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So according to the stats form my web host, the more I talk about soccer, the fewer readers I have.  So, I guess every 4 years I’ll just have to deal with a dip in traffic.

For those folks who aren’t International soccer buffs, here’s a quick overview of what has transpired over the first 5 days of the World Cup, and what it means.  (Remember, every one of the 32 teams gets 3 games no matter what.  The top 2 teams in each 4 team division move on to a 16 team single elimination tourney.)

1) Who Exceeded Expectations

• Switzerland (Group H) – No one, and I mean no one, expected Switzerland to beat Spain.  Getting 3 points from that game was gigantic.  You kind of expected that Spain would win all 3 of their games, Honduras would lose all 3 of their games, and the Chile vs Switzerland game would decide second place.  The Swiss win probably puts the most heat on Chile.  This was one of those games where Spain dominated and Switzerland got a pretty lucky goal.  Assuming Switzerland scores against Honduras (no guarantee there) you could see this group end up with 3 teams at 2-1 and Honduras at 0-3.  Then it comes down to Goal Differential.  And so Switzerland is still going to have to find a way to score a goal to advance.
• USA (Group C) – The tie with England was huge for a variety of reasons.  But most importantly, it gives the U.S. a realistic chance of winning the group.  You win Group C, you see Serbia or Ghana in the second round.  You finish 2nd and you see Germany and book your ticket home.  So aside from the whole national pride and an awesome comeback to annoy Englishmen for the next 40 years, this game helped the U.S. with their long shot at winning Group C.
• Ghana (Group D) – Again probably just a slight upset, and it took a stupid penalty to make it happen, but Ghana’s win puts them in nice position.  If they beat Australia, they advance.
• New Zealand (Group F) – New Zealand stinks.  How Slovakia let them get a tie is baffling. 
• Paraguay (Group F) – Italy always under-performs in the opening round.  But Paraguay helped themselves by sneaking out the tie. 
• South Africa (Group A) – Small nod here.  Mexico is not that good, and no host team has ever lost their first game.  But they did get a tie against a team better than them, and put themselves in a spot where no matter what, the 3rd game will matter.
• North Korea (Group G) – They lost to Brazil.  But they only lost 2-1.  I think we were all hoping they would lose 6-0.  

Who Matched Expectations:

• Teams that won who should have: Korea, Argentina, Slovenia, Germany, Netherlands, Japan
• Teams that tied that probably should have: France and Uruguay, Ivory Coast v Portugal
• Teams that lost that you expected to lose: Greece, Nigeria, Algeria, Australia, Denmark, North Korea, Honduras, Cameroon

Who Made the Next Two Games Difficult for Themselves

• France and Mexico – Their fans “expected” them to win their games.  As it stands now, it looks like only the winner of this game will advance.
• England – They *should* beat Slovenia and Algeria.  But if the U.S. does as well, they need to not just win, but win by more goals than the U.S.
• Italy – Typical, but now they can’t mess up.
• Spain – Tough loss since they dominated the game.  But they should still beat Chile and Honduras to advance.
• Serbia – It’s hard to lose your first game, still have Germany on your schedule, and expect to advance.

Here’s reaction to the USA v England World Cup Match, from London, thanks to Lisa Miguez.

Two things happened last Friday that many Londoners did not expect.

First, the Global Naked Bike Ride came to town, weaving in all its naked glory by Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. The tourists were a happy lot

Second, England tied with the USA. The locals were not a happy bunch to say the least.

There is this never wavering belief that flows through England during the World Cup that this will be the year. We can do it this time. This team has what it takes. Sure there are naysayers, but the majority truly believe this will be England’s year. Until they don’t win a game. Last Friday I was at a BBQ in East London with equal parts Americans, British and Canadians. Us Canadians decided it be best to act like Switzerland and be neutral. Though the Queen is still officially our head of state, after beating the US team for Gold in the Olympics, many of us think the US deserves the World Cup to keep the next big piece of gold on the sports market in North America. The Americans cheered, the English made excuses, the Canadians made cocktails (to both celebrate and drown sorrows). After hearing the goalie apologise for his mistake, the English perked up, commenting that the team will do better, that this is ‘their year’.

Interestingly it has not been England’s year since 1966. They are in essence the underdogs. Taking the late night bus home on Saturday people were still talking about how it could happen, England could still win the cup. This week, they put it down to a slow start and the team finding their feet. Yes there was sadness and disappointment after the game, but overwhelmingly hope. It is a emotion that is running high across the many nations in London. Each day I have gone downstairs to check out the 12:30 UK time game no matter who is playing. The cafeteria is packed, people are showing their colors. And are cheering for their chosen side, hopeful that they will make it to the next round. 

This week I am going to watch the next England game from Florida. May try to catch the US game down there too. I am hopeful that both teams will progress. Though in England’s case, I am also hoping that none of their games go to penalty shoot outs…historically speaking that has been the demise of many a past England team. I suspect many a Londoner is also hoping the same thing – oh and that their goalie can keep his hands on the ball. 

I don’t think you should need to be a soccer fan to get excited about the World Cup.  The Tournament lasts more than 2 years, with something like 2 or 3 rounds and 20-25 qualifying games just to make it to the final 32.  It’s an extraordinarily long process in which to get to basically 32 of the same 36 or 37 teams every time.

So on June 11, South Africa becomes the Center of the Universe.  The 32 teams go into 8 round robin groups, so each country gets 3 games.  The top 2 teams in each group then go into a knuckle grinding, finger scraping, nail biting single elimination bracket of death.

Now, one game in the early round that holds international intrigue is the U.S.A. vs our former oppressors, England, on Saturday morning, June 12.  Not much of the world gives us a chance, which is what makes this game so fun.

I’ve been known to complain that there is a gulf between the soccer fanatics, and the regular sports fan.  Soccer fanatics are like the guys who follow an indie band, who almost get mad if you don’t love the band as much as they do.  It’s hard to join them if you don’t have the same passion.

So that’s why I love what the American Outlaws, Seattle Chapter are doing.  The American Outlaws are the guys you see wearing Red, White and Blue in countries like Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Estonia, etc… Those that aren’t making the trip to South Africa have set up a place where all of the rowdiest U.S. soccer supporters in the city, can be joined by all of the people who want to be huge soccer fans for 4 weeks every 4 years.  They have rented out Neumo’s, installing huge TV’s, setting up tons of bars, and getting taco trucks from around the area to feed us.  

The US v England game starts at 11:00am Seattle time, which means the American Outlaws will be there at 8:00.  650 people – you included – will be in Red, White and Blue.  You’ll get caught up in the songs, the chants, and the patriotism.  If we win or tie, you’ll share in the disbelief with a billion people watching the game around the world, and remember where you were the day every Englishman died inside.  If we lose, we’ll all console ourselves with another round and look forward to Wednesday’s game.

But kudos to American Outlaws Seattle for setting up an environment where the fanatics can be their regular fanatic selves, and the casual sports fan can embrace the fanaticism, if only for a day.

I’m only sad it took me 5 months to find this. I knew song writing was easy…

For the last several years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being a judge at the UW Business Plan Competition.  I’ll admit, this year I was a little scared when 6 of the 7 plans I read in the screening stage failed to pass the Pets.com sniff test.

But last Wednesday, I was able to tour the 36 semi-finalists and talk with the teams in action.  It’s always an interesting exercise.  You see a few companies with ideas that you see every year, and you see some companies who are developing a cure for cancer.  But then there are those teams with ideas that are interesting enough that they just may work.

I gave “money” to a number of the teams, and while I won’t tell you who I tried to help make the next round, here are some ideas and companies I will try to keep an eye on:

• GreenStone International: Revolutionary Bio-Paving and Bio-Stone Technology
• TrueLight Flip: Capabilities to turn your phone into a projector.
• Snovision: Cameras in snowboard parks
• Broadspeak
• Clear Potential
• EmergentDetection
• Illionix
• Native Roots
• Switchstrip

How exciting is this week?  Iceland’s volcano has shut down air traffic all over Europe, and now we have a giant UFO or Fireball in Iowa.

I have to admit, it’s hard to replace Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross on One Shining Moment.  Anyone have comments on how they like an American Idol in his place?

I have to admit, my favorite Facebook Page – either corporate or personal – right now has to be the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay.  It’s topical, relevant, funny, uses good images, and has decent engagement with its followers.  Well done monkey.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mystery-Monkey-of-Tampa-Bay/344602443463

(Weird that the rest of this article didn’t post the first time.)

There’s nothing good about a labor dispute, and the recent gap between MLS owners and players looked to be pretty devastating.  On one hand, the league only has a couple of profitable teams, and despite it’s slow and steady growth, still regularly plays in front of crowds smaller than WNBA crowds.  Meanwhile, while some of the MLS stars make a very good 6 or 7 figure wage, you still have a lot of players making $30k a year on non-guaranteed contracts.

It was a situation where both sides had valid gripes, and with the start of the season looming, things looked bleak.  But instead of taking a page out of the NBA and MLB playbook of, “Screw the fans, let’s stick to our guns,” the MLS and its players actually got the deal done.  Score one for common sense.  All the owners and players who gave a little to get a lot should be commended for their solutions oriented approach.

Soccer By Ives has a good recap of the high points of the deal.  Here are some bullets from that article (and my uneducated additions in italics):

• The MLS salary cap will increase from $2.315 million to $2.55 million and will increase by 5% each season thereafter.  (Small win for players, tolerable for owners who should expect revenues to increase by some small % every year.  Players would have liked a bigger win here, but gave up some of their ask when they realized “something” is greater than “zero.”)
• The CBA provides for guaranteed contracts for all players 24 years old or older with three years of MLS service. (Big win for players, tough concession for owners.  You could see teams stick with bad or injured players longer, since the team has to pay them anyway, and stay under a salary cap.  Good for current players, bad for those hoping to get a job.)
• Minimum salaries for senior roster players will increase from $34,000 in 2009 to $40,000 in 2010, with an increase of 5 percent each year thereafter. (Win for some players, not a big concession for owners.)
• Player Contracts will now have a limit on the number of option years they can have. The limit is two option years for players who are at least 25 and have four years of MLS service. All other contracts can have up to three option years. (Win for players)
• MLS will establish a Re-Entry Draft. Players eligible for the draft include those whose options were not exercised, those whose contracts were terminated and those whose contracts expired.  (Good middle ground here.  Free Agent would kill the league, because everyone would want to come play in from of 32,000 people in Seattle.  But players were getting killed by getting cut, but not having their contracts renewed, but not having the right to sign with a new team.  Good agreement here.)
• Players whose annual compensation is less than $125,000, the minimum base salary increase will be 10% for players who play in at least 66 percent of his club’s games and 12.5 percent for players who play in at least 75 percent of club’s games. (Players win)
• Increases in 401K contributions by the league, appearance fees, per diem and relocation expense reimbursement. Among the addtional player benefits in the CBA are full health care benefits for every player and his family at no cost, 401K contributions and expanded insurance benefits. (Players win)
• Bonuses for wins and exhibitions. The CBA includes a package of bonuses for wins in MLS games and international tournaments, as well as appearance fees for international exhibitions. (Common sense, players win.)
• The sides will establish a joint committee to study the re-launch of a Reserve Division. In the event the rosters are expanded, the salary for those players will be a minimum of $31,250, with additional annual increases. (Basically this says no decision has to be made.  if the league starts to profit, they’ll build a reserve division and there will be more jobs.  if the league doesn’t turn a profit, no new jobs for players.)

Now let’s go Sounders.

A little while back, the Miami Herald started asking for donations.  Not fees, but donations.  This led me to ask in this blog, “Is this the future of newspapers?“

Well as an update to that story, that answer appears to be, “No.”  NBCMIAMI.com reports the following (and they have a really clever photo to accompany it, so it’s worth the click):

Just two months after they put out their hand asking for online donations, the Miami Herald has apparently ended its request for voluntary contributions to its Website.

An article under “Breaking Business News” posted this past Saturdaystated that the push for handouts, which began in mid-December, was ending. A story posted Sunday by editor Anders Gyllenhaal said the “experiment with voluntary contributions from Web readers” was ending.

“The project taught us a lot about online reactions, but it’s unlikely to be an important part of our approach going forward,” Gyllenhaal wrote. “We thank the many readers who sent in contributions, suggestions and ideas as a part of this project.”

Any predictions as to what’s next for newspapers?