This summer, or at least the last couple weeks, have been a little different. The US Men’s National Soccer team (no idea how to capitalize that) has backed their way into the semis of the Confederations Cup in South Africa and face world #1 Spain today. To be fair, the US did play a spirited match against Egypt to advance. That said, the Nats (as they are called by some, and now me) put together just one solid half against Italy out of their opening two matches. They looked outclassed, for the most part, and had the omni-present soccer naysayers cutting the squad off at the knees…and the sport in general. Either way, the US has an opportunity to make great strides today, to shock the world even, by beating a team in Spain that has not lost in 35 straight matches. If we (yes, we) can pull off the upset it will assure the US of its highest finish ever in a FIFA event…and this one featured the #1, #2, #4 and #14 teams in the world.

Tune in on ESPN at 2:25pm EST if you get the chance.

If not, just watch Clint Dempsey’s only slightly painful foray into hip hop here (and, mind you, he couldn’t possibly fare any worse than those attempts made by the street-savvy NBA stars that went before him):