I’ve been staying up well past midnight the last couple of weeks, to watch the World Cup.
I’m one of those rare people in the US who actually LOVES international soccer. I’m not a huge fan of MLS, because the level of play just isn’t very good, but I watch English Premiere League all the time, and I never miss a USA Cup qualifier if I can help it.
So I get pretty damn excited every 4 years, even though I have absolutely nobody in my circle of friends with whom I can discuss the matches.
Last night, I watched Team USA (who is actually pretty good for the first time in my lifetime) take on Team Mexico (who has been a VERY good team since about 1997, I guess). You can read more if you’d like to hear my ramblings on the match. If you’re planning on watching the delayed match, don’t click it. 🙂
—
MEX 0:2 USA
I can’t believe that Team USA beat Mexico, and beat them by shut-out!
Not only is it the first time Team USA has survived an elimination round, it’s the first time they’ve won by shut-out since 1950. Not too surprising that they get their shut out this time, though, because Brad Friedel is a freaking WALL.
People who know always say that goaltending wins tournaments, and they were proven right last night.
The only blemish on the Team USA victory, if you ask me, was the non-call against O’Brien for a CLEAR handball in the penalty area, when the score was still 1-0 USA. On all the replays it was obvious that he punched out a cross, but they said that the ref missed it…not quite mano del dios, but still…there was some chippy play, especially in the second half, and the head-butt on Cobi Jones was Bush League, but expected.
The rivalry developing between these two teams is awesome, especially here in Los Angeles! When I go the the Rose Bowl to watch Team USA play Mexico, and I’m one of 25 USA supporters. 🙁
I am so excited to watch USA play Germany on Friday, I may do something I’ve NEVER done in my life: go pick up a Team USA shirt, so people can ask me if it’s for the Olympics.
Best moment last night for me was when USA scored in the 8th minute, and I jumped up, held my arms above my head, and ran circles around my living room, silently screaming “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!”
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Thomas
I am just as excited about the german Team, as Wil is about Team USA. If someone had asked me, is germany going to pass the first round, I would have said somtehing like, are you kidding? (Meaning: Noooo waayyyyyy!) But they are probably playing their best soccer since, well since Rudi played himself… (another great Rudi in recent history :D)
Finally, someone in the US has noticed that their team is playing a storm. I’m English and in London so the World Cup is EVERYTHING here, but this is the best thing to happen to US football (sorry, soccer) since that fit chick took her shirt off at the Olympics.
That was a great result aginst Mexico, but the victory over Portugal was the true surprise. Well done USA even if that punch would put Maradona to shame in the out-and-out cheating stakes.
Oh, and if you’re picking a team go for Liverpool. We’re the guys who kicked Brad Friedel out for being too shit…
There’s only one reason to watch Blackburn!
The one and only, Damian
Hey Wil!
it’s called footballitis! and i’ve got it too!!! i NEVER used to watch football…..and today i cried when Japan lost to Turkey!!!
COME ON ENGLAND! (It sounds so much better than “Go England”, but thanks for the support anyway!)
USA are kinda my second team, as my American ex-boyfriend watched all the England qualifers with me. So…
COME ON USA!
Unfortunatly I didn’t get a chance to watch the game. I am working in Thailand and am one of the few Americans in the office. Everyone really loved to rub it in on the first round game when the US was beat by Poland. It was a nice change to get to rub it back in their face against Mexico. I was hoping to watch the game in reruns after work, but everyone made sure to come to me several times during the match with updates. Gotta love the net.
I really don’t think that the US will beat Germany, but this is the year of upsets. So it could happen. I hope that wil posts an update of it here so I can see the results. I will be in an airplane on my way home(Yeah) at the time that the US is whippin’ up on Germany.
cottonchopper
Hi Wil!
I’m very happy to year that you staied up the last weeks to watch soccer. I’m livving in Germany and almost everybody here watches football. I’m also really looking forward to the match USA vs. Germany
>>COME ON ENGLAND! (It sounds so much better than “Go England”, but thanks for the support anyway!)
I can relate totally! I’ve been up till 3am trying to watch the games. I must say i think the refs keep bailing out Brazil. Just my 2 cents hehe.
WOW! Have you seen this! Korea beat Italy by 2:1!!! Great!!!
yeah, at my city’s MLS stadium, we’ve had world cup matches via satellite at all hours of the day! it’s totally free and like 6,000 people showed up for the last match and they havn’t even charged admission.( oh the drunkenness) that’s alot of people for soccer and our tiny little city. we love Brian Mcbride in Columbus!
a fantastic result for South Korea much deserved if only for italy having such a negative style when they have a very talented squad.
Brazil will DESTROY the arogant english and probably go on to win the whole thing. I hope to see South Korea, Senegal and the USA join them in semis.
To me, the International nature of soccer is what sports is all about. Lacking in comparison to the Olympics only because there is no variety of sports. You cannot say the same about basketball, hockey or baseball. Sure you have players from other countries in those leagues but save for Hockey in the Olympics it’s U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A. Boring. Those national championships though hard fought for their respective champions don’t mean as much to me they’re only against teams in the U.S. and we aren’t the only country on the planet.
The beautiful game however brings various countries together with their different styles of game. I think the U.S. stands a chance against Germany. Italy is already out!!!!
You have to hand it to Team USA for their ability to receive an excessive amount of warnings (yellow cards)…dont forget Wolff and Pope, they did an awesome job.
team u.s.a….coming soon to a cereal box near you! d. burr
My boyfriend is from England so this is on our topic list everyday 🙂
He was laughing that we made a big deal outta winning over Mexico, and i casually asked what happens if we match up against your guys… He just laughed.
Oh well…
GO USA !!!!!!
The Silent Strider commented:
> I prefer the major games
Sorry to say it, but pretty much everywhere else in the world, Football (or Soccer if you prefer) IS THE MAJOR GAME! Closely followed by Rugby and Cricket. In Football, ‘World Cup’ MEANS ‘World, as opposed to the ‘World Series’…
That said, I’m not the world’s biggest footy fan, though I do enjoy watching England and Rep. of Ireland fans (divided loyalties there!)
Well done to the USA team – hopefully this will mean an increase in interest on your side of the Atlantic!
Au Res.,
Paul
Please kick the germans out!!! Please kick the germans out!!! Please kick the germans out!!! Please kick the germans out!!!
Did I already mention that the US should kick the germans out of the World Cup???!!!
That would make me really happy! 🙂
Greetings from Austria!!!
For all germans: nix f
Italy is a very baaaad loser. When I was driving home from the airport today, i saw how some of them actually burned their own flag (!)
There were also lots of criminal happinenings in the whole city. They’ve seem to really have lost their temper.
I agree English Premiere League is great, but it hasnt stopped me from going out and supporting the Metro Stars. I have been trying to go to a few games a yaer after a Brazilian friend got me into it when the World Cup was in the US.
Although TBH I wasnt surprised US won yesterday, every friendly game that I can remember against Mexico we have won. My only surprise this year was the win over Portugal and the loss to Poland. Unfortunatel this is the last stop for the US, I think Germany will end up playing England in the final and winning.
Actually, I think that soccer is more popular than you think. Among youth sports it is THE game. The reason is that it requires less pads and is less dangerousthan football, and requires less upper arms strength and coordination than basketball.
The reason its called Team USA is that, otherwise, it’d be called the American team, which offends Central/South Americans.
BTW, Congrats South Korea over Italy!
Imagine if we get to rematch with them?!
Thomas
I am just as excited about the german Team, as Wil is about Team USA. If someone had asked me, is germany going to pass the first round, I would have said somtehing like, are you kidding? (Meaning: Noooo waayyyyyy!) But they are probably playing their best soccer since, well since Rudi played himself… (another great Rudi in recent history :D)
Thomas
I am just as excited about the german Team, as Wil is about Team USA. If someone had asked me, is germany going to pass the first round, I would have said somtehing like, are you kidding? (Meaning: Noooo waayyyyyy!) But they are probably playing their best soccer since, well since Rudi played himself… (another great Rudi in recent history :D)
Thomas
I am just as excited about the german Team, as Wil is about Team USA. If someone had asked me, is germany going to pass the first round, I would have said somtehing like, are you kidding? (Meaning: Noooo waayyyyyy!) But they are probably playing their best soccer since, well since Rudi played himself… (another great Rudi in recent history :D)
Hi Wil,
I’m a Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder and the general view is that Brad has been one of the best signings we’ve ever made. We went through a poor mid season run of form, and it was basically Brad that stopped us losing even more matches. He also won man of the match for Rovers in our Worthington Cup triumph. We came good towards the end of the season and are looking forward to the 2003/03 kick off in August.
Any time you want a ticket for a Blackburn match, let me know. 😉
I have also been following the World Cup since day 1. I honestly didn’t expect the US to do well. I only hoped that France would go out early, which they did (HA!!). But I am extremely excited that the US has made it this far. I was also running around my living room silently screaming “GOOOOAALLLL!” when they scored against Mexico. I think they have a chance against Germany. I wouldn’t bet money on the US winning, but I am hoping they do.
And congrats to South Korea on knocking out the last arrogant contender! (France, Argentina and Italy)
hey y’all Original Sarah is back! someone said soccer and i came runnin! USA is just the best dam team out there. It’s about time, too jeez and it was always about the women’s soccer team! Well that just cuz chick soccer rules, but i’m proud of our boys! They’re so gonna kick GERMANY’S ASS!!! k bye.
Teehehee… look at that- McBride on the front page of USA today.
Columbus Crew baby!
I’ve never heard so many spanish speaking people calling me naughty things in all my life…
I couldn’t help annoucing our win over the PA
And then dancing down the row to them
And then singing happily over and over again
Twoooo du ZEERRROOO!
Speaking of silly things that aren’t really on topic…
I should of never
i mean ever
let my friends in on the gold that is Wheaton.
Oy…
So entering the wacky world of “Fictional Tour Diary” is Phil Cheaton playing bass with a monkey on drums in the band- World Domination with Leotards.
oy… evil wil clones
oy.. wonky band names
sigh……
-MKF
http://soulcracker.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=6656&forum=2&start=250&296
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!
i have been up everynight to watch the usa play. they have played so well. when they scored in the eight minute (well everytime they have scored) my bro and i started yelling at the top of our lungs and fall to our knees and start banging the floor. we live in apartments, so i hope we haven’t upset our downstair neighbors too bad.
wil you will always have fans to talk to about soccer on the net.
you know, over here if you put
Germany wins the World Cup!! 🙂
Go England
I watched that game too. .I dig international soccer. . But MLS is great. The Crew are great. You suck for not likin them. haha
Looking forward to a Korea-USA rematch…
Hi Wil, it
Allow me to begin by saying college football is the best sport in the world.
That said, I’m absolutely pumped about the US National team. My brother and I were going crazy watching the Mexico game. I am hoping that another one or two USA victories, coupled with a MLB strike, will destroy MLB and raise the popularity of soccer in this country.
One of the best games I’ve seen in any sport: http://www.mstateathletics.com/0,5604,1_30_0_5822,00.html SEC Western Division Soccer Champions! Woo hoo!
What’s all this ‘Team’ USA vs ‘Team’ Mexico? It’s just USA vs Mexico, it’s not like people are going to think the entire countries have got together in a stadium in the Far East to play football.
NOOOOO, Germany won. Team USA were really great, and they really deserved to win. Germany are only lucky, and it’s so unfair that they won. Donovan is amazing, and Team USA really played great. They shouldn’t have lost. I’m from Denmark, and my neighbour country is Germany, but Team USA did such a great job this year, and I was just hoping that they would win.
Bye, Helene
Beat those dirty mexicans!!
goaltending? shutout? TEAMusa? TEAMmexico? Wil, I would advise you never to use these words outside of North America when discussing football.
People will laugh.
Hello Wil, it’s good to see that you are watching ‘soccer’ (or football as we like to call it in England). It’s a refreshing change to see an American watching and discussing the beautiful game.
I am a fan of the american sports (basketball mainly). If you want to come to England to watch the football, then there is only one team to come and watch, Gillingham FC, in the county of Kent a few miles outside of London.
We are one division below the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, but we are more exciting to watch, with the likes of Marlon King (currently in prison for driving a stolen car!) Chris Hope and the legendary Guy Butters in defence. We have just signed Rod Wallace from Bolton Wanderers and he is a class player!
Keep up the good work on this site, and here’s to Radiohead as well!!!!
To Helene, Take your “beat those dirty Mexicans” and shove it up your pinche c***!
Mexico still has a kick-ass all-time winning record against the dirty imperialist pig United States! 29-11-10 record! The U.S has never won against Mexico in Mexico! And the U.S. hasn’t scored a goal against Mexico in Mexico since Oct. 17th 1984!
To Hombre, Take your “beat those dirty Mexicans” and shove it up your pinche c***!
Mexico still has a kick-ass all-time winning record against the dirty imperialist pig United States! 29-11-10 record! The U.S has never won against Mexico in Mexico! And the U.S. hasn’t scored a goal against Mexico in Mexico since Oct. 17th 1984!
To Hombre, Take your “beat those dirty Mexicans” and shove it up your pinche a**!
Mexico still has a kick-ass all-time winning record against the dirty imperialist pig United States! 29-11-10 record! The U.S has never won against Mexico in Mexico! And the U.S. hasn’t scored a goal against Mexico in Mexico since Oct. 17th 1984!
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