Conrad reflects on the World Cup

[cpwilson80]

The incomparable Jimmy Conrad:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=374291&root=us&cc=5901

[giffenbone]

he's quite the comedian...as always

Dear Faithful Followers,

We, the United States World Cup soccer team, acknowledge that we underperformed in the first 90 minutes of our 2006 World Cup campaign and we hope to totally redeem ourselves when we take the field against the Italians.

Please don't hate us.

Sincerely,

The Team

that was after game 1...

[Galaxian]

I like reading the articles Jimmy writes . its too bad this article had to be written about how we lost , if only it had all been different...

I'll accept the teams apology . The italy game was amazing and they all played their hearts out , the ghana game was dissapointing to say the least , but I had an amazing time on my trip and I know the team would have liked to have played better , but they didnt .

[MLS SupaStr3]

I'm at work and I had to read this in pieces cause I started laughing too hard. Good article. I like that latin quote a lot.

[StillKickin]

His article made me laugh out loud.

Especially when he mentions putting the phone down when talking to Grandma. I totally relate to that when talking to my elderly mother: just put the phone down, let her talk to the desk, while I throw my hands up in the air. It's all you can do.

[Ringo]

i gotta admit ... I got a few goosebumps reading about how he was going into the game. I can only imagine what that must feel like.
of course, then he drops the line about wondering what his posse is doing. back to belly laughing.

I'm glad he played well in the WC ... few deserved it more.
and I'm still glad he can still bring his fastball on espn.com. the man's a freaking genius.

:)

[The Old Lady Hertha]

That was a damn good article :)

[kjksccr]

If there was any doubt, that is some proof that we would definitely win the World Cup if our team played Jeopardy. Could you imagine Beckham trying to write like that?

[Shibb]

Is it wrong for me to hope that he retires soon so that I can have someone with a few extra brain cells doing color commentary? Okay, it's selfish, but...

[2-0 Baby]

If there was any doubt, that is some proof that we would definitely win the World Cup if our team played Jeopardy. Could you imagine Beckham trying to write like that?

Or Wayne Rooney? I know he's only in his early 20s, but I'm not sure if he even knows how to speak English.

I agree. Jimmy will be great in the booth.

[adamu7777]

can we start a petition to get jimmy in the booth? i mean, i don't want to deprive anyone of hearing marcelo say "it's what we talked about earlier..." for the 4,530,407 time...but conrad might be a step in the right direction

[uclacarlos]

can we start a petition to get jimmy in the booth? i mean, i don't want to deprive anyone of hearing marcelo say "it's what we talked about earlier..." for the 4,530,407 time...but conrad might be a step in the right direction
Well, ppl were just talking about Jimmy getting in the booth earlier, and now you're talking about it again? ;)

[MBloom]

Is it wrong for me to hope that he retires soon so that I can have someone with a few extra brain cells doing color commentary? Okay, it's selfish, but...
My thoughts as well and I feel guilty as he!! about it. The only player I'm looking forward to seeing retire.

[patt2374]

The incomparable Jimmy Conrad:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=374291&root=us&cc=5901
Thank you for posting this link. The guy is talented. I don't care how he plays; he is now my favorite American player.

Maybe we should remember something that this article underlines in bold for all of us:

Maybe it is better to be marginal player on the world stage and have gifted, intelligent young men representing our country.

PS- Do you think Young Master Wayne Rooney is capable of putting his world cup experience in such poignant terms?

[MtMike]

I have more respect for Jimmy than any other athlete that I can remember. As a lifelong Cowboys fan, the guy he reminds me of is Bill Bates, only what Jimmy accomplished is greater. Not the greatest athlete in the world, but no doubt one of the smartest and one of the hardest-working. Shows the beauty of soccer, don't have to be the greatest athlete or a freak of nature to be an elite player (which Jimmy is.)

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Well,it only took a month to be able to laugh about it......

[DoctorD]

The only player I'm looking forward to seeing retire.This quote is likely to become the centerpiece of one of his columns.

[Shibb]

I have more respect for Jimmy than any other athlete that I can remember. As a lifelong Cowboys fan, the guy he reminds me of is Bill Bates, only what Jimmy accomplished is greater. Not the greatest athlete in the world, but no doubt one of the smartest and one of the hardest-working. Shows the beauty of soccer, don't have to be the greatest athlete or a freak of nature to be an elite player (which Jimmy is.)

As an aside, Cory Gibbs won three Ivy League championships with Brown and made the NCAA's every year he was there. I'd love to see a column from him.

[FC Uptown]

I really liked the article - interesting writer.
But I still don't feel like I understand what was going on inside that team.
Why did the team come out so flat against the Czechs?
Did they just "play bad" or were they simply outclassed in 2/3 games?
Do they really feel they could have gone far in the tourney?
Arena, could he have changed any of the results with a decent strategy, really...?
None of the players seem to be talking even yet.

I've just got more questions.

[halfnelson31]

Went back and watched the second to alst episode of studio 90 (yes it is still up) to see the interview they did with him about his first start. Almost got me misty eyed when they cut to the after game interview seeing the hurt and dejection on his face. He cracks a joke towards the end but immedetly after returns to the sullen face.