Well, it's bringing (this) Bostonist to a standstill, anyway. If you're wondering why we managed only a paltry number of posts today, and you're not content with the real answer (laziness important, work-related business), consider this: The World Cup (or "FIFA World Cup," as they keep calling it on TV, in case you tuned in looking for that other world cup) is in full swing, and the U.S. had its first match today, against our hated national rival, the Czech Republic. In the interest of journalism and international relations, Bostonist took time out from our busy schedule to monitor the game from a barstool at the Kinsale. While we were saddened by the national squad's lackluster performance (losing 3-0), we were heartened to see a large turnout of government center types (i.e., guys in suits) lustily cheering team U.S.A. and selflessly extending their lunch hours to take in the full contest, even as the Americans' chances grew dimmer.
"Hey!" we thought. "Maybe Boston really is the outward-looking, internationally-minded city we'd like to think!" But then we thought. "Maybe this is just one more instance of passing American interest that extends only as far as the national team's fortunes." We realized we had to test our hypothesis, so we returned to the Kinsale at 3:00 to see World Cup newcomer Ghana and verteran contender Italy settle once and for all the age-old question: Who is better, Italy or Ghana? Unfortunately for our hopes for Boston's worldliness (or alcoholism, even), the place was practically empty. Worse still, since we have the custom of rooting for underdogs generally, teams from small nations more specifically, and teams from small African countries in particular, Ghana lost 2-0, although they gave a much better showing than the US.
Perhaps the real soccer fans were resting from the U.S. defeat and will be out in force to see South Korea battle Togo tomorrow at 8:55 a.m. (talk about a team made for Bostonist - Togo is not only a small African country playing in the Cup for the first time - they only secured a coach for tomorrow's match today). In the interest of serious internet journalism, we'll have to be at the Kinsale and find out.
The World Cup ball, which is more high-tech than anything Bostonist owns, but looks stupid.
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Drinks at the Red Hat are a lot cheaper.