Sunday, June 28, 2009

Politics and sport

Every now and then I hear someone who claims that politics and sport should be separate.
Every now and then naïve people speak too.

Listen, when team owners stop going to the public for funds to build their stadiums.
When sports stop using their games as advertisements for the military.
When governments stop using teams as their mouthpieces, or suppressing players free expression.

Then maybe I'll consider not mixing sports and politics.

Who am I kidding?

Fight the power.

A cruel game, indeed.

I think it was J.P. during the end of the ESPN broadcast that said and I'm paraphrasing, "You wouldn't have expected the U.S. to be so disappointed to be on the losing end to Brazil."

Watching the tears on Deuce's face before they got their silver medals spoke volumes about how they let one slip away.

Nonetheless, well done boys.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Soccer is a cruel game, sometimes.

Despite my telling my housemate that the US would advance in the Confederations Cup when pigs fly, the US did just that.
Not only did they beat down what had been to that point a really strong Egyptian team, but Brazil clobbered Italy 3-0 to allow the US to sneak into the semis.

Now they get to play the number one team in the world, Spain.

This tournament has been an absolute trial by fire for the Yanks.

Meanwhile, keep your eye out for low flying pink objects.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Soccer, futbol, football

If you ever want to get on my bad side, try to correct me when I call the game I love soccer.

Even better, especially if you're an American, call it the "real football".

It snobbery and bullshit. I'm an American, the game is soccer. In England, the game is football. In Italy, the game is calcio. Which does not translate to "football", I might add.

Rugby, Gaelic, American, Aussie Rules...it's ALL football. All of these games basically came from the same source.

Finally, the term "soccer" has an English origin, so when some English snob tries to correct you, tell him he better learn his history.

Monday, June 8, 2009

By way of introduction...

Is it me, or does Clint Dempsey seem lost when playing for the National Team? I mean no disrespect to the man, because he can play, but it's like he just can't find in groove out there with the other Yanks. Please don't be another Twellman.

Oh hai.
It's me, Guy. Yeah, that Guy.

I figured my non-soccer fan friends were sick of my rants and raves so I'll just take them here. I'm sure some of you will be challenged by some of the things I say. Feel free to disagree in the comments, but don't expect a back and forth debate from me. Cuz, I don't have time. So if you wanna say something make it a complete statement. Comments by trolls, racists, homophobes, and annoying motherfuckers happily deleted.

Humor appreciated.

Here's a interview I did with Under the Blue Banner last week. I talk about how I got into The Casbah. I come on about 15 minutes in.

Under the Blue Banner: Episode 13

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