Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday, whichever one it is. Mine was Christmas, and I am already looking forward to 2006. In addition to another MetroStars season, I am very much looking forward to the World Cup in Germany.

I anticipate being $100 richer on none other than my birthday, when Italy and USA face each other in a Group E clash. Before heading home for Christmas last week, I stopped at my favorite barbershop. Sal, the proprietor, has been there since the birth of Christ . . . Well, not that long, but you know what I mean. Anyway, he is a staunch Forza Azzurri (and Juventus) supporter, with posters of both teams proudly displayed in his shop.

Now, on a handshake, I bet him $100 that the USA would beat Italy in this contest, and if they drew, he would give me a free haircut. FURTHERMORE, he said that if the USA won, he would replace his Forza Azzurri poster with a Team USA poster. So, I will be there with an empty wallet and my Team USA poster watching the game at his shop, haircut or not.

The shop is not that big, but if you are interested in witnessing history as Sal changes the posters (and he should also change the paneling and wallpaper . . . it still has ancient heiroglyphics on it ) and pays me $100, then drop by:

Sal’s Visible Changes
80 Boonton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 694-9669

At the very least, you can get a great haircut! Good thing he did not bet me on the first Czech Republic/USA match! Nedved, go back to your retirement home!!!!!!!!! You are finished!

YIRB,
MetroNation

Well, as we approach the end of 2005, some may look back and say, “What the @#$@$#!!$ happened?!” Others may not realize that 2005 is coming to a close, and some may already think it is 2006. -SIGH- We cannot help those people, but with holiday stress coming to a boil, and anxiety mounting as the fate of the Metros’ roster is in limbo, with the exception of Youri for the moment, I offer the following to break up the holiday routine:

Has political correctness run amok these days?! Regardless, I am wishing all of you who made 2005 a memorable year for me a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you do not celebrate Christmas, then do not get your shorts/panties all up in bunches over it. Please receive this greeting in the true spirit in which it was intended, and do not wind up on Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN debating how offensive this is!

JOCUND CHRISTMAHANUKAWANZA!

SPREAD THE WORD!

YIRB,
MetroNation

The Final Draw is done, and in the words of The Bruce himself, “It is what it is.” Frankly, all the “Group of Death”/”European Foil” bullcrap and the moaning and groaning from the media and U.S. soccer fans abroad is irritating me. I will be brief, as I do not want to spend too much of my down time on a quiet Sunday setting the record straight for the rest of “you,” whoever “you” are.

Yeah, we arguably should have been seeded, and if we have to blank Mexico, AGAIN, in a WCQ match or this upcoming World Cup to be seeded in South Africa 2010, so be it. We will!! Italy has a strong World Cup history, but they are currently ranked behind us at #12. The Czech Republic is a formidable national side at #2. Now, Ghana is making its debut at a current rank of #50. Now, what all this means is . . . . NOTHING!!! Here is why . . .

The USMNT has made progress in leaps and bounds since the 1994 World Cup. The rest of the 31 qualifying teams have arguably not kept pace with this progress. Consequently, there is more parity this year between the USMNT and the rest of our potential opponents, and even within Group E. Furthermore, our U.S. national side has much more WC experience under its collective belt, and they will continue to build upon this. So, we should respect our opponents, but not be in awe of them. There is a difference! Despite the apparent nose-snubbing towards the USMNT international success to date, CARELESS IS THE SIDE WHO UNDERESTIMATES US IN GERMANY 2006!

The last time we played any of our Group E opponents in a World Cup (not a friendly, not WCQ), we only lost by a one-goal deficit, with the exception of the Czech Republic. Incidentally, Brazil only beat us 1-0 in 1994 . . . hmmmmm. We were not even half the team then that we are now. So, I believe that history is irrelevant as it applies to the USMNT because of the tremendous progress we have made to date. I choose to look forward to next summer to a very thrilling and entertaining World Cup for U.S. soccer fans!!

So, why are some acting so fair-weather about our Boys of the Stars and Stripes? They earn so much praise domestically (and deserve it all), especially recently, but then when we extrapolate to the international stage, we are silenced??? How pathetically fickle is that??!!! One might say that the USMNT has brought it upon themselves, as now the bar has significantly been raised, and expectations are higher than ever. You know as much as I do that our Boys need to know that we are behind them. There is enough anti-Americanism throughout Europe. In my opinion, to not be proud (which is very different than arrogant or asinine) would just be feeding this percolating sentiment.

Nothing would definitively quiet the critics and further aggravate the anti-Americanites more than another strong advance through the stages. So, be proud, have faith, and buy your tickets to follow our Boys from the Round of 16 on. I am, and I will tell you all about it while sipping a good dunkelbier and enjoying wienerschinzel at one of Germany’s many biergartens!

GO, U-S-A!!

YIRB,
MetroNation

Thank God, It’s Football!!

We are talking about REAL football, by the way! That “other game” should be called “meatball,” so nobody gets confused. We could not care less if your NFL Fantasy Team is headed to the Fantasy Super Bowl, or whatever the heck they call it, or whether you won the pool at work . . . SNAP OUT OF IT!!!

The World Cup is a REAL sport with a REAL world championship, and anybody who knows anything about soccer should be on board with this party!! For crying out loud, the USMNT is ranked 7th in the WORLD out of 300+ nations going into the World Cup Final Draw - Germany ‘06!!! Furthermore, the World Cup is the most popular sporting event in the world, celebrating the most popular sport in world, and it only happens every for years!!! Don’t miss this historic event!!

We are going to make up for our doused “Socc-Toberfest” campaign in October this Friday, December 9, at 3:00 PM . We will start warming up at 2:30 PM as we anxiously await the LIVE telecast from Leipzig, Germany. With the USMNT’s spectacular performance this past summer in the Gold Cup and WCQ matches, expectations are high. Be in the know, as the United States and 31 other qualifying nations find out what challenges lay ahead in June and July of 2006 in Germany!

If you are squeamish about crossing the Hudson River, where there will be a healthy contingent at Ex-Hale’s Bar and Grill in Manhattan, drop by one of the most historic soccer clubs in North Jersey in easily accessible Wayne, NJ. It is time to use some of that unused PTO from your employer (or make up an excuse), and start the TGIF Happy Hour a little earlier than usual with bar food and premium German imports and domestic beer choices at UNBEATABLE prices . . . SERIOUSLY!

While the telecast will end at 4:00 PM, we will stay open as long as you keep eating and drinking!! Watch history on our giant projection TV! You could also play darts, foosball, pool, horseshoes, bocce, poker, or knock the ball around on our pitch . . . IT DOES NOT MATTER! JUST BE THERE . . . rain, snow, sleet, or shine!

If you are not in the mood, yet, try checking out these sites:

ESPN SoccerNet and the mock draw . . .

Sportfriends SC
31 Boulevard Dr
Wayne, NJ
973-696-9816

YIRB,
MetroNation

PS

Even though it is the MLS off-season, keep abreast of our plans to combine forces with ESC and FRI in the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia, PA, for the MLS SuperDraft on January 20, 2006!!!