Can't Always Get What You Want.

well,well, that was big, fat, stinky bummer!  Ghana 2, US 1.

Paint It Black.

 Not much I can say about that one. We were defeated by a better, faster, stronger team.  Sadness settles upon the control room, living rooms and bars around the country.

Shattered.
This photo on the right was my view in IBC's HD Cinema. With all my colleagues working, I was the lone US fan in the room. Like most of you, my emotions were full of highs and lows, like riding bareback on Wild Horses.  Most of us are feeling a bit despondent today. After all this excitement, we are all in need of a little Emotional Rescue.

Can't Get No Satisfaction.
At least we were were beaten on one of the best goals of the tournament! Wow, as sad as it was, ya gotta admit, Asamoah Gyan's goal was outstanding.  Taking a ball out of the air, off his chest, then absorbing a strong shoulder charge from Carlos Bocanegra that would have knocked most stickers to the ground, Gyan held his composure and launched a light speed volley past Tim Howard and into the net, thus crushing the hopes of US Soccer geeks and bandwagoneers across the country.  Although very sad for us, the country of Ghana needed this. Africa needed this.
Coach Bradley commited his 19th Nervous coaching Breakdown, by starting Clark at center midfield, who gave up the ball, resulting in the first Ghana goal. Conceding early goals continues to be the Beast Of Burden for Bradley's boys.

Obama settles a bet (on USA-England) with a cold one: President Obama settled his World Cup debts at the G-20 summit -- Chicago style. Before the U.S. played England in the World Cup, the president and British Prime Minister David Cameron bet on the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.  Obama gave Cameron a bottle of Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale, which is brewed in Chicago. Cameron offered a bottle of Hobgoblin, which is made in a town in his constituency. "I advised him that in America we drink our beer cold," Obama said, drawing a laugh. "So he has to put this in the refrigerator before he drinks it, but I think he will find it outstanding. And I'm happy to give that (Hobglobin) a shot, although I will not drink it warm." Faced with a tie, the two leaders decided they would each pay off their side of the bet. The pair, who flew to Toronto for the summit in Obama's helicopter, traded beers Saturday following their first meeting since Cameron took office last month.

Start Me Up.
Mick Jaeger was on hand to cheer on our boys, but even his mojo didn't help.  But all is not lost.  Throughout this run, interest soccer in US has grown considerably. TV ratings have been outstanding.  I await the results of the seeds planted this month.  Makes me excited about 2014 in Brazil, gets my hopes up that MLS will attract more international stars and develop more great local talent, like US players with MLS experience; Howard, Donovan, Dempsey, etc.

I realize the bandwagon fans now depart, thanks for jumping on. But futbol junkies and true fans of sport worldwide will continue to experience the drama unfolding, nations uniting, the athleticism and teamwork that is the World Cup.


I'd like to wish Happy Birthday to my sweetie pie, Shelby! See you in a few weeks!

Play With Fire.
WAIT, it ain't over till the Octopus sings???  Lots more soccer soap opera to come!
Mexico challenges Argentina at 11:30aPT.  We are still waiting for Messi to unleash his frantic futbol funkiness.

Germany vs England today at 7aPT- Fish-n-chips vs Schnitzel. Mercedes vs Range Rover.  Scoprions vs Rolling Stones. This is will be interesting, lots of story lines here.  Drama on the field, riot police in the stands.  FIFA big cheese Sepp Blatter did not want this matchup. These two do not like each other- something about a war.

'Psychic' octopus predicts Germany victory over England

A "psychic" octopus is said by its aquarium owners to have predicted the country's football team will knock England out of the World Cup.

When consulted, Paul the octopus chose a mussel from a jar with the German flag on it ahead of one in a similar jar bearing the cross of St George.

Check tomorrow's blog, as this Midnight Rambler is going to tonight's Argentina/Mexico match. GO MESSI!!!

 After all the sadness, our US boys made us proud.  They played with class, showed great toughness, didn't fake any fouls and captured the hearts of the country.  Nice work dudes. Next up, Brazil, Aug 10 at the NEW Meadowlands Stadium.


Our US team may have lost, but the fans have not lost the spirit, as proven by Monkey Man and his 'Manscaping'.