It’s begun.

Last week…	and this week

We had a couple good showers during the week followed by plenty of sun. We hope some of those things pushing up through the soil are plants, not weeds. I happened to be flipping through cable channels the other day and saw a snippet from “Little Shop of Horrors,” starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin and it reminded me a little too much of some of the 4′ thorned weeds of terror in the corners of the yard last year.

I watched San Jose versus Chivas USA yesterday play to a 3-3 draw in a fantastic game. Spartan Stadium rots: it’s far too narrow. Even though I want Chivas USA to get stuffed every game, I have to admit having them in the league adds a lot of spice to MLS. I’ve never really had a team to hate in MLS before (although Dallas and DC United have come close) but the fact that the club and the league have done a lot to trump up the US vs. Mexico aspect of any match versus Chivas…well, it works. How long can it last though?

Real Madrid is up 3-1 over Barca at the moment. Vamos Galacticos! Not that it matters at this point of the season.

I watched the mid-week game between Chelsea and Bayern Munich and was a little irritated at the end. Bayern’s Ballack totally took a dive in the dying minutes and was awarded an undeserved penalty. Chelsea still came out 4-2 winners but that illegit goal gives Bayern a lot of hope for the return match. I understand the game moves fast and referees are only human but 1) Ballack is a notorious diver, and 2) is there some reason controversial incidents can’t be reviewed after the match? The goal should stand but Ballack should get at least a one-match ban. Otherwise there’s no way to stop diving, a problem plaguing the sport.