"Not-so-Deep thoughts" - by Fern (aka LE BIX)
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Vol. 1, No. 5
16/June/98

Not-so-deep thoughts

A VERY SAD DAY IN ORANGE COUNTY, California - Well, what can be said?  
A lot really, but in the end the result certainly met our true 
expectations.  As we all know by now, the U.S. team has lost to 
Germany yet again.  Just to get it out of the way, England won and 
Brazil made it to the second round today.  Romania beat Colombia 
again when it counted and the Scottish have a chance to make it to 
the second round.

Some may point out that the German team did not overwhelm the 
American squad and the Americans were able to keep up with them for 
some time in the second half.  Others say that the Americans were 
able to prevent the barrage of goals that are normally bestowed 
upon them when facing the former World and current European 
football champions.  Popular belief is that the Americans lost, 
but played well.

Anyone who actually saw the game will tell you this is all 
diddley-squat (however you spell it).  We are still eons away 
from playing like Germany, if that's what the intent of the game 
or gameplay was yesterday.  There are many comments I want to make 
about the game, but due to lack of time and writer's block, I've 
compiled a brief "Good:Bad" summary of the game. 
 Also, below are my predictions for tomorrow's matches.


The Good: We lost a game by only two goals to what many consider 
	to be the second-best, if not the best, soccer team in the 
	WORLD.
The Bad:  We still lost a game by two goals.


The Good: The Americans were able to keep up with the Germans and 
	even forced them to protect their goal for quite some time.
The Bad: This "domination" lasted for about 9 minutes.

The Good:  Wynalda commented on the team's performance and said 
	that in fact, yes, they need to play better.
The Bad:  He put the blame on the kids, citing their lack of 
	World Cup experience.

The Good: Cobi Jones played a decent match and finally looked 
	like one of the stars he was slated to be for the 
	National Team.
The Bad:  If he continues to play well and scores a goal or two, 
	there's a good chance he'll be saying "See ya!" to the Galaxy.

The Good: Tab Ramos played in his third World Cup as he entered 
	the game as a substitute.
The Bad:  Preki "Mr. Miracle Goal" was left sitting on the bench.

The Good:  Hejduk came very close to scoring a goal with that 
	diving header.
The Bad:  Had he scored, we would have been treated to his 
	god-awful surf dance.

The Good:  Some of the kids did well despite not having that much 
	international expierence.
The Bad:  Despite their lack of international experience, many of 
	them will go back to Major League Soccer to settle for 
	mediocre experience.

The Good:  Jeff Agoos did not play.
The Bad:  Jeff Agoos may take the place of Mike Burns for the 
	next game against Iran.

Just Bad:  Burns did not guard the near post as instructed and 
	let the ball slip through between his body and the post.
Even Worse:  It is known that throughout his entire amatuer and 
	professional soccer career, it has all taken place within a 
	250 mile radius from his home in Massachusetts.  (Is this 
	something you can be proud of or would want to admit?)

that is all but still a little peeved because we could have 
played better and the boys know they could have played better so 
Iran is gonna get its ass-kicked Sunday,

-fbustamante-

Predictions for Wednesday, June 17:
Chile 3, Austria 0
Italy 2, Cameroon 0