Intro and thoughts on Germany 2006

Who am I?

You found me. I tried to hide, but here you are.

Who am I and why am I doing this? I'm a football fan in the U. S. Unlike most of my sports-minded compadres, I really don't go for American football. Too much stopping and starting. Too macho. Too southern. Association football, on the other hand, is a real love of mine. In particular, the English football.

On a trip to England in 1999, I had the good fortune of being in Manchester for the European Cup final. I didn't know much about Man Utd at the time, but that game changed everything. Watching at The Four in Hand (in Didsbury), it was one of the most exciting sporting events I had ever seen. I'll never forget Sheringham's equalizer or Solskjaer's winner. I immediately became a fan of United. And ever since then I have also been a big fan of the England national side.

That's where this is coming from. So that's sorted. Now to the World Cup.

Germany 2006

With their first match less than 24 hours away, expectations seem to be running unusually high for England. Like tribbles, reports of an optimistic squad are getting the fans' hopes up. Even rival countries have given England more respect than in earlier tournaments. Could this reallyn be the year?

Before Wayne Rooney broke his ankle on April 29, things definitely looked better for the lads than they had in years. In 2002, Beckham was never on form (also due to a broken foot). Likewise, first-teamers Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville missed that tournament with injuries. This time, Rooney notwithstanding, they appear to be reasonably fit. And with the rise of Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, the midfield has rarely looked stronger, and should give their group opponents a lot of trouble with marking assignments.

Likewise, the defense should be a strength as well, with world class leadership from John Terry setting the pace. If Rio Ferdinand can duplicate his 2002 form, and if Ashley Cole is fit, the back four should give their outstanding keeper, Paul Robinson, plenty of support.

As for the forwards, we've got three main options: 1) Rooney, whose possible use in the early stages is a major controversy; 2) Michael Owen who has missed most of the last six months to injury; and 3) the 6'7" Peter Crouch, he of the love it or hate it robot dance. If all were at full fitness, Rooney and Owen would be natural choices in a 4-4-2 formation. But it's still not clear when Rooney, aruguably the most exciting young player in the tournament (if fit), will even play. That leaves Owen and Crouch, with whom England thrashed the overmatched Jamaica 6-0 last Saturday (Crouch with the hat trick).

My sense is that goals will not be scarce this time and as long as England can keep up the pressure and avoid defensive lapses, they should make it to at least the quarter finals. Dare I say, with some luck, they could actually win the whole tin of beans.

Why England?

Why have I chosen to be an England fan instead of my own U. S. national team? Well, partly because I am of English descent. I have an Irish surname, and most Irish-Americans bore me with their love of all things Irish. It's much less common to find Anglophiles in the Boston-area where I'm from. Plus, I like the physical, fast-paced English game, and the decidedly non-Mediterranean demeanor of the vast majority the players (diving, ponytails). And I'll admit it, I have always found the cult-of-Beckham fascinating.

I also cheer for America, but much less passionately. And not if they played England. There are various reasons I can't fully get into the Americans:

1. The players are pretty boring. Have you ever scene U. S. star Landon Donovan on TV? It's enough to make me slit my wrists. Blah blah blah...zzzzzzzzzzz.
2. Bad hair: Marcelo Balboa, Kobi Jones, Clint Mathis, Jeff Agoos. No further commentary necessary.
3. For some reason, when the Americans use American terms instead of British ones, it's extremely annoying. Field instead of pitch, coach instead of manager, tie instead of draw, nothing instead of nil....and on and on. To me, it makes them sound so uncouth. Use the terms from the country that invented the game! It's English for Christ's sake!
4. The U. S. really doesn't need to dominate every sport! When they do, it's usually a simple matter of demographics more than anything else. Any country with 5 times the population of another one should be able to beat the smaller one! It's just not that impressive.

I could go on, but I won't. In footie, England is my team.

Predictions for group stage:

• England 3-1 Paraguay
• England 4-0 Trinidad
• England 2-2 Sweden