I have resorted to Univision. I don’t have to listen to the absurd blatherings of the ESPN crew and I have this sneaking su####ion that the Mexican announcers actually know what they’re talking about. I really don’t know for sure, but it’s nice assumption thinking that what you’re hearing makes sense (even if it is in another language).

Plus that “GOAAAAAAALLL!” thing is pretty cool.

Finally the introduction of Cahill just killed the tight coverage on Kewell and Viduka eliminating any double team the Japanese were playing earlier. I don't know if Hiddink was just being stupid not bringing Cahill on earlier (see: all the first half's missed opportunities) or if he was just setting the Japanese team up until they got too comfortable.

This wasn’t fatigue because the Japanese were easily getting up and down the field and finding opportunities till the end. They just got out played in the last third of the game (and the last third of the field).

No, not the Miami Heat, the German summer heat. European players have been slogging all over the pitch in the hot summer weather, especially those from the Premiership. The England team on Saturday is probably the clearest example, although Australia’s Premier League players today were walking it up the pitch late in the game as well. I think this might play into the advantage of the US and specifically MLS players conditioned to play through hot summers.

Today will be a good test of this with the exclusively European based Czechs taking on the State’s mix of MLS and European players. If Nedved and Baros are still sporting their shaggy haircuts it may even take even more of a toll on them.

I could see this leading to an uncharacteristically late US victory or equalizer.

Update: I didn't realize that the US vs. Czech game was in Gelsenkirchen in the cooled, and basicially domed stadium. America's loss (literally).