How was it? Apart from the result, that is. ;-D
The crowd didn't look very big, though the Rose Bowl is so huge it would dwarf an average crowd. I'm very glad the World Cup will be shown on English language channels, though. I was going nuts with the Spanish commentary. Other than a few scattered words, I didn't know what they were talking about!!

Right, I"m off to start the "Kasey Keller MUST start our World Cup matches" campaign. I have no confidence Brad Friedel would have made some of those saves today. ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Answers

Ciara,

I havent a clue what the crowd was but at a guess I would say around 25,000. The first game (which you probably arent interested in) Canada v South Korea was very uninteresting, 2-1 to Canada but worse than schoolboy footy.

Okay then as for the USA - why dont the USA fans say anything until they are in the lead? I honestly thought there was only around 1000 US fans until you scored and half the crowd erupted! I thought it was a good game until that excellent free kick made it 2-0 then the Costa Ricans seemed to die on their feet, unfortunately IMO Wanchope was like that all match - hope he's the same in the cup against us.

I'm not too keen on that centre half of yours - the cross between Andie McDowell and Julio Iglesias - he may cost you a few goals in the WC.

All in all though Ciara I enjoyed the day (if only the bloody peanut sellers didnt come around my seating area during goalmouth action)

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Not sure why US crowds have trouble getting things going. They seem to really struggle when matched with really spirited opposition, such as Latin American and Caribbean supporters. Not sure if people are just in awe and forget to make noise or what. I do wonder if it's also a cultural thing. We really don't have anything to compare with the kind of singing that goes on at soccer matches elsewhere in the world. Maybe folks are waiting for cheerleaders and electronic boards telling them when to make noise?(she says only half- facetiously). Though there is a core of supporters (Sams Army) who try to get things going.

I was really surprised at how CR seemed to give up. Honestly I think if anyone other than Keller had been in goal, CR would have gotten a goal or two. The first 30min or so I was just waiting for the US to break down. Every time CR got the ball it was painful watching the ease in which they kept it from the US players.

The CH you mention...was that Bocanegra? There were a few players out there who don't normally start and Arena wanted to use this tournament to look at some young/fringe players since he wasn't likely to get all his European-based players back for it.

Speaking of Wanchope, going back to the discussion of name pronunciation a few days ago, I noticed on Univision(Spanish language channel for those not familiar) they pronounced his name Wan-chope when saying it on it's own(such as reading the lineups). But there were times in the course of babbling that it was pronounced Wan-cho- pay. Is that something to do with the Spanish language itself? Does pronunciation change depending on context? Afraid my 4 weeks of Spanish in 7th grade didn't get quite that far. ;-))

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Ciara, I havent a clue what Andie McDowells real name was - but he kept complaining to the linesman everytime the keeper had the ball!

Wanchopes name is pronounced One Chop according to my Costa Rican colleague (the reason I was supporting Costa Rica) but he says the commentators normally call him Choppy.

I cant remember what else I was going to tell you but I probably spout too much crap anyway!

See ya

Alan

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002