John Clay’s Sidelines

I admit it. I’m hooked on the World Cup. Perhaps it is the influence of my two kids involvement in soccer, but I’ve watched at least a portion of nearly every match through the first week and found the whole thing terrificially entertaining.

Some observations:

• The Germany-Poland match, with Germany scoring in the first minute of stoppage time, was magnificent. Some scoff at the notion a 0-0 game for 90 minutes could be thrilling, but there was breath-holding drama in the final minutes with Poland, playing a man down, trying to keep Germany from scoring. You felt for the Poles when the Germans finally broke through.

• ESPN/ABC should have stuck with its usual soccer announcers over Dave O’Brien, who is too intent on talking about everything but the soccer.

• You have to love the Irishman Tommy Smith.

• I was disappointed with Brazil in its 1-0 opening game win. As everyone else has said, Ronaldo looked out-of-shape.

• I think the U.S. will play better Saturday, but can’t see the Americans beating the Italians. Short World Cup for our boys.

• Unwritten World Cup rule: When falling to the ground make sure you look you will never be able to rise to your feet again.

• Argentina, a 6-0 winner over Serbia this morning, looks very good.

• 
  The melodrama that is England is especially humorous. Reading the British press, you would think the English are 0-2 instead of 2-0 after two matches. Still, you have to be impressed with Posh Spice’s husband.

• The Houston Chronicle reports that last weekend only the opening two games of the Heat-Mavs game, both in primetime, outdrew the Sunday afternoon Mexico-Iran match in local Nielsen ratings. The NBA’s Game 1 drew 11.5, Game 2 drew 10.5. Mexico-Iran drew 8.7.

• The U.S.-Czech match was the highest rated show on ESPN2 thus far this year.