We're down to exactly two weeks until the World Cup consumes the globe. Why is the tournament so big? Because the best players in the world pull off things like Zinedine Zidane did in 2006, which to this day sticks in the mind of Chicago Fire forward and reigning MLS MVP Mike Magee.
No, not the headbutt into the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final.
That was the hot-headed Zidane, whose red card arguably cost his team victory in the penalty kick shootout. But in the seventh minute of that same match, we saw the ice-water-in-his-veins version of Zidane as he stepped up to take a penalty kick. Magee picks it up from there (WATCH it below):
"I think Zidane's penalty off the crossbar that he dinked, it just shows how much balls he had," Magee said. "Being a soccer player and know what was going on in his mind. Well actually I don't kne exclty ahat was going on his mind ... To see what he did and how he did it was cool."
MLS goalkeepers are forewarned: Magee appreciates a good chip shot.
WORLD CUP MEMORIES:
Alexi Lalas: Legend's all-time favorite moment was a hand ball
Clint Dempsey: Childhood dreams come true with a single goal
Bruce Arena: First World Cup game? Only one of the biggest upsets in history
Landon Donovan: Baggio's missed PK in '94 leaves profound impact on US great
Kyle Beckerman: The Saudi Arabian who inspired RSL's World Cup hopeful
Jason deVos: 1986ers pave the way for future Canadian national team star
Will Johnson: Timbers captain experiences agony and ecstasy in 120 minutes in 1998
Michael Bradley: The miracle comeback that he helped author in South Africa 2010
Carlos Valderrama: The goal that brings goosebumps to every Colombian
Clint Mathis: The Mohawk and the Red Sea in South Korea
Robbie Keane: Lady Luck shines on Republic of Ireland in 2002
Tim Cahill: RBNY star goes down in the history books in 2006
Grant Wahl: How the 1998 final shaped a Sports Illustrated writer's career
Jermain Defoe: Consolation for not making it to Brazil? His goal in 2010
Nick Rimando: RSL 'keeper fulfills a dream hatched in Pasadena in 1994
Peter Vermes: Sporting KC boss lived the greatest World Cup atmosphere
Matt Besler: The chills and thrill of Landon Donovan's Algeria goal
