Bad, bad day

A day unlike any other we have seen in recent years. First, the world cup:

- Australia-Japan: Nice comeback by the Aussies. Would have been a crime had Japan won on their cheap goal. Impressive for any team to score three as quickly as they did to end that match. Could they advance as the 2nd place team?

- US-Czech: Very hard to say a single positive thing about the US performance. They were absoloutely, utterly outplayed and got what they deserved. An abolute whipping 3-0. ay have been the worst showing by any team so far.

- Italy-Ghana: Didn't see this. All reports were that it was quite an attractive match.

And then the really bad news: Riding motorcycles is playing with fire. Virtually everyone I know who has had a bike has had a serious accident. Now add Big Ben to that list. Since it seems that his injuries aren't terrifying, the questions will soon come around to what this means for the steeler season. Also, what is the over/under on the # of days it will take for someone in the PA legilature to try and create a helmet law?

World Cup Day 3

Netherlands-Serbia/Montenegro: Dutch looked quite good in the 1st half (it goes without saying that Robben has been the most impressive player through the first 3 days). 2nd half started to drag but after the first matches for each, the Dutch-Argentina game continues to look like a centerpiece for the 1st round.

Mexico-Iran: CONCACAF continues to do well. Costa Rica lost but acquitted themselves well. T&T drew Sweden in the miracle of the 1st round so far, and now Mexico dominates Iran. What does this mean for the US tomorrow? Not quite sure yet. Will be interesting. Mexico and Portugal look like the class of their group though.

Portugal-Angola: After the quick Portugese goal to start the game, thought we might be headed for a blow out. No such entertainment though. Is there something in the water on the Iberian peninsula that makes their teams look so good on paper, yet come tournament time, they always disappoint?

World Cup Day 2

Thoughts on the 5 matches so far:

- Germany-Costa Rica: No big surprise here. Hosts look good. Supririsng to see how happy the Costa Ricans were with their performance. Sounds like they think they have a good chance against Ecuador and Poland (which is probably true).

- Ecuador-Poland: Ecuador 2-0 but with a lot of woodwork help as the Poles kept hitting the posts/crossbar. Great result for Ecuador. Two draws or a win and they move to the 2nd round.

- England-Paraguay: As boring of a game as you can imagine. This is why soccer never has caught on with US fans. You have one of the most hyped teams with the soccer player whose name is most well known in the US (Beckham) and the game is an absolute bore.

- Trinidad/Tobago-Sweden: Great game, especially for a 0-0 draw. How T&T held for an entire half with only 10 is incredible. But Sweden's finishing was quite poor.

- Argentina-Ivory Coast: So much for SI's predictoin that Argentina wouldn't get to the 2nd round.