Another season of AYSO is in the books.  Once again I coached a U-14 boys team. That means the team consisted of 12 and 13 year-olds. We were the Honey Badgers.

This year was tough. We played 10 league matches. Our record was 0-9-1. Our goal difference was minus 26. We didn't score a goal until our 6th match, which coincided with out first lead of the season. We earned a draw in our 9th match, a game that we should have won, and in our final match, we lost on a single, late PK against the top team.

Despite all the losing, Coach Chris and I have some things to be very proud of.

First, attendance at matches and games was the top in the league. Going into the final matches, when our playoff hopes were long gone, all 15 boys would show up. Other teams ran training with 8 or 9 boys. It helped that we know the game and keep it fun for the kids. After all, AYSO is recreational. It needs to be more fun than serious.

Second, our boys vastly improved over the season. They slowly migrated from playing kickball in bunches to holding their positions and controlling the ball. Most of the team was in their first year at the U-14 level, which is a big leap from U-12. Playing against a 10 year old one year and playing against a 14 year old the next year is a serious change. Of our 15 players, 11 were in their first season of U-14. One of my proudest moments of the year was practicing slide tackles in training, and then seeing the boys use that skill in the next match. It's not an easy skill to commit to.

Third, we managed to instill a fighting attitude into our boys. Even in games where we were down 5-0, the boys still ran hard, kept their heads up, and made sure the other team left with a few bruises. The comraderie on the team was great, which I happen to take a lot of pride in.

Inglostadt x 1860 Munich - Audi Arena - I didn't know it at the half-way point of my trip, but this would be my final match.  Since I was in Munich on a Sunday,  the odds of a lower divison side having a nearby match were good. I'm extremely lucky that Inglostadt, a city one hour North of Munich, was hosting TSV 1860 Munich.

Before I left for Europe, I knew getting a ticket would be tough. Traveling support is limited by government bodies to prevent hooliganism. I made some friends on the 1860 Munich forums, and figured out the best course of action for attending the match. I smartly bought an 1860 Munich jersey, and made my way to the train station to coincide with the time when all the supporters would be heading there.

When I got to the Munich station, I was a little bit lost. I wasn't sure where everyone was gathering until I started hearing the unmistakable noise of soccer chants. My ears lead me to a platform of debauchery, as the supporters were gathering with crates of beer, loud chants, and riot police escorts. I went and purchased my train ticket, came back to the platform and stood around as everyone partied. There was over one thousand of us, and some people told me two thousand rode by train. We packed the train so full that everyone was shoulder to shoulder.

Slowly, those around me realized I was American. It all started when they asked if I wanted a beer and I replied, "What?" I revelaed my jersey, and one beer became four. These weren't small, weak, piss beers either. These were full Augustiner pints in a bottle, each measuring over 6% alcohol. In normal circumstances, I would have been quite drunk at the end of the train ride. Instead, I was pumped full of adrenaline and singing along with my new friends.

In this video, I'm not singing, but the police dog at the end is!

The Inglostadt riot police greeted us and guided us to the buses that would take us from the station to Audi Arena. I sort of separated from my first group of friends, and I never saw them again. On the bus, I met a new crew who were even more excited to have me along. Charlie, Alex, Peter, and Joseph immediately took it upon themselves to teach me German cusswords, the proper 1860 Munich chants, and a proper hatred of Bayern Munich. They also made it clear that they would make sure I got a ticket in the terraces (seatless, standing only area) to be with them.

My initiation was pretty easy. Charlie blessed my badge.

We made it into the terraces about 2 hours before kickoff. I was presented with 3 more beers, which kept me warm. Remarkably, I still wasn't drunk. It was a Munich miracle. I chatted with the guys, and we had a grand ole time as we taunted the Inglostadt fans, and poured love onto the Lions. In one special moment, American Kenny Cooper took the field for the first time in many months. The 1860 supporters did a U-S-A chant for him, and many turned to me to do the same!

Since the match was so close to Munich, half of the 15,000 seat Audi Arena was wearing our colors. Away fan experiences are generally fun and magical, but being able to fill half of your opponents arena is really special. We made sure to let Inglostadt know they sucked. Yes, I'm referring to myself as one of them by saying, "we".

I was thrilled at the way the guys welcomed me and made me one of their own. I would have been perfectly fine as an observer on the outside, but the gang went out of their way to make sure I was full of beer, had a good sight line, and was learning German. It was fitting that my first sustained sunlight of the entire trip was kickoff of this match.

Moments after the sunlight, I experienced my first snow at a soccer game. Look Closely.

My 1860 crew

The match was sloppy from both teams. Although Inglostadt is at the bottom of the table, they were able to control some of the match because 1860 was giving the ball away too easily. This lead to Inglostadt stealing a goal early in the second half.

In the 88th minute, 1860 scored right in front of us. We went crazy and I was picked up for bear hugs by at least 3 different guys. I lost my voice at that point, something which I had only reserved for the LA Galaxy and USA. Flares that had been snuck in were set off, and we pushed for a winning goal. It wasn't to be, as the match ended 1-1. The mood wasn't too somber. A draw on the road is a fine thing and 1860 is still in a good fighting spot for promotion to the Bundesliga.

On the way home, I got separated from my friends as they took a different train. I had 2 more beers bestowed upon me, bringing my total for the day to nine. I didn't feel the effect of it at all, as I was buzzing from the day's excitement. 1860 is now my German squad, and I can't wait to go back and support them again someday. I've made a lot of friends in football, and it never gets old. This day made my trip.

Mine is Billy Corgan!

The problem isn't that the USA didn't get the World Cup.  If Australia, Korea, or Japan got the tourney, we'd all be sad, but it wouldn't so horrible. Those are places we (as soccer fans) want to visit and experience.  No one "whining" about the bid deision has a problem with the World Cup in the Middle East. If Turkey, Egypt or Saudi Arabia landed the World Cup, the same sentiment applies. Those nations have soccer history, and interesting cultures to explore.

The problem is that Qatar just sucks. Their soccer claim to fame is the worst miss in recent memory.

They haven't won a match in the Asian Confederation tournament since 1988.  Most of their players are Brasilian and African rejects who are naturalized into the Qatari system. I'm not saying a nation has to be good at soccer to host the World Cup, but Qatar has nothing to show that would imply they take the game seriously.

Their tiny acreage of land has very little redeeming culture. According to wiki travel, things to do include going to the mall, kite surfing and cruising over sand dunes.  Every other nation bidding for the World Cup offered much more than that. I'm actually not worried about their alcohol ban, hatred of gays, hatred of jews, lack of women's rights, slave labor or lack of a single stadium ready for the World Cup. Those "issues" will magically disappear for a month when soccer time arrives.

It's obvious to the world that Qatar doesn't deserve the World Cup. It's also obvious some kind of back handed corruption was involved, as delegates from Nigeria and Tahiti were excluded from the voting process due to bribery.  All the world can do is get on with it, and laugh when Qatar exits the tournament with a negative 15 goal differntial.

It's been a week since the World Cup ended. The post partem depression pretty much set in right away.

Here are the moments I'll remember most.

Landon Donovan's late winner vs. Algeria to send us into round 2. The national response was amazing and completely unforeseen.

The USA's comeback against Slovenia including Michael Bradley's face as he got mobbed by teammates on the touchline.

The first goal of the competition from Shabalala was a beauty and great moment for the host, South Africa.

Getting up at 4:30 everyday for the first 2 weeks was brutal, but I miss it. It's nice to get a World cup match in before work.  Even games like New Zealand vs. Slovakia were worth waking up for.

ESPN had real around the clock coverage. The primetime show had extended highlights and analysis never before seen in the USA.

Maradona on the touchline was great to watch. In one of Argentina's matches, a wayward ball flew his way, and he casually heel-flicked it out of the air right to one of his players coming for a throw-in. He was clearly the most passionate particpant of the World Cup. It's shame Argentina didn't advance farther.

Diego Forlan deservedly won the golden ball as he put in a few inspirational performances. I'd say the next best players were Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER) and Arjen Robben (NED). Messi (ARG) was great too, despite not scoring.

The tournament was very defensive. It wasn't ugly defensive. Spain, who deservedly won the cup, had to put up with every opponent parking 10 defenders behind the ball. They handled it.

Uruguay and Korea is. 5 minutes in, and no one has scored, although Korea did just hit the post. Here are my predictions.

Uruguay will beat Korea. It will be close, but Korea showed a lot of nerves in their game against Nigeria, and Uruguay is more composed. Composure is a key trait that's becoming more and more important in this World Cup. (3 minutes after writing this, Uruguay scores with a very composed finish after a blunder by the Korea defense.)

USA over Ghana. Ghana scored 2 goals, both penalty kicks. The USA scored 4, and had 2 legit goals disallowed. Ghana's defense has been solid, but they wern't truly tested in their group.

England over Germany. Germany are really young, and it showed against Ghana. They have all the earmarks of a German team except the ability to be ruthless. Their Australia drubbing was a bit flukish. England will look deep into themselves to come out on top of this one.

Argentina over Mexico. Mexico just won't be good enough. I'm not saying that because I hate them. I'm saying that because it's true. Argentina is the most talented team. They'd really need a defensive blunder to blow this one. I also expect this one to get chippy.

Paraguay over Japan. Japan really seem like the weakest team to advance, and Paraguay are solid.

Netherlands over Slovakia. I expect this one to be good. I don't think Slovakia will come out and bunker. I think they'll try to take it to the Dutch. That said, not picking the Dutch to win is crazy. They are really gelling.

Brasil over Chile. It's really too bad that Chile has to play Brasil at this point. I think they could beat most of the other teams int he quarter-finals. Brasil is too stacked to lose.

Portugal over Spain. Spain just haven't looked that great and I think Portugal are on the upswing despite not looking that great as well. I think this one will be ugly with lots of fouls.

So many of these videos popped up yesterday and more are coming. This one shouldn't be missed

Around 8:50 AM the USA was very united.

Kansas City

Omaha

San Diego

NYC

Manhattan

Seattle

Minneapolis

Phoenix

Atlanta

and this great one from Arkansas

I was watching with Kait and Kimlan. I fell to my knees and screamed pretty hard. I apologize to Julio the cat.