Germany Pushes Through to Semis

Is it Germany's year? It must seem so after yesterday's grueling classic. It was the first game in which the Germans looked rattled. The Argentine team speed gave them fits. Klose's not-so-close marking gave Argentina a well-deserved lead. At that point, I confess, I thought it was over.

And it may have been had Coach Jose Pekerman not remove Juan Riquelme from the field in the 71st minute. Without their field general, Argentina was a different team and it was only a matter of time before the Germans scored. (Pekerman did the right thing by resigning after the game. He may also want to consider the Witness Protection Program. He will not be popular in Argentina). Also in that vein, how do you leave Lionel Messi on the bench in this game? Those two decisions are about as incompetent as you'll witness at this level.

Many commentators have said this was an ugly match, but I thought it was wonderful. Sure, the level of soccer was not at the level these two teams can perform at, but soccer is sometimes like that. When the stakes are this high, the nerves get frayed, the players play more physically and the match is more like a prizefight than a dance. But what can you criticize about 120 minutes of dramatic football with two deserving teams having their fate reduced to a shootout? No, this was a great match that kept me on the edge of my seat for 2 hours. Unfortunately for the stadium announcer, he let his emotions get to him.

It was great to see Gunner keeper Jens Lehman perform heroically in the PK shootout. He looked like he had Argentina's number. The man is a scientist of the goal. Even Robo-Kahn congratulated him after the match (or maybe he punched him. I don't know. The cameras pulled away quickly, perhaps fearing more violence).

Germany-Italy is going to be a great match-up as well. I give the Germans the edge, but Italy matches up well with the Germans in size and team play. It will be a defensive match for certain.

On the other hand, Der Spiegel is getting offensive prior to the match. Call them what you want, but in my informal survey of female football fans, the Italians are the best-looking team left standing. Questions about the looks of the English, German and French teams elicited groans of disgust. Nonetheless, I retain my pick of Germany to win the match.

Quarterfinals Begin Today

It's been difficult to post this week. I'm trying to catch up on all the backlogged World Cup games I have. Finally dispensed with France-Togo last night. While not exactly a great match, it did reveal a French side starting to find an attacking personality and presaged the victory against Spain.

Speaking of said match, France-Spain was one of the highlights of this cup, so far. A great match that was close until the last 5 minutes and featured two teams pressing for goals. I am impressed with the French side, which I had previously criticized (rightly so) for its lack of purpose and attack. Frank Ribery in the midfield is a dynamo. He attacks with great pace and puts huge pressure on defenses. Patrick Vieira...wow, it's great to see Patrick Vieira playing like Patrick Vieira again. This is the player that dominated the center of the field in the EPL for so many years. Yes, Patrick, going to Juventus was a huge mistake, but now you remember how to play. And Willie Sagnol in the back is a revelation. First time I've seen this Bayern Munich player. He's not much of a physical specimen, but he gets in the way of any attack and just disrupts it. He reads the ball exceptionally and is one of those players who just seems to know a little bit more about the game than his opponent. And, of course, Thierry Henry. He's started to come out of his WC scoring drought and I expect to see more from the Best Player in the World. Oh, and Zidane looks like a crazed man on a mission. Suddenly, Les Bleus look special again.

For France-Brazil, I'm going to make a stupid prediction. France wins this one. I think France is peaking, while Brazil still struggle. How do you get outplayed by Ghana and still win 3-0? Brazil will probably win (because they're Brazil) and make me look like an ass, but I like the way France is playing and I'm going to go with them for now. Ronaldo is scoring goals again, though he is still fat.

...if France loses, it will be Fabien Barthez's fault.

OK. But for today's games...I'm picking Germany over Argentina. Earlier I had it reversed, but Germany is ascendant. They are playing great, attacking soccer and just look very confident and composed up and down the pitch. This should be one of the great matches this tournament and could go either way. Both teams are very strong, and playing excellent football.

England-Portugal. I haven't picked England for anything yet, so I will pick them to win. I think the players not on the field will be the difference. Not anything that England does. Rooney will score a goal and that will be the difference. England will lose in the Semis, however.

As for the other quarter, if Italy loses to Ukraine, they should retire from international competition.

Some football fans would say that nothing rivals the thrill of football. Researchers agree. Speaking of footballs fans, the ladies have discovered that footballers are handsome lads and are watching in record numbers.

More on Refs and how much they suck this year. And the Bruce Arena Goodwill Tour rolls on. How low would you go to score World Cup tickets? How about impersonating a disabled person?

Just when you think the refereeing couldn't get any worse, along comes the Russian. I haven't seen a game get out of hand this badly before. Well, at least this World Cup is setting records.

New Scientist has assembled a list of soccer-related science papers. Some very interesting information and suppositions here. And for a suite of videos of Ronaldinho bending the laws of physics check out youtube.

Incredible Match Today

A classic game was played in Germany today between Argentina and Mexico. 120 minutes of football, punch and counterpunch back and forth on the field. Mexico, which to date, had disappointed in its group stage games, played like their capable of doing, pushing the attack and playing physical defense. The Tricolores scored in the 6th minute on a set piece header from Rafael Marquez. Argentina came back 3 minutes later with a Mexico own goal off a corner kick that was caused by pressure from Hernan Crespo. At that point, Argentina looked like they were going to take command of the game and put a few more on the board, but Mexico refused and the two teams settled in for 80 more regular time minues and 30 overtime minutes of slug it out soccer.

The difference was Argentina's ability to replace its front line in the late stages with young guns Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. They kept Mexico's defense spread out, allowing Maxi Rodriquez the split second it took to launch perhaps the greatest strike of this World Cup. After that, their pressure kept Mexico worried enough about the attack that reduced their options for the quick counterattack. It was a great game and hats off to the Mexican team for a great performance.

I haven't watched the entire Germany-Sweden game yet. I only saw the first 15 minutes, but that's where all the scoring was with the German soccer machine running at peak, ruthless efficiency. I'll have to see if they played as well through the rest of the game, but the first 15 minutes had me re-thinking my prediction that Argentina would down them in the quarterfinals. Argentina's defense had difficulty all game long with Jared Borghetti. If they think he's tough, wait until they see Klose and Podolski and Co.

Football players and plans always complain about the refs. There's a saying that there are two kinds of referees. Bad referees. And worse referees. Anyone who disputes that would have a hard time making their case after this World Cup. I have yet to see a game in which the referees didn't make at least one egregious call. The offsides call on Argentina's goal at the end of regulation was a blown call, and should've ended the game there. But usually it's been more than just one bad call (and offsides is a massively tricky and close call to make). Graham Poll had a nightmare game with the Croats and Australians, even citing one player with 3 yellow cards before deciding to issue the red. The confused fellow in charge of the US-Italy game had a horrid night. And all in all, this Cup's crop of refs are issuing cards as if they're in for bonuses. The downside is its marring what is otherwise an exhilarating tournament. Let's hope that the further rounds see refereeing equal to the level of the football.

And one music related item:

I just heard a new version of Gang of Four's I Love a Man in a Uniform from the Return the Gift album. This version rocks, with hard-edged guitar and none of the girl back-up singers from the original version. Great song. I'm going to have to pick up this album

Calls Build: US Coach Out

Following up my last post about coaching vacancies, US coach Bruce Arena was a quick target for critics, following the Americans' crash-out of the group stage yesterday. I have to agree with the calls for fresh blood at top. Arena was clearly out of ideas for this cup. Four shots on goal in three games and only 1 goal (of our own)?! Disastrous.

Further, Arena is a prickly and arrogant personality. Not exactly the type of person to build support for the US team. Following the 2 losses, all Arena could is blame his players (yea, sure they were at fault, but a coach accepts the responsibility for his team) and the refs.

I'd like to the US team get serious and go after a major coach with top-flight experience. Klinsman's probably a long-shot but the fact he lives in America is enticing. Zico or Guus Hiddink would be great choices, as well. Each has done well with their current teams. I especially like the attacking style Hiddink has brought to the Socceroos. Or we could look at someone like Martin O'Neill, a great manager at Celtic, who is looking to get back in the game. Assuming he would move to America, he'd bring a great talent for picking talent and arranging a strong side. Plus, we love Irish accents and O'Neill would no doubt do a great job selling the game here.

Today's Action

Great game today from Ivory Coast, who finally got their game on track. They were shaky in defense at first and went down 2-0 before climbing back in style. Two of the goals came from PKs, but their offense was attacking and energetic. Too bad, they'll have to wait until 2010 for another crack.

Argentina and Netherlands promised to be a corker, but the two titans of Group of Death I were disappointingly incomplete in a nil-nil draw. Both sides left several key players (who had fell victim to the contagious yellow card flu spreading like wildfire in Germany) off the pitch, which reduced the effectiveness of each team. Argentina, to my eyes, looked the better side, but like Netherlands couldn't seem to figure out the last 10% of the attack. Despite many chances to score, both teams failed to find the back of the net.

Portugal looked very good in defeating Mexico, a team that I thought would surprise, but has instead disappointed during this tournament.

Quick Hook
Talk about a tough business. The whistle ending the match had barely stopped reverberating and Iran had already fired its football association president, with the coaches and star Daei sure to follow. Serbia's coach has quit (quite obviously before he was fired, or worse). Togo's coach has already quit, and come back...during the Cup.

One coach who has got to be on his way out is France's Domenech. Is there a better team with worse results? How can a team studded with stars, including one of the world's great strikers Thierry Henry, score so few goals? The French remind me of the English team. They would be better with a real coach.

What is that they say about football coaches? They usually go the same way they came, fired with enthusiasm.

I'm sure we're set to see several more coaches get quick axings as the group play completes.

Oh, Faux Pas! Apparently, a Ghanaian player pulled the wrong flag out of his shorts in the game with Saudia Arabia. This crap all got started with Terrell Owens in the NFL and has spread bird-flu-like across the globe and across sports. I say give players a red card if they pull a prop to celebrate a goal.

A Dreary England Gets Drearier

I watched the England-Sweden game tonight and have to say that my limited confidence in England has become even more limited. Lampard looks lost without his Chelsea crew around him. Joe Cole is dangerous, but Beckham on the other side is a dud. Can the guy mark at all. That 1st Sweden goal (a beautiful combo play, nonetheless) was on Beckham's shoulder. He wasn't in 5 yards of Allbeck. For the Swede, it was like training.

Oh, and the idea of Beckham as captain is a joke. This guy's got all the leadership ability of a boy scout. Look at the lack of aggressiveness of the 3 Lions toward the end of the game. Someone slap Paul Robinson upside the head for me, will you. First team goalkeepers at the World Cup have to come out on those bouncing balls in the six. The first goal was Beck's fault. The 2nd was Robinson's (although 2 other defenders were ball watching in the box, too).

Robinson's rightly worried about set piece defense. Whether he knows what to do about it, is another question.

Tough, tough break for Michael Owen. What's he played, about 5 games in 2006? The way that knee buckled it looks like it'll be 2007 before he returns to the pitch. Let's see add Wayne Rooney, subtract Michael Owen. You're ahead, but just. And I don't believe in Peter Crouch as an International level quality striker. He does OK in the EPL but has not impressed me during the WC. This team flames out in the 2nd round. I see Ecuador beating them (yes, despite the pasting they got from Germany, a team that looks to be peaking in a ferocious way).

So, 36 games in, I've re-organized my predictions. Here they are: In the quarters, Argentina scrapes by Germany (I could go either way in this match), Italy beats Ukraine, Netherland beats down upstart Ecuador, and the shocker, Spain pastes Brazil 4-2. In the semis, Argentina outslugs Italy in a physical, defensive battle and Spain beats Netherlands. I'm going with Spain over Argentina (Hey, with the UEFA Cup and Champions Cup, it's Spain's year) in the final, but I may change my mind on this as we get closer. Both sides are high quality.

For the record, I did not get the perfect Father's Day gift yesterday.

Is it me, or is Angelina Jolie becoming the next Mia Farrow?

By the way, does anyone else remember Len Bias the once future great Boston Celtic? I was just recalling Len Bias' death to my daughter in a discussion about drugs. It's hard to believe that, if not for cocaine and assuming everything else stayed the same, Bias would've led the Celtics to at least one championship, starred in several All-Star games and have been retired for 8 or 9 seasons by now. Such a tragic waste of life...

Onto the WC. Spain continues to look like world beaters. Down 1-0 for the half on a shock goal by Tunisia, Coach Aragones makes 3 substitutions Jose Mourinho-like, and bam! 3-1 victory. Young Gunner Cesc Fabregas looked very good as the substitute lacing passes through the middle of the field to feed El Nino.

Ukraine takes the match with Saudia Arabia. Reportedly the SA coach called Ukraine the weaker of the 2 teams before the game. Four goals later, he's no doubt been disabused of that notion.

USA Played Its Heart Out

I'm going to backtrack on most of my criticism of the US team, after their gutsy, heroic game against Italy yesterday. These guys played an awesome game of soccer. With the exception of one huge mistake of trying to play an onside trap in the box on a free kick, they outplayed the Azzurri, outhustled and out muscled them. It's a damn shame this team didn't come out against the Czech Republic, because as Ghana showed in their victory, the Czechs are not as invincible as we made them appear.

And a word on the refereeing. Yes, that was the worst performance by a referee in a World Cup game so far. De Rossi's sending off was appropriate, as I think even the Italians concede. The red given Mastroeni was absurd at best, a yellow card at worst. Eddie Pope was tossed 2 minutes into the 2nd half, without even a warning. yes, he was playing physical defense. A professional ref who cares about the quality of the game talks to the player and warns him that the next foul is his sending off.

Nonetheless, the US played heroically 9 men to 10 for much of the match. And with Ghana's win the group is wide open again and we still have a shot to pull through to the next round. We're going to need to win and win big against Ghana on Thursday.

Great match this morning between Japan and Croatia. It was like watching two welterweight boxers go back and forth, trading punches, seeking but never finding the knock-out blow. These teams left everything on the field.

Oh, and a big thanks to Serbia for making everybody forget the USA's lousy opening game. Even though Argentina's scoreline was inflated by Serbia's disinterest in playing, this team looks terrific. They seem to be peaking and could be overtaking Brazil as tournament favorite.

I had a chance to watch the full Ecuador match last night. I have to say I continue to be impressed with this team. So far, they are one of the more dynamic teams in the Cup. While they don't have a blow-your-socks-off game-breaker on the team, they have a lot of very competent players who are working well as a team.

More fallout on the US team and Coach Arrogance is coming under fire.

Think the World Cup is big? Yea, it's so big that even Buddhist monks who are forbidden from watching TV (among other things) have been allowed to watch the big show...just don't cheer, smile or do the wave, boys. Gotta run but I'll post more this weekend as I dig into the game tapes...or bits whatever that DVR uses.

South American Flavors

What the canoodle is going on with Ecuador?! These guys look great! After their shock 2-0 upset of Poland, the Ecuadorians thrash Costa Rica 3-0 and look sharp, creative and explosive in doing so. I'm starting to really like this team. Circle June 20th on your calendar. That's when Group A leaders (?!) Ecuador clash with the Teutonic Titans. All Ecuador needs is a tie to win the group. Audacious!

Trouble in Sambaland?

Brazil is another team that's been heavily hyped - and unlike America, rightly so - for this World Cup. Like America, their opener suggests they might not live up to the hype. While they won against Croatia, the Samba Boys were not their incisive, flashy selves. The passes were a bit off as were shots (Kaka's left-footed screamer that won the game, aside)

The problem is Ronaldo. Yes, he's fat. Yes, he's out of shape. He may have headaches. He was as bad as any player playing in a WC game. Hey, even the US players were trying, right?! How bad was he? He walked through the game - walked! He was so immobile, at times he appeared to be imitating a tree. At one point, a family of squirrels tried to build a nest in his jersey. The last time Europe has seen a large body moving that slowly was when the glaciers retreated. He seemed to be trying to lull the defense to sleep by boring them. He had no touch on the ball. I count the number of times his lead foot betrayed a pass. Worse, when he lost the ball he'd just sullenly watch it go. No fight. No spirit. Joga Feo!

Worse Than The US Soccer Team Performance

If there's been one bigger disappointment about the World Cup, than the US performance against the Czech Republic, it's been the broadcast and announcing on ABC. Not only are these clowns proving the America knows little about the most popular sport in the world, but ABC is distinguishing itself for its arrogance and America-first egoism.

Announcer Dave O'Brien who has been working the games broadcast on ABC spent way too much time during the Iran-Mexico match talking about Iran's President, his Holocaust denial and the political issues surrounding that country's nuclear program. He then opined about immigration issues and controversy over non-Mexican born members of the Mexican team. The effect was like the boorish uncle who gets up at the family reunion and starts telling blue jokes about other members of the family.

Yes, Iran's president is a dangerous turd of a politician. Here's a news flash, O'Brien. Iran's not the only country in the competition with this problem. This is soccer, chowderhead. Leave the politics for the news shows. Thank God, ABC also added Marcel Balboa to the broadcast to bring some soccer knowledge and insight to the show.

Adding insult to injury, ABC also reanimated Brent Musburger for the World Cup. How does this guy keep getting work? Does he have incriminating videotapes of the networks board of directors worshipping Satan? I just don't get it. The Burger can ruin any sport he broadcasts, whether it be basketball or American football, why let him kill soccer for any nascent fans who happen to tune in to the WC? Why take the world's most popular, most creative and free-flowing sport and give it the Burger - the most stunted, least insightful and least thoughtful announcer known to man? For those conspiracy theorists out there, here is your evidence that major American sports leagues are trying to kill soccer.

And for God's sake, stop fetishizing over the US team. During some of the earlier games, the broadcast cut away to features on the US team and players - in the middle of games! Crikey! And every break in the action, they're talking about the US team. Focus, people!

Yes, they're our team and we want them to win. But only a complete boob thinks they have a serious chance of going deep in the tournament. Tell us about the other quality sides in the tournament. Focus on the game in front of you, where good soccer is actually being displayed. The US hasn't won anything yet and still has to prove itself among the major soccer powers. Overemphasizing the team, to the exclusion of wonderful sides like Brazil, Argentina, Italy and the Czech Republic undercuts our desire to be a serious soccer nation.

I got so fed up with ABC this weekend that I ended up watching most of the games on Copa Mundial. I know only a few Spanish words (Porteto. Amigo. Nacho. Cerveza. That's about it. Oh, and GOOOOOOOOOOOAl!) but the passion and excitement of the Mexican announcers was enough to seal the deal for me. Plus, if the announcers go off the reservation and start talking politics I have no way of knowing.

Oh yeah, and one final gripe. Stop flashing information in those little bars at the bottom of the screen. Here's a clue: It obscures the field. Soccer is one of those sports in which it is quite useful to see the actual action that's occurring on the field. Thank you.

US Team Bounced, Trounced by Czechs

What's that hissing sound? Why that's the sound air rushing out of the inflated expectations of US soccer fans after a 3-0 drubbing that was not even as close as the score would appear. Let's start with the undisputable facts. The US team was widely over-hyped by a know-nothing US media and the USSF. Hype met the reality of international soccer yesterday in Gelsenkirchen.

The Czechs looked like a cat playing with a mouse, batting the US team around the pitch for 90 minutes. They were fast to the ball, knew where to go with it once they attained posession and numerous ideas in the final third of the pitch. In comparison, the US looked like a five-year-old lost in Macy's toy department, wondering where their mama was. Did you see the faces of the players while singing the national anthem? They looked scared. Not how you want your team feeling, going into a game against a top ranked side.

Making things worse, Coach Bruce Arena's post-game interview turned toxic.

For the record, the US has a very good goalkeeper in Kasey Keller. Their midfield is their strength. Neither the US defense nor its frontline strikes me as capable or competent on the international stage. They look like a good MSL team. They have no game-changing player. Like it or not, the best team from America is Mexico.

Australia's match yesterday, pitting another underdog (Well, they're the Socceroos, so maybe that makes them Underoos?) against an Asian side, that while not the Czech Republic, was considered likely to prevail. After all, the Aussies had yet to score a World Cup goal, being blanked in their first appearance way back in 1974, when I was in 4th grade.

It looked like that would be the case as the Japanese side took a 1-0 lead on an audaciously missed call where keeper Mark Schwarzer was pushed off the ball by a Japanese attacker. The Underoos could not generate much of a threat until the 2nd half when Tim Cahill was subbed on. The bloke hit the equalizer in the 85th minute and the game winner at the 90th. Great stuff and then Aloisi salted the match away with a third goal in stoppage time.

Best news of all from yesterday, Peter Crouch has promised not to commit the robo-dance again during the cup, unless of course, they win (Which means he won't do it again. period.).

And this morning, WC newcomers Togo went up 1-0 on South Korea in the 1st half on an absolute corker of a goal from a fellow whose name I don't recall (that would be any of the 10 Togoans who are not Arsenal's Emanuel Adebayor).

There's some great stuff happening at the WC. Brazil is playing today. I've got my Brazil T-shirt on and am ready for the game. I'll post some comments later on the idiotic TV broadcasting for the World Cup.

World Cup Opening Weekend

I'm back in town after another weekend in Pasco for the LPTs. My daughter's team fought valiantly, but in the end did not have enough to qualify for one of the state leagues.

Like Wayne Rooney, though, the World Cup started without me. An interesting first suite of games. I caught most of them in the hotel room and have the rest taped to watch (including Germany v. Costa Rica). Ecuador is my surprise team so far. I was impressed with the spirit and purpose they played with in beating Poland (a team that looked like they had played in so many WCs that they'd become jaded and would've rather been home watching Dream Team or talking to their financial analysts). It's hard to imagine a team getting to the WC finals and looking as uninterested and uninviting as Poland did. Hopefully, their next result is better.

England is right about where I expected them. Strong midfield. No front line to speak of. They controlled posession against Paraguay (and hey, David Beckham looked like a footballer again) but the margin of victory was a very, very thin line. They're going to win their group, but they'd better have WR for the Knockout round.

I thought Holland looked very good. Arjen Robben is a terror. If he can keep healthy, he will be a force in this tournament. If the Orangemen begin to get Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Robin Van Persie involved, the men with the ugly kits could go far.

Argentina looked very strong. Ivory Coast did not. A big shout out to T&T for their heroic tie with Sweden, a team that doesn't look bound for glory. After watching the tape of Mexico's game last night, I am an even bigger believer that they're going to travel deep into the heart of the WC jungle. They're not a perfect side, by any means, and they had an off-game passing the ball. But they play a smart, probing game of football, keeping patient while knocking on the door. When they find a weakness as they did with Iran, the goals pile up in a hurry. If Mexico plays strong and catches a few breaks I think they'll make it to the last four.

Today - in less than 2 hours, actually - Team USA opens against the Czech Republic. I'm rooting for our guys all the way, but I just don't believe they've got the goods this time around. If they do make it out of group play, I think they need the result today. At the very least, a tie.

Let's go USA. Bounce the Czechs!

It's Here!

Fans in funny hats and painted body parts. Hooligans! Drunken and horny tourists. Oh yeah, and a lot of footy. It's here!

How are bookies like no one else in the world? Answer here. DeFoe is gone. Ballack is back. Rooney may be. Steven's is sore. Ronaldo's big-boned? Deco's down?

I filled out my WC brackets last night. Who will take the pitch for the finals? If you believe me (and there is absolutely no reason you should), it'll be Brazil vs. the Czech Republic (#1 vs. #2), with Brazil a 3-1 winner. I'm really torn on this prediction. I have a feeling that Brazil's backline is an Achilles heel that Koller, Nedved and Baros can crack. But, I'm rooting for Brazil, so heart wins out over head.

But that's soccer. What's the biggest match-up in this tournament? England v. Sweden? Brazil v. Argentina? Togo v. South Korea? All irrelevant. The real competition is much meaner, much more important. Money is at stake. Market share is at stake. These boys are playing for keeps.

Bad Break for Cisse

OH MY GOD! Did you see Djibril Cisse's injury?! That was horrendous. Running down the pitch in a friendly against China, he got kicked in the back of the leg and the blow broke his fibula and tibia. Of course, FSN replayed the injury 10 or 12 times for full effect. Thanks, guys! I felt woozy after the show. But you've got to feel bad for Cisse. He missed the last WC 2002 with an injury, and the 2004 Euros with a similar injury to the other leg.

It seems that injuries are like football groupies, the closer we get to opening day, the more every team gets. For England it's the good and the bad; Wayne Rooney is looking more and more like a possible factor as his foot scan yesterday was positive and he can resume training. It'll be weeks before he's match fit again, but I think the news that he's back could be just the thing to lift the England team out of its usual WC doldrums...unless the injury bug bites someone else. Like Steven Gerrard.

Herr Ballack is out of the opener for Germany. Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez is back in Mexico after his father's sudden death. Milan Baros is still uncertain for a date with the US.

Soccer in Pasco

I ended up spending my weekend in Pasco with my daughter's youth soccer team which was competing in the state League Placement Tournament. The tournament determines seeding for teams in several state premier and select leagues.

There were 53 girls' teams and a similar number of boys teams there (all at the U14, or 12 to 13-year old range). It was a lot of soccer and there were some very good teams there. Unfortunately, I hurt my back during the weekend and spent my time on the sidelines watching the games from a stooped old man posture. I would've liked to watch a lot of the other teams playing but spent my free time lying flat on my back.

I'm sure there are a lot of great ways to enjoy Pasco and the surrounding Tri-Cities area. This would not be one of them.

And by the way, the drive back reminded me yet again of how many incompetent boobs possess drivers licenses in Washington. It seems that every other car was driving 60 miles an hour (the limit was 70 most of the way) in the left-hand lane. It didn't matter how many "stay right except to pass" signs there were. These numbskull drivers were oblivious to my van approaching them, or my flashing headlights. Slow and steady as she goes.

You can complain about California drivers all you want, but in the Crazy State their drivers understand the concept of maintaining flow of traffic. There, the left lane is truly for the faster cards. Here, we seem to muddle along in our own little cocoon, unaware of the universe of traffic around us, and the social good of letting the faster cars go by, so as to keep traffic flowing.

And then, of course, if you do take the right lane to go around them, they have to speed up. Why is this? Is it some sort of automotive status warfare. I'm the King of the lane? Suffice it to say, I'm not looking back to the drive to and from Pasco this weekend as we return for Round II of the LPTs.

World Cup Begins...2 days

The good news, though is that the World Cup finally gets underway Friday. I've already got the first 10 or 11 matches programmed on the DVR. I still haven't figured out how I'm going to watch them all but I intend to do so.

Wayne Rooney gets his much-anticipated second scan of his broken foot today. The results will tell whether he plays for England or not. I highly doubt he'll be fit, but I hope so. Rooney ranks in the top 3 players on the globe for me, right up there with Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry. It would be a shame to have a WC with a talent as massive as his on the bench.

His importance to the England squad is such that if he plays (and even if cleared today, he wouldn't be able to play in a game until after the group qualifiers), I see England making the quarterfinals, and perhaps lifting the trophy. If he doesn't play, they'll limp out of group play in 2nd place and falter in the 2nd round.

My picks for title success are (in order) Brazil, Germany & Mexico. Of the 3, Mexico has a real dark horse feel for me. They could surprise everyone.

Arsenal News

Arsenal has got itself embroiled in an erupting mini-scandal in Europe. A Newsnight investigation reveals tha Arsenal surreptitiously loaned 1 million pounds to Dutch Club Beveren, the same club that sold Emanuel Eboue to the Gunners. Arsenal denies wrongdoing but the investigation contends that Arsenal could face expulsion from the EPL.

A Eurpoean sporting lawyer, however, says it's all tempest in a teapot and the Gunners haven't done wrong. Let's hope so. But that being said, I can't wait for the time when investigators start sniffing around Chelsea. If those boys are on the up and up in all their dealings, then I'll wear a Chelsea jersey for a month.