June 01, 2005

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!!!

Mood: Pretty Good.
Music: None.
Game: World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Guild Wars.
Book: Nothing, really.
Muffin: Strawberry-Raspberry.
Punchline: None.

I haven't really been writing much lately. I think blogging generally goes in cycles. Sometimes I feel like venting and writing and stuff, and sometimes I don't.

I would have written yesterday, except that I was working pretty hard yesterday...because I left early (2PM) to go see a soccer double-header.

The first game was England-Columbia...and aside from the fact that the stadium wasn't sold out (although 54,000 fans did show up...) it felt like a real international.

The England fans were in the house in full effect...the banners from Millwall, Milton Keynes, and all the other travelling supporters hung from every rail...St. George's Cross everywhere. Football kit abound...from every Premiership squad, and many many others. I think the beer vendors got hazard pay for having to serve that fast. In any case, all the old favorite chants rang out throughout the day...and it didn't hurt to have David Beckham, who didn't really look like he was trying (and still was, by far, the best player on the pitch...) and it definitely didn't hurt to have Michael Owen score the hat trick by the 66th minute or so. The last goal was a Beckham-perfect cross to a streaking Owen who jump-kicked it right past the keeper to slam into the back of the net with force. Beautiful goal.

On the other hand, Columbia was also in the house with their bright yellow jerseys. Their two goals were weak by any stretch...but a goal's a goal...and England shouldn't be letting in light goals like that.

I will say this: The female Columbia supporters are far more attractive than the female England supporters. Maybe a generalization, but it was the consensus, and I happen to agree.

The game started at 4pm, and the sun was wonderfully hot...gorgeous out, and sitting in the sun, hearing the shouts of Eng-er-land and Col-um-bi-a, and watching some pretty good footie is my idea of a nice day.

Now, earlier, I DID say a soccer double-header...and it was...the second game being the NY/NJ Metrostars vs. the Chicago Fire.

Obviously a HUGE mistake to have that game second. First, fully 2/3rds of the stadium emptied after the England match, and that really festive atmosphere pretty much disappeared. Next, it was like watching children play on a sandlot after watching two international sides go at it. No passing, mob the ball, no scoring chances. The players looked lost without the ball, and had no idea what to do with the ball once they had it. Troubling when a professional league doesn't even come close to competing with world class players.

We left shortly after the half with the score 1-0 Chicago on a penalty kick...because you knew they weren't going to score otherwise.

Went for Korean food after, which was tasty. Should have gone right home, because I'm tired now...and I really could use the sleep after the long weekend.

Posted by Glenn at June 1, 2005 09:31 AM