Ok. . . Somewhat Similar | 70's sojourner's Blog

So the Lakes won another NBA title. So what, that's their one-hundredth? Ho-hum. Just tired of hearing about Kobe finally winning one without SHAQ! Ho-hum. Now shut up about it; and for heaven's sake, get JEFF VAN GUNDY out of there! Spare us! Let him go back to dangling on Patrick Ewing's leg.

Let's talk about a game that's usually more interesting--in my learned opinion--than an NBA game. That's soccer or futbol if you live in a foreign land.

Yeah, I know, soccer in this country is usually fill-in fodder until the beginning of the season of a real sport such as the NFL. Not always that exciting to watch. Probably slightly more exciting to watch than--I would say--"America's Got Talent." And the players. . . well. . . not considered the pantheon of athleticism. Although, want to explain to me how an American soccer player like Kyle Rote Jr. was able to win the Superstars competition for its first two seasons before O.J. finally won it? Huh, what about that? Not looking to be an apologist here, just saying don't sell the the game and its players short, although we know all they're really qualified to be is NFL kickers when they finally tire of running up and down the field.

Which brings me to the Confederation Cup Championship between the USA and Brazil (yes, USA was actually playing for a championship in soccer [futbol if you live in a foreign land]). How about that? USA was not expected to get this far (when are they ever expected to get "this far" in anything related to soccer). They had beaten teams such as Spain. So I likened this or this was similar to the Cardinals-Steelers Super Bowl game (ok--somewhat similar).

So given that only maybe two or three other people watched this game, I'll attempt to convey what I saw for at least for the first half.

This was an exciting match, and the excitement went up a few notches when the US took a 2-0 lead into the half. I particularly liked the second goal when the US took what I believe was a failed Brazilian corner kick down the field with Landon Donovan (I may not get all the names correct) outmaneuvering his defender to knock it in. That's when I actually clapped and cheered for the first time. This could be something. I liked the aggresive US gameplan. They kept Brazil off-balance, and you could see the flustered looks on the Brazilian faces.

You could see or at least you could imagine that they were thinking, "Oh, no. Where is heading?" After the second goal, I imagine they were also looking for a clean pair if underwear to put on. But, alas, we are the loveable loser, America. . . in terms of soccer, of course. The US is the Chicago Cubs of that particular world stage. I was on my way to a kids birthday party, so I didn't catch the second half; and when I got to the party, I had seen that the US was TRAILING 3-2. Whaaaat happened? Could not believe it; but, again, I could believe it.

I could only think, "Remarkable." And could only remark in a deadpan and understated way to one of my relatives, "Well, Brazil is just a good team." Now I know people are wont to say even if America did win, "Well, this wasn't the World Cup, you know. True. But this tourney was certainly important enough for Brazil to participate in.

Anyway, props to a team you have to admire because of their winning tradition. Furthermore, I've always liked the way the Brazilian players have identified themselves with one name. . . Pele for instance. That's the only name I've ever known him by. Other names I've seen along the way from other players have been Bronco, Junior, and I think my favorite of all time. . . Socrates. I'd always thought it cool that Brazil had a player named Socrates.

So you smug (and I guess you deserve to be for awhile) Lakers and fans (those of you who are still alive after your celebration), just glad to know you'll be old news for awhile. This Confed. Cup or it least the way the US was able to perform, will not bring droves of fans to the soccer fields. It was just a shooting star fun to watch for a few seconds in the nighttime sky. Yet, you still gotta remember Kyle Rote, Jr.

Invite you all to catch my other blogsite at www.journeyofthevoice.blogspot.com