Right. Lots of Interlull action today in the way of WCQ games. The biggest of which for us ‘Mericans is tonights romp with Costa Rica. Most of us will catch the match on ESPN at 7pm PST (I myself will have to probably record it as my Wifey’s mum is in town and we are hitting up happy hour and possibly a movie). Have no fear, I will have post match analysis once I get back from the movies after watching it.

There has been a lot of hub bub made regarding Jurgen’s line up moves, no cohesiveness, dropping Bocanegra, etc. etc. While I agree we can’t, or shouldn’t, F up our WCQ chances I tend to agree that the USMNT needs to take that next step and often that can end up meaning we have to take a step back first. Our national team, and quite frankly our players, need to step it up to the next level in order to compete on the world stage regularly. I realize that tactical prowess from our head coach is a big part of proper preparation and adjusting at half time but at some point the talent just needs to step up and play. Now, perhaps ol’ Jurgs is really casting out a bad lot when throwing players out there with what seems to be no logical reason but I tend to give coaches a long leash when it comes to coaching and installing their system before I just say “one more loss and he should go”.

Another possible issue that no one seems to be talking about is that perhaps we just aren’t that good. I know I know, hard to fathom but do we really think that running out a team that consists of mostly mid level season players is going to compete with the top level players on France, Spain, England and the like? I mean, come on, if Santi Carzola barely gets sniffed for his national side and he is a starter in a top 5 club in the BPL doesn’t that say something about the general quality of the US product at this point? Hell, the MLS is still in its infancy, they are barely rolling out feeder academy’s and still relying on the college system to be their main source of player income. So long as that stays in effect the US just isn’t going to compete on the world level. Sorry.

On a completely unrelated note, there are some games I am very interested in watching today that I believe are on ESPN 2 or 3: England v. San Marino; Spain v. Finland; France v. Georgia (not the state but good lord that would be a fun watch). Crazily enough, Israel tied Portugal (PORTUGAL!) today 3-3 in what had to have been a crazy experience at Tel Aviv. If not for a stoppage time goal by Fabio Coentrao this might have been one of Israel’s biggest wins of all time (Old Testament victories aside).

Ok, well that’s enough here.

Oi vey. Really? It must be interllul when the gods of modern media, better known as the UK tabloids, put forth quotes from a player’s father after being dropped for 2 games from first team action. By now most, if not all, of you have seen the comments made by Maciej Szczesny, father of young and upcoming Wojciech Szcesny, regarding his placement in the club and treatment after injury. Look, Maciej Szczesny was a pretty good footballer in his day (as evidenced by his Wiki page) and thus far his son has done pretty damn good for a 22 year old keeper (anyone want to guess how old Tim Howard is now at what some consider the top of his game?) but this story really shouldn’t have gotten the traction it did and just further evidences the craziness that is football and its media coverage in the UK.

Sometimes I forget how different it is over there and all I have to do is run through the footballing stories listed on The Guardian, Daily Mirror,  The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Times, et al. to remember the craziness that is BPL football. I’ll be honest here to, I don’t hate the constant updates, speculation, and story because as a Yank I don’t get to see it daily like the blokes in the UK but I can understand when something is just plain stupid and well… this is just plain stupid. There are countless stories of Wojciech (yeah, I still can’t pronounce it right) confessing his devotion, adoration and love for kingdom and club. And let’s be honest here, I completely understand a parent’s devotion to their son but this rings loud of a Dad who is just pissed about circumstances and out to protect his son; no harm really so long as it doesn’t gain too much traction. That, apparently, has already occurred as Wojciech himself had to come out (not that kind) in the media to again profess his love for all things Arsene.

Truth be told, his Pops isn’t an idiot (let’s hope) and he knew his comments would gain some notoriety/traction. Thus, kiddo would then have to respond and now I just fear that dear ol’ dad has potentially produced the same shit Arsene fears in his young, astute keeper (mental instability). Look, I might be a pessimist in life but I am an optimist in football and Wojciech has countless matches and a bright future ahead of him as long as he stays on track. I for one wouldn’t mind our former #1 keeper telling his retired keeper daddy to smother his mouth the way he used to a ball.

Right. Not much else going on. Rumor mill will be churning for many a day to come with possible transfer names being floated but if we know anything from Arsene, nothing is set in stone until he up an announces shit at the last minute.

Until next time.

Front page of the Daily Mirror after publishing faked photographs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)