The Giant White Flag of Jurgen Klinsmann

You play to win the game Jurgen Klinsmann.

You play to win the game. And it seems like you have totally forgotten this. Now, you recently talked about how it’s unrealistic that the United States can win the World Cup in Brazil. We all know this. Soccer fans, non-soccer fans, non-sports fans know this. It is general knowledge. Heck, even the players on the team (Minus Donovan, you idiot) are fully aware that it is a long gruesome road to even consider the opportunity to win the entire thing. But want to know something Mr. Klinsmann?

The 2003 Florida Marlins were not expected to win the World Series.

The 2004 Detroit Pistons were not expected to win the NBA Finals.

The 2007 New York Giants were not expected to win the Super Bowl.

The 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning were not expected to win the Stanley Cup.

Each of these teams were not even considered to be in the running. The Marlins were last in the division in May of 2003, the Pistons were taking on a Laker team on the NBA Finals that had nearly an entire starting lineup of Hall of Famers (and arguably the greatest coach in the history of the sport), the Giants took on arguably the greatest team in the history of the NFL (And still are, even if they fumbled on that fourth quarter), and the Lightning (a Florida hockey team) was an afterthought the entire year leading up to the playoffs. But none of these teams quit, none of these teams saw the odds and just simply walked away. They all fought on and ultimately and unexpectedly won the big prize.

I am not saying that the American team has a shot, but what I am saying is that why not even give it a chance? Why not give your team and the fans at least a slight glimmer of hope? Everyone starts in the same boat come World Cup time. Even if you are in the Group of Death, it doesn’t give you the right to automatically give up. This is sports we are talking about. The odds of the team you follow winning the entire prize is a.l.w.a.y.s. against you. Whether it be a 1-in-30 shot or a 1-and-32 shot, chances are your team will not win. This is the same thing day in and day out. The Cubs have not won in over 100 years. Cleveland has not seen a champ since the 1950s. And don’t get me started on the multitude of droughts in the NBA like the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors…

But that being said, every dog has his day, every stopped clock is right twice a day. In the past decade alone we saw the droughts of the Red Sox, Phillies, Mavericks, Blackhawks, Bruins, and the Giants (San Francisco) mercifully end. There is always a chance. Always. Every single time. In sports, absolutely nothing is impossible. Nothing. In sports, any record can fall, perfection can be achieved, and greatness can rise from the depths of nothingness. This is a fact, and this is why sports remain such an impactful force in American life---that glimmer of hope.

Klinsmann however doesn’t believe in offering that hope. He doesn’t believe in at least considering the option of wanting to make some noise in the World Cup. So what’s the point of playing? What’s the point of trying if you supposedly know you aren’t going to win? What’s the point of even making the effort? This would be the equivalent of going through a marriage that you know is going to end in a year. Why go for it, if your expectation is failure? Klinsmann might be a great soccer coach, but the comments and the dropping of Donovan are key components to a leader that will lead you to a successful road potentially, but never the Promised Land.

So when are you allowed to try Klinsmann? Next World Cup in 2018? Or the World Cup after that in 2022? Nothing in life is certain, nothing in life is guaranteed. This is why you must grab life by the horns and fight as if you are holding your final breath. This is what separates the good teams from the great teams—the willingness to fight against the odds, against the circumstances, against all the critics, naysayers, and non-believers. Under Klinsmann the U.S. Soccer team is a good one, potentially a great one, even if it is still a few leagues below the powerhouses like Germany, Spain, and Brazil. But under Klinsmann, they will never achieve the ultimate prize mainly because they don’t believe they will, and won’t have such an expectation before the opening kick even begins.  

You play to win the game. Every time. Doesn’t matter how good or bad your team is, you still go out there and play for your fans, for your family, for your hometown/country, and for yourself.

Otherwise, there’s no point in even playing. 

What the 2013 TEA Attendance Report Tells Us

It is that time again, time to point out just how badly Disney owns the theme park industry in the United States and pretty much around the world. TEA does its yearly (awesome) report on the most-visited theme parks in the world as well as the most-visited water parks and museums. The report is free to download for the world to see and enjoy. But now it is time to analyze, observe, and then guess and predict.




Let’s start with the big shocker in the water park industry: Disney is no longer #1, having to instead settle for the #2 and the #3 slot. It might be because Downtown Disney’s hot traffic woes prevent people from even entering the territory, but Typhoon Lagoon’s reign at #1 has come to an end as a water park from China exploded in popularity in 2013 and overtook the throne. Chimelong Waterpark increased by a whopping 34% while the Orlando water parks increased only 1-2%. That being said, I am sure Orlando isn’t too upset as they own 4 of among the top 15 water parks in the world. Not bad.

If Disney was smart, they would find a way to connect Typhoon and the New Downtown Disney so that its easier access between the two. A few actual new attractions within the two parks wouldn’t hurt either, as we haven’t seen anything come out of Blizzard Beach since….well, its original opening date. Typhoon Lagoon has the water roller coaster, but nothing truly expansive. Lastly there’s the Brazilian water park Thermas coming out of nowhere to enter the Top 5.



Moving on to the United States, Disney owns the 6 most visited parks in the United States, and the competition isn’t even close. After a couple years of Islands of Adventure threatening to catch up to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, it has instead watched the Disney parks continue to grow despite Harry Potter, Transformers, Simpsons, and Despicable Me alter the landscape of the Universal parks. Universal Studios has seen the crazy growth its sister park received after Harry Potter—and is now looking like a true second-day alternative as opposed to an afterthought amongst tourists in Orlando. Now, both Universal parks are getting attention.

Rounding out in the #10 spot is Sea World, which has been through some nasty waters with a change in ownership and the Blackfish documentary slumming up the reputation. But it is all about Disney Dominance, again, as Magic Kingdom continues to baffle the competition and inch towards 20 million visitors a year. What is definitely odd however is that while the increase in Magic Kingdom is at 6%, we aren’t seeing that major growth from the other parks. As a matter of fact, Universal Studios had a bigger increase than Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios combined.

Epcot is the park that should probably need a boost, because even with the new Test Track its increase has been minimal and now Animal Kingdom is getting closer, and still has Festival of the Lion King II and Avatar within the radar. As for Epcot it has…well….um…a new Soarin’? I am not even going to dwell on this subject, as I have discussed Epcot’s surefire need of a change many times over. Hollywood Studios continues being the least-visited of the Disney parks, and is the one most at risk of slipping as Universal is becoming a third/fourth/fifth park option for guests.





It all sounds like bad news but as long as Disney continues seeing the increase in visitors amongst all the parks why even consider change? Why don’t we go to the world rankings and truly marvel at Disney’s prominent dominance of the planet. Disney owns the Top 8 slots! And then for good measure it nabs the #10 and #13 spot. Disneyland Paris drops 6% but still tops the second most-popular European park by over 6 million visitors. Universal Studios can fight all they want, but it’s going to take a massive overhaul of success to even attempt to challenge the Beatles equivalent of theme parks in Orlando (Hollywood Studios is Ringo Starr, and Downtown Disney might be Yoko if they continue the traffic nightmare).

Magic Kingdom is #1 in the world, and it’s not even close. A simple expansion, a simple marketing campaign, and the continuing good reviews give it an amazing 18 million visitors. By comparison take the 20 most popular NBA teams and combine their attendance in 2013--------still won’t hit the 18 million Magic Kingdom got by itself. And only God knows what will happen if Magic Kingdom gets a Frozen ride….

We have a new #2 though, with the Japanese counterpart seeing a drastic increase (much like most of the Far East parks) and knocking down Disneyland to #3. And in spite of Epcot’s smallest growth amongst the Fab 4, it made it to the Top 5 of the World. The shuffle doesn’t affect the competition much because it’s all under the same umbrella of the Mouse. All in all, it’s good to be Disney.




Very good to be Disney.


Here is the 2012 Edition