World Cup Smorgasbord

It has been a week since I have posted anything and with good reason; I have been on vacation enjoying the beautiful weather and golf courses in Myrtle Beach. In between daiquiris and bunker shots, however, my brothers and I have been following the World Cup closely. Here are my thoughts on the first two weeks of competition, the group round, and all other things World Cup related:

· The biggest story of the Cup so far has not been Italy’s ousting, France’s dysfunctional team, or even Landon Donovan’s goal to advance the United States. The biggest story of the World Cup so far has been the vuvuzelas (pronounced voo-voo-zela for those of you, like me, that still cannot pronunciate it correctly). I agreed with the FIFA president who said that the horns are a South African tradition and who are we or anyone to tell the host country to do away with their own customs and traditions. BUT…

· What a stupid tradition…no wonder their soccer team stinks and became the first host country not to advance to the elimination round. What child would want to be subjected to those loud, annoying horns their entire life trying to compete at the highest level of their sport. I say this in jest, but only partially, as the horns really do take away from the enjoyment of the games. Instead of concentrating on the action and listening to the chants and singing that soccer is famous for, we are constantly wondering how much more annoying this buzzing sound could be. I wouldn’t tell South Africa to stop with their traditions, I simply would avoid taking the Cup or any other competition back to their country as long as they want to annoy the rest of the world.

· Landon Donovan’s goal to beat Algeria and not only advance the United States to the elimination round but to also win their group may have saved soccer’s relevance in the United States for the foreseeable future. Not only was the goal dramatic and memorable, it made people forget about the disallowed goal from earlier in the contest and the phantom call that cost the U.S. a win in the Slovenia match. Soccer has had a hard enough time gaining relevance in the States, if scandal and corruption started entering people’s soccer conversations it could have been another long time before soccer caught on mainstream like we have been anticipating it to for so long.

· Speaking of the Unites States winning Group B, Americans have to be excited about their draw in the elimination tournament. The U.S. draws Ghana in its opening game followed by the winner of Uruguay and Peru. Yes, Ghana eliminated the United States in 2006 but this is a different, more experienced and better U.S. National team this time around. At this point, anything less than a semifinal appearance could possibly be considered a disappointment.

· One other complaint before we get to my predictions (guesses) for the rest of the tournament. Why does every soccer play act like they were shot in the back or the leg everytime they fall on the ground?!? I understand flopping (only sort of because it is still extremely wimpy) as I can see a player trying to draw a penalty, but once the call is made or not made, what is the point in rolling around on the ground like a 7-year-old who just fell off their bike? Seriously, I think this aspect of soccer, more than anything else, is the reason why soccer has not caught on here the way everyone has expected it would.

· Argentina and Brazil, two of the perennial top teams, look like the teams to beat after the group stage. Other teams playing well include the Netherlands and Germany. Argentina, in particular, could have a tough road to the semifinals with Mexico in the second round followed by a quarterfinal date with the winner of Germany and a darkhorse candidate in England. Brazil’s path could be difficult as well with a good Chile team and a possible quarterfinal match with Netherlands. Still, I expect Brazil to reach the final four, along with the United States, Spain and England in a bit of an upset pick. From there I see the United States' run ending against Brazil and Spain finding a way to reach the finals before eventually falling to Brazil, making Brazil your 2010 World Cup Champions.

· Oh, and do not hold me to those predictions….I only watch soccer every four years!