England v United States

Mike | MySpace Video

I feel so much love

ohh-oh-ohh oh-ohh-oh-ohh-oh-ohhhhh
oh-ohh oh-oh-oh-oh
oh-oh-oh-ohh oh-oh-oh
U-S-A!

Little Thomas Fleishman

This kid is in a bar outside the stadium where the U.S. and England will play. He's wearing a Reds hat. He thinks the score of the match will be "10-0."

Happy Birthday Jeremy

Why Is John Terry So Tall?

Day 1 Recap

RSA-MEX kick-off game was viewed by Geoff, Jeremy and me in my quiet apartment. There was excitement. I can't believe they are actually playing the World Cup. Unbelievable that bafana bafana tied. Also the shady off-sides call was apparently correct. An opposing player can't be between the second to last defender and last defender. Usually the last defender is the goalie, but not in this case.

FRA-URU was watched by me in my apartment. There was less excitement. In the game and in life. Not much to say. France is a mess. Screw France. Time for Uruguay to shine.

Day 1 bracket pool leader: Elliot.

The World Cup Has Begun!

2006 Remembered :: USA v. Ghana

Third Group Stage game in Nuremberg against Ghana and the USA needs a win and some help to go through. We are the victim of horrible officiating and some self-destruction. But in the 43rd minute, Run DMB steals the ball and sends a steaming cross to a streaking Clint Dempsey. The ball is coming right towards us but from our low angle, it's hard to see who the recipient is supposed to be; it's just ball and grass and hope. And then, like a vision, arrives Dempsey to one-time the cross into the back of the net, as Noah would say later, kicking the ball harder than anyone has ever kicked a soccer ball anywhere. We erupt into madness. Our shins are cut on the seats in front of us. Darkness arrives at the edge of our vision from screaming-induced oxygen deprivation. There are tears in our eyes. Noah and I are holding each other. Jeremy and Silver are holding each other. We keep saying, "This is what we came for. This! Is! What! We! Came! For!" The game ends poorly. We walk from the stadium in silence. We ask logical questions about Landon Donovan's geographic and emotional whereabouts. We swear to return. The Dempsey goal is what we came for. It's what we go back for. It's what we wait for against England. We're still here.

The New Yorker has a great feature on Tim Howard (6/7/10 edition)

Memorable quotes:

"Ferguson boasted that in his experiment with Howard he'd made a sort of anthropological discovery about the promise of American footballers. The Americans "are an athletic, agile race," he said. "You see the spring Tim's got. A lot of them play basketball, which possibly helps. And they don't believe they can lose - that's their upbringing."

also:

"In goal, they're trying to get the hall past you; you're trying to stop it," Howard says. "Anything else is just meaningless."

Ready for tomorrow

may not be able to put enough 'don't tread on me' tat's on my face.

Bought the espn world cup companion

Here's a gem:

Nemanja whoa,
Nemanja whoa,
He comes from Serbia,
He'll fucking murder ya.

I. Love. Soccer.

And I used to like this band / US-England History

We Are Scientists, a band that formed in Berkley, California and is comprised of Americans have written what they're calling the "unofficial World Cup anthem for England." Creatively titled, "Goal! England" they add their names to the long list of completely indefensible traitors to flag and country. Memo to everyone in the US: You have a soccer team already. We call it soccer. You will never be fully accepted by anyone else. We are your friends. We are your family. Rooting for England is letting the terrorists win.

A brief history of US-English relations:

1775 - Shots fired, don't tread on me, etc.
1781 - Victory at Yorktown, biggest upset since the 2001 Patriots.
1814-15 - victory at New Orleans (thanks, Andrew Jackson)!
1865 - Slavery defeated (nothing to do with England but gave us some much needed credibility).
1917 - Bailed you out of a World War.
1941 - Gave you free planes and stuff so you wouldn't end up speaking German.
1945 - Beat Hitler (Russia was more help than you).
1950 - Beat you in the World Cup.
1989 - Defeated communism for you (you're welcome, Thatcher).
1995 - Made Oasis famous. Otherwise, no one would have liked them.
2003 - Talked you into invading Iraq (we opposed this but, nonetheless, you guys are idiots).
2010 - You meet your old friend, your old colony who keeps working you like a speed-bag. Enjoy. Let's dance.

Just found this gem

Tim Timminy Tim Timminy
Tim Tim Teroo
We've got Tim Howard and he says f**k you!

Ohhhh, oh-uh-oohhhhh......

Holy crap the World Cup starts tomorrow.

Time to sing.

New Drink: Miller Lite

US Captain Carlos Bocanegra’s Miller Lite Beer Can (The Original Winger)

Hey You Guys

I thought you should know how to say "Rodeo Drive" in Arabic.

His name is Tim ...

In response to questions about referees learning English swear words in preparation for the USA-England tussle, U.S. goalie Tim Howard said,

"So we've been warned to keep our emotions in check and watch our mouths, and I'm sure we're going to try to the best of our ability to do that. I don't think it will go 100 percent as planned."

In short, we are aware that we are going to completely lose it.

Really missed out on this one...

That is an image of a scarf that could have been purchased around Dec/Jan from some magic man on bigsoccer, but unfortunately not longer exists. Remind me to design our own for the next go around, there are internet sites that take custom images and turn them into scarves for like $15.

These Are The Times That Try Men's Souls

"For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the embers can never expire."

or

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conquest, the more glorious the triumph."

Jersey Tracking

Things aren't good. Not at all. My retro 1950 jersey is on it's way from England to New Jersey. Unclear when it will arrive.

In other news, my US Soccer hoodie made it all the way from North Carolina to Maryland today. Yahtzee!

Saturday's Injury Report:
Doutbful: Retro Jersey (Trans-Atlantic Shipping); Probable: Hoodie (Maryland).

Other things that have happened

Not positive why this is important, other than me being a narcissistic asshole who wants my picture front and center, but I'm pretty sure its worth documenting....

Over/Under on how long this stays on my face? 4.5hrs

And then this happened

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The World Cup is Better than Everything Everywhere

Sweet Gooch Rehab Video

It's a New Post

I am simply not ready. I am not ready for the beating my body will take starting in 8 days. I am not ready to fight to control my nerves on Saturday vs. the English…I am not ready for the stomach problems that will likely develop from that game. Maybe if I had time to focus on this thing. I need time to get ready. I need to come up with some phrases that are anti-British but that I am still able to shout in a public setting.

Noah is in Dubai. This is happening. Ready or not? Jeremy, have you bought your ticket yet? All I need is a Chuck Hustle jersey, some other U.S. soccer apparel and a smile, a big smile. There is a line from Chris Collinsworth after Eric Metcalf returns his second punt for a touchdown October 24, 1993 in a 28-23 Browns victory over the Steelers. As Metcalf runs into the end zone with the ball raised in his hand above his head, Collinsworth says: “Can you imagine the moment?” That line keeps running through my mind as I imagine the U.S.-England game.

What about when we are actually there in person? Can you imagine the feeling if they score? What if they advance in front of our very eyes? I don’t know a ton but it’s a short tournament and anything can happen in theory. All we need is a little luck and all of a sudden, we are head to head with a team like Germany in the round of 16 and it’s 0-0 in the 75^th and Bocanegra is sneaking up into the box as Donovan takes the corner…can you imagine the moment?

My Favorite Player

Alas, it takes up to three weeks to deliver...

Did you know Portugal has an American Coach?

It's this guy. Great website: http://www.stargoalkeeper.com/dan-resume.php4.

Bodog Odds

FIFA World Cup 2010 - Outright Winner

Spain 4/1

Brazil 4/1

Argentina 6/1

England 8/1

Netherlands 9/1

Italy 14/1

Germany 16/1

France 20/1

Portugal 28/1

Ivory Coast 50/1

USA 50/1

Chile 50/1

Serbia 66/1

Ghana 66/1

Mexico 66/1

Paraguay 80/1

Cameroon 100/1

Nigeria 100/1

Uruguay 125/1

South Africa 150/1

Denmark 150/1

Australia 150/1

Greece 150/1

Switzerland 200/1

Slovenia 200/1

Slovakia 250/1

Japan 300/1

South Korea 300/1

Algeria 500/1

Honduras 1000/1

New Zealand 1000/1

North Korea 2000/1

World Cup 2010 Finalists

Spain / Brazil 11/1

England / Spain 12/1

Argentina / Brazil 18/1

Germany / Brazil 22/1

Holland / Spain 22/1

Argentina / Spain 25/1

England / Brazil 25/1

Italy / Brazil 25/1

Argentina / Holland 28/1

England / Italy 28/1

England / Germany 33/1

France / Spain 33/1

Germany / Spain 33/1

Holland / Brazil 33/1

Italy / Spain 33/1

Argentina / Italy 40/1

France / Brazil 40/1

Holland / Italy 40/1

Portugal / Spain 40/1

Argentina / France 50/1

Argentina / Germany 50/1

England / France 50/1

England / Holland 50/1

Ivory Coast / Brazil 50/1

Portugal / Brazil 50/1

France / Italy 66/1

Germany / Italy 66/1

Ivory Coast / Spain 66/1

Argentina / Portugal 80/1

France / Holland 80/1

France / Portugal 80/1

Argentina / Ivory Coast 100/1

Chile / Spain 100/1

England / Ivory Coast 100/1

Germany / Ivory Coast 100/1

Germany / Portugal 100/1

Paraguay / Spain 100/1

Spain / Serbia 100/1

Brazil / USA 125/1

Cameroon / Spain 125/1

England / Serbia 125/1

England / USA 125/1

Italy / Ivory Coast 125/1

Argentina /Chile 150/1

Argentina / Paraguay 150/1

Brazil / Serbia 150/1

Chile / Brazil 150/1

England / Mexico 150/1

England / Paraguay 150/1

England / Uruguay 150/1

Ghana / Spain 150/1

Denmark / Brazil 200/1

Denmark / England 200/1

Denmark / Spain 200/1

Greece / Spain 250/1

World Cup 2010 - Tournament Top Goal scorer

David Villa (Spain) 9/1

Lionel Messi (Argentina) 10/1

Wayne Rooney (England) 10/1

Fernando Torres (Spain) 12/1

Luís Fabiano (Brazil) 12/1

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 16/1

Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina) 16/1

Robin van Persie (Netherlands) 16/1

Miroslav Klose (Germany) 25/1

Sergio Agüero (Argentina) 25/1

Kaká (Brazil) 28/1

Nilmar (Brazil) 28/1

Alberto Gilardino (Italy) 33/1

Jermain Defoe (England) 33/1

Nicolas Anelka (France) 33/1

Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) 33/1

Thierry Henry (France) 33/1

Arjen Robben (Netherlands) 40/1

Carlos Tévez (Argentina) 40/1

Diego Milito (Argentina) 40/1

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Netherlands) 40/1

Lukas Podolski (Germany) 40/1

Mario Gómez (Germany) 40/1

Robinho (Brazil) 40/1

Adriano (Brazil) 50/1

André-Pierre Gignac (France) 50/1

Antonio Di Natale (Italy) 50/1

Diego Forlán (Uruguay) 50/1

Giuseppe Rossi (Italy) 50/1

Liédson (Portugal) 50/1

Luis Suárez (Uruguay) 50/1

Vincenzo Iaquinta (Italy) 50/1

Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands) 66/1

Franck Ribéry (France) 66/1

Frank Lampard (England) 66/1

Steven Gerrard (England) 66/1

Humberto Suazo (Chile) 80/1

Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) 80/1

Peter Crouch (England) 80/1

Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) 80/1

Xavi (Spain) 80/1

Aruna Dindane (Ivory Coast 100/1

Benni McCarthy (South Africa) 100/1

Cesc Fàbregas (Spain) 100/1

David Silva (Spain) 100/1

Gabriel Agbonlahor (England) 100/1

Nicklas Bendtner (Denmark) 100/1

Omar Bravo (Mexico) 100/1

Pierre Webó (Cameroon) 100/1

Simão Sabrosa (Portugal) 100/1

Søren Larsen (Denmark) 100/1

Yakubu (Nigeria) 100/1

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) 125/1

Carlos Vela (Mexico) 125/1

Landon Donovan (USA) 125/1

Nelson Valdez (Paraguay) 125/1

Alexander Frei (Switzerland) 150/1

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) 150/1

Eren Derdiyok (Switzerland) 150/1

Georgios Samaras (Greece) 150/1

Johann Vonlanthen (Switzerland) 150/1

Jon Dahl Tomasson (Denmark) 150/1

Jose Altidore (USA) 150/1

Matthew Amoah (Ghana) 150/1

Milivoje Novakovič (Slovenia) 150/1

Nikola Žigić (Serbia) 150/1

Theofanis Gekas (Greece) 150/1

Keiji Tamada (Japan) 200/1

Róbert Vittek (Slovakia) 200/1

Salvador Cabañas (Paraguay) 200/1

Scott McDonald (Australia) 200/1

Seol Ki-Hyeon (South Korea) 200/1

Shinji Okazaki (Japan) 200/1

Stanislav Šesták (Slovakia) 200/1

Tim Cahill (Australia) 200/1

Park Chu-Young (South Korea) 250/1

David Suazo (Honduras) 300/1

Chris Killen (New Zealand) 500/1

USA Related World Cup Props

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa

England 1/2

United States 9/2

Draw 13/4

World Cup 2010 - England vs United States - First Goal scorer

Wayne Rooney 10/3

Peter Crouch 5/1

Jermaine Defoe 6/1

Frank Lampard 13/2

Steven Gerrard 7/1

Emile Heskey 7/1

No Goal scorer 15/2

Landon Donovan 8/1

Josmer Altidore 9/1

Clint Dempsey 9/1

Hercules Gomez 11/1

Edson Buddle 12/1

Robbie Findley 12/1

Any Other Player 5/2

Will USA Qualify from Group C?

Yes -140

No +110

USA Top Tournament Goal Scorer

Landon Donovan 3/1

Jozy Altidore 3/1

Clint Dempsey 4/1

Edson Buddle 10/1

Herculez Gomez 12/1

Robbie Findlay 14/1

Michael Bradley 14/1

DaMarcus Beasley 16/1

Stuart Holden 20/1

Ricardo Clark 25/1

Benny Feilhaber 28/1

Carlos Bocanegra 28/1

José Francisco Torres 28/1

Maurice Edu 33/1

Oguchi Onyewu 33/1

Clarence Goodson 40/1

Jay DeMerit 50/1

Jonathan Bornstein 50/1

Jonathan Spector 66/1

Steve Cherundolo 80/1

No Goal Scorer 20/1

World Cup 2010 -USA Total Team Goals

Over/Under 4.5 Goals

World Cup 2010 - Group C Exacta

1.England 2.USA 3/2

1.England 2.Slovenia 3/1

1.England 2.Algeria 5/1

1.USA 2.England 6/1

1.Slovenia 2.England 14/1

1.Algeria 2.England 25/1

1.USA 2.Slovenia 30/1

1.Slovenia 2.USA 40/1

1.USA 2.Algeria 40/1

1.Algeria 2.USA 80/1

1.Slovenia 2.Algeria 125/1

1.Algeria 2.Slovenia 150/1

World Cup 2010 - USA Group Stage Total Points

Over Points O 4½ (+120)

Under Points U 4½ (-155)

World Cup 2010 - USA Stage of Elimination

Group Stage 6/5

Second Round 7/5

Quarter Final 5/1

Semi Final 14/1

Runner Up 33/1

Winner 50/1

Miscellaneous Odds

World Cup 2010 - Total Goals Scored in World Cup 2010

Over/Under 160.5 Goals

World Cup 2010 - Will a hat-trick be scored in the tournament?

Yes 2/7

No 5/2

World Cup 2010 - Total Red Cards in World Cup 2010

Over/Under 19.5

Individual Group Winner Odds

World Cup 2010 Group A Winner

New one for those who speak Portugeuse

When Jeremy and I watch this together we cry

Landon's Finally Made it to the Big Time

Thought I'd Keep Posting Videos

Since I watch it every day...

Noah is on his way to South Africa

Just thought everyone should know.

Text Messages from Last Night

Well, not quite last night, but Saturday night:

Andrew (to Jeremy), 1:34AM: "You're the edson buddle to my steve churundelo"

This Can Only Mean Good Things

And....Ashley Earle has told me happy birthday. This one is now officially a winner, and clearly this can only have positive ramifications for the US national team.

Amusing... although it kind of fizzles by the end

I Love Subs

"Not too many minutes, but my motto is it doesn't have to be. Nine or 90, you still have to go out there and help your team, make your presence felt."

-Hercules Gomez