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Cobi Jones (middle) Oliver Kahn (right)		Landon Donovan, 2002 World Cup U.S.:2 - Mexico:0

World Cup 2002 Review (07/13/2002):    Wow, what a great World Cup!  The U.S. played the best soccer it's ever played, giving Germany a run for their money; South Korea shocked everybody, getting 4th place -- the best finish for an Asian team ever; Turkey came out of nowhere to get 3rd place; Germany showed they are already ready for the next World Cup when they host it in 2006; and Brazil showed once again why they are the best team in World Cup history, winning their unprecedented 5th World Cup, under the foot of one of the best players of all time, Ronaldo.  It's taken me 2 weeks after the World Cup to add another entry here -- 2 weeks to get calmed down and back to normal -- but man, I'm saving the 2 tapes I used to record some exciting soccer, which I'll watch off and on over the next 4 years, getting ready for the next World Cup.  I've watched MLS off and on since its existence, but now I really want to keep track of MLS and U.S. soccer.  In fact, I'm watching the Kansas City Wizards and the New England Revolution right now, which reminded me to add my final entry here for the World Cup, 2002.  So for now I'll put the World Cup to rest, focusing on MLS and U.S. friendly matches, but start getting ready for 2006 right now, because the U.S. is focused on upsetting the world again, this time by winning the whole World Cup in Germany.  Boy, would that ever be great, and I want to be along for the ride!

World Cup 2002, 06/17/2002 (post-game):    OK, I really need some sleep now, so I can be halfway conscious when I go to work today, but after the absolutely phenomenal, exciting, thrilling, heart-pounding U.S. victory over Mexico, it would be a sin for me not to post an entry here.  The U.S. 2, Mexico 0...need I say more?!  After the Poland embarrassment, I kept faith in the U.S., praying they'd play Mexico tough, like they always do, but man, the U.S., in the Quarterfinals of the World Cup, 2002 -- I can't say that enough without it giving me chills down my spine.  U.S., I salute you, and good luck against Germany in the Quarterfinals.  I have to say that one more time:  Germany and the U.S., in the Quarterfinals.  How could it possibly get any better?  Well, a U.S. victory would work, and no meteor, no flood, no earthquake is going to keep me from watching that game at 5:30 AM here in New Mexico on Friday, June 21, 2002.  In closing, WOO HOO!!!

World Cup 2002, 06/17/2002:    I thought I'd better add another entry here now, before the World Cup is over!  I've been busy lately, between work, watching the soccer games, working on other sections of my web site, other web site maintenance, etc., but I have been watching most of the soccer games, and needed to update this page.  What a game last night with Senegal continuing the magic over Sweden, 2-1, with Senegal winning in the 1st extra period.  Sweden had their chances to win, especially with that shot in extra time that went off the right post, but Senegal has played this way the entire cup -- living on the edge, but pulling out the upset -- and who knows how far they can go doing this.  Even if they are defeated in the next round, however, this has been a miraculous run by Senegal, and I salute them.  However, my main salutes go out the the U.S. team coming up in less than half an hour.  They have their hands full with neighboring Mexico, a team the U.S. knows much about.  I expect a much closer, exciting game than the disappointing effort the U.S. put out against Poland.  With so much on the line, the U.S. was excruciatingly disappointing, but thank you so much South Korea for saving our ass, and lets hope the U.S. takes advantage of this wonderful opportunity to advance to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup, an honor that should give the U.S. soccer team respect from the rest of the world which it deserves.  Other news includes Germany playing the stellar defense we all knew it could play, only giving up 1 goal this entire World Cup so far through 4 games, and that lonely goal being a stupid goal by Ireland in penalty time.  Unfortunately, Germany plays the winner of the U.S.-Mexico game, which is tough for me, since I love U.S. soccer, admire German soccer, and am partial to Mexican soccer, since Mexico is so close to me here in New Mexico.  If the U.S. pulls off the upset over Mexico, of course I'll be pulling hard for the U.S. over Germany.  Otherwise, I'll be pulling for Germany, but either way, whoever advances to the semifinals between those 3 teams will be exciting to watch, will have my full support, and could shock the world by winning it all.  So to close here, good luck to the U.S., which will put up a much better effort than they did against Poland, and lets enjoy another thrilling game between two neighboring rivals -- the U.S. and Mexico -- coming up very shortly.

World Cup 2002, 06/05/2002 (post-game):    Well, I was off on that 2-2 prediction below, but man, am I glad I was wrong.  The U.S. was putting up goals in the first half like basketball players make baskets; the scoring was coming from everywhere and quickly.  Luckily the U.S. got those first 3 goals, to withstand a furious Portugal attempted comeback, winning 3-2, but man, what a game.  I watched every second of the game on Univision, and even though I couldn't understand most of what the announcers were saying, I did understand one thing they said quite often during the game -- GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.  God bless the U.S.A., good luck to the U.S. squad over in Asia, who has to play a very difficult South Korean squad next on June 10th, and lets show the world we know a thing or two about the world's game, and that we aren't the stupid Americans of old.

World Cup 2002, 06/05/2002:    Just a quick entry before the U.S. game in 45 minutes or so.  The U.S. needs at least a tie desperately after the South Korea victory last night, and I'm going out on a limb and say they get that tie, 2-2.  I'm an American, have a lot of faith in Bruce Arena and his squad, and have confidence that the U.S. will be out for revenge after last cup's embarrassing last-place performance.  After that, it will be great seeing Germany whoop-up on Ireland, but man, what a great cup this has been.  I wasn't sure what kind of games would follow the Brazil-Turkey game (2:1, 0:1), but man, that Japan-Belgium tie (2:2, 0:0) was one heck of a game -- a game all soccer fans can be proud of watching.  OK, got to get ready for the upcoming game, as if I'm not already pumped up enough.

World Cup 2002, 06/03/2002:    Whew, what a great start to Germany's run toward another World Cup championship -- 8-0 over Saudi Arabia.  Nobody's really saying anything about Germany winning the cup, and that's fine with me if Germany sneaks up on everybody.  The U.S. starts its World Cup run at 3:00 AM on June 5th here in New Mexico, and you better believe I'll be watching every second of it against world powerhouse Portugal.  Nobody's giving the U.S. a chance to beat Portugal, nor getting out of this round into the final round of the World Cup, but the U.S. is out for revenge after 1998's embarrassing performance.  This has been a great World Cup 2002 so far, and it's only begun.  To everyone, good luck to your respective nations, and let the games begin.