USA! USA! USA!

In previous posts I have admitted to not being a big soccer guy; I just never got into it. I can honestly say that is in the process of changing now.

The drama of an event that takes place only once every four years like the FIFA World Cup and is no picnic to even qualify for is better than any of the crap that is being presented as entertainment on television. We got guys blaming poor performances on their incredibly hot girlfriends (losers), teams going on strike, underdogs over-performing, officials making questionable calls (so basically being officials), and some outstanding finishes.

You got to just love the journey that the U.S. team has had so far. It starts off with an improbable tie against the group favorite, England. The poor goalie has to still be kicking himself for letting that one get by.

Then you have the match against Slovenia. I almost feel sorry for these guys; now they would have never been in the position to possibly get to the next round had they lost the game against the U.S. as they should have. Regardless, the second half comeback by the U.S. to get the tie (2-2) was impressive to say the least.

Advertisers had to love how this was playing out. Thanks to England playing to a draw against Algeria, the final game in the Group stage would be the deciding factor. It was not just as simple as win and you are in for the U.S.; they had to be concerned with the goal differential with England as well.

I was intrigued. As a sports guy, I love the thrill of the chase, the agony of defeat, and the urgency that comes with playing for the chance to move on. It almost made me glad to be out of work and able to watch the game on television.

Man, can it get any better?!? I think not! It was torture to watch England go up; a win would put them into the next round, but a loss would not necessarily knock Slovenia out. A scoreless tie by the U.S. in their final match against Algeria and Slovenia would win the tiebreaker (the goal differential).

With time ticking down for the U.S., I found myself wishing it was much later in the day- I wanted a beer yeah, I know- It’s five o’ cock somewhere). I could not believe that it was coming down to something like this; failing to move on without ever actually losing.

And then there was Landon Donovan. Time expired, playing on injury time, the next time play stops and the game is over, and this guy makes the lone goal of the game to send the U.S. to the next round. USA wins 1-0.

Congratulations U.S. team! Not only are you representing the never say die attitude of your country extremely well, but you are converting people like me into soccer fans. Come Saturday I will be watching the USA/ Ghana match with a cold beer in hand.

Beer: Jubilee Ale from the good people at Island Brewing Company in Carpenteria, CA- in honor of the hero of the day, Landon Donovan, this beer from his home state of California was chosen.

Malt lovers will take a liking to this beer. The sweet sent will remind you of caramel and roasted malt as will the delicious taste as you drink it down. You don’t really get a sense of much of a hop presence until the finish; there is a slight bitterness to it. This beer does go down nice and easy with a rather crisp finish. At 6.8%ABV this beer will make you feel a little jubilee after you drink a few.

A World Cup First and a Righteous Send-Off

Bringing the FIFA World Cup to the nation of South Africa brought a first to not only the proud country, but African continent. Never had a tournament the size of the FIFA World Cup been played on the continent of Africa.

However, in doing so the nation new that they stood a chance at accomplishing another first in World Cup history, becoming the first host nation not to make the second round.

Bafana Bafana, as the South African soccer team is known as, had a tough road in order not to be the first for such a dubious distinction. France was the runner up in 2006 and the frontrunner for the group; Mexico had made it to the second round the last four Cups; and 2-time champion Uruguay would be no easy game either.

A supporter of South Africa's national soccer team "Bafana Bafana" watches their 2010 World Cup team. (Reuters)

South Africa started strong by playing Mexico to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the tournament. It was the loss to Uruguay by the score of 3-0 that would end of being the nail in the coffin though.

Like South Africa, Mexico would end the opening round with a victory, a draw, and a loss. South Africa would lose the tiebreaker, goals allowed, by 5-2.

South America’s success in the group was not a big surprise, but what no one would have figured was the horrendous performance that the French would turn in. There really is not too much that can be said about these guys except way to figure into the international stereotype of being gutless cowards and losers. I don’t care what the coach or anyone in the organization did to upset the players. The team will move on in the end by simply cutting these embarrassments, and finding players that have enough pride in themselves and their nation to persevere through whatever difficulties there may be to at least turn in a respectable performance (be it in victory or defeat).

Instead these guys were so self-centered that they blew an opportunity to shine on a truly international stage. After being defeated by the host nation, 2-1, the coach could not be bothered to shake the opposing coach’s hand. Talk about shameful. Now the nation will have to wait another four years before it can rid itself of such a national embarrassment.

In the end, the National Federation got the last laugh on the pitiful French soccer team. They cancelled the posh, first class return flight for the team and made them ride coach for the roughly 20 hour trip; should have made ‘em swim.

Beer: Castle Lager from the good people at South African Breweries plc in Johannesburg, South Africa- out of respect for the South African team it is only appropriate to profile a beer from the company that sponsors the team.

Castle Lager was originally brewed over 100 years ago to quench the thirst of gold prospectors that had worked hard all day in the hot sun. To do that they came up with a beer that is a little crisp when you drink it with a slightly bitter taste that never comes up sweet.  At just 5% ABV it will take a few of these to turn you into a rabid soccer fan!

Year of the Underdog

It would be easy to write about the way the U.S. team got screwed against Slovenia (still don’t know where that country is). Then again, since every writer in this side of the hemisphere is writing something along those lines I figure I’ll be the exception to the rule.

However, as a sports loving American with an outlet it is my duty to acknowledge it- yes, we got screwed.

Anyway…

As a soccer fan in passing, my allegiance is to my country and my country alone; so when it comes to the rest of the FIFA World Cup tournament I like to see the underdogs do well. With plenty of soccer left to go in the first stage of competition, it appears as if there may be some underdogs looking to move on.

No one would have ever thought that Slovenia would lead in Group C at any point in competition yet two games in they are the only team in Group C with a victory. A win over Algeria paired with a tie against the U.S., the Slovenian team has a two point lead over both England and the U.S. (who have two draws at this point and no victories).

United States' Michael Bradley, right, celebrates with fellow team member Herculez Gomez, center, after scoring a goal during Friday's match at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Serbia has got to be my favorite though, mostly due to the story behind these guys. The last time they were in the World Cup they were the Serbia and Montenegro team. After kicking some serious behind in the qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup, it would not have been surprising to see these guys make some noise once competition began.

Instead, the team that only allowed one goal in ten matches had a horrid showing. To make the long, dreadful story short (and bearable) they finished dead last (32^nd).

This time around they stand alone as the Serbian National Team. Not given much of a chance facing Germany, one of the top seeds in the tournament, and Ghana, widely considered to be the best team from the continent of Africa, the Serbians have done more than hold their own. A one point loss to Ghana and a one point victory over Germany has the Serbians sitting in a three team tie for first in Group D.

There have been some underdog draws and victories by teams that will likely not make the next round, but don’t be surprised to see these two squads move on.

Beer: Twist of Fate from the good people at the Moonlight Brewing Company in Fulton, CA- in honor of Maurice Edu, the guy that got cheated out of a goal against Slovenia, a beer from his home state of California was chosen for review.

Twist of Fate is an amber ale that has more than just an ironic name to it. Hops lovers will go for this beer. From the aroma to the flavor, this beer is all about the hops with just enough malt to give it a balanced feel to it. At 5.6 % ABV, it is not the strongest beer in the bar, but it has more kick than a soccer team on crutches.