Soccer Thu Jun 12 2008

So Much Soccer

After a dormant period last week, the Fire now face a period of three games in 10 days. They kicked it off with a big overtime U.S. Open Cup win in Peoria over the Columbus Crew, furthering the theory that they should just stop playing in Toyota Park. Up next comes FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park (yes, Pizza Hut Park) on Sunday. The following Thursday they’ll play Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in L.A.

The Fire aren’t the only ones with a busy schedule. I’m so busy trying to watch two Euro 2008 games a day and hold down a job that I haven’t had time to tell you that after Mexico’s 4-0 win over Peru at Soldier Field on Sunday, Mexican goalkeeper and well-known jerk Oswaldo Sanchez was arrested by the Chicago Police Department after noise complaints at his hotel.

Speaking of the Euros, they’ve been pretty fun so far with both Italy and Germany being humbled in their own way, Portugal living up to the Ronaldo hype so far, and Switzerland and Turkey playing in the most hilariously water-logged game I’ve seen in a major international championship.

- Steve Gillies