Sunday, 24 June, 2007

US... Mexico....Before I get into the thick of things. I just wanted to say that we won the tourney that I mentioned in my last blog. We had two games. 4-1 win and 1-0 win. I had 2 goals and 2 assists in the first game and hit the post twice. In the second game, the final I had a goal and 2 more posts. We drank champagne from the cup and I got the Offensive MVP of the Tourney and 250 dollars. The MVP went to our sweeper, who I guess deserved it, because I couldn't be tourney MVP and Offensive MVP, it wouldn’t be fair. And considering I had 8 points out of 11 for our team, No one else could have really gotten it. I hope I don’t sound conceited but it has to be discussed. Anyway The MVP got a check for 500 dollars a bigger trophy. In FIFA competitions the guy with the most goals is awarded a golden boot. Which is actually a golden boot. I'm sure the cash prize would have helped out greatly with my student loans. Anyway onto the game. Great game. The Mexicans dominated, but they just couldn't put the ball in the net. The first half was actually a little disappointing, Mexico lead 1-0 on a brilliant goal by Jose Andreas Guardado. He roofed it and I'm pretty sure if Jesus himself was in net he wouldn't have stopped it. Ok who am I kidding, he probably would have. Anyway Tim Howard, absolutely brilliant. He stopped a couple of point blank shots that a lesser goalie would have spilled. No wonder he just signed a massive contract with Everton (England) and was a former Man Untd. number 1. Clint Dempsey my homeboy for life had some wicked shots. If I had to pick a good shooting percentage for a professional soccer player, I would say a goal every 12 shots, that’s for international or MLS. The reason the ratio is so low (or high, I really suck at math) is because the competition in International play is supposed to be really tough (unless you’re playing Qatar) and MLS is a lotta of retired has-beens and some really wack never-will-bes and the quality is considerable low. The reason I am bringing all this up is because the announcer, some moron said normally he would finish that. No Clint wouldn't normally finish the shot in question. Maybe some world class striker would, but I mean Clint is a 4 star American player, but in terms of the world stage he would be a water boy for the top strikers in the world. In case you are curious; in my opinion the top 5 strikers in the world are; (in no particular order) Thierry Henry (FRANCE) Ruud Van Nistelroy (NETHERLANDS) Didier Drogba (IVORY COAST) Miraslov Klose (GERMANY) and Lionel Messi (ARGENTINA). There are many other notables but if I could play behind these guys (I am an offensive or attacking center half) I think couldn’t do anything else in life that would be that awesome.

Back to the game. The second half left a lot to be desired, the Americans came out with a lot of fire and Mexico made a few midfield mistakes. Brian Ching gets the ball in the box, does his famous spin move and falls down after a little knee on knee action. Penal, and who takes the kick LANDYCAKES. He converts easy after the Mexican goalie doesn't even dive. He ties the all time leader (Eric Waynalda) for international goals for the US. God, I have to live the rest of my life knowing that this clown is going to be in the hall of fame. Then on 68 mins… amazing best play of the game. Benny Fiehalter scores a... hold on I'm looking for the right phrase... he hits a divine volley inside of his right foot. (NUMBER 3 on sports centers top 10) Far post, past an outstretched diving goalie, game, set and match. The US wins 2-1 for its 4th Gold Cup. The most exciting part of the game for me was when Landycakes and Beasley had a 2 on oh break and hit the cross bar at the end. It was like getting a Christmas present from your grandma, you know it’s going to be a sweater every year yet, you still open it hoping for a change of pace. The other highlight of the second half was when Ching beat the Mexican keeper and the defender and had a chance to put the game away. And of course he hits the post. That is why he plays for Houston Dynamo and not for Liverpool.

Well it was a great weekend. Truly. I promise to those of you who have been reading, to write tomorrow. There’s big talk in the transfer market.