The Indirect Kick

I am always fascinated with the little blogs that pop up promising to cover soccer, the Revs, MLS or EPL.  Before long the updates cease, the content becomes dated and that great idea is now over.  Maybe one day I’ll put together a list of all of them.  Pretty sure The Drug Is Football would be down to create a  ”greatest hits” of failed blogs.

I always wondered if they understood the commitment it is to write, provide content and be interesting to make people want to read what you have to say.  And yeah…do it for free.  I am no journalist.  I have a “real” job and on top of that, an obligation to the military.  On the side I help run The Rebellion supporters group as well the American Outlaws chapter in Providence.  I am no expert.  I apply what I know from years of playing and watching the game coupled with what I hope is insightful opinion that you hadn’t heard before.  I knew I wouldn’t break news here but I’d try to analyze the news that broke and make you think about it differently or come at it from a different angle.  Hence, “indirect kick” as a name.  I started this site at the recommendation of many close friends who for some reason found my thoughts interesting and encouraged me to broadcast them at a higher amplitude.  I had no end game, no delusions I’d be the next Ives Galarcep.  I just wanted a platform to provide a hard look at the technical aspects of the game and the product as a whole in New England.  Deep down we all share the same end goal–to grow the game in New England.   There were issues that needed to be tackled, websites to call out and ballsy questions to ask and clever ways in order to do it.

By @theIndirectKick, “BlackBerry &the #Revs: A Story About Complacency” Accurate, smart soccer journalism–> tinyurl.com/7r4oako #MLS

— Vermont Outlaw (@VermontOutlaw) January 18, 2012

Over the past year, the response has been great.  I’ve featured on The Midnight Ride Podcast and several other outlets.  A piece a guest writer wrote about his experiences at a PAOK – Aris game went viral in Greece, running on the front page of many Greek soccer websites.  After a solid year lobbying NESN to cover the local team, the Revs fans got an apology via Twitter.  It got to the point where people actually solicited my opinion.

I wouldn’t call it a success, but with the amount of blogs that come and go after promising you the world, I’d redefine a big chunk of success in this realm as not doing that.  At minimum, I maintained my writing commitment to myself, if you happened to like it along the way you’re welcome and thanks for reading.

What is the next stop for a blog with it’s own domain name, 69 posts, 500 followers on Twitter and a never ending thirst for more?

#PressRelease: The Bent Musket has signed @TheIndirectKick. Per league and team policy, contract details undisclosed.

— The Bent Musket (@TheBentMusket) March 12, 2012

After roughly two months of negotiation our agents sat down and worked out a deal.  I’m excited to join a diverse crew of like-minded gentlemen at the start of the 2012 campaign with the goal of making The Bent Musket the location for thorough, thoughtful, intuitive analysis on the New England Revolution.   I will do my normal rant, bitch, moan, complain, analysis over there under the name “The Indirect Kick.”

After today I will no longer be updating this site.  For all of those who encouraged me, re-tweeted me and actually thought I knew what I was talking about a heartfelt thank you and follow me over to the Bent Musket and harass me on Twitter, I’ll still be tweeting as @TheIndirectKick.

Peace.

Follow @TheBentMusket on Twitter and here on Facebook.