So since we don't get nearly enought time on the air to talk about the US- here is my chance. Thanks to all the loyal soccer fans for waking up at the crack of dawn to watch the World Cup. It has been pretty exciting. So far all my teams I picked have advanced but this is when things start to get interesting. Of course Germany is going to beat Argentina! Of course New Zealand is in its first WC and didn't win a single game and poor Ghana, atleast they scored two great goals off set pieces against a good Norway team today but it was still 7-2. So the US has the hardest draw by far!!!!! I can't stress this enough but to be the best, you have the beat the best! Right. So we play England this Sat at 8 a.m. (yes get to sleep in a bit) on ESPN! The team hasn't played its best soccer YET but then again we did play down a man for 10 minutes in the rain against N. Korea. We did play better against Sweden in a 2-0 win. Then played Nigeria, who should have been the easiest in the group and only won 1-0. Once again in the rain which basically means, anything can happen! Right so we win the group and are onto the Quarters and all the team is getting is... we play to direct, we don't have the leadership or the talent of the 99 team! Yikes. We are in the Quarterfinals people and we had the hardest path out of any other team in this thing! Okay. Thanks for listening.

I am excited for the next game. England is a very good team. They possess the ball well, they play pretty soccer, Kelly Smith is a stud. She really is so good. Playing with her for 3 years in Philly was a pretty eye-opening experience. The good news is she is one person and we have some of the best defenders in the world so I am feeling positive about the matchup. Man mark her or not, we can deal with her. Next in line, if things pan out the winner of Brazil vs. Australia. Most likely Brazil which calls for another blog at a later time! We have to win first. Even though I am sidelined with an injury its the same mentality. One game at a time! ha

As for me, living in Bristol, Conneticut (ESPN Headquarters) til the 30th along with the WC production team. Most days we air I'm up at 3 a.m., done by 10 and either go workout or do my 3 hours worth of rehab 3 days a week. Most likely go by Outback driveup where they know me by my first name for dinner and in bed by 8 p.m. Boring right! Well if I didn't, no telling what I would be saying that early in the morning. It might not make any sense. Then on the days off we are all catching up on our sleep. Its like I'm in China after all! Just hope the US does well and its all good! Well thanks for checking in. Will update in a few days. Ciao.