tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post3659319050576335138..comments2024-03-19T06:06:57.807-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: AmenMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-29620012127311346532009-08-19T18:19:16.460-05:002009-08-19T18:19:16.460-05:00I think you see very good athletes who are world c...I think you see very good athletes who are world class performers, not world class athletes. I certainly think that is true with USA-Mexico, and I suspect it is likely the case for many highly rated NT's around the world.<br /><br />I am much more impressed by displays of breathtaking soccer skill (Donovan's magic goal against New England) than "athletic" plays like Eddie Gaven's run for the most recent MLS goal of the week. The placement of Donovan's goal with his off foot literally left me momentarily speechless, followed by a simple "wow." I see Gaven's run (five minutes after he was subbed in) and think, "Man, those defenders sure are slow."<br /><br />I suspect the skill position guys at a quality SEC game would outperform the 22 starters in Azteca on a soccer specific SPARQ test. <br /><br />http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/soccer-sparq.htm <br /><br />Who would have the higher average score on the above test: the 22 from Azteca or the starting QB-RB-WR-DB's from this fall's Florida-LSU (or Georgia-South Carolina) game?<br /><br />If we ever get even a quarter of our top tier athletes to focus on soccer as their number one sport, we will be a perennial World Cup heavyweight.chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-11964542651061549732009-08-19T14:07:48.228-05:002009-08-19T14:07:48.228-05:00What makes soccer so compelling to me is that it h...What makes soccer so compelling to me is that it has the same level of passion of college football, but your watching world class athletes instead of a bunch of college kids with 4 or 5 world class athletes sprinkled in. It's the best of both worlds.thirdfalconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15943193896421669390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-56768952254283731802009-08-18T17:11:34.068-05:002009-08-18T17:11:34.068-05:00Given all that, I think the passion is about what ...Given all that, I think the passion is about what I would expect. It's also nothing foreign to an SEC fan.chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-23599784016875420852009-08-18T17:10:06.102-05:002009-08-18T17:10:06.102-05:00My only quibble is his contention that the passion...My only quibble is his contention that the passion of Azteca can be found nowhere in American sports. You can't find it in pro sports, but it can be found in the SEC. If Ole Miss or South Carolina were to ever win a BCS title, you would see people just like that old man on the overpass in towns and cities throughout the state.<br /><br />This was a title game for Mexico. I was in the country when we eliminated them from the WC, and I actually felt sorry for many of the Mexicans. On the way home, the cabdriver said, "You have everything else... just please let us have this." <br /><br />I couldn't help but feel for him, because it is only a matter of time until the US unquestionably surpasses Mexico. That night in 2002 was the first time average Mexican soccer fans were beginning to realize it. <br /><br />If they had lost, it would have not only likely killed their shot at an automatic spot in SA, but would have perhaps irreversibly wounded the national psyche. Personally I think we have already surpassed Mexico, but the important thing for the people and fans of Mexico is they don't think we have. As the sport gains more attention and fans in the US, it is even more significant that Mexico continues to win in Azteca.<br /><br />This match was their chance to keep their automatic qualifying hopes alive, and let the world know, 'Maybe it is going to happen someday, but it's not going to be today.'chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-91307040683466207282009-08-18T14:34:53.772-05:002009-08-18T14:34:53.772-05:00As a casual Spurs fan, I enjoyed the game thorough...As a casual Spurs fan, I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Either L'pool is weak through the middle or Huddlestone and Palacios are terrific. It could be a combination of the two. You are really lacking a creative guy in the middle. The lack of any verve from the midfield, combined with Babel being a total waste of space and Kujt being Kujt, meant that Gerrard and Torres were isolated.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-63198768305339616822009-08-18T13:21:15.184-05:002009-08-18T13:21:15.184-05:00I am sorry you watched that LFC-Spurs game it was ...I am sorry you watched that LFC-Spurs game it was awful at least from my perspective. LFC can't compete to stay in the top half of the EPL if they continue to play like they did in the first half yet alone compete to win it.<br /><br />Unfortunately until Aquiani (sp) gets fit LFC won't have anyone who can control the midfield....Unless Benitez bites the bullet and drops Gerrard in the midfield and lets Benayoun fill the hole.Mabeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-14862450824343429912009-08-18T10:34:48.236-05:002009-08-18T10:34:48.236-05:00Michael - I can't remember a Simmons piece I e...Michael - I can't remember a Simmons piece I enjoyed as much as this one.<br /><br />It's frustrating because it shows what he could be if he quit reference the NBA every other article and if he laid off the "Teen Wolf" jokes.Rynonoreply@blogger.com