Spain's Xavi - Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images

>Spain wins 2010 World Cup

The analysts called it an ugly win and the fouls would suggest so, but they expressed content at the “best team” deservedly winning the 2010 World Cup. Mark it up as two major trophies in the past two years for Spain who also won Euro 2008.

Andres Iniesta scored the lone goal in extra time to as Spain defeated the Netherlands in another 1-0 game for the Spaniards. They became the first team in World Cup history to win the tournament after losing its opening match.

>Goalkeepers most impressive in final

Though it might not have been the quintessence of “the beautiful game,” I came away totally impressed with both goalkeepers. Spain’s Iker Casillas and Netherland’s Maarten Stekelenburg made 5 saves a piece, each seemingly better than the last.

Casillas’ leg stuffed a breakaway attempt by Arjen Robben, who seemed to determine to score the goal that would have brought Netherlands its first cup.

Stekelenburg stood strong on many set pieces and corner kicks late in the game, especially on some plays that seemed to be defensive break downs by the Dutch. Even the game winning goal, which was the result of turnover just outside the penalty box, glazed off the fingertips of the Dutch goalie and just barely tickled the net on the far post.

It might not have been the prettiest final, but let’s not take away from an unbelievable defensive effort by both men in the net.

>Xavi is good

I know it’s already been said, but Spain’s Xavi is the best soccer player we’ve (the soccer-apathetic North Americans) never paid attention to. He flies under the American fans’ radar because he’s more known for setting up goals than scoring them. I can’t recall the exact stat at this time, but the World Cup telecast for the final said that Xavi had set up 25 shots on goal, eight more than any other player.

If you’ve never paid close to attention to him, it seems like the ball turns into a heat-seeking missile off his foot and always finds a teammate. In the World Cup semifinal against Germany, it was his assist that found teammate Carles Puyol that led to 1-0 victory.

The final against Netherlands was no different, as he sent a corner that at first appeared to miss its target, only to sail over all Dutch defenders to find an uncovered Sergio Ramos. Unfortunately, Ramos’ header had a little too much on it as it sailed over the Dutch goal unchallenged.

It was also his assist to Lionel Messi that made his Spanish club team, Barcelona, champions of Europe in 2008-2009 as well. My first exposure to him came in EURO 2008, where he earned player of the tournament. Indeed, a gifted playmaker that we Americans do not see enough of.

Maybe it’s a player like Xavi is the reason we don’t appreciate the beautiful game as much as we should in the States. We can name the defensive specialists, role players, and set up men in every one of our sports. But if a soccer player isn’t scoring goals, then, well, he just isn’t standing out. Xavi is the antithesis of that American apathy towards beautiful soccer skills.

>New York Red Bulls set to sign Thierry Henry

How has this flown under the radar in the States for so long? SI.com reports that The New York Post says a press conference will be held this Thursday introducing the international soccer star. No clue on any other details, whether this is a loan by his club in Spain, Barcelona, or if he plans a Beckham-like plight to perhaps make the MLS relevant.

Either way, Henry’s arrival can be nothing but good for the MLS and American club soccer IF he can stay healthy.

Got some splinters? Take a seat on the ‘Pine’ and share ‘em.

Roni Rekomaa/AP

by Rey

The often misquoted and unofficial creed of the U.S. Postal Service on the James Farley Post Office building in New York City reads:

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

The statement encompasses the attitude of not only the postal service, but the American people in general. No barrier will impede the hardworking federal employees.

The exact same rings true for soccer and its fans. It’s no surprise that when one looks worldwide for the game of soccer, no amount of inclement weather or debilitating playing surfaces can keep the beautiful game from engaging a community, nation or continent.

The pitch consists traditionally of 115 yards by 74 yards of gorgeous green grass. There are times and places, however, that the traditional turf will simply not suffice.

The freezing weather of some areas can cause a pitch to become barren of any footwork. No worries, because “footy” fanatics can hone their skills in the confines of an indoor field. Soccer becomes a distant cousin of hockey as an elliptical enclosure of fiberglass and plywood allows the most avid of players to fancy skills in close proximity of one another.

Perhaps some soccer hearts desire both the cold and the game. Then Colorado may hold the panacea for their wintry wishes. Ice Soccer, played on a traditional hockey rink, calls soccer enthusiasts during the coldest months, and even some in the summer.

European football purists can travel to Germany for their dose of the frozen footballers. Players wear full pads like in hockey as they slide across the ice searching for adequate footing to blast a shot off the frozen field.

Summertime in any part of the world is a time for the outdoors. Most people want to find the closest beach, be it near an ocean or lake. No matter where one decides to soak in some rays, soccer always finds its way to the sandy paradises.

Beach soccer, in fact, is sanctioned by FIFA. You can catch some of the CONCACAF qualifying rounds for the Beach Soccer World Cup this summer. The games are shorter, but imagine how the legs must feel after a game on the unsymmetrical, bumpy, soft granules of the beach.

Shorter games or not, beach soccer can tire and dehydrate even the most able-bodied of footballing fanatics. No problems on the Asian continent where water soccer has become the pastime of summer frolickers.

This version can be played either on an inflatable “field” covered with a few inches of water or a stage with built-in sprinklers. This refreshing recreational adaptation will have some goalies involuntarily hydrating with every diving save.

As if water and sand does not pose enough of a maneuverable mishap, Finland decided that the pitch isn’t challenging enough if it doesn’t attempt to swallow players whole.

Created in Finland and also played in the UK, swamp soccer displays footy determination beyond any other form in the world. Bogged down in often knee deep muck, simply getting off a shot takes perseverance unknown to the professionals gracing Old Trafford and Anfield.

Since 1997, competitive teams from all over the world have been strengthening their leg muscles in the Swamp Soccer World Championship. Teams creatively pay homage to their soccer ancestors with team names such as Real Mudrid and Mudchesthair United. The marshy mayhem plays every year with a men’s and mixed champion.

No matter the season, geography, conditions or surface, the world’s most popular sport plays on. Just like the devoted mailmen and women of America, soccer finds its way into the competitive hearts of players and fans alike.

So next time you peer onto a baseball diamond or outdoor basketball court on a rainy, snowy or putridly hot day, just think—somewhere, somehow, people have brought out the soccer ball and started a friendly gathering to enjoy the game they love.

>Landon Donovan and David Beckham exchange words; MLS could use the publicity

Six months away playing for one of Europe’s elite teams, David Beckham made his return to the Los Angeles Galaxy for practices earlier this week. His return did not come without media attention thanks to teammate Landon Donvan. Apparently Donovan bashed the beloved international star in an upcoming book questioning Beckham’s commitment among other things.

Here’s a rundown of what Donovan said in the book:

The Galaxy currently find themselves out of a playoff spot and could use the savvy play of Beckham. Still, MLS officials have to be happy about the timing of this story. Beckham returning was not nearly as big a story in America as his initial arrival, and even that subsided after less than a week.

Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images

One of America’s best players calling out what was once one of the world’s best players? Publicity gold! Playoffs or not, this should cause more than expected to pay attention to Beckham’s return. Beckham, who still says he will honor his five-year contract with the Galaxy, will return to play tonight against New York. Seems as though his time spent with AC Milan has the thirty year old midfielder in top form and impressing Galaxy teammates.

The spat with Donovan, according to Beckham, has now been resolved. This is nothing new to the American sports frontier. In fact, this might be Donovan’s way of challenging Beckham to see his vision of improving the MLS through. Many MLS faithful were displeased when the Galaxy agreed to loan him to Italian power, AC Milan, which meant Beckham would miss most of the first half of this season.

>South African workers spent past week striking, will resume work on 2010 World Cup facilities Thursday

Workers in South Africa spent this past week on strike for wage increases. The Washington Post reported that some workers were earning as little as $1.50 an hour and an average of about $200 a month.

Here’s a brief rundown of the wage dispute:

The striking workers could have caused a delay in the reported December deadline of all World Cup facilities. Some officials even worried early on that the strike could push back the start of the World Cup in June 2010.

The workers agreed to a slightly less wage increase (1 percent less than what they were seeking) and were expected to resume construction today.

This issue has done nothing than bring more international attention to the dire situations in one of African’s more affluent countries. Violence ensued earlier in the week, which has to be World Cup promoters worst nightmare.

>Can the 2010 World Cup have a lasting impact on host South Africa?

Additionally to the strike, the selection of South Africa as the first African country to even host the World Cup is not without its critics. Some believe hosting the World Cup will do little to shed light on the economic woes of African nations. One has to ask: is it FIFA’s concern what happens to a host city after one of its major tournaments leaves?

I’m more ignorant to the problems there than anyone else, but I can’t imagine that hosting the World Cup would hurt the nation in any way. It isn’t FIFA’s job to save it from any of its problems; certainly by choosing South Africa to host allows officials to shed some light on what is plaguing nations there and how the world can help.

For one, the facilities look as though they will be top-notch. This has to give South Africa the edge in hosting other international tournaments, soccer or not, in the near future. Cricket is very popular as is rugby.

If the World Cup goes off without a hitch, why wouldn’t this happen? More tournaments means more jobs for stadium workers, hotels, food services, transportation and so on. It may not be the answer, but certainly FIFA envisioned this by selecting South Africa.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Outside the Lines investigated just what the conditions are for some of the poorest South African residents.

Most powerful line from the piece with Bob Ley comes from a young South African man who realizes that it will be life after the World Cup that truly matters to South Africans:

“The money coming in is just to make the streets look better so that the stadium look good for people to say it looks like Germany over here. But actually we’re not eating like Germans, we’re not.” Tells it like it is.

Got some soccer news or comments from around the globe? Take a seat on the bench and let your ‘pickins’ be heard.