Futbol

Two things I learned about soccer tonight: 1) South Africa, simply put, is tough as hell. They're almost impossible to knock down, they keep running when they're supposed to fall and draw a foul, and they don't do that rinky-dink-pussy-footin'-"I'm-in-so-much-pain-because-you-touched-my-shirt-sleeve"-rolling-around-on-the-turf-acting bullshit. And 2) Brazil is good, always has been good, and will continue to be good. Nevertheless, South Africa played a great game--no, an amazing game--against the favored Brazilian squad and although they lost in the last five minutes 1-0, I'm predicting that they'll go deep in the World Cup next year. Good for them. I'm sick of European and Latin American teams named Brazil and Argentina winning all the time.

The U.S. plays Brazil on Saturday in the Confederation Cup final. And in case you hadn't heard, the U.S. beat Spain, the best team in the world, last night 2-0. If the U.S. can pull off a victory I might shit myself. That would not be good because I'll be in Taksim at a bar, and I certainly don't want to get caught with a load in my pants that far from home. But you know what? To see the U.S. beat these arrogant Brazilians would be worth the $5.50 I'd have to shell out on a new pair of undies.

Go Yanks (no, not the ones from NY)!!!