Wow,
on this incredible Sunday in late June Pacific Northwest Soccer fans get handed a rare treat that’s worth talking about for many weeks to come.

First at the Confed Cup Final in South Africa the US National Team played Brazil. Yeah, that’s right. A US National Soccer Team beat Spain to reach a final of a major international soccer tournament!!
The US boys scored early. Leads 2:0 at halftime and although Brazil show why they are the best team in the world and came back to win the tournament with 2:3, there is nothing to be sad about. Playing like that and putting that kind of pressure at Brazil should be any players biggest dream and the US certainly showed that they might be an interesting force to be reckoned with come next year when the best teams in the world compete in South Africa at the biggest sporting event in the world the FIFA Soccer World Cup.Later, even before the final whistle blowed in South Africa the Sounders kicked of a very important home-game against Colorado. A direct opponent in their division this was a must-win game in front of an enthusiastic sold-out crowed at Qwest Field.

Colorado played a physical yet costly game and chose to interupt any attempt of the Sounders to attack with a foul which lead to 3 yellow cards against them in just the first half. A set piece opened the scoring for the Sounders through a corner kick by Ljungberg, headed by Jaque and extended to the only goal of the first half by no other than Montero. This was the young Colombian players 8th goal.
After the break the Sounders scored early thru a fantastic combination of Montero and Jaque which killed any attempts by Colorado to rally back and opened up the field for another great goal by Jaque via Montero. Both players very much impressed my on how they are starting to play together, how they are feeling each other on the pitch and Ljungberg is incredible in setting the Sounders strikers in scene…

So, two great games in one weekend… what’s not to love about?

Oh, just one tiny little thing, which is that Disney, who owns ABC and of course ESPN chose to show infomercials instead of the National Team playing a final against Brazil on Sunday Morning. Now I’ve complained about programming decisions like that since I first arrived here, not understanding why competitive bass fishing might get more viewers than an international soccer game. But this is not a matter of programming, money or viewership. This is a matter of national pride. The US Team is playing for our country, the don’t get millions of dollars for travelling to South Africa and competing there. They do it for the pride in their country and they are honored to represent the Stars and Stripes. So, what does Disney do? They thank our boys oversees by showing infomercials. Yeah, we truly appreciate you representing us, thanks a lot!