seeing old foes and making new enemies

Other than the recent fade of complaining about the new advanced technology of the J'abulani and the criminal element of the refereeing, this edition of the 2010 version has bore four delectable games for the futbol mad palette.

Uruguay v. Ghana; Both Uruguay and Ghana have played well to find their way to the last eight, Uruguay's journey started off well (enough) with a scoreless draw with a minnow of a team in France. Eternal problems caused for the French to play lat and Uruguay politely took a point home. A 3-0 stroll through hosts, S. Africa gave them them the momentum to beat Mexico by a single gol to put them through the first knock out round. Relying on the legs and mental toughness of forward Diego Forlan, and a stingy midfield the "Celeste," continued their form by beating a very worthy opponent in S. Korea. For me this will always be a classic match because of the contrast of footballing philosophies. Speed versus "gambeta." Ghana will show them some of the same, and being the last African Nation in the tournament, I'm sure they will put up a fight rather than fizzle out. Surprised that Ghana is here? Especially without Michael Essien, the hard as a rock Chelsea man who also delivers gols. Maybe we should be surprised, or maybe their group was  bit easier, Serbia played well beating Germany to bounce back from the Ghanaian defeat. In 2006 edition they where Serbia & Montenegro and in '98 they were Yugoslavia, so they played well considering their chances weren't all in their favor. And Germany, well let's face it, they're as fortunate as Ghana to be in the quarter-finals. The game against the U.S. was their stiffest competition, and they went through on two lapses by the U.S. defence. They yet to face a traditional powerhouse on a good day. I expect this match to be wide open play near the first half hour.

Brasil v. Holland; This is going to be a spectacular match for the neutral, one would hope to see a lot of trickery on and off the ball, with loads of pace being set for ninety minutes plus. Both Brasil and Holland have mirrored each other in this tournament, being apart of two decent groups neither of them have really exploded on the scene as we all would have expected to seen from them. Their last matches between Slovakia and Chile respectively were nothing short of warm up tests for the two mundial veterans. Chile lost their way and Slovakia never found it, well until it was too late. This will be the first time either of the two (Brasil or Holland), will have any competition in this tournament. Some counties like Portugal and Cote d'ivoire, never really showed up for the grand ball, playing flat and stagnate and never catching up to the speed of the tournament.

Paraguy v. Espana; Well Spain is another example for a "sleeping giant," they were on the other end of the win coumn in their opening match with Switzerland.  But,bounced back to take away full points from Honduras and Chile to secure the group.  Portugal seemed as if their strategy never saw the day of light and just rolled over.  One thing that really upset me about Portugal was the lack of intesity and team morale.  Captan Cristiano scowled at teamates if mistakes were made and Pepe never seemed to be too bothere by dropping out of the biggest tournament in the world, smiling and laughing as he hugged his Real mates goodbye.  Paraguay, in contrast have had a fairytale tourney, with only five points to win their group, it was more than enough to convince them that the impossible was within reach.  To draw against the holders was essential to the belief of reaching the knockout rounds, and then they got there, they never withered and patientl playe out Japan and scored a perfect five out of five penalties to advance against Spain.

Argentina v. Germany; The German squad found their way to the quarters through winning an easy goup, contained with minnow Australia, Serbia and second place Ghana.  Germany is also suffering from displaying lack luste futbol, England was the only exception but, to be fair, England never really planted their feet deep in the African soil.  Argentina will cause all sorts of problems for the German midfield and defense.  You can be sure that Maradona is hyping up the likes of "Pipa, and the Pulga," to exact revenge from Italia '90, where he feltthat the cup was robbed from him and the rest of the squad.  Argentina have been a terror, and have yet reached fifth gear.  The only thing lacking from Maradona's brilliant start is a gol from magnificently magical Messi.  Truly one of the few team to shine game in and game out.  This match up is a true classic and will be a feast for the eye.

"no importa k cancha juguemos,
a la Argentina la sigo donde va
vamos Argentina vamos a ganar
vamos Argentina cada ves te quiero mas."

in search of gold

Only sixteen teams left.. make that fifteen teams now, S. Korea's reign was washed away by a Suarez double. This is the business end of the tournament, which means, there are no more second chances or room for errors. And with the quality and deserved teams left in this next round, we as fans, fanatics and the down right obsessed, we are definitely in for a treat. It will, at times, feel like two street wise people playing speed chess in the park. I look forward to see the South Americans dance and caress the ball, while tying to deny European tactics. And to see the only African team fight tooth and nail to reach the next round, the U.S. still looks the part, and with a little faith and luck, anything is possible.

copa commentary 2010 (return flights home)

Group A finished and eliminated were hosts S. Africa and France. I feel that coach Alberto Parreira

prepared extremely well and was unfortunate to have missed out on gol differential. Although it seemed like anyone could have beaten France this year, S. Africa played surprisingly quality futbol, for what they lacked in individual technique, they certainly made up for it playing near perfect tactical futbol. It isn't always that we see in such an intense tournament that "world class," style of futbol that is truely beautiful to watch but, more times than not the Bafana Bafana looked the part.

«UNE STUPIDITÉ SANS NOM»   UN ONZE POUR LA RÉCONCILIATION   «Ridicules jusqu'au bout» .... the disgusting taste of the copa will turn rancid on the palette of all french fut followers fr the next four years. What do you say about a team, who on paper, would have Vegas placing them as odds on favorites to win the tournament, at the very least, advance out of the group phase.  A multi, multimillion dollar team with two world-class players for every position, the spectrum of quality ranging from the elegant warriors like Gourcuff who lead unsung Bordeaux deep into The Champions League to Ribery, the man every top club in the world wants on their team. Is this the only possible punishment for the crime of robbing Ireland it's qualification? Will karma get the best of them for years to come? Only time can unveil these questions, as will it unveil whether or not there was a traitor in their camp, or why Domenech wouldn't or couldn't reason with his players. Many thousands of opinions and rumors are an will circulate for years to come.  But, plain and simple France look impotent in all aspects and areas of the field.

au vieux monsieur TiTi... it's sad to see such a top class footballer and human being play his last game, (probably), in a world cup final. As a young twenty something he was introduced to the international scene as a true star, scoring important goals or creating plays on the way to winning the '98 Copa, it's too bad and a real shame that TiTi and France couldn't shed light on the shadow cast by Zizou's worst cabezazo ever.

One good thing I think will come from the good showing by S. Africa is that some noteworthy players made strong cases and added to their individual stock for big Europeans clubs to start bidding on them for the next season to come.

lil' fut academy

campeones! champions! ole.. ole... ole!!

This photo was taken in an orphanage that Sona and I frequent in Tijuana, Mexico. After a long day of helping around the cottage, it was time to play some futbol. Any chance that we get, we like to help out when needed. I always visit the children with gifts and free lessons in hopes that some of the children can go on to academies in their local towns and prove themselves or at the very least stay close to the game while earning wages once they leave.

lil' fut academy (have ball will travel... and teach)

How did I even see that?

If you have been playing futbol for as long as I have, it shouldn't come to any surprise that futbol found me. This picture was taken when me and my wife Sona ascended up Machu Pichu to Wanu Pichu in Peru, December 2008.

lil fut academy (el enano gigante!)

lil' giant: Lionel Messi

This photo was taken June 2009, I was fortunate enough to be invited on set as "Leo," was shooting a commercial for ESPN. Without hesitation as the director yells, "thats a wrap!," I sprung up out of a chair to introduce myself and to adorn the king with gifts of red wine and literature, not to mention, an invitation to my wedding.