South Africa 2010: The Team of Destiny

Spain has seemed the team of destiny for the past three years and it's wonderful to see the national dream come to fruition. I thought it was a great game, even if the commentators didn't think so. I found the action quite gripping towards the end. I am a little sad for the Dutch but there's always next time. Diego Forlan is certainly a worthy Golden Ball recipient though I still see Sneijder as the favorite for Player of the Year.

I shall miss the World Cup. It's been a great tournament, even with the low scores. One team, of course, has already qualified for 2014: Brazil as hosts. I look forward to watching the rest of the field unfold.

Ole!

South Africa 2010: The Semis

Two for two for me - excellent! I'm sticking with Spain in the final, though I think the Dutch can give them a lot more trouble in the midfield than the Germans did. Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder has to be the favorite for best player of the tournament, regardless of what happens in the final. And really, he should be a lock at this point for World Player of the Year. In addition to his exploits here, his club team, Inter Milan, won its league and its cup tournament in Italy and the European Champions League.

So finally, the Spanish or the Dutch will win the World Cup. An old seafaring rivalry is renewed!

As long as we're making picks, I say Germany wins the third place game.

South Africa 2010: The Quarters

Here I thought I had something special going when I picked 7 of 8 matches correctly in the Round of 16. My quarterfinal picks were just awful: only 1 of 4 correct. For what it's worth, my picks for the semis are Netherlands and Spain. I think that would be a great match-up for many reasons but mostly because they are both well overdue for a World Cup title and if they play each other, one of them would finally get to win. For the same reasons, I feel a match between 3-time champion Germany and 2-time champion Uruguay would be very disappointing.

So, of my original story lines, only Spain is left. I still say they win it.

South Africa 2010: Down to Eight

I am disappointed for the Japanese. They played brilliantly - just not well enough. Asia was well-represented this tournament. And I do think we'll be hearing from Keisuke Honda again.

Meanwhile, the South American dominance continues. Can they all make it to the semis? I'm guessing no.

I was 7 for 8 this round: not bad but how unfortunate that the one I cared about most didn't work out. My picks for the semis: Brazil, Ghana, Argentina and Spain.

South Africa 2010: Gambare!

The Dutch and the Brazilians won today: big surprises neither. Of course, now they have to play each other. I say Brazil.

I'm 6 for 6 with my round of 16 picks thus far. I hope my luck holds out for the Japanese tomorrow. It should be a good match. I think they can do it.

South Africa 2010: Instant Replay?

I got an e-mail from My Dad this morning to say he'd actually watched some of the Ghana-USA match yesterday. We both admitted to pulling for Ghana. I only recently told my parents about my blog and they've been reading it. I've worried a little that My Dad might be a little put off by my characterization of him as a non-fan. But in truth, I think it's a nice thing that I developed interests separate from those of my family. I am grateful for our common ground, of course, but our differences are important to me, too.

There were some pretty obvious bad calls in both games today: the refs missed what would have been England's second goal in the first game and the Argentines were clearly offside for their second goal in the later match. In the end, the calls didn't really matter for either game but there have been enough questionable calls and non-calls in this tournament to merit discussion of some instant replay provisions. I can understand why they might not want to add a review procedure to a sport in which delay tactics are a highly sophisticated dramatic art form but I think it's always worth doing what can reasonably be done to get calls right. In the long run, it saves headaches on all sides.

Argentina-Germany: a storied soccer rivalry, having faced one another in the final game of two consecutive Cups. The Argentines won in '86, the Germans in '90. I think Argentina takes it this time.

South Africa 2010: Yanks Go Home

Uruguay wins and South American dominance continues. Ghana wins and the African dream lives. Who wins their match against each other? I say Ghana.

Don't spend too much time feeling sad for Team USA. They had a great tournament. Ghana was an unfortunate draw for them for the second round - it's tough to beat a team now burdened with the hopes and dreams of a soccer-crazy continent. The American team is well on its way to establishing itself among the world's elite.

South Africa 2010: The Field Is Halved

Well, Ivory Coast didn't make up the 9-goal deficit between them and Portugal but it was sure fun watching them try. In the end, it didn't matter with Portugal achieving a draw against Brazil.

South America is 5 for 5. Chile didn't win its group but it did make it out of the group stage. South America's 100% success rate far exceeds anyone else's.

With the group stage finished, it's time to check in on our story lines.

Brazil is in great shape. It's a shame they drew Chile in the next round. It would have been great to see all five South American teams make it to the quarters.

The Spanish team should buy Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Brava a beer this evening. He gifted them a goal, thus gifting them a win. Spain still would have advanced with a draw but the win allowed them to win the group, thus avoiding Brazil in the next round. Instead, their all-Iberian tilt with Portugal should be the highlight match of the second round.

The Africa story is now just the Ghana story. In my ESPN bracket, I have them going all the way to the semis. Can they do it?

My picks for the second round: Uruguay, Ghana, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, Brazil, Japan and Spain.

South Africa 2010: The Sun Rises Out of the Group Stage

Paraguay wins their group, making it three for South America so far. Can Brazil and Chile make it 5 for 5? And really, who would have thought that New Zealand would have a better World Cup than either France or Italy? For that matter, so did Australia.

The Japan match was downright inspiring. Keisuke Honda is quite an exciting midfielder! He currently plays for CSKA Moscow but he's another one who I'm sure will be drawing interest from bigger clubs.

South Africa 2010: Landon's Day

That goal by Landon Donovan was just amazing. You could feel the weight lift off of the entire team. For Donovan himself, it was clearly THE moment of an illustrious career. Well done, gentlemen!

But the real heroes of the day, the ones who may have saved the whole tournament for the host continent, were the Australians. The Socceroos, in defeating Serbia, helped Ghana to advance out of the group stage, likely the only African nation which will be able to do so. I suppose it's possible that Ivory Coast can overcome the 9-goal deficit between them and Portugal but it's unlikely.

All of this sets up a USA-Ghana tilt in the next round. Naturally, I would want the Americans to win. It would be great for soccer in our country. But Ghana winning would be pretty exciting, too: great for the event and therefore great for the global game. A win-win?

South Africa 2010: Goodbye to Angelo

My doppelganger met Angelo and his friends one last time to watch Greece take on Argentina. The Greek team, sadly, was no match for the South American powerhouse. There were many drinks, many tears, many laughs, many calls of wait until next time. Or at least I assume that was what they were saying. I sang along to their songs as best I could. We wished each other well. My doppelganger will have to say goodbye to Greece soon - on to who knows where.

Back in Vermont, Our Girl has had well enough of the vuvezelas and asked if we could listen to the Beatles instead. I'm always happy to comply with that. She knows the Beatles as simply "Daddy's favorite band" and will request them as such. It just makes my heart melt. We went with Help!, her favorite album followed by Revolver, probably mine. The World Cup and the Fab Four are a lovely combination.

And so, two groups finished today, both won by South American teams. A pattern is definitely emerging. Meanwhile, I can hardly believe France is going home with only one goal for the tournament. It was nice to see Henry in the game, though.

South Africa 2010: South American Dominance

Everybody's played two games so it's time to take stock.

Brazil - Well, that's much better. The Brazilians are already through to the knockout round. They can rest players as needed against Portugal. My guess is that Portugal wins that game and also moves on to the next round.

Spain - I'm sure they feel better after today's win but Spain's in trouble. They've got a much tougher opponent in Chile than the Swiss will have in Honduras. In fact, I think Chile can beat them. If the Swiss also manage a win, Spain's going home. Wow!

Africa - It's hard to paint the results for the African teams as anything but disappointing so far. As I see it, Ghana has the best chance of moving on but Germany looms and you know they'll be motivated!

Rather quietly, this has become a South American tournament. All five South American nations lead their respective groups and I see all of them moving on to the next round.

Amazingly, only four teams have won two games: Argentina, The Netherlands, Brazil and Chile. Argentina has the best goal difference of that group at +4. With one group game left for everyone, the real fun begins.

South Africa 2010: Happy Father's Day

It was disappointing to see Ivory Coast go down so decisively. I had high hopes for that match and it certainly started off well. But how about New Zealand? After all that talk that they were lucky just to make it, that they would have to work not to be the worst World Cup team ever, they manage a draw against the defending champions! Paraguay will certainly make it out of the group and I think the Italians, despite their mediocre play, will ultimately be the ones to join them.

Happy Father's Day to all! The ladies gave me breakfast in bed, some gifts Our Girl had made at school and a basketball. I haven't had my own basketball in years. We went to a book store, too, and I picked up a couple of sports-related titles: Strokes of Genius by L. Jon Wertheim and Satchel by Larry Tye.

South Africa 2010: The Dutch Are the First Team Through

So, the Dutch are the first to officially make it through to the knockout stage. No surprise there. What is surprising is that Japan has the inside track to finish second in the group. If they draw with Denmark, they have the goal difference advantage. I think they can take the Danes, too.

Group D has been full of surprises, too, what with both Serbia and Australia both making much better showings in their second games. I see Serbia and Ghana making it through and the Germans going home - quite a switch from starting out so strong.

South Africa 2010: Poor England

I love a good upset so the Serbia-Germany game was delightful. So much for thinking the Germans were the best team in the tournament! I missed the USA game as I was out running an errand and therefore missed the questionable call. I think the US still makes it out of the group, as does Slovenia. Poor England. But what can you say? The Algerians came ready to play.

South Africa 2010: He's a Keeper

Fun Link

South African Vuvuzela Phiharmonic Angered by Soccer Games Breaking out During Concerts from The Onion


Argentina v. South Korea

You know, even though they lost, I was impressed with how the Koreans played. They never stopped fighting even when they fell behind. I'm surprised by how quickly you see the life go out of some teams even when they're just a goal down.

The Argentines were just better - in every section of the pitch. They were typically brilliant offensively but also did a great job of clogging the goal box in their own end. Brilliant midfield play, too. The rest of the field is on notice!


Greece v. Nigeria

My doppelganger met up again with Angelo and his pals at the bar in Athens. The atmosphere was much more cheerful this time as Greece played much better. Everyone knows that the next match against Argentina will be the toughest but the Greeks pulled off the impossible by winning Euro 2004 so who knows? The possibility remains of making it out of the group stage so, of course we're meeting again on Tuesday for the next match.

Angelo, my doppelganger and I are all very impressed by Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper. He has been Man of the Match twice, both Nigerian losses. He was brilliant today, really the only reason his team was able to keep it close, especially once they went down a man. Enyeama current plays for a club in Israel. He's only 27 - young for a goalie. Somehow, I think Hapoel Tel Aviv is going to start getting a lot of calls from higher profile European clubs interested in a transfer.

With two more matches left in this group, I'm expecting Argentina and South Korea to advance.


Mexico v. France

What an exciting win for Mexico! And how sad it was to see Thierry Henry sitting helplessly on the bench. And no, I don't think Hernandez was offside. It was close but he wasn't.

For this group, it sure looks like Uruguay and Mexico moving through. Who'd have thought?

South Africa 2010: Somewhere, Federer Is Smiling

Here I was all set to say that Japan over Cameroon was the upset of the tournament so far. The Swiss just had to ruin it!

Everyone's played their first game so it would seem appropriate to take stock. Checking in with the co-favorites first, Brazil should be worried. They were lucky to win against the North Koreans and they've got two much tougher games ahead with Portugal and Ivory Coast. Spain is, no doubt, in shock over today's loss. They still have two games to go, of course, and could still make it out of the group. Honduras should be a win but Chile could be tough.

On the brighter side, the two most impressive teams thus far have been Germany and the Netherlands. Germany is the only team to have scored more than two goals in a game thus far. They still have their toughest group games ahead with Ghana and Serbia but true to form, the Germans are off to a great start.

The Dutch handled a good Danish team rather easily. At least on paper, Japan should be an easier match for them but the team will no doubt be inspired by its win against Cameroon. Then the Dutch will have to face a Cameroon side possibly looking for a win just to make it out of the group.

South Africa 2010: Kiwis

I had the games on ESPN3 today as I was packing up my classroom for the summer. Another year down - ten weeks to recover.

Obviously, the big surprise of the day is New Zealand's draw against Slovakia. The All Whites did well just to make it to the tournament and were generally considered to be the weakest in the field of 32 nations. To gain a draw against a European team is an excellent result.

I am very fond of New Zealand. I was there for about two weeks around Christmas time one year during my time in Japan - well before The Lord of the Rings started filming. It is an astonishingly beautiful country. Postcards barely do it justice. People are very friendly, too. In shops, they kept calling me "Love." "Can I get you anything else, Love?" So sweet.

Now that all six African nations have played their first match, it seems appropriate to see where everyone stands and assess the road ahead for each:

- Ghana is in the best shape of the six. Their win over Serbia was big. Australia should be easier and assuming they win that, there will be less riding on their match with the beast that is Germany.

- Nigeria is probably in the next best position. Even though they lost their opening match against Argentina, they played well and their toughest group opponent is now out of the way.

- Ivory Coast has to be delighted that Drogba is playing but a victory over Portugal rather than a 0-0 draw would have made life much easier. Brazil is up next for them, a major test for both squads. North Korea appeared an easy win at the beginning of the tournament but with their strong effort in defeat today, who knows?

- South Africa did well to draw against Mexico but life doesn't get much easier with Uruguay and France left to play.

- Cameroon is definitely in a hole. Major kudos to Japan for pulling off the upset but what had appeared to be at least the healthiest African team in the beginning now has a very tough road ahead.

- Algeria also lost to what should have been its easiest opponent in its group.

South Africa 2010: The Rising Sun

There were other games today, of course. I can hardly express how excited I am about Japan's win over Cameroon. I watched most of the second half via ESPN3 and was very impressed by how hard they fought to protect their lead. They won the game in the midfield, mostly on the defensive side. They're in a tough group with the Netherlands and Denmark still to come but I think it's fair to say that they've already performed beyond expectations.

I love that you can get ESPN3 in different languages. I watched the Japan game in Japanese and what I could of the Italy-Paraguay match in German. Soccer shall be my path to multilingualism! I'm not too surprised by the Italy-Paraguay draw. The Italians, like the Argentines, are notoriously slow starters and Paraguay, as I've noted before, usually exceeds expectations.

South Africa 2010: The Orange Crush

The Dutch played their first match today, a 2-0 victory over Denmark. The Dutch team is known in the Netherlands as Oranje, after their garishly orange jerseys. Now, if you've read previous posts, you may have noticed that I have some issues with the color orange. It's lovely in sunsets and beautiful on fruit. However, as a color for clothing I think it is the one hue that looks universally horrible on people. I have to admit, though, that orange soccer jerseys are a very important link to my own childhood and my personal history with this wonderful game.

My parents signed me up for my first youth soccer team in the spring of my first grade year. I knew exactly nothing about soccer going in except that you couldn't use your hands. In fact, to say I wasn't much of an athlete at that age is putting it mildly. My own adoring grandmother begged my parents to let me quit as she watched me struggle just to run around the field. I would have none of it, though, and that team turned out to be one of the most positive experiences of my youth.

It was an unusual team for many reasons. We got orange jerseys the first season (did our coach get last pick?) and given our success, losing just one game, our coaches seemed to believe it was good luck and we were always The Orange Crush thereafter. The team was also very good. I take no personal credit for that. In fact, I ran into one of my teammates in New York as an adult and even all those years later, we marveled at how lucky we were to ride the coattails of such exceptional athletes.

There was a lot of talent on our team. A few played soccer through high school, others switched to football, basketball and baseball with great success. But the other teams had good players, too. The star of our arch-rival team was A.J. Wood. If you've heard the name, it's because he went on to break the NCAA tournament career goal-scoring record and lead the University of Virginia to four consecutive national championships. I think he made the Olympic team, too, and may have played professionally for a while. And yet, more often than not, we beat his team. And the reasons why are the same reasons why that experience was such a great one for all of us.

The first season, we were undoubtedly the typical youth soccer team that chased after the ball in little boy clumps. But after finishing first in our league, we were bumped up to a more competitive group in the fall. We still won more than we lost but it was clear that talent alone was not going to see us through. In hindsight, I realize we had some very thoughtful coaches who did a great job of teaching us fundamentals as well as how to play each of the positions.

But most importantly, we were taught to be a team. I am fairly certain that I was the weakest player on that team. I know for a fact that I was the only one who never scored a goal. But I also know that I got better with each season because I never got anything less than encouragement from my coaches and teammates. And best of all, I was never made to feel as if I didn't belong - never by a parent and never by one of the other boys. And I mean never. We all carry with us the put downs we hear as children but it just didn't happen on that team. We were the Orange Crush. We lost as a team. We drew as a team. Far more often than not, we won as a team. In each of our last three seasons together, we won the league. In our sixth and final season, we went undefeated. We.

That atmosphere didn't happen by accident, either. That unusual team was born of an unusual group of parents. I didn't know all of the machinations behind the scenes at the time. Probably, none of the boys did. My mom and dad only later told me the stories of the parent meetings. It was a high-powered group: doctors, lawyers, high-ranking government officials, even a Presidential advisor. This group of A-types made a conscious decision that winning would not be the most important thing for us. Learning the game, learning to be a team and having a positive experience would be the priorities. The fact that we won anyway was a bonus.

After that sixth season, our stars moved on to select teams and the rest of us went our separate ways. I joined a rec league team and switched from forward to goalkeeper. It turned out to be a much better position for me but our team was awful. Let's just say I was a very busy goalie. I rode the bench as the backup keeper for one year of junior high. I didn't make the team in high school. My sister recruited me to join the band instead and the rest, as they say, is history. At the time, I was a little sad that my soccer days were over. In hindsight, I am grateful to have discovered that my talents and temperament were better suited to other endeavors.

I went to high school with several of the guys but all but one or two of them ran in different circles from mine. And yet, I have run into them from time to time since: online, at reunions and once that chance encounter in Manhattan mentioned above (a good story for another day). Whenever I have seen them, one of us will inevitably mention the Orange Crush and we can't help but smile. Even all these years later, all of us surely having been members of other successful organizations, I think we all know we were a part of something special.

To this day, when I smell fresh-cut grass on a Saturday morning, I have Proustian memories of those games. I can still taste the orange slices at halftime. I can still hear our parents yelling, "Go, Orange! Hustle!" I can still remember winning, but more importantly, belonging.

And that, dear friends, is why I love this game. But I still would have preferred red.