Here is what has made my radar. . .
- Grown Men- Hugging, Jumping up and down, Smiling, Embracing, Feeling feelings through the course of a 90 minute game. This first tournament with48 teams has been amazing. Even with three automatic qualifying host countries this has been an exciting tournament with lots of goals. The game we attended had 4 goals scored. The competition for leading scorer has many players with 2 or more goals in only 3 games.
- 3 Host Countries, 3 completely different governments, One Amazing Cultural experience. And not one stadium had to be built for this tournament. Stadiums were modified, field surfaces were changed to a hybrid natural surface and each stadium changed its entry experience forcing most attendees through one gate. It also let them explore the exhibits and promotions of the official tournament sponsors.
- The Trionda by Adidas– Yes the ball. Why? The ball moves. Yes if I had to stop shots in this tournament from the world class goal scorers I may chose to box vs catch. I remember playing against ex-pros in over-30s that made me forget about trying to catch. The movment made it to difficult to catch shots so as a GK I chose to box. The unpredictable motion of well struck balls would often leave a pinkie finger to become hyperextended and that was before the 2026 Trionda was made and filled with helium gas. By the way- the ball has a micro-chip that helps determines balls over the goal line and when a touch is made for determining offside- Law 11. Please don’t ask me to explain Law 11 in less than 5 hours. It is why IFAB has created specialized roles for assistant referees- linos- lines people, flag runners.
- American Stadiums were not designed for football world, they were desinged for American Football with 60 ft team areas on each sideline. The first row of seats is typically 10 feet above the playing surface so fans can sit and see over the American football players on the sideline. This is no different that the issue NBA teams have with courtside seats in arenas that are shared with NHL Teams. The front row experience for this tournament is not the same as the Premier League.
- The United States men’s soccer team does not have the ONE type of Tournament winning goalkeeper. Sorry Matt and Matt (Matt Turner and Matt Freese)– There is a reason Mr. Turner wasn’t starting in the Premier League. He can stop shots but, Dr. Joe Machnik would be disappointed in this current generation of GK. The current game needs GOAL-players. The current game needs goalkeepers who can protect the goal, start attacks like a 10, read through balls like a central defender and communicate like Peyton Manning in the two minute drill. The good news is the US team currently has 13 amazing players who can actually play high tempo, entertaining soccer. They also have developed an EDGE under Mauricio Pochettino. The midfield with Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic is solid and supports the transition play beautifully. Outside of the starting defense anchored by Ream, the team is shaky at best. However Pulisic is that player that all teams need to change the game. Finishing by committee, wingplay, and set pieces allowed this US Soccer team to win their group. Seeing Folarin Balogun and Auston Trusty find the back of the net reinforces the need for strong wing-play in the modern game.
- Italia- No the Italian National Team did not qualify for this tournament. They are a picture of what can happen when a country/federation loses sight of the big picture. This is a country where Ferrari, football and espresso are amazing. The problem is if too many hands try to make that cup of espresso at once or too many engineers are on the race team you can end up with a hot mess. Thanks to Italia’s failure to qualify the US team will play Bosnia-Herzogovina in their first game in the elimination rounds.
- Mexico- Top of their bracket. Perfect record. Perfect hosts for this global tournament. Even when the current American administration chooses to score in it’s own net: banning a referee, a photographer, team support staff and the entire Iranian football team from entering the country to stay/play in this tournament of sportsmanship and good will, Mexico steps in with humanity and kindness. The passion of the Mexican fans in all of the stadiums has been contagious. Viva la Mexico.
- Egypt- Mohamed Salah takes his countrymen and is pushing them into the elimination rounds. The GK MOSTAFA SHOUBIR has provided a solid performance on what we can expect from the African/Mid-Eastern region including a big Penalty save against Iran.
- The turf masters- for converting so many artificial pitches into consistent grass surfaces. I’m beginning to think that FIFA knew the temporary surfaces were needing the hydration breaks more than the players. The Reyna goal for the US against Turkey benefited from the watering of the pitch during the hydration break. Wet grass makes a much faster modern game. Add in all the UV growing lights for the domed stadiums.
- Team Penso- Yes, MLS and US Soccer have a dream team of women referees. Ms. Nesbit spent some time in Western Pennsylvania when she was working on her PhD. There is nothing like seeing the mom of three manage professionals from around the world.
- Adidas- for trolling Nike during the US vs Turkiye game in Los Angeles. Before the US walked out in their special Anthem Jackets by Nike, Adidas had Paris Hilton walk the game ball out in the 1994 vintage US Denim Uniform top.
- Austria vs Jordan– the in stadium vibe is the best. The train ride on BART to Santa Clara reminded me what it is to live in one world. We are all humans. We all deserve basic human rights. Anybody who would cancel a bill signing for better housing for their people over an ego issue is the enemy of the people. We did witness the homeless issue in California. We also met amazing people who are open to life, love and building a better world. Travel is good for the soul. Sharing experiences with 68,000 people from around the world is what life is about.
- Team Iran: Despite the political mess made by the current American administration, these players managed to compete in this world tournament. Watching them play against Egypt in on the last match day of group play was enlightening. After the missed penalty, they continued to attack and found the equalizer moments later. This is a statement on the human spirit. This team has been given multiple challenges from the current administration based on their mis-calcuation of what needed to happen in the Middle East. Watching humans master the spirit of sport when there are many other aspects of their life that they cannot control is the human story.
- The big 5: Messi, Mbappe, Ronaldo, Haaland, Vini Jr.
- If you don’t know, you are not a soccer fan. No need to explain how these men have stepped up in the current tournament.
- Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) representing all 600,000 of their country-people. The goalkeeping of Vozinha at 40 years old, is making history on the biggest stage in global football.
- Save the date: July 1 @ 8pm. US vs Bosnia-Herzegovia
- Diageo- do you know Don Julio? Casamigos? Johnnie Walker? Ketel One? Aviation? Capt. Morgan,?Seagrams? Smirnoff? Guiness? In a world where GLP-1’s are going to change human brains and decisions this company really nailed the marketing for their spirits and cerveza.
- The fans of the world! Nothing like seeing smiles, kindness and pure joy as they beat their drums and sang to their team.
- Eloy Room- GK Curacao with 15 saves against Ecuador. The man was in the zone. The concentration required to repeatedly solve problems for 90 minutes against a superior opponent–Ecuador–is like wearing a superhero cape. His ability to rebound from the 7 goals that Germany put past him is a sign of perserverance and moving on from situations that were out of his control. Note- the population of Curacao is only 156,000– that is less than half of the population of the City of Pittsburgh.
- Miami Football Stadium (HardRock Stadium) and the City of Miami–when you think of global cities Miami is the United States central city for Central, Latin, South America. Let’s be honest- Miami-Dade does not belong in Florida it is a global city. Don’t forget all of those condos that bring in foreign money just like London. While the climate is not great for world football, the energy that the stadium has shown along with Collins Ave. is why Miami is up with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Mexico City, Cancun, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Vancouver.
- Group K advancing 3 teams in what I thought was a really tough group. Congo, Portugal and Colombia.
- Just remember the equivalent of March Madness starts today. Canada plays South Africa in LA. All games need a winner. Each game is one win and move on. Overtime is two full periods, no sudden death followed by kicks from the mark. Get on the edge of your seat grandma, we will sell you the whole seat, but you will only need the edge.
