Losers! Again!

 In London, they were throwing beer around and cursing, because they knew what this was. Those damned colonials had beaten the Empire again. They were losers, again.

And, OK, so in reality it was a nil-nil draw in the World Cup, but nil-nil felt like win-win for an American side that is achingly young, and was expected to roll over and show its belly to mighty England. Only soreheads like me grumbled that once the hour got late the U.S. played wuss soccer, simply trying to possess the ball instead of attacking the English goal to get the "W."

Playing not to lose is no fun, the soreheads said. And it's been known to backfire.

But this time it was the right play, and the Americans exited with a point no one believed was possible. So call it a win for U-S-A!, U-S-A! Those disgruntled Brits wasting beer across the pond certainly will.

England is, after all, one of the finest sides in the world, dropping a six-pack on Iran in a 6-2 blowout (Adjusted NFL Score: 59-7) in its World Cup opener. But U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter put together a crafty, irritating defensive strategy, and the Brits didn't drink a drop against. Came close a couple of times, but couldn't cash.

And now?

Now the U.S. men, who weren't good enough even to make the show in 2018, need only beat Iran on Tuesday to advance to the knockout round. 

Iran! And how sweet would that be?

The Islamic Republic already has its hands full trying to suppress a revolt among Iranian women who are fed up with being treated like dirt. But then to lose to the American infidels ...

Yes, sir. That would be one bad week indeed. 

Heh.