Watching the U.S./England game yesterday, I was struck by the fact that the U.S. team doesn’t have any creative chants. The England fans in attendance repeatedly drowned the bar with well-orchestrated cheers, all the while swaying back and forth with mugs in their hands. Our response was the dreadfully mediocre “U.S.A., U.S.A, U.S.A.,” yelped ad nauseam until the crowd ran out of gas. Even more embarrassing was when one section tried to substitute “U.S.A.” for “Ole” in the song of the same name. You can imagine the disappointing results.
Now we have Weezer, helmed by soccer fanatic Rivers Cuomo, contributing their own offering to the U.S. national team’s musical canon. The song is called “Represent” and…
In defeating Serbia 1-0 earlier today Ghana became the first African team to win a World Cup match on the continent.
Though the first half failed to produce any goals, there were chances at either end. Despite early intent from Serbia, it was the Black Stars who looked the more likely team to open the scoring. After the interval, the pattern of the game remained the same until Aleksandar Lukovic was dismissed for a second booking, inviting Ghana to really go for the jugular late on. And the Africans aimed the decisive blow from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the game when Asamoah Gyan thumped high into the net.
This is a huge victory for Ghana, and to think they achieved it without star midfielder Michael Essien. Serbia and Germany were expected to advance, but now the Ghanaians are sitting pretty with three points in their pool. Better yet, they get to play a weak Australia squad next game, and it won’t be until Game 3 that they face the challenging Germans.
Brad Childress has made it clear that he’s upset with Adrian Peterson for not showing up at the Vikings’ most recent minicamp. Of course Brett Favre isn’t there, but if Brett wanted to walk around the team complex in his underwear and punch babies in his free time, then Childress has no problem with that. Brett can do whatever he damn well pleases.
From ESPN.com:
Childress opened his post-practice media session by noting this is a “mandatory minicamp.” He provided terse answers about Peterson’s absence, suggested that discipline will be discussed and mocked the significance of “the fourth annual Adrian Peterson day” in Palestine, Texas.
Does it annoy you that he’s not here?
BC: I just know that there’s a bunch of guys here. This has a term “mandatory” for a reason. The work is here. Period. You can say whatever you want. This is the fourth annual Adrian Peterson day. I don’t know if it’s going to be every year. But we’re going to have this, too. …
When did he inform you he wouldn’t be here?
BC: In my office on Thursday. Maybe Wednesday.
Was that a surprise or did you know it was a possibility?
BC: I think somebody showed me something on a website. I had an inkling. Let’s put it that way. I didn’t know if he was going to come out here and practice this afternoon, and then catch a late flight. I didn’t know how he would.
Are you worried that players will start to question the standard you have set for Favre and want to skip camps?
BC: First of all, that’s a special circumstance. I don’t think Adrian is batting around retirement in his mind. It’s a special set of circumstances. Is it special? Is everything equal? Obviously it’s not. That’s just the way it is. It’s a matter of fact. I think everyone understands that from our side.
Sorry, but that’s horseshit. If Childress is going to have a rule that all players must show up to mandatory workouts, then Favre shouldn’t be exempt from that. I realize Brett has a Super Bowl ring on his shelf and Peterson doesn’t, but this is exactly why people shouldn’t respect Childress. This is the second year that he’s bent over and taken it square up the pooper from Favre and if it weren’t so sad, I’d find it humorous that he goes along with whatever Lord Brett wants.
Do I think Peterson should be at camp instead of at a parade? Yeah. But so should Favre. I don’t care how old he is or what injury he’s milking – if he wants to be a part of the Vikings, then he should be in mandatory camps just like everyone else. And don’t tell me that just because Brett knows the offense like the back of his hand that he doesn’t need to be in camp with his teammates. Last time I checked, the Vikings didn’t win the Super Bowl last year.
UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin takes place tonight from the General Motors Palace in Vancouver, British Columbia. The card is pretty solid but not overwhelming. Here are my thoughts on each of the main card bouts.
Light Heavyweight Bout – Chuck Liddell (21-7) vs. Rich Franklin (27-5) – Both of these guys are past their prime and looking for another win to add to their career list. Liddell looks to be in great shape for the fight but unless he changes the way he fights, he is probably in trouble. Franklin is a more technical striker and he utilizes body kicks, which Liddell will have trouble with. I expect Franklin to use his jab to keep Liddell and bay and slowly wear him down before scoring a big punch that leads to a finish in the third round.
Heavyweight Bout – Mirko Cro Cop (26-7) vs. Pat Barry (5-1) – This should be a very entertaining fight as neither fighter wants it to go to the ground and both are excellent with their kicks. Unfortunately for Cro Cop, he has lost his killer instinct that made him a star and his apprehension will allow Barry to set the tone with his brutal leg kicks. Look for Barry to win this fight by a TKO in the second round.
Welterweight Bout – Paulo Thiago (13-1) vs. Martin Kampmann (16-3) – Kampmann seems to be getting overlooked in this fight as he is a tough guy to beat and he is very well-rounded. Thiago is probably over-confident in his striking after his last win over Mike Swick, but that will play into Kampmann’s favor. Look for the Dane to get a decision victory as he dictates the pacing and location of the bout. Heavyweight Bout – Ben Rothwell (30-7) vs. Gilbert Yvel (36-14-1) – These are two big sluggers that are going to probably tire themselves out early in the fight. The key to victory will be the bigger size and better wrestling skill of Rothwell, who should be able to use his weight to lay on Yvel and tire him out quicker. Once Yvel is gassed, look for Rothwell to pounce and score a second round TKO win.
Welterweight Bout – Carlos Condit (24-5) vs. Rory MacDonald (10-0) – There is a lot of promise in MacDonald, who is just 20-years-old, but he is stepping up in competition with this fight against the experienced Condit. Condit will be ready anywhere the fight goes and MacDonald still has some learning to do before he can get into contender status. Look for Condit to out-class MacDonald on their feet and on the ground as he scores a decision win.
I’ve been reading a bunch of recaps on this game, and everyone is describing the U.S. team as a “force” or some other obligatory hyperbole.
Are you kidding me? Look through your afternoon buzz and realize that, aside from goalie Tim Howard, we looked capable at best.
I watched the game at a crowded pub in Agoura Hills, Calif., surrounded by seasoned English soccer enthusiasts and fledgling converts of the U.S. squad. Any budding energy on the U.S. side was instantly deflated in the fourth minute when England captain Steven Gerrard netted a goal inside the box. Things did not look good, but at least a goal early on is much easier to mitigate than one late into the game.
As the game drudged toward the half, I didn’t see anything that resembled a promising U.S. effort. England must of had control of the ball at least 80 percent of the time, continuing to make short passes and well-structured runs that kept the U.S. defense scrambling and Howard on his toes. When the U.S. finally snagged the ball it was all about sending it downfield for an ill-advised breakaway or improbable cross.
Our team looked directionless. Where was that touted counterattack that was supposedly our ace in the hole? If I were an England fan I would have felt fairly comfortable heading into halftime. The British squad had a stranglehold on the game, what with the dismal U.S. offense and its patchy defense.
But. But! Aha! Despite boasting an organized offense, England fans were already worried about the most important factor of a team’s defense: its goalie. Robert Green plays in the English Premier League but is known for having some of the most unfortunate hands; U.S. goalie Howard also plays in the EPL, but thankfully he’s with the Yanks and exudes leadership qualities that Green might never hold. In the 40th minute Green’s weaknesses shined as U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey lined a shot toward the opposing goalkeeper. Green knelt down for the manageable save, but fumbled the ball. As the sphere stumbled into the goal, Green collapsed mournfully along with Three Lions fans everywhere. Pikey’s Pub in Agoura Hills, however, came alive, and it was clear more U.S. fans had showed up to rally their team on their own soil.
By the second half, the idea of an “underdog” had left my mind. The U.S. goal was a gift from above (or a curse from below, depending on who you’re rooting for), but now we had two evenly-matched teams on the pitch. Both England and the U.S. created runs and pounded the net. Neither controlled the tempo, but fought for it. It was the finest half so far in the World Cup, and fans of both teams should be proud.
Yet, England will come out the curmudgeon as they were heavily favored. As for the U.S., this team at times played like 11 bashful opportunists, and that won’t fly at this level. If they expect to go deep into this tournament they need to replicate the play-making they exhibited in the second half.
