It's almost like the US won the World Cup

Since we tied Italy I think its safe to say we are the second best soccer team in the world. Clint would you agree with that?

Because of a prior commitment I was only able to catch the PK's at the end and but I watched SportsCenter so I think I got a pretty good sense of the game. First off I think the call to give Zidane the PK in the first half was fairly weak. Appeared to me the defender wasn't trying to take the French player down at all. The Second Zidane incident was unbelievable. I only caught it on replay but what in the world was he thinking? Makes me wonder about his sanity. Doesn't he realize its the biggest game of his life, and his team needs him? In maybe it didn't change the end result (unless dude who hit the crossbar would have been the odd man out), but I gotta think it destroyed Zidane's legacy. Not a good way for one of the greats to go out.

Well folks its sad to think it will be 4 years before we get to experience the non-stop action of World Cup Soccer. Maybe I'll have to flip on my FSN Soccer channel a few more times just to wet my appitite for soccer. Where to go with SweetVolley that is the real question. One of the fastest growing sports in Cornhole. So far I have only made one set of boards but I plan on building another one in the coming weeks, complete with a Wisconsin "W" on the board. In the comments section please let me know what non-mainstream sports you are playing and I'll do my best to act interested.

Till Then, Play Hard America!

World Cup Finals Are Set!

Tuesday I was able to watch Italy vs. Germany. Even though I sat through 2 scoreless halfs I was excited at the prospect of another shoot out to decide the winner. If you already know the result you know those hopes were dashed when Italy score with about 2 minutes left in extra time. I am no longer cheering for Italy, however it would be kind of cool if they shut out France and the US could end the Cup as the only team to score against them.

Today's Semi I was unable to watch, stupid work. My good bud DK, gave me play by play via GTalk, which was great, it was like I was at the game. I'm glad France won, would be cool for Zidane to go out on top. He's become my favorite player, well second behind Clint Dempsey. Did everyone see Clint posted a comment on one of my prior posts? Ronaldo for Portugal is probably my 3rd favorite player, dude is quick. Too bad to see him go home but like DK say's, "He'll be sweet in 2010".

Because of a prior commitment I'll need to miss most of the Championship game, hopefully DK can type out the play by play for me.

With the World Cup almost over we'll soon be looking into other sports. My new addiction is Cornhole, its really a game, believe me. Check out the website for the ACA (American Cornhole Association). Maybe the next few blog entries will be devoted to that.

Play Hard America!

Deep Thought

If it's called the World Cup, shouldn't the trophy be a cup?

Saturday's Quarter-finals

Well this last Saturday I watch the 2 Quarter-Final matches.

First England vs. Portugal, to be nice this was kind of a waste of 3 hours. While I try to be a new ambassador for the game of Soccer I have trouble enjoying a 0-0 game with very few quality scoring chances. The PK's were cool, but that was about it. Having my boy Beckham leave the game early and Rugby player turned Soccer player Rooney get a Red Card didn't help matters.

Second Brazil vs. France, at least had some quality scoring chances. I guess I don't understand off-sides yet, because I thought Henry was clearly behind the defense before the ball got there. Anyways I really enjoyed watching Zidane from France, he's got some great moves, and from my understanding is fairly old now (for a soccer player). The last few minutes of this game were great with Brazil trying to get a last second goal to tie the game.

I'm looking forward to the Tuesday Semi-Final. I'll have to miss the match on Wednesday because of stupid work.

Here is a link to a fun little website that has how-to's for a whole bunch of things. The link is for how to Appreciate a Soccer Game on TV.

Why Do Americans Hate Soccer

What do Americans have against soccer? Is it because we suck at it? It's almost like we have the feeling since we can't beat the world at it why try. Better to act like we don't care, and lose than get excited for a worldwide event such as the World Cup and get embarrassed by going 0-2-1 and only scoring 1 goal.

Shortly before the start of the World Cup I probably felt the same as 99% of Americans. Below is a response to an email from a friend about watching the World Cup.

"As far as the World Cup I don't know how much I'll watch. I guess I'd probably watch the US if they're on while I'm home, and there are no Brewers, Red Sox, reruns of the Office, NASCAR, Golf, or episodes of American Chopper on. I'm not going to re-arrange my schedule to watch any games. I sure as S not going to watch Togo vs.. Kerblackastan just for the heck of it. I may end up watching Championship game as well, again only if the above programs are not on at the same time."

Well my feelings have since changed. They changed in the split second US Midfielder Clint Dempsey fired shot past the Ghana goaltender. All of my beliefs that Soccer was a slow boring sport were erased. The end result wasn't in the US's favor, but I decided then and there that we needed to become a World power in Soccer.

What is our largest obstacle?

Soccer is a game played by thousands and thousands of Americas youth. However if you're a good athlete in America you're going to be pushed towards sports such as basketball, and football because they're viewed as the high profile/big money making sports. American's need to realize there is money to be made in soccer you just need to go overseas. The Forbes list of the most Powerful celebrities David Beckham ranks in at #43 ahead of American heros LeBron James, Alex Rodriguez, and Tom Brady.

Maybe America will never be a Soccer Power, but a guy can dream.

Soccer Terms Part 1

Volley - When a player kicks a ball while it is still in the air. Part of the reason that soccer is considered the "Beautiful Game". I like to use Volley to refer to any and every sweet play, it makes you sound smart to soccer fans nearby.

Sweet Volley - A really great Volley. Feel free to use this with any goal.

Set Piece - Also referred to as a set play. Often done at a free kick where a play has been planned by the Coach. David Beckham is a master of the Set Piece.

Striker - A teams best a most aggressive offensive threat.

Springer - The goalie is a Springer when he dives to save a shot. Refers to the springing action of his legs. I made this one up, so don't use it if you want to sound smart around your Soccer friends.

Own Goal - When a player accidentally directs the ball into his own teams goal. Against Italy this was the only way we could get on the board.

Ice Breaker

Hello world of Blogging, my name is Bob! I'm what you might call the typical Mid-West Sports fan. I live and die with my teams, the Packer, Badgers, and Brewers. Within the last 5 years I've also kind of become a NASCAR fan, this was fueled by the success of local driver Matt Kenseth. This site was started at the suggestion of some friends. They are soccer fans, probably the only too in Wisconsin and they somehow talked me into watching some of the World Cup. Well to summarize I didn't know many of the terms they were throwing around so I came up with own interpretation of the worlds as well as inventing some of my own. My first idea was to write a book "Soccer for the Football Fan". I decided to take the easy route would be to post my wisdom on a blog for the world to see. Upcoming posts will include bits and pieces of vast knowledge of Soccer, now that the World Cup is into the Quarter Finals the games are really getting exciting :)