DaveZdyrko.com

A lot of people seem to think that Team USA should be “proud” of its performance at the World Cup and that it was a success to make it out of the group stage and then lose out in the first round of the knockout stage to Ghana. I think that’s complete bull shit and is completely belittling to the team and the state of US soccer.

Having watched practically every game in this year’s Cup, I think it’s pretty safe to say that the US soccer team has a good deal of talent. The team SHOULD have easily made it out of the group stage and SHOULD have won this game against Ghana and the next against Uruguay. I still don’t think they’re on the level of the elite’s, such as Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany or England, but the team clearly failed to make the impact on this tournament that it easily could have.

In the end, they were just done in by a bunch of failed and missed opportunities by both the players and the coaches. It’s sad because the quick loss likely diminishes the possible increase of followers of the sport in this country despite the fact that it’s starting to look like we’re beginning to legitimately catch up with the world’s elite.

It may have only been in the preliminary round, but tonight’s Winter Olympics ice hockey match-up between Team USA and Canada was one of the best hockey games I’ve ever watched. It was action-packed and intense from the first drop of the puck and I was on the edge of my seat and shaking for much of the final period, particularly during Canada’s final two power plays, and didn’t exhale until one of the most amazing empty net goals I’ve ever seen by Ryan Kesler with 45 seconds to go.

Ryan Miller was playing out of his mind and the young Americans played lights out for the full 60 minutes — as did the Canadians. And not only was it easily one of the best hockey games I’ve ever watched, but it’s honestly up there with the likes of the Miami/OSU game, Texas/USC, and “Bird Steals The Ball”, as one of the best sporting events I’ve watched. Hopefully, Team USA will be able to build on this and come home with a medal. But even if they don’t, it won’t take away from just how enjoyable this game was — easily the most enjoyable program ever aired on MSNBC (who gets props for the lack of commercials that helped immensely with the intensity of the game).