John Terry, meet John Harkes... and a bit on DaMarcus Beasley

I don’t want to turn into the Perez Hilton of soccer, but this story from ESPNSoccernet is too amazing not to share.  I thought the U.S. lost all three of their games at the 1998 World Cup because they were bad at soccer.  It turns out that captain John Harkes was dropped from the team because he was having an affair with teammate Eric Wynalda’s wife.  Of course, no one ever heard about this because no one in America knew who the hell John Harkes and Eric Wynalda were.  And we were bad at soccer, did I mention that?  The obvious disparities in talent, fame and wealth means sporting parallels are difficult to make, but as an American fan, I cling to anything that vaguely resembles hope.  One adulterer, one bitter victim, three games played, no points.  That was the prototype as only America could draw it up.  I hope England sticks close to that blueprint.    

Also, there is this from ESPNSoccernet: DaMarcus Beasley, who set up Team USA’s last World Cup goal, had his car set on fire in Glasgow, Scotland, where he plays for Rangers.  He’s already had his car broken into once, and been subject to racial abuse from opposing fans.  If there’s a better advertisement for young black men in America to get involved in organized soccer, I don’t know what is.  All jokes aside, I sincerely hope this was random.  I’m sure DaMarcus doesn’t want to vindicate the abuse by quietly tucking tail and heading back to the States, but at a certain point in one’s career, the question has to be asked: “at what cost?”  A move back to less turbulent and pressure packed environs might be just what his flagging career needs right now.