World Cup Broadcast

Full awesome credit to ESPN for doing the best English language American broadcast of a World Cup I've ever seen. They didn't dumb it down; they covered all the countries well, and we've been rewarded with one of the most exciting tournaments I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

The only drawback I have is the lack of coverage of the protests surrounding this tournament. I can see why ESPN doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds, but it didn't stop them from rightly critiquing 2022 host Qatar and their human rights issues.

Of course, now as I'm typing this, I'm watching Jeremy Schaap is talking about the massive security around the final. :)

I loved John Oliver's rant about how we soccer fans have a conflict over loving a sport that's run by one of the most corrupt organizations on the planet.

As we move on from this World Cup, I want to see how much pressure gets put on FIFA to change. The threats by major advertisers over the Qatari bribery scandal is a good start, but it's not close to the overhaul that's needed.

Yeah, I'll go there

Perhaps y'all have noticed that all the German-American players on the US roster have one black parent.

It makes me wonder if the appeal of joining the US was the lack of color on the Die Mannschaft.

Come to a team with players that look like you. You'll fit in a lot easier here than there.

Happy Pills?

Is it me, or do the US Men look miserable out on the field? I don't mean the way they're playing, but their lack of joy at playing. Donovan hinted at his occasional lack of passion recently, but it feels like no one on that team is having fun.

Taylor Twellman mentioned during yesterday's broadcast that the boys might be tired. They're definitely playing like it now. The mood of the team just seemed dour. It's a sharp contrast to their smiling, positive coach.

I makes me wonder if Jürgen turns into Mr. Hyde during practice. Grinding them down behind the scenes.

Okay, enough German S/M Nazi fantasies. :)

I gotta agree with Twellman. They look like they need a day or two off. It wouldn't surprise me if Guatemala pulls off the upset on Tuesday.

Qatar - featured on 60 Minutes

I'm among the many that went "WHAAA???!!!" when Qatar was picked to host the 2022 World Cup.
This feature on 60 Minutes sheds a little light on the country. I'm still not convinced they were a better choice than the U.S. or even Australia, but this helps me understand why it was considered.

Dear Sepp Blatter,

Suck my dick.

Goddammit!

FUCK!

Oh yeah!

There's still soccer going on, isn't there?

So many things have happened post World Cup, it'll take me a while to sort them out, but for now...

Bob, it's time to move on.
I watched the final 70 minutes of the US/Brazil friendly fuming at how timid the US looked. It's time for some new blood. Bob, you've done a wonderful job with the team, but I think they looked stagnant at the World Cup, and even worse against Brazil.

I'm not convinced Klinsmann is the answer, but I'm willing to give him a try.

Let the celebrations begin!

I stumbled upon this parade of Spanish supporters while I was driving around San Francisco the afternoon after the final.

Day 25 - The Final

You don't finish your chances; you don't win. Spain didn't give up many chances, bully on them for that, but Robben had two chance to beat the keeper and Casillas came up with big saves.

Not the most open game ever, and probably not a fun game to watch for the newbies, but it was gripping enough for those of us who had a rooting interest.

Congrats to Spain on their first World Cup. Dammit, I've cheered on the loser of the last three finals (2002 I barely leaned towards Germany...but just barely).

I guess I have to get back to job hunting now. :)

Day 24 - Karma, bitches!

Watching Forlán's free kick clank off the crossbar was pretty good redemption for Ghana (although, I'm sure the Ghanaians would have preferred to have been in that game. Well done, Germany. Well done, Uruguay.

Time for the main event.

Day 23 - Okay, didn't see that coming.

All hail the mighty Spanish defense.
You know I kept saying it'd be nice if we had a new country win the cup this time around, and so karma bit me in the ass and put a team I'm not fond of in the final.

Well, make no mistake, I have a rooting interest now. C'mon Dutch!

Day 22 - Way to keep it close

Any goodwill Uruguay had, evaporated with that goal line handball. However, I have to give them credit for staying with the Dutch and continuing to press the game.

Ruud's dick must be putting dents on the underside of that ESPN desk. Man, I can see why the Galaxy players hated him. What a fuckin' dork.

Day 21 - The German scoring machine (giggle)

Since when do the Germans out-Brazil Brazil?
I'm still amused and stunned at watching Die Mannschaft ping the ball around with counter-attacking prowess. Their defense did well to hold Argentina at bay. Especially in the final third.

Spain has yet to really impress me this tournament, but man what a second half with Paraguay. Trading penalties with two saves and one rightfully called re-take. Spain finally breaking through with a two-posts-and-in goal.

I still think the Germans will roll over Spain.

Day 20

You know I was all set to gloat about picking the Dutch, but then Uruguay/Ghana happened.

That was the cruelest ending to a game I've ever seen. Luis Suarez's desperate act paid off.

I think a Dutch/German final is on the way. The Dutch seem to do what they need to do to get it done.

Day 19 Quarters are all set

Could use a break, too. I realized the other day that I haven't done any walking or hiking since the World Cup started. :)

Maybe I'll even play tomorrow, we'll see.

Japan, I'm so sorry you didn't move on, but you gotta convert your chances. See what happened to the US.

I'm still a little bitter about the Luis Aragonés incident about Thierry Henry so I have trouble rooting for them, but it's still always fun to watch C. Precious Ronaldo pout.

Day 18

Games where pretty predictable today.

The Dutch spent a few minutes of defensive worry in the second half of their game, but still managed to shut down Slovakia. Still it shows a small chink in the armor of their defense. My pick to win is gonna have to be air tight against Brazil.

Chile went down swinging in their fight, but Brazil is a heavyweight to Chile's middleweight.

Day 17 - Ruh row

To the tune of Rule, Britannia!:

O dear England,
her fans too blind to see,
you're the Queen of Mediocrity.

Well, they might be seeing it now. At least we US fans weren't expecting them to win the whole thing. Missed goal call or not, y'all got your ass whooped.

Same with Mexico. I was cheering for ya, but damn, Argentina made you look like an amateur side.

Day 16 - The end for the US

South Korea gave it a go and pushed Uruguay, but in the end the Reds couldn't get it done.

Same with my beloved Yanks. They kept putting themselves behind the eight ball one too many times. I think this experience will make the 2014 team much, much stronger. We need some faster defenders, and an increase in overall team speed. Jozy, brother, work on your finishing.

Bob, take the hint. We played much more offensively in a 4-5-1.

Overall, I'm still proud of the guys.

Well done, Ghana.

It's the simple things

I had to drive to the post office this morning. After I got in the car, I scanned the radio stations for a Spanish broadcast of the Uruguay/South Korea game. I was shocked to stumble across an English broadcast of the game on one of the major sports radio stations. Props to ESPN radio and KNBR 1050 for broadcasting.

I was amused listening to Glenn Davis and Kyle Martino emphasize their own pronunciations of Uruguay (Ooo-rah-gwhy versus Your-a-gway).

Day 15 - Zzzzzz...

Now you know what happens when teams know the score. Brazil/Portugal? What a snoozer!
Spain/Chile? Boring!

At least Ivory Coast and North Korea went down fighting.