Last week, I lamented the fact I wasnāt at all excited about the FIFA World Cup. So much negativity surrounding the event this year, due to exorbitant prices and the worldās political climate, in the leadup to the event.
But now, the attention is all on the games and Iāve been engrossed. Even more surprising, my wife has completely bought in, as well, which I did not see coming. Sunday, we literally spent all day and into the evening watching soccer. All five games. At one point, while looking at Sundayās schedule I just shook my head: it meant that I probably wasnāt going to leave the house.
I literally left the house for about half an hour to go to the store. Cat needed food.
Through the first four days of the tournament, Thursday through Sunday, there was barely any bad matches. The first half of the Netherlands-Japan game was a snoozer, but the teams combined for three quick goals in the second half to wake everyone up.
Granted, Germany dismantling of World Cup newcomer Curacao was not much fun. Germany scored seven times, taking Curacaoās first-half goal as a sign of disrespect.
But to see the sheer joy on the faces of Curacao fans after it scored its first-ever World Cup goal was priceless. Heck, even an assistant coach for Curacao was seen crying as he hugged the head man following the surprising strike.
Swedenās 5-1 win over Tunisia was also kind of boring, but for those fans who complain about the lack of goals in the game of soccer, the German and Swedish results had to be fun.
But those were the exceptions. For the most part, games have been close and exciting, and not so much the mismatches everyone thought some of these games would be.
While there are still blue-blood soccer countries, the rest of the world has closed the gap considerably. Monday morning, while working on this column, I watched World Cup debutante, Cape Verde, play to a scoreless draw with reigning 2024 European champ and soccer royalty, Spain.
No one would have expected that four years ago. Heck, no one expected that Monday.
Additionally, it seems like the excitement level is starting to build. I was out of town this past weekend, but you would see people in various teamsā uniform tops, as well as television in bars and restaurants showing the game and people who were actively watching them. I even heard people talking in passing about finding somewhere to watch the game. Didnāt matter who was playing.
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Now if the United States can build on its 4-1 win over Paraguay last Friday, the excitement level could grow exponentially.
***
As if the record for the San Francisco Giants wasnāt bad enough, over the weekend, they were embroiled in controversy when the teamās Bible-thumping pitchers felt so āpersecutedā that they just had to make an anti-LGBTQ+ statement ā on āPride Nightā of all games.
I donāt want to get into the religious study of this, other than to say, apparently Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, Tyler Walker and Sam Hentges, never got past the Old Testament of the Bible. If they actually read the Bible, and not simply hand-pick passages that align with their āmorals,ā they will read Jesus say, āLove thy neighbor as thy self.ā
OK, enough about that. Letās take a secular look at this buffoonery: just because you can, doesnāt mean you should.
These guys play in what is considered one of the LGBTQ+ capitals of the world. If that doesnāt align with your āmorals,ā maybe donāt sign with the team.
For goodness sakes, read the room. No one is stifling your religious freedoms ā heck, Robbie Ray wears that āGod winsā T-shirt every game and we have to look at it during his clubhouse interviews. All you were asked to do was wear a hat in rainbow colors. Thatās it. No one asked you to date members of the same sex. No one asked you to march in a Pride parade. No one asked you to do anything other than do your job and just be decent human beings ā which you clearly can not handle on either front.
But you just had to make a statement, without realizing that there is a large LGBTQ+ fanbase that they completely alienated. But you donāt care about those fans because of their lifestyle, right? You only care about straight people, is that what we are to infer?
Yes, those pitchers have the right to freedom of expression, which in their haste to explain away their bigotry was the foundation of their arguments, but it goes both ways. The Giants are on the road for the next week. Itāll be interesting to see the kind of reception Roupp gets when he returns to the mound at Oracle Park. Or the other guys when they come on in relief.
Remember Landen, itās the fansā freedom of expression.
Nathan Mollat has been covering high school sports in San Mateo County for the San Mateo Daily Journal since 2001. He can be reached by email: nathan@smdailyjournal.com.
Glad to see, Mr. Mollat, youāre getting into the soccer spirit. Sometimes sports are just sports and not a way to make political or woke statements. I hear there are a number of seats available at Candlestick Park South available for well under a $1000. For more enjoyment, watch the videos of visitors from other countries and their excitement and awe at the food offerings in the United States and our megastores and supermarkets. I hear ranch dressing is something not available in other countries. As well as unlimited refills of soda.
It is interesting you advocate for fansā freedom of expression yet you donāt advocate for playersā freedom of expression. Whatās next, should it be mandated that Giants or any players be mandated to wear costumes honoring Darth Vader? Taylor Swift? Donald J. Trump? MAGA? Read the room, MLB. Religious discrimination is not allowed. As such, more power to legislators and officials calling MLB on the carpet for their overt discrimination. Iām hoping we see a number of lawsuits and better yet, perhaps an end to forced Pride events.
As for the reception Roupp gets when he returns to the mound, I donāt think he cares. And many of us would take the same attitude, except perhaps pity on those āfansā that would boo him.
Sorry Nathan that you have to endure Ray's God t-shirt, perhaps shows your bigotry, and I don't personally care one way or another for any of the "nights" that the Giants have, but the team has been overly woke over the years. I'm there for a ballgame and not Gabe Kapler taking a kneel or other nonsense. The players have a right to their beliefs just like the Giants and MLB have the right to theirs, including selling out to all of the betting services.
Thanks for speaking out on the Giants issue. Clearly those pitchers don't play FOR San Francisco, and Giants fans won't stand for any of our communities being marginalized. I'm taking a break from the Giants until it figures out it's nobody without the community of fans.
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(3) comments
Glad to see, Mr. Mollat, youāre getting into the soccer spirit. Sometimes sports are just sports and not a way to make political or woke statements. I hear there are a number of seats available at Candlestick Park South available for well under a $1000. For more enjoyment, watch the videos of visitors from other countries and their excitement and awe at the food offerings in the United States and our megastores and supermarkets. I hear ranch dressing is something not available in other countries. As well as unlimited refills of soda.
It is interesting you advocate for fansā freedom of expression yet you donāt advocate for playersā freedom of expression. Whatās next, should it be mandated that Giants or any players be mandated to wear costumes honoring Darth Vader? Taylor Swift? Donald J. Trump? MAGA? Read the room, MLB. Religious discrimination is not allowed. As such, more power to legislators and officials calling MLB on the carpet for their overt discrimination. Iām hoping we see a number of lawsuits and better yet, perhaps an end to forced Pride events.
As for the reception Roupp gets when he returns to the mound, I donāt think he cares. And many of us would take the same attitude, except perhaps pity on those āfansā that would boo him.
Sorry Nathan that you have to endure Ray's God t-shirt, perhaps shows your bigotry, and I don't personally care one way or another for any of the "nights" that the Giants have, but the team has been overly woke over the years. I'm there for a ballgame and not Gabe Kapler taking a kneel or other nonsense. The players have a right to their beliefs just like the Giants and MLB have the right to theirs, including selling out to all of the betting services.
Thanks for speaking out on the Giants issue. Clearly those pitchers don't play FOR San Francisco, and Giants fans won't stand for any of our communities being marginalized. I'm taking a break from the Giants until it figures out it's nobody without the community of fans.
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