And any other country, including ours, could just as easily fall into the same trap and make the same mistakes. We are all human, and we are all vulnerable to committing the same follies, so maybe come off the high horse a bit lest we forget that.

And thus making any critic's point about Americans being insular, xenophobic and ignorant for them. Good job. Doing our country proud.

I hear these two nations fought a war with each other once!

I burped.

What a keen observation.

I think we all know who the condescending prick here is.

You are a serious tool.

Aww, beat me to it.

No, you.

If by "owning up to it" you mean being a little bitch about it, sure.

Were you?

Well it probably couldn't be improved upon by a smug xenophobic asshole, at least.

The discussion just wouldn't be complete without someone bitching about the ties' existence. Thank you for that.

Could you?

I agree, and think the inexact clock is one of the cool things about soccer. Different doesn't mean worse.

For someone so deadset on discrediting the sport here, you sure have lots of ideas on how to "fix" it. Why should the game make these sweeping changes just to suit one country's tastes (or what you presume to be in line with the country's tastes anyway)? There's a good bit of arrogance or hubris in saying that instead…

Oh, I dunno, it seemed pretty easy to not laugh at.

Enraged, eh? Iiiinterestng inference. I don't see that at all, more just disdain over Shaughnessy rehashing the same idiotic platitudes over and over. The persecution complex ole Shaughny is trying to rock is pretty pathetic, too. Enraged though, seriously? Over him not liking soccer? Where does he say ANYTHING that…

Hmm, I must have missed the part where Mr. Marchman says that he's mad about this hack not "lurveing" soccer. I don't think anyone here gives a shit what he lurves, but maybe not writing the same inane drivel every four years about why he thinks it isn't worthy of his oh-so-refined affections would be nice.

I'm going to bet on the collective IQ at this little social gathering not being too high.