See you in Brazil

I can't put everything into words yet.

But this trip has been an incredible experience.

Last night's loss was terrible. The hatred that I know have for Ghana is solidified in a way that it wasn't in 2006. They spent 30 minutes diving left and right. Terrible. That being said, we didn't finish; we didn't possess in the midfield; our back line got beat; and Tim Howard didn't show up in a major way. Crushing defeat.

We were in the stadium until they kicked us about 45 minutes after the game ended. But the experience was summed up by our time at the bar/cafe across the street, where we spoke with Germans, South Africans, Brits, hundreds of Americans, some Ghanians. Incredible, global experience.

As I sit here, delirious and exhausted, my heart is still very full.

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?