I fully expect to be alone with these posts-but I admit it, I'm a soccer freak! I used to play and I attended a World Cup game at Giants Stadium in 1994, I've seen Man U and Barcelona play, I've been to NASL, MISL, and MLS games including the MLS Cup in 1996 when I watched from the press box at RFK Stadium when I worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and I love it!
I was horribly disappointed by the terrible, uninspired, clueless play by the US in the first 2 games vs. Italy and Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup this week, but yesterday was nuts! They had to beat a tough Egypt team who had already uspet Italy by 3 goals and Italy had to lose to Brazil by 3 goals for the US to adavance. Odds: 1-1,000,000,000. Results: US 3, Egypt 0 and Brazil 3, Italy 0 of course!
Huge game against Spain on Wed. afternoon-Spain has won 15 staright-an international record. I just hope the US play hard and smart, that's all.
Can't wait for MLS to come to Philly next year-what has happened in Seattle this year is amazing-30,000 every game. Last week's 3-3 tie with DC on ESPN was awesome.
OK-mock me for loving soccer now-I fully expect it! Maybe a UK poster will save me from being alone here?

We have a new MLS team in Seattle, & I wish I could get into it. They're winning & we lost our (male) basketball team, but it just doesn't do it for me. I'm more interested in our WNBA team then in the Soccer team! I can't even remember there name, except it includes Seattle & FC.

I'm with you IP. I played a little and I went to high school with Bob Bradley, the US coach (although I didn't play on the varsity team with him, I was a freshman). I thought it was a miracle of sorts that we went through to the next round after playing pretty poorly in the two losses. Spain is going to be a major test.

Back in the mid/late 70's, my father always used to take me to Giants Stadium to see New York Cosmos in their heyday. I got caught up in it, but when the NASL folded, I lost interest in soccer all together....was already a bigger baseball fan.

Federico:
What school was that? Bradley has done a fairly good job so far and his son is a damn good player that's for sure.

I went to West Essex High School in north Jersey. Bradley was part of a team that for two or three years went undefeated and I think had a string of 3 state championships. I never played varsity, basically chose music over sports so I'm not bragging.

I've been pretty happy with his coaching although for some reason the team sometimes comes out and plays flat.

Great topic, Pete! I used to play also, and watch games now when I can. I'm not much into MSL, but I did get to attend the opening round games of the '84 Olympics, held at Annapolis MD (plus a mini-opening ceremony to boot!). I also follow some college teams, and of course the US team.

Spain will be a tough draw, but we should be getting a few players back from injury, so anything can happen!

I played soccer as a kid, my kids play now. While I don't follow the major leagues that closely (although I do cheer for the Toronto FC up here), I follow the Euro and World Cups pretty intensely... hard not to get sewpt up in the excitment.

The Confederation Cup wasn't set up as a favourite for me since it seemed pretty clear from the get go who the top three teams would be (Brazil, Spain, Italy), but obviously I was wrong about Italy. Seems like its been a good tourney so far. Brazil and Spain in the final.

I didn't think they could pull it off, an amazing, well-played win for the US.

USA! USA! USA!
We just had the pleasure of watching what easily could be the greatest victory in US soccer history as we whipped up on #1 Spain 2-0. Goals by Altidore and Dempsey. Spain had won 15 straight-an international record and were unbeaten in 35 straight. Holy shit.
Next up-Brazil or South Africa in the Championship game on Sunday 2pm!

Again-holy shit! I am stunned-this is so great!

Wow. I was not expecting that. Now I suppose South Africa will knock off Brazil?!?

Brazil wins 1-0 on an amazing direct kick in the 87th minute.
US-Brazil-should be fun! Brazil did not look good today, but then again, they slaughtered the US earlier 3-0. I'm having a BBQ that day (Sunday) and at least 15 of us are soccer nuts so we should have fun-and if the US gets killed, we'll just play FIFA Soccer on the Wii.

Wow, South Africa's defence must have played a solid game. Should be a good final.

Of course the US stunned Spain and almost shocked Brazil losing 3-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead. But man they played great and then laid a huge egg against Mexico in the Gold Cup final in July. But that game was a joke as it was essentially the 3rd string US squad.
What a huge game this Wed at 4pm as the US-Mexico World Cup qualifier takes place in Mexico. Should be a bloodbath-can't wait! Also, I'm glad to see Beckham playing well, as well as the Galaxy playing well-MLS needs them to win.
Hope the US shows up on Wednesday!

Don't forget the big game today at 4pm-only on Telemundo. I'll have to brush up on my Spanish. Arroz con pollo.

Well, the US lost 2-1 and only played OK. They need to step it up or they won't even make the World Cup-this team is so flawed offensively it's sad.

Reviving this thread because soccer rules and the World Cup is this year!
I attended the Union home opener tonight-VP Biden was there so there was lots of security. Over 35,000 were there and what a game as Le Toux had a hat trick and the Union won 3-2 in their first home game ever over DC United. It was awesome and exciting. Plus, one of the worst goals in history happened when Union keeper Chris Seitz basically missed kicking the ball and that was then put into an open net-AWFUL. yet they came back and won anyway.
Great stuff-great fireworks too. The crowd was so animated, and the supporters section with the Sons Of Ben (yes, named after Ben Franklin, and yes, they're nuts) was loud all night, but I wouldn't hang out with those people any time soon.
I love MLS and I love soccer-can't wait for the World Cup-my friend Mick is going to South Africa for it-lucky bastard.
British Premier League is winding down too, and the race is a good one!

Wouldn't that be soccer LAWS? Soccer doesn't have rules...

Alan
(certified referee)

Although I was curious to see the goal where Seitz screwed up because the opposing player is supposed to allow the goalie to put the ball back into play. From some of the descriptions, it sounded like maybe a foul could have been called, but after seeing it, not so much. Just looked like a brain fart.

Yeah, it was a brain fart and a damn funny one (only because they won was it funny). Just an awful play-totally indecisive and no way a goalie should be bothered by a defender doing that-it's so common.
The Union play Toronto on Thursday on ESPN2 so I hope they can keep the momentum going.
The Flyers don't play that night so it works out for me, although I'll miss the first half being at work.

The US looked terrible against the Czechs tonight losing at home 4-2. Next game is in Philly this Saturday versus Turkey-expect to see all the starters play.
The World Cup is only a few weeks away!

FIFA World Cup 2010 starts tomorrow-the biggest sporting event in the world. I can't be the only here watching it, am I?
Also, does anyone know who is in the FIFA World Cup concert that airs on ABC Friday night? I think the actual show was tonight.
Mexico-South Africa kicks it off 10 am EST tomorrow!
US-England Saturday at 2:30pm on ABC!!!

I will end up watching some of it to watch the refs and try to learn something. And I'll probably watch the US-England game because my bosses are in the UK. But my son is the one who'll really be paying attention.