Karl and Angela Rees

I just got done watching the refs ruin what was otherwise an awesome match between USA and Italy. Because I recorded it, I stayed up until 2:00AM to do this. It just made me remember the last World Cup--4 years ago--I can't believe it was so long ago. I remember being so excited about that World Cup--waking up at 4:00 in the morning or staying up all night to watch games live from Korea on my then new projector. There were some Korean and Hispanic students living in my apartment complex at the time, and after a big game or goal, it was common for whoever was watching to run out on the balcony and wave a flag around and yell--this at 5 or 6 in the morning. It was a great time, and I almost felt that way again watching the game. You just feel that even though you're alone in watching it, you're watching it with the entire world. I can't believe soccer isn't as popular here in America. Our team was good in 2002, and this year (despite their collapse against the Czech Republic), they're looking World Class. Maybe it's because I played soccer when I was a kid, but there really isn't a more gripping sport in the world--every second you're holding your breath for a goal that may or may never come--there's no down time, the ball just keeps moving. I mean, I love other sports, but soccer is the most fast-paced and non-stop of them all. I'm definitely coming into work late next Thursday to watch their last match, and I hope everybody else in the U.S. does too.