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The FIFA World Cup Is an Unforgettable Experience
The 2018 FIFA World Cup has kicked-off with host Russia defeating Saudi Arabia 5-nil. And with President Putin present, at least the Russian players can be confident in drinking the water after the win…
While tomorrow’s post will feature a few predictions for this glorious tournament, today’s post will focus on a particularly well-done ad by Hyundai.
Yes. Hyundai.
Nothing may ever top Nike’s airport commercial featuring Brazilian stars for the 1998 World Cup. It’s brilliant. However, a commercial spotlighting World Cup champion–and the ever-cool–Thierry Henry doing his own show-and-tell of personal soccer memorabilia is pretty awesome.
I’ll never forget seeing Thierry Henry in-person play for France in the 2006 World Cup against South Korea in the incredible Leipzig Stadium on June 18 that resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Henry doesn’t run. He glides and plays with world-class precision.
That’s my World Cup memory as a fan of Thierry Henry.
U.S. Soccer Is Acting Like Biff, Not Marty
That feeling when winning sort of feels like losing.
The United States, partnering with Canada and Mexico (United 2026), won the bid to officially host the 2026 World Cup. Beating Morocco, this victory is a long-distance–yet still unsatisfactory in the short-term–solace for missing this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
It’s great news on the surface, yet there are rumblings underneath that fuel discomfort.
The first discomfort is the reminder of no American team in the World Cup that kicks off tomorrow with host Russia vs. Saudi Arabia. The second and equally important discomfort stems from the list of cities submitted by United 2026. Of the 17 American cities, Columbus, Ohio is noticeably absent. Cincinnati made the list, which makes perfect sense since the city was awarded its MLS promotion, what, a week ago?
Unreal.
Plus, the rumored location for the 2026 World Cup final by United 2026 is the greatest soccer venue in the United States:
MetLife Stadium with an estimated capacity of 82,500. Remember this figure for later on in this article).
Unreal.
It is my analytical judgment that Columbus is The soccer capital of the United States of America. This is supported by extensive evidence both practical and philosophical. I don’t have time right now to dive into my dissertation on this subject, but it’s far beyond a mere opinion.
Anyways, the Columbus omission had to be due to lack of interest or just a failed bid.
The former seems implausible because of the 20+ year history of the Columbus Crew–including games and critical players to the USMNT–and its famous Dos-a-Cero matches, along with other USMNT friendlies and USWNT World Cup matches. I don’t have any information concerning the latter, but the fact nothing has come to light for that matter is not an encouraging sign for thinking Columbus simply failed to win a bid as one of the top 17 soccer cities in America.
Add in the 2016 friendly at the Horseshoe between European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in front of more than 86,000 fans by comparing it to the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, which was attended by just shy of 75,000 people.
Just an FYI. History, fandom, and infrastructure (stadiums, hotels, restaurants, attractions, security, etc.) are all here and ready in Columbus.
Right now, I’m as happy about the U.S. winning the bid to be the primary host country for the 2026 World Cup (40 of 60 games in the U.S.) as I am about FC Cincinnati entering MLS next season. If one addition is at the expense of the other, which happens to carry with it unrivaled historical weight, then no, I’m not all that happy.
It’s a double-edged sword. If Columbus wasn’t being schemed against as an MLS team and as a leading soccer city nationally, then today would be one of much happier celebration. Sadly, that’s just not the reality. It seems, at least at this point, that Columbus is a primary target for removal by MLS and U.S. Soccer akin to Marty McFly’s family photograph in ‘Back to the Future.’
I thought the USMNT missing the 2018 World Cup was an embarrassing low-point.
I was wrong because this 2026 “win” feels like another massive loss for the identity of American soccer.
Wow
Normally, the NFL Draft is a bit of an insider’s broadcast. After the first round selections, the repetition begins to overwhelm interest in watching—in effect—the NFL’s annual ‘Groundhog Day.’
But this year’s NFL Draft wasn’t entirely normal, aside from the Cleveland Browns wasting another #1 pick. There was a very special guest announcer.
(Because of the NFL, please click “Watch on YouTube” after initially clicking Play. Then return to Jimmy’s Daily Planet)
That seemingly casual-looking walk is a wonderful showcase of the power of sports.
Pittsburgh Steeler and Ohio State Buckeye Ryan Shazier, who has been recovering from a spinal injury from last December, is living proof of the inspirational nature of the human spirit. Even writing the words “spinal injury” sends a paralyzing chill through one’s body. That pain and accompanying fear are unimaginable for anyone who has not experienced that kind of living hell.
Forget the draft picks, over-saturated analysis and the newly minted millionaires this year. If you remember one thing from the 2018 NFL Draft, remember Ryan Shazier for his movement off the football field.
It’s About to Get Real in Munich
Two European and global footballing giants will battle tomorrow night (2:45 p.m. ET in the U.S.) in Germany:
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
In last year’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal brace, Real Madrid toppled then Pep Guardiola’s final squad in Munich 2-1 and then 4-2. Cristiano Ronaldo & Co.—coached by former star player and current star manager Zinedine Zidane—took down the German leaders with an exclamation point on their way to their second Champions League crown in a row.
But now it’s 2018.
And the Bayern Munich treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes is on the sidelines once more. Since returning last fall, Mr. Heynckes has reinvigorated Bayern Munich into a formidable force after a disastrous spell with Carlo Ancelotti. Perhaps he can guide the Bundesliga champions to another treble? That’s what he was hired to do, after all. He didn’t leave retirement for a place in the Champions League semifinals.
This highly-anticipated matchup is set for tomorrow, which promises to be a showcase of world-class talent on both sides of the pitch.
Real Madrid is pursuing a new Champions League treble of sorts, while Bayern Munich is looking to return to their past treble-winning way.
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