Things that are not the World Cup: The Big Four

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Today begins your introduction to the God Tier. The big boys. England, Spain, Italy, and Germany. These four league-style competitions are all situated in countries that boast long affiliations with the sport. That isn't to say that the other countries (and their respective leagues) do not, but these four are a cut above in terms of quality. Their clubs pay the largest salaries and command the most prestige. Eighteen of the last twenty European Cup (a general term, encompassing the Champions League and its forerunners) winners have come from these four competitions, along with 36 of the last 40 finalists. Bottom line, here is where you are most sure to see the best possible soccer.

Things that are not the World Cup.

La Furia Roja, Spain's national team, celebrate winning the 2010 World Cup.

It's the height of summer. Your friends are suddenly and oddly soccer-obsessed. Also strangely nationalistic, often for countries in which they were not born. You tag along to escape the heat and for lack of anything better to do. You see the World Cup, and it's thrilling. Drama, skill, passion, heartbreak, triumph. It's awesome. You love it, and you need more. But those easy-to-recognize national teams only play every couple of years. In between there's a confusing mess of domestic leagues, cup competitions, continental championships, one-off trophy games, and international qualifiers. It is daunting. I remember being intimidated when I first started watching, but luckily for you I am no longer that callow, uninitiated youth.

Klinsmann at a crossroads.

USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decisions to make.

The United States Men's National Team should be approaching Tuesday's game against Mexico with more hope than usual. Last year saw their first ever triumph against El Tri on Mexican soil. Neither country brought a full-strength side, but the 1-0 win was a fantastic occasion.

Likewise, Friday's victory against Costa Rica means that only a draw (and a point) is needed at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

But unfortunately, last week saw the publication of the now-ubiquitous Sporting News article by Brian Straus. The exposé revealed growing divisions within the squad and a perceived lack of belief in coach Jurgen Klinsmann's tactical acumen.

On what exactly I am doing here.

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"People ask me why I don't retire after so many years in the game, but how could anyone with an ounce of passion for football in their soul voluntarily walk away from the opportunity to be involved in this type of occasion?" -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, before his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Ferguson has coached Manchester United for 27 years, winning just about every trophy available in that time and firmly establishing United as a global superpower. He has repeatedly defied those who see his age and incumbency as handicaps, and he now defies the broader European movement towards younger, more stylish, and more academic managers.

I harbor a strong dislike for Sir Alex Ferguson. He manages the team that I hate more than any other (in any sport). He insults referees when they rule against his players, and then insults the English Football Association for daring to punish him for doing so. He's smug, conceited, and entitled. A crotchety, wine-nosed old autocrat. And a genius. More on him some other time. Maybe.