John Nieman
Let the games begin!
We need an entertaining and exciting World Cup in this country now more than ever. Unfortunately, it is being put on by FIFA, without doubt the most corrupt sporting organization in the world and always has been. It is no wonder that it is in syncopatic rhythm with the most corrupt United States administration in the history of our great country.
Instead of taking advantage of an opportunity to popularize soccer in the one large industrial nation where it is not the most followed sport, FIFA has instead decided to use this as an opportunity to grab as much cash as possible from the elites who have no interest in the sport. Thus depriving the general public in the United States and the sporting fans of the world of the opportunity of witnessing this great event in person. And that is with the full support of our government.
And the vision of President Trump parading around lifting up the hallowed trophy both worries and disgusts me.
But I had the same great concerns before the World Cup in Russia, with its authoritarian rule and prior to games in Qatar with their human rights and discriminatory policies. And yet, when the matches started, all of that disappeared because of the beautiful game. As we say over and over, especially in these turbulent times of cultural divide here in this country, sport provides us with an escape from it all. This column space and this publication is all about that.
And so enough of my doom and gloom. I am confident—at least, hopeful—that all these concerns will disappear when the first ball is kicked.
This could and should be a wonderful event. Personally, I applaud the expansion to 48 teams. The opportunities given to some of the lesser teams to have an impact on the tournament will be exciting not only for their fans but for fans in general.
There are at least, in my opinion, 10 teams who could win the Cup. Would it really be a shock for either France or Spain or Argentina or Brazil or Portugal or Germany or England to win the tournament? And wouldn’t it be something for an African team to prevail? Morocco or Senegal could make a decent run, given the format. And this could be the year that the Netherlands finally prevail. The group stages will be so important because seeding in the knockout phases will tell the tale. If the strong European teams face each other early in the knockout rounds, an outlier will be given a wonderful opportunity.
There is a real and well-founded concern that the travel, the weather, and the field conditions can all play a significant role in the outcomes. Will it advantage South American and African teams? Will a historically-strong American team take advantage of home field and make a significant run? We have seen from the success of Paris Saint-Germain that a well-coached team without renowned superstars can dominate. While I am personally supporting the USMNT and the Netherlands, I really like a team like Brazil’s chances.
For those of us who rely on sport to whisk us away from our current societal malaise, many have the added benefit of the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup wrapping up just at the start of the World Cup.
I’ll turn 74 years of age this month. I remember Willis Reed coming out of the locker room to inspire the Knicks to their championship. Sports fans of my generation can click off the starting five of Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, and Dollar Bill Bradley in my high school senior year of 1970 and it only hit closer to home when Dick Barnett was replaced by Winston-Salem State’s Earl The Pearl Monroe.
And the possibility of a Stanley Cup potential championship team just a few miles down the road in Raleigh makes this just a wonderful summer to forget all of the junk around us.
I haven’t mentioned my teammates with Dynamo in this space recently. I can thankfully report that they are still allowing me to play soccer with them. I hasten to add that it might be easier for them now that I have been transformed through the magic of Zepbound. During my almost 40 years of writing this column the Index has registered as high as 308. And so it is with pride and incredulity that I can post:
Fat Boy Index: 241.
Let the games begin!