Silent But Deadly

From Len Ziehm's Sun-Times wittily-titled story on USA-ENG.

"Actually, I thought [Richardson] had a quiet game," Arena said, "but he still scored two goals. It was a great free kick, and both the goals were opportunistic, intelligent plays. I could use a quiet player like that on my team."

I have to say, I wasn't at this match with my U.S. supporter hat, or even my tireless soccer analyst hat. I just wanted to have a good time at the match, and I did. I was justifiably twitchy about securing a spot on the top of the Waldron Deck for tailgating purposes after my last international match odyssey, but I even made the right mid-course correction to swing into the lot right on schedule. Much merriment ensued, especially when we realized there's a real bathroom on the east side of the garage, and not a row of Porta-johns.

With all the energy I've put into supporters' section activities over the last dozen or so years, I could have been disheartened at the lackluster showing from Sam's Army and from Section 8. But I wasn't wearing that hat, either.

Let's just make this clear. No hats were worn in the making of this episode.

The faux-British atmosphere was pretty cool, to be honest. I'm starting to think that every single British ex-pat has a flag with their town or their local club's name on it. It must be part of the visa application process or something.

The game, if I was going to really think about it, was sloppy but entertaining, which is how a newcomer to the British squad like Richardson is able to make such an impact. Most of the analysis I've gleaned from it has been secondhand. I didn't know Eddie Pope got burned, Samuel Caballero-style, on the second goal, and the replay I saw made his foul on the first strike look a little bit dubious. I seem alone in that assessment. But finding out Pope either isn't fit after an injury or is maybe past is prime is exactly what friendly matches are for, isn't it? Better now than Saturday in Utah.