Confederations Cup
In case you haven't heard, yesterday...
"The United States made history tonight in South Africa, stunning the No. 1 ranked team in the world and reaching the finals of the Confederations Cup with a 2-0 victory over the European giants, Spain. The win snapped a 35-game unbeaten streak by the Spaniards and gives the USA a chance to win its first FIFA title at the senior level."
- Jamie Trekker
DUDE! The U.S. beat Spain! In football! We were ranked 14, they were ranked #1. Number One. Dude.
There are a number of reasons why this is really exciting. Not the least of which being that Americans planning on attending the 2010 World Cup might carry a little less shame over our country's general negligence of this international sport. Major League Soccer is still a fledgling league. Barely old enough, and certainly not yet respected or beloved enough to ensure that it won't suffer the same fate as the North American Soccer League.
Full disclosure: I am a season ticket holder for the Kansas City Wizards, a local MLS team. I also traveled to Germany for the World Cup 2006. I will be one of those Americans in South Africa come June 8, 2010.
And I. Am. So. Excited.
Not completely unrelated, I love having an entire year to plan a trip. There is so much research to be done. Especially when you're doing one-bag international travel. That's sort of a misnomer, since I carry one bag and a purse, but the point is that I refuse to check bags. Checking bags is a drag. Also, I have a feminist belief that over-packing is one of those seemingly innocent, yet potentially dangerous female habits. My argument is that if you're weighed down by too many bags, how can you chase after someone, defend yourself, or even get on and off your plane without someone else's help? Highly impractical, and potentially life threatening.
So football: yes! U.S. footie team: yes! South Africa 2010: yes! Checked baggage: No!
"The United States made history tonight in South Africa, stunning the No. 1 ranked team in the world and reaching the finals of the Confederations Cup with a 2-0 victory over the European giants, Spain. The win snapped a 35-game unbeaten streak by the Spaniards and gives the USA a chance to win its first FIFA title at the senior level."
- Jamie Trekker
DUDE! The U.S. beat Spain! In football! We were ranked 14, they were ranked #1. Number One. Dude.
There are a number of reasons why this is really exciting. Not the least of which being that Americans planning on attending the 2010 World Cup might carry a little less shame over our country's general negligence of this international sport. Major League Soccer is still a fledgling league. Barely old enough, and certainly not yet respected or beloved enough to ensure that it won't suffer the same fate as the North American Soccer League.
Full disclosure: I am a season ticket holder for the Kansas City Wizards, a local MLS team. I also traveled to Germany for the World Cup 2006. I will be one of those Americans in South Africa come June 8, 2010.
And I. Am. So. Excited.
Not completely unrelated, I love having an entire year to plan a trip. There is so much research to be done. Especially when you're doing one-bag international travel. That's sort of a misnomer, since I carry one bag and a purse, but the point is that I refuse to check bags. Checking bags is a drag. Also, I have a feminist belief that over-packing is one of those seemingly innocent, yet potentially dangerous female habits. My argument is that if you're weighed down by too many bags, how can you chase after someone, defend yourself, or even get on and off your plane without someone else's help? Highly impractical, and potentially life threatening.
So football: yes! U.S. footie team: yes! South Africa 2010: yes! Checked baggage: No!