USA - Brazil

Arrival...


Yet another off-key anthem...


America loses, but there are pretty fireworks...

Bra-Sil

Great work last night everyone, although it was a pretty disappointing result.

Pack your bags people:

WHAT'S NEXT?: The Americans' proposed friendly against Poland on Oct. 9 at Chicago's Soldier Field is almost set. Three days later, they will probably play Colombia. The venue has yet to be determined, but the highest concentration of Colombian-Americans are in Florida and New York. These are friendlies, not World Cup qualifiers, so the USSF is likely to go where it can sell the most tickets, even if it means relinquishing home-field advantage (i.e. Poland in Chicago).

Elephants Attack Part II

Incredible photo from a friend who was in the park a day or so after us. We saw this, but not from this close. Nor did we see a random hippo observing.

The Damned United

Everyone should see this movie. Not because it's a great movie, but because it's about a pretty interesting story from English soccer in the 70s. And it's discussed in Soccernomics, which everyone should also read. Also, it's not about Manchester United, which I stupidly assumed until reading Soccernomics.

Well, really dug this one out of the archives...

Was cleaning out my email draft box today, and found this half finished transcription of a text conversation Noah and I had during last years confed cup us-eqypt group stage match.... ah, memories.

in honor of this afternoons preposterous result, im going to share the text message exchange between noah and myself:

2:33, JF: God, we're screwed
2:33, ND: Why even bother
2:52, JF: Even the goals we do score are terrible
2:52, ND: Let's not get too critical here. Also, we fucking suck. And thanks to Egypt for deciding not to show up
2:53, JF: I hate the long balls. I hate the timidness in front of net. I hate the panic at the back. Even if we win, this is still terrible
2:59, ND: Well, Egypt woke up
3:01, JF: Why is dempsey on the field?
3:45, ND: Once again we are being handed a gift and failing to do our part.
3:45, JF: Seriously. Jozy, how do you not find a way to score that? He was paying rent he was camped out over the ball for so long
3:46, ND: it has to be a handball
3:47, JF: Deflection off the thigh into the arm? I don't hate the non call
3:48, ND: The ball is going into the net even after it hits his thigh
3:49, JF: Well, that was almost a nice goal....
3:49, ND: Egypt is dead tired
3:50, JF: They are not interested. Landon needs to take this home.
3:55, JF: I will take anyone over Dempsey. Where is Torres?
3:56 ND: I thought Dempsey was great in the early going. Feilhabers coming on
3:57 JF: Jesus. I hope your eyes are better than mine
4:00 ND: Thanks. I'll be here all night.
4:00 JF: Well, you were right. And I love it. Great cross from Spector
4:01 ND: Wonderful ball
4:01 JF: Also, I should have been nervous when I was agreeing with harkes
4:03 ND Guzan is terrifying. Don't take any pointers from him
4:05 JF: Haha. Also, I may be striking up my love affair with gooch again.... going to be a good final 15
4:09 ND: He doesn't lose balls in the air
4:12 JF: Davies needed off 20 mins ago
4:13 JF: Or 82 mins ago
4:14 ND: Yep. Although he ran hard. And then he started falling over
4:17 JF: Very little intent, or execution. Everyone loves energy, but that was a mess
4:23 JF: Wow.

Back to Gustrow for a Minute

Remember this song? Took me awhile to find the right version. Great music video too. Stand Up!

Oh, Joe Posnanski You're Perfect, Please Don't Change A Thing

"There have been people who have studied what is now known as “The Death Match” … and there are a few who insist that the death of the players had little or nothing to do with winning the game. Time blunts emotion and leaves behind vague hints. But the story is still told, year after year, and maybe to know the story is to understand soccer just a little bit more, to understand why it means so much to so many people all over the world. The stadium where the FC Start and the Germans played the match is still standing in Kiev — it is now called “Start Stadium.” There’s a monument in front to the players who would rather win and die."

http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/07/15/a-soccer-story/

From SI 2002...on how the U.S. Advanced to the Elimination Round

So decisive was Monday's victory that it was easy to forget how lucky the U.S. had been to reach the second round after its dreadful 3-1 loss to Poland last Friday. As the minutes ticked away in Daejeon, South Korea, midfielder Earnie Stewart would later admit he was certain of elimination. After all, South Korea and Portugal, which were playing at the same time in Incheon, had yet to score; each needed only a tie to advance from Group D if the U.S. were to lose. But not so fast. As U.S. assistant coach Glenn (Mooch) Myernick likes to say, "Soccer can be the most gracious lady, and it can also be the biggest bitch." On Friday it was both. The cohosts, thanks to a two-man advantage for most of the second half and Park Ji Sung's breathtaking goal in the 70th minute, beat Portugal 1-0—and the U.S. fell ass-backward into the Sweet 16, the only team to do so with a loss.

An hour into the Americans' quiet bus ride back to Seoul there was a scene reminiscent of the one in Almost Famous, in which the band members spontaneously break into Elton John's Tiny Dancer on their woebegone tour bus. After Arena offered the team muted congratulations, Frankie Hejduke and Cobi Jones cut the tension by launching into the chant they'd heard ad nauseam from the home fans all month. Heyyy...Ko-re-a! Heyyy...Ko-re-a! Soon most of the players were singing along and clapping—an entirely appropriate gesture of thanks. Said Arena the next day, "I spent the morning shopping for the Korean team and coaching staff."

That's how we draw things up...

Yes, I have just compltely stolen this from Noahs other website

Bocanegra: just so classy

Bill, Meet Carlos