It's Heeeere...

Hi Guys!: Russian maidens surround the World Cup Trophy at the final draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

'Twas the night before FIFA World Cup Russia, when all throughout the globe
Every bleacher creature was stirring, boys and girls, young and old
The bars were well stocked; barstools arranged with great care,
In hopes that team-shirt-wearing patrons, soon would be there.
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Putin, Messi and Ronaldo danced in their heads...

Putin On the Ritz: Russian President Vladimir Putin with soccer legends Pele of Brazil and Maradona of Argentina at the official tournament draw held in Moscow last December. 

It's been a long four years since the unfettered, samba-fueled joy of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a large country that is so abundant in green tropics and yellow sunshine that it has the two colors emblazoned on its flag. It is now four years later and the tournament kicks off tomorrow in Russia, a country twice the size of Brazil and a million times different. This is part of what makes the World Cup so exciting. 

And so here we are at the threshold of another World Cup. Here we are, that is, minus some big losses in the world. If I were given the chance to read this post four years ago, I would want my 2014 self to know that many of my favorite musicians are now gone: David Bowie, Prince, George Michaels, and—brace yourself, 2014 me—Chris Cornell. As of this week, we must also wrap our hearts and minds around the death of Anthony Bourdain, the Lou Reed of the culinary world. Never in all my life has the passage of four years between one World Cup and another bridged such contrasting worlds of yesterday and today. On a personal note, I lost a family pet who was like a little brother. He had lung cancer and seeing him slip away was the hardest thing. I can now relate to the longing in the Beatle's song,"Yesterday." Yes, so much has changed since the last World Cup ... and I haven't even mentioned politics ... Oy.

With love and loss comes wisdom. Losing Bruno taught me how precious love is and . That's hard to do when work obligations tell you otherwise.  I think dogs and cats understand it best. Whatever gets your tail wagging, do it. Be huggable and lovable to those. Having friends and family and coworkers you like matters. Many of us in this world are so fortunate not to be alone, and that is worth smiling about. And if there's something simple you can do to make someone you absolutely love—human or animal—happy, by all means, do it. Those memories will stay with you forever. They'll keep you afloat, and focused on the right things. Make yourself happy, too. Words of wisdom: The show must go on and true love never dies. Here's to a phenomenal World Cup! May the best team win — but not by penalty kicks.

Ready to Rumble: Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow where the tomorrow's opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia will take place

Quick Facts: 12 stadiums, 64 matches, 34 days, 32 countries.

Italy did not qualify. USA did not qualify. Here are the teams that did:

RUSSIA
PORTUGAL
FRANCE
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
GERMANY
SPAIN
URUGUAY
ENGLAND
DENMARK
COLOMBIA
POLAND
CROATIA
MEXICO
BELGIUM
EGYPT
SENEGAL
JAPAN
SWEDEN
SERBIA
SWITZERLAND
NIGERA
AUSTRALIA
COSTA RICA
PERU
ICELAND
MOROCCO
SOUTH KOREA
TUNISIA
IRAN
PANAMA
SAUDI ARABIA

My advice on how to enjoy the World Cup: Forget statistics (unless you love them) and choose a team to root for simply because you like them. Or don't choose a team, and enjoy the freedom of not being emotionally invested and see if you begin to favor anyone. Add snacks and beer, or cider or whatever it is you like to eat & drink. Welch's grape soda? Doritos? Go for it. Zabivaka says yes!

Say His Name: Zabivaka, or Забива́ка, means "goalscorer" in Russian. The goggles-sporting wolf as you may have guessed is the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The USMNT's EPIC FAIL: World Cup 2018, an opportunity lost in time ...

Tears in the Rain: Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner (1982). 

And so it was last night, on a wet field in Trinidad and Tobago. I think The Washington Post expressed it best: 

In a stunner, U.S. men's soccer falls to Trinidad and Tobago and will not qualify for 2018 World Cup

Let me just say that I am hugely disappointed by this. My first thought: Start a Change.com petition to make Abby Wombat the new coach of the USMNT. Or, dare to dream, David Beckham??

Like the birth of a healthy child, placement in the World Cup is not something any country can take for granted. England did not qualify for the 1994 World Cup and Ireland has missed the last two. Still, I thought we could at least beat a tiny vacation island in the Caribbean. What was the problem? Puddles on the field? Arrogance? Whatever the reason, we have been abruptly awoken from Pulisic-fueled dreams of World Cup domination and must deal with humiliation and romo, i.e. the realization of missing out.

I remember the old days of being a soccer fan in NYC, when the only people at the bar watching World Cup games were me and the bartender. And I remember gazing up at that analog TV mounted up in the corner and watching Bruce Arena sitting on the sidelines as the US men's team, starring a young Landon Donovan, brought a fresh new energy to this well-worn international stage. Bruce Arena, however, did not impress me. As a Knicks fan, I had grown accustomed to high-energy coaches with volatile tempers, demonstrative reactions, and suits and ties. The somewhat schlumpy Arena bore no resemblance to the sharply-dressed Pat Riley with his GQ looks and slicked-back hair. Nor was he anything like the no-nonsense, irrepressible yet lovable Jeff Van Gundy.

Looking back at that World Cup today, however, I have a lot of respect for Arena for keeping his head up in what must have been an extremely intimidating situation. He must have been treated like an outcast by the other managers, and it's not like he was so well known at home. 

Nevertheless, a team manager must have an inspiring presence, and Arena did not. He appeared unaware of the magnitude of his surroundings and unperturbed by his team's inconsistent performance. At the time, I suspected that he didn't even like soccer, but happened to stumble upon a job opportunity that no one else wanted. 

It was that same old oblivious, unfazed and unaccountable Arena that resurfaced yesterday, when he had the sheer gall to dismiss Tuesday's loss as a mere "blemish."  Blemish?? Blemish on what exactly, an otherwise stellar reputation? Clearly, Arena lives in a delusional world in which he's the manager of Germany's national soccer team. But back on planet earth, the Tobago loss is a reality check: The US men's team is still seriously wobbly. Arena has three major achievements: LA Galaxy, coaching Landon Donovan and toppling Portugal in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, thus advancing to the quarterfinals. That may sound like a mind-blowing resume next to Joe Shmo the soccer coach, but it doesn't exactly make Bruce Arena the American Pep Guardiola now, does it. So I wish commentators and reporters would stop acting like Arena's the godfather of US soccer. He isn't. He's just someone who happened to show up at the baptism. 

The good news is that fans are furious and hugely disappointed. And that kind of heart-wrenching, tantrum-inducing frustration is our greatest asset right now, because it's the truest motivation there is. Meanwhile, MLS soccer is getting better and more exciting.The NY Red Bull's / NYCFC rivalry for instance is as scrumdiddlyumptious as shepherd's pie, and it's been a gift to watch Bradley Wright-Phillips battle the great David Villa. #designatedplayersmatter.

So let's accept this harsh reality, hit the ejection-seat button on Arena, and move on with a deeper appreciation for the sport. As in any other sport, being good at soccer cannot be faked. 

And p.s., if you haven't noticed, the soccer ball is color-blind and doesn't care where you came from, how fancy an upbringing you had, or how good you look in your kit. But if you speak its language of skill and determination, it will roll over at your feet and soar into the air, taking you and everyone watching with it. 

Goodbye for now World Cup, have fun in Russia. We'll be seeing you in Qatar.

"We'll be back."  (PHOTO from SI.com)

World Cup 2014, Day 3: One Day, Four Games

      COLOMBIA 3 - 0 GREECE
       URUGUAY 1 - 3 COSTA RICA
        ENGLAND 1 - 2 ITALY
IVORY COAST 2 - 1 JAPAN

June 14, 2014


COLOMBIA 3 - 0 GREECE


Colombia's team has many victory dances prepared for this tournament and may have many opportunities to display them.(Reuters)

Part soccer team, part flashmob, Colombia kept things lively against Greece, scoring a goal at the beginning, middle and tail end of the match. Who could ask for anything more? Well, you may have wanted to see star striker Radamel Falcao in action but unfortunately he will not be playing in this World Cup due to a knee injury. Most teams would feel positively crippled without their star player, but Los Cafeteros' (translation:The Coffee Growers) cup runs over with talent–Pablo Armero, Teófilo Gutiérrez and James Rodriguez just to name a few. With Falcao rooting from the sidelines in beautiful Belo Horizonte, Colombia still managed to brew a mighty strong cup of soccer. A tear for Greece, who earned three yellow cards and no points.

This game was played in Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte:


Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5


URUGUAY 1 - 3 COSTA RICA


Man of the match: Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates an equalizer against Uruguay


The defeat of soccer giant Uruguay by teeny tiny Costa Rica is the third upset in this exciting and wildly unpredictable World Cup–the first being Spain's total defeat by Holland (0-5) and the second, Chile's domination over Australia (3-1). While Uruguay took the lead in the first half of the game with a well-warranted penalty kick by Edinson Cavani, the second half revealed a whole new Costa Rica: refreshed and incredibly in sync as a team.

Costa Rica's turning of the table began with an equalizer about 10 minutes into the second half, an expansive cross from right field by 24-year old, 5' 8", Cristian Gamboa, to Joel Campbell who, alone in an open field of green, effortlessly propelled the ball on a smooth long glide into the net. It was what commentators on Univision refer to as a golaço (goal-osso), because there are good goals and there are great goals, and this was a great goal. I think we all could have done without Joel Campbell's bizarre post-goal pregnancy antics in which he ran around with a ball under his shirt, sucking his thumb while his shorts were falling down. A succinct header by Óscar Duarte gave Costa Rica the lead and Marco Ureña put a ring on it with a third goal set up by a long pass from Campbell.

This game was played in Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza:



Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5

ENGLAND 1 - 2 ITALY


Bullet Point #3 (See below.)

There wasn't a great deal of excitement and drama in this much-anticipated match between soccer colossi England and Italy, in fact I think that the entire game was best summarized by these bullet-pointed game highlights from BBC writer Phil McNutty:











This game was played in Arena Amazônia, Manaus:

Aesthetic Value: ***** out of 5

Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5

IVORY COAST 2 - 1 JAPAN

Goal scorer Gervinho and teammate Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast celebrate a 2nd goal and lead against Japan. (NOLA Photos, The Times-Picayune)


Japan's most famous blonde, midfielder Keisuke Honda, provided the first burst of excitement in this frenzied match with a wily goal in the 16th minute that outwitted Ivory Coast defenders. Japan's lead was sustained into the game's second half despite repeated attacks until Wilfried Bony followed-through on some elegant passes that enabled him to equalize in the 64th minute, followed by another goal, 2 minutes later by Gervinho who caught Japan goalie Eiji Kawashima off guard with a strike from right field. It was a one-two punch from which Japan could not recover and the match ended 2-1.

This game was played in Arena Pernambuco, Recife:




Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5

World Cup 2014, Day 2: Chile Give Socceroos Heartburn

CHILE 3 - 1 AUSTRALIA

June 13, 2014


Chile's Jorge Valdívia following a gorgeous direct hit into the net. It was the second of three goals to be had by Chile in a match against Australia.


Chee! Chee! Chee! Leh! Leh! Leh!

If today's game was any indication, we may have that chant in our heads for many weeks to come. Chile did not hold back today against a somewhat passive Australian team whose lack of stamina is accurately reflected in the final score.

The last time these two teams battled was in the 1974 World Cup in Berlin. While the game itself, final score 0-0, may not have been very exciting, the historical context in which it was played, 9 months after a military coup and the installation of the Pinochet dictatorship, was one of the darkest in Chile's history.


A Team Held Captive: Under the shadow of Pinochet, the Chilean team play Australia in a scoreless match at the 1974 Berlin World Cup.

Almost 25 years, one major earthquake, tsunami and 33-rescued miners later, the stalwart nation of Chile clearly has its eyes on a brighter future, perhaps one that entails a green and gold trophy.

Other game scorers: CHILE--Alexis Sánchez, Jean Beausejour; AUSTRALIA--Tim Cahill

This match was played at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil:



Aesthetic Value: ***** out of 5 (based on inside of stadium).
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 2 out of 5.

World Cup 2014, Day 2: Mexico Prevails

MEXICO 1 - 0 CAMAROON

June 13, 2014


Deliverance: Oribe Peralta scores for Mexico and wins the match against Camaroon.

By the end of the first half of this hard-won match, it was clear that Mexico's strongest challenge wasn't the team of Camaroon itself but Colombian referee Wilmar Alexander Roldan Perez who denied Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos two goals in the first half--two goals that video replay shows were perfectly legitimate:



At the very least, bad calls rob teams and fans equally of the competitive value and satisfaction of a fair contest. At worst, they can even incite a riot or the kind of gruesome and extreme violence that one generally associates with drug lords or the Taliban (which really makes a good case for baseball as a more civilized sport, Red Sox fans notwithstanding...).

Fortunately, justice prevailed in the Mexico v Camaroon match in the way that justice often does, through the tenacity and fortitude of those who seek it. Peralta connected in the 61st minute, a soaring triumph that ignited Mexico fans and was a thrill to all who watched. In a game so often held hostage to chance, Mexico is fighting hard to control its destiny.

This match was played at Estadio das Dunas, Natal, Brazil:



Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5.
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5.

World Cup 2014, Day 4: France's Karim Benzema, Switzerland Wins, Bosnia-Herzogovina Scores

Switzerland 2 - 1 Ecuador
France 3 - 0 Honduras
Argentina 2 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

June 15, 2014


France 3 - 0 Honduras

France's Karim Benzema doing what he does, scoring 2 goals against Honduras.

Don't Google Benzema too extensively.  As with many soccer players, you may find out more than you want to know. But if you take him for what he is on the field, such as in France's opening match against Honduras, you'll find yourself in awe of a great player who happens to look amazing in France's impeccably stylish Prussian Blue kits with slightly rounded white collars.

Referee Sandro Meira Ricci of Brazil had his hands full in this match, he gave out a total of 7 yellow cards and one red. He got it right with the cards as far as I could tell. The only controversy came bit of
controversy came at the start of the second half, a mischievous little number from Benzema that ricocheted off the right post and horizontally across the front of the goal and provoked Honduras goalie Noel Valladares into action. From the looks of the replay, the ball was headed outside of the goal net but  had Honduras goalie Noel

Argentina 2 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina made its World Cup debut this year, playing against none other than Argentina. That is a tall order to fill for a country that is so new its national anthem doesn't even have lyrics yet. Well, Spain doesn't have lyrics either but that's because they got rid of them.

World Cup 2014, Day 2: Holland Unleashed

Getty Image by David Ramos, The Guardian

SPAIN 1 - 5 NETHERLANDS

The Dutch say they weren't out for revenge, but today's match looked like the soccer equivalent of Guernica. Holland's game was graceful, skillful and ferocious and the outcome for Spain was devastating.

The 5-1 match between Holland and reigning World Cup champions Spain, which, coincidentally for Spain, took place on Friday the 13th, started out ordinary enough—a tackle here, a yellow card there, a close attempt by Iniesta, and a picture-perfect penalty shot by Xabi Alonso. Watching Xabi, clad in white and looking very commanding, pump his fist in celebration as his teammates came running over, you would never have suspected the kind of world-class, first-rate spanking this elite squad were about to get from their 2010 rivals.


Spain's Xabi Alonso shoots and scores a penalty kick.

It all started minutes before halftime. Robin van Persie made an incredible long-distance header that sent the ball cresting over goalie Casillas like a giant wave. From the spot he was standing, there was literally nothing the legendary goalie could do to prevent that ball from completing its arc into the net. The first half ended 1-1.


Fly Robin Fly: Holland's Van Persie in mid-dive as he watches his supernatural header sink deep into the back of Spain's net.

What was to follow was 45+ minutes of riveting soccer enhanced by the Dutch fans who do not shy away from team spirit.


This man started a parade in the stands.

Spain fought back but in spite of several forceful attempts was never able to score. Spanish fans gazed in silence as the Dutch continuously hit their mark and a visibly crestfallen Casillas began to look more and more like a defeated bull, brought to its knees by a crowd-pleasing toreador:


Fallen Iker: Casillas struggles to stand after another goal by Holland.

Whether or not Spain can regain composure from this defeat remains to be seen, but their dynastic future is now very much in question, and the official conversation starter of the 2014 World Cup is "How 'bout those Dutch?"


A victory pile up featuring Dutch player Arjen Robben. Robben and Van Persie scored two goals... each.


This match was played at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil:



Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5.
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 2 out of 5.

World Cup 2014, Day 1: Stadium Intact But Referee Not So Much

Not Happy: Croatia Coach Kovac believes his team was disrespected by bad calls.
Photo: Daily Mail UK

BRAZIL 3 - 1 CROATIA

Vanishing spray, Anyone?

Okay, yes, Brazil won this game, and all is well with the team, but things did get messy. There was, shall we say a "selfie" taken by Brazilian player Marcelo early on in the game. Woe is Marcelo. Naturally, ESPN commentators Ian Darke and Steve Macmanaman railed on and on about how this early and unprecedented goal against Brazil in a home match spelled doom for the team. Then finally, thankfully, Neymar evened the score some 15 minutes later. And by the way, Neymar is thrilling to watch. Believe the hype. Also, Defender, Dani Alves and Midfielder, Paulinho.

Things got messy again when a flagrant dive by Brazil Forward, Fred, was somehow interpreted by Japan referee, Yuichi Nishimura, as a foul by Croatia's Dejan Lovren, handing him a yellow card and granting Neymar a free kick, which he cashed in on, bringing the score to 2-1.

Still more messiness followed when Nishimura yellow-carded Neymar for a penalty against Modric. What Nishimura saw as a light penalty, many fans saw as a karate chop to the throat deserving a red card. Other fans believe Modric deliberately walked into Neymar's raised elbow looking for a foul. Once again, the Roshomon effect lives on in soccer.

My personal favorite goal was Brazil's third, scored by the boyish young Oscar, who I believe is the MVP of the match; he was an essential part of every key play.


Oscar brings home a third goal in the 90+ minute of the game.


Today's opening match was played at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo


Aesthetic Value: ** out of 5
Fear (of stadium collapse) Factor: *** out of 5

10 Things You Should Know About Host Country Brazil

10. In Brazil, popcorn is called "Pipoca" [Pee-paw-kah"] as in:




9. Oscar Neimeyer (architect)

Straight lines and rigidity have no place in Brazilian culture. Nothing exemplifies this more than the architectural designs of Oscar Neimeyer who brought curves to concrete.


Museu Oscar Niemeyer, in the city of Curitiba, Paraná


8. Corcovado (mountain)

Corcovado hill overlooks iconic Sugarloaf mountain and Guanabara Bay. A 125-ft statue of Christ sits atop its granite peak and will undoubtedly be presiding over this year's World Cup.




7. Corcovado (song)

Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and performed best by Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, it is arguably the most beautiful song ever written.




6. Carlos Drummond de Andrade (Poet)

Part William Blake, part Rilke, part Fellini...



The Elephant

I create an elephant
of my scarce resources.
Some pieces of wood
taken of old furniture
might keep him straight.
And I fill him up with cotton,
silk and sweetness.
The glue will fast
his saggy ears.
The trunk curls
and it is the happiest part
of his architecture.
But there are also the tusks,
made of such a pure material
that I can not duplicate.
Such a white this richness
exposed in the circus
without loss or corruption.
And finally the eyes,
where is held
the most fluid and permanent
part of the elephant,
disconnected of every fraud.
Here, my poor elephant,
ready to leave
and search for friends
in a world already tired
that no longer believes in animals
and doubts things.
Here he is, puissant and
fragile mass, winnows himself
and moves slow
his sewed skin
where flowers of cloth
and clouds are allusions
to a more poetic world
where love retakes the natural forms.

There goes my elephant
through a crowded street,
but they do not want to see him
even not to laugh
at his tail, which might
leave him walking alone.
He is all grace, although
his legs are not of much help
and his big belly
threatens to fall off
at the slightest touch.
He shows with elegance
his minimal life,
and in town,
there is no soul willing
to take from that sensitive body
his fugacious image,
the clumsy steps,
yet hungry and touching.

But hungry for pathetic
beings and situations,
for encounters under the moonlight
in the deepest ocean,
under the roots of trees
or in the centre of the shells,
for lights that do not blind
as they shine through
the most thick trunks.
This step that goes
without crushing the plants
in the battle field,
searching for places,
secrets, episodes
not written in books,
which only the wind,
the leaves, the ants
recognize the style
while the men ignore it,
for they only dare to show themselves
under the peace of a curtain
to their tired eyelid.

And late in the night
my elephant returns,
returns tired,
the uncertain feet
melt in the dust.
He did not find
what he needed,
what we needed,
I and my elephant,
in which I love to disguise myself.
Exhausted of searching,
his engine falls down
as if it was a mere piece of paper.
The glue dissolves,
and all his inner material,
the forgiveness, the caress,
the feather, the cotton
spill over the carpet
like a dismembered myth.
Tomorrow I begin again.

5. Cachaça

Made from sugarcane, and strong as hell, cachaça is best enjoyed with lots of sugar and lime, i.e. a caipirinha.




4. Clube Atlético Mineiro, aka Galo, aka GALOOOOOO!!!

One of Brazil's most successful football clubs, from Belo Horizonte, capital city of the state of Minas Gerais.


Two players from Galo are on the Brazilian squad playing in this year's World Cup. They are: Goalkeeper, 22 VICTOR and Forward, 21 JÔ. Not sure if either will get any playing time on the field, but if so, chances are they will make a difference.



3. Roberto Drummond (journalist, writer)



An award-winning reporter and author of acclaimed novels and short stories, Roberto Drummond, my uncle, was also a sports columnist and huge fan of Clube Atlético Mineiro. He created the club's famous phrase:

"If there is a white and black shirt hanging on a clothesline during a storm, Atleticano cheers against the wind."
- Roberto Drummond


2. Luiz Filipe Scolari, aka Big Phil (Manager of the Brazilian National Team)


The Don Corleone of soccer managers, Scolari led Brazil to their 5th World Cup Championship in 2002. If he can pull off a 6th he will be immortalized in Brazilian history.


1. Coxinhas e Guarana (Brazilian chicken croquettes and Brazilian soft drink)


A happy life is a simple life.

Will the Brazil World Cup Be Like "Rio" or "Armageddon"?

There are only two days left until the start of the World Cup in Brazil. Let's think about that. World Cup. Brazil. We should be basking in the nirvana of sweet anticipation. We should be clinking our caipirinhas, and the worldwide sale of limes should be breaking the sound barrier. But we're not, and they're not. Normally hot for good reasons, Brazil's currently rising temperature emanates from a crucible of social unrest. For soccer fans, who did not sign up for this, the protests, the anger and party-pooping headlines are enough to make you miss the demonic buzz of vuvuzelas.

And yet, somehow, miraculously, here we are at the doorstep of a major tournament of planetary proportions. Excited, yet leery. It's like attending an incredibly elaborate wedding that you know the bride's parents can't afford. So what do you do, not show up? Well, no, you have to show up, because it was a very big deal to have been invited in the first place.

Being of Brazilian heritage, all I can tell you is that when Brazilians celebrate, there are no motives other than to have a great time. Brazilians are as warm-hearted as they are beautiful, supremely hospitable, unguarded and unpretentious. It is possible that once the games are underway, soccer fans around the globe will be able to lose themselves in the excitement and that somehow soccer and sunshine, with a little help from cachaça, will make the world right, at least for one thrilling month. I hope so. I really, really hope so.

But let us not lose sight of the ball. Over the course of 32 days, the world will be united by sport as 32 countries compete in a total of 64 matches to claim the World Cup trophy. The World Cup, I have recently learned, is hostage to FIFA and its formidable empire of corruption, but the tournament itself is still an emblem of peace and prosperity, and the game itself is still nothing less than the greatest metaphor for life.


Here are the teams:

GROUP A - BRAZIL, CAMEROON, MEXICO, CROATIA
GROUP B - SPAIN, CHILE, AUSTRALIA , HOLLAND
GROUP C - COLOMBIA, IVORY COAST, JAPAN, GREECE
GROUP D - URUGUAY, ITALY, COSTA RICA, ENGLAND
GROUP E - SWITZERLAND, ECUADOR, HONDURAS, FRANCE
GROUP F - ARGENTINA, NIGERIA, IRAN, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
GROUP G - GERMANY, GHANA, UNITES STATES, PORTUGAL
GROUP H - BELGIUM, ALGERIA, SOUTH KOREA, RUSSIA

Game, On!!

Edge of 17: U.S. Forward Jozy Altidore strikes an archery pose after scoring the game's first goal. Team USA defeated Germany 4-3 in a friendly match.

It was a very good day for U.S. Soccer. The U.S. Men's Team faced Germany on Sunday, in an exhibition game at RFK Stadium in D.C. And what an exhibition it was. The MNT demonstrated a level of energy, confidence and skill that brought tears to my eyes. All I can say is, we've come a loooong way since the days of Alexi Lalas.

The U.S. team asserted themselves early on with a masterful shot by Jozy Altadore just under seven minutes into the game. Altadore executed the perfect final touch onto a cross ball deftly delivered by Graham Zusi from right field. From that moment on, the game proceeded at full throttle, leaving no opportunity for riveted home spectators like myself to get up for a snack from the kitchen.

The ignited stadium crowd chanted Jo-zy! Jo-zy! Jo-zy! It was wonderful. Then came the accidental own-goal by German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen (Ouch!), gifting the U.S. with a 2-point lead. I wish I knew what was said by the German team's coach, Joachim Löw during halftime. Did he shout at the team? Or worse, was he silent? Whatever happened, after halftime Germany came back ready to score, and score they did. But so did U.S.A., specifically Clint Dempsey.


Men of the Match: Clint Dempsey (Left) and Josy Altidore
Photo: The Washington Post


Both of Dempsey's goals were amazing sights, but the one I can't stop watching over and over is his second, which was the last goal of this extraordinary game. It began with a fake out of Lukas Podolski, followed by a precise kick that sent the ball soaring past the outstretched fingertips of a leaping German goalkeeper and deep into the net.

With more the 20 minutes left in the game, the Germans were hungry for payback. Some goals were recklessly conceded but we managed to hold on to an inspiring one-point lead.

They may not be World Champions, yet, but based on Sunday's performance it's safe to say the U.S. Men's National Team are no longer the Bad News Bears of soccer.

The U.S. Tie Guatemala

Clint Dempsey planted the first goal of the night, MNT v Guatemala. The match ended 1-1.

Before I get into the actual game, I have to mention how annoyed I was Tuesday night to discover that USA v Guatemala was not being shown on ESPN. The men's national team's second game in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the World Cup was only available on Pay-Per-View for $29.95. Outrageous. Searching the Web for answers, I found this explanation on the U.S. Soccer site:

What happened regarding the World Cup qualifying match between the U.S. and Guatemala on June 12?
In this case, Traffic Sports acquired the television rights for the match – in both English and Spanish – without any obligation to resell the English-language rights for this particular game to a third party, including the United States. U.S. Soccer and its broadcast partners had discussions with Traffic Sports to purchase the rights, but in the end Traffic Sports opted to distribute the match on pay-per-view in the United States. In order to make the match available to fans here in the U.S., Traffic Sports is utilizing the services of Integrated Sports Media to handle the distribution via pay-per-view.

Will other away World Cup qualifying matches for the U.S. also be on pay-per-view?
Unfortunately, we are not able to answer that question at this time as ultimately the rights holder for each away qualifying match will make a determination on whether they will sell the rights to a broadcaster in the United States. U.S. Soccer and its broadcast partners will pursue every available option to purchase the rights for upcoming away World Cup qualifiers.


That's insane. I find it hard to believe that a foreign entity can own the rights to the airing of a game that includes our own national team. I hope this gets sorted out, I'm not going to pay to watch anymore games.

Now that that's off my chest, onto the game which I watched at Smithfield NYC for a $10 cover charge. (Boooo...)

The match started off beautifully--good possession, good passing and excellent blocking by Tim Howard coupled by a superb goal by Clint Dempsey who really showed off his talent.

In the second half, the U.S. came out confident and strong. Guatemala, in contrast, while undeniably driven, appeared disorganized and didn't pose much of a threat. The potential for a 2-0 finish seemed well within U.S.A's grasp until, in the fourth quarter, a random yellow card popped up against Fabian Johnson. Guatemala was given a free kick which was competently executed by Marco Pappa who sent the ball sailing into the right side of the goal inches from the head of Tim Howard. I'm not sure what happened to Howard, but he basically stood motionless and fixed to the ground like a He-Man action figure waiting to be jiggled by a giant hand. And so the game ended 1-1.

It was an inglorious ending for the U.S. that left fans, myself included, shaking their heads in frustration. No easy wins here. Clearly, this is going to be a slog.

Summer 2014 Is Coming

Wikipedia color-coded map of countries qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup are well on their way. Of the 203 countries battling it out within their respective confederations, 75 have already been knocked out of the running. In the end, only 31 teams will earn a spot to play in Brazil come June 2014 (as host, the Brazilian team automatically qualifies), leaving the rest to recede into the shadows of spectatorship.

Tonight, the U.S. faces off against Antigua & Barbuda. It is the beginning of Round 3 in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football). Game time is 7pm Eastern at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.


The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team 2012

Antigua & Barbuda should be a clean victory for the U.S., as should the upcoming match on Tuesday against Guatemala. Other priorities in my life have precluded me from watching any soccer games, so I have yet to see the boys in action this year. To say the least, I'm looking forward to the game tonight, and, in particular, checking out the coaching skills of this guy:


Jürgen Klinsmann, Coach of the U.S. Men's National Team

That said, go team USA!!! In the immortal words of Pole Position, Prepare to Qualify.

World Cup 2010: The Reign of Spain

Netherlands 0 - 1 Spain

Iniesta!!! Iniesta!!! Iniesta!!! Described by teammate Xavi as "Spain's most complete player," the unassuming 5'7" midfielder pulled the sword from the stone today with a clean strike into the net, in the 116th minute, winning the World Cup for Spain for the first time in the country's history, and, no doubt, putting the iniesta in fiesta for the next four years.





It was a laborious, protracted battle with yellow cards scattered on both sides, though it is the Dutch who will be remembered for its overall surliness and ugly transgressions on the field. The most sour moment for the not-so-bright orange was a flying chest kick committed by Nigel De Jong against Xabi Alonso that was beyond a red-card. Though De Jong should be expelled from professional soccer for a move like that, he skipped off with a shasta-daisy of a yellow card. Alonso, meanwhile, pressed on, despite the injury, a la Tim Howard.

Spain's patron saint of soccer, the mighty Iker Casillas, was in full-form, keeping the ugly orcs from storming the castle at all costs. He defended the goal with total focus and inhibition: blocking, punching, and oftentimes throwing his entire body onto the ball as if it were a grenade.

No one but Casillas better personifies the greatness of this Spanish team. It was not an easy start for the La Roja captain, having been crucified by the Spanish press for the team's loss against Switzerland in the early rounds of this tournament, but, Casillas stood up to the pressure and led his team to what would eventually play out like a destiny written in the stars.

Viva Espagna! WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS of 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



And the World Cup trophy wasn't the only recipient of a kiss from Spain's dashing squad captain. Given all they've suffered in this tournament, I'd say things ended pretty nicely for these two stunning, starry-eyed lovers.