5.28.2006

Auf Wiedersehen America

The Nats are headed for Germany. After three warmup matches against Morocco, Venezuela, and tonight's opponent Latvia, the boys are ready to wing their way to Hamburg, where they will settle in for training camp ahead of their opener against the Czechs on June 12. I can't say they looked fantastic in any of the three send-off games (other than the snazzy special-edition red jerseys they wore in tonight's match), but there were some promising signs of improvement through each game. Bobby Convey was particularly impressive over the past two games, and I still think Clint Dempsey has the potential to make some noise in the tournament. If the Yanks can keep up the kind of possession and passing we saw tonight, I feel better about their chances, but I'm still afraid they won't advance out of the first round. My heart says they lose 1-0 to the Czechs, then beat Italy 1-0 and Ghana 2-0 to take 6 points from 3 games, which should get them through. On the other hand, my head says they tie the Italians 0-0, meaning only 4 points and they miss out on advancing due to the first tiebreaker, goal differential. As a hopeful pessimist, I'd love it if they surprise me... but I won't be surprised if they don't.

The great Denver apartment search is on. What did everyone do before Craig's List?
WORDS
The Plot Against America, Philip Roth
The Codex, Douglas Preston

IMAGES
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Swingers
Rushmore