La Furia Roja

The World Cup has come and gone, and man, will it be missed. Soccer is one of my favorite sports, but it is routinely put on the back burner here in the United States. But hopefully, after this edition of "La Copa," America will come around and realize how great this sport truly is. This tournament gave us the incredible, the horrible, the unfair, the hilarious, and the heart-wrenching. Let's recap.

Yes, Spain won. Yes, they were the favorites, but they didn't make it easy on themselves. They squeaked by in most of their games on the crunch-time heroics of David Villa, and losing the first game shocked the world, but that wasn't the only shock. The reining champion Azurri of Italy didn't make it to the elimination round, and even more bizarre, the French squad was such a disgrace, the country's president felt the need to intervene when they got home.


Nigeria's President banned the country from participating in international soccer for two years due to a "shameful" performance; they were one meter and a missed shot away from a chance at the elimination round.


There were beautiful goals all tournament: from Van Brockhurst of the Netherlands, Maicon of Brazil, and of course, Landon Donovan and "the goal." There were goals that weren't goals (*cough, Tevez*) and goals that were never called. I'm sorry Frank Lampard, but that's the way the cookie crumbles with FIFA.


As I said in my preview post, "This World Cup is chock full of great players and stories to be had." However, many of the biggest stars failed to shine. Just take a look at Nike's "Write the Future" advertisment and tell me how these guys did. (Hint: they didn't).

We all watched and were amazed as Germany scored goals seemingly at will with their furious counter-attack. We watched the heartbreak of Ghana as their World Cup hopes and dreams were taken away by a Suarez handball (oh, wait, actually it was a Gyan penalty kick...)

The Netherlands went deeper than many had thought, though I can't imagine why. Their squad was solid and Robben's return in the second round only served to solidify an already potent attacking squad. Argentina had all of the circus and fanfare that comes when you pick Diego Maradona to be your coach, but the show failed to do anything against the Germans when their glaring lack of defense was painfully obvious. PS - where was Messi?

My Brazilians had an earlier exit than expected, thanks to the gifted (read: sarcasm) abilities of Felipe Melo. I can't even talk about this yet. I just hope Melo has a nice place to live other than Brazil, because I guarantee he's not very welcome there right now.

And now, we have to wait four more years for this magical month of sports to grace our televisions again. The next edition: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There is nothing that could prevent me from going. Ah, World Cup, you will be missed.

What was your favorite World Cup memory?

It's Finally Here

The World Cup is one of the most exciting, moving, inspirational, and downright awesome sporting events. The Olympics are awesome, don't get me wrong, but I like the World Cup more. I know there are less countries, I know it's only one sport. But it's the World's most popular sport, and the stories from this uniting event are incredible in their own right, on and off the field.

South Africa is the first African nation to host a World Cup - in and of itself a historic event. We've all seen the commercials about the African prisoners that clung to the game of soccer to give them hope in prison camps of despair. This game meant everything to them. Of course, it is just a game, but when the World Cup comes around it means so much more.

The World Cup is the most peaceful kind of war that man can wage. There are rivalries and bitter histories, upstart newcomers and established giants. And we, the fans, get to watch the story unfold before our very eyes.



I won't bore you with a group by group breakdown of the 1st stage. Go to ESPN if you want to learn about who is going to advance. I'll tell you now that projections mean nothing in the World Cup. Playing for one's country can motivate the deepest passion and flame in any athlete, bringing out the absolute best in them. I will regale you with my fondest and most painful memories. I was about to turn 7 years old in 1994 when the World Cup was played here in the United States. I played soccer for my school at the time, and my favorite player was Romario. He was the best striker on a loaded Brazil squad that powered its way to the Finals against powerhouse Italy, led by 1993 FIFA Player of the Year, Roberto Baggio. What followed was one of the most intense, physical, and remarkable soccer matches I have ever seen. The final score was 0-0.

People who don't understand or appreciate soccer hate that. Sports are about scoring points! No, not soccer. Of course, you have to score goals to win games, and the most exciting part of the game is scoring goals, but soccer is an art form; the whole game makes up the painting, and the goals are the most important brush strokes. In 1994, Roberto Baggio's foot held the brush at the end of regulation to win the World Cup for the Azzuri. I'll never forget that penalty kick.

In 1998, I was in Brazil with my family when the Seleçao played against France in France and lost 3-0. I don't think I ate for 2 days, left my house for 4, or was able to talk about it for at least 2 months. France had to have cheated. In fact, a small (i.e. decent) part of me still believes they did. Ronaldo woke up with a siezure, foaming at the mouth on the day of the Final. The French found out where the Brazilians were staying and rioted at their hotel all night. Forget it, I can't even talk about this anymore.

In 2002, I watched every World Cup game with a bunch (read: 50) of Brazilians at a family friend's house. The World Cup being in Korea, all of the games were between 3AM-5AM, and we didn't care. Led by a dazzling array of stars, including established footballer Ronaldo and young Ronaldinho yet to be become 3-time FIFA Player of the Year, the Brazilian squad stormed through the Copa, beating the "invincible" Oliver Kahn, German keeper, in the Final, 2-0.

Highlight from this World Cup: "unproven" Ronaldinho, who took the roster spot of established Brazilian soccer giant Romario on the roster, assured the country and the world he was here to stay with a gem of a free kick against England.

Every four years, we are guaranteed to experience something incredible. There is something special about the best 32 teams in the world getting together to play a game. This World Cup is chock full of great players and stories to be had, and I will be sure to follow them all. This only happens once every four years, so you better believe there's more where this came from. It begins today.

Joga bonito.