We’re well into the summer of soccer, and it’s been an all-consuming affair that leaves little time for anything else. The Euros kickoff early; the Copa America keeps us up late. With all due respect to our friends, family and significant others, we wouldn’t have made a single different lifestyle choice over the past three weeks. Here are 8 signs that you’ve spent all of June doing nothing but watching international soccer.
Don’t get me wrong, the first half of the Chile Colombia 2016 Copa America semi-final was really exciting. There were goals, and Chile pretty much ran rampant all over Colombia. But then halftime happened, there was a rain delay, and the second half didn’t until over two hours had passed.
By the time it restarted, both teams were over it. The game was boring, a waste of time. Until, that is, a pitch invader decided to run onto the field.
A quick disclaimer: producing live sports is a really, really hard job and it's a testament to the competence of the FOX Sports crew that mistakes like the ones they made Tuesday are rare enough as to be newsworthy. With that said, let's now make fun of them for screwing up.
The USMNT's loss to Argentina was depressing for a number of reasons, one of which was that FOX Sports seemed to be about as on their game as the USMNT, which is to say not very.
We know it as the beautiful game. And yet, soccer has had more than its share of horrible moments.
Argentina bulldozed team USA Tuesday, but it wasn’t all rainbows for La Albiceleste in Houston. Forward Ezequiel Lavezzi had a good game for Argentina. He netted the first goal of the match and was helping the visitors control the tempo of the game and dominate the American squad.
Colombia and Chile are battling for the right to face off against Argentina in the final of the Copa America. For Chile, it would be a rematch of the 2015 Copa America final a year ago, in which they defeated Argentina to take home the title. For Colombia, it would be their best chance in years to take home their first piece of silverware in 15 years.
Lionel Messi scored his 55th goal for the Argentina National Team, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta and becoming Argentina's single all-time leading scorer in a 4-0 victory over the USA.
Honestly, it was not as bad of a blowout as we thought is would be.
Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring in the third minute and Messi broke the record with a free kick just before halftime. Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in the second half and that was it.
Messi has grown a beard, and his beard is dope. All beards are sweet, but Messi with a beard is especially sweet.
A beard says something about you. Specifically, it says "I can grow hair on my face." I think growing hair on you face is awesome, but I'm a little bit biased.
Everyone capable of growing a beard should have one. I've always said that. But this isn't about me. It's about Messi and his dope beard.
Messi was the coolest already, but his beard has made him legendary.
Sometimes the stars align and things just go as they are supposed to. Sometimes heart wins over skills and fighting like a lion pays off against precise footwork.
This was the case during the last group stage match between the United States and Argentina in a warm Uruguayan night back in 1995. The Albiceleste lined up the likes of Gabriel Batitusta and featured Diego Simeone off the bench.
There will not be any pressure on the USMNT Tuesday.
If they win, this is their moment. If they lose, they become part of Argentina's moment. That is a half-decent consolation prize.
Saying there's pressure on the USMNT against Argentina is like saying there is pressure on the bull in a bullfight. The bull is going to die anyway. It is up to the matador to perform.
Lionel Messi's name is Lionel Messi. His name is not Leonardo Messi. This much we know for certain.
USA Today, however, may not be as certain as we are.
Leonardo Messi, Argentina stand in way of historic run by U.S. soccer at Copa America. https://t.co/b63eXjVwUg pic.twitter.com/NZt8a4pH7c