Here's hoping for a WIN!!!

Okay, Okay... It may seem as if I'm slightly obsessed with soccer/futbol..... Well, I am and I"m not ashamed to admit it. I come by it honestly, I played in the premier league in Canada, and my grandfather played professionally, and nationally in Europe when he was growing up! If it wasn't for my damn knee problems (3 surgeries), I know I'd still be playing!

Okay, okay... I'm done feeling sorry for myself. I am happy to report that the Gold Cup is just around the corner. The 2009 CONCACEF Gold Cup is a tournament played by champions of North America, Central America and the Caribbean from July 3-26th.

The games will be held in the US this year - 13 cities will host.

Mexico is in Group C and will play matches against: Guadeloupe, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Mexico has a new squad, and only 2 of the players aren't playing for club teams in Mexico (Carlos Vela, and Giovani dos Santos). This may just be what the Dr ordered! Some homeland pride!

Mexico recently defeated Venezuela 4-0, and had a lack lustre draw with El Salvador. With this being said, they still showed more power than I've seen in the last 2 years.

Stay tuned, for when the games begin !!!!

Feliz dia de los padres!

Happy Fathers Day dad, and mi suegro!!!

World Cup 2010 ... NOT looking good for Mexico

Well, I am not sure how many of you follow soccer as religiously as I do.... Unlike life in Canada, Soccer/Futbol is like a religion in Mexico. I have heard that every town/city in Mexico had 2 things - a Church, and a soccer field!!

That being said - World Cup 2010 is around the corner, and qualifying has been going on for the past 3 years. Things are not looking good for good ol' Mexico. Currently, we are sitting in 4th place in our group, only the top 2 in each group advance. At this point, the 1st (Costa Rica), and 2nd (USA) would both have to lose 1 or more games each, and Mexico would have to go undefeated for the rest of the qualifying....

The last time Mexico did not make the World Cup was in 1974.... In 1990 they were disqualified for using players over the age limit allowed in Seoul '88 for the Olympics. **Quick fact** This penalty was applied to ALL Mexican national representatives of all sports for 2 years.

Just to give you an idea, here are some quick facts about the FIFA World Cup:

-Int'l football competition contested by men's national teams

-Occurs every 4 year since 1930

-Current format involves 32 teams

-Games are held in one host nation, usually switching continents every 4 years

-Most widely viewed sporting event in the world

- 715.1 million watching the 2006 final (take that American Idol!!)

- South Africa is hosting 2010 from June 11-July 11

- Brazil is hosting 2014

Okay, well all this being said - I forgot the most important... PRAYER!!! Pray for Mexico's national team - it may be their only hope!!!