Oh man. For the first time in more than 2 weeks, I'm at a loss. There's nothing to do. It's terrible. What's the use of the damn TV, if there's no football on?
I'm beginning to fear for the period between 12 July and 14 August.
Anyways, what better time than now to talk a little bit about the USA.
Yes, the USA! Those who have read this for a little while know that I have a little soft spot for the US team. Those who have spoken to me have looked at me like a complete looney when I said I was rooting for the US this World Cup. Even worse those who look at me when I say one day soon, they're gonna win the World Cup.
I still believe it. Trust me, they're going to win it for the first time before England wins a second - if ever. Think about it - it's just a matter of time, before you get the Michael Jordans, the Tiger Woods, the Michael Phelps', all somehow emerging in one generation of football players.
Look at it this way. For some reason, the US somehow produces really good goalkeepers. Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, and before them, Kasey Keller. Even Boaz Myhill's decent, and American-born. It's always goalkeepers. But, it's all white guys man. And they say white men can't jump! How is it that they've produced such amazing goalkeepers, without even tapping that source of really good (and I'm sorry to use this) black guys? Can you imagine Michael Jordan as goalkeeper? Man...
And this, not even mentioning the guaranteed supply of good players of Latin American, South American extract. It's all going to work out. All that needs to happen now is: (a) the slow transformation of the soccer-mom, Honda Odyssey, soccer-playing set, and (b) for the US to stop using non-football terms in talking about football.
This is crucial. There is no way in hell they're going to win anything talking nonsense.
First, let's not even talk about "soccer". That's an argument too far gone to win. It's done. We've already lost that battle. Let's just try to change things that can be changed. For starters, then:
"Over-time". There's no such thing. It's called extra-time. Over-time...
"Touch-line". Nope, sorry. Sounds stupid. What are they going to do? Touch-down on the touch-line? Along the same vein, you don't say "the ball rolls into touch".
Things like "2-0-2". We don't understand statistics like that.
"Ties" - as in "the US ties Algeria". Sorry, we don't understand that either. It's called draw. Not as in illustrate. But draw.
"Turnover" - even Bob Bradley uses it! "Turnover in midfield", he said. I can't imagine it. How can any manager give a credible team talk in the changing room at half-time if he uses "turnover"??? "That was a shit turnover!" Don't think Bradley's going to get a coaching job in Europe.
To make a "good play". Not good. Sorry. "That was a good play by David Villa!!" I'm sure he'd be chuffed to have his "play" referred to as a "play".
A "shut-out" by the goalkeeper. Holy smokes. It's called a clean sheet. Shut-out. Please.
US MNT - as in US Men's National Team. I'm sorry, when you say US Men's National Team, it sounds like you're talking gymnastics and floor exercises. Just say: the US. That should be fine.
"Regulation", as in regulation time. Imagine - calling the 90 minutes regulation. As in "Tied 0-0 during regulation..." Gives me the shivers.
I mean, there is no way any coach (even "coach" is slightly off in the footballing sense. There's a fitness coach, yes, but let's not call Bob Bradley a "coach". He's more than that) is going to stand in front of any decent dude of Brazilian or Mexican origin and start using terms like these. Not good for the credibility, sir, not good.
I'm sure there're many more terms out there. But you get the drift. No country's going to win the World Cup with a US MNT. Start working on that first.
Ciao then. It's going to be equally weird tomorrow, I fear.
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