Confederations Cup Wrap-Up

The Confederations Cup wrapped up yesterday with an exciting final in which the U.S. put in a brave performance but ultimately succumbed 3-2 to a superior Brazilian side. I was able to follow the opening round of games fairly closely but missed out on much of the latter stages of the tournament, so I'd love to hear some comments from those of you to caught the amazing turn-around by the U.S. team who started out with two abject losses before catching fire.

LOB Book Club - Part Cinque

In the interest of full disclosure, I finished the book last night. (It's past due at the library. Oops.) The ending didn't hold a lot of surprises for me but it still was a good read. Has anyone else finished?

Superstars Returns!

I've just heard that ABC is bringing back the classic "Superstars" series that pits celebrities and sports figures against each other in a number of athletic events. It starts Tuesday and will feature the likes of Terrell Owens, Brandi Chastain and, erm, Julio Inglesias, Jr. Still, it's unlikely to produce the kind of memorable moment as this one featuring King Kev and the bike from 1976 Enjoy!

U.S. vs. Brazil Live!

On the surface, this match against perennial South American favorites seems like a hiding to nothing for Bob Bradley's boys. However, if Donovan and co. can perform with bravery as they did on Monday against Italy, they'll at least be able to save some face. Join me from 10 a.m. onward.

Spain vs. Iraq Live!

Group A is back in action this morning with the current European champions lining up for target practice against Iraq. Join me if you're on a break from work.

LOB Book Club - Part Quartre

So Gator and I have both finished Chapter 16. The last few chapters were a bit of a roller coaster ride and there were some major revelations with the introduction of the Evan character. Discuss!

U.S. vs. Italy Live!

On paper, this looks like another Confederation's Cup mis-match, but as Lexi Lalas was at pains to point out yesterday, the U.S. record against the Azurri isn't actually that bad, including a narrow defeat in Italia 90 and a very serviceable draw at Deutschland 06. Can Sam's Army get a result against the current World Champions? Join me from 2:25 EST on ESPN to find out.

Spain vs. New Zealand Live!

A year after Spain hoisted its first major trophy in international competition, they kick off in SA the favorites to hoist the WC next summer. Are they really that good? Let's hope for a clinic after that dire kick-about this morning.

South Africa vs. Iraq Live!

Ordinarily a match between South Africa and Iraq wouldn't be interesting enough to get me out of bed on a Sunday. But this is our first chance to see the Bafana Bafana and the South African set-up ahead of next summer. Join me from 9:55 on ESPN2 for all the action.

Confederations Cup 2009

Just when the missus thought it was safe to hand you the "Honey Do" list of summer errands, here comes the Confederations Cup. Sure, it's a bogus event that FIFA cooked up in order to promote the upcoming World Cups in the off years, but we don't don't have to admit that, do we chaps? The action kicks off tomorrow with two Group A matches:

South Africa vs. Iraq (10 a.m. EST)
Spain vs. New Zealand (2:30 p.m. EST)

One Nibble and You're Nobbled!

Paul MacInnes had a thoughtful piece on the pleasures of my favorite bicky, McVities' magestial HobNob, in the Guardian today. Take a look by cutting and pasting the following link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/12/hobnobs-biscuits-british-exports

Anyone else want to put in a vote for their favorite English biscuit?

Just Walk Away Cristiano....

It's official. The suits at ManYoo have accepted an £80 - yes, that is 80 million quid! - for the transfer of one Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. The transfer that we all saw coming down the M1 long ago is done and dusted. Surely Fergie and co. can pick up a striker or two with that kind of dosh. So who do you want, Davey?

Off the baa!

I greatly enjoyed watching this episode of "Shaun the Sheep" with the girls this evening. I've been daring Liv to wear oven mitts to her next soccer practice!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/691228/shaun_the_sheep/

England vs. Andorra

Stand up for the In-gur-land as the Three Lions take on Andorra today at Wemberley in their 7th qualifier for WC 2010 in South Africa. I'll be skiving off home early and will be looking forward to the pleasure of your company from 3 p.m. onward.

Come on England!

Bret Michaels Meets Prop of Love

Leaving aside the issue of why exactly hair band Poison were invited to perform at the Tony's on Sunday night, viewers were left with the indelible image of lead singer Bret Michaels (yes, he of "Rock of Love" fame) meeting the business end of a wooden prop, thus setting up a decent one-liner for the Doogie Howser guy. Enjoy!

Social Studies Terms that Made My Students Giggle

A Jeopardy question tonight reminded me of the age-old issue for teachers of prompting inappropriate student hilarity. We've all been there. Math teachers brace every time a problems ends with the answer "69." Health teachers grit their teeth when they are forced to reference the "testes." And yes, we social studies teachers have an abundance of terms that provoke gales of laughter. My solution was always to laugh right along with them. Here are my Top 5 favorites in reverse order:

5. Shi'ites
4. The Wang Dynasty
3. The Dingle Peninsula
2. Djibouti

and of course the granddaddy...

1. Lake Titicaca

Any other offerings?

Kazakhstan V England!

Coverage starts at 10:30 Eastern US, kick-off at 11:00, but not on telly. Fire up your browsers and meet me here.

LOB Book Club - Part Trois

So I guess we were up to Chapter 7, yes? Where Billy attends a talk by Castro at the bar and is shot at on the way there.

I have to agree with Bob that it seems improbable that an American ballplayer in Havana would knowingly insert himself into a volatile political situation that is resulting in flying bullets. Is he doing it just to get close to Marlena? I can't believe that. Is he pathologically curious and naive? Doesn't seem to be that, either. But accepting that device and going forward, I'm still enjoying the book and am chomping at the bit to read more.

Discuss!

The Post-Mortem

Last night's shower of a performance was the most abject US display that I've ever suffered through. Getting pummeled by the Czechs and that Ping-pong dude in the last World Cup was easier to take. I am damned if I can take a single positive thing away from the game. What's even more alarming is the slide that it represents. We've not been good for several months, but have been sneaking it. Now what?

Costa Rica vs. U.S. Live!

Right, it is well and truly time for the U.S. boys to do the biz. They go into the dreaded Saprissa Stadium tonight with an uneviable WC qualifying record of 0-6-1 looking for the first away win over the Ticos. Join me from 9:30 p.m. onward for live coverage here and on ESPN2.

Late Schedule Change News

I've received emails from others that the US match tonight versus the Ticos has been moved to ESPN2. You should check your DVRs, TIVO, and VCRs.

US Squad for Costa Rica on Wednesday

Remember that ESPN is showing this live from Saprissa Stadium at 10pm Eastern. Here's the list of Bradley's usual suspects plus a return for Benny Feilhaber who apparently escaped Derby's frying pan straight into the firey oblivion of Danish football. Also, a point for discussion: the US Soccer website lists Guzan's goal total as 1. WTF?

Adu, Freddy M 5-8 140 - AS Monaco (France)
Altidore, Jozy F 6-1 175 - Xerez C.D. (Spain)
Beasley, DaMarcus M 5-8 145 - Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
Bocanegra, Carlos D 6-0 170 - Stade Rennais (France)
Bornstein, Jonathan D 5-9 145 - Chivas USA 14/1
Bradley, Michael M 6-2 175 - Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)
Califf, Danny D 6-1 175 - FC Midtjylland (Denmark)
Ching, Brian F 6-1 195 - Houston Dynamo
Davies, Charlie F 5-10 160 - N.H. Hammarby IF (Sweden)
DeMerit, Jay D 6-0 185 - Watford FC (England)
Dempsey, Clint F 6-1 170 - Fulham FC (England)
Donovan, Landon F 5-8 150 - Los Angeles Galaxy
Edu, Maurice M 6-0 170 - Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
Feilhaber, Benny M 5-9 150 - AGF Aarhus (Denmark)
Guzan, Brad GK 6-4 210 - Aston Villa FC (England)
Hejduk, Frankie D 5-8 155 - Columbus Crew
Howard, Tim GK 6-3 210 - Everton (England)
Mastroeni, Pablo M 5-10 170 - Colorado Rapids
Kljestan, Sacha M 6-1 150 - Chivas USA
Onyewu, Oguchi D 6-4 210 - Standard de Liege (Belgium)
Pearce, Heath D 5-10 175 - Hansa Rostock (Germany)
Spector, Jonathan D 6-0 180 - West Ham United (England)
Torres, José Francisco M 5-7 135 - C.D. Pachuca (Mexico)
Wynne, Marvell D 5-9 170 - Toronto FC

LOB Book Club - Part Deux

Okay, so I fell asleep at the wheel on Friday. My apologies to all. The consensus seems to be that we all had trouble stopping reading after 3 chapters. I have to concur - a good sign!

So what did you lads think? I like the premise of the father and daughter travelling back to Cuba and the story being told from his point of view through flashbacks. I would like the daughter's point of view to be examined later in the book, but so far it doesn't seem likely.

Whall we read the next 4 chapters and discuss on Wednesday? Thursday?

Discuss!