Things are heating up!

This week, France's World Cup hopes were shattered when they failed to get past their group. But, to me, their actions screamed a lack of interest. Fighting between players and coaches, the team sending people home early?? This is not how soccer should be. Soccer is a game of class, it always has been, especially at the international level.

Italy, the defending world champs, were also knocked out this week. Their team did not self-destruct quite as bad as France, but they failed to bring their A game, and I, for one, do NOT feel sorry for the complaining divers. Italy is notorious for being a bunch of whining complainers who take dives whenever they see fit. Their coach walked off the field after their final match, without shaking the hands of the opposing team or the refs. Good job, ASS.

BUT - for you American newcomers, the first round is just a place to weed out the garbage (or the unfortunate). NOW is when things get exciting. The US has a LOT to gain in their next game. Obviously they want to gain a spot in the next round, but in 2006 Ghana embarrassed the United States and knocked us out of the World Cup. With a team like Ghana, the US cannot rely on our athleticism alone. They will out-run and out-muscle us, and as a newcomer on the world stage, they have just as much heart as we do.

But they lack one thing. They lack that American mentality that we can do ANYTHING we put our mind to. If the United States puts away every shot, and does not allow Ghana to play their game, then our chances are pretty good. I'm nervous as crap and more excited than I am on Christmas Eve.

This is the biggest stage in the world and the United States deserve a little bit of spotlight.

Don't Tread.