Oh yes, I'm one of "those" Americans. The few who love soccer and the World Cup.

I'm watching a tremendous match between Germany and Costa Rica right now and there's another 63 matches or so to go before the end on July 9th.

I played soccer for 7 years as a youth and have never outgrown the sport as most Americans seem to do. They play as a kid and then all the sudden soccer isn't for them anymore. I don't understand it personally. The athletic ability and strategy of the game are what suck me in.

What disappoints me about the game is the overacting and "men" who fall on the ground and cry as they act like they were clipped. What a bunch of pussies! If they could get rid of that portion of the game it would be nearly perfect in my opinion.

I like the Women's World Cup too. All of those athletic women running around in shorts. Their ability has grown over the years too. It's a little slower and not as skillful -- in my opinion -- as the Men, but it's more exciting to me when their strategy does work. The men seem to cry a lot more than the women do. The Women's World Cup is every 4 years as well, but staggered, so theirs won't start until 2008.

I like the excitement because there's something about players from all the different countries playing for their home team. The Olympics just doesn't compare.

The US team is pretty good too. It could be the best ever World Cup for the United States, though they've drawn a very tough group.

The first match for the USA is against the Czech Republic on Monday, June 12 live at 11:55 AM on ESPN 2 and replayed again at 5PM.

They then play against Italy on Saturday June 17 and Thursday June 22 against Ghana. That Italy match will be particularly interesting.

Check it out if you get the chance!

Official World Cup 2006 Website
Team USA Website

The Commissar over at The Politburo Diktat is excited too.