Who's Going to Win this Doorstop?

The Confederations Cup wraps up today, with some serious bragging rights going into a World Cup year on the line. We start with Italy v. Uruguay (the first two nations to win the World Cup) at noon. This one's on The Deuce and starts at 11:45am (unless they decide to go all Court TV on us again). Then we get an extended break before the Final at 6pm. Join me for all the action here on the LOB.

Spain v. Italy Live!

The Confederations Cup semi-finals continue today with an all-European classic between Italy and Spain. Of course it's a replay of the Euro 2012 final, so it's a chance to check in on how these two sides have held up over the past year and their prospects for Brasil 2014. As usual, the coverage starts on ESPN at 2:30pm EST - unless pre-empted by more Court TV action (sigh) - and the match starts at 3pm. Join me for all the action.

Brazil v. Uruguay Live!

Let the knock-out rounds begin! The semi-finals of the Confederations Cup start today and they don't get any bigger or more historical than this one. It's 1950 redux - with the 2014 hosts trying to exorcise the ghosts of losses past. Tune in to ESPN at 3pm for full coverage and of course join me on the LOB for the chatter.

MUR With the LOB Shield

After several requests, I finally posed for a picture with the famous LOB Shield on a hot Texas summer day. Enjoy!

Brushes with Greatness

The Guardian Football Weekly did a brilliant piece on yesterday's episode about meeting up with famous footballers, so I thought I'd throw it out to all of you. Have you had brushes with greatness? When and how have you bumped into famous footballers.

I'll start with my stories - I've got quite a few, actually. During Euro 96, the Gooner, Dad and I went to six matches, including all of the Wembley matches and two outside London. During a trip up to Anfield for Italy v. Russia, we happened upon Liverpool and BBC great Alan Hanson outside the ground holding court. I seem to remember that he was a bit bemused by how excited this group of Americans was to see him.

A few years later, I bumped into Joe Max-Moore at National Airport on the day that he scored a winning goal for the US against Argentina in a friendly. I got a chance to buy him a capuccino at Starbucks and pick his brain. Around the same time, I lined up to get John Harkes' signature on a copy of his biog for the Gooner. When I told him that it was intended for a DC United fan, he shot back - "well, that dynasty is over." Not sure Gooner would disagree with that assessment.

Best, though, was the meeting of the minds that you see above. It happened during the days just before the start of the 2002 World Cup in Japanorea. The Swedish side was holed up in a hotel in a seaside town (Aoshima) near where I was living in at the time. Karen and I were headed for our favorite beach that day and turned a corner to see a group of very un-Japanese looking men playing keepy-uppy in the surf (I seem to remember that Henrik Larsson had a very flash gold Speedo on). After settling on a patch a discreet distance away from them, I doubled back to have a chat with Freddie Ljungberg and Karen snapped a quick shot. Great memories!

How about you lot?

WTF Hits 400!

Marc Maron's WTF podcast celebrates its 400th episode this week and Marc has picked a corker of a guest for the show - rock and roll legend Iggy Pop. Iggy may look like beef jerky these days when he takes his shirt off (which is all too frequent for my taste), but he's got the stories to back it up. Should be a fascinating listen. You can download it from iTunes or the usual outlets. Enjoy!

A Classic Match-up!

Brazil v. Italy. It conjures up memories of 1970, that rocket shot by Carlos Alberto, 1994, the penalty miss by Baggio. And it's back this evening, with the final match of Group A. Not a lot on the line today apart from bragging rights and slight advantage in this week's Confederations Cup semis. Join me from 3pm onward for what promises to be a fascinating encounter.

Protests in Brazil Cast a Shadow Over WC Preparations

The protests continue throughout Brazil as an accompaniment to the Confederations Cup matches this week. There are a multitude of issues at stake (e.g., ticket prices, police behavior); however, as you can see from the V for Vendetta-style Guy Fawkes mask on the protester above, this week's events are a continuation of indignado/Occupy oriented campaigns around income inequality and globalization. Several of the current squad, including David Luiz have come out in favor of the demonstrations. Read more about this week's events here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/21/brazil-protests-football-world-cup

Your thoughts, gents?

How Many Goals Will They Score?

That's the question on everyone's mind this afternoon as the World Champions Spain go up against the minnowiest of minnows Tahiti. The Pacific islanders did score a goal against Nigeria but also let in six.  Join me for the goal-fest next up.

Today in Confederation Cup Action

Welcome to another day of Confederation Cup action. It all starts at 3pm EST with hosts Brazil against a Mexican side in disarray. That's followed an hour later with Italy v. Japan. I should be around for the first half of the first one before I head off for a charity run in Buffalo tonight. Join me if you're around and about.

US v. Honduras Live!

If it's Tuesday...it's another huge World Cup qualifier for the US boys. Tonight it's Honduras and the geniuses at US soccer have scheduled it to be played in Salt Lake City, where it's probably illegal to be Latin. I'll be having a few of my buddies over, so I'll be in and out throughout the evening. But join me from 8:30 onward for all the action.

All Songs Considered Best of 2013 So Far....

Believe it or not we're at the mid-point of the year already, so the nattering nabobs of music criticism at NPR have put together a cracking show on the best ofs so far. Feast on the likes of Daft Punk, Flaming Lips and Kasey Musgrave. You can down-load it from iTunes and the other usual outlets. 

The Confeds Cup Starts Today

The Confeds Cup kicks off today at 3 PM EDT with Brazil vs Japan. The Brazilian FA have told Bog Phil "To Not Screw This Up." Interpret that as you may. Come join us for the usual LOB banter.

Fill the word in the blank quiz

These are all headlines from the sports pages. You have to supply the correct word in the blank. CLICK to take the quiz

Where is English Football?

Don't miss the fascinating discussion on BBC Five Live's podcast today about the present and future of English football, both in terms of the league structure and the international sides. You can download it from iTunes and the other usual outlets. Enjoy!

Another Summer Day of Crucial Internationals

In another indication that the footer season never really ends, we've got a Tuesday with a bumper crop of Brasil 2014 qualifiers in Europe, South America and North/Central America. Join me throughout the day for updates and live coverage, culminating in the crucial U.S. v. Panama match from Seattle.

The Premiership Managerial Merry-Go-Round

Roberto Martinez is the latest to land in a different spot on the Premiership managerial merry-go-round, but there has been a tremendous amount of coming and going since we ended the season a couple of weeks back. Here are the most significant moves:

Man Yoo - Alex Ferguson retired; David Moyes hired.
Man Citeh - Roberto Mancini sacked; Manuel Pelligrini rumored to be coming.
Chelski - Rafa Benitez resigned; Jose Mourinho hired.
Everton - David Moyes off to United; Roberto Martinez hired.

So, who's got the best deal of that lot. And who has the worst end of the stick? Who's next on the Premiership managerial merry-go-round? Your thoughts, gents?

An Early Favorite for Worst Kit of the 2013/14 Season?

Have a gander at Liverpool's new away kit? One more reason for Luis "The Little Biter" to jump ship? Your thoughts, gents?

A Day of Meaningless, Money Making International Friendlies

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! What to watch? The U.S vs Germany starts at 2:30 PM EDT from RFK and will be broadcast on ESPN2. A pair of LOBers will be in attendance. Another friendly that was originally cancelled then called on again  kicks off thirty minutes later from Rio as Brazil hosts England. That match is BEIN on BEIN. Which one to watch? Come join us if you can.