The World Cup

I am not much of a sports fan, except when the World Cup is on, both men’s and women’s. This year the US team has been putting on an amazing performance, especially when measured against many of their previous efforts, including some where they couldn’t even qualify to show up. It has been amazing enough to get me to post about a non-military history, non-gaming event.

 

The US team dispatched Paraguay 4-1, after having their prime striker removed at half-time due to an injury from being kicked. You may say that Paraguay isn’t that much of an opponent. In previous cups, the US team has had trouble from so-called lesser opponents. And this time, some power house teams have stumbled against lesser foes. The US team scored more goals in this game than in all the combined games of some of their other tournaments.

 

Still without the main striker, they dispatched Australia 2-0. We don’t need no stinking star striker. (apologies to Pulisic) Having won the top place in their group, tonight they meet Turkiye, which is already eliminated and playing for respect alone. Then on to the knock-out round.

 

This has been the best run I’ve ever seen, not having been around in 1930 when they came in 3^rd. I have read that this rivals the 2002 run. I usually  keep tabs on the cup, so wondered why this wasn’t ringing a bell. My wife suggested it was the summer after 9/11, when the city was still screwed up and most everyone still traumatized. That’s what it takes to get my mind off the World Cup.

 

My artist wife worked in the south WTC tower. On the evening shift since she prefers to paint in sunlight, she missed both the 1993 truck bomb attack and the disaster of 9/11. Every New Yorker I know goes into a driven state when talking about that day and what they saw or experienced, myself included. This post is just a smidgen.

 

The fire at the site went on for months, with hoses trained on the site day in, day out. I went upstate on some mission since forgotten, months after the attack. Stopping at a large roadside restaurant, the TV broadcast pictures of the firemen still at work. Patrons seemed tired of it, ready to move on, wondering why the media was still fixated on it. It has occurred to me recently that the reason the media was still fixated was because they live in the city too and were just as traumatized as everyone else.  

 

OK, trip to downer lane over for today. Since 10 pm is my usual bedtime these days, perhaps I need a nap so I can watch the US team vs Turkiye tonight. The game starts at 10 pm local time. Go get 'em, guys!