Suzanne on Soccer

Okay...okay, I admit it, I'm not completely jazzed up about World Cup Soccer. Sure it's my job to love sports but like every other human being on the planet I have my favorites, and soccer just isn't up there in the top ten. Today kids grow up bouncing the bright colored ball around. Heck, we've even made the term "Soccer Mom" a pretty common noun. I think it's great this generation is joining in the jubilation and passion that the rest of the planet possesses over the event.

Recently, Sports Illustrated did a great photo essay on kids that will wrap together anything they can with duct tape just for the pleasure of driving a ball down the street looking for a ggggoooaaaalllll! I do love it when the announcers yell out that iconic word. In fact, I thought it might make an interesting story to bop around Central Georgia and get folks to shout out their goal impressions.

You see I think my interest dwindles because the announcer shouldn't be one of the most entertaining parts of the game. On day number one the first two games ended in a tie... yawnsville. Plus the real magic of soccer occurs when a player pulls off a move that could rival Michael Jackson's dancing stunts. Maybe I'm spoiled, but I don't think you get to see that magic by watching it on the wide screen shot on television.

I know this will infuriate soccer fans, after all we have some great programs right here in Central Georgia, and I do get a kick out of seeing out local kids duke it out. Plus there is a sense of national pride when it comes to the Olympics, the Ryder Cup or FIFA. So GO USA... but I just wonder if we can keep up a sense of pride for four weeks.

See ya,
Suzanne