World Cup Week 2 Recap

Our second week of the World Cup was stellar. Of the eight teams we watched play in the last four games, four would go on to make the quarterfinals (which kick off Friday July 2). We were also able to witness live what many are calling one of the best sports moments in World Cup history on Wednesday, June 23.

Sunday June 20 - Brazil v Ivory Coast.

The appeal to this game was straightforward: the world's best team against Africa's best team, live in the biggest stadium in Johannesburg. Brazil, FIFA's number one ranked team going into the tournament, were the favorites against the Ivory Coast squad, and proved their superiority in an impressive 3-1 win. The game's atmosphere was stellar. South Africans mostly supported their fellow African side, a team that features Didier Drogba who plays for the English Premier League club Chelsea. There was no shortage of incredible talent on the field, and also no shortage of great goals in the match. It lived up to our expectation as one of the best games we were able to see in South Africa.

Monday June 21 - Spain v Honduras.

The Spain-Honduras game was one of our late additions. When we realized that the Spain game was at Ellis Park on a day where we had no other games planned, and tickets became available, we instantly decided it was an opportunity too good to pass up. We had better seats for the match than any of our other games, and watched as Spain regained its form and beat Honduras 2-0. David Villa scored two incredible goals, and Spain showcased soccer at its finest. Of the teams we were able to see play, Spain was probably the most enjoyable side to watch.

Wednesday June 23 - USA v Algeria.

In terms of excitement, I would put being in the stadium Pretoria in the 92nd minute of this match up against any other exciting moment of my life so far, including the hat-toss at West Point just a month earlier. It took 90 minutes of soccer plus 90 seconds of injury time for the US to get the goal it needed to stay alive in the tournament. But when it finally happened, the crowd erupted into a moment of complete euphoria. We hugged everyone wearing red, white, and blue, and celebrated the goal like true fanatics. It helped that my favorite US player Landon Donovan scored the goal, too.

What made the evening even more exciting, however, was the blitz out of the stadium, as Logan and I sprinted to meet our host, Mr. Verwey, as we prepared to drive to from Pretoria to Joburg for the night game at Soccer City.

3 hours later... - Germany v. Ghana.

Our original itinerary didn't feature this double header; we had planned only to attend to the Germany-Ghana game. Yet when tickets became available for the USA-Algeria match just an hour away from Soccer City, we knew we had to try to make the quick trip and experience both games in the span of just over six hours. And in the end, it was a great decision. Germany, Logan's favorite non-US team, played brilliantly and got the win they needed to top the group and advance to the elimination stages. Meanwhile, Ghana also advanced out of Group D, and thus prepared to square off against the US in the round of 16. We were happy with both results. And seeing another night game in Soccer City was the perfect exclamation point on our World Cup experience.

And so ended our World Cup run: in 11 days we saw eight games live in three different stadiums in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Expensive? Yes. Worth every dime? Absolutely. The chance to watch the world's game at its highest level in Africa was the experience of a lifetime for the two of us. It was a trip we'll never forget.

World Cup Week 1 Recap

Logan and I are half way through our World Cup dream-trip. So far we've seen four games. Blogging has been difficult here... the World Cup coverage is 24/7, so Logan and I are taking full advantage. Here's a quick recap of our action here so far.

Sunday June 13 - Ghana v Serbia.
Our first live World Cup game, we ordered tickets to this match because of my support of the "Black Stars" after my time spent in Ghana last summer. The Ghanaian crowd was incredible. Ghana flags flew proudly throughout the stadium, drums played alongside the vuvuzelas, and the match provided some tremendous action. In the final minutes Ghana broke the deadlock by scoring a penalty kick. They went onto win, making them the first African team to win a game in the first World Cup on African soil. Appropriate post-game celebrations followed, as fans from Ghana and South Africa stayed long after the final whistle to celebrate and cheer on the players, who acted as if they had just won the World Cup. We enjoyed the game at the Luftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, a phenomenal venue. It was a great World Cup debut.

Monday June 14 - Netherlands v Denmark.
Our second game was Holland v Denmark on Monday. This was a hugely anticipated game in the group-stage, which made it exciting to watch. The highlight for us may have been just taking in the sights, sounds, and sheer size of 'Soccer City' in Johannesburg. 83,000 fans were present for the match, mostly South Africans and Dutch supporters. We cheered on the Dutch in our orange as well. Holland had the clear advantage going in - in support, in skill, and even in the chairs in Soccer City (which are painted orange). They went on to win the game 2-0, and Logan and I enjoyed it from great seats in the lower-level. This was the first of four games we have at Soccer City while here.

Thursday June 17 - Argentina v South Korea.
Lionel Messi is one of the most entertaining players in the world to watch, which is why Logan and I ordered tickets to the Argentina v Korea fixture Thursday. Our seats were in the highest section, which gave us more of a tactical perspective on the match than the more typical up-close-and-personal action shots you get when you watch a game live. The game was of huge importance to both teams, as they entered tied at the top of the table in Group B. Messi was spectacular, and was involved in each of Argentina's four goals. The Argentine's won 4-1 in a match that was hugely entertaining to watch. 82,000 fans were on hand, with most supporting Messi's Argentina.

Friday June 18 - USA v Slovenia.
USA-Slovenia was our most anticipated match coming into the tournament, as we were psyched to get the chance to cheer on the Yanks in person. We woke up nervous Friday morning, both knowing that the US could not afford to lose to Slovenia, or their tournament would effectively be over. Our South African hosts came with us to the match as well, which made it that much more exciting for all of us. We had incredible seats - eight rows up from the action. The only down side was the way the first half unfolded. Slovenia scored twice. All of a sudden, our high hopes for the US side seemed pretty bleak. But my favorite US player, Landon Donovan, provided the spark three minutes after halftime with a great goal to turn things around. All of a sudden the crowd was alive and optimistic, though still on edge. Michael Bradley's late goal brought euphoria to the mostly pro-American crowd, and Maurice Edu's late goal would likely have caused celebratory riots had it not been called back. Still, a 2-2 draw was satisfying. The US lives to play another day (Wednesday, vs Algeria). The good news? Logan and I bought tickets to the Algeria game in Pretoria. We can't wait.

And that's how it stands after our first four matches. We used our better judgment and decided to purchase extra tickets to US-Algeria and Spain-Honduras this week, meaning we're just half way through our games. Lots more pictures, stories, and memories to come.

Kruger Park Safaris

I didn’t expect to have a staring contest with an elephant on this trip. Our time in South Africa was intended to revolve around the World Cup. But with three full days to travel and settle-in before our first live game Sunday afternoon, our hosts decided to surprise us with a trip north. Cue the elephants.

More accurately: cue the animal kingdom.

During our first Safari Thursday afternoon, we saw four of the ‘big five’ in less than three hours. Elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes were among the incredible animals we saw. At times, we sat and waited as elephants crossed the road in front of us. We watched giraffes eat from treetops, zebras and impalas grazed in the open plains, and hippos splashed around in the water. Baboons and hyenas made their way along the sides of the roads we drove down, taking no interest in our vehicle.

At times it felt like I was dreaming. Songs from the soundtrack of The Lion King made their way through our heads, as we took in the phenomenal scenery and unbelievable wildlife. The soccer games will likely still be the highlight of this trip for us. But my staring contests with the elephants, giraffes, and buffalo of Kruger Park are engraved in my memory forever.

To prove that a) I wasn’t dreaming, and b) I’m not making this up, I’ve posted the best pictures from our time on Safari below. Enjoy!

Bafana's Opening Match Fan-Fest

"Viva Bafana Bafana!"

Logan and I didn’t have tickets to the opening match of the World Cup. And in some ways, I’m glad. The experience we enjoyed at a gathering of some 30,000 South African locals in the northeastern part of the country was one that I’ll never forget.



South Africans, who had been anticipating the start of this World Cup since they were named the 2010 hosts six years ago, woke up Friday morning ready to support their home side. Gardeners, shop-keepers, taxi drivers and everyone in between wore their yellow and green jerseys. South African flags lined the streets, hung in store windows, and flew on cars throughout the country.

We watched the opening match at a rugby stadium in Nelspruit, one of the host cities. Arriving a few hours before game-time, we bought some replica South African jerseys, and prepared for the most anticipated soccer game ever to be played on African soil. Prior to the game we watched the official opening ceremonies for the tournament, and as it neared game time the stands and playing surface of the Nelspruit stadium became entirely jam-packed, shoulder to shoulder with South Africans. Game on.

The match didn’t disappoint. South Africa’s team, nicknamed “Bafana Bafana,” had the entire country behind them, including the fan-fest’s crowd. With Vuvuzelas blaring, the fans danced and cheered through a scoreless first half. Logan and I made friends with a few locals and enjoyed the passion in the stadium as South Africans savored the moment.

When the second half started, we made our way to the middle of the mayhem to take pictures of the scene. As we started to move back towards our seats, we caught a glimpse of the play building up on the big screen: a South African player broke loose with the ball in the mid-field, and played it through to a Striker who received it well in space. Two beautiful touches later, the ball was in the back of the net. South Africa’s team – the unlikely underdogs – shocked Mexico and scored the first goal of the tournament in beautiful fashion.

It was at that moment that Logan and I were given a true South African welcome to the World Cup. I watched a grown man, cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth, jump on my younger brother – throwing his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. Logan – unfazed – proceeded to twirl the two of them in circles, cheering uncontrollably. It would have made a great picture; and I would have taken it, had I not been in the middle of a series of my own hugs and screams of “Viva, Bafana! Bafana!”

The colorful crowd, the proud flags, and the ear-shattering noise set the tone for an exciting World Cup in which the home team will be a true competitor. Enjoy the pictures!

Welcome to Johannesburg

After four flights and 48 hours of travel time, Logan and I finally made it to South Africa Wednesday morning. We arrived 12 hours later than we had originally planned. Even so, we arrived in high spirits.

The kink in the itinerary was in Detroit. Maintenance problems with the plane led to a five hour delay (serious problems, right?). As we were leaving Detroit, our best case scenario - according to Delta - was a connection through Atlanta that would get us to South Africa on Friday, three days later than planned, and after the opening match. Imagine our excitement when we were told that we had nothing to worry about: the World Cup was only three trips across the Atlantic away! With that in mind, we closed our eyes to pass the time on the flight to Amsterdam, both to sleep and to pray for a "World Cup miracle" connection to get us into the airport that millions of soccer fans were also trying to fly into this week. Upon arrival, we got news that our prayers were answered. In the end, we just had to spend a few extra hours in Amsterdam fly to Paris, and hop onto an AirFrance flight en route to Joburg.

Itinerary headaches aside, the travel was fun. Logan and I observed serious World Cup fever in both Amsterdam and Paris, with national team scarves and jerseys for sale all over the airports. The trip's highlight was the flight from Paris, which had the feel of a United Nations assembly. Fans from countries all over the world sat around us, all sharing our excitement for the World Cup. To sweeten the deal, the Slovakian national team joined our flight, all dressed up in matching suits for their televised arrival.

Welcome to South Africa
In the Joburg terminal we were welcomed by billboards of Nelson Mandela, President Jacob Zuma, and massive images of the stadium sites across the country. After clearing customs, we walked out into an arrival hall where hundreds stood to welcome their guests, all blowing "Vuvuzelas", long plastic horns that are becoming the symbol for the tournament here (more in another post to follow). The horns and people, along with soccer decorations as far as the eye could see, made the welcome hall feel like a stadium itself. Logan and I felt at home.

Our hosts met us and drove us to their home in a Johannesburg suburb. Cars here are all flying national team car flags, and street vendors are selling flags from all of the competing nations in addition to Vuvuzelas, jerseys, and soccer balls. Our SUV is flying a car flag on each side: one US, one South African. Most pedestrians and shopkeepers here wear South Africa's jersey almost daily; it is clear that the World Cup has completely permeated and unified the society.

When we arrived at the home of our gracious hosts, friends we knew from our time spent living in Europe during middle school, World Cup coverage was all over the TV. A parade was taking place downtown, where 180,o00 South Africans were cheering on their national team two days ahead of their opening match.

Logan and I hardly had time to take all of this in as we arrived, tired from the trip but completely thrilled to be here. Yet just as we prepared to sit down to relax and take a much needed nap, our hosts gave us some completely unexpected news. "We're going away for the weekend. And you're coming."

Translation: pack your bags -- we're taking you on a few Safaris before the World Cup kicks off. Thrilled, tired, and a bit confused, Logan and I packed a bag for the next four nights.

Destination South Africa

"One Game Changes Everything." So goes the ESPN ad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off this Thursday, June 11, in South Africa.

If the saying is true, then my younger brother Logan and I are in for a lot of change over the course of the next two weeks. As I write, sitting in the Delta Terminal in Detroit, we hold in our possession boarding passes to Amsterdam and Johannesburg, and tickets to six of the World Cup matches to be held in South Africa this month.

The decision to cough up the the coin to make the trip came a few short hours after the World Cup Final Draw last December. Watching the ESPN coverage from South Africa, where David Beckham, Charlize Theron, and others gathered to randomly select which teams will play one another in the Group Stage of the competition this summer, Logan and I decided that the chance to experience the Cup in person would be a once in a life-time opportunity for the two of us. My interest in the people, politics, and culture of Sub-Saharan Africa - sparked by my trip to Ghana last summer - provided all the more reason to make this dream-trip a reality.

We applied for tickets and were successful in our bid for six different games. Shortly after we had plane tickets in hand. Now, six months later, we're sitting in Detroit reviewing World Cup Previews produced by USA Today, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and EuroSport. It is by far the most studying I've done since exams at West Point ended almost a month ago.

The Weeks Ahead

Logan and I plan to jam-pack our two weeks in Johannesburg by taking in the great soccer matches, learning about the history and the culture of the area, and hopefully going on a safari or two. This is the first World Cup to be held on the African continent, which is sure to add to the richness of the experience.

The Cup kicks off this Thursday, when the hosts South Africa take on Mexico. For those at home -- don't miss the US-England match this Saturday on ABC; Logan and I will be taking in that game with the locals. The first game that we'll attend is next Sunday, when we'll see Ghana take on Serbia in Pretoria. Throughout the experience we'll share notes and pictures through this site... thanks for reading.

West Point Graduation

Joining the Long Gray Line
My four year stint as a cadet at West Point concluded just a few weeks ago, when my classmates and I tossed our hats, said goodbyes, and were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the US Army.

"Class of 2010: Dismissed!"
Graduation week was a stellar end to the 48-month ride. Looking back, my time at West Point was truly incredible. The memories I was able to make and the relationships we built with roommates, classmates, and teammates will stay with me forever. I was fortunate that several people were able to make my graduation: my parents, younger brothers, girlfriend, and a great mentor attended the ceremonies, and were present for my commissioning on Saturday, May 22. It would be impossible to put all of the parades and ceremonies from grad-week into words. The pictures tell the story... enjoy.

Next up are a few summer adventures: South Africa, Tanzania, & Arizona. Yet the majority of the summer will be spent at home in Midland, prior to my departure to Oxford in mid-September. More grad week photos below.