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We understand if you want to rub Kyle Beckerman's belly. He is, after all "looking for a lap." You might prefer, however, to rustle DaMarcus Beasley's scruff. Frankly, we're partial to Fabian Johnson—but as of this Saturday, he's taken.
The Oregon Humane Society has recently taken to naming their incoming unnamed pets after members of the U.S. national soccer team, who advanced on Thursday, June 27 into the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup, and will face Belgium tomorrow, July 1, at 1 pm PDT.
"Our staff here in admissions names all the pets that don't already have names," says spokesperson David Lytle. "We want the public to be able to relate to the animals. Having a fun name gives them more personality. With the World Cup going on, it made perfect sense."
And so dangerous out-of-zone offensive threat Graham Zusi is, perhaps appropriately, a mini-pinscher. And shaggy-bearded Beasley is an even shaggier terrier. Some fullbacks, we suppose, might object to defensman Omar Gonzalez's dubbing as a yappy Pomeranian. All are up for adoption.
Taken soccer stars include Timmy Chandler, Aron Johannsson, Fabian Johnson and... Pele.
A small gallery of the U.S. soccer stars. All photos are courtesy of the Oregon Humane Society.
WWeek 2015