I don’t think I’ll ever become a rabid soccer fan, unless they get rid of the offside rule and penalize flopping, but I have always loved the World Cup and the drama it involves….
There’s something about country vs. country that trumps city against city….
I’ve even grown to like the vuvuzelas….
One of my dreams is to attend a World Cup someday, for the following reasons:
1) In every shot I see of the crowd or in the areas nearby, there are lots of beautiful women. And not just pretty girls, but foreign hotties. Since I prefer European and foreign women to Americans, It sounds like heaven.
2) When national pride is at stake, it ramps up the intensity and passion of the fans. Sure, we in Los Angeles hate the Celtics and the city of Boston; but we’re both part of the United States and would fight side-by-side against a common enemy. Country against country, however, raises hatred and passion to new levels. To be on the scene of such intense national pride would be awesome.
3) The 2014 World Cup is in Brazil. Enough said.
I’ve known a few guys who went to Rio on vacation and the same pattern took place: 1) If they were married or had a girlfriend, they ended the relationship as soon as they returned home. 2) They went back at least once a year for the rest of their lives….
When I asked my married friend why he filed divorce papers less than a week after returning to L.A, he went on and on about Brazilian women: “They’re selling a dream, man. They’re beautiful, friendly, don’t nag and encourage a man to be a man. In other words, totally the opposite of our women.” When I asked him if he at least waited a week or so before he cheated, he said, “I didn’t last a day.”….
So here’s my advice for anyone planning a trip to Brazil for World Cup 2014: If you’re married, file divorce papers and have them finalized before your trip. If you’re single, break off the relationship and run to the airport….
So I guess I’m off to Brazil in 2014….
As for the action on the field in South Africa, it’s been very interesting. I watched the entire USA-Algeria match and it was about as good as it gets for no goals….
The situation was dire: If Team USA did not win, they were eliminated. If they were victorious, they won their group and advanced to the Final 16….
After 90 minutes, the score was 0-0 and unless we scored in two minutes of extra time, it was all over. Incredibly, Landon Donovan scored with less than a minute remaining and the Americans lived to fight another day….
Unfortunately we lost to Ghana on Saturday and were eliminated, but it was a very exciting Cup for Team USA….
The great news was the elimination of Mexico, at the hands of Argentina. In fact, I think I’d rather see the Mexicans lose than the Americans win. That’s the level of animosity I have for them and their low-life fans….
Any group of people who chant “Osama!” over and over again during a match against an American team is scum. Add to this the burning of Old Glory, stomping on and spitting on our flag, booing our national anthem and throwing bottles of piss on American players and fans….
And don’t try and tell me it’s a small of minority of idiots and doesn’t represent the feelings of the majority of Mexican fans in attendance. The stadiums were rocking with this ugly behavior and it was a vast majority participating….
I have personal experience with this, attending a USA-Mexico “friendly” at the Rose Bowl on June 4, 1994, shortly before the World Cup….
I was a teacher at the time and one of my students gave me a ticket for the game. I didn’t know anything about soccer and didn’t care who won, but it seemed like fun to sit in a packed stadium for a rivalry game….
Wow, was I in for a surpise….
From the start, the Mexican fans were intimidating, ugly, drunk, violent, obnoxious, disrespectful and behaved like barbarians….
The place was packed with 100,000 people; 99,000 of whom were cheering for the “tricolores.”….
Nothing wrong with that, because cheering for your team and having pride in your country is a good thing. But when your behavior turns violent and ugly, that’s when a line must be drawn….
There were around 1,000 of us sitting above the tunnel where the players entered, and we were targeted from the beginning….
Before the game started, we were pelted with food, soda and urine. Any objections were met with foul-mouthed replies, middle fingers and threats to beat the hell out of us….
As the Americans came out of the tunnel, the booing was so loud we couldn’t hear ourselves. There were obscene, profanity-laden chants about America and I was literally shocked at what was going on….
Naive isn’t nearly strong enough to describe me that night….
About 20 rows above me, a couple of Mexican fans were pissing into beer cups and threw them at American players waiting to take the field. It was surreal….
Before the game, our National Anthem was booed so loudly we couldn’t hear the music….
During the entire 90 minutes, anti-USA chants filled the air, along with cursing, swearing and threats. I’ve never been so fearful in my life and it made a Raiders game seem like a church outing….
I turned to the people with me and said “We will be very fortunate to make it out of here alive.”….
We won the match 1-0, which suprisingly was not met with joy by the Mexican fans….
On the way out, American fans were beaten, cursed, insulted and had piss bombs thrown at them. The players literally had to run to the dressing room, because the opposing fans were leaning over the tunnel with piss-filled cups and plastic bags….
Ever since that day, I’ve held a grudge and cheered against the Mexican national team whenever they play. Until that day, I thought I disliked the Raiders more than anything….
Not anymore. I love the Raiders with all my heart compared to the tricolores….
Since that night 16 years ago, the scene has been repeated over and over; with Mexican fans disgracing their team and country with their deplorable behavior. Any time we play them, especially in Mexico, they are disrespectful, vile and shockingly anti-American….
So even though America was eliminated on Saturday, the day was saved by Mexico getting trounced….
It wasn’t as good as when we beat them 2-0 in the knockout round of the 2002 World Cup, though. That was the greatest day in soccer history….
The England-Germany match was also fascinating; considering the countries have fought in two World Wars and despise each other….
Of course, almost every country in Europe holds animosity toward Germany….
Except for the French, I guess, who seemed to welcome them with open arms around 60 years ago….
Anyway, the Germans looked great in trouncing the Brits and advanced to the Final Eight….
Sure, the officiating was horses*** and cost England a goal, but the Germans were much better and would have won anyway….
The papers in England are a must read, with the fans ripping into their team. They are so passionate it’s unbelievable….
Finally, they need to do something about the ridiculous offside rule, which kills action and eliminates scoring….
In football, if you allow your man to get by you, it’s a TD….
I know they don’t want players hanging around the goal and cherry picking, but a compromise could be putting in a blue line, like they do in hockey. Put it between midfield and the goal box and once the ball crosses it there is no offside….
Or just make this adjustment: Once the ball crosses midfield, there’s no offside. And I mean when the ball lands, not a long kick which crosses midfield and lands near the goalie….
A simple change to the offside rule would make the game much more watchable….