We bagged the Dean Martin Festival today. Mainly because it's too damn hot and it seemed without a parade, we would just hang out at the local Kroger. But this allowed me my first foray into watching the 2006 World Cup in public. The destination: The Olde Angle Tavern. Afternoon soccer allows you to drink many beers, therefore we all agreed to go to South Africa in 2010. I hear they have wine country there.

Pretty decent crowd in attendance for USA-Italy and we had the problem of HD screens being ahead of the non-HD screens, so every "Oooh!" and "Aaah!" throughout the game was also delayed at various points around the establishment, which was odd. BTW, try the chicken vegetable soup, if available. And isn't it funny that the Italian national anthem is "Song of the Italians" and they showed a man in the crowd clad only in underpants singing it.

The result was one everyone can be happy with, a 1-1 tie. (Read last paragraph of summary for great game description.) Given that Ghana beat the Czech Republic earlier, we are right back in it. The match was kinda weird. Italy scored first, and the USA benefited when an Italian put one in his own goal shortly thereafter. An Italian quickly got ejected for elbowing Brian McBride (and he had to change into a new shirt...for the ladies), opening a big time gash on his face.

The ref, who was quite crappy and must have received a call from David Stern, threw out a US player right before halftime (should have only been a yellow card), and another two minutes into the second half. (That was my completely unbiased, non-jingoistic view of the game) After seeing the replay, Mastreoni's foul was right in front of the ref (whoops) and Pope, well, Pope was just banging everyone all over the field all day until he got his second yellow card. So, the ref may have been not that awful today. To play 9-on-10 the rest of the way and come out with a point was a big boost.

Two quibbles with Eric Wedge, I mean, Bruce Arena. He might have been better off subbing for Eddie Pope at halftime. Pope picked up his second yellow and will miss the next game. Also, the US still had a sub in their back pocket and might have been able to use some fresh legs to try and get a game-winner. However, gaining the point was most important.

Next up on Thursday, it's the Black Stars of Ghana. The US needs Italy to beat the Czech Republic, while they defeat Ghana. A tie or loss is not gonna cut it and if the Czechs beat Italy, it comes down to goal differential and we have a big minus three. So root for the Azzurri.

SI's Rick Reilly chant:

We are the Yankees!
We are not afraid!
You beat us tonight!
Thursday, we invade!

Meal of Links

If you're familiar with the Webby Awards, you know that acceptance speeches are held to a five-word maximum. Here are the 2006 Webby Award speeches.

Paul McCartney finds out what it's about "When I'm Sixty Four". If he had written the "Hokey-Pokey", he would have known what it's all about.

Whole Foods stops selling live lobsters. I've got nothing.

World Cup Photo of the Day




















Final score: 1-1.

Exercise Yard

Uh-oh. FIGJAM is tied for the lead at the U.S, Open. Do I have to watch?

Visitor

19 Across: He shared an "Excellent Adventure" (3 letters) Answer: Ted