Inspired by major sporting events occurring every four years

In reading through my last couple of posts I realized that I was at that time commenting on the winter Olympic Games. In considering what I might talk about this evening, I noticed that I will probably be talking a little about the World Cup. So, given the current trend, once the Cup finishes up in the next few weeks, I will be on schedule to make another post sometime in the summer of 2008. Feel the anticipation.

I really do appreciate the World Cup because it gives me, the typical American sports fan the opportunity to watch some really quality soccer (and I will continue to call it soccer for the reason stated above), which is a very rare thing. Of course, being an American and a sports fan I will not argue the point that soccer can be a bit dull at times. I watched the Mexico/Iran match this morning and at times found myself very seriously considering the notion that perhaps the rules had changed and the teams might actually be trying not to score...that whoever was able to best fake a career ending knee injury and then moments later run at world class speeds...or perhaps which coach smoked the most cigarettes, would determine the winning team. But of course I was proved wrong in a flurry of activity from Mexico, and then was able once again to witness the miracle of soccer; satisfaction with nearly an hour and a half of boredom and disappointment for a minute and a half of elation. The contrast between this and basketball is almost too shocking internalize. I very much agree with Adam Gopnik on the point that Americans like basketball and virtually the rest of the world likes soccer, and that this is an indication of the differences between the American culture and just about every other culture in the world. Actually, I think Gopnik was referring specifically to the differences between the U.S. and France, but I'll just go ahead and finish the thought out. By the way, if you haven't read "Paris to the Moon", I highly recommend it.

There is however one thing I'd like to see changed about the American coverage of the World Cup. Could we maybe get some people who aren't Americans to announce the game? I freely admit that I know nothing about the sport, but I sure would like to listen to someone talk who does, and I can sure tell that the people who are announcing it right now can't do too much more than point out which team is kicking it where. I think maybe someone from the British Isles would be excellent.