Mad Brit Diary

When a cap is more than a hat.

(Friday, March 14, 2003) -- Last week, the Mad Brit fretted over poor Sir Bobby Robson, who discovered the caps he earned playing for in England between 1958-62 had been stolen. Even his Newcastle United star Alan Shearer's five goals in two games in recent European play hasn't cheered him up.

The Mad Brit dug a little deeper to find out the origin of the international cap. As soccer fans know, a game played for your national team is called a cap. (Now, if only someone could explain that to American sports editors.)

According to England's Football Association, in the early days of the game, players didn't head the ball much and many players actually wore caps while they were playing. In the late 1880s it was rare to see man without a cap on his head. Just look at some of those old photos from games in the early part of the century and the soccer stadiums were full of men -- rare to see a lady at a game -- wearing caps.

The idea of the cap began in England with N. L. Jackson, founder of the famous amateur club Corinthians in 1986. At an FA Committee at the Kennington Oval in London, Jackson proposed: "That all players taking part for England in future international matches be presented with a white silk cap with embroidered red rose. These to be termed International Caps." The first color caps were royal blue, but later a tassel was added. Colors varied and the three lions eventually replaced the rose.

Today, England's players are presented with a blue velvet cap, for an appearance in a one-off friendly international and are given one cap for a whole competition such as the World Cup or European Championship. The highest capped player in the world, according to FIFA, is Mexico's Claudio Suarez at 170, followed by Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Al-Deayea at 165 and Egypt's Hossam Hassan with 160. Next in line is America's Cobi Jones at 159 and Germany's Lothar Mattheaus at 150.

England's topped capped player is goalkeeper Peter Shilton with 125. Along with Jones, there are five other Yank stars in the century club -- Jeff Agoos (133), Marcelo Balboa (128), Paul Caligiuri (110), Eric Wynalda (106) and Joe-Max Moore (100).

On the women's side, American Kristine Lilly leads with 245 followed by teammate Mia Hamm with 229.

South America's soccer chiefs want to make the World Cup field even bigger, but FIFA president Sepp "I'm In Charge Forever" Blatter is skeptical about increasing the number of teams from 32 to 36.

The South Americans are upset that their group is being cut from five Cup berths to four. The executive committee of FIFA, soccer's governing body, deferred a decision until its next meeting in May. So what do you think? I mean how big can this event get? Forty teams? The Mad Brit thinks the event is too big as it is.

United States and D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen tells ESPN.com about his TV habits: "Overseas, I try to watch the English League. It's like eye-candy." Eye-candy! The MB likes that one.

A reader named TheKostar says: "I think the Los Angeles Galaxy can beat Manchester United, and I think the U.S. national team can beat England. I merely would like the opportunity for the U.S. and its club teams to prove me right. Also, it would be fun. What do you think?"

Well, dreamer. On any given day anything can happen but Man U would kill any MLS club in a real league game. Remember The English League has been around since something like 1888. MLS, which by the way, the Mad Brit loves, has only been around since 1996. Give it time, dreamer.

"Here's my gripe," writes Pete Bisser. "Soccer will never catch on in the U.S. The reason is pathetic TV coverage. . . Last summer's World Cup was amazing. ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC showed every game live, without commercial interruption. When the ref blew the whistle at the end of the final game, the cameras went off. No post-game celebrations. Not even the trophy presentation was shown."

And The Not So Mad Quaker writes, "Hey, Mad Brit!!! Pretend that you. . . the Mad Brit. . . are instead David Moyes for Everton. Now you are looking at the end of Brian McBride's stay in which he has dramatically helped your team. "Would you fork out the $2.5 million to keep him, or offer something close like $1.8 million, or would you just wave bye bye and hope for the best???"

Tough question. The MB thinks McBride would like to stay in the UK, however he wouldn't be too upset about coming home to the good olde USA to get a decent milkshake and a real burger, watch a basketball game, etc. But here's the update on big boy McBride. Everton is still waiting for a response from Major League Soccer over the proposed long-term loan of McBride whose three-month stay at the club ends next week.

McBride will play his next-to-last last game with the team today against visiting West Ham United. Toffees' boss David Moyes has been hugely impressed by the American's attitude and form since he arrived in Liverpool. "Brian has done very well for us," Moyes said, "And we believe he would be a good acquisition to our squad. He has scored four goals in six Premiership starts and when we didn't have Kevin Campbell available earlier in the season, we lacked someone who could come in and do that sort of role."

Still, Everton doesn't want to spend too much cash on the 30-year-old Yank.

And, finally, Walt Borges responding to last week's Edgar Davids story, wonders who makes Davids goggles? Beats me. Walt wears a customized pair made by Extreme Eyewear of Miami, USA.

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.