A World Learning Course for USA

This blog is strictly about soccer/futbol (and perhaps an occasional line or two about hockey). I refrain as best I can from delving off into the world of politics and international relations. However, given the global presence of the beautiful game and ever shrinking global economies the game operates within, there will be times when I must indulge in a little bit of futbol and government corruption.

Here in the US we are facing what could very well likely be a major turning point in history. Hapless leadership has brought us to the brink of the Great Depression - the Sequel. Our government only cares about big corporations and oil, the average American is only thought about during an election year and then it is only in reference to figuring out what lies we will believe. Our country has become a land of fanatical fundamentalists who care more about preserving their own self-interests than in using our abundant resources to better the world we live in. So often, these fundamentalists cry for the end of abortion yet wave their flags and sing patriotic songs as our country kills innocent men, women and children in a far away Arab land.

All this turmoil in the US seems to be leading us down the road which many European countries have already been. Russia, Spain, France and much of Eastern Europe have experienced the widening gap between rich and poor leading to a revolution or a major change in the leadership and economy of their lands. When this happens, what role does the poor or lower middle class citizen play? Often times, they are left helpless on the sidelines only to do the bidding of the ruling class. For the first time in our short history as a nation, a majority of Americans are facing this very prospect. Under George W. Bush we have lost our freedoms, our dignity, our access to health care and our money. In response, all we will soon be able to do is rely on Big Brother for everything.

Learning from the rest of the world it seems the only voice some of us may have left is through sport. The worldwide phenomena of a sporting club representing a particular ethnic, economic or social group has been largely absent in the history of American sports. Within the next decade I fully anticipate that changing. A feeling of powerlessness amongst an ever growing society of poor Americans will lead to certain teams being identified with people groups who are in many ways oppressed.

The silver lining in the dark cloud of American politics is this...I look for soccer to become a sport of passion, angst and tribal identity. This will be good for the sport (and other sports) in this country but will it be able to be controlled? Will the US soon be plagued with massive crowd violence, rioting and murders around the stadiums? I hope the answer is no, but I fear it is already happening.

From Russia With Cash

Much speculation was surrounding the potential transfer of Andrey Arshavin from Zenit St. Petersburg to a Western European club, specifically to Tottenham of the EPL. The deal never happened during the fall transfer window but may still happen in January or the following summer. Zenit currently stands 7th in their table and are a full 14 points off the lead. Come January, we may see Arshavin playing in England, Spain or Italy. My question is whether or not this is good for the game of football?

I understand that every good footballer wants to play in England, Italy or Spain but there is something to be said for a great player who chooses to stay and play in his own domestic league. When Beckham went to Madrid a lot was lost. Beckham now playing in LA has become little more than a circus sideshow. I feel the same about Ribiery playing in Germany. Why? More money, I guess. A couple of more relevant examples would be Shevchenko and Rebrov. Instead of staying home and bringing the Russian league to a higher level of prominence, they pursued the big money in England and found their games disappeared somewhere between Moscow and London.

I for one, hope to see Arshavin playing on the cold Russian pitches for many years to come. It will be good for Russia, good for Arshavin (who should annually be considered for FIFA player of the year), and good for international football.

Disdain in CONCACAF

Let me state right up front that I am not a hater of Mexican futbol or Mexican futbol fans. It seems most U.S. soccer fans have a deeply ingrained hatred of the game played south of the border. Often I hear of the infamous incidents of Mexican fans throwing bags of urine on U.S. players or I hear of dirty fouls being committed by goons wearing green. I think that is all just a part of a great, healthy rivalry...(see Rangers v Celtic). I also believe some of the disgust for Mexican futbol is fueled by the anti-immigration politics of those who let FoxNews do their thinking for them.

That said, I must say that the Mexican futbol press recently showed a serious lack of class and professionalism. When the Jamaican national team arrived in Mexico City they were overwhelmed with a Mexican press corp which acted like a bunch of Hollywood paparazzi who had just seen Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton in a drunken stupor.

The scene was rather ugly. The press and the Jamaican players began to shove each other while questions were yelled out only to be met by a strong silence from the Reggae Boyz. Airport security eventually intervened and the Jamaican's arrived safely at their bus. Upon boarding the bus, Jamaican coach Rene Simoes made one of the most memorable quotes of the year...

"We are underrated in Mexico. You think Jamaica is a very small rival, but in tomorrow's match you will see the answer to your disdain."

Well done Coach Simoes! A brilliant statement and a genius approach to motivating your team. I am not sure it can get them a victory in Azteca stadium, but it sure makes for some great pre-game drama.

The Old Firm Revisited

It's been nearly a week now since the Rangers (i.e. the Huns) destroyed my Bhoys from Celtic in a 4-2 massacre at Parkhead. I knew Celtic would struggle due to a serious lack of creativity on offense, but allowing 4 goals at home? That is inexcusable!

I won't take time to name guilty players who let Cousin walk all over them, nor will I take the path of blaming Gordon Strachan for having the lads not ready to play. Instead I will take the positive route and sing the praises of Aiden McGeady for looking like the only Celtic player who took the Old Firm serious that day.

Of course, no Old Firm story is complete without the hatred and bigotry of Ranger fans. Former Celtic player and current coach, Neil Lennon, was hospitalized after being attacked by two Catholic hating Huns in the streets of Glasgow.

Once again, football brings out the best and the worst in us.