USA Loses the World Cup to China in Women's Soccer

They were counting the cars in the garages too soon.  So said the commentators about one of the US Women's Soccer team members father.  The nation would buy you a pool of cars...not so, this day.

It was a really great game.  The Japanese had the finesse with ball handling skill.  America scored first then Japan, then America, then Japan.  It came down to the penalty kicks and Japan came out on top.

Ah well, if we had to lose to any country, let it be the one that has gone through so much in the year.  But, they deserved it.  Either team could have one it, it was just their day.

Liverpool Beats the Red Devils!! 3-1

Who would have thought this outcome?  The Liverpool team seemed in control for the whole game.  Holding the Red Devils down all the way.  The Anfield crowd let their voice be heard with some of the most rousing rounds of song to heard on TV at a soccer game in quite a while.  You've got to love a team with a show tune for the team song!

The energizer bunny of a man, Dirk Kuyt was the only goal scorer (3) for Liverpool.  What a striker.  Suarez proved his worth with his valuable foot work, which got the ball to Kuyt a couple of times.

This is not the team of the Pre Christmas slump.  I wondered if they all knew that Torres was on the way out and were wondering about their fate.

Ah well, what a turn around the Reds are on fire! Great game!!!

Revenge is Sweet! Liverpool 1-Chelsea 0

Sayeth the Liverpudlians!!!




Yes, the dreaded move by the sainted Spaniard turned out to be a dud for the 50 million plus for the sale.


The King has conquered and the Reds are on their way to be on top once again.


I'm a bit sad for my favorite player in the world, or was my favorite, the ultimate insult was to be the first player removed from the game.  Ouch!!

Now, I think after this game my new favorite is LUCAS!!  What a dynamic player on the pitch.  Gerrard spent his time looking a bit swollen in the face, to me and doing his usual huffing and puffing and not affecting much.  


But, they grow the footballers well in Brazil, where LUCAS is from.  Not all that big in stature, but, it's his timing and tenacity that means so much more.  


Besides LUCAS from Brazil, it was MEIRLES from Portugal, who scored the only goal.  


Good old Dirk Kuyt was everywhere fighting and fussing and causing problems for Chelsea.  


I spent 90 plus minutes yelling and screaming and jumping up and down.  I'm worn out, but, it was sooooo worth it!!!


Great Games (they have won the last several-with clean sheets on all for Reine, another sainted Spaniard) Guys!


The King Kenny is on the throne and back in his place to bring the trophies home.

Sad Soccer News...

Fernando Torres is going to Chelsea.  For all of the three of us in America that like to watch soccer, and like Liverpool, this is a blow!

Liverpool Soccer Club has fallen on hard times.  The thing to do is get rid of Gerrard and Carragher, not Torres.  I guess he's unhappy, and that's that.  Will Liverpool ever recover?  It will be tough.  People in Europe live and die for their teams, even if players come and go.  I can't imagine Torres and Terry playing together, the low blows and dislike was very apparent.  But, like Liverpool, Chelsea is losing it's momentum and probably wants to salvage something before it's too late, like it was for Liverpool.

America went a little further this time

What do we have to do to win a World Cup? Maybe play teams that don't dive...a little too much of that. Don't they want the HUGE American audience in the soccer/football world? I think if they cleaned up the cheating, that USA would be totally behind our boys and the money would flow. Soccer players should get the respect they deserve, because it is SO HARD TO SCORE that when it finally happens it is the best. So, if you are caught diving, it's an instant red card-meaning you are out of the game.

Why don't they use technology when playing or allow an instant replay dispute? It is time to integrate it into the game. This would make the scores higher, because the offsides penalties would be better observed and the diving would be caught and punished.

But, as it was the brave 11 or so fought the valiant fight, sort of. I have to say that it seemed the spark was more in the Ghana team this time. Heavy legs from the emotional draining of the previous match a few days before. I was worn out watching it, it was so good. The Heartbreak Kids came through for us in the last 2 minutes of stoppage time.

Could it have been the fact that Ghana were the last to remain of the home country teams that spurred them to greatness? Is everyone gunning for the Americans? Was all the fake time delaying in the overtime play really necessary? Are we paying the referees too much for sorry officiating?

Now the grudge of all grudges is on the books. Ghana denied America in the 2006 WC so, look out next time.

Third time is a...

THE YANKS ARE IN!!!

THE YANKS ARE IN THE FINAL 16!!!

Who would have thought, we are something at last!!!

Clint Dempsy is the man to be denied but, how much he did give down to the last attempt. The Algerians had it in for him, bruised and bloodied he left everything he had on the pitch.

But, the GREAT LANDON DONAVON, calm cool and collected tapped in for the Americans to LEAD THE GROUP!!

HA!

THE YANKS ARE COMING TO THE WORLD CUP 2010

PUT ON FULL SCREEN AND HIGH VOLUNE TO WATCH.

This will get you excited about soccer/football for the USA. It's time!!

USA is second against Brazil...it was so close!

It looked like we were going to pull off another big upset.  First it was taking down Spain 2-0.  Then the Americans wanted it so, so bad and came closer than any other time in USA soccer history to winning a FIFA competition.  The event was in South Africa, the sight for the next World Cup tournament.  There is no greater glory, in the football world, than winning the World Cup, a once every four years tournament played by national players from each country.  This is why America is given a more equal footing.  The bigger clubs can spend huge, huge, sums of money for players from any country in the world.  Half of the Liverpool, England team is made of Spaniards.  America is coming to this, but, slowly, thank you Drew Carey for your support in this regard.  

The Americans came out blazing and pulled ahead 2-0 and it look like it was over.  My goodness, they were tasting it, in imaginary fashion, I suppose.  This game, the Confederations Cup-one year from the WC/2010-was getting them excited.  But, in the end, Brazil proved why it's won the World Cup competition 5 times and pulled off the upset of the seemingly invincible Americans.  

During the game, one of the announcers stated the largest number of ticket sales for 2010's World Cup has been purchased by Americans. 

You will be the first to lead the way for that "generation" that is growing up at home, loving the beautiful game.  

Hold your beautiful heads up boys, we are coming to help you next year. If we can-lions, tigers and bears, Oh my!  Spaniards, Italians, and Brazilians, Oh My!  But, you know that damn buzzing gets old...

YES YOU CAN!

Howard will be signed by Premier League or Madrid after this over

Please click on the green grass above and see the hero of American soccer today.  My gosh, Howard is going to be signed by the Premier League or Madrid after this is over.

Well, at long last it seems, maybe, just maybe, America will earn it's dues for soccer.  Long have the smirks come when speaking of the USA and soccer.  Yes, they need 10 more years and we will be a force to be reckoned with.  That's what people used to say for the excuse for American soccer's close but no cigar movements in the soccer world.

My beloved Spain striker, Fernando Torres, never even mentioned America, after they beat the last team before the semi final.  I hate to say it but, he was excited about Brazil and Spain together in the final and no mention of first we must get past America-HA!

We shall see, big, bad Brazil had better watch out!!

America plays like a team, there really are no multi, multi, multi million dollar super stars, but, you know, maybe there should be-hehehehe...smile

Liverpool and Chelsea-one of the best games in recent memory

The boys in red were brought down by the boys in blue in one  of the most spectacular games I've seen in a long time.  The game was actually a tie 4-4 but with some crazy rule that gives more weight to games that are played in an away match.  Chelsea, UK, had won by 2 points at Anfield earlier in the season.  My team had to win by 3 points and it looked like it was going to happen.  Then after the second half, Ballack came out blazing.  A last few minutes determined Dirk Kuyt header made it look like we might just pull it off-we needed 5 and that was possible, until Lampard made a second goal and that was the nail to our beautiful attempt.  My gosh the defending from Chelsea was brilliant and Fernando was held to no scoring.  The whistles were sounding, as the tempers were causing all kinds of fouls.  

But, in the end the fans were treated to one of the most beautiful games in football, but, not so happy for Liverpool.  No more Champions League Cup to win.    

What a sad day for football.  In 1989 96 people were crushed to death while trying to watch a sports event.  I can't imagine...

Liverpool Remembers...

It was not so long ago that their could be any excuses.  I hope that lessons  were learned and this never happens again.  

Oh my goodness, I better stop writing.  It's just a bit of a down day for me today.  

Fernando Torres 2008/09 So Far

The beautiful game is beautiful when it's played like this.

THE CREW WON THE MLS CUP!

OMG!  Yeah!  My team, Columbus Crew, won the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup!  3-1

I couldn't watch it, don't ask me why, it wasn't on anywhere on my stations.  I guess I'll have to be happy to catch the highlights somewhere...any suggestions?  

Ah well, we can always escape into our favorite sports programs, if only we can find them.

The Crew Won!

For the first time ever, the Columbus Crew won the Eastern Regional Championships for the Major League Soccer franchise.  I wish I could have been there, the stadium was electric with anticipation as the clock counted down for the Columbus win over Chicago 2/1.  The beauty of the gaudy HD TV's is that you can really be brought close to the action-almost like being there, without the beer.  

If you've never been to a professional soccer game, you must get to one.  The fans are some of the most engaged I've seen-jumping and drumming and painted their teams colors.  Save for a college playoff game, these fans are really enjoying themselves.

Soccer comes on Thursday nights around here on ESPN, channel 30.  

Come on America!

Columbus Crew Soccer-Europe has nothing on USA!

It finally happened, I went to my first professional American Soccer game.  

On a bright sunny fall day, we headed down I-71 to Columbus, Ohio.  It's about a 3 hour drive from Louisville, but, I would do it again in a heartbeat!  It was soooo much fun!  It really is the beautiful game.  And Americans have all that Europe has in the soccer world, but, maybe just not quite as big-yet...smile. 

 We haven't grown up with it all our lives, like Europe has.  We are growing up with it, somewhat, but not to the extent that the rest of the world has, but, someday, the World Cup will be ours...grrrrr...smile   

For years, Louisville, Kentucky, has talked about having a professional team.  I predict, if Louisville would wake up and have some vision, ahem-SEE THE FUTURE FOR ONCE-and invest in a professional soccer team, they would have as popular a community rallying activity as there ever could be.  

Anyway, we had to stop by my husband's favorite restaurant, Pappadeaux's, in Cincinnati, Ohio.  That base covered, off we went.  

Driving up to the Columbus Crew stadium was quite exciting and the wind was strong, but, it only gusted a bit during the game.  It might have some effect in the end though.  

Soccer fans are the best.  The teams playing were DC United and theColumbus Crew.  The fans for DC United are well known in the soccer world for being some of the best and most loyal in the game.  Not to be outdone, the Crew had their own share of rabid fans and there was a bit of bad mouthing to begin the game.  I don't the European fans would have stood for this, but, Americans showed restraint and the yelling and drumming back and forth was a bit of a rally for the fans in the stadium.  This is a brave soul, she didn't get the memo where to sit. 

 The Columbus Crew doesn't need David Beckham to put bums in the seats here!

We had really good seats and the weren't that much, about $25.00 per seat.  Now if there is anyone from Louisville reading this, please know that the money is made at the concession stand-$9.00 for a beer.  There were box seats that were full also, so there is ample opportunity for developing a money making venture.  

The game was really exciting and I thought DC was going to win because they had the ball at their end, at least during the first half, a lot.  But, in the end, it was the Columbus Crew that won the game, 1 to 0.  Brad Evans made the score toward the end of the game.  It was worth the wait.  

We have a queen, just like Europe...sort of.  But, Americans like their cheerleaders and tailgating.  I wonder if they have those in Europe?  We have our share of divers and who's to stay they did or didn't?

You would think a town like Washington DC could afford to buy the best players in the land, but, like Manchester City, in Europe, it's not always the most money to spread around that makes a soccer team win.  

 

Quilting and Soccer...smile

I've been busy, busy, busy, making a king size quilt by hand sewing.  It's a 1 inch hexagon quilt using the Tillie's Mosaic as the inspiration.  It started out as a nice project to bring to the hospital while my daughter, Jennifer, got her various forms of treatment for cancer, over the last year.  My progress has been slow, as some days I just didn't feel like doing much, let alone sew.  But, Hooray, Hooray, glory day!, Jennifer finished her last round of chemo a couple of weeks ago, and tomorrow we go in for all day testing, head to toe.  The Dr.s are confident the cancer is in remission and she can get the line out at the end of October.  This is no port, if only...it's a central line, which runs up the inside of her and comes out in two lines exiting out her side.  That will truly be the end of the ordeal.  

As you can see I am in heaven today, because there is a soccer game on while I'm working on my quilt!  This is not my beloved Liverpool or Spain, but, for me any soccer fix is good.  As you can see my progress is coming a bit slowly and as I'm having to make up the pattern, more or less, as I go.  I'm changing it from the original pattern by Karen Witt.

  

What's up with the Olympics?

300 million spent on the opening ceremony and their website, maybe 20 bucks. It's awful. Come on you techno show offs...where's your sense of community? As in all the world? The worlds largest LCD screen, the opening floor like the Colosseum, the precision fireworks and video on the ceiling. It was, without a doubt the most impressive opening ceremonies I can remember.

But, PLEASE GIVE US A DECENT WEBSITE we can actually navigate! You know user friendly?

Off my soap box on that subject for now. My other gripe about the Olympics, is why can't soccer players from professional teams play for their home countries? and what's up with the age requirement being 23 and younger, then you get 3 wild card players...Ronaldino for Brazil? I know it's the opening season for some teams areas, but, the Olympics is only once every 4 years. If you really want the world to "catch on" to soccer/football you need to have spectacular games in which the whole world is watching...now you guys in America need to work on that...WAKE UP MLS!

OMG, I better go hide now...smile.

The Winds are Blowing and they Call him El Nino!!!

Fernando saves the day...smile

Fernando Torres wins the Man of the Match Honor


SPAIN WINS THE EURO CUP 2008!!


Woo Hoo!!!

It's Spain against Big Bad Germany

The rain was pouring and the lightning was striking, but, striking the ball was not for my man Fernando. He didn't live up to his potential today. He needs a little more seasoning and I think it's perfect for him to play the first 2/3 of the match, then let Gueaza come in as a finisher. The most effective player, at moving and advancing the ball today was Sergio Ramos.

Who would have guessed Spain 3 to 0 over Russia?

The Beautiful Game

Soccer has not caught on in America and I can't understand it. It is the sport of the everyman size-not the steroid abusing, obnoxious egotists-well maybe there are some obnoxious egotists in soccer, but it takes so much finesse and so long to get a score that it makes it that much sweeter when they do. My new favorite team, for the Eurocup 2008, is Spain. I would have been voting for Turkey, but, they have so many injuries and yellow card penalties, I doubt they have much hope against the big, bad Germans.

Ah well, it's still the beautiful game.