However, now that it's WWC time (that's Women's World Cup for you newbies), I'm b-a-a-a-c-k! And boy do I have lots to say.
First of all, let me reference a great new show I've discovered (thx Fox), Garbage Time! Here's a pic of Kate Nolan, the host, with Syd the Kid! Gotta love the Red Solo Cups. This may be the ep where she trashed the all white ("clean") jerseys of the USWNT. She could have very well also trashed the blue ones....Leaves me longing for the old "Where's Waldo" (pic below, just 'cuz) kits; and even 2014's Red White & Blue ones.
But I digress. 'Cuz what needs to be talked about here is . . . soccer! And my love of Megan Rapinoe (that's Pinoe to us true fans), even before her recent 2-goal effort v. AUS. She plays with such intensity, ALL game and has quite improved her ball skills (from her time in France perhaps?) and off-ball skills... and ...
Ok, I'll spare you all and move on to FIFA. Corruption? Bribes? Surprised much? I still can't believe the lawsuit v FIFA and CSA re: astroturf was dropped. I mean, some of these stadiums placed turf Over Grass on the pitch (Montcon).
USA in "group of death"? So Sweden (#5) and Australia (#10) are also highly ranked; ANY team at ANY time can win (or cause a tie, see: Nigeria!) a game in a World Cup! Who coins these terms, Fox?
But speaking of Fox and it's coverage: With the exception of Lalas (does ANYone really like him as a TV personality?), I really like the Fox Broadcasting Team/s. Lots of former players who are women (Kelly Smith, Ari Hingst are my new faves and I've always been a fan of Heather Mitts)! Yes, in 2015, that's still a surprising thing. I'm esp. enjoying the nightly "World Cup Tonight" show; and that ALL 52 matches are being televised!
Dudes and dudettes, if you haven't tuned in yet, you need to. USA v SWE on Friday; here's what you need to know: Sweden's coach, Pia Sundhage (NYT piece here), led USWNT to 2 Olympic gold medals and 2nd place in last WWC but she's currently trash talking the USWNT players. Gotta luv competition, eh? (I'll always luv Pia though). If USA wins, we'll have 6 points in our group stage, pretty much assuring us #1 spot to move on in tourney.
I'll leave more tidbits for tomorrow. Today is a "day off" for the Cup, however you can catch repeats of many games on Fox & FS1 all day and night today. I'll leave you with... "Where's Waldo"?
