First off let me apologize to the dozen or so people that actually read this blog - I'm sorry for not having posted for like, ten days.  I've been wrapped up in - well - work.....If you can call watching the World Cup and preparing World Cup stories work.  Many people reading this would not, I'm thankful that I can.

Now - to the topics bugging me most.....

A) The bashing of the officials at the World Cup

--Does anyone else view Sepp's ranting against the officiating as hypocritical?  This is a man who said dozens of times before the Finals that the players better be ready for a crackdown on rough play, shirt-tugging, time-wasting and simulation - and now that his officials have done what he asked, it's too much?  There's an Argentine writing World Cup articles for France paper L'Equipe and he put it best: until FIFA gets out of the stone ages and helps the officials by embracing technology within the game, the officials will continually be asked to do an impossible job.  I actually think they've done pretty well myself....

B) Was It A Penalty?

--I've been asked this a few times in the last few days - did I think the Italian PK was justified versus Australia?  Bobby and Max both said they agreed with it and let me say there have been some very HEATED discussions around here about it in the past few days.  I originally didn't think it was a good penalty call so I whipped out the old 'Laws of the Game' (2004 edition) and looked it up.  It says a PK can be awarded if any of the ten offences for a which a Direct Free Kick is awarded is committed in the penalty area....flip...flip...flip....A Direct Free Kick is awarded if a player 1) kicks or attempts to kick at an opponent 2) Trips or attempts to trip an opponent 3) Jumps at an opponent 4) Charges at an opponent 5) Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.  Based on #2, I guess it is a PK.  Damn shame for Australia though - I think they had it if they went to extra-time.

C) Bruce Arena and MLS

--This story isn't bugging me, I just found it interesting.  With the US's early exit, Arena came out in a number of interviews and didn't bash MLS per se but he did give an idea of what he thinks of the league by saying that more US players need to ply their trade in Europe.  As many who are reading this already know - I wholeheartedly agree!!  While I appreciate MLS for what it is trying to be, it's about time people saw it for what it is - a developmental soccer league.  There's nothing wrong with that - and if it was the North American Cup instead of the World Cup, the US would dominate - but it's not.  MLS is a feeder league for Europe and save Landon Donovan & Carlos Ruiz, most players in the league wouldn't think twice about taking off to Europe given the chance because there they can develop their game with the world's best - not North America's best - which is what they're doing here.  MLS will have it's fans and I'm certainly one of them but to get to the last eight, last four, last two of the World Cup, Bruce Arena is right - more of the US squad have to be playing the European game.  It wouldn't hurt to also have a European coach....

D)  My Picks For The Quarterfinals

Why people care who my picks are I don't know but I keep getting emails asking so, here goes.  By the way, if you lose any money because of any of these - I'm not taking the blame....But I'll take a cut if you win....Kind of like the government.

Germany v. Argentina - Argentina....Too much class and the German defence is too young.

Italy v Ukraine - Italy....Easiest game to call of the round.  Voronin out kills Ukraine attack.

England v Portugal - I'm going to hedge here....If Sven goes 4-5-1, then Portugal wins.....If he goes 4-4-2 then I think England wins.  Hardest game to call because they are so similar.

Brazil v France - Brazil.....In a walk.....The aging stars of France are no match for the likes of Brazil.  The difference is that while France have gotten older, Brazil has kept their youth.

That's it!  Enjoy the Quarters.....Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians out there (July 1st for the unaware).....See you next week!