Day 5 - Our First Game of the Tourney vs. Israel

ISRAEL 3 - USA 0 We played quite well today - easily our best game as a team so far (we played 3 games in Vegas in January and 3 games in New Jersey in May). Unfortunately, the Israeli's were the better team today. 3 retired national team players, several retired professionals and very well organized, skillful, strong and tall. We had some chances and their goalie made some very good saves. They scored a good goal and a couple of cheap ones but that's soccer! The Israeli officials missed a few calls but that likely wouldn't have made a difference today. Looking forward to the opening ceremonies tomorrow night and our game against England on Wednesday afternoon.

The ceremonial exchange of national pennants at midfield prior to the game. This is the real deal, the way you see it on TV.

The two teams and the officials organizing on the field. Israeli officials but so far they seem fair from what I've seen and are letting players play.


The startering players on their way to the midfield for the pregame procession. Note the Israeli bench and their well wishes. Yes it's competitive but we are all one big family as well.

A pregame photo on the field. It's 92 degrees under a very hot sun with serious humidity. Can't remember every playing in such adverse weather. Even Arizona in the middle of the day in July doesn't feel this bad.

Walking towards the fields in the secure area. Everyone has their own pregame routine. I was listening to my Ipod - Bruce Springstein - Born to Run and Born in the USA - lol !!

Security is pretty good as all athletes, delegates and registered spectators need to show credentials to get into the enclosed areas. Some people were watching on the periphery.

From the bus, approaching the field. You can see the Mediterranean off in the background. Not much of a breeze and the air is thick.

On the bus, coming down the hill from the hotel. Its quite a bumpy ride with lots of turns and stops.

Fish and Glancy. Glancy's nickname is mummy. Not sure where that came from but he has no physical head injuries. Obviously one of the clowns on the team.

Captian Benjamin #4 (Crunch) consulting with Coach Goldie as we get on the bus to head to the pitch.

A few of our Mexican compadres in the O-35 division wishing us good luck as we leave our hotel for the field. They had won their game against South Africa 6-0.

Here's our first team photo with everyone dressed in their gear. A fine looking bunch wearing really nice Adidas uniforms.

We also had an individual photo taken. Looking good and feeling great! It's awesome to be part of this fabulous collection of men from around the country and beyond. As we've been saying all week, "There's no "I" in TEAM".

The Team USA photographer that was sent to do his thing prior to the game. I believe they are preparing a commemorative album for all of the athletes, coaches and delegates.

After breakfast, we headed up to the field to watch the first game in our bracket between England and Brazil. England ended up winning 3-0 and looked quite good, as they always are.

One of the Maccabiah officials registering our credentials on the official line-up forms. They are particularly sticky about the numbers and the dates of birth. You need to be 45 by December 31, 2009 to compete in the "old man's division".

The breakfast of champions. Watch out if your traveling on the bus later in the day. Things can get a bit nasty if Cap'n Crunch or Indy are in the vicinity.