How Could This Happen?

Today ESPN.com ran a story about unsold tickets for the 2010 World Cup. I initially thought, “Oh, there are probably a couple hundred left. They’re sure to sell out in no time.” But then I saw the number. 650,000. Those are 650,000 opportunities to see the game of soccer played at the highest level possible. I just can’t believe that the pinnacle event of soccer, one that only presents itself every four years, would not have sold out days after opening.

I’m sure there are all sorts of reasons that this World Cup could become the first to not sell out: a slipping global economy, a fairly remote location resulting in long travel times, etc. Look, all of those are valid points but not valid enough. Soccer is the most popular game on the planet. It would be a global travesty if every seat were not filled come summertime in South Africa.

Now I realize that I am complaining about unsold tickets while I have not bought one. Hypocritical, right? That is why, as of right now, I am taking any and all donations to help send me to South Africa and cut into those 650,000 unsold tickets. Come on, I’m a college student. I can’t be expected to do this on my own.


Image courtesy of nathangibbs

Subscribe to my Podcast (iTunes)
Subscribe to my Podcast (RSS Feed)

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Premier Group Stage Matchups

Most of the Americans that tune in to watch the World Cup this summer will not be diehard soccer fans. While it would be nice if soccer were one of the most dominant sports in the States, that sadly is not the case (at least not yet). Until soccer gains the following that it deserves, most American viewers will likely have a limit to the number of World Cup games that they can watch and thoroughly enjoy before getting burned out. Of course everyone should tune in during the knockout stages of the tournament, but what is a less than fanatic American viewer supposed to do when they are faced with countless group stage games? Fortunately the wonderful people at ESPN, Jeff Carlisle in particular, have provided us with a list of games that should be at the top of any viewer’s list. I’ll go through this list and help you further determine which games you will want to sit down for.

1. South Africa v. Mexico: Carlisle throws this game in simply because of the spectacle that will be the fanfare surrounding the host country in their first game. Sure, you’ll want to catch all the pregame action and probably some shots of what will be a hectic crowd, but feel free to sleep through the game.
2. Argentina v. Nigeria: If for no other reason, watch this game simply to see Argentinean Lionel Messi. Arguably the best player in the game, he will surely not disappoint.
3. England v. United States: A must see for anyone cheering on the US.
4. Italy v. Paraguay: Italy is the veteran team that doesn’t play their best soccer until the knockout rounds. Feel free to wait until later in the tournament to watch them.
5. Ivory Coast v. Portugal – There are two reasons to watch. This is sure to be a highly competitive game, and the winner will, along with Brazil, almost assuredly advance from Group G to the next stage.
6.Cameroon v. Denmark – Forget about it, Eto’o will likely display some heroics for Cameroon but the Netherlands should win handily.
7. Brazil v. Ivory Coast – With world-class players abound on both squads, this is truly a must-see.
8. Ghana v. Germany – An intriguing game for diehard fans, this game might not have the star power or the implications to keep the interests of lesser fans.
9. Portugal v. Brazil – Any chance that you get to see Brazil play, take advantage of it. Especially when they have a decent foe, as they will in a talented Portuguese side.
10. Chile v. Spain – This match probably won’t be as exciting as Carlisle makes it out to be. Expect Spain to get up early and sit back.

While in a perfect world everyone would tune in to every game, make sure that these are the games that you mark on your calendar.

Carlisle's ESPN article

Photo thanks to Shine 2010 - 2010 World Cup good news

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

English Scandal Benefits Americans

The story seems more like a Hollywood script than anything else. The England National team is gearing up for the World Cup, with every player focused and working hard to be at top form come this summer. As anyone who has played soccer at a competitive level knows, chemistry and teamwork are paramount. The eleven players on the pitch all have to work together as a well-oiled machine, seamlessly transitioning and adapting. And of course, good teamwork is built on trust. Trust that your teammate will be there to cover you when you make a mistake, will assist you when you need it, and will not sleep with your woman. Usually the last one goes without saying but John Terry seems to have forgotten about it.

The English defender and Captain was reported to have had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of English National teammate Wayne Bridge’s child. After Terry lost a High Court battle to keep details of the relationship out of the press, National team coach Fabio Capello stripped the star defender of his captaincy. Terry will remain on the team but this public scandal will undoubtedly have some effect on the English squad come this summer’s competition. And that hiccup in the English chemistry may be just what a less talented American squad needs to pull out a victory in their first match in South Africa.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Injuries Threaten U.S. Hopes

Go ahead and put Clint Dempsey on the list of US International players struck by injury. While playing with his English Premier League club, Fulham FC, Dempsey suffered a knee injury that cast further doubts in the minds of US supporters already unsure whether the team that manager Bob Bradley is left with will be able to compete in South Africa. Although it has been announced that his injury will not require surgery, Dempsey joins Charlie Davies and Oguchi Onyewu as players who have suffered untimely injuries leading up to the world cup.

Onyewu tore his patellar tendon when he landed awkwardly after going up for a header in a U.S. Qualifier against Costa Rica in October. Injury reports initially had the stellar defender out 3-4 months but, after undergoing surgery, it looks as though he won’t be ready to play until April, only two months before the beginning of the World Cup. To make matters worse, Onyewu’s injury came only a day after forward Charlie Davies was involved in a car accident. He suffered fractures to his tibia, femur, elbow and face and was initially told that he would be out of action for a year. Fortunately, recent reports indicate that Davies is recovering ahead of schedule and he is determined to return to the team in time for the World Cup.

As it stands, the US side could be down three key players. Even if Davies, Dempsey and Onyewu are able to play in the World Cup, there will be serious doubts concerning their fitness after having been out of play for an extended period of time. The US side is one that needs everything to fall right for it to really make some noise this summer and, so far, little has gone right.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

The 2010 Draw

As I am painfully reminded every time that I load FIFA’s website, we still have a torturously long 140 days, 17 hours, 40 minutes, and 38 seconds until the start of the 2010 world cup. Imagine looking up at the clock during a particularly long class and seeing that you still have an hour to go. Then multiply that feeling by 140. That’s roughly how soccer fans feel at this point.

While we wait for the world cup to kick off, I’ll provide a run-down of the 2010 draw and some quick analysis of how things look to shape up for each group. (On a personal note, I skipped the first half of an astronomy class last semester to see this draw. Let’s hope Dr. Lewis doesn’t read this!)

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
South Africa	Argentina	England	Germany
Mexico	Nigeria	USA	Australia
Uruguay	(South) Korea	Algeria	Serbia
France	Greece	Slovenia	Ghana

Group E	Group F	Group G	Group H
Netherlands	Italy	Brazil	Spain
Denmark	Paraguay	Korea DPR	Switzerland
Japan	New Zealand	Ivory Coast	Honduras
Cameroon	Slovakia	Portugal	Chile

(Note: Two teams advance from each group)

Group A: France’s luck cannot be overstated. They get an incredibly easy group and are a virtual lock to advance. The other three teams will have to duke it out for the second spot, one that is likely Mexico’s for the losing. However, Mexico could be in for a surprise as the crowds will overwhelmingly favor the host and the South African squad could be spurred on.

Group B: Nigeria and Argentina are the slight favorites in this group, edging out two very solid sides from Greece and South Korea. Don’t be surprised to see this group get decided on the last day of games.

Group C: England highlights this group with the USA and Algeria battling for the second spot. After being drawn into the “Group of Death” in 2006, the USA will be more than happy with their draw but can’t get complacent; they’re not assured of advancing.

Group D: The first of two “Groups of Death” in this year’s draw, Group D boasts four incredibly competitive sides. Any two of the four teams could advance and there isn’t much point in speculating. This group should provide us with some world-class matches.

Group E: Holland, a perennial European powerhouse looks to dominate this group. The second seed will fall to either Cameroon, a skilled but volatile team, or Denmark, a stout team without many holes. Sorry Japan, better luck next year.

Group F: The defending champion Italians will devour the competition and Paraguay will likely pull out the second spot. New Zealand could compete for it but Paraguay (having performed impressively in qualifiers) has a flair about it that should be too much for New Zealand to handle.

Group G: The other “Group of Death” this year, Group G, features three of the top countries in the world…and North Korea. Korea will play the role of punching bag as the three heavyweights battle for two spots. With as impressive as Brazil looks, it will likely be either Portugal or The Ivory Coast watching the knockout rounds at home. Either way, one very good side will undoubtedly be left out.

Group H: Spain’s group for the taking with the last spot up for grabs. The slot could go to any team but the most likely candidate is an ambitious Chilean team. This group should also produce some stellar games.

Only 140 days, 17 hours, 22 minutes, and 43 seconds left…sigh.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io