Manya's Musing as the World Cup Approaches

It’s that time again…when the world stops what they are doing and the World Cup starts. More sick days are taken during this time than any other. It’s called soccer fever. I’ve got it, and if you don’t have it, plant a big sloppy kiss on someone who does so you can get it too.

It’s that time again…when the world stops what they are doing and the World Cup starts. More sick days are taken during this time than any other. It’s called soccer fever. I’ve got it, and if you don’t have it, plant a big sloppy kiss on someone who does so you can get it too.

• Recent Musings: USA-Latvia in East Hartford

Brazil is back as the favorite to win, but as always, there are other teams who are prepared to compete against the world’s best. Our team is perhaps the best in U.S. history, and they have the confidence to get it done. They have to, as the Group of Death lies ahead.

Join me this summer as I watch (thanks to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and Univision) games from my couch and local sports bars. Praise the soccer gods that games aren’t on at two a.m. this time. But now, I will have to re-schedule my daily midday nap for a month. I have my snacks, my remote control, and my U.S. jersey, and I’m ready to report, giving readers a fan's and player's perspective on the action taking place in Germany.

Like you, I’ll be united with millions of fans as I scream at the referees’ bad calls, cheer wildly after each U.S. goal, and reenact every creative celebration from our boys (you know I’ve got the moves, especially on these crutches as I heal from my broken leg). I’ll be joining U.S. Soccer fans as they peruse the U.S. Soccer website, enjoying a behind the scenes look at the team in Germany through Studio90, the U.S. Web log, the US Soccer Video Network, website photographs, updates, and post-game write-ups.

Germany kicks off (as they should as the hosts of this party) against Costa Rica this Friday at 12 pm ET on ESPN2. And our boys start their quest for the Cup Monday, June 12th at 12pm ET, also on ESPN2.

I’ve got my watching outfit already ironed and laid out… my U.S. jersey, U.S. soccer shorts, Nike soccer socks, right boot, left boot (not a soccer cleat, but a lovely black medical boot the docs give you when you break your leg), my lucky lime green Nike wristband, and face paint. If you don’t look like a crazy fanatic, you aren’t trying hard enough.

Don’t miss out on any of the games. I’m scheduling rehab for my leg around the tournament. It’s a sacrifice I have to make, but I am willing to do what it takes to see soccer at its best. Do the same. Fake a broken leg (I wish mine was fake), tell your boss that your dog ate your car keys, or get medically diagnosed as a "shut-in" for a month. Just do watch to takes to take in the Greatest Show on Earth...the World Cup.

Feel free to e-mail me at manyasmusings@ussoccer.org throughout the World Cup with your insights, thoughts, suggestions, reflections, or if your brave enough, arguments against my viewpoints.

Don’t Tread on US,

Manya