Wide Awake In America

We’re one day away from the Quarter Finals stage of the World Cup and the excitement is reaching a fever pitch among soccer fans around the world, including America. Tomorrow’s Germany against Argentina match would have been a perfect World Cup Final, but sadly one of those great teams will be leaving the tournament tomorrow.

Italy should walk over Ukraine, making it an Italy versus Germany semi-final. I don’t feel Argentina has what it takes to overcome the attack-minded German team.

England must rise to the occasion tomorrow to defeat Portugal. I believe they have what it takes, but it’ll mean Rooney and Lampard having to play the games of their lives in order to ensure a semi-final match between Brazil (sorry French fans).

Despite all of the fanfare about this weekend’s matches, my Dad brought me back down to earth yesterday. He’s not a football fan, but he lives near me in South Florida. He said “You realize that most people don’t know the World Cup is on right now, right? It’s nowhere in the news, and most of the people on the American talk radio shows are discussing how soccer will never make it in America.”

It’s true, but I’ve reached the point where I don’t care anymore about them. Thanks to the Internet, we no longer have to depend on American media in order to see coverage of matches or find out the scores. As long as there’s room for Fox Soccer Channel, GolTV and Setanta, and the Internet doesn’t blow up, I’m a happy man.