On Saturday, the US National Team will kick off against England in the World Cup. It is no surprise that this one match is the most anticipated game in US Soccer history, and it certainly is the one that brings the most intrigue.
The two largest factors driving soccer in America are the US National Team and the English Premier League. Despite the best efforts of Major League Soccer, the current dominant professional league in America – at least in terms of fan following and interest – is the EPL. The EPL is packed with the best players in the world and some of the best teams in the world. Add to it a shared Western culture and language and it’s not surprise why the EPL is heavily favored in America among soccer fans.
Now, add in the nature of the relationship between America and England – a relationship that goes back for hundreds of years. Currently, England is America’s biggest ally politically and militarily. There is a shared interest and respect from both sides of the pond, yet at the same time, the relationship is rife with rivalry and competition. The best way to describe the England-America relationship would be that of brothers – teenage brothers for that matter.
Respect, admiration, and trust coupled with rivalry, jealousy, and competition. It shouldn’t have to be said, but this will be a game for the ages.
***U.S. TV Listings Below***
The opening day the World Cup kicks off tomorrow at 9:30am EST with a game between host nation South Africa and USA rival Mexico.
Both these teams will come into this game with high expectations. Mexico, because they are finally starting to put the pieces together and are looking to be quite a formidable team; and South Africa, because they will be carrying the hopes of a nation. We’ve seen what being the host country can do for a team in the World Cup: England and France both won their only Cups when it was held in their home nation, South Korea made it to the semi-finals in 2002, and team USA made it to the knockout stage in 1994 when expectations were as low as they could be.
Mexico is the better team and is expected to be one of the two from Group A to advance to the knock-out stage, but don’t count out South Africa riding the energy and passion of the home crowd. Still I expect Mexico to pull out the victory: 2-1.
The second game of the day pits 1998 champs France vs South American contenders Uruguay.
We are 24 hours away from the kick off of World Cup 2010!!!
We’ll have our preview of day 1 up later today as well as our USA vs England preview, so be sure to check back in for that. In the meantime, check out these great reads.
Amazing pictures of the life and times of World Cup 2010.
The history of each World Cup – summed up in a nice pretty package.
Vuvuzelas took over South Africa today as official Vuvuzela Day kicked off on Wednesday.
For those unfamiliar, a vuvuzela is a cheap plastic horn instrument with a sound that is a cross between a honking horn and buzzing bee.
The South African soccer team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, kicks off the World Cup against Mexico on Friday morning. South African pride was at stake as roughly 25,000 Bafana Bafana supporters took to the streets across the country to loudly and proudly display their affection for their national team.
FIFA had considered a ban on vuvuzelas for the tournament due to their noise being dubbed annoying by the media. Some notable objections came from commentators saying that they had a difficult time hearing themselves over the noise of the vuvuzela. FIFA eventually relented to pressure from South African supporters by responding that vuvuzelas are a part of South African soccer culture and should be showcased at the Cup.
Well, my thoughts on that are phooey. They are annoying – whether you are watching on TV or live at the stadium. But oh well, it’s the World Cup!
Much has been made between the upcoming World Cup match between the United States and England. Of course there have been plenty of references to the previous World Cup meeting in 1950 where the USA squeaked out a 1-0 victory.
There has also been talk comparing the match to that of the Revolutionary War. Silly when you really think about it, but the comparison gains strength when two diplomats – 1 American and 1 English began email correspondence involving witty jabs at one another and their respective countries.
A bet has been made between ambassadors. Dinner will be served for one of them, either at a steakhouse in Washington DC or a pub in London. Some of the best lines:
“It is true that our [United States] soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent.”
“Incidentally, you should know that the [English] Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare.”
Classic.
Check out the email correspondence after the jump. Courtesy of the AP
The team over at Sports Illustrated give their World Cup picks
Also at Sports Illustrated, Grant Wahl offers up his U.S. World Cup predictions
At Fox Soccer, Jamie Trecker has an overview of Team England
SoccerbyIves has the TV schedule for some classic World Cup matches that will be shown today on ESPN Classic
And some troubling news, The Guardian is reporting that three journalists have already been robbed at gunpoint in South Africa
and why the American’s just might also.
Spain crushed Poland 6-0 in their final World Cup warm-up match. Yes, Poland is not a world power, but look at this video of Spain’s second goal. The ball control and movement within such a small space is unbelievable, and if Spain can play like this throughout the whole tournament, they will undoubtedly lift the trophy.
So where do the American’s fit in in all of this? Their victory over largely the exact same Spain side just one year ago. The rosters for both the Americans and Spain are almost identical to what they were in the 2009 Confederations Cup where the U.S. pulled off a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals.
The USA played a fantastic game on that day, and they beat the World number 1. Now, heading into the Cup, they have proven to themselves and the world that they can beat anyone on any given day.
David Beckham is in South Africa with the England National Team. David Beckham is playing soccer in South Africa with the England National Team.
No, he won’t be playing in any World Cup games, instead, Becks has been acting as ambassador, scout, mascot, etc. for the Team England while he is sidelined with an Achilles injury.
However, that didn’t stop David from playing a little footie at the Team England practice today. Of course, he wasn’t supposed to be playing, but is that going to stop him? No. What about if the doctors who told him he couldn’t play are standing right next to him? Would that stop him? Of course not.
Check out this hilarious video of Becks kicking a ball around and getting yelled at for doing so.
This is great, but at the same time I feel bad for the guy. He obviously wants to be playing in this World Cup more than anything, and despite the fact that he must still be in pain, wants nothing more than to kick a ball around.
The guy’s love for the game is unquestioned.
Follow me on Twitter