Honduras vs. USA, Milan Racism, ACN Semis, Bob Bradley in Egypt, Gus Johnson

The road to Brazil continues for the men of the United States National Team this afternoon in Honduras. Things get going at 4pm EST and you can watch all the fun on beIN Sport USA. Mexico and Jamaica clash later tonight at 9:30pm EST and that one is on ESPN2. There are also a few friendlies of note (England/Brazil, France/Germany, Sweden/Argentina, Netherlands/Italy, Spain/Uruguay) but they are simply friendlies and therefore a complete waste of time. Back to the match that matters, here's a preview. And here's Grant Wahl's look at the match.

Sticking with Grant Wahl, he's got an interview with former USMNT gaffer, Bob Bradley. Bradley remains in Egypt after all the insane-o shit that's gone down there. It makes for an interesting read.

More sad, stupid news from Italy. This time the idiot in question is Burlesconi. No, not that asshole, his brother. Paolo, not Silvio. Anyway, he was talking about Mario Balotelli and he said this: OK, we are all off to see the family's little nigger. He's a crazy head. All the young ladies are invited as well – you can even have a chance to meet the president [Silvio Berlusconi]." So, right. OK, then. Stay classy.

Gus Johnson is going to be gracing our footie airwaves soon. Fox want him to be the "voice of American soccer". He'll do the Madrid/ United Champions League game and the Bayern/Arsenal CL match. He'll also get the FA Cup Final and the Champions League Final. The SSN staff is in agreement: Not Cool. Johnson and his hyperbole can stick to basketball. That said, we're willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. This quote, in particular, gives us hope: "Look, of course, we are concerned," (Fox executive) Shanks said. "But we would not be doing this if we did not think that Gus was putting the time, effort and energy into doing a broadcast that appeals to the people listening to Martin Tyler and Ian Darke. We will work to be as good as those guys but by no means does Gus think he is Martin Tyler or Ian Darke at this point. He will continue to get better and he will make sure he's telling the true story of a match as it happens, and telling it with Gus's voice, which a lot of people love. By no means is this meant to be a sideshow."

So, we shall see. It will be a bit of a shock to hear him call matches, that's for sure. Hopefully he'll settle in quickly.

We're down to the semi-finals in the African Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso face Ghana and it's already underway between Mali and Nigeria.

Do you know who we hate? Besides, John Terry, of course. Why, it's his pal Ashley Cole. He's cretinous, really. But, but, but, he's a great player. Phil McNulty writes about him here on the occasion of the wanker's 100th cap for England.

We'll finish by acknowledging that friendlies can be fun. Here are a few things to look for today.

Onward!!

-SSN