Comments for Soccer Safari

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by sina88

sina88 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:50:47 +0000

This is a great approach to what, for some, may be a controversial topic. Extremely well though out post. Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of guidelines and no mercy. Attributed to Joseph Campbell

Comment on Adu For a Return: Freddy Adu Back In MLS by Alex

Alex — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:18:59 +0000

11 apps and 4 goals for a 2nd division Turkish team is the best he’s got, no wonder he came back. Star power and fame does the MLS good though.

Comment on Copa America Referees Show Off New Toy by LV

LV — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:41:15 +0000

@DS … It’s colombian, not columbian… Ignorance!

Comment on FIFA Vice-President Julio Grondona Hits New Low, Even For FIFA by Don Julio Doesn’t Care What You Think, Yanqui « tracingthetree

Don Julio Doesn’t Care What You Think, Yanqui « tracingthetree — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:21:15 +0000

[...] dictators, he is corrupt as hell, and an anti-Semite to boot. And he really hates the English, lord does he hate the English. Have I mentioned that this man is a FIFA Vice President? That would normally tell you all you [...]

Comment on Copa America Full of Surprises: The Fall of Argentina and Brazil by Noah

Noah — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:38:46 +0000

Based on the video, it looks the like Santos may have had good reason to blame the ground. Look how it shifts when he plants his non-kicking foot at 2:22.

Comment on Copa America Referees Show Off New Toy by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:02:53 +0000

Wow, how great was the U-17 World Cup!?! I agree, some of the best soccer of the summer. That comeback from the Mexicans was absolutely wonderful.

Comment on American Women Advance to Semi-Finals of WWC Despite Best Efforts of Referee by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:02:08 +0000

Yea, In my haste to post after the conclusion of the event, I hadn’t noticed the debate about the encroachment. However, I do believe that the infraction was negligible. I mean, how many times have we seen people crashing the box early with no call? She was a split-second early. It’s almost worse to call it for that reason.

But either way, i appreciate your comment. And regardless of the decision on the penalty, the US women have won over the country. They’ve won over the soccer fans skeptical of the women’s game and they’ve won over the average sports fan, who doesn’t even pay attention to the game.

All you can say at this point is, Go USA!

Comment on American Women Advance to Semi-Finals of WWC Despite Best Efforts of Referee by Cperr293

Cperr293 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:38:12 +0000

I agree with your analysis, but the PK retake was not for Solo’s infraction. It was her own team’s encroachment into the penalty area. This encroachment paired with the missed/blocked PK constitutes a retake of the PK.

Comment on Copa America Referees Show Off New Toy by DS

DS — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:09:15 +0000

Not sure if anyone is watching the U-17 FIFA world cup.. I cant beleive some of the great soccer being played by 15, 16, 17 year olds. Very exciting. The Mexico-Germany semi final was fantastic.

Comment on Copa America Referees Show Off New Toy by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:00:22 +0000

Yea, I guess it’s an Americas thing to use the foam. I just don’t understand how it hasn’t been seen in Europe yet. I’ve seen in in Cop Libertadores for sure. Thanks for the input about the Mexican league. I agree wholeheartedly about the penalty call in colombia v. Argentina. At the same time, Colombia can be pretty content to walk away with a draw in that game. Especially considering they are in prime position to win the group now.

Comment on Copa America Referees Show Off New Toy by DS

DS — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:03:30 +0000

This has been used in the Mexican league for the past few years…
Too bad there wasnt a device to make them get the right calls. Did you see the Argentina V Columbia match last night ? the ref clearly missed a PK in the first half when a Columbian striker was taken down in the box

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by Torlmveo

Torlmveo — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:34:16 +0000

cool meaningful tattoos,

Comment on CONCACAF President Jack Warner Comically “Resigns” From FIFA Exec-Co Before Getting the Boot by DS

DS — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:57:41 +0000

FIFA is a disgrace. They gave the World Cup to Moscow and Quatar instead of the US and England. Clearly a political message.

Comment on FIFA Vice-President Julio Grondona Hits New Low, Even For FIFA by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:24:09 +0000

Grondona really seems like a piece of work. I must say. One thing I forgot to mention in the article, despite FIFA’s apparent disdain for the US via their battle with England, should there be enough evidence to force a revote for the 2022 World Cup, the US will be the immediate beneficiaries and a virtual shoe-in as hosts. Let’s see what happens…

Comment on FIFA Vice-President Julio Grondona Hits New Low, Even For FIFA by Nathan Quinn

Nathan Quinn — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:51:52 +0000

I’m sorry you guys have been dragged into our little soccer war. It’s perhaps worth mentioning that Grondona is a confirmed anti-Semite also.

English Pirate

Comment on USA Names Squad For Gold Cup: Freddy Adu is Back! by RealFan

RealFan — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:45:54 +0000

Bradly is a stiff. The old boys soccer network, led by Sunil Gulati is keeping U.S. soccer from competing at a world class level. Until Gulati goes, assuming he is replaced by someone who actually knows what they are doing, we will be a second class soccer nation.

Comment on USA Names Squad For Gold Cup: Freddy Adu is Back! by Andre

Andre — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:53:48 +0000

And what about Charlie Davies?!? Although as much as I like to talk up MLS the roster speaks volumes about the level of play in MLS (or the perceived level of play) compared to European leagues.

Comment on Relegation Sunday: Yet Another Reason Why The Premier League is the Best in the World by anthony B(not Bourdain)

anthony B(not Bourdain) — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:14:27 +0000

Couldn’t agree more, however Barca is gonna crush Man U on Saturday. That’s the sad thing about the Premier League.

Comment on CT Youth Soccer Coach Mickey Kydes Enjoys Exclusive Trip to Observe Barcelona Training by Brandon Elwood

Brandon Elwood — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:27:15 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ24FzkDKOo&feature=related

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Santos

Santos — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:07:29 +0000

South Africa is one destination that i have always admired to visit,so many people take about this country and how it is gifted by nature.The people of south Africa look so hospitable and friendly.A another feature that excites is the beautiful cities that are well maintained.Am planning a trip there with my friend and hope to have a blast.Thanks for the information.Great site

Comment on Wishing A Speedy Recovery To Stuart Holden by Wishing A Speedy Recovery To Stuart Holden | Soccer Info Source

Wishing A Speedy Recovery To Stuart Holden | Soccer Info Source — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:18:33 +0000

[...] More… Posted in Uncategorized Tags: Johnny Evans, Owen Coyle, Stuart Holden, Via Soccernet « 2011-12 Spain Kids World Cup Winners Home Football Shirt You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]

Comment on Serie A: Not so Serious Anymore by Serie A: Not so Serious Anymore | Freshest Soccer Update

Serie A: Not so Serious Anymore | Freshest Soccer Update — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:12:01 +0000

[...] More… Posted in Uncategorized Tags: Antiguos Alumnos, Champions League, Despite Inter Milan, ENCUENTRO, UEFA « EPL Talk: Setanta & Dish Network You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]

Comment on USA’s Winners and Losers from Recent Friendlies by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:20:56 +0000

Davies is on loan at DC United. He has scored 3 goals in his first 3 games.

Comment on USA’s Winners and Losers from Recent Friendlies by Sulvinsk

Sulvinsk — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:31:34 +0000

Just curious, I know you like to keep up on Americans abroad, where is Charlie Davies?

Comment on About Mike Levitt by Ruy Lessa

Ruy Lessa — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:08:07 +0000

Hey Mike

You have to see this kid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9aWzwC4e_o

Thanks

Comment on Christian Chivu Loves His Helmet by Sulvinsk

Sulvinsk — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:49:23 +0000

What a punk. Chivu is lucky that he doesn’t play a full-contact sport, because his brains would be scrambled by this point.

Poor form. Bad role model for youngsters. Its not a fashion show.

Comment on Christian Chivu Loves His Helmet by Raphael

Raphael — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:25:38 +0000

Oh Leonardo and your lack of faith in Chivu with sharp objects…hilarious article

Comment on Javier Pastore on Verge of Manchester United Summer Signing? by baghooks

baghooks — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:07:17 +0000

Lets hop he signs

Comment on The Greatest Goal Nobody Saw: Jimmy Briand’s Version of the Wayne-tastic by Andrew Marshall

Andrew Marshall — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:00:56 +0000

Wow that was an awesome bicycle kick goal…top 90!

Comment on Mr. Inc-Roon-able by Tweets that mention Mr Inc-Roon-able - Soccer Safari - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:39:12 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Stamford Advocate, The News-Times, Connecticut Post, Brett Mickelson, Greenwich Time and others. Greenwich Time said: RT @SoccerSafari: New Soccer Safari about Wayne Rooney's Wonder Goal and Ridiculous Transfer Fees. http://bit.ly/f2gvjV. #worldsoccer, # … [...]

Comment on Where have you gone Joe DiMa…I mean, Freddy Adu? by Tweets that mention Where have you gone Joe DiMa…I mean, Freddy Adu? - Soccer Safari: A World Cup Expedition - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:17:28 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by zackary53, DAJSOCCER. DAJSOCCER said: Where have you gone Joe Dim…I mean, Freddy Adu? – Soccer Safari: A …: Follow Mike Levitt as he blogs liv… http://tinyurl.com/4u4u8l7 [...]

Comment on Where have you gone Joe DiMa…I mean, Freddy Adu? by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:15:54 +0000

Totally legitimate argument. And i think to a degree you are right. But this kid has shown glimpses of true quality at the highest level. I guess he just cannot do enough regularly to counteract his lack of physicality.

I mean, at this point enough teams have taken extended looks at him over the past couple of years that they would see his potential if it were there…

Comment on Where have you gone Joe DiMa…I mean, Freddy Adu? by harry

harry — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:07:45 +0000

Young stars are hit or miss.
He’s apparently a miss.
For his age he’s good vs. his peers. He’s not good against professionals.

Comment on USA Snubbed in Bid To Host 2022 World Cup by JP

JP — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:51:33 +0000

Hilarious! I guess Obama didn’t want to get personally snubbed like he did on the Olympic bid so he sent the walking cadaver, Bill Clinton, over to be the punching bag. The travel agencies of the world must be thrilled — people will falling over each other trying to get reservations to spend a week or two in beautiful Qatar. How much extra is it for “Al Quida Beheading” insurance?

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Benjaminpatrickfloyd

Benjaminpatrickfloyd — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:53:49 +0000

Great stories! That is an excellent, detailed observation of many critical topics in top level soccer. I enjoyed the research of the subjects as well.

God Bless, Ben.

Comment on Canopy Tour In My Final Days in South Africa by Dawid

Dawid — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:17:01 +0000

First rains have fallen! Summer’s here…best time to visit SA again is NOW!

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Eddie Tours

Eddie Tours — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:12:02 +0000

Wow, this is an amazing South Africa brief! I have also once been to the country but there are a lot to discover if you are about to travel to South Africa. I absolutely concur with Mike and add weight to what he says that South Africans are truly hospitable and wonderful people. The pleasant streets and fantastic cuisine are another plus. Thank you Mike for sharing with us you interests here. You must have had an interesting South Africa experience. It is a pretty good travel blog. Big hugs!

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Dawid

Dawid — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:27:45 +0000

If you carry on with this reporting, some editor is bound to take notice and give you a call – hope for the best! Thanks, if you do compile a CD I’d like to at least pay the courier / postage costs; I’ll tweet you my postal address and e-mail address, please e-mail me payment instructions (PayPal works well – BTW did you know PayPal was founded by a South African American?) Thanks for visiting our country and all the positive feedback, have a safe flight back to the good ol’ US of A and all the best for your journalistic career!

Comment on Canopy Tour In My Final Days in South Africa by Ann

Ann — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:15:24 +0000

Mike, I learned to love soccer during the years my kids played youth and high school soccer. This year I watched as many of World Cup the games as I could, and enjoyed lots of the televised “human interest” pieces about the country and the players. But I have to admit that following your terrific blog was another major reason that I enjoyed this World Cup more than previous years. I’ll be looking for your reports in 2014!

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:08:58 +0000

Dawid,

Thank you so much for your kind words. You were my most vocal reader and i am so glad that you came across my blog. Your insights and comments added so much to the blog, i only hope people read them as much as you read my work.

I truly have had an amazing experience in this country and will make sure to come back. Thank you so much again. It means a lot to me that you took the time to comment throughout and said those kind words at the end.

I only hope that others felt the same way and that maybe someone will offer me a job as a result. I truly hope that this is the beginning of a career writing about the sport that I love and plan to do whatever it takes to continue on this path, Hopefully Ill have credentials for the next one in Brazil. Thats all i can hope for.

In all honesty, the thought had never occurred to me to compile it all for resale though I had tossed around the idea of doing it for myself. If i do it, ill give it to you at no cost of course. Your comments and insights have warranted as much.

Thanks again.

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:48:42 +0000

Well Mike, if this is (to quote the Connecticut News) “only the beginning for Levitt’s foray into covering professional soccer” then it is a really great start – I have been following a number of blogs this past month from all over the world (Canada to USA to UK to Europe to SA to Australia and NZ, in various languages) and I can say in all honesty that I have enjoyed yours the most. Some blogs are very good technically but therefore a bit boring (or maybe I just don’t understand them!) and others just said the same over and over again (when’s Ronaldo going to score, when’s Ronaldo going to score blah blah…) The worst were the UK blogs…all they ever do is criticise their own players and whinge about everything else. There was one particularly hideous article on a Pom blog about “South African finals are in the running to be the worst tournament ever” to which I left a really vitriolic comment, which they deleted a day later (they left other comments with swear words on the blog, though!) What makes your reporting unique is the way in which you approached the whole SWC as an overall adventure, a combination of personal experience and your detailed knowledge of the game – a great concept, and congratulations on a job well done – like I said in a previous comment, that’s surely what a good journalist does; they write to capture the attention of the broader reader. Another advantage you have is that you spent the whole SWC in SA (unscathed, touch wood…three of your countrymen were less fortunate) even though your team left in the middle of the tournament – most other journalist bloggers were either not even here at all, or they flew in for a week or two, stayed in a hotel and got chauffeured around, went to a few games and went home with a lot to say. So what are you going to do with the blog? If you would consider putting all your articles and videos and photos on CD and selling it I’d like to buy one…would make a really nice keepsake of the SWC2010.

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Jack Burt

Jack Burt — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:00:31 +0000

Mike. Great articles. I loved the whole thing. What a great life experience! Now you HAVE to go to Brazil in ’14!! (kidding). What a blast you had.
WHat’s next? Any chance you’ll be at the Loaf come winter?
We, all of us will be heading to Vienna for August -December. Can’t wait. We’ll be back just in time for Bubblecuffer to start. JAck

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Eddie B

Eddie B — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:41:53 +0000

Mike another great write up. Have to disagree about the whole milto thing. For argentina you missed the presence of Cambiasso and Zanetti( inter-milan) Germany was the one team that truly challenge that questionable defensive line that Arg. brought. Then midfield They should of used javiar Pastore Since he was the only one that had great chemistry with Messi and then you have Riquelme who also could of enhanced midfield play.

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Mark

Mark — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:07:18 +0000

Great summary of the tournament Mike.

As a die-hard Germany fan, it was great to exceed expectations once again but disappointing to go out in the semi’s for the 2nd time in a row. But the best part is that of their marquee players (Scheinsteiger, Oezil, Muller, Lahm, Khedira, Podolski, Klose) none are older than 26 except Klose so all of them other than Klose could be back in 2014!! Though Klose will of course be a huge loss, it looks like Muller will be a great replacement.

Too bad to see Klose go out without being able to play in the 3rd place game to potentially hit the overall WC goals record. More impressive that he scored 4 goals having only played 4 games.

Besides the overall bad refereeing this year, one rule I think is horrible that hasn’t got lots of press is the change to the yellow card rules. Now the slate isn’t wiped clean until the semi-finals, so it trails you for 5 games. So Muller of Germany missed the semifinal due to the combo of 1) a horrible call for an accidental handball in the quarterfinal plus 2) a yellow card way back in the Ghana game in the 1st round. For this he misses the semifinals!!! They need to bring back the old rules where slate is wiped clean after 1st round. To miss the semis given how many bogus yellows are given out is ridiculous. He could have been the deciding factor in the game – he won the golden boot after all.

Comment on Top Ten World Cup Stories by Top Ten World Cup Stories – Soccer Safari: A World Cup Expedition … | Blog Cast

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:12:48 +0000

[...] more here: Top Ten World Cup Stories – Soccer Safari: A World Cup Expedition … Tags: follow-mike, levitt, south, South Africa, [...]

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:18:20 +0000

DAMN!!! Wrong result (for me…) but all congratulations to Spain, you played well and deserved the win. At least Grandpa’s buddies put up a good fight; literally, at times…

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:16:47 +0000

DAMN!!! Wrong result (for me…) but all congratulations to Spain, you played well and deserved the win. At least Granpa’s buddies put up a good fight; literally, at times…

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:36:55 +0000

PS: Specific notes:
1) Agree!
2) Thanks, we would like to think so – but we can be assholes too; I am sure you must have been given the finger on the roads here a few times, and I have been involved in a punch-up or two in the stadium at a rugby game.
3) Oh yeah…I weigh 250 pounds!
4) Agree.
5) Agree, but you paid too much…could have gotten away for as little as R20.
6) Agree – a bit of 1st World manners, we hope.
7) Yup…but if you buy them yourself at a liquor store you will pay 75 cents each.
Agree!!! Did you see the sky today Sat 10 Jul?
9) Great – remember they originated with the English gentry, hence the complexity.
10) Agree – the US has all the resources, just get the interest and marketing going…

Comment on Top Ten Things I Love About South Africa by Dawid

Dawid — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:00:58 +0000

Great article, Mike…not just because you say such nice things about the country I was born in, live in and love dearly, but especially for the adventurous spirit with which you approached the whole SWC experience with an open mind from Day 1 (even though I am a middle-aged Mozart type of dude, Toto’s “Africa” in your “From America to the World Cup” video is amongst my all-time favourite pop songs – it was the hit of the day when I started university in early 1983 as a snot-nosed kid of 17…you will only fully appreciate the rains in Africa when you actually see a thunderstorm approaching across a dusty, burnt, black and brown Highveld plain for the first relief of spring. We know we are not the USA or Europe or Japan; we do not have 1st World bullet trains and space shuttles (yet…) but with just a bit of committment we staged a jolly good show, Old Chap! Yes we have our fair share of 3rd World s**t – crime, all the gruesome media reports about death, destruction and decay etc etc, but we also have some “joie de vivre” and an eternal optimism (else we would not survive!) Another bit of trivia: what is the percentage split between the Northern and Southern hemisphere in terms of population? If you do not know already, 90% of The World live in the northern hemisphere…we down here have all the space! Try Namibia and Botswana next – more miles and miles of f***all; just wonderful. I’d be interested to see YankeeLand one day too; hope the weather in NY is not quite as kak as you say! (although that misty tower at JFK insummer in your video doesn’t give me much hope Speaking of more serious matters, like, uhh, soccer? Your first prediction was correct with Germany taking 3rd place (Yayy!!!!) so now for my second Idiot’s Fantasy team…I really hope both you and Paul the Octopus are wrong (sorry, Mike!) but the Dutch have always been a small country with a big influence (BTW my surname is Van Wyk and I noticed that that one turnoff to JFK in your video is called “Van Wyck Expressway” – the surname originates from Wijk Bij Duurstede in the Netherlands…and of course you know that New York’s original name was New Amsterdam, and the American North-East was originally called New Netherlands…hou duim vas vir die Oranje!!!

Comment on A Visit to the Apartheid Museum by Dawid

Dawid — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:49:59 +0000

“I’m was???” More Duhhh Grammar – like Murphy says, any attempt at fixing a f***up just makes it worse…

Comment on A Trip to the Lion Park by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:35:50 +0000

I guess if I were a lion I would do nothing but lay on my ass all day too. What you got a problem with that? I’m a freekin lion bitch!

Comment on A Visit to the Apartheid Museum by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:03:05 +0000

PS: I’m was not fully awake yet when I wrote the above – of course I meant how did you get from CT to Jhb (duhhh…)

Comment on A Visit to the Apartheid Museum by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:59:58 +0000

A truly sad part of SA’s past indeed – and well summarised in a nutshell, Mike, can’t fault any of your research. Indians were of course also discriminated against along with Blacks and Coloureds -you probably also know that Ghandi lived in SA for some years and it’s here in SA that the seeds of his activism were born when he was thrown of a train reserved for whites.
PS: you “disappeared” for a few days since 4 July – how did you get to Jhb from CT? Glad to see you’re back – almost thought the lions had got you…

Comment on An American in Africa on the 4th of July by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:48:03 +0000

Mmmm…now that you mention it, as hard as I tell myself not to I can’t help stuffing my (overweight) face with a MacD or KFC once or twice a week – they are everywhere! I still say our South African Steers burger (tried one yet?) is better – patty made from whole ground beef, no rendered “grey” stuff – but KFC is just delicious; some SA companies have tried copying it but it is just not the same as KFC. One of my top 3 movies of all time is American Beauty. Can’t comment on the music, at 45 years of age my CD rack is stuffed full of Mozart, Beethoven & Company…do have one John Phillip Sousa CD though. Yes, one refreshing thing for us with the SWC was to see that the average Yank in real life is a far nicer person than your public image in a lot of the media!

Comment on I’m Ready For a Change. Who’s With Me? by Dawid

Dawid — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:06:12 +0000

Oh s**t WAIT!! I was referring to the 2 cartoons about Sepp Blatter / FIFA and goal-line technology on Sunday 4 July – didn’t realize the URL I posted would keep changing…today’s ones (Tue 6 Jul) about sharia law / Paris Hilton are not related to the original intended topic!!!!

Comment on And Then It Was Over. Just Like That by Dawid

Dawid — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:21:04 +0000

Thought this is the best spot to mention this: just read an article in the SA press ( http://www.news24.com then click on Sport tab) about salaries of the SWC managers: Top spot is Fabio Capello with USD 10 MILLION per year; 23rd place out of 32 is Bob Bradley on USD 400,000 per year – so Fabio gets 25 times as much for drawing with the USA and ending below them in the group? Not to mention getting blitzed by Fritz! Bob’s got to be one very committed manager…

Comment on An American in Africa on the 4th of July by Scott

Scott — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:05:56 +0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons%2F100701

You prob have seen this Mike. Check out #19 and #20. To paraphrase Simmons:

“Put it this way …

When I was in the third grade (1978), people thought soccer was taking off in America.

When I was a freshman in college (1988), people thought soccer was taking off in America.

When I was a barely employed wannabe sportswriter in Boston whose life revolved around the O.J. Simpson trial and partying every night (1994), people thought soccer was taking off in America.

When I was living in Boston with my fiancée and writing for ESPN.com (2002), people thought soccer was taking off in America.

I am 40 years old. I live in Los Angeles. My hair is turning silvery white. I have a wife, two kids, a mortgage and that same ESPN column. Guess what? People think soccer is taking off in America. Only this time … I agree with them.”

Comment on Para-Gliding Adventure by Scott

Scott — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:54:58 +0000

Mike, got your CD in a mix-up somehow. Gonna add it to Facebook/tag you.

Comment on Argentina vs. Germany and the Search for Great Lobster by Scott

Scott — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:49:24 +0000

Nice post. Overall we did what we came to do – Jack’s and the match. We were who we thought we were.

Comment on An American in Africa on the 4th of July by Andy

Andy — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:06:31 +0000

Post World Cup blues ta ke a bit of getting over, the high is fantastic and the first day back at work always a trial. At least with it being a US holiday the afternoon was peaceful and I could slip out the door into thee warm sunshine at a reasonable hour.
Have you got a ticket for the final?

Comment on Going With the Flow Always Leads to a Good Time by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:43:44 +0000

Andy, great meeting you guys. Those betting games made my trip. I’m gonna bring the ashtray game home with me. See you in brazil

Comment on Argentina vs. Germany and the Search for Great Lobster by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:42:28 +0000

Dawid, I love how much you comment on the blog. Who cares if you post a lot? You give insight that I can never give. I wasn’t thaaat frustrated on saturday. The þraffic and getting lost again more than the south african banter. It was funny. They were nice guys. We had a good talk.
When argentina fell behind it was like they didn’t kno what to do with themselves. They hadn’t trailed all tourny and couldn’t dominate possession the way that they had for the first five games. Thje germans took it to em and kicked their butts. They looked sluggish and lazy and as if they expected the game to be given to them. Germany spain is gonna be great. It really should be. And uruguay has a good chance thanks to all the dutch suspensions. Can’t wait.

Comment on Argentina vs. Germany and the Search for Great Lobster by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:21:34 +0000

PS: Excuse me for commenting such a lot, but I find your blogs interesting and a nice combination of your experiences of SA and insight into the soccer. I won’t feel insulted if you don’t publish every comment – it almost looks like I’m taking over your blog!

Comment on Argentina vs. Germany and the Search for Great Lobster by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 05:57:42 +0000

Hey Mike, get the idea you weren’t in the best of moods after all of this! Yes such a large number of tourists and especially Americans is a novelty for us, more so because you are following the soccer. We don’t mean to be rude, in fact we enjoy having you all here – we South Africans are a bit insecure in that way, before 1994 everyone hated us, and now everyone thinks we are a Banana Republic so we go out of our way to prove to them that we aren’t and to make them feel welcome. Re the World Series, maybe there’s the answer why soccer is finding it difficult in the USA: you have a 100% chance of a USA team winning that, in our rugby Tri Nations each team has a 33% statistical chance of winning the trophy, but all the teams in the SWC have a statistical chance of about 3% of winning it (excluding other factors like skill etc.) So 31 out of 32 teams are out for a hiding, and the USA had a 94% chance of not reaching the finals. That’s why your countrymen prefer the World Series! BTW what went wrong with Argentina in your opinion?

Comment on Going With the Flow Always Leads to a Good Time by Andy

Andy — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:58:42 +0000

Back in the UK now, enjoyed your company and we’ll see you in Brazil.

Comment on QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:29:02 +0000

You WERE spot-on with the Bra-Ned score, Mike – but much to my delight, just the other way around, with Grandpa’s buddies doing the unthinkable! ORANJE BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment on I’m Ready For a Change. Who’s With Me? by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:31:33 +0000

Check out the cartoons at the bottom of today’s Sunday paper: http://www.timeslive.co.za

Comment on QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW by Jack Burt

Jack Burt — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:16:59 +0000

WOW! Germany! Oezil and Schweinsteiger are incredible. What playmakers.

Comment on And Then It Was Over. Just Like That by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:46:26 +0000

Oh I just loooooovvveee nitpicking too…see these two extracts from Wikipedia:
“Association football, commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players using a spherical ball. It is the world’s most popular sport.”
“Soccer is a colloquial abbreviation of association football. It is also a common name for the sport in Ireland, Canada, USA, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.”
Most of the above are former UK colonies / Commonwealth, so maybe we are doing it just to irritate the Poms
BTW SuperPom, I don’t want to start another war either but the stadium in Johannesburg is officially called Soccer City…

Comment on And Then It Was Over. Just Like That by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:19:23 +0000

Thanks for the comment about my article. I know its football. I call it football. Everyone should call it football. But for this blog I have to call it soccer. My readers are predominantly american, and often not football fans. So I have to say soccer. Its the way of the world that I live in trying to be a football fan and journalist in america. Anyway, no worries, glad you liked the article.

Comment on And Then It Was Over. Just Like That by SuperPom

SuperPom — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:58:28 +0000

Mike, Good Article, However I know this is an american newspaper, and that I am a Englishman and dont wish to start another independence war,but please refer to the Beautiful Game as FOOTBALL, and not Soccer,as that word send shivers down the backs of all genuine football fans.

All the clubs around the world all have football in their title.with the exception of the USA

FA Football Association.
FIFA Federation of international Football Association

Comment on A Trip To Wonderful Wine Country by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:37:14 +0000

Did you just overtake that BMW??? Learning bad habits from SA drivers??? Yes we like to think that as one of the New World wine countries we compete well with you Napa Valley wines…glad you enjoyed them too. After a month in SA you seem to have found your feet nicely so I’ve got less and less to warn you about!
Now for the big games Fri and Sat…did you hear Messi didn’t train because he has a cold? They say he’ll be OK for Saturday, let’s see…

Comment on South African McDonald’s Experience by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:05:45 +0000

Before you leave, if you haven’t done so already, you MUST try a Steers burger.

Comment on QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW by Jack Burt

Jack Burt — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:45:46 +0000

Mike. I can’t argue with any of this. Great analysis.

I will be gutted if Germany loses to Argentina (have they really played anybody yet?? Mexico? THey’re good, but… I mean, Spain had to beat Portugal…) I just hope Germany hits their defense early…

Brazil is just fun to watch. No complaints from me about a lack of beauty. You have to pencil them in the final. An easy road. On the other side, it could be any one of Germany, Argentina or Spain. That will be a sweet game!

Jack

Comment on Rainy Day Fun In Cape Town by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:40:47 +0000

Just one more reason for coming back for a visit in summer – no rain in Cape Town! (and a nice green Highveld.) In some parts of the Cape, penguins have become so tame they literally roam the streets looking for food near humans. BE CAREFUL of baboons, and other primates – but especially baboons, they have huge canine teeth and can be very aggressive. Suppose you know already about not feeding them – they see this as both a submissive gesture (offering food to them makes them feel you are their inferior) and it makes them tame and bold towards humans. In nature they actually catch, kill and eat small antelope and other animals (no s**t!) If it keeps raining, try a wine farm…

Comment on QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:33:26 +0000

Very interesting set of score predictions Mike, and great knowledgeable insight you give into the various teams – I don’t know enough about soccer to have a sensible opinion, but I think that unfortunately you may be spot-on with especially the Brazil-Netherlands game. Now that SA are out, I am right behind the Dutch – I am an Afrikaner and as you know by now the Afrikaners are descendants of Dutch colonists so I’m rooting for Grandpa’s buddies! But yes, even to a lay-soccer follower it is obvious Brazil are just a cut above the rest. On the other hand, there have also seen a few wildcard results, so who knows? My own Idiot’s Fantasy would be a Germany-Netherlands final, with Netherlands taking it…

Comment on First Day in Wonderful Cape Town by Luis Joel Urbina

Luis Joel Urbina — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:24:44 +0000

Mike Hows Afica treating you?
So im betting a lot of money that Holland will win the world cup.
Just like we won the FCIAC for Westhill High School. haha take care

Comment on I’m Ready For a Change. Who’s With Me? by Dawid

Dawid — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:41:14 +0000

PS: Check out the Web for things like the Hot Spot (an infra-red device) the Snickometer (analyses sound wave vs. video) and Hawk Eye (software that works out the ball’s trajectory) in cricket. Why can’t the mighty FIFA install a few extra cameras for the biggest sport in the world? Oh wait, their maths is not that hot – according to them 92% of tickets have been sold…….seen the stadiums so far?

Comment on I’m Ready For a Change. Who’s With Me? by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:05:29 +0000

Absolutely…for years there was also huge resistance from stuck-up old farts running rugby and cricket about how technology was not “traditional” until public pressure (after years of controversial and game-changing mistakes by referees and umpires) forced them to give in, and look where we are today – TV referrals are the order of the day, and we cannot believe that it took so long to get there. And all that talk about cost is plain BS – soccer is far bigger than rugby and cricket worldwide, if they can afford it then so can FIFA!!!

Comment on 1000 KM in Two Days: What Fun by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:00:41 +0000

Actually, Sean Patrick, yes it IS a good idea to keep the window closed – see: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1587/angry_leopard
OK if a rhino or elephant gets hold of you it probably won’t help, but many animals just LOVE an open window (baboons, apes etc.) and all game parks warn you to keep your windows closed for this very reason. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgF9JTbqmZM as another example. This ain’t The Lion King, man!

Comment on 1000 KM in Two Days: What Fun by Sean Patrick Bowley

Sean Patrick Bowley — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:24:25 +0000

Yeah, rolling up the window will protect you.

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by Lukman Hossain

Lukman Hossain — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:29:13 +0000

FIFA WILL BE CHANGED SOME RULES.I THINK FABIANO IS A BAD MEN.ALWAYS HE PLAYS WITHOUT RULES.HE IS ABLE TO GET RED CARD.PLZ ATTANTION IT,

Comment on 1000 KM in Two Days: What Fun by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:20:54 +0000

PS: re confusing placenames in SA from your article – the Afrikaans suffixes “berg” and “burg” are pronounced the same in English, but “berg” means “mountain” and “burg” means “town.” Therefore, it is Rustenburg (“Rest Town”) but is is Pilanesberg (“Pilanes Mountain.”) Just a bit of useless information for today!
That retard who tried to pat the warthog doesn’t realize how stupid he really was – warthogs are aggressive (especially if they have young with them) here’s one article as an example:
http://www.southafricalogue.com/travel-tips/pigs-warthog-monkeys-and-elephant.html
Enjoy Cape Town – the whole Western Cape is beautiful, try get to a few wine farms as well. It’s their rainy season in winter, hope you don’t get too much of it.

Comment on 1000 KM in Two Days: What Fun by Dawid

Dawid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:52:39 +0000

Told you the Free State is bland! Glad you saw some of the Big 5 – easy way to remember them is to look at our SA money, each of our 5 notes have one of them on the note: R10 = rhino; R20 = elephant; R50 = lion; R100 = buffalo and R200 = leopard. Yes I’ve said this before , the countryside is really dreary this time of year; but by September you won’t recognise the place; those same burnt dusty fields will be a beautiful fresh green. Ironically it is now the best time to see game because the trees are bare and the animals can’t hide so easily, there is also less food so the animals come out of the bush further than usual looking for food. Also hunting season – many rich Yanks out here this time of the year with guns and “trophy wives!” And yes, our driving standards are terrible – drivers are ill-disciplined and aggresive, won’t be surprised if some locals have been swearing at you on the road (apologies to you on behalf of my countrymen if they did – nothing personal, that’s just what we do around here!) Enjoy the rest of your trip, won’t go into the USA game but you guys could so easily have taken it…

Comment on 1000 KM in Two Days: What Fun by Shec

Shec — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:19:59 +0000

Date # Team M Line Total Goals
FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 – Jun 28
FIFA WORLD CUP – SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – ROUND OF 16
REGULATION TIME ONLY (90 MTS + STOPPAGE TIME)
Jun 28 9033 NETHERLANDS -220 -1-125
10:00 AM 9034 SLOVAKIA +790 +1-105
10:00 AM 9035 Draw +325
Jun 28 9037 NETHERLANDS o2¼+115
10:00 AM 9038 SLOVAKIA u2¼-145
10:00 AM 9039 Draw
FIFA WORLD CUP – SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – ROUND OF 16
REGULATION TIME ONLY (90 MTS + STOPPAGE TIME)
Jun 28 9041 BRAZIL -180 -1EV
2:30 PM 9042 CHILE +580 +1-130
2:30 PM 9043 Draw +290
Jun 28 9045 BRAZIL o2½+110
2:30 PM 9046 CHILE u2½-140
2:30 PM 9047 Draw
FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 – Jun 29
FIFA WORLD CUP – SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – ROUND OF 16
REGULATION TIME ONLY (90 MTS + STOPPAGE TIME)
Jun 29 9049 PARAGUAY +105 -½+105
10:00 AM 9050 JAPAN +315 +½-135
10:00 AM 9051 Draw +220
Jun 29 9053 PARAGUAY o2-110
10:00 AM 9054 JAPAN u2-120
10:00 AM 9055 Draw
FIFA WORLD CUP – SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – ROUND OF 16
REGULATION TIME ONLY (90 MTS + STOPPAGE TIME)
Jun 29 9057 SPAIN EV -½EV
2:30 PM 9058 PORTUGAL +335 +½-130
2:30 PM 9059 Draw +220
Jun 29 9061 SPAIN o2-110
2:30 PM 9062 PORTUGAL u2-120
2:30 PM 9063 Draw

Comment on Didn’t plan on USA winning its group… Now What Do I Do? by Dawid

Dawid — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 06:28:04 +0000

F***********K!!!!!!!!!!!!
That game was yours for the taking, man…….what happened???

Comment on Didn’t plan on USA winning its group… Now What Do I Do? by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:07:09 +0000

PS: The only Tri-Nations game while you are in SA is on Sat 10 July and unfortunately it is played in New Zealand, but SA is playing (BTW we are both the current World and Tri-Nations rugby champions) so if you can find a nice sports bar in Jhb or Pta I’m sure you’ll have a great time, the will all be packed and full of passionate supporters – should make more of an impression on you than the first time you were forced to watch rugby in Hartebeespoort by your hosts!

Comment on Didn’t plan on USA winning its group… Now What Do I Do? by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:27:39 +0000

Well that’s not all bad – I love my country, but Bloemfontein is a bit dreary (especially in winter – colder even than Jhb!) and I think you would have been bored in Bloem (have heard some Yanks compare the Free State to Nebraska, whatever that means.)
Don’t know if you have accommodation yet, but try http://www.rustenburg.co.za for some pointers if you don’t – as you know by now the town itself is no great shakes so try and find a nice game lodge in the area to stay (if you can find place!) Don’t do what these dumb-ass tourists did recently in Pilanesberg (near Rustenburg): http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20100624044831233C779742 (not that I think you will, you seem like an intelligent sensible guy!)
Good luck for the Ghana game – will be rooting for you guys again!

Comment on Sights and Sounds From the Greatest Day In US Soccer History by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:25:01 +0000

Not at all, you seem like a polite guy and you can’t respond to all the hundreds of comments you get, else you’ll be online full-time! Once your trip is over and you’ve settled down back home, I’d like to get some of your thoughts on a number of things and also, if you don’t mind, give a bit of a review (I’m no journalistic expert, but then journalists do write specifically for the general public, don’t they?)

Comment on Sights and Sounds From the Greatest Day In US Soccer History by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:13:56 +0000

Dawid,

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond t your comments. It’srude of me. I loved Pretoria. I had a great time for the three days i was there and plan to head back beofre i leave. great city. I met some guys while there and we made tentative plans to try to cat h a Tri Nations game before i go. It would be a nice contrast to write about from socer to rugby. i know how much you guys love your rugby.

Thanks so much for following my journey. I hope everyone reads your comments because they add so much to what i write about. Your local knowledge has given depth and insight i never have. Talk to you soon

Comment on Sights and Sounds From the Greatest Day In US Soccer History by Dawid

Dawid — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:56:19 +0000

Mike, I regularly watch rugby at Loftus and it’s always a great experience and nice and festive and noisy, but your video is positively raucous and just WILD! Best of luck against Ghana…

Comment on Sights and Sounds From the Greatest Day In US Soccer History by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:48:51 +0000

HOWS YOUR HEARING?!

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:03:30 +0000

My man, I’ve seenthe light for ten years. I’ve spent that time trying to get other Americans to see it too. This will help. This will help a lot. Thanks for your comment. USA!

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Frankie G

Frankie G — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:37:02 +0000

USA….USA….USA…. Big mike such a huge win

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by david caetano

david caetano — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:32:25 +0000

enjoyed the writing. very meaningful and strong, a good read.

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Dawid

Dawid — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:28:30 +0000

And what is all this BS with disallowed goals??? Ties in nicely with your story about all the “mysterious” yellow and red cards…….

So you’re off to Bloemfontein? Don’t rush, there’s nothing to see (flat farming country, like your Midwest) unless you have time to take a trip to the Eastern Free State (Golden Gate etc.) or Lesotho (try see the Katse Dam – don’t know if Americans need visas though.)

Ghana is going to be tough for you guys, but stranger things have happened; if no. 83 can clobber no. 9 in this tournament then no. 14 might just pull off a big surprise too!

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Dan

Dan — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:48:20 +0000

Mike, were you wearing a funny hat? If so, I saw you on TV. — Dan Woog

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Jaime

Jaime — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:52:28 +0000

Yes my amigos ..!! Tha`s why the rest of the world call it “The beautiful game… Can you see what you`ve missing all this time ?

Comment on Success! At Long Last Success! Round of 16 HERE WE COME! by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:15:37 +0000

Great going, USA – hope the hometown folk sit up and take notice now!

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:06:12 +0000

OK I listened again carefully and heard the report properly – yes Enzennio, is IS genuine (see http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article513094.ece/Cat-eater-pic-lands-paper-in-trouble.)

Back to Mike: As I said in previous comments, I am just a part-time soccer fan, mostly so because of the SWC. However, Bafana Bafana’s performances have truly made me proud – even if they are out, drawing with Mexico (66 places above them) and BEATING France (74 places above them, and nevermind the typical French theatrics…) is a phenomenal effort. But even better was the USA game tonight – I was chewing my nails for 91 minutes, and almost bit the top off my beer bottle when Donovan scored! Amazing to see your Uncle Bill in the crowd as well – where are Dubbya, Bamsy and the rest? Glad good old Pretoria hosted this for all you Yanks, and many congratulations!!!

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by ryan

ryan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:13:45 +0000

Do you think FIFA is going to make some changes? Seems to me (knowing very little about soccer), in a game where one play can alone determine a win/loss, it’s important to check the power of these officials. I agree with you- LET THE BOYS PLAY!!

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by ryan

ryan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:01:12 +0000

@enzennio – love that chuckle mike gives there. what do YOU eat to survive Levitt????

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by Download Kendra Wilkinson Sex Tape

Download Kendra Wilkinson Sex Tape — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:21:19 +0000

I really like the fresh perpective you did on the issue. Really was not expecting that when I started off studying. Your concepts were easy to understand that I wondered why I never looked at it before. Glad to know that there’s an individual out there that definitely understands what he’s discussing. Great job

Comment on Yellow Card? Red Card? Who Gives a Bleep? by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:19:53 +0000

I totally agree with you, Mike…especially in soccer where only a handful of scoring events take place in a game a stupid decision by a referee can literally change the result of the game to the extent that the “wrong” team wins (maybe some of them are paid to ensure a specific result – this happens all over the world, so who knows? There is big betting money riding on the outcome of a game and bookies can make millions with a “correct” result…)
Why don’t they try TV referrals like in rugby and cricket? In rugby if the referee is unsure he can ask the TV umpire to review an incident. In cricket it is even better: if a player or the captain thinks a decision is blatantly wrong, they themselves have the right to ask for a review by the TV umpire. This would fix the problem – it is a feeling of powerless anger to brood over “what if” when a retard with a whistle makes a blatant balls-up. Exactly why they implemented TV refs in rugby and cricket – how can one person see perfectly what is happening on 10,000 square metres of field? Impossible. And yes, even though I am only a part-time soccer follower the number of red and yellow cards is ridiculous – it is way over the top when compared to a rugby tournament of similar size, where players batter the s**t out of one another and you would expect plenty of cards.

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by Dawid

Dawid — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:21:56 +0000

Yes Mike, please do elaborate on the radio – which station was it? Also didn’t catch the details of who and where the report was about? Hysterical, in any event…Enzennio, if it was in SA I would fully believe it, as you Yanks say “weird s**t happens in this place, man!” We have a Government minister who refused to go to work because she said her office was haunted…your National Enquirer ain’t seen nothing!

On a serious note though (and this is after all the main reason for your visit to PTA), how do you rate USA for tonight? I don’t want to jinx them but I think they have a great chance of getting into the last 16 at the very least, and hopefully a lot further. I’m rooting for all the underdogs…not that I mean underdog for the game (FIFA rankings as of today USA = 14 / Algeria = 30 so HOLD THUMBS!) but for the tournament as a whole. The USA is called the “sleeping giant” of many non-USA sports (soccer and rugby, for example) so if you get the interest and the funding and sports academies cooking back home in the USA, well…….

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by Debbie Ferri

Debbie Ferri — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:26:40 +0000

I see you Mike!! Enjoying your blog very much!

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by enzennio

enzennio — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:03:09 +0000

was that really the radio? LOL, really?

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:48:45 +0000

STOP FILMING WHILE DRIVING! But seriously that other side of the road business is freakin me out man. Glad to see you got your camera situation resolved. You might want to get a chain to attach it to yourself kinda like a wallet.

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:33:04 +0000

Welcome to my home town! Compared to Jhb the pace is more laid-back and not as “happening” as e.g. Sandton, but that’s part of the charm (and it’s also a few degrees warmer…) Probably 90% of the trees lining the streets in Arcadia are jacarandas, so like I’ve mentioned before do try and see them in October – they are not indigenous (come from Brazil) but the spring display is beautiful – see http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554810993AXxkQY for a few good pics.) Bit of trivia: some years ago Pretoria won the International Garden City Gold award, I’m sure you can see why. I’m sure the guesthouse staff will take good care of you and give you some good tips – we South Africans want our visitors to have a good time and not get mugged! Arcadia is a diplomatic district but it’s better not to walk around alone at night (like any big city I suppose.) Best spots to watch games are the Fan Park at Centurion cricket ground and Eastwood Tavern (literally across the road from Loftus Versfeld where the USA/Algeria game will be played – I suppose you have a ticket and will be in the stands for the USA game?) Have fun…

Comment on A New Adventure Begins – On to Pretoria. by Wes du Toit

Wes du Toit — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:08:05 +0000

Hey Mike,

I have been following you on Twitter and reading your posts here. I have been following quite a few foreign bloggers/columnists and must say from a South African point of view it has been quite fascinating.

I live in Fourways, Joburg (2 blocks from Monte Casino, where you were the other night with mates). When you back in Jozi and want something to do, let me know. Joburg has alot to offer. It’s always great meeting people from different parts of the world.

Hope you’re enjoying your stay in South Africa and the World Cup.

Have a great evening!

Wes
Twitter: wesdutoit

Comment on Random Thoughts by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:05:49 +0000

That’s because your hosts are probably “Souties” (if I look at their names – and please tell them I mean Soutie in a nice way!) Since you are going to be in Pretoria for a few days, try this place for traditional South African “boerekos:” http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-2506.html
You’ll also find a lot of info on Pretoria (specific to the SWC) and other good restaurants at: http://www.pretoria.co.za
Another famous SA restaurant is Gramadoelas (see http://www.gramadoelas.co.za) in Jhb, but this is in Newtown so be careful! Go in a group or by taxi (a proper rented one, not the minibus type!) Enjoy…

Comment on Random Thoughts by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:48:27 +0000

Darn iy. My hosts can’t spell. Had it with chutney, and a few bananas. real good. biltong is my new favorite. fantastic jerky. fantastic.

Comment on Random Thoughts by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:21:20 +0000

It’s spelt “bobotie” BTW – yes if made properly it is delicious (traditionally you eat it with turmeric and raisin rice – the turmeric turns the rice bright yellow – and chutney, hope your hosts did this for you!) SA cuisine is varied and delicious, having been influenced by such a wide range of culinary backgrounds – e.g. bobotie was brought to SA by Malay slaves in the 17th century. Boerewors is an indigenous invention, and hopefully you’ve tried the dried variety, called “droëwors” (literally “dried sausage”) along with biltong (you probably know it is similar to beef jerky, but biltong is much tastier and flavoursome if made correctly with a lot of spices, mainly coriander seeds but also a whole mix of spices.) Ask your hosts to make you some “boerekos” (farmer’s food) as well, traditionally this is some form of roast meat (i.e. leg of lamb etc) with roast potatoes and vegetables (typically beans or carrots) mashed together with boiled potato, onions, and lots of butter and pepper. Good to see your stay is going well, but do try and see SA in Sep-Nov (e.g. Pretoria, where you are going next, is covered in purple jacaranda blooms in October) – I really don’t know why FIFA decided to have the SWC smack bang in winter, the ugliest season in SA! BTW today 21 Jun @ 11h28 is the winter solstice and today is he shortest day and longest night of the year…from tomorrow we are on the way to summer!

Comment on Random Thoughts by nfljerseyonline

nfljerseyonline — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:47:04 +0000

The footballers who supported the bans on playing for dummy 'multi-racial' teams during the apartheid era. The heroes of the African game who deployed their prowess on the dusty township football parks (you could hardly call them stadiums). Often accompanied by choirs of fans singing their hearts out, and not the obvious borrowed-from-Britain anthems and hymns (ironically, the mound occupied by the Liverpool choir at Anfield was an abbreviation of the Afrikaans word for hill — 'kopje') who mixed their adulation for the players with some rousing calls to arms in the struggle for freedom, most of which were not understood by the authorities, who rarely went to black football games during the apartheid era.

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:04:40 +0000

I was at the Rustenburg “Rodeo” too, with my 2 daughters and we were told when we left the NORTH parking lot on buses to get on the same buses to the North parking lot upon return. Unfortunately our tickets were on the South side of the stadium and we ended up in the South lot after walking what seemed like miles before we were picked up by a bus unmarked for either lot. NO ONE knew how to get us back…we were sent from uniformed person to another, all ignorant of what the big picture was. The bus route exit crossed the car exit out of the south lot so there was a jamup to get out of the lot, and no one heeded the brave souls trying to get three lanes of irate people out of a gate too small for two. No one thought of taking turns..the biggest car won…so the fans also caused some of the chaos.
The “marshall’ folks did not know what to do. It was a matter of not being trained properly in their jobs and the lateness of the hour… Everyone was tired, frustrated and some were drunk…all of which added to the atmosphere of chaos.

We were saved by the contractor in charge of the buses calling our hotel and thus our driver. He came to the South lot and got us. We got back to Joburg at 4:30 AM. Our driver went around the toll roads and that added more time. The tip I gave him was too low as I thought about what could have happened in that lot…NJM

Comment on Soweto Bound! by Dan

Dan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:31:44 +0000

This is why I am so glad the World Cup is in South Africa: the opportunity it gives the rest of the world to think about, see, and understand a nation we otherwise would know very little about. THANKS, Mike, for your continued insights and care, in showing your readers around this remarkable place. — Dan Woog

Comment on Soweto Bound! by Dan

Dan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:28:21 +0000

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:54:25 +0000

Oh theeeeeere you are…better get a Stars & Stripes outfit for the next game!

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:41:10 +0000

PS: All Yankees look the same to me… Please circle yourself in the photo because there are more than one of you with a grey T-shirt in the bottom left corner. BTW this is not Al Qaeda or the FBI/CIA asking!

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by Jack Burt

Jack Burt — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:00:18 +0000

Wow. Mike, that sounds like something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. What an experience! It was a bad day for the officials. THe ref at the Germany-Serbia match was terrible, but in a different way, mabey worse. Keep up the great reports.
Lucas’ dad, JAck.

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:03:39 +0000

Have been following your blog with great interest…a real pity that some evil bassss-tuurd got his grubby fingers on your camera, may their hands rot away from gangrene/leprosy/whatever they deserve. I must say that this SWC has grabbed my attention like none before, mainly because of the fascinating insights the 100′s of thousands of overseas visitors have given us on our own country. As David Bowie sang, “This is not America” as you may have noticed but I am pleasantly surprised that Yankees don’t only watch the World Series or think Africa is a country… Keep up the insightful commentary, have a great time (USA in the last 16/8/4???) and watch your pockets!

Comment on The Greatest Sporting Event I’ve Ever Attended — With A Twist by PabloQ

PabloQ — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:51:53 +0000

How can I get a full resolution copy of the fans with the US flag? A friend of mine is on yhe picture holding it (upper right-hand corner barechested)

Comment on One Game In, Two More To Go. An Early Tournament Breakdown by John

John — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:26:17 +0000

I enjoy watching soccer as much as anyone else, but I have to make a comment here about the Brazilians. As much as they are a very good team, the fans here are something to be desired. They have no respect for anyone else excepts for themselves. For that matter, and only that, I hope Brazil looses just so I don’t have to listen to all those assholes. Totally sickening. Enjoy the games like eveyone else does without all the hoopla.

Comment on Going With the Flow Always Leads to a Good Time by Dan

Dan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:23:32 +0000

I’m living the World Cup vicariously through you — thanks Mike! — Dan Woog

Comment on One Game In, Two More To Go. An Early Tournament Breakdown by Jack Burt

Jack Burt — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:36:27 +0000

Mike, I am enjoying the blogs. Sounds like you are having a great time. Germany looks awesome. It would seem that not having Ballack loosened them up a little…. What a great win.
JAck

Comment on Going With the Flow Always Leads to a Good Time by Andre

Andre — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:33:40 +0000

Fantastic color stories! Keep it up and go USA!!!

Comment on About Mike Levitt by Ann

Ann — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:23:55 +0000

My son Brett Tweeted a link to this blog over a week ago, and I’m hooked! Thanks for bringing us such a vivid picture of both the games and the country. Keep up the great work.

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:43:24 +0000

Thanks Mike – no apology needed, I just thought I’d add a local view (of course there will be as many views as there are people…) Given all the problems we have in SA (and as you know from the media, we have plenty…) it is refreshing to read about foreigners’ actually having a positive experience. Enjoy!

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:11:09 +0000

David, your remarks are well-thought out and enlightening. I apologize that i came off as obnoxious and falsely superior with some of the points i made in my article. Thank you for your comments because i think they paint a picture i do not have the knowledge to discuss.

On a more important note: My experience in South AFrica has been AMAZING thus far. This was an isolated incident and considering the time of day my patience was shot and i was ready to pounce. Thanks again and best wishses

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:24:46 +0000

PS: Mike, concerning your main gripe, yes you are right, this is NOT acceptable at an event like the SWC, however (and many of my countrymen will criticise me for some of these comments):

1) We have a serious skills problem in SA, the Government schools are in disarray and standards are poor – it is these people who end up as these workers you saw; they really could not give two hoots about your frustrations (I would guess at that level they would be earning say USD 500 per month – so how much customer service can one expect for that?)

2) On top of this, remember where you are – rural towns have a completely different, “tomorrow is another day” approach; in Sandton you will experience service as good as any in the USA but in rural areas – well you experienced it for yourself… (BTW, in Afrikaans “rus” means “rest” so Rustenburg literally means “Town of Rest” – like your 20 workers were doing!)

3) FIFA is making billions out of this event – it is appalling that they cannot put control measures and supervision in place to ensure that our guests are treated properly! Yes sure TIA, but how come the mighty FIFA from the First World cannot supervise things properly?

In any event I hope you have a wonderful time for the rest of your stay: SA is a bit schizoprenic in that you can have the very best and very worst of experiences all in the same day – here’s hoping you only have the very best ones from here on!

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Dawid (a South African)

Dawid (a South African) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:34:01 +0000

You are BOTH right! Unfortunately one of the nasty things about winter in SA is that most of the country (except the Western Cape) gets no rain in winter, meaning that (although we do have beautiful sun in winter – almost 4 months of uninterrupted sunshine from mid-May to mid-September) during the coldest part of the year it is also exceptionally dry – humidity can hover as low as 20% (BTW this is also where biltong originated: the old Boers made it in winter since the air is so dry that the meat dessicates quickly – if you are here for any length of time you will notice this yourself with dry skin and lips and sinuses.) So what happens is that yes, the impoverished majority of the population without electricity burn wood and coal for heat in winter, and at the same time many farmers and municipalities set fire to the tinder-dry grass to clear the fields for summer rains and better growth. The combination of the two however makes for an unpleasant experience with a lingering smoky smell and the ugly black burnt countryside. And on top of this in August the wind starts blowing hard and consistently for about a month as the spring rains approach, meaning it becomes dusty as well – the SWC is really being held at the ugliest time of year in SA! But do come back in Sep-Nov; you will be amazed at the transformation after the first rains (this is also the time to see the famous Namaqualand flower display.)

Comment on South African McDonald’s Experience by Liz

Liz — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:51:36 +0000

mmmmm boerworsrolls…

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:02:25 +0000

Josh,

It was burning wood and charcoal for heat? I thought they had burned the fields in order to prepare them for planting after winter. The smoke engulfed the car and I thought we were in the middle of farmland.

But you are right. TIA. In the end its small potatoes compared to how well the tournament has gone on the whole. Thanks for your comment.

Comment on The Ugly Side Of Saturday’s USA vs. England Game by JC

JC — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:03:03 +0000

Mike,

I was at that same game and discovered the same thing. I think you are right that the biggest frustration was around the fact that they had so many people and yet they were doing nothing to arrange for it.

One thing I wanted to call out was the reason you experienced the smoke was because you were passing a pretty large township at that time. There are very basic services and most folks cannot afford heaters, so they burn wood and charcoal to stay warm.

Other then that, what you experienced was not SAs finest moments and that is when you just learn to shrug your shoulder and say TIA.

Cheers,
Josh

Comment on The World Cup Has Arrived! This Was Better Than Being At The Game! by Juiceboy

Juiceboy — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:06:36 +0000

Levitt,
You need to copy edit this before you publish. Or hire me to do it for you.
So jealous, enjoy your time in SA. Get me a job.

-Juiceboy

Comment on Soccer Crazed City Bids Good-Luck to Their Home Team by Mike Urso

Mike Urso — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:15:43 +0000

Nice work Levitt. You are making some moves, but I’m still the Boss.

Comment on Soccer Crazed City Bids Good-Luck to Their Home Team by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:02:11 +0000

reeeeaaaal good Levitt. Boss what can I say? I’d like to be there with you. Just know that I am in spirit and right here keeping track of things. Pete, Milky, Tinker all send there best.

Comment on Soccer Talk: Last Minute Analysis by Mike Levitt

Mike Levitt — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:15:13 +0000

Ed, last year during the Confederations Cup i hated the vuvuzelas. I couldn’t stand them. But since being here i’ve changed my tune. They are so uniquely South African and while painfully loud and when one goes off in your ear it hurts like heck, they are the voice of the tournament. I like them, they bring people here together. People sound them in traffic, they sound them in clubs, they are the sound of the event and i like that.

Comment on Soccer Talk: Last Minute Analysis by Ed

Ed — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:18:59 +0000

Do you think the Vuvuzelas will give South Africa an advantage? Here’s an iPhone app for those who hate the stuff

http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2010/06/026213.htm

Comment on About Mike Levitt by Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:49:30 +0000

Hey Mike , Glad to have you in my country!!

Hope you had fun at the Unite behind Bafana parade! Thanks for your video you posted. I was there aswell stationed outside Discovery … wearing a Bafana shirt .. just like everyone else!! and yes blowing my Vuvuzela as loud as most!

Hope you enjoy your stay here, and let me know if you run out of ideas to do in this country! Sure you would love to play with some lion cubs or go through Soweto or even visit the Orlando Towers for some adrenaline stuff.. just an idea.

Comment on Soccer Crazed City Bids Good-Luck to Their Home Team by Dan Woog

Dan Woog — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:10:05 +0000

Just like a wavin’ flag!

Comment on A Walkabout Melville by Dugan

Dugan — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:46:44 +0000

Hah, those kids are awesome. Fun video, glad you’re having a fun time.

Comment on A Walkabout Melville by Frankie G

Frankie G — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:40:40 +0000

Get those tickets mike….Glad to hear ur doing well love ur posts….

Comment on Breaking Down the Misconception Barrier by Jason

Jason — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:25:55 +0000

Nice to read some positive stuff about SA. Sooo sick of reading scare stories from people who’ve never been here.

Comment on A Walkabout Melville by Eddie B

Eddie B — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:17:03 +0000

Mike,

Iam so so Proud of you Brother. I say Brother because damn we be friends and soccer on the same team since we been 7. I smile and laugh everyday I ready and watch your blog. Keeping doing what you are doing. Give Stamford F.C and the Hurricane a Shout Out!!!

Sincerely your Teammate 4Live,

Eddie B

Comment on A Walkabout Melville by enzennio

enzennio — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:30:07 +0000

I love the video…

Comment on Prediction Game: Group F by Dan Becchi

Dan Becchi — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:20:36 +0000

Hey Mike! I love the blog, it is great stuff. I agree with the Italy prediction. I would love to be proven wrong but I have not see the passion in their play that is required to win the tourney. Keep up the good work bud!

Comment on Prediction Game: Group F by slovak joe

slovak joe — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:36:12 +0000

The road for the Slovaks wasn’t THAT weak, and you’re right they are definitely a sleeper. In qualifying, they lost to the Slovenes twice, first when Slovenia was #78 in the world, and the second when they were #49 in the world. Slovenia is a decent side. Northern Ireland was #32 when the Slovaks beat them the first time around, and #31 the second time. There was no slip up against San Marino, one of the bottom-feeders in FIFA. Poland was #30 at the time of the first win, and #56 the second time around. The Czechs were #12 in the world when the Slovaks won round one, and #18 when the two teams tied.

Wins vs. world rank: 12, 30, 31, 32, 56, 200, 202
Ties vs. world rank: 18
Losses vs world rank: 49, 78

They aren’t a world-class side, but they’ll hang in their and give Italy and Paraguay a run for their money!

Comment on About Mike Levitt by Mike Crocco

Mike Crocco — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:40:22 +0000

Mike,
Great start. Looking foward to reading more. Hurry back your team needs their keeper back.

Coach Mike

Comment on 5 World Cup Notes With 5 Days To Go by tpainplusthree

tpainplusthree — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:57:19 +0000

Not sure about buddle getting the nod over findley. If altidore plays he will have his back to the goal playing the hold up forward. To compliment Jozy the US needs someone with pace and Findley is the man for that. I agree his finishing is poor but I just don’t see BB putting two relatively slow forwards out there. Findley will stretch any defense b/c he is that fast. I just hope if/when he gets the opportunity, he finishes.

Comment on From America to the World Cup by greg

greg — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:02:47 +0000

Welcome to South Africa! Have a great stay, it’s gonna be a blast!

Comment on From America to the World Cup by Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:57:51 +0000

YOUR RIDE TO JFK MADE ME MISS NYC CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW YOUR TRIP TURNS OUT MIGUEL, BEST OF LUCK! I HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE ALSO GOING FOR THE MONTH, YOU SHOULD MEET UP.

Comment on A Day With Some New Friends by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:08:23 +0000

Oh boy Mike Levitt… dont get in an accident the boss. Nice work rocking the peace, love, and sugarloaf shirt in Africa. I hope you brought stickers to tag up everywhere.

Comment on From America to the World Cup by marco

marco — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:33:35 +0000

Mike…awesome!!!

Comment on The Journey: 16 hour flight? No big deal by enzennio

enzennio — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:17:53 +0000

I love this!

Comment on The Journey: 16 hour flight? No big deal by Jay Polansky

Jay Polansky — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:43:51 +0000

Those in flight TVs are awesome. Continental had them when I flew to China in 2007. I wonder if they will be showing the World Cup…

Comment on The Journey: 16 hour flight? No big deal by Rob Reid

Rob Reid — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:33:12 +0000

Yes Mike Levitt you are the freekin BOSS!

Comment on Getting Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime by Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:17:22 +0000

This blog is cool! Enjoy your trip to SA. Go USA!
- Tyler from the Loaf

Comment on A Few Terms for the Novice by Dan Woog

Dan Woog — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:13:44 +0000

A completely average play — a pass, a tackle, a shot on goal — will cause a Brit to exclaim “Brilliant!”

Anything that does not success — an errant pass, poor defense, a shot that sails wide — will elicit “Unlucky.” A player I once coached got tired of hearing that phrase, and substituted the much more accurate “Unskillful.”