To be honest this blog’s more for me than for you. No offence. It’s the happy place I go to on difficult days – like today when the wind chill is 35 below zero Fahrenheit (minus 38C). But it’s so much easier to write when you’re there, when it’s 24/7 and when everyone is immersed in the Cup. Back in the USA life just gets in the way and, let’s be honest, most people just aren’t that interested! But anticipating that I will, surely, return to this happy place one day, I will find the motivation to finish it. For me; not you 🙂
With my Jordanian detour, I only just made it back in time for the USA: Holland round of 16. I popped into my local Friday night to check arrangements for the game Saturday. Annoyingly the Big Ten college football championship game was the BIG topic of conversation. Purdue; Michigan. I kind of get it. Big game for the local college kids. But….but…but…. the USMNT is playing Holland at the World Cup tomorrow. The World Cup. You know…..LOL. Crashing back to the reality of soccer in the USA. So – which jersey to wear. I’m a US citizen: but they don’t really care. And Holland. Well: they’ve been my surrogate for Scotland for years and I’d love to see them win. But in the end discretion really was the better part of valor. Or more accurately I couldn’t bare the stick I’d have taken from brother Warner had I not worn the USA jersey .
In the end it didn’t really matter. The Dutch had such an easy group stage we didn’t know what to expect of them. Turns out we should have expected a lot. They were just that bit sharper, smarter, catching out a surprisingly naive USA defense which, through the group stage, was arguably the best part of their game. All three Dutch goals came from defensive errors. I’m actually finishing this a few weeks later: the day after Fulham beat Palace 3:0. Tim Ream was outstanding for Fulham. He looks like he “believes”. A good omen for the USMNT for next time.
Back at work the games just rolled on by in the background to my routine. I caught a glimpse of England putting paid to my boys, Senegal. They fought hard, but it was always going to be difficult with Sane out injured. Loved the Brazil:Korea game. Echos of the Pele led team of 1970 (so sad to hear the great man is so ill- truly one of the greats!). Brazil were magical – really the beautiful game at its most beautiful. I struggle to pick which goal was the best. I said afterwards that I hoped Brazil weren’t so busy enjoying themselves that they forgot to do what was needed to win. Sadly that prediction came true as they crashed out to a stubborn Croatia in the next round. Still: Africa did really well with Morocco’s valiant run to the semi final. I wish I knew more about that team. Some very talented players that ply their trade in less wealthier leagues in Europe. Surely the Premier league will be off on a shopping spree after this showing. My favorite memory of the Moroccans was their pure joy after beating Portugal. Surely Africa’s day will come soon.
And then England played France. Saturday afternoon. How civilized. The pub was full for that one. Easy jersey selection – SCOTLAND! The auld alliance. Surprisingly I was the only one in the bar not for England. Which was embarrassing and somewhat worrisome. The entire pub erupted when England scored. Mine, the lone voice in the wilderness when France did. I reigned in my celebration, just a little, when Kane skyed the penalty.
But why, England? Why? On paper every time you should be real challengers but…… I can’t put my finger on it. The professional analysts say it’s poor in-game management by Southgate. Maybe. I think it’s too much pressure and expectation placed on young shoulders by an overly eager media. Bellingham for example. A great prospect but so much chatter about a 19 year old just starting to establish himself. There’s always next time!
And so after the excitement of actually being in Qatar, this World Cup was starting to feel routine. Almost disappearing into my sub-conscious. Well the pub is opening early for the Argentina:France final on Sunday. Maybe that will be a little more interesting………..
What! Scotland Qualified!!! 