Day 9 Recap

NED-JPN. Watched from my hotel room. The Dutch defend their unofficial world title. I'm surprised they didn't win by more.

GHA-AUS. Watched from my hotel room. Mess of a game really. Kewell shouldn't have been sent off. Group D is a mess. Not sure who I'd want us to face if we make it to the next round.

CMR-DEN. Watched poolside in Santa Clara. Most exciting match of the World Cup. Should have been about 5-4 (someone) instead of 2-1 (Denmark). Cameroon is the first African team to go out and the African nations are, overall, a mess.

Pool leader: Noah and Geoff. Great work guys. I'm fading quietly.

Today is also the day I realized my passport was not with me.

Reporting Live: USA vs Slovenia Predictions

"Is that what Noah predicted? ... Noah's always wrong ... I'm changing the Noah ... I don't trust that kid at all ... We're gonna go ... I'm gonna go with that crazy guy over there, 3-1 America Prediction ..." - Nate 6.18.10

Don't Panic

Sent at 2:41 PM on Saturday

me: um, crap

i cant find my passport

i didnt do anything dumb like leave it in the scanner right?

Sent at 2:45 PM on Saturday

Jenna: YES

oh dear

me: are you serious?

holy shit

Jenna: yes i'm serious

me: wow

thats amazing
Jenna: what are ou going to do??

are fedex stores open on saturdays?

me: yesss

im calling you

Sent at 2:47 PM on Saturday

Jenna: oh andrew

me: beginning to panic

Jenna: yeahhh

me too

why don't you just see if you can move your flights to tuesday?

me: no point in going thn

ill miss the game

-------------

me: HOLY FUCK I LEFT MY PASSPORT IN NEW YOKR

Jeremy: oh shit

when is your flight?

me: JENNA HAS 35 MINUTES TO GET TO ASTOR PLACE OR ELSE IT WONT GET HER BY MONDAY

DONT PANIC

Jeremy: oh my god

me: DO NOT PANIC

Jeremy: keep me posted

haha

im not a panic-er

but, holy shit

Sent at 2:58 PM on Saturday

Jeremy: 35 minutes is maybe enough time

me: just a question of she can find a cab and traffic

wait

wait

Jeremy: if it gets there monday morning, are you ok?

me: what time is it?

Jeremy: 6:03

me: its only 6 right?

ohhh

ok, 90 mnutes

Jeremy: ah, nice

me: see, i told you not to panic

Jeremy: haha

your all caps was great

wow, i cant believe you forgot it

me: jesus

actually i blame noah

he sent me a checklist of things to do and one was to make 3 copies of the damn passport

i left it in the scanner

Jeremy: christ

what do you need copies for?

and good thing you realized this today

me: i mean... the sequence of events that led to the discovery was amazing

Inside Men: USA vs Slovenia [6.18.10]

In line for the bathroom after 45-minutes of uninspired play from the US, the mood was, to be blunt, negative. Fans related stories of other shocking US failures. I called it the worst half in USA soccer history. Nate insisted, "We just need a cheapy." Iran '98 made the list as maybe the worst moment beyond the three-quarters of an hour of lifeless play we had just witnessed. So we got four beers and went back to our seats, three rows into the second deck. In rough percentage, of these four beers, only two would survive the first five minutes of the second half.

Our thoughts were numerous. We were one half away from being World Cup DOA. I thought of Andrew, already booked and partially en route, coming to see a team that played so poorly and left him with tickets to a group game with no meaning, mathematical or emotional. We thought of our fans, the amount of travel and income spent to come see these boys, wear these colors, and yell these three letters. I was certainly out of line to call this the "Worst Half In Soccer History"; but I wasn't that far off. This is what it feels like to die at a World Cup.


[National Anthem @ Ellis Park]

Where no grass grew, life emerged; from the bleakest shroud of death, new birth arose; Landon Donovan kicked a soccer ball a million fucking miles-per-hour at the face of the Slovenian keeper. 18-hours later, watching on replay, it was clear the keeper ducked from the vicious angle and velocity of the strike. At the time, Nate and I placed our beers out of harms way, jumped in each others' arms and felt our hearts beat for the first time all afternoon. We were notified by the people behind us that a river of suds were flowing down the row and onto the feet of the people beneath us. Our beers, supposedly safe, had been destroyed in the fire. Luckily, a young American family, they loved our antics. We hugged again. In short, we got emotional.

The game settled in and our section exploded into chants of "U-S-A!" Still down a goal, we were still effectively dead. Until Michael Bradley erupted from midfield, streaked on an Altidore header and poked the pelota into the top of the net. Like a human set of heart paddles, in the 82-minute, Michael Bradley gave our Cup a chance. Michael Bradley gave Silver a meaningful game against Algeria. After England's disaster in the late-game, Michael Bradley gave us control of our own destiny again. Nate and I embraced, draped the stars-and-bars over us and were brought to the brink of human emotion.

This, of course, does not address the highway robbery from the official that turned three points in one. But, in time, the Edu should-have-been goal, fades, or perhaps becomes a non-negotiable reality. We were robbed. It sucked. The English, limey-shit behind us in the stadium told us that an American player, "must have been 10 yards offsides." We didn't buy it. "That's a shit call," we said. Nate almost lost it. I held him back.

The comeback was the story. We stared death in the face and, frankly, blinked. But the blink came with a second-half full of beers (sort of) and two key subs that would make a world of difference. We walked from the stadium exhausted and emotional. We were not winners but we had survived. We were not entirely alive, but we certainly were not dead, hearts full and absolutely beating.

Day 8 Recap

Don't have much to say today that hasn't been said.

GER-SRB. Watched in my hotel room. Wow, I guess Germany aren't the world beaters? Looks like Australia is just pretty bad. If we advance we're getting someone from this group. Serbia looked tough.

USA-SLO. Watched in my hotel room and poolside. We tied. Thank god. Enough See (see video diary below.)

ENG-ALG. Thank god England doesn't have it. Thank god Algeria tied England. Now all we need is to be Algeria. That's it. (See two sentences ago... they just tied England.)

Pool leader: Noah still. This day f'ed everyone up.

Video Diary - Fri 6/18

Well, this is an attempt to share some thoughts.... unarticulate, slightly buzzed thoughts, but hopefully the start of something fun. Heart you guys. Hope everyone slayed everything where they were.

(also, for the record, was looking for you on tv the whole game. saw nothing. be bigger and louder next time, fifa cameras clearly had already scouted people out for reaction shots).

Actually, we're #1

At least according to 538 which is never wrong.

Nate Silver's Rankings (% chance of advancing)
USA (68.6)
SLO (64.2)
ENG (53.9)
ALG (13.2)

Oddly, ENG has the best chance to win (35.1), but we're second at 33.4.

We have the 16th best chance to win it all: 1.16.

Game on kids, Game on

I knew there was a reason I'm coming to the Algeria game. Here's the shakeup:

SLO-4
USA-2
ENG-2
ALG-1

If we lose to Algeria, we're out.

If we tie Algeria and Slovenia wins, we're in (2nd).

If we tie Algeria and England wins, we're out.

If we tie Algeria and England and Slovenia tie, it gets interesting. Slovenia would be through and we'd be tied with England on points. We'd also be tied on GD, which means it would come down to goals scored, in which case we're at a huge advantage: we've scored 3, they've scored 1. So as long as our we keep our tie within one goal of theirs (i.e., we tie 1-1, they tie 2-2), we're in. However, if they manage to tie us in goals scored it goes to a random drawing. Yikes. (If we get through we'd be 2nd.)

If we beat Algeria and Slovenia wins, we're in (2nd).

If we beat Algeria and Slovenia and England tie, we're in. (Could be first if we beat Algeria by more than one goal.)

If we beat Algeria and England wins, we're in (1st and 2nd are up for grabs based on goal differential).

TO RECAP: WIN AND WE'RE IN. TIE AND WE'VE GOT A SHOT.

Holy Crap.

Turns out I'm not the only one filming Jeremy...

Heart Attack in California

Incredible comeback. Should have been a win. So many thoughts and emotions going through my heart and head right now. Great to hear ESPN just rip apart the ref. In the good column, I'd count Donovan and Bradley. In the bad, I'd put our defense which was just a mess. A mess. The first goal where Gooch/Demerit just sat there was displeasing. Torres is finished I think, and Findley.

Ok scenarios:

ENG wins
SLO-4
ENG-4
USA-2
ALG-0
This is still ok - we won't be finished. We would need a win and then either ENG or SLO to win and we're in. If we win and SLO-ENG ties, then we have a 3-way tie with 5 points atop the group. Goal differential would determine it. SLO would be +1, so we'd need to end up +2 to be safe. If we ended up +1, the third tie-breaker would be goals scored, so we'd have to root for a low-scoring tie. If we tie or lose to ALG we're done.

ENG ties
SLO-4
USA-2
ENG-2
ALG-0
Best scenario. We can get through with a win (no matter what) or a tie (if SLO-ENG tie). The third tie-breaker is goals scored. So we want ENG-ALG to tie 0-0 or 1-1. That gives us an advantage.

ENG loses
SLO-4
ALG-3
USA-2
ENG-1
We're in with a win over ALG, regardless of what happens in the other game. Tie or lose and we're done.

After running through these, I'm optimistic.

Day 7 Recap

ARG-KOR. Caught the end of this game via ESPN radio while flying to San Francisco. Thank wi-fi in airplanes. Argentina has awoken. Goals are being scored. Just imagine if Messi gets in the action. This team is getting scarier.

NIG-GRE. Listened to this one on the radio in the air too. Greece got feisty. Nigeria is in trouble. I really don't see an African team getting to the QF.

MEX-FRA. Caught this one on my iPhone. Greece picked up the win after a ridiculous play that led to a red card for Nigeria. Go greeks.

Pool leader: Noah. Because I didn't make picks today. Damnit.

Post from 30,000 Feet

I'm in an airplane right now. I'm connected to the internet. My computer is plugged into an outlet at my feet. I'm listening to ESPN radio over the internet. This is incredible.

I am now officially on my journey around the world. I love you all.

Aregentina-South Korea

In the press box at Soccer City, watching Argentina-South Korea. It's outdoors. I'm freezing and deaf. Lionel Messi is more fun to watch in person. This place might have exploded if he scored on that chip.

And now they're everywhere

From the AP story from tonights Sox win (jon lester, 7ip, 2er, straight laser show, btw):

"The Fenway Park crowd broke into the now-obligatory chant of “Beat L.A.!” in support of the Celtics, who will play Game 7 of the NBA finals against the Lakers on Thursday night. More surprising was the sound of a vuvuzela—one of the buzzing horns made famous from the World Cup—coming from the stands."

we're fucked.

Remember Kaiserslautern

Geoff/Nate/Silver leaving today is just making me all kinds of emotional. Give them hell boys.

Day 6 Recap

CHI-HON. Watched at Mara's homemade over beignets, cafe au lait and fried green tomatoes. Food was excellent. Pretty good game. I definitely enjoy the South American teams (see below).

ESP-SUI. Watched at my apartment. Wow. Upset of the tournament so far. Wild goal got the win for the Swiss. Spain couldn't do much. I bet Spain rebounds.

RSA-URU. Watched at Nate's apartment and my apartment. I feel bad for South Africa, but they had nothing in this game. I really like Forlan and his first goal was pretty sweet. I can get behind this South American teams (see above). I do think the penalty that probably ruined South Africa's tournament was a tough call, but I'm not sure the ref had much choice.

Pool leader: Andrew (again, again). Hell yes.

Also, Nate and Geoff are on their way. Holy hell boys. Great work.

"Andrew Gets a Jersey" or "Cotton and Weird"

"Goodbye Geoff and Nate" or "I Love Us"

We're going to Berlin ... wait ... Joburg

Nate and I leave in a few hours carried on the wings of Delta affiliated KLM. We'll be in Amsterdam by tomorrow morning and in Joburg by tomorrow night. The next 12 days are a complete mystery and we're armed with malaria pills and a desire not to get stabbed. Go US. Go Africa. This is everything.

Chile-Honduras at Mara's Homemade

Day 5 Recap

NZL-SVK. Watched in my apartment. Exciting game between minnows. New Zealand's sweet header goal in extra time was wonderful. I love soccer.

CIV-POR. Watched in my apartment. Missed the second half, but saw a great rip by Ronaldo in the first half that hit the woodwork. Glad that Drogba made a second half appearance. I really like that guy. I also enjoy their orange uniforms.

BRA-PRK. Watched the first half in my apartment and the second half at Rebar in a weird theater with old minivan bench seats as chairs. Brazil's first goal was such an impossible angle that it was the goalie's fault. The second goal was just amazing. The North Korean goal was exciting. Brazil looked really good.

Pool leader: Andrew (again).

Brazil-North Korea at Rebar

Awkwardly quiet, but the stadium seating and excellent beer (can't remember the name, but it's from the oldest brewery in the world) made this ok.

Jersey Tracking 4.0

I now have a tracking number, however it tracks nothing.

"UPS could not locate the shipment details for your request. Please verify your information and try again later."

Blast.

Joburg Temperature

Kick-off for the Brazil-North Korea game: 36 degrees. Get ready for winter people.

Almost as good as the real thing

Why we can tie Slovenia (as long as we beat Algeria)

Consider the following scenarios:

If we tie Slovenia, and England beats Algeria, the standings are:
England 4
Slovenia 4
USA 2
Algeria 0

England won't want to finish second in the group, so they'll play hard against Slovenia, meaning that if we beat Algeria we'll qualify second:
England 7
USA 5
Slovenia 4
Algeria 0

Even if England ties Slovenia in their third game, we'd could be ok although we'd need some goal differential love:
England 5
Slovenia 5
USA 5
Algeria 0

Just saying, maybe we don't need to panic so much.

Puma City at South Street Seaport

Day 4 Recap

NED-DEN. Watched in Jeremy's apartment. Netherlands defends its world title (sort of). The Dutch looked good. Denmark is going to get by, by being generally solid and not making mistakes. But they made a mistake. No surprise here.

CMR-JPN. Watched in Jeremy's apartment. The African teams were expected to go 1-5 in their first games, with Cameroon getting the win. Instead they are 1-3-1, with a South African tie, Ghana win, Cameroon loss and Cote D'Ivoire still to play. Cameroon looked sloppy until the end when the got off some good chances.

ITA-PAR. Watched the first half in Jeremy's apartment and then the second half at Puma City at South Street Seaport (with a bunch of a Italians). I hate Italy. They did not lose. That sums up this game. (Paraguay looked decent enough in the first half).

Pool leader: Andrew. Hell yes, bitches.

Up-to-the-minute Cup Updates

Needless to say twitter is an integral part of the World Cup experience. Now we have this offering. Follow it for all the information you need. http://twitter.com/thevuvuzelahorn

Tim = God

Are you constantly amazed at the reasons soccer fans find to say "Fuck"? I am.

Another Tim Howard chant. Simple. Brilliant.

"Timmy Tourettes, Is in our nets, Fuck you, Fuck you, Fuck you".

Jersey Tracking 3.0

Update on the retro jersey. It has just arrived from Holland and is in New Jersey. Tracking number not present. After calling repeatedly since Thursday I am told it will arrive tomorrow. Questionable? Questionable.

Weezer :: "Represent"

Weezer have recorded what they deem "the unofficial anthem" of this year's US World Cup squad. The video features some stirring moments, including a chilling team huddle in the final seconds. Represent; it is free on iTunes.

Jay-Jay from the U-S-A!

The source of more USMNT stories than can be printed here. The guy who used to get buried by Bruce Arena for "going out too much". The guy who slept on couches before making it at Watford. The bulldog at the center of the American backline. The guy who chased Wayne Rooney into midfield, hectored and harassed him into a pathetic showing on Saturday. One of the chippiest pieces of a chippy American squad. Yes, Jay Demerit, I could not be prouder to wear your jersey into the breach in RSA. UPS, nice job getting Jay here. "OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH USA! USA! USA!"

Don't Tread on Me

No comment on what other bumper stickers were on this car.

Day 3 Recap

ALG-SLO. Watached at home. Here's my thoughts on this. It should have been a tie. The goal was weak (as was ours of course). But these two teams are both battle tested in a way we are not. We haven't had a win-or-go-home since Ghana in 2006. (I'm discounting any Gold Cup type events and the Spain/Brazil games in the Confed Cup because we were just happy to be there at that point.) Algeria and Slovenia have both won two-leg playoffs in the last year, and they were underdogs in both cases. We need 6 points from these two games - well, at least 3 from Slovenia to start - and I think Slovenia is going to be harder to handle than we expect.

GHA-SRB. Watched at home. Not much to say about this one. I wasn't really paying attention/didn't really care. But I'm impressed that Essien-less Ghana pulled out a win.

GER-AUS. Watched at home. Let's concede that the Aussies are a mess, but that was still pretty impressive. Ze Germans are ridiculously consistent in World Cups, have less pressure than normal, and if Podolski/Klose/Schweinstaggerrrrr are on, Germany is scary. I also feel like I'm supposed to hate Germany, but I don't.

Pool leader: Noah (it's like he does this for a living or something).

Jersey Tracking 2.0

A medium, home Jay Demerit jersey left North Carolina on Friday at 8pm, made it to Louisville, Kentucky in about three hours where it spent Friday night, no doubt concerned about my whereabouts. On Saturday morning at 6:15am, it left Louisville and hasn't been heard from since. We'll assume that a dedicated (and by this I mean committed and solo) UPS agent currently has this package under his arm and is sprinting toward the New York City area. You have until Tuesday. World Soccer Shop enjoys the drama.

Unofficial Football World Championships

Just read about this site.

http://www.ufwc.co.uk/

Very exciting. Basically they consider the world title to be like a boxing title. If you beat the team that has it, you get it. They tracked everything back to the history of (soccer) time. The U.S. briefly held the title in 1950. Scotland has held it for the longest. And the current holder is the Netherlands, which plays Denmark tomorrow morning. The Danes last held the title in 1989.

June 12, 2010

Pictures

D-E-M-P-S-E-Y

Two people were talking about the game on the street in between my apartment and the bagel shop.

Purinton here...

There's a new sheriff in town...

We Ain't Afraid Of No Hijackers

Day 2 Recap

KOR-GRE was watched in a post-Jermey's-birthday-half-asleep-hungover state from bed. Overall, I was impressed by South Korea. They were all over Greece at both ends of the pitch.

ARG-NIG was watched from my apartment. No real surprise here. Messi couldn't seem to finish, but I'm sure he will.

USA-ENG was watched from Ryan's Irish Pub. Every was there (except Noah was actually there). It was fantastic. Reminiscent of watching 2007 ALCS Game 6 at Floyd/J.D. Drew's. Great work by everyone. So much heart and emotion.

Day 2 bracket pool leader: Noah and Josh.

Solving Defense Problems

From ESPN:

• Wayne Rooney didn't touch the ball the first 17 minutes and didn't touch it in the box until the 70th minute.

Hell Yes.