Quick(est) Pick: Spain

Spain over the Netherlands 2-1. Dashing off to watch the game ... enjoy.

Quick Pick: Spain will find its Mojo

Spain v. Germany

This game looks like a final. It certainly has the pedigree — three-time champions Germany have made the semifinals in each of the last four World Cups; and perennial underachievers Spain have seemingly shrugged off their historical albatross, advancing to this, their first ever semifinal.

These two teams met in the final of Euro 2008, which served as Spain's coming out party. There, Spaniards beat Germans 1–0, a score line that said little about the way the former dominated the latter. Francisco Torres, much maligned in this tournament for not finding the back of the net, scored the game-winner two years ago, and looked threatening throughout.

At the beginning of the tournament I was quick to discount Germany's four-goal tally against Australia for lack of a quality opponent. And their supposed dismantling of England in truth looked more like the shuffling around of already broken pieces. But Germany's dominating win over Argentina, a team team blessed with abundant skill and, more importantly, riding high on confidence, was the real-deal. And, perhaps a result of their uncharacteristic youth, they do not lack for style and pace.

Still, for me, Spain will find a way. Their patience and confidence on the ball makes for a 90-minute master class in passing football. Their back-four keeps the ball better than most midfielders in the world—this group includes Gerard Pique, perhaps my favorite player at the World Cup, and the defender I always wished I could be. Until they struggled to find their trademark rhythm against Paraguay in the quarterfinals, they have looked like the best team in the tournament every time they stepped out on the field ... and that includes the opening game they lost to Switzerland, where they fell victim to Swiss opportunism and their own indifferent finishing.

It's that tendency in Spain to do the bare minimum that surely has Spanish fans nervous in the face of Germany's intimidating power and ruthless finishing. The question at hand may be style—Mediterranean panache pitted against Teutonic pragmatism—but it shouldn't be. It will matter little how stylishly the Spaniards pass the ball if the Germans take advantage of whatever handful of chances will inevitably fall their way. The stakes are zero-sum at this stage, the team with three World Cups to their name knows that well; so, too, should the team that has been repeatedly knocked out despite high expectations: lose one game and you're on a familiar flight home. Whether Spain can implement the lessons from generations of not-good-enough, as well as those learned in the Euro 2008 triumph, will make all the difference.

I still think Spain is the best team at the tournament — the most fun to watch and, when they're in the mood (admittedly rarely during this tournament), among the most dangerous attacking teams in the world. While I expect Germany to test Spain, I also expect them to bring out the killer instinct that has been missing from the Spanish side. Spain 3–1 Germany.

Quick pick: Netherlands through to the Finals

Netherlands v. Uruguay

I see Netherlands cruising to the finals. Uruguay looked overmatched against Ghana, and have an extra 30 minutes of grueling labor on their tired legs. To make matters worse, they're headed into today's game without one of their best players, Luis Suarez — he of sacrificial handballs.

Uruguay will look for Forlan on attack. The former Manchester United striker has had a revelatory tournament. And his whole team arguably deserves a spot in the finals on the basis of their pluck.

But ultimately, I think the Dutch team is just too talented and too deep for the South Americans. They could conceivably be in danger of looking beyond Uruguay at a massive all-Euro final, but I don't expect that. I predict a 2–0 win for the Oranje.

We Are All Korean Ladies

It's a roller coaster, this World Cup thing.

I haven't posted since before the U.S. loss to Ghana. That was last Saturday, back when the U.S. was looking at its best-ever chance at a WC semifinal; back when England had tentatively renewed its delusions of grandeur. Back then it looked like a South American party in South Africa, as tournament favorites Brazil looked strong (if not bonito) and Maradona's arsenal of good-luck paraphernalia was looking improbably successful.

And then things took a turn ... and a drop, and a twist.

Now, England is out, victims of the poorest call in a tournament notable for poor calls. Frank Lampard's goal that wasn't (I've used that phrase far too many times on this blog), has forced FIFA to re-examine its anti-technology stance. That stance, ensconced in romantic notions of a "pure" game was ludicrous to begin with, not to mention hugely hypocritical: the Jabulani's technological advancements have had more than their share of impact on this tournament ... but then again, Adidas does have a lot of money. And, now, with favorites Brazil and Argentina out, little Uruguay is the last South American standing. I wrote earlier about how upsetting the soccer establishment was one of the thrills of a non-European World Cup. Well, that's all moot now, but any fan of good football will be excited by the match ups to come.

A long time in the making ...

... that goal, the American's success, this blog post.

In extra time, just as everything looked lost, this scrappy and talented American team tapped into unbelievable energy reserves to make one last, glorious, barnstorming run on the Algerian goal. And when Landon Donavan slotted home the rebound off Clint Dempsey’s selfless body thrust/shot, he made an emphatic statement for the future of this game in our country.

For 90+ minutes, over coffee instead of a pint, we cheered, screamed, agonized and celebrated. When it was over, I wasn’t sure how to shake the buzz. To the detriment of my considerable list of chores, I spent the rest of the day watching highlights, chasing that feeling of elation. It was without a doubt the most engrossing sports watching experience I’ve ever had. Choosing my words carefully, I told Krista it might well have been the best non-marital day of my life.

As it turns out the fallout from that goal is just as exciting. In topping Group C by virtue of goals scored (three, versus England's two), the U.S. has vaulted into what is without doubt the easiest quadrant of the bracket. Consider the FIFA rankings, however dubious they may be. The United States, ranked 14th, is the technical favorite (don't tell them that) for a spot in the semifinals, ranked higher than Ghana (32), Uruguay (16) and South Korea (47). This means it’s now guaranteed that from among this unheralded quartet there will be at least one surprise guest in the semifinals.

By contrast, in 2006, the semi-finals comprised Germany, Italy, Portugal and France — for those of you new to this, that's a who's-who of traditional football powers. The quarterfinals were equally stacked with the football establishment — Argentina, England and France. And if Spain had opted for more cynical gamesmanship and allowed winless Saudi Arabia to win their final group game, they, rather than Ukraine would have drawn Switzerland in the Round of 16 and found easy passage to an all-favorites quarterfinals.

Eight years ago in Korea/Japan, the Round of 16 resembled the one now set in South Africa. There is an argument, made tacitly or otherwise, that the tournaments not held in the cradles of football (Western Europe, first; South America, second) cannot provide an optimal environment for the tournament. There’s another argument that says if the best can’t perform outside the comforts of home, then they really shouldn’t be considered the best. I prefer the latter.

As it stands, France and Italy, the two finalists from four years ago are on their way back to the comforts of the Western world. I couldn’t be more excited about what their departure means for the rest of the Cup. As for those two [former] powerhouses:

Amazing.

USA 1 – 0 ALG

(USA) – Donovan (90' +1)

This game — the near-misses and the tension, the agony and, finally, the elation — it's the reason this sport and this tournament are the world's greatest.

Jozy Altidore was sensational — same, too, Michael Bradley. Dempsey finally showed up, peppering the Algeria goal. And Landon Donovan, reverting for most of the game to the timid Donovan of told, finds the goal that puts the U.S. through to the second of I'll check back a little later with a recap.

Meantime, celebrate. We're through the Round of 16, and top of the group, no less.

PREVIEW — USA v. Algeria

The blogging has slipped over the last couple days, but I'm up watching the Americans' final group game, and you should be too.

Yesterday's South Korea/Nigeria matched showed why the simultaneous final groups games can be so thrilling ... and so devastating. As Argentina trotted their way to a late-ish 2–0 win (the powerful Albiceleste didn't break the Greek defense until the 77th minute), second place—and with it, qualification for the second round—hung in the balance. It was edge-of-your-seat stuff. As South Korea clung to a 2–2 tie, Nigeria looked the stronger of the sides. But the African team couldn't find the final touch and they head home.

The U.S. finds itself in a strong position—win and they're in. They'll have to avoid the early let-up that has troubled them in each of the last two games. And they'll have to find goals. Not much more analysis than that. There is a series of other scenarios that, should the U.S. tie today, still sees them through to the second round — look 'em up. For me, all those scenarios are moot — just win the game.

My prediction: 2–0. I'll check back in after the game.

UPDATE: Just saw the lineup — Bornstein at left-back is troubling, almost mind-boggling. He's had more than his share of slip-ups in a U.S. shirt. But he's also had some big games — here's hoping he digs one out tonight.

Criminal!

Slovenia 2–2 USA

SVN — Valter Birsa (13')
SVN — Zlatan Ljubijankic (42')
USA — Landon Donovan (48')
USA — Michael Bradley (82')
**USA — Maurice Edu (86') **

We'll get to the goal that wasn't, but first a quick recap of everything leading up to it.

Entering the game with arguably higher expectations than for any World Cup game in their history, the United States neglected talking point #1: no early goals. To make matters worse, as they pressed for a first half equalizer, they gave up a second goal on a quick (and poorly defended) counterattack.

But, as we've seen time and again, this U.S. team is made of stronger stuff than any earlier version, and they came out in the second half looking to get back in the game. Landon Donovan's vicious strike from a narrow angle was perhaps the finest moment of confident, powerful football that U.S. soccer's longtime golden boy has ever produced. And while Slovenia rode out the Americans' subsequent momentum surge, the U.S. continued to look dangerous.

In the 82nd minute, Jozy Altidore, who was less than convincing in the preceding 81, finally made his mark. As AT&T keeps telling us, if you do it right, it only takes one second, and Altidore picked that particular second to use his muscle effectively — finally. His cushioned header off a long ball from the midfield found Michael Bradley streaking through the right of the box. The coach's son, somehow still battling charges of nepotism, will have finally have put those ignorant claims to rest, as he showed tremendous skill to keep the bouncing ball down. He may also have unlocked the key to taming the Jubulani: hit it with the underside of your boot.

And then the moment that the U.S. press will talk about for the next six days. There were no fewer than three fouls in the box before Maurice Edu coolly finished Landon Donovan's inch-perfect cross. But not one of those fouls was committed by an American player. Somehow, the Malian ref, who had demonstrated questionable judgment throughout, found a way to one-up his laughable yellow card on Robbie Findley. Only the referee knows who, but someone on the U.S. team was whistled for a foul. The goal was disallowed, and time ran off the clock.

What could have been the greatest comeback in U.S. soccer history (and one of the greatest in World Cup history), instead ended in a soul-sucking draw. With the game next week against Algeria now having even more massive consequences, the U.S. squad will have no time to mull over what-ifs. But if I'm any example, a nation of U.S. fans will do it for them. On the bright side, those were three of the finest goals I've ever witnessed a U.S. team score in a competitive match. The single-goal demons of four years ago have apparently been exorcised. Hopefully, that bodes well for next week's game, which may well come down to how high the U.S. can run up the score.

Unfortunately, I have to run to work, after which the wife and I hit the road for San Francisco — so I won't have a chance to post again today. (If anyone in SF wants to watch games tomorrow morning, give me a ring.)

In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the game; please post some in the comments section.

USA v. Slovenia Preview (and prediction)

No two ways about this, the U.S. should win this game. Minimal talking points:

• No early goals — it's a fire that the US just can't risk playing with again.
• The defense must maintain their level from the last 86 minutes of the England game. Onyewu and Demerit were solid against a higher class opposition than Slovenia offers, but there's no room for a let-up tomorrow.
• Center of the midfield has to control the pace of the ball and find Donovan and Dempsey on the wings. If I were making the lineup, I'd pencil in a more skillful partner for Michael Bradley—Francisco Torres or Benny Feilhaber—but I expect that Bradley to stick with Rico Clark. No matter, our game might be bolstered by creative play, but it doesn't depend on it.
  
• Lastly, I mentioned in an earlier post that I think Buddle would make a better partner against Slovenia back line. I think he and Altidore share a physicality that might upset Slovenia's own. But I expect Bradley and I disagree on this point, too. The argument for Findley's speed against the large, and presumably slower, back line makes some sense. Either way, it's key for the forwards to have self belief and to test the defense and goalkeeper early and often ... ask Clint.

If we do those things, even just passably, we should win. And I think this team is more than just passably prepared. I predict a 3-1 US win. It's a bit of prognosticating that has as much to do with desire as genuine belief, but I've never believed in a U.S. squad more.

It seems that every competitive match the U.S. plays has broader implications for the sport in our country, and this match is no exception. Win tomorrow and we will further burnish our bona fides as a legitimate footballing nation, this time as a team who can win when expected to ... and, hey, even lofty Spain has trouble living up to expectations.

First Round Recap (part 1)

First round's in the books, and soccer's most exciting month has started, well, a bit drably. Too few goals, too little attacking, and, even for someone who appreciates the beauty of a tie, far too many ties.

Expect that all to change in the coming games. Despite the impression that everyone's on level terms, slight gaps have, indeed, opened. The teams that have the advantage will look to either defend it or extend it — everyone else will be chasing. Expect more goals and more excitement starting today.

The vuvuzelas have been one of two major off-field subjects (Jubulani ball being the other). The cultural implications still deserve discussion, but on balance these, too, have to be considered detrimental to the proceedings—both for the players (who, it seems, really can't hear above the din) and to the viewers (who, according to a Headers & Footnotes survey, just find it incredibly annoying). It's tempting to argue that the horn blowing betrays a lack of sophistication among its proponents and practitioners. The constant droning fails to register any change in the game—positive or negative—a trait that is the hallmark of some of the best spectator traditions (think a spontaneous, collective cheer for a great move or, more cruelly, chants of "olé" at each subsequent pass made around an overmatched team).

Football can be appreciated as a nuanced game, and, one argument goes, all those nuances are being flattened by the vuvuzelas' white noise. But it is also a passionate game (see: flares, hooligans, songs, etc.), and South African supporters have every right to vent their id how they see fit.

So instead, I'll just say that it's their arguments in favor of the horns that lacks sophistication. In story after story, the vuvuzela has been linked to indigenous tribal horns. Forgetting the fact that mass producing cheap, plastic horns is a dubious way of honoring genuine tradition, there are plenty of other holes in this argument. Presumably, the horns historically were used in isolation, no doubt creating a beautiful sound to resonate across the plains. En masse, these things retain none of that cultural significance.

One major historical lessons for the western world from late-20th century conflagrations in Rwanda and elsewhere is that westerners too often assumed all contiguous African tribes were the same. Fighting between Hutus and Tootsies, among other things, has gone a long way toward demonstrating how wrong and close-minded that assumption was. Nonetheless, arguments in support of the vuvuzelas draw on that very same fallacy by positioning the vuvuzela as an historical symbol for all South Africans. If divorced from issues of football, that suggestion could be considered borderline insulting in today's world. South Africa, after all, is a country of 11 official languages.

A last word on the horns: I expect (and hope) that some foreign contingencies, who we've been told have adopted the "instrument," will self-organize and, at the very least add some intentional rhythm to the incessant buzzing.

Ok, here's where we are in Groups A through D:

Ivory Coast v. Portugal

Ivory Coast 0 – 0 Portugal

The opening game in the so-called group of death ends with another scoreless draw. The first round of group games finishes up tomorrow, and I'll plan to post some thoughts on the preceding week. Regardless of what happens later today and tomorrow, though, the main talking point is this: the first round of a World Cup is invariably a cagey, cautious affair. In the lightening-fast group stages, an opening loss can spell disaster for any team, and four years of preparation can seemingly evaporate with one errant pass. Add to that pressure the jitters involved in finally realizing that four-year dream and, just maybe, a beguiling new ball (Jubulani post still to come, I promise), and it's no surprise that we've seen some tentative play.

Going Global

Among this blog's themes is the game's fungibility: soccer is football, is futbal, is calcio. That it's the world's most popular sport is such an accepted truism (albeit an irksome one to much of the American sports watching public), it is more often invoked as a mouthwatering market segment than a heartening example of global commonalities.

More than three billion people are expected to watch the tournament — over a billion for the final game alone. And while the game on television itself will mean roughly the same thing to viewers everywhere, the ritual of watching will take myriad forms.

With that in mind Headers & Footnotes is looking to capitalize on his itinerant twenties and far-flung friendships by recruiting perspectives from around the country and around the globe. With a little luck we'll hear what it's like on the ground in New York, Washington, DC, London, Asia and, of course, South Africa. Check back frequently for updates; and if you'd like to contribute your take, shoot me an email.

Thoughts on Group C

Group C
Team	W	L	D	Pts	Diff
Slovenia	1	0	0	3	+1
England	0	0	1	1	0
United States	0	0	1	1	0
Algeria	0	1	0	0	-1

When the World Cup draw was made in December, first order of business for US fans was obsessing about the tantalizing first-round matchup. After that, for perhaps the first time in our World Cup history, we engaged in a bit of cautious but genuine optimism. European minnows Slovenia squeaked through a difficult qualifying group, a significant accomplishment in and of itself, but they never looked powerful. Their FIFA ranking eleven spots below the US suggested that that dubious grading system had at least some merit. Algeria, ranked 30th, also narrowly qualified after two tense and controversial play-in games with bitter rivals Egypt.

Bottom line is, neither team was expected to be in South Africa. Six months ago this looked like a group that the US could, even should, get past, and with a successful first match in the books, that is absolutely still the case.

Algeria v. Slovenia

Algeria 0–1 Slovenia

SVN – Robert Koren (79')

My Take

Another 'keeper blunder gifts the win to Slovenia in a mostly drab contest. The two teams defend resolutely if not stylishly, although Algeria is another team deploying the three center-back back line and they do so with confidence. I think both the US and England will believe they can take three points against each of these teams — although with Samir Handanovic looking commanding in Slovenia's goal, finding goals against the European minnows might be the tougher challenge.

The telling moment of the match was probably the 73rd-minute dismissal of Abdelkader Ghezzal. Algeria were forced to reshuffle and the resulting gaps allowed Robert Koren to find space for his shot. Faouzi Chaouchi, the Algerian goalkeeper, should have done better. Neither team really deserved the win, and little Slovenia will consider itself lucky to be atop Group C.

While I vowed patience before weighing in on the Jubulani ball, a second fluke goal is all the impetus ESPN's talking heads have needed to dedicate segments to the unpredictable orb. And so I might have to weigh in soon, too. Look for that post sometime this evening.

England v. United States

England 1–1 United States

ENG – Steven Gerrard (4')

USA – Clint Dempsey (40')

(Photo by Stuart Franklin)

My Take

Talk of this game will begin and end with Robert Green's blunder. I can't disagree that it was a howler (a useful British-ism meaning massive mistake; the Brits know enough about this sort of thing to have come up with a word expressly for it). Green turned what should have been a routine save into a morale-crushing equalizer, and it's likely we'll have seen the last of the unfortunate West Ham man.

But here's the thing: the World Cup turns, many times, on small moments; and Green's was just one among many. To be sure, his gaffe was humiliating, but if you ask Ricardo Clark and the US backline, I'm sure they'll cop to a considerable amount of embarrassment for their criminally bad marking on Gerrard's early goal. 'Keepers' mistakes are magnified, especially when the stakes are as high as this, but I think England's goal owed nearly as much to their opponents' ineptitude as the American's did.

(more after the jump)

England v. USA PREVIEW

It's one of the most anticipated games of the opening round—certainly around these parts ... I cannot wait for this to start. After the jump, a quick and dirty on what to watch for in today's "Revolutionary" matchup.

Morning Games

I'm up watching the Argentina/Nigeria match, but all I can think about is England/USA ... well, that and Diego Maradona's "look."

The Albiceleste ("the light blue and whites") is arguably the most attack-minded side among the favorites at the tournament. Spain is more balanced, anchored in the back by the Barcelona duo of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. Brazil is uncharacteristically defense-minded, much to the chagrin of their passionate, joy-seeking fans.

Argentina, however, has an embarrassment of riches up front, with Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ángel Di Maria and the incomparable Lionel Messi all finding places in today's starting lineup. And waiting in the wings are Diego Milito and Sergio "Kun" Agüero. Agüero is another in the long line of Argentinians tabbed to assume Maradona's mantle, but the only one with familial ties: he's El Diego's son-in-law. They'll rely on Juan Sebastián Verón and holding midfielder-cum-pit bull Javier Mascherano to set the tempo and break up the opponents attacking chances, but once that's accomplished, expect Argentina to bomb forward relentlessly.

There are many questions about Maradona's ability to lead this team to greatness (see the aforementioned "look" and then let's talk about whether that's the guy you want leading your team). And you have to wonder if the singular attacking focus might backfire. Argentina is the first team we've seen this tournament deploying the latest tactical trend, playing with just three defenders in the back. One of those defenders is the highly overrated Martín Demichelis. He was found wanting repeatedly while playing for Bayern Munich in the latter stages of the Champions League, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's culpable for a costly misstep later in this tournament.

That said, I expect Argentina to overwhelm Nigeria today and advance deep into this tournament. And I look forward to watching all that attacking verve along the way.

Unsurprisingly it's 1-0 to Argentina in just the sixth minute. That first goal? It was scored by Gabriel Heinze, a defender.

For Later

Vuvuzelas
Anybody catch Biden’s earplugs? Or the downright miserable look on the face of the young girl sitting beside him? They were struggling to cope with the cacophony created by tens of thousands of plastic horns. Called vuvuzelas, the horns are either genuine cultural artifacts or obnoxious affectations, depending on whom you ask. And while innocuous looking in isolation, they’re cumulative effect has been the cause of serious conversations for the last year. In particular, FIFA, the Euro-centric governing body of world football, has wrestled with some very Euro-centric urges to tell Africa how to do things, including whether or not to ban the instrument. Ultimately, discretion won out, but the story of the vuvuzelas raises issues of race, identity, agency and paternalism that are relevant, not just in Africa, but all over the world.

Jubulani Ball
You’ll hear plenty of talk about it during the cup. The players don’t like it; some have even suggested it’s possessed (facetiously … I think). They claim the ball doesn’t fly true and that it’s disruptive to the game. I think there might be some truth to the claims. I even think there was some evidence in today’s matches—though not everything about the ball seems detrimental. Still, this debate happens every four years after which the ball in question is widely endorsed; so before I weigh in, I’m going to watch a few more games.

Uruguay v. France

Uruguay 0-0 France

My Take
In truth, I'd heard the score before I got home. And while I consider myself as die-hard as they come and believe that a nil-nil game can be hugely compelling, I didn't really watch this game closely. I have no attachment to Uruguay (though they have won the tournament twice, in 1930 and 1950 ... more times than France), and I think that this prodigal French team is a bore.

I have loved French teams in the past, and I love watching plenty of this team's players with their clubs. The squad is far too talented to play this ineffectually. But they're led by a coach they don't respect, and they haven't given us any reason to think they'll rise above that to change their pattern. I'm doubtful they can do any better against Mexico; in fact, I think I'll be in the unusual position of rooting for our CONCACAF foes.

Uruguay will be happy to have taken a point; how will they cope with South Africa and the cicada-like vuvuzela chorus?

South Africa v. Mexico

Over the next week or so I’m going to try to nail down a standard format for recapping games; today we’ll start like this:

South Africa 1–1 Mexico
RSA—Siphiwe Tshabalala (55th minute)
MEX—Rafael Márquez (79’)

My Take
A maurading Mexico failed to convert a host of chances in the first half and was punished early in the second when Tshabalala (great name) thumped an unstoppable strike past Mexico’s calamitous ’keeper. It gave the Bafana Bafana (the Boys, the South African team's nickname) a life and the entire nation the lead it craved. Tshabalala hit the ball so purely that anyone who’s ever played soccer felt a phantom reverberation in his own leg. I remember that same feeling when Clint Dempsey scored against Ghana in the 2006 World Cup; it was our only goal from the run of play in the whole tournament, but what a goal.

Tshabalala took inspiration from the goal and flitted around Mexico’s half looking for more; and his team continued to look dangerous on the counterattack. But Mexico had far more class on the field, and while Márquez’s goal came through an unfortunate defensive lapse, it was no less than the North Americans deserved. Both teams pressed for a winner, with Bafana Bafana coming closest, but the 1-1 draw seems a fair result for both teams and an promising start to World Cup 2010.

Men of the Match
RSA – Itumeleng Khune
The young goalkeeper was sensational. He made several acrobatic saves, commanded his area well (against an admittedly weak aerial team in Mexico), and bore no fault for Mexico’s equalizer. It was his distribution, however, that caught the eye, as he slung, sliced and side-volleyed his team to audacious counter attacks. His enthusiasm may have belied his youth (in-studio commentators, subject to a fraction of Khune’s adrenaline, took every chance to criticize his eagerness), but it was a great advertisement for intrepid underdogs.

MEX – Giovanni Dos Santos
I think Dos Santos is poised to have a big tournament. After leaving the nurturing confines of Barcelona, Dos Santos struggled to establish himself with Tottenham Hotspur. But he allegedly outgrew some of his youthful petulance on loan at Ipswich Town, and reports are he came into his own this year at Turkish super club Galatasaray. That growth was apparent today, as he looked every bit a player whose soccer education had paralleled Lionel Messi’s. He was all over the front third, creating space and chances. To be sure, he’s the poor man’s Messi, and the Catalan club held on to the correct diminutive playmaker. But a poor man’s Messi is still a rich asset, and I expect Dos Santos to give France fits next Thursday.

Hurry up and wait

Work early this morning means I'll watch the first two games on tape delay. I'm looking for South Africa to show some gumption. And I'm curious to see whether Domenich has managed to squander every last bit of talent on his squad; look for France to set the tone for their whole world cup against a solid Urugauy squad.

Check back in this evening for the first meaningful entries.

Jubulani!

It’s the eve of World Cup South Africa 2010, the eighth tournament of my lifetime, sixth of my memory and fourth since fanaticism really took hold.

Four years ago, I watched World Cup Germany in New York City, the best place I know outside of the host country to rub elbows and start arguments with partisans of every participating nation (and then some), and where, as a result of all that interaction, my love for the sport evolved into a love for the culture.

This year, I’ll watch from Los Angeles, a place with nearly as many constituencies but a labyrinth of freeways keeping them apart. And so, like so many emotionally marooned young men before me, I turn, where else, but to the internet.

My hope is that over the next month the blog will be a way to share the thrills, drama, excitement and heartbreak of the greatest sporting event in the world. If it never moves beyond recapping matches, it’ll at least be an outlet with which to praise the Zidanes and lament the Pekermans of this South African edition. If it sparks a conversation about tactics, it means I will have found obsessive brethren. And if it moves beyond the touchline — if it even hints at the subtexts of the matches, brushes against the philosophies that engender playing styles, begins to address the ways the sport both defines cultures and transcends them — well, then it will have gone a long way toward explaining why I'm so in love with this game.

I’m beginning this with the meagrest of expectations: I hope to post as often as I can manage, and I hope a couple people follow along. I expect only friends and family, but please feel free to pass this along—more the merrier. And, if you’re interested in writing, shoot me an email; I’m more than happy to share the platform.

Oh, and one last thing, if you’re a Tommy Smyth fan, this should probably be the last entry you read.

Alright, Mexico, South Africa, let’s get this thing started!