US falls. 70s Rock

Howard 2016- Born to Run?

Oye Como Va, amigos

Love Hurts.
Crickey! That hurts.  The US may have been outplayed for most of the match against a superior Belgian team with the stamina of a Fox On The Run. But, in a pattern that is becoming habit, they fought back, creating drama until the bitter end.  That end was a 2-1 loss, squelching a chance to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.  In true American fashion, our boys played with heart and gave it everything they had. They put it all on the field. Especially, Goalkeeper Tim Howard. While an exhausted defense let more than a few balls get through, Howard was the only reason the score wasn't 7-1. Each time the Belgian offense would launch in his direction, he would place Another Brick in The Wall...that is, until he was out of bricks.

Running On Empty

Down 2-0 in Extra Time. Enter 19 yr old Julian Greene, like A Fox On The Run,  as a late substitute. Jurgen has a Whole Lotta Love for this kid. With his first touch ever in a World Cup, Green resuscitated the hope of a nation. His 107th minute goal makes him the 7th youngest to ever score at the World Cup. The hope would only last until the end of Extra Time as a handful of other chances fell short.  (I wonder might have happened if coach hadn't told Landon You Can Go Your Own Way). May have been perfect sub late in regulation.) Well, It was fun while it lasted, Turn The Page.

Maybe I'm Amazed.
It's OK. Beth, I Hear Ya Cryin. Do not fret. Tuesday's Gone. Sure, there is a lot of chatter about where the US needs to improve and compete at this level. Just hold your horses a cotton picking minute! We ARE competing at this level. Doth thou not remember where thou cometh from?  We were not supposed to be here. We were supposed to be obliterated in the Group of Death. Maybe I'm Amazed at what was accomplished. Jozy may have summed it up, tweeting "We need to believe as a nation as we did the past few weeks that we CAN compete. The tide is turning and the world has taken notice". To the US Men, I now serenade you with Argent - "Hold Your Head Up High". You overcame the odds, the travel, the media, the weather, the injuries to go beyond what was expected. You never gave up. You brought people together. You inspired the country.

Wheel in The Sky Keeps On Turnin'
Coach Klinsman, you now have some time to shuffle and rebuild.  You've proven yourself and have gained our respect. (Notice how 3 of our goal scorers are of German/American variety?)  You have 4 years. Get to work. First up, the 2015 Gold Cup.  Winning this would help propel the program. Then, the 2016 Copa America, which is being held in the US for the first time. A chance to take on South American powers in an historic competition.  You have your work cut out for you. It's a Long Way to The Top, if you want to rock and roll.

Thousands at the Solder Field viewing party.

More Than A Feeling.
Amazing to see hordes of soccer fans across the US in our ESPN Live shots- Chicago, DC, Kansas City, Austin, Redondo Beach etc, etc, etc.
There was also an futbol fan army of Americans that made their way to Brazil. About 20 Thousand were in attendance at each US game. Americans could be found in the masses at the Fan Fests.  100,000 VISAs were issued to US Citizens, the most of any country. It has been more than a feeling, it is a movement....that continues. that grows. that lives.

You Ain't Seen Nuthin Yet


Fans of all types get in on the action, including future US Women's National Team leading scorer, Evelyn.

Come Sail Away.
Got a couple of days off,
If you need me, I'll be down n the beach.
come join me, the water is warm.
Wish You Were Here.

Green Grass and High Tides Forever!

~Rüssélldîñhø

US-Belgium today. And a Garfunkel-ish Fro

the ultimate prize.

Today is the day... again. (I know, I said that the other day).
 It's getting real in the Arena Fonte Nova parking lot.
US v Belgium at 12:30p on ESPN
Our boys have a legitimate chance to make history by advancing to the World Cup Quarterfinals today.

Word in the Biz is that Jozy Altidore will be back from injury.
That's good news, They'll need him against the tough Belgian defense.  Most of their players ply their trade in the top Euro leagues. The question is, how will Klinsman shuffle the lineup match up against Coach Wilmots boys?

get to know the players-
http://www.ussoccer.com/mens-national-team/tournaments/2014-fifa-world-cup#tab-3
click the names on the left for a back story on each player.
good stuff.




Music to Blog by:
let's jump the pond and slow the tempo a bit, with Belgium's top selling artist. Salvatore Adamo
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/salvatore-adamo/id13073996
http://www.last.fm/music/Salvatore+Adamo


Daily Dopple DøübléGångér

In the first game today, a young Dustin Hoffman singlehandedly takes on the Swiss Family Robinson. Watch out for  Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri. They call him the Alpine Messi. This dude can score a hat trick before you finish your Nescafe. His mom must be real proud. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

France snuck past Nigeria 2-0, yesterday, while Germany outlasted Algeria 2-1 in a game where all three goals were scored in Extra Time. This kids expression explains the first 90 minutes.

Germany has reached the Quarterfinals in 16 straight World Cups.
France and Germany meet July 4.  Koo-koo-ka-choo.

Shameless Self Promotion
Only a few days left to get in on the beginning of our Beacon LED belt project.  We could use your help.  Check this Kickstarter link to get more info and get involved.        http://kck.st/1mT9GYL

From My Persptective
US vs Belgium today at 12:30pPT. (in case you missed it before)  You can spend hours on the internet, the radio shows and SportsCenter to gather info as to who will win.  No need. I have it all figured out for you. Here's my breakdown:

Belgium offer Fellaini's fantastic fro. We counter with the fabulous follicles of Berkerman and Jones.

They make yummy Belgian waffles. We get All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes at IHOP.

They have EVS XT3s. We have Grass Valley 6X Dyno. (that's for you Olaf!)
For Beer, they have glorious Belgian Trappist Ales. We counter with the entire City of Portland.
We win.
Plus, we have a secret weapon, who gives us a chance to set an all-time record in goal production:

Hey team Belgium -  Laugh about it, shout about it, when you've got to choose. Every way you look at it you lose.
On Tap Today:

I Believe That We Will Win.
Have you heard it? The simple chant seems to be have become an unofficial anthem of the US Soccer team.  It's been a long road for this chant to grow up, mature and come to this point. In 1998, Naval Academy student, Jay Rodgriguez, strung these words together in a repetitive chant. His fellow students loved it. by the fall of '99, they were shouting it at the Army/Navy football game.  Soon, High Schools were using it. Then it spread to colleges.  MLS teams adopted it, passing it on the US Soccer fan group, the American Outlaws.  You might even be hearing it this month as soccer takes over the planet. Do you hear it now?

Jurgen and the lads, our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you.     Bring it.

you should be watching today.





Jesus loves you more than you will know.


~Rüsseldenardo

Zoro and Deniro.

Oi amigos!
hope you had a nice weekend. And the freelancers say "what's a weekend?".  Think we may get one of those 'weekend' things in a few days.

soccer volleyball on the beach.

Musicio do Dia.
http://www.last.fm/music/Gonzaguinha

Futebol Follies.
In case you were out enjoying the weather, here's what you missed yesterday- Mexico controlled, manipulated, teased and even flogged Holland for 88ish minutes. However... (you know what's coming?) Kids, ya gotta play for the FULL 90+ !!! Dutch workhorse Wesley Sneijder blasted home a volley. "Almost tore a whole in net", says Clark. That made for a few mad moments of stoppage time. It came down to Arjen Robben doing what he's trained to do- he went down in the box. Penalty Kick. Looking at the replay, it was a foul. Marquez stepped on his foot. BUT, Robben sure enhanced the fall to get the call.
Netherlands celebrate around the globe. Mexicans near and far say, "que es _ _ _ _?"  No more Miguel Herrera antics. Adios amigos. That's the way to cookie crumbles.

Daily Double Døopplégångér
French coach Didier Deschamps and Robert Deniro. You talkin to me??

later, I got to watch the Costa Rica / Greece game from one of the local beach huts.  It is quite an experience to watch a game with expats and travelers from both countries.  A full on, end to end battle, Costa Rica struck first with a Bryan Ruiz left footer to the far net.  Hey kids in soccer camp, watch this one. No need to blast it every time.  Placement over power. Costa Rica would have to wait to celebrate- Greece struggled back from the dead to tie it in the 90th minute with a goal by Alexopodapopaopsaopilovebeerslapyourgrandmastevefridayrockpapapapapappopolous.  Exhausting Extra Time and the drama Penalty Kicks would decide the victor. Costa Rica wins 5-3 on PKs. They advance to meet Holland in the quarterfinals on July 5.
Now, if the US can get by Belgium tomorrow, it would be the first time 2 teams from CONCACAF would be in the quarterfinals of the WC (®T-smith worldwide database)



While watching the game last night, I enjoyed a cold Aqua de Coco.  For only a few Brazilian real$, the dude at the Beach Hut, will grab his machete, chop the top off a coconut, stick a straw in it and hand it to you. A whole, green coconut!  It is pure, drinking enjoyment.  At home Coconut water in a fancy container will cost you three times as much. About halfway to the bottom, I asked the server for a menu by putting my hands in an open gesture. She grabbed my coconut, handed it the dude. Wielded his machete with Zoro like speed, he sliced it in half.  Holding it together until she stepped to my table,  she opened it in full display mode. The remaining coconut water went everywhere. She must have assumed I was done drinking it.  ooops.  She also left a spoon, which I had no idea what to do with. Feeling very self conscious about being a tourista, I glanced around. Nobody watching me, all eyes fixed on the game. whew.  I tried to scrape the inside of the coconut and discovered the most bitter taste since I tried cooking beans in college. Clearly, I don't know what I'm doing here.  Luckily, my buddy Regie showed up, let's change the subject.


On Tap Today:

Dusk at the beach across the street from our apts.  not a bad view, eh?

Well, thanks for the chat.
see you tomorrow.


Tchüss
~Rüuus

New King James version

There is a new King James.
This one doesn't cramp up...and don't call him 'James', as we Norte Americanos would.  It's pronounced 'Hom-ezs'. Last name of Rodriguez. Anyone remember a few days ago when I mentioned this guy?   He's now scored in his first 4 matches of his first World Cup.

When he shoots like that, the ball ends up like this.

And yesterday's two were simply outstanding. The first a solo effort from 25 meters out. A technically perfect chest trap to a full volley, left footed.  Rocket launch off the bottom of the crossbar. Futebol brilliance.  Absolutely nothing the defense could do.
http://www.smh.com.au/fifa-world-cup-2014/world-cup-match-report/world-cup-2014-james-rodriguez-scores-stunner-as-colombia-knock-out-uruguay-20140629-zspse.html

4 out of 5 TV dudes voted Colombia best Goal celebration.

The second goal was one of sublime team synergy. Nine passes led to a very unselfish header back to my man James, who finds a way to be a the right place at the right time and knocks it home. (Hey Bro, both goals should be used in soccer camps this summer.)   Write his name down, only the first. You won't need the second. With his magical play so far, he's earned One Name status.  Oh yeah, Colombia downed Uruguay 2-0. Brazil is up next on July 4 as they snuck by Chile in a game that went to Penalty Kicks.

Daily Doople Døüblégångé®

A real Dutch Superhero, Robin Van Persie and the lame superhero Ben Afleck.

wonder how much hair product it takes to do that daily.


Portugese Phrase of the Day-

"Nao tem mares, tem bares."  (We don't have beaches, but we have bars.) 

Thanks to Venue Mgr Anna in Belo Horizonte for Phrase o Day!

Full Circle.

The other day, it seemed our apartment was hosting an ad-lib party. I got the chance to chat with Leonard, one of our Audio mixers who lives in Canada, but grew up in South Africa.  I mentioned to him one of the music discoveries I found while in Johannesburg; the Springbok Nude Girls.  Not girls at all and thankfully, not really nude. I picked his brain about how a great indie rock band from South Africa had so little exposure in the US.  Lead singer Arno Carstens has created some wonderful solo projects with a matured harmony and some musical innovation in the flavor of Bowie.
http://arnocarstensmusic.wordpress.com/. It's in regular rotation in my iTunes.

The next evening, (I think that was the night before last, but whatever), I settled in to watch a movie recommended by Steve, my adventure travel Brit friend. ( remember from a few blogs ago). I told him about an epiphanic moment 7ish years ago, where I learned to take recommendations and to ride the whim of the moment.  He said, "Well, for sure, then. You  NEED to watch this movie".  So, I did. During the opening credits of the movie, I noticed familiar scenes from my 2010 moto ride along the South African coast toward the Cape of Good Hope. T'was a  nice trip down memory lane.  But it was the voice over that made me pause to ponder the moment.

 Searching for Sugarman is a movie you NEED to watch.  I can't go into too much of review here or it might ruin the movie. Just make it a point to watch it. It's a surprising story of a musician that sang to the heart of a generation of South Africans. He sold hundreds of thousands of Albums in the 70s. He was bigger than Elvis and the Stones during a time when South Africa needed him.  Yet, he's virtually unknown in the States and world wide. I'll give you a few days to watch, then we can chat.   I smiled instantly at the connections of this movie to my conversation with Leo.  Full Circle.   Moral to the story - Go with your Gut.  It has steered me into countless moments to remember.

On Tap Today:

Can superhero Van Persie save Gotham from the evil invaders of El Tri?  He'll need Robben to bring his cape.  Should be a great matchup. Dutch precision and artistry meets the passion and momentum of Mexico. Something has got to give.

140 GOALS so far ! more to come.


US plays Tuesday at 1p. Be sure to take a day off from work. tell your boss I said so.

What is your heart telling you?

~Rüstinhø

Do or Die wtih Acronyms

It's Do or Die time. Moving out of the Round-Robin style Group Stage and into the Round of 16.  No more math or tiebreakers! It's simple from here on out. Win and move on, Lose and go home.



It's Official: The United States as a Nation Has Gone World Cup Crazy

The Germans may have bested Team USA in the World Cup group stage, but it turns out the real winner of Thursday's thrilling USA-Germany match is ESPN. Despite the noon Eastern start time, the match drew in enough viewers to score a 6.7 U.S. household rating -- the second-highest rating and third-most viewed ever for a men’s World Cup match on ESPN, according to the press release issued by the network.    Online, ESPN was even more popular. The release says 1.7 million concurrent viewers were logged on to WatchESPN. That's more than the number that signed in to watch the most recent Super Bowl, Forbes reports.

Muisca do Dia
Samba Funk tunes rocking my balcony this morning- Jorge Ben Jor. oh yeah!
https://play.spotify.com/artist/5JYtpnUKxAzXfHEYpOeeit?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Sausage Chronicles.
they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's my 2000 word essay about work here.

Copyright 2014 T-Smith Photo Enterprises.

ACS - Acronym Overload Syndrome-          you've progressed nicely in your world football education. Your homework has consistently garnered a star or smiley face.  Time to move on the next level.  Today's lesson- CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.  what?  Well FIFA was easy, most can assume it's some sort of International Football Association. close. It's actually Fédération Internationale de Football Association.  You'll need to commit these to memory, there will be a pop quiz soon. Plus, you'll be able to understand what the fuzz the announcers are talking about and talk shop over coffee the next day.

CONCACAF-  Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for soccer in North America, Central Amercian and the Caribbean.  Three South American entities, the independent nations of Guyana andSuriname and the French department of French Guiana, are also members. US, Mexico and Costa Rica are the teams that fought through two years of qualifying to beat out the other 41 member nations.

CONMEBOL- South American Football Confederation is not really an acronym. More of blended word. Like a blended family, not unlike the Brady Bunch. They take a few letters from each word CONfederacîon sudaMEricana de FütBOL. Those clever SudAmericanos.  Five teams qualified.

Ha hahahahah. go home CR7...and take your hair style with you!

From The Quote Board

The US progression to the WC round of 16 was a historic achievement not only for the US (who made consecutive knockout stages for the first time), but for CONCACAF as well.   Why, you ask?  It is the first time in World Cup history that the North American region has sent three teams to the round of 16 (Mexico and Costa Rica being the others), which fits right in with the notion that this is, indeed, the World Cup of The Americas.  

Day Off =  mucho necessário.

Met my buddy Sean from SF and friends at the beach yesterday and just sat in the sun exchanging stories, reminiscing about past World Cups and making plans for the next. Sean is a travel/soccer nut.  He is the guy who declines working the World Cup in order to go enjoy it as a fan. Smart guy.  In 2010, we were able to meet up for a few minutes after one of the games. This time, it was beach, sun and a nice meal. I have been jones'in for some grilled fish and real veggies. I was not disappointed.

ON TAP Today- here's a taste of those Sudamericanos in action. Great match-ups today.

One hour before Brazil kicks off.  Getting loud here in Barra around the apartments- blaring Horns, fireworks exploding and even a few vuvuzelas,
making whatever sound vuvuzelas make.

Well, back to The Sausage Factory.


Happy Saturday, amigos.

~El Rüss

US Advances. Cookoo for CocoaPuffs!

We may have lost the battle, but we won the war. Germany beat the US 1-0. But, as our Production Manager Spencer puts it "We won, Zero to One."

what? yep. what he said.

Portugal beat Ghana to end up with 4 points, just like us. But the US takes 2nd in the group based on Goal Differential.   It may not have been pretty, but it we held the Deutsch in check enough to move on.  We are moving on!!








Music for Your Day-
try the Brazilian rap of Criolo on for size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f35HluEYpDs


Did you feel it?  I felt it.  It was amazing to see our remote shots from DC, Chicago and KC with thousands rooting for the US. Social Media and internet hits were setting records.  It's a great sign of soccer taking it's rightful place among American sports.  What other event makes brings a country together like this?  I love being here, but I miss the group dynamic of watching a game back home.

Only a few weeks ago, nobody expected the US to do much of anything in this World Cup. They were about to face two of the top teams on the planet and a Ghana team that is faster, stronger and have beaten them twice in recent Cups.  They had the toughest travel schedule  of all 32 teams- flying 8900 miles throughout Brazil for the three games.  With the odds stacked against us, we not only escaped The Group of Death, we avoided the Pit of Despair.

 From the Quote Board

Portuguese phrase of the day: Onde pago? (Where do I pay?)

Dark Day. 

Wahoo! yippee! woot! woot! I'm cookoo for CocoaPuffs! yeah! RipCity!  Im that excited. With no games scheduled today and no live TV or sausage to produce, I have my first day off since May 28th. I've been going to the work at the same place for 29 straight days. Me thinks that sets an all-time record for me. Without the games to live for, this would feel like Groundhogs day. Another record that will go down in history: Longest time of no travel/sleeping in the same bed, since '94. 

 I've been stuck with some nasty cold/flu thang for the past week.  I plan on seeing a lot of  the sun on this so called 'dark day'.

That's all I got. Enjoy Life

Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

~Russ

US vs Germany today. Beware of spies.

The stage is set.  US vs Germany today at 9aPT in the final game of Group Stage. Needless to say, this is BIG.
Germany is ranked #2 in the world. They have world-class players at every position, including the bench. They have three World Cup trophies. They speak with interesting accents. They worship Hasselhoff.  But, have no fear.  The US is a story of the Whole being more than the Sum of it's parts.
In every World Cup, my gut feeling is that we are under-powered, under-prepared and under-experienced. With the exception of 2006, I have been pleasantly surprised every time since 2002.

This time, I am feeling confident.  This may be the best team we have ever had. It's been a long building process. Much of this momentum can be attributed the US hosting the World Cup. Here's a great story about the children of '94 being motived by the watching the world from their own back yard.
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_25965533/world-cup-u-s-team-1994-planted-seeds
It echoes the thoughts of Pelé in his latest book explaining how loss in the 1950 Final planted the seeds for victory in 1958 and more. Full circle.

Messi, Messi!
2 stunning goals from Lionel Messi led the the Argentines, as they beat Nigeria on their way to the top of Group F. He's running on all cylinders, be sure to catch him while he's hot.

This is the first WC since 1988 where every team has scored a goal.
Daily Knowledge deposited into you cerebral cortex by T-Smith, maker of fine highlight packages.


Music for your day.
The soul, funk, jazz sounds Tim Maia are currently coming out my iPhone Spotify app this morning. check it. ooh,,  that's so smooooooooove.
https://play.spotify.com/artist/0jOs0wnXCu1bGGP7kh5uIu?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open


Deutschland Connections
Of course, coach Jurgen Klinsman is German, having won the World Cup in 1990 and coached the Germans in 2006. His assistant in 2006, Joachim "Jogi Löw, took over as Head Coach and still is. Their friendship continues and will only add to the drama of the game.  Depending on whose German accent is speaking, his name almost translates into 'Yogi Love'. 
The Germans have invaded! US players might actually be German spies.
Jermaine Jones, who score that rocket of a goal against Portugal, grew up in Germany as the son of a US serviceman father and a German mother. He played 7 seasons for Shalke in the German Bundesliga. On the bubble of the making the full German national squad, Yogi cut him a the last minute before the the 2008 Euro championship. Jones wants payback.
Liekwise, Tim Chandler is the offspring of a German and an American, making him eligible to play for the US. He's lives and plays in Frankfurt. He's just as German as Klaus and Rudy of the Scorpions.
Fabien Johnson, similar story. Ok, his mother is German/American, but that only makes him 1/4 less Deutsch.
John Brooks- scored that amazing goal late in the game to beat Ghana. yep, same story. US Military dad, German Mom.
Julian Green- finally something different. Born in Tampa, but moved to Germany when he was two... with his German mother.           What's next, US soccer officially switches to Adidas???

Daily Dopple DoubleGångér

That actor whose name I can not remember and the super stud goalkeeper Tim Howard.







Suarez Sanctions-

FIFA dropped the hammer. The Biter has been banned for 4 month, 9 games in all competitions. and fined 100,000 Swiss Francs.  Not enough, need to take away the weapon. Pull his friggin teeth!

this doesn't bode well.

On Tap Today:

For the US and Germany, it's in their own hands.  Either team can advance with a win. Both advance with a tie. If they lose, it gets complicated. here's TK, to give you the details:

Sausage Making Chronicles- Episode 3. edit room at the IBC.
This is wher Tony, Reg, Clarkie and I make slap together digital sausage. In the forground, that's Esther, Queen of all routers (Damn!, just cost me $1)  I'm supposed to say 'rooters'. That's what our Brit friends say. The collection box is getting quite full. Esther is the Point Gaurd, the Steve Nash of video distribution.  Her domain includes is a collection of too many video monitors, 2 KP32 intercom panels and a rooter named Nigel. On the right side, next to Tony with coffee, is where the Media Managers collect and archive all the video files.  They can transfer files from/to to the HBS server, the Host set, ESPN in Bristol, Ct and a couple of independent edit houses. On the left, next t the other Java Tony, are the EVS edit stations. We have 3 XT's at our disposal. But, most of the time we using two. One for cutting highlights and one in Support Mode. However, this week is different, with two games going simultaneous. That makes for a busy edit room with way too many voices over intercom...or that might just be the voices in my head.

 From the Quote Board

Major flooding reported around the city of Recife for today's match.  The pitch seems OK, but expect the soggy conditions to play a part. Might slow down the Germans.  If I were you, I'd use the rain as an excuse to stay home,  you might need this today:

TUNE IN NOW. it's on. let's do this.



gotta to, lots o buttons to push.

~The Count Rüsselldorf Von BlogSmith