The Topp Blog

For Sale: A Guide to Buying Your First House

dtopp18 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:14:52 +0000

For those looking to buy a first house, there is a lot to consider. Where do I buy? How much do I spend? How will I afford this? With the struggles the economy has been through, now may be a better time then ever to buy that first home. Click here to see a video with a buyer’s guide to finding that first house.

Tips For First Time Homebuyers

dtopp18 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:04:49 +0000

Now may be the best time to buy a home for first time buyers. (Photo by: David Topp)

The economy has been tough on everyone, but for first time homebuyers it may be a blessing in disguise. Financial experts say it’s a sounds investment as long as you don’t pay more than the house is worth or get a mortgage that is too big for you to pay.

Real estate agents are reaching out to first time homebuyers more than ever. Listen to Alyssia Essig, a Real Estate Agent with Prudential Carruthers Real Estate in Baltimore, as she has a couple of tips for those first time buyers.

The Ups and Downs of Towson Soccer

dtopp18 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:23:59 +0000

A common simile in sports is to compare the events of an athletic season to that of a roller coaster. Success and failure, up follows down, more success and more failure. It’s a formula that most teams can relate too. For this year’s Towson University mens soccer team, it was no different.

Pre-season match results had fans excited following a 3-1 start to the season. A disappointing 1-0 loss to local rival UMBC, was the start of a four-game losing streak.

At this point in the season it was a matter of, “Becoming Towson,” junior defender and co-captain, Scott Horta said.

Horta along fellow co-captain, sophomore goalkeeper John Steele took time to discuss their early season feelings and how they would prepare for the season ahead.

The Tigers then found some success with a 2-1 road win over a very talented George Mason University team, followed by a 2-1 win at home over, then no.20, Old Dominion University.

But what goes up must come down, and that the Tigers did as they would then lose their next two road matches.

The results that followed only solidified the roller coaster description of the season. A win at home versus the University of Delaware preceded a loss at Virginia Commonwealth.

With its playoff hopes on the line, the Tigers would face Hofstra University at home. On a rain-soaked field, Towson fell to the Pride, 1-0, thus ending any chance of a playoff appearance this season.

The Tigers would then split the remaining matches on the schedule, winning at home against Georgia State and losing to James Madison on the road in the season finale.

With no playoff berth to speak of, the Tigers can hang their collective hat on the expectations of next season.

In the meantime, players will continue to train for the anticipated following season. Here are a few training tips and exercises for soccer players looking to improve their fitness level during the off-season.

FAQ’s

Dutch Digest – Week 16

dtopp18 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:37:43 +0000

Ajax Amsterdam falls to FC Utrecht, a team I have said others should not sleep on, by a 2-0 score. Reigning Eredivisie champions, AZ Alkmaar decided enough was enough and gave head coach Ronald Koeman his walking papers just before the mid-point of the season.

For the rest of the week 16 action and news:

Continue reading “Dutch Digest – Week 16” at World Soccer Reader.

USMNT: A Closer Look At Group C

dtopp18 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:25:01 +0000

On Friday, the groupings for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa were drawn. Being the U.S. men’s national team correspondent for World Soccer Reader, it was kind of important that I watch this.

Well, the Yanks found themselves with a good draw. Rounding out Group C was England, the U.S., Algeria and Slovenia. While American supporters were thrilled with the group, I took the time to look a little closer at next summer’s competition.

Continue Reading ”USMNT: A Closer Look At Group C” at World Soccer Reader.

Voices of American soccer fandom

dtopp18 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:15:38 +0000

These guys are passionate fans, why aren't you?

After some (okay, a lot of) technical difficulty my second slideshow is complete and able to be posted. This slideshow is in accordance with my MCOM 407 project looking at soccer fandom in the U.S.

Two U.S. soccer fans helped me out and offered their thoughts and opinions. They are Ryan van Brackel, of Chestertown, Md., and Rocco Praglowski, of Arnold, Md. Thanks guys!

Click here to view “Voices of American soccer fandom

Dutch Digest – Week 15

dtopp18 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:58:07 +0000

It’s your source for everything Dutch football. Ajax cruises by Vitesse. PSV need three goals for three points. I continue to be impressed by FC Utrecht.

For the rest of the week 15 action in the Eredivisie:

Continue Reading “Dutch Digest – Week 15” at World Soccer Reader.

Comments

dtopp18 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:47:32 +0000

Continue to “Comments” for the semester.

Dutch Digest – Week 14

dtopp18 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:34:45 +0000

The Eredivisie resumed play this weekend after a week off from an international break, returning with a flurry of goals across the table.

Continue Reading “Dutch Digest – Week 14” at World Soccer Reader.

My Starting XI: Thanksgiving Edition

dtopp18 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:11:28 +0000

If you’ve read anything from this blog before you probably know that soccer is big part of my life, but so is journalism (hence the blog). Being that is Thanksgiving, I wanted to do something special, something unique. Here’s what I managed to come up with:

Continue Reading “My Starting XI: Thanksgiving Edition“