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Soccer

U.S. Enters World Cup With High Expectations

By: Adam Bielamowicz

In 1990 when the United States qualified for the World Cup for the first time in forty years, they were just happy to be there.  So was the case in 1994 and 1998 as well.  In three World Cups in the 1990s the Americans went 1-8-1 in ten matches.

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Soccer

The clueless soccer fan’s guide to watching the World Cup

Remember comedian Jay Mohr’s talk show on ESPN back in 2002? Of course you don’t. It lasted only 16 seconds, but that was long enough for him to get in the one line that pretty much captured how the good ol’ U.S of A. has felt about the rest of the world’s favorite quadrennial sporting event:

“So, I hear the World Cup started this week. In a related story, my stones itch.”

It’s not enough that we simply ignore the beautiful game, we go out of our way to abhor it, to knock it, to dis it every chance we get. Not only do we dislike the sport, but we’re pretty damn proud of it.

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Soccer

World Cup Pre-Show

It is time to put aside my disdain for the sport of soccer and instead show it the respect that it commands as the World Cup gets kicked off.

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Soccer

Final Score: Auld Onion Bag 1 – Football Commentary 0

There is a growing force of football fans mobilizing to rid the American soccer scene of Tommy Smyth, the “auld onion wind-bag.” Reading about the discontent that is an international phenomenon, some might argue that his name could well be changed to: “Tommy Smyth – with a why won’t he shut the hell up.” Americans may think he is “quaint,” but the rest of the footballing universe thinks he is a twit.

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Soccer

Galactico World

Florentino Pérez is tarnishing the image of a legendary club and trying to add `mouse ears’ to it. Here’s a concept – play games and win titles.

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Soccer

In June 2006 no one will care about America

Why would the rest of the world? Everyone will be watching the World Cup after all…

For many, the Olympics are nothing, the World Cup is everything. A country’s emotions all ride on the fortune of 11 players going out to do battle with the country on their chest (and thank God, without sponsorship).