Since I've Been Gone...For A Long Time

Sorry I've been away.

Works been hectic and I've been everywhere. But hopefully, I get to sit down and blog some more.

So I'm back. I've missed a few things. I've missed a lot of things.

My thoughts of what's gone on since I've been gone...

• Thank goodness the Rays are in the World Series and the Dodgers are at home, sitting on their couches like the rest of us.
• This isn't the NFL we all thought we'd see.
• I still don't think the Titans are for real.
  
• The eyes of Texas are upon us and are upon the BCS title game.
• How the hell are USC and Ohio State rearing their ugly heads again?
• Stephen Garcia better be embarrassed.
• So, how about them Cowboys?
• The NHL is back?
• The Three Lions look might good under Fabio Capello.
• Mexico, on the other hand, does not.
• And wave of the future? Please, but those young Americans have to look better and fare better than they did against T&T
• It sucks to be a Chargers and Cal fan. It makes you pull your hair out.
  
• Don't trade Peavy.
  

And They're Going To Cuba

People say sport and politics don't mix? Think again. For all those people who said that the Olympics shouldn't have been in Beijing will probably be the same people who will be trying to conjure up images of the Cold War when the U.S. Men's Soccer Team travels to Cuba for a World Cup qualifier Saturday.

Or, most likely, people won't care. But the AP cares and they care about this whole U.S. versus Cuba paradox (via SI.com).

Yeah, the game is historic--historic only because Team USA haven't played in Cuba since 1947, and that's about it.

The sport aspect of it is if the U.S. go down to Havanah and loses, it'll be an embarrassment. If the Cubans win, then they keep their World Cup hopes alive.

But, there's nothing more really. Yes, the game will highlight how much Cuba still doesn't like America, but that's about it.

What I think that Associated Press writer was trying to do was make a really boring story and match into an interesting one. Because Cuba hasn't touched a World Cup in generations and because in this part of the world, we can already book the United States and Mexico's trips to South Africa for 2010, the AP writer had to make allusions to the Cold War, because that writer thought the game was boring. The AP writer did something that I was never taught at the Daily Cal--that person made his or her story sensationalistic.

Yeah, we know the U.S. will probably travel to Havanah and beat Cuba. We know there will be throngs of Cuban supporters yelling and screaming their lungs off. But they're doing it not because the United States, in their eyes, is the "enemy." The Cubans will be supporting their team with the most passion ever because: 1) their World Cup hopes are in the balance, 2)the United States is one of the two dominant powers in CONCACAF. I assure you, if Cuba was playing Mexico in Havanah, the same crowed that Landon Donovan and the Americans will face would be just as hostile towards El Tri.

So, put aside this free world versus Communism schtick. It doesn't stick.

Orozco Gets Call Up

If I were Bob Bradley, I would have said to hell with Michael Orozco. To hell with him at least until he clears his head and proves himself on the pitch--at least for this next round of qualifiers.

Okay, Maybe Orozco hasn't had too much of a chance to prove himself. He hasn't played much for his club team. But still, if I were managing the U.S. Senior National Team, Orozco's name would have been left off for its next group of World Cup Qualifiers. But it's not.

But then again, Orozco may not even suit-up for the Americans in their next two qualifying matches. He may not even see a minute of the pitch. Especially not with this being his first time being called to a senior team camp in his career.

And I guess Orozco did earn it, being named to the All-CONCACAF team during Olympic Qualifying and playing semi-well in Beijing.

However, at least with the Olympics being so fresh in everyone's memories, I'd leave Orozco off. And if he was that good, he'd be able to play his way back on the team again.