Already ready for USA v England
In this World Cup with lots NOT to like, I must admit I'm impatiently awaiting Friday's Group B showdown ... and here's the video essay to prove it
I haven't been shy about pointing out all my issues with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — here's a link to four minutes' worth I assembled in video essay form for The Sporting News.
A World Cup in November, fair or not, takes on an even more suspect feel when Argentina loses its opener to Saudi Arabia and Germany does the same against Japan. The results sound incomprehensible when you say them out loud.
There are nonetheless at least two aspects of the tournament that make it impossible to stifle all excitement:
1. Seeing Canada, Mexico and United States all in the field for the first time, all by virtue of qualifying the traditional way, is a long overdue achievement for North America.
2. The United States landed in the same group as England, which will deliver a must-see showcase match Friday at 2 PM ET that I legit can't wait for.
I did another essay for my friends at The Sporting News to set the figurative table for the third-ever World Cup meeting between The Three Lions and The Red, White & Blue ... with mighty England still somehow looking for its first win over those annoying Yanks who insist on referring to the sport THEY invented as soccer.
Watch the preview here via YouTube to get ready:
Or maybe you prefer the tweeted version:
Know this either way: After my fortuitous introduction to English football somewhat by accident as an 11-year-old and the instant fascination which ensued, I loved putting this one together even more than usual.
i appreciate these essays. i started following soccer during the 2010 wc. i liked it so much i decided i needed to follow a premier league team since a lot of those matches were readily available on espn and fox sports. having always loved musicians from manchester (smiths, oasis, etc), i chose manchester city to follow. after all, rooting for manchester united was like being a yankees fan - i know.... you don't need to tell me how this worked out. joe hart playing out of his mind to open the season with a 0-0 draw at white hart lane and a monday night win over liverpool sent me on my mcfc journey. i've had this black friday match on my calendar since the day it was announced. my 14-yr old will be pulling for the most famous team in the world cup. i'll be cheering for the u.s. i bought some boddingtons for the occasion....
So a draw is to the USA almost like a win? Reading the way England sees the draw as a loss., I guess it is fair 😤