USA USA USA USA!!!

I got a fever! And the only cure is more World Cup Soccer!!

What a freaking tournament it has been thus far and it only promises to get better as each game is now an elimination game.

Here are a few of my thoughts from the first couple of weeks:
- The US-Algeria game was so INCREDIBLY exhilarating. I could not believe that our luck was so bad that we weren’t going to be able to get a goal in despite so many opportunities. And then Landon Donovan’s game winner in the first minute of stoppage time was unbelievable. I kept waiting for something to overturn the goal.

- I think that karma finally caught up with Italy. In 2006, while they did play some of the best defense I’ve seen a team play, I was extremely disappointed with their diving... ESPECIALLY against Australia. I know it’s part of the game, but they take it to such an extreme that it was nice to see them lose.

- Argentina looks really really good. I hate that Mexico has to play them so early in the elimination rounds, but it should be a fantastic game.

- South America is cleaning up. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and most likely Chile will be advancing. That would be every team from the region. Impressive. Most impressive.

- I’m actually impressed that there is far less diving this year than I’ve seen in previous years. Granted, it’s still there, just not as horrendously obvious… with a few exceptions. The Ivory Coast player who went down with a face injury after running his chest into Kaka’s elbow was the most egregious example of poor sportsmanship thus far. In general, the more the guy is writhing in pain, the more likely he is to shake off the injury and continue his soccer career. It’s kind of like the WWF in that regard. The punches that are thrown are real punches, and jumping off the top rope is still jumping off the top rope, but you can tell when someone is really hurt and when it’s all just part of the act.

- I can’t wait for the US-Ghana game on Saturday morning. Our defense has been porous at best and I’m worried that Ghana’s speed will exploit our weakness, but I think we’ll match up well against Ghana. Should be a fantastic game.