My buddy Charles called me from one of his business trips to Dallas and was wondering how England had done against the Czech republic in one of the many World Cup preparatory friendlies. I had just seen highlights of the goals. The first came from Milan Baros goal while being manhandled by John Terry. Almost at the end of the first half Wes Brown evading his marker and with class heading home a David Beckham corner. The second half highlighted a Steven Gerrard playing out of position and Jermaine Defoe alone upfront probably thinking, ” I wish Peter was here…” Jankulovski after a sloppy foul outside the box clinically placed in the top corner as David James watched it go in. Actually, the Czech players covered the wall, we know as players that the ball will be coming through that area- James should have done better. Those big red jerseys were a warning sign. Joe Cole salvaged a loss in the last gasps of a test before playing Andorra on September the 6th.

In the Luzhniki stadium Robin Van Persie gave the dutch the lead only to have Konstantin Zurianov give the host Russia a draw.

Ecuador played Colombia in the Giants stadium- those American football lines would confuse me. Cristian Benitez scored on a missed penalty rebound for Ecuador. By the way, my wife predicted the missed penalty. Colombia passed well but has not really challenged a lukewarm play by the Ecuadoreans.

In the World Cup Qualifiers Haiti underestimated Suriname and were loosing 2-0 until the last two minutes of the game. Final score 2-2 in Port au Prince. Canada and Jamaica are tied at the moment after a goal by Andy Williams- I wonder if he was singing Moon River. Mexico was drawing 0-0 with Honduras at the Azteca. I wonder if Sven Goren Eriksson recording a show during half-time for I’m on Setanta Sports. Final score 2-1 Mexico, golazos by De Leon and Pardo. Later that night the USA overcame a determined Guatemala 1-0. Guatemala had many shots on goal but Tim Howard showed why he is starting for Everton. On another note- It was disappointing to see many of the Guatemalan players exaggerating injuries…

How does Sven do it? He is a great juggler. Managing Mexico and on TV keeping up with Jose Mourinho.