Ten times bigger than the Super Bowl
Americans misunderstand the importance the next has on the rest of the world. Well, at least most Americans. Thirty-two countries have a shot at bragging rights for the next four years over every other country in the world... to become Earth's soccer super-power.
The 2006 World Cup begins today in Germany. I've watched nearly every Cup game televised since 1994 when the US was the host country. Maybe it's because soccer takes qualities from baseball, football and chess like I like it alot.
In baseball the offense is directed by one person... the batter. In soccer it's the man with the ball. A soccer game can end up 1-0 - just like a baseball game... and still be called a classic. That's because a great defense can stifle a great offense - like great pitching can shutdown great hitting.
In football you use set plays to march up and down the field. While soccer is more fluid (almost to hockey like a point) you still try to set up connections between your best players. You want a Langdon Donovan connecting with DaMarcus Beasley just like Philadelphia Eagles fans wanted another Donovan to connect with TO (when they weren't feuding).
In chess you have to be aware of how your opponent is trying to defeat you and try and direct them into a trap. Very similiar to how the best players in soccer weave throught the opposing team's pawns to strike at the goal line by taking what the other team is giving you and using that to your advantage.
A billion people will watch the World Cup this year - ten times more that view the Super Bowl. I'll be one of those viewers. I'm of course rooting along with the rest of Sam's Army and hoping Team USA has a great showing... maybe even getting to the semi-final game! It all begins Monday against a powerful, yet hurting, Czech team. If our boys can win that one... a team from CONCACAF might finally raise the golden trophy.
The 2006 World Cup begins today in Germany. I've watched nearly every Cup game televised since 1994 when the US was the host country. Maybe it's because soccer takes qualities from baseball, football and chess like I like it alot.
In baseball the offense is directed by one person... the batter. In soccer it's the man with the ball. A soccer game can end up 1-0 - just like a baseball game... and still be called a classic. That's because a great defense can stifle a great offense - like great pitching can shutdown great hitting.
In football you use set plays to march up and down the field. While soccer is more fluid (almost to hockey like a point) you still try to set up connections between your best players. You want a Langdon Donovan connecting with DaMarcus Beasley just like Philadelphia Eagles fans wanted another Donovan to connect with TO (when they weren't feuding).
In chess you have to be aware of how your opponent is trying to defeat you and try and direct them into a trap. Very similiar to how the best players in soccer weave throught the opposing team's pawns to strike at the goal line by taking what the other team is giving you and using that to your advantage.
A billion people will watch the World Cup this year - ten times more that view the Super Bowl. I'll be one of those viewers. I'm of course rooting along with the rest of Sam's Army and hoping Team USA has a great showing... maybe even getting to the semi-final game! It all begins Monday against a powerful, yet hurting, Czech team. If our boys can win that one... a team from CONCACAF might finally raise the golden trophy.
posted by Jono @ 1:07 PM
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