World Cup '06

US has a tough road to duplicate their quarterfinal appearance in Japan/Korea. In their group of four, with perennial international soccer powerhouses Italy and the Czechs looking to take the top two spots needed to qualify for the knockout stage the US will be hard pressed to even advance (Ghana shouldn't be too of a challenge). Strange things have happened (Senegal defeating France in the previous World Cup).

Can't wait for the summer. Don't know what the time zone difference between Central Midwest and Germany is but the timing has to be better than the difference between Central and Japan (waking up at 5 to watch games... not fun).

...now back to writing essays