Less than 30 days...

It's less than 30 days until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa kicks off and it's 30 days exactly until the United States takes on England in their opening game of the tournament...

When we first started looking at Pica's Boulder back in November/December, the one date that I wanted to hit for the opening, one of the main things driving me to get this thing open was June 11, the kickoff of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. 

While I don't intend Pica's to be a sports bar by any means, I do want it to be a place where I can showcase the sport that has influenced my life since, oh say, kindergarten. 

A short aside about why I'm especially excited to show the Word Cup this summer...In 2006 I was with the United States team in Germany, shooting video, shooting stills, working a lot but having an incredible time simply immersed in the sport in a soccer crazy country. Meanwhile, back in Boulder, my wife Zoey and a group of friends tried to take in an early morning game at the Lazy Dog sports bar on Pearl Street. The bar opened early for the World Cup, offered nothing to eat breakfast wise, then kicked them out because they weren't spending enough money. 

Well EFF you Lazy Dog and all you "sports" bars that have discriminated against soccer. Soccer fans don't need you anyways because now they have Pica's. 

Yesterday U.S. Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley announced the 30-man training roster. By the end of May we'll know the 23 that will be going to South Africa. At about the same time Coach Bradley was announcing his selection on ESPN, the first phase of construction was taking place as a crew started grinding the floors. We hope the restaurant's progress keeps up stride for stride with the build up to the 2010 World Cup. It's gonna be a push but we're hoping that the doors will be open as the greatest sporting event in the world kicks off. 

For me, if that happens, it will be the best of both worlds - opening up our doors and sharing Pica's food as well as sharing the Beautiful Game. 

*The photo above is from the 2006 World Cup. The United States took on Italy, the eventual champions of the tournament, in an unforgettable first round match in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It was one of the most intense matches of the tournament and after a disappointing opening game by the United States it was an incredible feeling to see our team take on Italy with so much intensity. The game ended 1-1, with both teams having received ejections but the United States finishing with 9 men vs. Italy's 11. Through the camera lens it's hard to take in a game and really know what was going on, but time and again I remember seeing Landon Donovan charging forward through the Italians.