So that was totally unexpected. All of it. I don’t know what the hell happened over in South Africa today, but I enjoyed it. Much like the Magic in the NBA finals, I was just happy the US was there, and if they put up a good fight then it was going to be a success. But I really am unsure where to go from here, or where the USMNT stands.
This surely keeps Bob Bradley in his position till after the World Cup, provided the US dosen’t just completely flame out in the Gold Cup or WC Qualifying. My biggest thought after Sunday’s suprise win was what this would do to the expectations of the casual fan when the World Cup does roll around. Do we get another #5 world ranking and have expectations put upon us that there is no way we can achieve? Or does the media go in with tempered expectations and position the US as more of an underdog? When I say media, I of course mean ESPN as casual fans probably aren’t going to be looking to FSC or some other serious soccer outlet for their info, so the obligation to do level headed reporting really does fall on the shoulders of ESPN.
If expectiations are too high then the growth of the sport in the US will suffer if the team fails to live up to the hype. If they blow the expectations out of the water, then that will only serve to grow the sport tremendously over here. This is a team though that, depending on the draw, I think can make it to the knockout stage. It’d be tough to say they could make it past the 1st round of knockout though as by that point the competition gets too good.
Right now though, who cares. The US has exceeded everyone’s expectations and we should be happy as hell about that. So get out your vuvuzelas and check out what else is on tap.
Blogetizers
-Socks put together his starting XI of the best American atheletes in other sports [Style Points]
-LSUFreek makes amazing .gif’s again and again [Sportress]
-Zizou’s gonna be in Canada this week, go check him out and give him a handshake for that headbutt [Unprofessional Foul]
-Marty B is slowly becoming my favorite tight end on a team that I hate, sorry Cooley [KSK]
-We confirmed that our own thefuseproject is crazy and has quite the jersey collection (fuse, don’t give us your address or we may raid your closet) [The Phoenix]
House Specials
Get your picks in for MLS Pick’em, sure you don’t win anything, and its really hard to pick this league but, um, just go pick.
There were a few things we wanted to see today from the USMNT, and well I’d say we all saw some stuff we wanted to see today.
Stat nerds, Magnakai reviewed the Actim index for you, Joe Morgan thinks Billy Beane wrote that too.
Are you mad at Mr. Red Devil for calling you a fuckhammer? He’ll be easy to spot next season because he’ll have this on
Tonight’s WAG: Cheryl Cole
Your Musical Entertainment for the Night:
The Mercury Craze by Subtle
ummm… I’m not going to say who, but we can see who registers on our board and there is no way in hell I’m giving you all passwords.
Heh, Boys. They’re cute, but not necessarily bright.
message me and I’ll give you it…I can see you
I registered, do I now need a ‘special’ password and handshake?
For the TMI sections….and oh dear, Adam found us and now I need to edit a pic
haha
ha, he’s a resourceful bugger.
you can email me the password – I’m not about to get completely involved in the forum tonight. too many other fires to put out. Plus, I’m getting tired.
oh, check your email in a sec, I’ve got something that may interest you
oh? my interest, it is piqued.
Random, does anyone know why Natty Light is suddenly advertising? We but it like 98% of the time, do they really need to advertise?
I’ve never really understood why some companies advertise, especially ones that fill a niche but are extremely popular and well known, like Natty Light.
What’s going on cockbunions???
From what I’ve been reading lately, magics has been killing it up in here. Ampersand-one to him in his absence (anybody else not seeing the “pluses” anymore? what gives).
Anyway, another day, another fifty bucks at the damned restaurant. Try the poor, it’s awful popular.
no, using the &1 instead of +1 is just something to differentiate this group of miscreants from the other group of miscreants.
goodness, you’ve been hittin’ the skids lately babe. poor thing.
Ok i’m going to sleep, and Marissa, if you can’t fuck Jesus i hear this guy is pretty close…
http://www.powerpointplaybook.com/dovadesignsmainfolder/powerpointplaybook/Tim_Tebow.jpg
Fuckwads, what’s shaken?
Shakey’s Mom, of course!
You know, I think this is rapidly becoming the defacto greeting meme – a two part meme, at that.
How’d it go, break anything tonight?
Naw, I actually played well 2-6, rocketed 2 outs, and faked the pants off a runner at third to get him in a rundown. If my fielders weren’t incompetent it would have been an out, but I looked bad ass.
The negative was I Castillo’d a pop fly (the infield was a mess and I slipped in the mound area)
Okay, East Coaster signing off. Left Coasters, be kind, this is a classy joint. Don’t grind your shoes on the couch, m’kay?
Hasta Luego.