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!!!!”
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Wil,
If you love English Premier League then you should take a look at the Scottish League especially “Glasgow Celtic” lol.
Celtic is the true home of “Paradise”
Never been a soccer fan, probably never will. But, you know, listening to or reading of a true blue fan can always make me appreciate a sport just a bit more. I just love that pure adoration that a true fan has for his sport of choice.
Thanx Wil
Wow, did anyone else think that our beloved Yanks were lucky as hell to pull this out? They have the possession at 70/30 Mexico, but it looked worse than that. If “we” play like that against the Germans it could get very, very ugly. Friday will be the longest day of the year…England V Brazil at 1:30 and US v Germany at 6:30 CNT, have to be at work at 9:00. Can’t wait.
Ok, I know hearty congrats go out to Team USA but, the more important question from a girlie point of view should be……………
WHO (apart from Sir David Beckham aka GOD) HAS THE FUNKIEST HAIRCUT IN SOCCER?
My vote has to go to Cobi Jones (Team USA) with my wooden spoon going to Gabriel “Wash you hair you scruffy git!!!” Batistuta (Argentina).
lol :o)
Brad Friedel is the best goal keeper ever because he played briefly in Br
Yeah USA!!
I’m so proud of the team. Big difference than 4 years ago. I love World Cup soccer too. I was in Costa Rica the year they won–what a party!
They meaning the Costa Ricans…
I’d gleaned from Fark that Wil was watching the footy, I suspected today he might finally comment :0)
Go Wil!!!
I would say go USA, but I’m kind of hoping for an England-Germany final, sorry.
But all the same, it’s great, as others have said, to see some USians sitting up and tkaing notice of the game – hopefully this will raise the profile of The Beautiful Game.
Was it a good match? I didn’t see it ‘cos I was walking to school, but I was rather pleased when I flicked the TV on on the way out of the door to see it was already 1-0. Amazing how many goals have been scored in the first 10 minutes isn’t it? I can’t find the actual statistic (it’s buried somewhere in the BBC’s pages) but it does seem to be an awful lot.
*Checks the stats for the game* Ten bookings? TEN???? Was it an extremely dirty match, or did you have a referee as bad as the one at Germany-Cameroon (though that could have been because the winner would potentially meet his country in teh next round.) I must ask – what happened in the 88th minute to lead to a yellow and a red?
And for those of you who are just warming to footy in this tournament – you’ve picked a good one! I’ve never seen so many matches take unexpected turns and so many underdogs turn into alsatians.
Here’s to a great final!
Wil,
Let me know next time you go to a game, I will go too… they can always use a 26th fan.
I can see the news now.. ACTOR WIL WHEATON STARTS RALLY TO GET MORE US SOCCER AT GAMES
That should be
FANS AT GAMES
Congrats to the United States team. I’ll bet the atmosphere over there is amazing.
commiseration’s to the Irish though. What an exciting 2nd half. Shame it had to end in penalties. Germany 2006??? you never know 🙂
I can’t argue with the 10 bookings. It was pretty chippy. I was 100% with 8 of them, I suppose, and there was a caution that should have been an expulsion. Forgive my lack of specifics, because it was nearly 2AM, after all 🙂
regarding the Premiership: I have, at various times enjoyed watching Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle. I really don’t know enough about the various teams to fully appreciate and respect their history, so I apologize if I offend. One of my friends tells me that one simply can’t like Manchester United and Arsenal in the same life time. Blame it on me being a Yank, I suppose.
You know, I understand that it’s deeply offensive to Central Americans when we residents of the US call ourselves “Americans” so I try to avoid it…but what’s the english equivalent of Norte Americano? *puzzle*
Back to EPL: I think I’ll be watching Blackburn much more closely now, since they have The Wall as their GK.
And I hate calling it soccer, because I know it as football, but we have this really idiotic sport here in the US that is called football. I understand that it’s very popular, but I just view it as a place for wife-beaters and drug-addicts to rub elbows with other criminals and Doug Flutie. *takes tongue out of cheek*
Hey, just found out about your site and it’s amazing! I admire you 4 not doing this site for publishing yourself! Keep up the good work!!! :))
Wil, what do you think of David Beckham? do you rate him at all? just curious
Hey Wil
Do you think USA has a chance against
The Germans?
Call me crazy I think USA is going to the semis
Of all the nights to fall asleep!
I’ve tried to see most of the other matches and it’s made me a walking zombie.
YAAHHOOO !
GO USA!
Sadly enough, but Team USA will have to travel home after the quarter final, because Germany is going to win the Cup once again, and in 2006 at here in Germany its gonna be the same thing.
Deutschland vor noch ein Tor!!!!!
Sadly enough, but Team USA will have to travel home after the quarter final, because Germany is going to win the Cup once again, and in 2006 at here in Germany its gonna be the same thing.
Deutschland vor noch ein Tor!!!!!
Sadly enough, but Team USA will have to travel home after the quarter final, because Germany is going to win the Cup once again, and in 2006 at here in Germany its gonna be the same thing.
Deutschland vor noch ein Tor!!!!!
Well this a test. Since my computer seems to has
lost its little brain/mind.
Wil,glad to see you found something to make you
happy..neve got into sports..but can understand
the drama of it.
Hey Wil, there are a lot of tickets left available here in Korea. Come on over! You can sleep on the floor.
Sitting at the Spain – Ireland game has made me a fan for life. But I was so heart-broken.
USA won? Honest-to-God, USA won?
Whoa.
I’m still for England though. 😀 😀
Wow! Great match – USA is kicking everyone to the kurb! Sort of. 🙂 Well, great progress anyway, nice to see it, I reckon they’ve got as good a chance as any – it’s anyone’s cup this year with France, Argentina and Portugal out (and Holland not even qualifying!) Though obviously England will win…
EN-GER-LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND! 🙂
Well done USA!!! Now that Ireland is out (sob!- in a kick-ass match though) I’m going for England first, then the USA, then Spain. Friedle is awesome, and Donovan is a gem. The whole team seems really in sinc – a joy to watch! Friday should be good what with the US match and England versus Brazil – I’m going to have no fingernails left at all!
Your killin’ me. it’s been 70 years since El Norte Americanos have won this, (sorry Canada for the norte thing) The US is in the 1/4’s the best teams in the world have competed. 1994 the US made it to the “sweet 16′ I’M AMAZED. WHAT’S THE LINE ON THE GAME ?
Your killin’ me. it’s been 70 years since El Norte Americanos have won this, (sorry Canada for the norte thing) The US is in the 1/4’s the best teams in the world have competed. 1994 the US made it to the “sweet 16′ I’M AMAZED. WHAT’S THE LINE ON THE GAME ?
Captain of the Enterprise, sir!
I just can’t believe the Yanks got through (nor can I believe how poorly the Mexicans played). The US squad deserved to win, although it’s probably the end of the line for them. I’m going for England although I am definately supporting all the remaining underdogs with Senegal and Japan on the top of my list.
I think Japan has a chance against Turkey but who ever wins that will face Senegal, who will definately win. AFRIKA!
Even though I live in Asia. Cheers, mate!
From the Captain of the Red October
Just for the record, David Beckham has matured into a leader (if you said that 4 years ago, you’d be tarred and feathered by all of England), and the Brits would be lost without him. Lethal right kick, and provides support to all.
Go England! (and Senegal and Japan! BANZAI BABY!)
Welcome to the world game, Wil. Here in Australia everyone is going nuts about the World Cup and we’re not even in it! It’s kind of frustrating to see the USA do so well when no-one there cares about it.
I haven’t had too much respect for Team USA in the past because so few of their players play in Europe or South America but they’re really more than the sum of their parts this tournament. And Brad Friedel is a favourite of mine being an ex-Liverpool man.
Who do you support in the Premier League?
Oops, just realised you already answered that who do you support question.
Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool are mutually exclusive. You must hate at least two of them (or all three if you choose another side). To translate into American, those three teams are like the Raiders, the Cowboys and the Packers. You either love them or hate them, mainly because they are so successful.
I highly recommend Liverpool, because next season our strikers will be Michael Owen alongside Papa Bouba Diop (that legendary Senegalese guy no one had heard of until three weeks ago).
Congrats to the Lakers too.
I heard on the news that this is the best USA has done. I hope USA goes all the way.
na na na na na na na na, SOCCER!
Well, if there’s one thing the US has given us, it’s unpredictability. Losing to Poland and than kicking ass with Mexico?
However, I’m officially for Germany, now that the Irish are out, but still sporting my nice Irish flag nail polish (I don’t have the heart to erase it off). The Irish team spent a good 15 minutes circling the stadium after the game waving to anyone waving an Irish flag. My flag’s still hanging in the kitchen, I’m too sad to hang it up!
German goalkeeper Kahn said after Saturday’s match that being his birthday “..it would have been silly to lose.” LOL! Somehow I don’t think that translated exactly right into English.
wouldn’t bet on us neither..i live in montreal where those who seem to actually enjoy soccer are from anywhere but canada…it’s fun to see everyone carrying their flags and colours early in the morning after the game has been played.
i had hope for the french then cameroon, and now england..but everyone knows brazil will get it.
we watch this funny mexican channel, the reporter is so funny, perhaps some of you will recognise him, each time someone scores he’ll go like: goal goal goal goal goal goal for ages.
by the way, good work wil!
Soccer is OK, it’s one of the few organized team sports I actually enjoy. The other is….
Hockey!
Go Red Wings!
I do enjoy watching soccer but it is a little hard to get enthusiastic about it when your national team (Australia) fails at the final hurdle every 4 years.
The Spain/Ireland match was pretty exciting to watch IMO. Spain was playing a man short cause they used up all thier substitutions and had an injured player. They held off Ireland for 2 overtimes and won on the free kicks
Big cheers to the US for makeing it that far.
If you asked me three weeks ago about a quarterfinal Germany-USA I would have sayed: “No way. They are in one group with Portugal and they will not make it. And if it is possible they will lose against Germany by at least 2 goals.”
But after seeing all matches except for that against Korea, I’m sure the team which has the better day-form will win.Germany played a uninspired match against Paraguay and a idiotic match against Ireland(The Spanish made the same mistakes and so they should have lost it.) I’m sorry to say that but the best goal keeper will be between the other posts on friday.
Ahem. Am I crazy, or has nobody mentioned Sheffield United??
I love watching the matches, and thankfully they’ve always got them on at my favorite indian restaurant. They always seat me facing the tv, lol! Dall maharani, a seat facing the tv and keep the ice water coming. Muy bueno.
Looking forward to seeing how far the US will go.
The Germans are vulnerable.
They gave away their lead in the final minutes (vs Ireland).
They NEVER give away their lead in the final minutes.
They usually win by scoring twice in the final minutes.
That’s why we don’t like them.
That, and the 1974 final.
The USA team definitely have a chance.
Especially now that Belgium has been duped by a conspiracy to make Brazil go through.
Germany are a shadow of the team they once were so I think the USA bashers are gonna be wrong!
Of course I don’t think they will win…
GO ENGLAND!
Go Team USA!!! Brian McBride went to my high school and played soccer with my brother 😀 Glad to see people care about the sport – it’s the second best sport in my opinion (hockey is best).
I think it’s a real shame that the USA can reach the Quarter Finals of the one of the biggest sporting events in the World and yet the majority of Americans probably don’t even know the World Cup is happening.
As for the match against Germany, I think that USA have a very real chance of causing an upset against a side that aren’t anything like as good as they used to be.
BUT, they won’t go any further than the semis, and England will, of course, win the tournament!
The weird thing is; my girlfriend is the football (oops…soccer) fan and not me. And with Scotland not making it to the cup this year, I have really nothing to cheer for….even Ireland are out now…
‘course…go Team USA….it’s been great that this year so many of the big teams are out of the picture….
It’s just unfortunate that the U.S. is so ultra-xenaphobic about so many things….especially sport.
Germany is going to kick your butts on Friday! Buhahahahaaaa… Greetings from Germany, Chris
Every chance for USA even beyond the quarter final. Favourites have been falling by the wayside all the way through! Who would have predicted Turkey or Senegal in the Semi’s before the tournament started? Yet that is what is going to happen!
If USA get to the semi they have to play outsiders Korea, a poor Spanish side or an Italian side that just can’t seem ot get their act together! Every reason to hope for a final spot!
“It’s a funny old game is football!”
(http://www.tilbury.demon.co.uk/balls.htm)
Pete
Its great to hear about an American following the world cup. My boyf has been supporting USA, Turkey and Ireland as there are Blackburn players in those teams.
Good luck against Germany, many an England supporter would be glad to see them depart.
Football is so ripe here. You cannot go anywhere without someone saying “It’s coming home……” Men and some women mysteriously become ill on the days of the match for their respective nationality *suspicious* but never the less, the atmosphere is wonderful.
London has become a different place overnight, and believe me with the weather (rain, rain, and wait let me check? yep more rain!!) we are having right now, we need all the good vibe we can hang on to.
And emma yep I would like to see Germany go home, and I’m already packing for the Brazilians, we are so going to kick your butts Brazil. Adios Brazil!
Glad to know you like soccer (football) Wil, goodluck to U.S.A. may they kick Germany’s butt tee hee!
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)