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The US Soccer Team opens its 2007 Copa America campaign against a full-strength Argentina Thursday night. I'll be mining the internet for some live streams of the game, but I can always fall back on YouTube where highlights and great goals are posted within hours after a match.

While it's all fine and dandy that the US rallied to beat Mexico for the Gold Cup last week, I'm more excited about them participating in the Copa America. After the 2006 World Cup debacle, the Americans were criticized for playing a weak schedule that inadequately prepares and develops players for major international tournaments. The Copa America is exactly what they need. Being the South American Championship, the tournament includes all 10 teams from the region, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela. Two guest nations are invited to round the field out to 12. This year, Mexico and the US accepted the call.

It's not hard to see the talent and quality of the tournament field should provide a staunch challenge for the US. They were drawn into a group with Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia. The Argentines have garnered a lot of attention for stacking their roster and bringing their first team. Led by superstars like Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez and Hernan Crespo, they are favored to win it all. Paraguay and Colombia may not have the same star power but they will be a good test for the Americans.

The Americans countered by bringing a very young and internationally inexperienced squad. Fans have moaned that they're going to get embarrassed, but I think they’re going to be better for it win or lose. They'll take their lumps, but I'm sure they'll also learn a thing or two from Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia. You just can't simulate that experience in practice. And who knows, maybe some real talents will emerge among the unknowns to lead the way. I'm ready for a new crop of Americans soccer players. Judging from the last World Cup and even their form in the Gold Cup, I think the current starters have shown what they're capable of. Make that incapable of. That means you Landon Donovan.

The Racist Food Court

Found at Gateway Mall. I just never got around to taking pictures until recently. There's a perfectly good explanation for Flavors of Negros but I don't know how the other one came about...

Oh thank heaven

Found at 7-Eleven: shots of tequila or Irish creme ready for your consumption and strategically placed by the cash register for impulse buying. It's brilliant. Dare I say it? The Philippine 7-Eleven may be better than the U.S. 7-Eleven.

Mark your calendars

On Sept. 18, 2007, John Matrix is going to kill, maim and one-line your ass all over again, Director's Cut style.

This new DVD has an MSRP of $19.98 and will feature the original 90-minute theatrical cut and the new director's cut that runs 95 minutes. That means five extra minutes of Matrix and Commando Drinking Game insanity. My liver is already cowering in fear.

Special Features:

Commando Director’s Cut is presented in widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround audio, Spanish Mono, French Stereo plus French and Spanish subtitles.

Bonus content includes:
• Seamlessly branched Director’s Cut with never-before-seen footage
• Audio commentary by director Mark Lester (on theatrical version only)
• Deleted Scenes
• Pure Action featurette
• Let Off Some Steam featurette
• Photo galleries with over 150 images: Creating Commando, Domestic Bliss with John and Jenny, Kill Arnold, Kill! and Trashing the Galleria.