Although I was being chastised by my fellow teammates, I proudly put on my Bayern Munich jersey that I switched for after the game the other week. If I was going to a traditional German restaurant, I felt that I should at least try to endear myself to the locals.
Heidelburg Restaurant was everything I could ask for to start my tour. With a helpful and enthusiastic wait staff in traditional gear and the ambience screaming memories at me of my brief time in Munich and Frankfurt, I took my seat in the corner of the restaurant after paying my $15 entry fee. I'm usually against paying any cover charge for a game that I know is on cable for free, but was happy to learn that this covered my bratwurst, beer, clear view of a new 50-inch HDTV, and a raffle with a chance to win a new official adidas World Cup ball. Unfortunately for me since I don't drink two days before any game, I skipped the lager for coffee and a second helping of the bratwurst.
Before I briefly discuss the game, let me first admit that I suggested an upset for the ticos. Although Costa Rica foolishly left my friend Roy "Pink Panther" Meyers off the team, I felt that with Michael Ballack missing and with the German defense notoriously bad that Costa Rica had a chance to upset Juergen Klinsmann's team today. I guess we learned after the game that I was right about one thing, and that is Germany is going to give up lots of goals this next week. Why do two center backs that average 6-foot-5 feel that they need to pull an offside trap one time after another?
In all my criticism of their defense, Germany's offensive talent was something to fear. The first and last goals were two of the best goals I have seen in quite a long time. Well, as good as that wonderful goal by Chris Henderson last weekend in Kansas City. Man, whoever sent that ball to him across the six-yard box should ask for a raise. I could only dream of a birthday present like the one Miroslav Klose gave himself today. And considering that he had 3 goals in the opening round game back in 2002, I would suggest that whatever Klose does or eats before opening games in the World Cup, that McBride and his strike partner (Eddie Johnson?) should try it before the United State's game Monday.
I should also mention how much of a pleasure it was to see Paulo Wanchope today. Although he was Costa Rica's only offensive threat today, every time he touched the ball I felt he was going to create something. Before the German's fourth goal, I even thought that there was a chance that Costa Rica was going to get even with the Germans. I guess at the end of the day Costa Rica just didn't have enough offensive threats to truly challenge ... insert the need for the 2000-2001 version of "Runnin'" Roy Meyers.
After the first game, I hurried back to the Upper West Side via the m86 bus. I felt that since I'm on the clock to get something out to my dear readers that I should be close to home for the second game. I quickly decided that the best place to go was my home pub, O'Connell's on 108th and Broadway. A great atmosphere visited me as I saddled up to the bar for my pint of orange juice. I know, I know, it is almost sacrilegious for me to request such a drink at a place like O'Connell's. My neighbors at the bar are visiting students from Poland who are at Columbia for the summer, and they even gave me a laugh at my request.
As I started my greetings, the students confidently reminded me that Poland recently beat Ecuador in a friendly 3-0. And as the TV crew almost simultaneously suggested that Poland was without goals in four World Cup openers, I suggested that the students should be concerned and offered a shoulder to cry on after the game because I felt they were going to get beat. After the first Ecuadorian goal off the throw-in where the defender forgot to put "a body on a man" in the box, I felt that some of the students would take me up on my offer. Sad is the only adjective I can offer for the Polish performance. I think I even heard the crowd asking for Peter Nowak to come out of retirement.
So day one is complete. And what have we learned from the first day of Group A play? The German back four will give up a lot of goals over the next two games. Poland will be out of the tournament after the next game against Germany. Costa Rica needs something more than just Wanchope, and Ecuador is a team that no one will like to play in the next round of the tournament.
Next Stop (Day 2- England vs. Paraguay: 8:30 a.m.):
Brass Monkey
55 Little West 12th St. between Washington and West Sts.
(212) 675-6686
www.brassmonkeybar.com
Since Saturday is game day for me, I decided to take it easy and start my day with Brass Monkey. As opposed to waiting hours outside on my feet at Nevada Smiths to watch England play, Brass Monkey has a great breakfast menu, casual feel and a great selection on tap for those who want to start drinking early. After the game, I'm heading back home for some R&R before our match against Houston so hopefully I see everyone early.
Upcoming Day 3 (Sunday):
Tonic Bar
727 7th Ave, between 48th and 49th
(212) 382-1059
As explained to me, "The Dutch apparently aren't cool enough to have their own bar, so NYC's 'Netherlands Club' will be watching at this overly-inclusive bar." I also felt this location offered my New Jersey friends a chance to see the games close to public transportation.
