We’re Out

That’s right folks, the United States National Men’s Soccer Team is now officially eliminated from the 2006 World Cup in the group play phase.  After only scoring one goal (the second was an Italian own-goal) in the process of losing two games and tying one game in group play, the US team will soon be on their way home.  So much potential, and so little to show for it.  I guess that #4 world ranking in April and #5 world ranking in May can be kissed goodbye!  The most frustrating thing about this world cup campaign was the feeling that they were capable of so much more.  Even in the first game against the Czech Republic, you never got the feeling that they were being beat soundly as much as you got the feeling that they were just not executing and playing their own game. 
 
The team had a few defensive breakdowns over the course of the last three games but it really was their lack of any type of offensive production that really sunk their campaign.  They just did not score enough goals!  You can play defense as well as you would like but if you do not score any goals, the best that you can hope for is a tie!  GRRRR!  Frustrating.  I am a US Soccer fan and all it seems to get me is heartbreak after heartbreak.  I am a believer (they can beat good european sides!) but that just seems to make the heartbreak worse!  If I didn’t believe, I wouldn’t have this hope!  Oh well, there is always the next World Cup….

In the meantime, my two other teams, Spain and Germany, made it through the group stage and will continue in the tournament.  

Ever since I lived in Spain, I have been a Spanish soccer fan.  In the past, they have brought me almost as much heartache as the US soccer team.  They are perennial underachievers.  But this year looks like it might be their year to go far in the tournament.  

Ever since Claudia, I have of course been a German soccer fan.  Claudia and I have both spoken about the fact that the Germans seem to be a great tournament team.  They do poorly in between the European Championships and the World Cup, but once they get into either one of those tournaments, they get their act together and can beat any team in the world!  I think that they have a great chance to go far this year.  They will definitely beat Sweden and I don’t think that England can stop their offensive push.  

That’s all for now.  We will see if I am right or wrong very shortly!

Happy Memorial Day

That is a sentence that I often hear this time of year. However, when one realizes the true meaning of Memorial Day, this sentence sounds slightly incongruous.

It appears that many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day. It has sadly, in some ways, become a holiday of barbecues and the beginning of summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good barbecue and summer just as much as the next guy. But it appears that the true meaning of the holiday is slowly being forgotten. Apparently only 28% of the Americans in a recent Gallup Poll knew the true meaning of the holiday!?!?

There is currently an attempt being made by the President and Congress to remind the people of the United States of the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is requested that every American takes 60 seconds out of their Memorial Day at 3:00pm for a Moment of Remembrance. I personally think that regardless of our political orientations, beliefs or how you feel about our involvement in Iraq or anywhere else that we have a responsibility to remember those of our countrywomen and men that have fallen in the service of this country. It is very important that we remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. I think that a moment of silence is the least that we can do.

Let’s put the Memorial back in Memorial Day!