My initial post for today was either going to feature "Smokes of the College World Series" or honor Tony Gywnn’s life by showcasing the finest of lady Aztecs and Padre fans (I may still!), but then the U.S. Men’s National Team had to go ahead and beat Ghana in the most American way possible.
Jump out to a lead, grip onto it until our nails cut into our fingers, gag said lead, and close the victory out with a Freedom Header.
Since I am viewing the World Cup through the lens of its WAGs, let's turn our eyes to Bethany Dempsey, proud wife of American sports hero Clint Dempsey.
As you can see, those bodypaint colors don’t run.
These pics were taken for the 2010 SI swimsmoke issue in anticipation of that summer's World Cup.
Dempsey became the highest-paid American player ever when he signed with Tottenham Hotspur for £6million on a three-year deal, a deal that surpassed 15 MLS franchise's total payrolls at the time.
Like true Americans, Bethany never got comfortable in leaving her home. She told SI that "The day after we got married, we went straight to London. So I’ve been there since 2007. It will never be home, home to me."
Speaking of soccer and body paint, USWNT member Alex Morgan followed Bethany in the 2012 SI swim smoke body paint feature. While Bethany's led up to the World Cup, Alex's spread was more of a consolation prize for losing to Japan in the 2011 Women's World Cup Final.
Alex was barely in her seat when Bethany's hubby drew first blood in the first minute of yesterday's match. She was quite enthused.