If I must be counted with either the racists or the commies on the subject of soccer, count me with the commies. I’m only really into it if at least one of three conditions obtains: it’s the Olympics; it’s the World Cup; or I’m in Europe. But when one of those conditions does hold, I’m as sincere in my affection as any one else.

In any event, I switched off cable news to catch the last ten minutes of USA v. Slovenia. Lucky for me, that’s when most of the action happened. After being down 2-nil at one point, American midfielder Michael Bradley put one up and over the Slovenian keeper to tie it at 2-all with just minutes left to play!

USA! USA!

Then, moments later we scored again on a free-kick that put us up 3-2, capping an historic comeback and giving us a great chance to advance to the next round. Until, that is, we got hosed on a nonsense off-sides call by a referee who, according to the Brit announcers, had been screwing us all day. Not only was the goal taken back, but a blatant foul on the play against an American defender was completely ignored.

Games like this are why we won’t join the ICC!