yes,,we were actually lucky to pull through...mexico did a good job...

So anyone doing work sweepstakes. I just got Germany

Funny how the MD got Brasil and the CFO got Spain...

I built an engine for the Cup back in '06 that we are using again. You basically just pick win/lose/draw on each game.

http://www.forkerscentral.com/WC

Any and all are welcome to participate.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Completed mine.

US lost yesterday vs Czech Rep.... just sayin'... Today we go against The Netherlands. Anything else of interest going on?

The US sucks when they play against Europeans.

That second half was pretty miserable for the US. The only thing I'm holding on to right now is the fact that our "starting line" was not out there.

At the same time, as a lifelong Chelsea supporter, I loved seeing Petr Cech do so well.

Yeah, I think CONCACAF teams never do well against europeans. And Czech Rep, even though they didn't make it to the WC we all know it's a great team. That just tells us how hard competition is in Europe.

Parks, we have a special seat just for you. Come by.

Its funny to see US shows on a downer about the friendly. No other country gives a toss about friendlies, what was the team for the US? Was it full strength or half the team sitting in the pressboxes?

Out of all the CONCACAF teams though you're only looking at a few who will ever be competitive (Mexico, US, erm Trinidad and Tobago made the last WC didn't they?).

I wouldn't be so down on US soccer, out of all the major sports in North America where would you rank it? the amount of coverage it gets on our version of ESPN it seems to be below Lacrosse! Soccer is the major sport in practically every European country (ignoring anomolies like basketball in Greece) so its only natural for teams from Europe to be of a higher standard.

Soccer is pretty much a youth league sport around here. It's something played in middle school and high school mostly, and usually the first sport a child will play..atleast on the West Coast where I live anyway. I know our local major league soccer club, the Seattle Sounders, is VERY popular. A lot of our home games sell out faster than our baseball games do. I think we have one of the highest turn-outs compared to the rest of the nation so our city has a huge love for the game. We have even a couple bars/pubs dedicated to showing all the British/European/South American league games all the time. But keep in mind, Seattle is also one of the most well read, and progressive cities in the nation.

Can't really put my finger on why soccer isn't more popular in America but I think it's due to the fact that the scoring of points remains pretty low and the game length. Also, Americans like everything BIGGER, FASTER and STRONGER. They don't like subtly or finesse. Look at the size of our american football players and basketball players. They're huge.

This was just my observation, anyway. I'm sure someone could elaborate betterl. It's 6 AM. I'm tired and I tried.

Oh..and we didn't invent soccer. I'm sure that plays a role in it too.

Can't stop soccer for commercials, so it's a difficult sell, I bet.
And European competition isn't that much tougher, imho. But the culture of every kid playing football on the streets of Prague, London and Barcelona, without having to be made to do it, has something to do with it, perhaps. Never mind Brazil, where little boys are born with a football attached to their foot.

Still, if more talented footballers were to promote the game in the US, so that kids of all ages recognize the fun in it, it would get played in back alleys and all that.

BTW, whatever happened to Freddie Adeau or whatever his name is. I know he went France (Marseille?), but then what? Is he not on the US roaster?

Adu. He really didn't pan out for anyone. He needs a couple of years to mature and develop into a world class player.

He's not good enough...he's at an age now where if the talent was there it would have developed. Same thing with Theo Walcott at Arsenal - looked like he'd be world class but it's just not happened for him for whatever reason.

I watch the matches all of the time here, but I don't know why it isn't more popular. It's much more athletic, in my opinion, than baseball and football. As was mentioned, the almighty dollar is what it comes down to here. If they can't take commercial breaks every 5 minutes, it isn't worth watching in the broadcasting companies' eyes.

Thankfully for us, we have about 3 or 4 pubs nearby that will have coverage of the World Cup. Just one of many benefits of having a good expat community!

I'm not sure about Walcott... he had a lot more competition than Adu and Theo is going to make it to the WC, or is he not?
But totally agree about Adu, think he was a huge promise but never could live up to the expectations.
US Herculez Gomez was top scorer in Mexican League this year though...

Walcotts not good enough, he's been nearly good enough for too long without actually doing anything. Plus he seems to be made of glass.

I do find the argument that its low scoring to be a negative. It doesn't always translate that low scoring equals a boring game. I love baseball but I don't know how anyone can routinely sit through a 0 - 1 victory in 9 innings. On a side note, i'm surprised cricket isnt gaining popularity due to the similarities to baseball (especially 20/20).

"What's Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?" - IT Crowd, Series3 - Episode 2.

Are you kidding? He's talented compared to the average player but he's pretty much a bust in my opinion.

england vs japan starts in 45mins..

Family commitments mean I'll be watching it later . . . just gotta try avoid any coverage or results news until after the event. I can't say I ever recall seeing Japan play so it's gonna be an interesting game!

Didn't Japan do ok at the last World Cup?
I recall thinking that they had some good players.

Yeah, they did, they had one really kick ass guy... I think.

it's a first for me too (atleast versus england),,,been looking forward to it all week

ANDY SPOILER edit:: england were shit..chances of even getting into the quarter finals is looking more remote by the day..

from Arnold Schwarzenegger stadium

How was the game?? Didn't broadcast here!! Saw the report, Eng 2 Jap 1, with two own goals and one missed penalty. Lot's of mistakes. Wondering how's Jap doing.
Backtrack mentioned good japanes players... may be Nakamura? or Nakata (although can't remember if he made it to 2006). Now they have Hasebe...

Mexico vs Gambia in 30 mins... We've lost the two previous games, I'm hoping FIFA's ranked 96 won't do good agains us... I hope... I hope...