Sat. June 12

Like most of America, when our thoughts turn to soccer we think of the Celtics finals against the Lakers. We can't help it. We're Americans; we have other - dare I say, more interesting sports to choose from - and we've got this little b-ball tiff going on at the Garden. America, of course, has this sort of inverse pride about avoiding soccer - except when your kid plays it at school, which means they burn off calories from eating Cheetos and at least aren't on the iPod, XBox or texting like mad. But let's acknowldge the obvious. The World Cup is the world's sporting event, where political and societal rivalries are put aside for the good of the game and players from countries who'd nuke each other if they only could compete hard and shake hands at the end, regardless of the outcome. Well, that's the hype. Just check out the current Time magazine if you need pro-soccer - YES, WE KNOW, FOOTBALL EVERYWHERE ELSE - dogma. Time is doing a package with CNN to jam this World Cup hysteria down our throats and perhaps we'll forget about the horros in the Middle East and the gulf off Louisiana. With that sort of intro, all we can say now is: Crush those limeys!
Yes, the US soccer team has drawn Britain in its first match which takes place at a nice civil US EST hour, 2:30 Saturday afternoon. You'll have many TV options and bars throughout the World Cup, but here's one for this replay of the Revolutionary War (or the War of 1812). It's at the House of Blues and they're calling it their Viewing Party For FIFA World Cup Soccer. One reason to care: The World hates us and especially our disdain or disinterest in soccer, so wouldn't it be nice to piss them off and overcome the odds and actually win a few. Also, Britain. Is there no more soccer-nuts country? (There probably are, but with the US-UK axis being what it is, we've been drubbed to death about MU and various other teams that seem to define Britain (to themselves anyway) and strike us as curious. National pride linked to soccer teams? Well, look in the mirror. Isn't Boston pride, right now, linked to the Celtics? We just don't have this national pride/national sports thing going on, unless of course the US team starts making some noise and then, trust me, the bandwagon will be over-filled with people scrambling to Wiki to find out what this thing called a pitch is.
What happens at HoB? You can meet all the New England Revolution players and Rev Girls. This Revolution team plays in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium in a national soccer league and runs around in short pants, scoring a goal or two every game. The Rev girls cheer for them in scantily clad costumes.
The event, which is free and takes place in the club's main music hall,  will feature big screen game viewing and  a silent auction and raffle with items such as framed jerseys and merchandise signed by celebrated players and more to benefit World Cup Boston 2010 and The International House of Blues Foundation. Wanna buy merch? Of course you do! WeGotSoccer will be onsite with limited-edition World Cup Boston 2010 Adidas apparel and official gear from each of the 32 World Cup teams.
World Cup excitement begins with a morning game, 10 o'clock, viewing of the match between Argentina and Nigeria. If you're a drinker, and JSInk research shows that most soccer fans are, you'll have to adjust your alcoholic intake schedule to meet these oddball hours. Odd to us, not to South Africa, where this all takes place.
Then, at 2:30, it's time to kick Rod Stewart and Elton John's pasty white arses as it's time for USA vs. England, opening round.
 
15 Lansdowne St., 617-443-1073 www.revolutionsoccer.net/worldcup2010  www.hob.com