Excuse me for a moment, I was just appreciating the greatness that is Sydney Leroux.
As I've come to mature into a well-rounded sports fan at the age of 30, my list of must-see events has definitely changed. While there was a time where I couldn't miss an Atlanta Braves baseball game ever (thank you, Ted Turner), nowadays I must live vicariously through the Braves blogs I read and the highlights I am able to catch. Woe is me, being a West Coast Braves fan. However, one major sporting event that I will never miss out on again is the every-four-years Royal Rumble between the 32 best soccer-playing countries in the world. This is affectionately known as the World Cup, which will be taking place in Brazil this summer.
'Merica. Or as you people like to call her, The United States of America, was recently dipped by Nike with some new kits (uniforms, people) to wear when the U.S. players take their talents to Rio de Janeiro. While the home whites were greeted with tepid enthusiasm, the road red, white and blues aren't quite the red, white and blues that I'm used to.
Excuse me for one more moment, I need to appreciate the greatness that is Allyson Felix.
Don't get me wrong, I really do like these kits. They're super dope. However, if you told me they were Czech Republic's uniforms, I'd totally believe you too. Maybe it's because of the lighter shade of blue or the type font of the number system or just the general cut of the panels on the uniform that make me feel like this isn't the most American of uniforms I've seen.
Of course, the one thing I know about 'Merica is that we have a tendency to take things that ain't ours and make them our own. Even if it's a style of a kit. Be sure to check out the full release of the Nike U.S. National Team Away Kit as The Swoosh does a great job of profiling other non-soccer athletes like Allyson Felix, Andrew Luck, Paul Rodriguez and Ndamukong Suh as well.
Enjoy your Wednesday reading material here on The Sports Fan Journal, and please continue to support our movement. Praise God Shammgod.
Jordan Brand Playoff Pack Officially Unveiled -- Kix And The City
Richard Sherman Asks: Why Was the Media More Sympathetic to Jim Irsay than DeSean Jackson? -- The Big Lead
Everything You Need to Know About Amazon's $100 Streaming Box -- Gizmodo
Nobody knows if Nerlens Noel will play this season, which is a shame -- Ball Don't Lie
Robinson Cano’s double-play partner is pretty good too -- Hardball Talk
Chicago 1st quarter murder rate lowest since '58 -- The Grio
On Marvin Gaye’s “If I Should Die Tonight” And The Value Of Finding Peace In A Life Heralded By Madness -- The Smoking Section
Are You Ready To Fuck Like a Nerd? -- VICE
Is Mark Richt Recruiting Players to Georgia by Drawing Their Portraits? -- Extra Mustard
Eddie Maisonet is the founder and editor emeritus of The Sports Fan Journal. Currently, he serves as an associate editor for ESPN.com. He is an unabashed Russell Westbrook and Barry Switzer apologist, owns over 100 fitteds and snapbacks, and lives by Reggie Jackson’s famous quote, “I am the straw that stirs the drink.”
