Three guys, in varying stages of adulthood and beardhood, sitting in a crowded cigar shop watching women’s soccer.
Having intelligent, well-informed conversations about the game, and about the tournament, and about the players, and about the sport in general.
Mike (60-something guy–thick, scraggly gray beard): You know why I like the women’s game more than the men’s game? Less diving and rolling around on the ground, you know? Less simulation.
Me (30-something guy–haven’t shaved in a couple of days): That’s true, I guess. The refs tend to wave play on a lot more.
Mike: And when they get tackled, they get right back up. Which leads me to one inescapable conclusion.
Me: Which is?
Mike: (Pause.)The women are tougher.
Talking about tactical substitutions, the difference between a yellow-card worthy and a red-card worthy offense.
No lesbian comments except from one of the counter guys, and that was in the 85th minute.
And finally, when Wambach nodded home with nearly no time to play, a whole shop full of guys (ranging from late teens to early-60′s) high-fived and cheered.
Feels like progress to me.
Posted on July 11, 2011
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