans, and by the media - and the football world seems to be one of the worst in a world of worsts. so, if i occasionally claim some of the images from the papers as "queer" i do so in the hopes that one day we might actually see gay players embraced in sports culture with the same casual grace.

Jen, impressive, to remain composed enough to count things when faced with such a lovely collection of arms and legs and well, all kinds of stuff. Did you say that your were a goalie? It must be the training. Ta.

Yes al, I was speaking primarily of the jerseys and the apparent lack of a right leg on Beckham. You have to look veerrry closely and you see that it's just the camera angle -- but it looks like a photo one could submit to photoshopdisasters.com.

Oops, I made a big mistake here and didn't really look at the photo. I apologize for my comments above. I recently came across another post where they were posting images of soccer players hugging and implying derogatory suggestions. I realize you were talking about jersey things here. My bad.

The only thing wrong with this picture is the immaturity of the blogger who posted it. These guys are champions and close friends. They shared a hug. Are you implying you've never done the same with a close friend or are you insinuating you're a homophobe? Either way you come off as a knob. Not to mention, most players have to stand close to hear what each other have to say. The decibel levels in large arenas like this are difficult to hear in. It's too bad there's still idiots out there allowed to post this type of garbage.

What could be wrong with this picture? Hmmm, its not as perfect as the one at the end of the game when both are shirtless? I was going to say that it would make Laurie sad, but she's been by already.

Come on Jen! Show us yours!

the two did exchange shirts at the end of the match - their shirtless, sweaty & tattoo'd bodies were gloriously projected entwined on the jumbo screen for happy fans like yours truly (i had this newspaper photo - http://tiny.cc/u159Z - on my fridge for ages). if the erotics of male homosocial spaces interest, you might enjoy my take on rudo y cursi: http://fromaleftwing.blogspot....

Laurie: Dick's right: this photo was at half-time. Beckham exchanged his jersey with Dani Alves. I thought that was a perfect exchange: two footballers known for their precision direct kicks (see Dani Alves for Brazil in the Confederations Cup semi-final if you need an example) acknowledging their similar talents.

Laurie: This shot was obviously taken at the end of the first half, after Beckham had exchanged his jersey with someone else. (I saw the exchange, but can't name the Barca player.) Henry did not play the first half, hence the yellow shirt worn by those (like Henry) who spent that half on the Barca bench. After playing second half, Henry exchanged his game jersey for Beckham's second-half jersey. A picture of the two of them after that exchange would show them both bare-chested. Rusty: you're certainly right. It looks as if Beckham needs a peg. But on closer examination Beckham's right toe is visible, as is the very top of his right leg.

"oh don't worry about those LA Riot Squad'rs, Henry is gonna make it all better"

Does the Barcelona guy have his shoes on the wrong feet?

Usually it's the left one that goes missing. Zing.

Among too many problems with the photo, where's Beckham's right leg???

an all nike'd out athlete hugging an all adidas'd out athlete is clearly the problem...

Henry: "Ok, so when you're sitting at the movies with her you're gonna pretend to yawn, and then slowly put your arm around her... like this."

This is not a caption, just a comment. So...Beckham's holding a Barcelona shirt, and Titi's wearing...two Barcelona shirts? Where's the #23 Galaxy shirt, in the garbage bin?

(Was that it? Did I get it?)