2 of my favorite moments from yesterdays USA v Slovenia match: Clint Dempsey’s elbow to the head of a Slovenia’s Bostjan Cesar in the 1st minute & Landon Donovan’s in-the-face-posterization of the Slovenian goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, for the United States’ first goal.
US Tennis star, Andy Roddick commented on the disallowed goal, “I understand the rules of football so well that apparently when two Slovenian guys mug an American guy the American guy gets called for a foul. That’s how well I understand the rules.”
I can’t see where a USA player is committing a foul. I can see where they are being fouled. Certainly that 3rd USA goal should not have been disallowed, but perhaps the rest of the world has it out for the US. I think that referee needs to be stripped from his duties forever. Apparently he’s under review by FIFA now, details from ESPN.com here.
Disregard Iran from Farshad’s lineup. What a homer!
Last week, I was asked by a few friends to join this elitist World Cup Fantasy League and it’s been consuming my life ever since.
A quick rundown of the rules: 8 people pick 4 teams each, and you get points for wins, draws, and knockout tournament advancements.
The whole idea of a “World Cup League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” is a first for me, and definitely verging on psychotic. I was out of town when the draft took place, so I had to rely mostly on gut-instinct and Joe Martinez’ iPhone to do some quick scouting (during an industry dinner, nonetheless). Luckily, I was sitting next to a few sports nuts (@BrianYarvual & @edthesportsfan) and they didn’t mind the chaos too much.
Despite being “randomly picked” to draft 6th overall (total conspiracy), I think I ended up with a decent lot:
1) Italy
2) Portugal
3) Australia
4) Honduras
After the first week of games, my teams have had 2 draws and 2 losses. Horrible!!! Hopefully my teams will start “Writing the Future” in a good way this week. Especially Italy, the really need to get it together! I think the hideous Puma goalkeeper kits are holding them back.
Wow! This commercial HAS to win awards this year! Very creative!
A few thoughts:
1) This commercial is airing during the World Cup, but Dodge isn’t an official Team USA sponsor, so there’s really no connection between the two. It’s relevance is because of it’s ability to drum-up feelings of patriotism at the right time. Great job at that.
2) This might be the first time that a car commercial actually makes me want to make that purchase.
3) I’m really bummed out that there’s not a microsite with downloadable wallpapers, videos, and interactive content.
This is totally photoshopped together, but it’s still hilarious. I HOPE the President was enjoying the game today. The final score between England v. USA was a 1 - 1 draw. As far as I’m concerned, the 1950 USA win still stands!
If you think you know how it’s all going to play out, you should join the Process World Cup Bracket Predictor Group! We’ve set up a Private Group on ESPN.com for our communal trash-talking and braggadocio.
1) Click here to go to the sign up page.
2) Search for PRIVATE GROUP, “We Are The Process”.
3) The PASSWORD for the group is “123456″.
A truly amazing (and sad) story regarding the most important goal in US Soccer history. If you’re pulling for USA this summer, you need to know this story.