MORE Than Meets the Eye!

So, in the shadow of yesterday's Nerdom News, comes today the announcement that Dreamworks has released what is being referred to as an "Announcement Trailer" for the Transformers movie on their official site. You can check that out here. Also, there have been a few images leaked out from the filming location at the Hoover Dam. So far, Bumblebee has been the primary focus of theses images, and you can see how radically different his design is. Gone is the beloved Volkswagon Beetle that we've all come to know and love (Like a warm hug!). He's been replaced by the 2007 Camaro Saleen which you can check out here, and you can see a partial image of a fully transformed Bumblebee here. I'm still just looking forward to seeing the full on body shots of Optimus Prime and Megatron, it should be sweet. (Please God, don't let them f#%k this up!)

This Week in Nerdom!

This week is a big one for Comic Book fans, and movie fans, worldwide. Not only is Superman Returns released in theatres today, but yesterday saw the premier of the Spiderman 3 movie teaser trailer, which is said to be attached to certain prints of Superman Returns. Watched it yesterday on Attack of the Show on G4, and it looks freakin' awesome! But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself here.

Auf Den Viertel-Finalen

Yesterday the Group of 16 officially came to a close, and that means that the Quarter Final confrontations are all in place. Today we had Brazil take on Ghana in Dortmund, Germany, and Spain faced off against France in Hanover, Germany. Although I had high hopes for the Ghana squad, when you meet up agains Brazil, you're as good as gone, especially when it all comes down to winning or going home. And this was definitely no expection. The Brazilians were in fine form, and Ronaldo even managed to become the new record holder for most World Cup goals by any player, with 15. He opened up the scoreboard, and it was all Brazil from that point on. Ghana, of course, played their hearts out, but we definitely saw why Brazil is the reigning World Cup champion. The South Americans found the net twice more during the match, and ultimately it all came to an end for the Africans. Final score, 3-0. (Thanks for the show Ghana!) Next, Brazil awaits its opponent, which would emerge in Hanover, Germany as Spain battled France for Quarter Final advancement. Personally, I was really liking the way the Spanish team had been playing, especially their opening game against the Ukraine where they won 4-0. They had one of the most beautifully executed plays leading up to a goal that I've seen in this World Cup. That being said, I was not surprised when they opened up the scoreboard almost 3/4 of the way through the 1st half. I was already celebrating their advancement, when the French managed to connect before the half was through. They went into the locker rooms all tied up at 1 apiece. But as the Spanish team took the French goal as a fatal blow, the French seized the opportunity to take it as a victorious one. I was never very impressed by this French team. A lot of hype and expectation, but not very much delivered. But they certainly brought their "A" game this time around. The Spanish team never truly recovered from the French goal. Before the end, the French would find the Spanish net 2 more times. And, in what I thought to be an upset, the French win it 3-1. Spain, always a strong World Cup contender, is sent home. So, at the end of Group of 16 play, here is the Quarter Final schedule:

Friday, June 30th:
Germany vs. Argentina (Berlin, Germany)
Italy vs. Ukraine (Hamburg, Germany)

Saturday, July 1st:
England vs. Portugal (Gelsenkirchen, Germany)
Brazil vs. France (Frankfurt, Germany)

By weekends end, 4 more teams will be sent home. Then, its on to the Semi-Finals.

Dynamo-Mite!!

The Los Angeles Galaxy was back in action on Saturday night, as they welcomed the Houston Dynamo. And, of course, we were in attendance. It was a very eventful night, one that didn't entirely have to do with soccer, but more on that later. So, we get to the good ol' HDC (Home Depot Center, to you and me!) at around 6:30pm, an entire hour before the game was supposed to start. So we did a little wandering around the stadium, and I snapped a few pictures of the trophy displays that they set up before the games.We got our little Family Pack deal, which includes drinks and dogs for all, and had purchased seats on the Stadium Club side of the HDC. (We usually sit on the opposite side, under the lawn). So, already we were living it up. Our assigned seats were pretty close to the tunnel leading into the locker rooms, so we had some good views of the players coming out of and entering the tunnel. We were excited to hear that Donovan and Albright were back in action that night, so I had my camera ready to snap some pics. So, I waited...and waited...and waited...Ooooo, there's Albright!...Waited some more...still waiting...Snapped pictures of Cobi and Herculez Gomez...getting tired, but still waiting...and FINALLY, the game begins and no Donovan to be seen. It looks like we had been lead on, and Donovan wasn't going to show.The game proceeded fairly well. The Galaxy looked to be in top form, and they managed to keep the Dynamo in check. Herculez Gomez had a few close calls, but no luck finding the net. John Wolyniec also had a pretty good game, coming close to the Dynamo net but, again, not being able to connect. During half time we were treated to something rather bizarre. There were two different presentations made by two different teams, both of them had to do with GNC (General Nutrition Centers). The first one had to do with a boxing ring, and how GNC revitalizes you and helps you knock out your problems. The next one was a sort of GNC obsticle course with people dressed up in GNC logos, looking like fools. The highlight was having Cosmo, the Galaxy mascot, chase after these fools with their own props. Anywho, at the end of it all, I told my girlfriend that it reminded me of the stunts they do on The Apprentice, but didn't think much of it.The second half started, and it was more of the same. A couple of close calls. Herculez Gomez, and Cobi Jones, who had just been put in, mostly moved the ball to the Dynamo net, but try as they might, there was no pay off. Hartman had some pretty spectacular saves as well. (You know, I kept thinking to myself that this MLS stuff is NOOOOOOWHERE near the level of play that I have been seeing for the past month in the World Cup! And the field seems so much smaller!) The clock quickly wound down, and it looked like the Galaxy would at least come out of it with one point.Near games end, there seemed to come some commotion. As I turned to see what was going on, I saw not one, but two very surprising things. First of all, I looked towards the Stadium Club that was directly above us, and through the windows we could clearly see that Landon Donovan had taken a seat by one of the window tables and was watching the game perched from above. He looked rather pensive and meloncholy, perhaps regretting the fact that he didn't perform as expected in Germany. (Either way, we're still proud of him, and we're sure he's got a least 2 more World Cups in him!) The second very surprising thing that I saw, directly to the left of the Stadium Club from our vantage point, we saw none other than The Donald himself, Mr. Trump, doing a bit of filming and publicity up on the balcony.So, it turns out that my initial hunch was right. That would explain the helicopters that kept hovering over the HDC, as well as the signs that were posted at every entrance stating that if you didn't want to be on TV, that you shouldn't enter he venue. I didn't give them a second thought, because the games are usually broadcast on TV anyway, so I thought it had to do something with that. I managed to snap that picture of Donovan standing next to Trump. Meanwhile, the game progressed to its inevitable end. Tie score, 0-0. One more point for the Galaxy. (At least it isn't a loss!) All in all, a very unique night at the HDC. Next up, Galaxy travels to Kansas City to meet up with the Wizards on July 1st. A win would be nice, wouldn't it? Come on guys, what do you say? Good Luck!

Sagen Sie Auf Wiedersehen

Very exciting weekend of World Cup competition. Since Friday, 6 more teams have been sent packing. We've seen some very exciting match ups, some heartbreaking moments, some horrible officiating, and some last second miracles. Let's see how the Group of 16 is looking like now. Early Saturday morning, the Group of 16 kicked things off with Germany taking on Sweden in Munich, Germany. The Germans, despite being the home team, clearly demonstrated just why they deserve to be there, and why they deserve to advance. 2 goals, both early in the 1st half, was all the German team needed to make short work of the Swedes. The final score, 2-0, sends Sweden home, and Germany into the Quarter Finals. Now, to find Germany's next opponent, we go to Leipzig, Germany where two Latin American powerhouses, Argentina and Mexico, squared off. It was a tough choice trying to pick a favorite between these two, it is always nice to see a Latin American country advance. Mexico wins by proximity, but it was up to them to win by goals. Mexico opens up the scoreboard early in the 1st half, and it seemed like they were giving the Argentinians a run for their money. Then, off of a corner for Argentina, one of the Mexico defenders, in an attempt to knock the ball out of the area, instead connects with the back of the net. Mexico is left bewildered, and ultimately unable to score for the rest of the match. At the end of the regulation 90 minutes, the score stood at one apiece, and off we went to our first Extra Time in this World Cup. 8 minutes into the 1st half of Extra Time, Argentina, in what has to be the most beautiful, and also perhaps the most miraculous, goal of this entire tournament. Again, Mexico found itself dumbfounded, along with the rest of the world after such an amazing goal, and it never recovered. Final score, after Extra Time, 2-1. Argentina moves on, and Mexico packs its bags. Sunday, bright and early, England met with Ecuador in Stuttgart, Germany. This game was a little difficult to watch. Not only was the officiating terrible, but also, the weather was taking a very big toll on the players. Both teams were sweating heavily, and I think I even saw Beckham throwing up a little bit. Both teams were giving it their all, and in the end England, off an awesome free kick by Beckham (bending it like only he can!), put the Brits in the Quarter Finals. To find their opponent, we head to Nuremberg, Germany where Portugal faced off against Holland. This game, again, was evenly matched, the two teams playing their hardest. But, yet again, the officiating played a crucial role in this match, seeing 2 players leave on either side. In the end, Portugal found a hole through the Dutch defense, and ended the match with a final score of 1-0. Portugal meets with England next, and Holland watches safely from home. That brings us to today. First thing this morning, Italy took on Australia in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The Aussies, who were my pick to advance, met the Italian offense head on, and, although they were not on the same level in terms of skill, they managed to keep the Italians at bay. And talk about getting down to the wire, 30 seconds before the end of the regulation 90 minutes, the ref hallucinates and sees a foul within the box that wasn't there. The Italians, out of sheer luck, and a nicely executed penalty kick by Totti, advances to the Quarter Finals. G'day Aussies! Thanks for puttin' another shrimp on our barbie! The Italians now get to sit back and watch Switzerland vs. Ukraine straight from Cologne, Germany. I wasn't really expecting much from this game, other that thinking that the Ukraine would easily take out the Swiss. But what I was expecting to be a slow game...ended up being 10 time worse. It was long, boring, uneventful, and ultimately disappointing. Perhaps the most lackluster performance by both teams in any World Cup game thus far. (Or ever!) The only thing that made it worse is that it plowed through 90 minutes of regulation time PLUS 30 minutes of Extra Time, and straight into Penalty Shoot Outs. The Swiss were all over the place, except where they needed to be, which is on target. In the end, the Ukraine found the net 3 times, and won their ticket into the Quarter Finals, 3-0. So, at the end of this very eventful weekend of play, we see the Quarter Final match-ups starting to take form. One more day of Group of 16 play, followed by 2 days of rest for all teams involved. Quarter Final play kicks off on Friday morning. But we still have to get through tomorrow. Scheduled to play: Brazil vs. Ghana, and Spain vs. France. This should be good!

Und Dann Gab Es Sechzehn

Despite our personal loss today, the World Cup still goes ever on. And today was the final leg of the initial elimination round. From here on in, 16 teams will battle head to head for ultimate dominance. They will push, tackle, kick, and scream through the ranks for the chance to become the ultimate soccer champion. From here on in, it's one team at a time, one game at a time, winner take all. Groups G and H were set to close out the initial qualifying round, the Round of 16 kicks off tomorrow. On deck to play this morning, Saudi Arabia vs. Spain in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Ukraine vs. Tunisia in Berlin, Germany. Spain was looking to remain undefeated, while the Saudi's sought an additional point to add to their single one earned from their tie against Tunisia. An early goal in the 1st half from Spain would turn out to be the only one of the entire match. With that, the Saudis earn their ticket home. Final score, 1-0. Meanwhile, the Ukraine, seeking to clench the coveted 2nd place slot in order to advance, had to first make its way through the Tunisian defense. Like Saudi Arabia, Tunisia was looking to add to their single point, but, again, like Saudi Arabia, was unsuccessful in that venture. Final score, 1-0. On to Group G, who anticipated action from Togo vs. France in Cologne, Germany, and Switzerland vs. Korea Republic in Hanover, Germany. France, who had been a great disappointment in the last World Cup, was seeking their first win following 2 ties, as well as redemption from their abyssmal performance 4 years ago. Togo, on the other hand, was just looking for their first win, period! But just when it was looking like France had nothing more to offer this time around, they manage to find the Togoan net, not once, but twice. Final score, 2-0. Switzerland, leader of this group, had anticipated heading into the next round with Korea in tow. France, pulling an upset, and Switzerland scoring their 2 goals against Korea, opened the door for France to advance. So, ultimately, Ghana becomes the only African team to advance to the Round of 16, and Asia is completely out. So, at the end of today's competition, Groups G and H look like this:

Group G:
1. Switzerland (7 pts.)
2. France (5 pts.)
3. Korea Republic (4 pts.)*
4. Togo (0 pts.)*

Group H:
1. Spain (9 pts.)
2. Ukraine (6 pts.)
3. Tunisia (1 pt.)*
4. Saudi Arabia (1 pt.)*

(* Indicates eliminated team)

Tomorrow: ROUND OF 16! Germany vs. Sweden, and Argentina vs. Mexico (Go Tri! Hey, we gotta root for someone now that the USA is gone!)

S.I.P. Gandalf the Blue

Today, I awoke to a very painful realization. Our betta, Gandalf, had passed away during the night. I hope he didn't suffer, and I hope that he is happier where he is. He will be missed. He was serene, regal at times, and had come to accept me as his caregiver. (He had grown accustomed to our daily feeding ritual. He almost seemed to anticipate them) Maybe I'm just reading too much into it, but I like to think that we bonded. I know he definitely bonded with my girlfriend, who will mourn along with us. To Gandalf the Blue, may you Swim In Peace through crystal blue waters.

Todunglücklich

The world moves on, and yet for some, the dream is over. Today was a very dramatic day of World Cup competition, with more than a few nation's getting their hearts broken. And how did the USA do?? We'll get to that in a second. Group E was first up today, which had on the scheduled USA vs. Ghana in Nuremberg, Germany, and over in Hamburg, Germany, Italy was set to take on the Czech Republic. This had been the tightest group of all thus far. Even with just 1 point, the USA still had hopes of advancing to the Group of 16. In order for that to happen, Italy had to beat the Czech Republic, and the USA had to overcome the Africans. I know it was a lot to hope for, but miracles do sometimes happen. After a rather impressive debut against the United States, the Czech Republic have been unable to regain their momentum. Ghana plowed right through them with a 2-0 victory, and Italy was no different. The Italians, always a strong threat in World Cup competition, showed no mercy, and quickly disposed of the Czechs. Final score, 2-0. Things were looking promising for the USA. All that stood in their way of advancement was the Ghanan squad. The 1st half saw the Africans open up the scoreboard 1-0 against the Americans. But deep into the end of the 1st half, the USA managed to get their timing just right, and tied things up in the 44th minute. But just when our hopes had once again been raised, Ghana finds an ally in the referee, who calls a Bulls**t foul within the goal zone, and awards the Africans a penalty kick. Trouble is, there was no foul, and many believe that the US was robbed. The second half, although filled with many possibilities, didn't fare any better. It remained scoreless throughout, and we bade farewell to Claudio Reyna, and possibly Bruce Arena, from their final appearance in World Cup competition. (At least now Donovan and Albright might come and rescue the suffering L.A. Galaxy!) Final score, 2-1. Next up, Group F gets a chance to define themselves. Croatia met up with Australia in Stuttgart, Germany, and the defending champs, Brazil, face up against Japan in Dortmund, Germany. Australia has been a constant surprise in the initial phases of competition, returning from a defeceit against Japan to win the match 3-1, and despite a loss in the end, they managed to give Brazil a run for their money. The Croatians, on the other hand, came in with high expectations, and perhaps that was too much pressure for them to overcome. I remember Croatia back in France '98, and how much of a powerhouse they ended up being. They have lost most of that since then, and it showed today. Although the match ultimately ended up in a tie, Croatia gets left behind, while the Aussies advance. Final score, 2-2. And in the final game of the day, Brazil and Japan squared off, and fans were still dying to see the Brazil we've all come to know as Maestros De Futbol. Japan opened up the scoreboard late in the first half, and it seemed that the Brazilians were being outplayed by the Asians. But deep into stopage time (AGAIN!) in the 1st half, Ronaldo, finds the net to tie it all up as they head into the lockers. The 2nd half saw a newly invigorated Brazil, and fans finally got a chance to see what soccer was really about. Brazil dominated the 2nd half, and poor Japan struggled to keep up. We saw 3 more goals scored during the 2nd, including Ronaldo's 14th goal in a World Cup, which ties the record with German Gerd Muller. Final score, 4-1. So, at the end of all of today's drama, Groups E and F look like this:

Group E:
1. Italy (7 pts.)
2. Ghana (6 pts.)
3. Czech Republic (3 pts.)*
4. USA (1 pt.)*

Group F:
1. Brazil (9 pts.)
2. Australia (4 pts.)
3. Croatia (2 pts.)*
4. Japan (1 pt.)*

(* Indicates eliminated teams)

Tomorrow: Groups G and H take center stage, and close up the initial qualifying round. On the schedule, Tunisia vs. Ukraine, Saudi Arabia vs. Spain, Switzerland vs. Korea Republic, and Togo vs. France.

Zwei durch Zwei durch Zwei

These past two days have been very eventful. I've got two days to recap (It was my brother's birthday yesterday). Some very important games were played, and the final standing into the Round of 16 are being established. We're beginning to see the schedule for the next set of matches starting to set up, and it will not disappoint. Many hearts were broken these last few days, but many of the big names are still in it. There were 8 games since the last post, many played for show, and other played for very high stakes. I will try to keep recaps as brief as possible. The schedule has been doubling up the matches, meaning that there are 2 going on at the same time. 4 groups have already been defined, they just await their opponents. So, here we go. The two top teams from Group A met up yesterday morning in Berlin, Germany. The host nation took on the South American powerhouse that is Ecuador. Simultaneously, Costa Rica faced off against Poland, in what was mostly a ceremonious game played to complete the initial round of qualifying in Hanover, Germany. The big battle was between Germany and Ecuador as they fought for the coveted 1st place slot. However, the South Americans proved that they were nowhere near the level of the Europeans, as they fall 3-0 against the German might. On the flipside, Poland finally found the rhythm they were so desperately lacking in the face of the total collapse of the Costa Rican team. They finally managed to earn 3 points, while sending the Ticans home with 0 points. Final score 2-1. Up next, we move to Group B as they look to define the final standings of their group. First, we had Sweden vs. England in Cologne, Germany, while on Kaiserslautern, Germany, we had Paraguay vs. Trinidad and Tobago. England was looking to get their third win, while the Swedes were looking for their second. The Brits played a very dominant game, very strategic and offensive. But the Swedes were not easily pushed aside. They gave as well as they took, and in the end, both teams had to settle for a single point. 2-2 final score. The second match saw the Tobogans looking for their second point after a tie against Sweden, and the Paraguay was looking for their first. The Paraguay that the entire Latin American community was hoping to see this World Cup finally decided to show up, and despite it being too late, they went out in a blaze of glory. Final score, 2-0. That leads us to today's competitions. Early this morning Mexico took on Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, Germany while Iran faced off against Angola in Leipzig, Germany. Mexico was in serious danger, as the Angolan team posed a considerable threat. All they had to do was win by at least 2 goals, and Mexico would be sent packing. Needless to say, it was a very stressful morning. The Portugese opened up the board early, playing superior to "El Tri", and demonstrating that superiority when they find the net yet again in the 1st half. 5 minute later, the Mexicans retaliate, and manage to find an opening the Portuguese defense. Ultimately, the score remains frozen all through the second half. Final score, 2-1. On the flipside, Angola finds the net early in the second half, but the Iranians desperately wanted their first point, and earn it. Final score, 1-1. A few hours later, we move into group C where Argentina met with Holland in Frankfurt, Germany and the Ivory Coast took on Serbia and Montenegro in Munich, Germany. The top two teams, Argentina and Holland, tied at 6 pts. a piece, were looking to be the superleader of the group, while the Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro sought their first point. Argentina and Holland both played a great game, probably the most exciting of the tournament so far, but despite their hardest efforts, the match remained scoreless throughout. Final score, 0-0. The other match saw a newly invigorated Ivory Coast, who I believed played a great World Cup despite their inability to gain any points, take on an inspired Serbia and Montenegro. This did not seem like a ceremonious game, but rather more like a championship one. Both teams managed to find the net as they desperately sought out their first win. In the end, the Africans were just too much to overcome, and the final score ended in favor of the Ivory Coast, 3-2. So, at the end of these past 2 days of action (8 games played, 4 teams advance, and 4 teams go home), Groups A, B, C, and D look like this:

Group A:
1. Germany (9 pts.)
2. Ecuador (6 pts.)
3. Poland (3 pts.)*
4. Costa Rica (0 pts.)*

Group B:
1. England (7 pts.)
2. Sweden (5 pts.)
3. Paraguay (3 pts.)*
4. Trinidad and Tobago (1 pt.)*

Group C:
1. Argentina (7 pts.)
2. Holland (7 pts).
3. Ivory Coast (3 pts.)*
4. Serbia and Montenegro (0 pts.)*

Group D:
1. Portugal (9 pts.)
2. Mexico (4 pts.)
3. Angola (2 pts.)*
4. Iran (1 pt.)*

(* Indicates eliminated teams)

Tomorrow: 2 more groups will be defined! Scheduled for action tomorrow: Italy vs. Czech Republic, USA (Come on Guys!!) vs. Ghana, Croatia vs. Australia, and the champs, Brazil vs. Japan

And still to come: Round of 16 kicks off this weekend people!!! This time it is down to only one game. This is where the men get seperated from the boys. It's "Win or Go Home!" in the most severe way. The excitement is only getting started!

Das Ende von Runden Zwei

Very exciting day of competition today as Round 2 drew to a close, culminating in a very dramatic match between Spain and Tunisia, but more on that later. First, we head on over to Dortmund, Germany where Togo, seeking their first ever point in a World Cup, met with the Swiss, who were looking to grasp the top spot in Group G. The Swiss took an early lead in the 1st half, spend the rest of the period trying to stave off the Togo team. Try as they might, the Africans were not able to come together as a team long enough to produce a goal. And when the Swiss scored once more in the 2nd half, it seemed like their coffin was finally nailed shut. Final score, 2-0. (Togo returns home empty handed). The 2nd match of the day, which took place in Hamburg, Germany, pitted Saudi Arabia against the Ukraine. The Ukraine was looking for something better than their disappointing 0-4 loss against Spain, seeing how so much seems to be expected from them. (They were supposed to be one of the European Powerhouses this World Cup). The Saudis were just looking to move ahead to the next round, and their previous tie to Tunisia wasn't going to do it. Both teams had much at stake, but only the Ukraine stepped up. They completely turned the tables on the Arabian team, and redeemed themselves from their initial loss. Final score, 4-0. Despite the result, the Saudis may still have a chance. It all comes down to their final games. And finally, the match of the day, Spain vs. Tunisia in Stuttgart, Germany. The Spanish came out with both barrels blazing on their opening match against the Ukraine, so there were high expectations for this team. 8 minute into the match, Tunisia is the first to draw blood, and suddenly it seemed like it would be a completely different game than the first. That 1-0 score carried through the first half, and through most of the 2nd. During the 72nd minute, the Spanish finally managed to find the net, and tied it all up at 1 apiece. 5 minutes later, they managed to do it again. Suddenly, it seemed like an entirely new Spanish team had emerged on the field. It seemed like that was how this one was going to end, but just 1 minute into stoppage time, Spain gets fouled inside the box. Penalty kick is awarded, scored, and the match is over. Spain comes back to win it, 3-1. So, at the end of all of today's matches, Groups G and H look like this:

Group G:
1. Switzerland (4 pts.)
2. Korea Republic (4 pts.)
3. France (2 pts.)
4. Togo (0 pts.)

Group H:
1. Spain (6 pts.)
2. Ukraine (3 pts.)
3. Tunisia (1 pt.)
4. Saudi Arabia (1 pt.)

Tomorrow: THIS IS IT!! Round 3, final standings will be determined, and we will soon find out who will move on to the Group of 16. Scheduled to play tomorrow: Germany vs. Ecuador, Costa Rica vs. Poland, Paraguay vs. Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden vs. England. That's right 4 games! 2 Groups will be defined, and 4 teams will move on. It's Clutch Time! (So Exciting!)

Red Bullied!

Galaxy was back in action yesterday, after a tie with the D.C. United last Sunday. It gave most Galaxy fans a faint glimmer of hope, that this would be the end of a steep downward spiral that the team had recently to be incapable of escaping. After a long string of losses, this tie was somewhat of a welcome relief, and under the management of a new Head Coach, we all hoped for the best. So, going into this game against the New York Red Bulls in their home, we were cautiously optimistic. Even more so when, out of nowhere, Herculez Gomez, managed to put one deep into the New York net. But our joy would be short lived, as two minutes later, the Red Bulls caught Hartman off guard. Now we were tied, but no big deal right?? WRONG!! Just 69 seconds later (69 SECONDS people!), the Red Bulls found the back of our net yet again!! Try as they might, the Galaxy just couldn't find an opening anywhere. (Not to mention the lousy offitiating that was taking place!) The game ends 2-1, Galaxy loses again. Next week the Galaxy is back at the HDC as they welcome the Houston Dynamo. This is the first time these two teams will meet, and hopefully that spells victory for L.A. Go, Galaxy!

Der Ton der Samba

It's the second Sunday of competition, and the excitement is certainly in the air as everyone anticipated the 2nd game for Brazil. But more on that later. First up, we head to Nuremberg, Germany where Japan met up with Croatia. The game was fought hard by both sides, but it was ultimately futile. Final score, 0-0, which gives both teams their first point. Next up, was the real talk of the town. The yellow shirted Brazilians taking on the... yellow shirted Australians? Actually, Australia sported an all blue uniform, which looked pretty cool. The Australians, just another of the many surprising teams of this World Cup, definitely gave the Brazilians a run for their money. And, despite a briliant effort by the Aussies, or at least I think it was, and the goal post being in top form, all their hard work was not enough to overcome the Brazilians. Final score, 2-0 Brazil. Next, we head on over to Leipzig, Germany for the final game of the day, where France faces the Korean Republic. The French, looking to end a very long scoreless streak, went in with high expectations. And, with an early goal by France, it was looking like they were also on their way to precuring their first win as well. (Having tied previously with Switzerland 0-0). For most of the game, it looked like a sure thing for France, despite Korea's best efforts (and there were many). But in true World Cup 2006 fashion, the Korean's score deep into the 2nd half. Final score, 1-1. So, at the end of today's competition, Group F looks like this:

1. Brazil (6 pts.)
2. Australia (3 pts.)
3. Croatia (1 pt.)
4. Japan (1 pt.)

Tomorrow: Togo vs. Switzerland, Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine, and Spain vs. Tunisia

Noch Lebendig

Very impressive day of soccer today. There was blood, there was sweat, and there was definitely tears. How did the US fare?? More on that in a moment. But first off, we head to Frankfurt, Germany where Portugal and Iran would close out the second round of play for Group D. The Iranians desperately needed a win to secure any hopes of advancement. Ultimately the superior Portuguese were just too much for Iran to overcome. Final score, 2-0 (Iran is going home). Second on today's schedule, the Czech Republic (who cut the USA down to size in their fisrt match), took on the team from Ghana in Cologne, Germany. Although no one was really expecting much from any of the participating African nations, mostly everyone appears to be rooting for them. I guess we all just like an underdog story. That being said, Ghana blew me away today. With their level of ball control, teamwork, and enthusiasm, they easily outplayed the Czech team, who was looking oddly uninspired. (What happened to the team that took down the US?). In the end, despite so many advances by the Ghana team, the final score was ONLY 2-0 in Ghana's favor. (It could have easily been 4 or 5). And finally, in the match of the day, Kaiserslautern, Germany bore witness to USA vs. Italy, in where the US was desperately clinging on for dear life. It was "Win or Go Home" for the Yanks, and they definitely demonstrated the desire to win. This was a completely different team than the one the Czechs demolished 3-0. There was talk of dissidence amongst the players and Head Coach Bruce Arena, where the Coach singled out various players as cause for their initial loss. But today, the US knew they needed any points in order to keep their World Cup dreams alive. It was a very exciting game, both teams playing extremely well. There were casualties on both sides (1 red card for Italy, and 2 for the US), blood (McBride got an elbow to the face), spectacular saves (Keller was in rare form today), and miracles (USA is still in this due to an Auto-Goal by the Italians). Final score, 1-1 tie, which gives the US a much needed point. We need to win against Ghana next week, and Italy needs to win against the Czech Republic in order for us to have any hopes of advancing to the Round of 16. So, at the end of today's games, Groups D and E look like this:

Group D:
1. Portugal (6 pts.)
2. Mexico (4 pts.)
3. Angola (1 pts.)
4. Iran (0 pts.)

Group E:
1. Italy (4 pts.)
2. Czech Republic (3 pts.)
3. Ghana (3 pts.)
4. USA (1 pt.)

Tomorrow: Japan vs. Croatia, Brazil vs. Australia, and France vs. Korea Republic

So viele Absichten

All eyes were on Germany today as the Mexican National team played their second game of the tournament, but more on that later. First off, we had Argentina take on the team from Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. From early on in the match, Argentina demonstrated a passion, and a spark, that was not so apparent during their first game. And try as they might, the team from Serbia and Montenegro was unable to overcome the blue tide that just kept coming, and coming, and coming. Final score, and astonishing 6-0!! (Serbia and Montenegro head home). Next up, we turn to Stuttgart, Germay as Holland takes on the African nation of Ivory Coast. It was a meeting of the two orange powerhouses as Holland was looking to lock a spot in the next round, and Ivory Coast was simply looking to stay alive. It was a match that was heavily fought by both teams, but in the end Holland was slightly superior. Final score, 2-1. (Ivory Coast, thanks for playing! I was impressed!). Finally, the match of the day. Hanover, Germany bore witness to the clash between the Mexicans and the team from Angola. There were heavy expectations coming into this one, everyone saw it as a sweep by "El Tri". But the Angolans, surprising enough, was able to keep the Aztec terror at bay. This game pretty much belonged to the Angolan goalkeeper, who managed to ward off attempt after attempt made by the Mexicans. (The goalpost themselves were actually the 12th man for the Angolans. Who knew?) This match ended as a nailbiter, but ultimately a scoreless one. Final score, 0-0. Each team earns a point, and Angola still has a chance to advance. So, at the end of today's matches, Group C looks like this:

Group C:
1. Argentina (6 pts.)
2. Holland (6 pts.)
3. Ivory Coast (0 pts.)
4. Serbia and Montenegro (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Portugal vs. Iran, Czech Republic vs. Ghana, and the people's team, USA vs. Italy (Cross your fingers, it's "Win or Go Home" time!)

Die Verdünnung der Herde

Day 6 of World Cup competition, and we've reached the point where true heartache resides. It's "Win or Go Home" time, and the first casualties have begun to be revealed. Kicking things off today, we had a battle between 2 Latin American nations (which was painful in-and-of itself, seeing how we wanted all the Latin American nations to do well this World Cup), as Ecuador took on Costa Rica in Hamburg, Germany. Ecuador struck the first blow early in the match, 8 minutes into the game. Costa Rica, who looked disheartened enough to begin with, did not look at all motivated to at least try and secure a spot in the next round of contention. The 2nd half saw two more goals by the Ecuadorians, the last being deep into stopage time which has come to be the norm for this World Cup. Final score, Ecuador wins 3-0. (Costa Rica goes home). Next, we head on over to Nuremberg, Germany where the Brits took on the team from Trinidad and Tobago. The game went scoreless for about 98% of the time, which made for a rather dull match. It was mostly one-sided, with the Brits making most of the attacks which, for some reason or other, would not pan out. In the end, they managed to connect with the net twice, ending things at 2-0. And the final match of the day saw another Latin American hopeful, Paraguay, take on Sweden in Berlin, Germany. Again, another dull match. Both teams seemed only 25% in the game. This one was practically called a tie, until, again, deep into the 2nd half (one minute left of play, I believe!) Sweden managed to penetrate the Paraguayan defense. Final score, 1-0, and Paraguay earns a ticket home. So, at the end of today's matches, Groups A and B look like this:

Group A:
1. Ecuador (6 pts.)
2. Germany (6 pts.)
3. Poland (0 pts.)
4. Costa Rica (0 pts.)

Group B:
1. England (6 pts.)
2. Sweden (4 pts.)
3. Trinidad and Tobago (3 pts.)
4. Paraguay (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Argentina vs. Serbia and Montenegro, Holland vs. Ivory Coast, and "El Tri" Mexico vs. Angola

Um Zwei

Today saw the debut of the final four teams in this World Cup, and the beginning of the second round of competition. Let's get to it. First off, we head over to Leipzig, Germany where highly favored team from Spain took on the European team from the Ukraine. Although there were high expectations for the Ukranians, this match was heavily one-sided. Spain skillfully mastered the ball, and Ukraine, became quickly frustrated with it. There was a red card which resulted in the first penalty kick of the tournament. That gave Spain a 3-0 lead. But the 4th and last goal by Spain, was truly a mastery of soccer skill. The drive began from midfield, where the Spanish team gracefully avoided tackle after tackle from the Ukranians which resulted in a pass, a header no less, that set up a perfect goal scoring opportunity. If it wasn't the best goal so far, Germany and Brazil may still lay claim to that, it definitely was the best drive for a goal. Final score 4-0 Spain. Next up, we look towards Munich, Germany where the final two teams make their debut, Saudi Arabia vs. Tunisia. What I was expecting to be a fairly average game, ended up being an exciting match between two skilled teams. What looked like a Saudi victory, shortly became a tied match when Tunisia scored during stopage time. Final score 2-2, each team walks away with a point. And finally, we see the beginning of the second round of competition, as Germany took on Poland in Dortmund, Germany. Poland was in a tough spot, having lost to Ecuador during the first round of play 2-0. Poland had to win today in order to keep any hopes of advancing to the next round. Ultimately, the game became something of a farce, between a lackluster German team, and a strangely unmotivated Polish team. Not until the Polish lost a man due to a red card, did the Germans appear to gain any true momentum. And ultimately, the winning goal came deep into stopage time. Germany narrowly clenches victory, 1-0. So, as of today, Group H looks like this:

1. Spain (3 pts.)
2. Saudi Arabia (1 pt.)
3. Tunisia (1 pt.)
4. Ukraine (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Round 2 continues with Ecuador vs. Costa Rica, England vs. Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden vs. Paraguay

Brasilien

World Cup action continued today, as the much anticipated defending champions made their debut, but more on that later. First off, the second Asian team in this tournament, the Korean Republic, made their debut against the African nation of Togo in Frankfurt, Germany. After an early goal in the 1st half, the Togo team seemed to be playing a better game than the Koreans. But once the 2nd half kicked off, the Koreans showed a newly ignited spark that ultimately led them to victory as they overtook the Togo team 2-1. Next, we saw the clash of two European powerhouses. The French team met up against the youthful team from Switzerland in Stuttgart, Germany. Both teams were evenly matched, which ultimately made for an exciting, yet scoreless game. This one ends 0-0. Finally, the match of the day, straight out of Berlin, Germany, the defending champs in their traditional yellow and blue, Brazil, faced off against the checkerboard team from Croatia. This game was quite frankly disappointing. When you think Brazil, you think amazing soccer. They were pretty much lackluster today. If anything, I was more impressed by the game put on by the Croatian team. But even Brazil at half-speed is still a formidable opponent, and that was made clear as they grasped victory by the minimal margin of 1-0. So, after today's full day of game play, Groups F and G look like this:

Group F:
1. Australia (3 pts.)
2. Brazil (3 pts.)
3. Croatia (0 pts.)
4. Japan (0 pts.)

Group G:
1. Korea Republic (3 pts.)
2. France (1 pt.)
3. Switzerland (1 pt.)
4. Togo (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Spain vs. Ukraine, Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia, and Round 2 of play officially kicks off with Germany vs. Poland

Enttäuscht

Today's soccer action was kicked off Kaiserslautern, Germany as the Aussies took on the Beast from the East, Japan. After an early lead by the Japanese, the Australians, managed to find their barrings, and came back from what was an apparent loss, to win their first ever World Cup game 3-1.Next, the Yanks made their highly anticipated debut, in what ultimately became a highly disappointing match. The USA took on the European powerhouse that is the Czech Republic in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and it was apparent, almost right away, that we were heavily outmatched. The USA played very sloppy, and even Head Coach Bruce Arena had trouble watching the game at times. Although this is not the end, it still means that we're starting off in a hole we desperately need to climb out of if we want to have any hope to advance to the next round. Final score board, a gut-wrenching 3-0. Next we head on over to Hannover, Germany where Italy faced off against the African nation of Ghana. At this point we were rooting for the Africans to at least make a showing against the Italians (who are also heavily favored), and keep them at bay since the USA faces up against them next. But all our hopes were in vain. The Italians came to play, and play they did. It was mostly due to luck, and calls by the officials, that the final score was ONLY 2-1. Italy played an awesome game, and I'm afraid of what they will do with the Americans. We'll just have to wait and see. So, as of today Group E looks like this:

1. Czech Republic (3 pts.)
2. Italy (3 pts.)
3. Ghana (0 pts.)
4. USA (0 pts.) [sigh]

Tomorrow: Korea vs. Togo, France vs. Switzerland, and the defending champions Brazil vs. Croatia

Fußball!!

So, it was a busy day for soccer today, both at home and abroad. Apart from World Cup action, the L.A. Galaxy saw action today as well. But more on the later. On the international stage, we had Serbia and Montenegro face of against the big Orange machine, Holland, in Leipzig, Germany bright and early this morning. Holland was able to surpress Serbia's advances, and clutched victory by the narrow margin of 1-0. Next up, the Mexican team made their eagerly anticipated debut in this world cup against Iran in Nuremberg, Germany. The Iranian team gave the Mexicans a fairly decent run for their money, still it was not enough to hinder the advances of "El Tri". Mexico emerged on top 3-1. (And the entire neighborhood goes wild! Mexican flags everywhere!!) In the last match of the day, Portugal took the field in Cologne, Germany to face the squad from Angola. The Portugese, always a force to be reckoned with, made a strong showing, edging out the Angolan team, 1-0. So, as of today, Groups C and D look like this:

Group C:
1. Argentina (3 pts.)
2. Netherlands (3 pts.)
3. Ivory Coast (0 pts.)
4. Serbia and Montenegro (0 pts.)

Group D:
1. Mexico (3 pts.)
2. Portugal (3 pts.)
3. Angola (0 pts.)
4. Iran (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Italy vs.Ghana, U.S.A. (Woo Hoo!!) vs. The Czech Republic, and Australia vs. Japan

On the home front, the Los Angeles Galaxy attempt to gain redemption under the tutilage of a new head coach. Once again, they were home at the good ol' HDC, this time taking on Freddie Adu and the D.C. United. Last Thursday they lost for the first time ever against the Chivas U.S.A., but they managed to score, which was a slight improvement from how they had been playing. Today, the best they could muster (Again, better than they have been playing!) was a tie against D.C., primarily thanks to the triumphant return of Coby Jones. (Turns out it was just a sprain after all!). Coby came in for the second half, and the entire momentum of the game shifted towards the D.C. goal posts. Late in the game, Coby, on a defensive error from D.C., drove a nail deep in the D.C. net. That equalizer would be enough to give Galaxy a much needed point. Unfortunately, we still find ourselves in last place in the West. Hopefully, this tie means that a win is not far behind. Next up, we hit the road against the New York Red Bulls. Go, Galaxy!!

Tag Zwei

So, here is the wrap up for day two of World Cup competition. Things got off and running bright and early this morning straight from Frankfurt, Germany where Group B got things going when England took on the squad from Paraguay. England was looking to bury the Paraguay team, but they found that it wasn't as easy as they were expecting. Final score of 1-0 in favor of the Brits beguiles the excitement of the match. Next up we go to Dortmund, Germany where the Swedes face up against the World Cup debuting team from Trinidad and Tobago. Definitely one of the Cinderalla stories of this year's tournament, Trinidad and Tobago managed to hold Sweden to the ropes, and earn their first ever World Cup point as the game ends in a 0-0 tie. And, finally today, we saw the debut of Group C (or El Grupo de La Muerta/"Group of Death") as Hamburg, Germany welcomed the Argentinians and the World Cup debuting squad from Côte d'Ivoire (or the Ivory Coast). The Argentinians, heavily favored in this World Cup, came up to an early 2-0 lead, but the fledgling team from Africa showed why they have gotten as far as they did. They played with heart, if not with very much strategy. Final score, 2-1. So, at the end of the second day of play, Group B looks like this:

1. England (3 pts.)
2. Sweden (1 pt.)
3. Trinidad and Tobago (1 pt.)
4. Paraguay (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Serbia and Montenegro vs. Holland, Mexico vs. Iran, and Portugal vs. Angola

All My Best!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish luck to two very special people. They moved on to bigger and better things, and today was their last day at work. (You know who you are!) In the short time that I've known them, they've come to mean so much to me, and I hope that I have to them as well. I wish them nothing but the best in everything they do, and I know that we'll be seeing each other again very soon. Love You Guys!

Willkommen!!

Welcome one and all to the greatest sporting event in the entire world!!! 32 Teams, 30 Days, 12 Stadiums, 1 trophy! Of course, I am speaking of the World Cup, which officially kicked off this morning in Munich, Germany with the host nation taking on Costa Rica. In what turned out to be an awesome inaugural game, German clutched victory from Costa Rica with a final score of 4-2. A few minutes later, the second match of the day got under way in Gelsenkirchen, Germany between Poland and Ecuador. This one, not as score packed as the first game, but still exciting, saw Ecuador upset Poland with a score of 2-0. The Latin American countries made a strong showing today, and tomorrow Paraguay and Argentina make their debuts. Also, England takes the field with good ol' #7 David Beckham at the helm. Stay tuned for daily world cup updates. So, as of today Group A looks like this:

1. Germany (3pts.)
2. Ecuador (3pts.)
3. Costa Rica (0pts.)
4. Poland (0pts.)

Tomorrow: England vs. Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden, and the Côte d'Ivoire (or Ivory Coast to you and me!) vs. Argentina

Well...

So the Galaxy tried to get things turned around under the tutilage of new Head Coach Frank Yallop. Granted they look a bit more revitilized this time around. And it was great to see Kevin Hartman back between the poles. But 2 goals within six minutes by the Chivas?? That has to be a wake up call. This is the first time that the Chivas USA have upped the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Super Clasico (as it has come to be called). At least we didn't go scoreless. We managed to find the back of the net thanks to Herculez Gomez in the 33rd minute. Final score 2-1, but this game still felt cautiously optimistic. Perhaps things will pick up from here on in. Yallop has only had 2 days with the team, afterall. Let's see what he can do with a little more time. Next up is another home game agains D.C. United on Sunday. Can a win really be that far out of reach? We'll see.

Fusito Returns!!

Just wanted to post an updated picture of my friend's baby that she just sent me. I think this is him at 3 months, but he should be closer to 5 months now. (Ain't he cute??) From what I heard, he was flirting with the photographer. (Natural Born Playa'!! Don't Hate!) Goes to show that you don't need a full head of hair to impress the ladies, just a cute smile. (My, how fast they grow!)

The Inevitable

L.A. Galaxy Relieve Steve Sampson of Head Coaching Duties

CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas announced today that the club has relieved Steve Sampson of his duties as head coach, effective immediately.

"Steve Sampson has worked tirelessly for this organization, but our 2006 campaign has yet to live up to the high standards that Galaxy fans have come to know and expect from their team," said Lalas. "The Galaxy is the jewel of MLS, but with that distinction comes a responsibility to continuously set the bar, on and off the field. I want to thank Coach Sampson for all he has done for the Galaxy including winning an MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup championship, and I wish him only the best as he continues his coaching career."

Sampson became the fourth coach in team history, succeeding Sigi Schmid on August 18, 2004. The 48-year-old Sampson finished with a regular season record of 17-24-10 (.431) and a playoff record of 4-2-1 (.643), which included a 2005 MLS Cup Championship and 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship.

"It has been an honor to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy for the last two years. It was truly a privilege to bring two championships to the fans of Los Angeles," said Sampson. "I would like to thank AEG and the entire Galaxy organization, from the front office, to the coaches, to the players for all of their support and hard work. I truly enjoyed my time here and wish everyone all the best in the future."

The L.A. Galaxy sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 2-8-1 record (7 points) and three points behind Chivas USA. The Galaxy is in the midst of a six-game losing streak dating back to April 29th and has yet to win a 2006 home game.

Hoppy Birthday!!

This birthday greeting goes out to our pet rabbit Buster. He is one year old today, and here are a few shots of him sporting his new blue collar. Enjoy!

Korgoth of Barbaria

I wanted to take this time to let you all know about a little show that I caught last night called "Korgoth of Barbaria". Now, I'm a fan of cartoons, but most of the shows on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim just kinda fly right over my head. I catch "Robot Chicken", "Venture Brothers", and "The Boondocks" on a fairly regular basis. But shows like "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law", or "Tom Goes to the Mayor" haven't connected with me. (I'll even occasionally catch "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" or "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" for kicks). So, whenever I see a new show announced I'm often wary, and usually wait for word of mouth from some trusted advisors at work. (wink wink) But I gotta tell you, I saw a commercial for this show "Korgoth of Barbaria", and even the 45 second commercial had me in stitches. So I immediately set my TiVo to stun...uh...I mean record (Sorry, too much ST:TNG on G4 recently!) and caught the pilot episode last night. I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed. What does that mean exactly?? Well, seeing that my penchant for comedy lies in the nether-regions of dick and fart jokes, this show was right up my alley. The animation threw me off a little, being a little more crude than what I am used to watching (But definitely better than "Stroker and Hoop"!), it was ultimately the sense of humor that drew me into its soft supple embrace.The story follows Korgoth (Voiced by Drew Carey Alumn, Deidrich Bader), a Barbarian in much the same vein as Conan, and his misadventures as he treks across a post-apocalyptic landscape. The pilot episode had him searching for the fabled "Golden Goblin of the Fourth Age", in return for the antidote to a poison he had unknowingly injested. There are pleanty of colorful characters, mutated oddities, and pleanty of scantily clad damsels in distress. (And, oh yeah, this thing is bloody and violent as all hell!!!) I gotta say, rarely does one show hook me after only one episode, but I do believe that I shall be venturing forth into Barberia quite often. (Or for as long as Cartoon Network doesn't pull the plug!) Check local listing for showtimes.

D'Oh!!

It seems that lately when I've come to blog about the status of the Los Angeles Galaxy, it has been more than heartbreak for us Galaxy fans. Well folks, I've come here today to tell you all that...this week was no different. Once again, Galaxy has been defeated as the visiting team. This time at Houston, against the fledgling Dynamo team. The score, 2-1, at least puts an end to the Galaxy's scoreless streak this season (525 minutes since they last scored!). And, to make matters worse, I hear that Cobi Jones is out with a torn Achillies tendon, perhaps for the rest of the season!!! (Website has it as a right ankle sprain, hopefully that means that he'll be back on the field soon). Anyways, next up, we head on back to the good ol' HDC as the home team against rival Chivas USA. Probably won't make it to this one, since it's on a Thursday, but I'll be sure to keep you posted. Until next time, I say to you...Hey, at least we scored!!!