"Ukraine, Gold Cups and parties.."
We had a get together on Sunday night for a combination of "Happy Birthday Ian and Bon Voyage Ian". Ian leaves for the Ukraine tomorrow with a group from Church for three weeks. I don't mind saying that I am a little envious. I have always wanted to go visit some countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union. It's funny how the world changes. Back when I was Ian's age, there were VERY few Americans who had a chance to travel on the other side of the "Iron Curtain". It's funny how in a little over 25 years, Minneapolis has a ton of Russian Emigres and American kids can visit and go to school in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
On a totally unrelated note, the U.S Men's National Team beat Mexico 2-1 in Chicago for the Gold Cup title. What is so great about beating Mexico in soccer-and most of the last 7 years the US has dominated the series- is that the average Mexican would give his left nut for "El Tri"-the Mexican National Team to win the World Cup in Soccer. The average American could give a rip. Even when the U.S plays Mexico at home, like they did today, it might as well be played in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico city, because the LARGE majority of fans in Soldiers Field were wearing green, red and white. For many, many years in Soccer, Mexico was the only country that was any good in the sport in North and Central America. They were the big fish in a small, shallow pond. For Mexicans, a proud people, who have always felt like second class citizens to the US.(maybe losing a huge chunk of their country to the U.S during the War with Mexico, having the American flag fly over Mexico City, when General Winfield Scott routed the Mexican Army there, and having to come to the US to do the dirty grunt work that the average gringo does not want to do, can give you some complexes, to be sure) Soccer, for the average Mexican, was the ONE arena that they could say they were better than the Gringos....now, after coming out on the short end of the score against an American team-again...the Mexican soccer fan has to come to grips that we have their number in their favorite sport.
I just got done reading some commentary in the Univision(Spanish Language) coverage of the final, and the amount of whining and moaning is enough to put a smile on my face for the rest of the week.
I can empathize with Mexican Soccer fans. There is nothing so humbling as getting beat in your national game. American Basketball fans have been having to deal with our best NBA players coming home with Bronze medals from the last Olympics and last World Basketball Championships.
I actually hold Mexican soccer in fairly high regard-El Tri and Argentina clearly played the best game in last years World Cup. Their players have great skill....they just can't beat the U.S, which just drives the players and Mexican fans 'muy loco'.
