We cannot imagine many fans are real happy with the performance today in Nuremburg. We've seen muffed chances and lazy takes and arguably the two best scoring chances came from the Soca Warriors.

One has to think that Americans watching this match cannot be too happy, either. After all, Trinidad and Tobago are managing to look better against a full-strength side than the USA did against a half-strength side in Chicago...

Is it just us, or have we NOT seen that much quality soccer this tournament?

Now, we admit that we thought the Ticos would get through this group because of its relative weakness (even having seen them play in qualifying, foolish mortals were we); but Ecuador is not that good a team. Unless they blow away Germany (we don't see that happening) one would expect England to have a free tide to the quarters.

But getting back to our original point: How much quality soccer has there been in this first round so far? We're not talking about exciting games by virtue of last minute scoring; we're talking about all-out, well-played, thrilling and technically adept soccer.

We've seen a few clinics, right enough (Spain and the Czechs come to mind; to put this to rest once and for all, the USA did not lose due to lack of effort - that's what it looks like when you're outplayed by a much better team); and we've seen some fun comebacks (Japan's collapse against Australia ranks up there as does Tunisia and the Saudis yesterday) but how much true high quality soccer have we seen?

We can think of two games off the top of our heads: Argentina-Ivory Coast and Germany-Poland.

Your thoughts?

Some of you have posted links to this piece of garbage. So, we're bringing it up front. It is sad to see racism is alive and well in the USA. After we just spent time dodging chairs and bottles, can anyone out there tell us what this "Heartland" newspaper is thinking?

UPDATED: One witty correspondent correctly notes: "It is interesting that soccer is the only sport that brings out the inner Ann Coulter in sportswriters." A good point: Why doesn't table tennis or curling set these yahooos off?

Woo hoo.

A quick check of the German press this a.m. shows clean-up ops lasted until late in the morning. No shock. But a shame, nonetheless.

UPDATE: Our tag team of reporters says that close to 1000 people were involved in the "clean-up" ops; some 400 were arrested.

As the mood between the fans grows foul, we're heading out. More after we've gotten a safe distance away.

Poor Poland -- what a brutal way to lose, but a great finish by Neuville.