On one hand, the U.S. team gave an encouraging performance in their 1-1 tie with Italy over the weekend and managed to avoid the label "mathematically eliminated" at least for another few days. On the other hand, being excited about a tie with the boot nation in any endeavour is downright unAmerican. Outside the confines of our little Group E, the soccer powers continue their relentless march into the later stages. Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil, Spain. Boooor-ring. Are there any wee teams out there that can knock out a giant? It appears not. more ›

We're starting a Seattlest World Cup fantasy group over at ESPN instead of Yahoo because Yahoo makes you pick players and who the hell can keep up with all those crazy European longhairs. At ESPN you pick the winners of each match ("pick 'em" they call it in fantasysportslandia and casinos) and if you turn out to be the best guesser Seattlest will reward you with a Seattlest tee shirt, Sounders tickets and... whatever, something else cool. We'll buy you a few beers, how's that? Plus you can tell your friends that you bested the entire Seattlest sports staff. more ›

Here in Seattle, it's a slow sports day. The only major local team in action is the Husky women's basketball team, who host Michigan tonight. It's high school basketball night, but there aren't any particularly compelling matchups. more ›