The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is quickly approaching, and you might wanna think about gearing up.

There are plenty of jerseys to be had, and plenty more to be won if you check out this Free Jerseys for Life contest. You even get $10 off a purchase to boot.

Anywho, here are a few of my favorite jerseys that you’ll see this summer:

Argentina

If it’s good enough for Lionel Messi, it’s good enough for you. Sleek baby blue pinstripes – what more could you ask for?

Brazil

Nothing ellicits as many images of soccer dominance as the yellow Brazilian national team jerseys. Pele wore it. Ronaldo wore it. Ronaldinho wore it. This kit is synonymous with Win.

Ivory Coast

There’s something about that bright orange that I love. And to boot, it’s the primary color in this ensemble – not like a third jersey trying to stand out or anything. This squad always looks to surprise, so their play often mirrors the flashiness of their wardrobe. Or maybe I’m just a big Didier Drogba fan…

Croatia

I don’t even know if Croatia qualified this time around, but who cares! They look like picnic baskets! Tee hee!

United States of America

You didn’t seriously I think I forgot about our boys did you? I mean, I DID dedicate a post to this at some juncture already. Our garb is clean and classy. By the time we’re through with the field at this World Cup, there will be plenty more fans around the world donning these shirts and repping the good ol’ US of A.

The NFL season has come and gone, and I am happy to say that I enjoyed this one more than any other in the past. It was not only because I cheered on a new team, but it was because I understood and appreciated the game so much more than I did before. For that, I can at least partially thank A Few Seconds of Panic by Stefan Fatsis.

You can practically hear a hamstring rip

Fatsis got the opportunity to go through training camp and the preseason with the Denver Broncos. While he may not have lined up behind center like George Plimpton in Paper Lion, Fatsis certainly managed to give an in-depth and real account of what it means to play professional football.

Given his background in soccer as a youth, Fatsis decided to continue down the kicking route, lining up field goals under the tutelage of Jason Elam. But just getting there was tough enough. Apparently, kicking a football isn’t as easy as it appears. And neither is punting. Or even merely dropping the ball down to punt. Stefan’s journey is almost overwhelming when he describes how much there is to interpret, understand, and execute when it comes to the simplest of tasks on the field.

But this book is about much more than just kicking. Everyone and everything is seemingly connected on the field and in the locker room. You follow the trials and tribulations of fledgling backup quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, the comeback of a veteran lineman like Adam Meadows, or the never ending struggle to keep up with Demetrin Veal.

Fatsis goes even further to shed light on head coach Mike Shanahan, who was known to run one of the most strict regimes in the entire sport. From the playbook to the boardroom, no stone is left unturned.

The ultimate goal of the experience seemed to have been to kick a field goal in a live environment. With the rush coming and nerves frayed. While Mr. Fatsis may have felt panicked in this very moment, his documentation of the experience, through hilarious anecdotes and intricate detail, will leave you a smarter, more sophisticated, and more appreciative of a fan.

As the Los Angeles Lakers visited the White House yesterday, a press conference was also held to announce the acquisition of President Barack Obama for Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison’s expiring contact (we are in a recession, after all).

Kobe Bryant was ecstatic about the backcourt help acquired for him. Said Bryant, “President Obama has the potential to play a bigger role than Bill Clinton did with Tom Gugliotta in NBA Jam.”

In other news, Jordan Farmar has appointed Luke Walton his Secretary of Chillaxing.

Here is my hungover Saturday morning attempt at a piece of pop culture street art, as requested by Puck Daddy. If I don’t even get a retweet out of this, I will be indescribably irate over the extra sleep I gave up to attempt to make this happen:

By some odd stroke of luck, Rex Ryan has taken his New York Jets all the way to the AFC Championship game. You can just tell he’s hungry for a Super Bowl ring sausaged Frosted Flakes.

Hey I tried. Them chin layers weren’t easy.

Hi! Billy Mays Sports Tsar here with a product that’s going to change your life!

Do you like the Los Angeles Lakers? Better yet, do you just hate the Boston Celtics? The answer to the latter should be a resounding YES! Everybody from outside New England rightfully despises anything inside, on account of the wicked hard douche factor. Why not combat the douchebaggery by beaming a PG-13 rated quip from your chest? BUCK FOSTON!

The Laker-inspired purple and gold will be sure to tell everyone which side of the rivalry you’re on.

The green on white Celtics colorway is the sneaky one here. Right as you infiltrate the Bostonian masses, they will glance at your shirt, assume you are one of them, and accept you. Little do they know, you are faux cursing the very fabric of their existence! However, you might want to start running if you happen upon a literate Boston fan who deciphers the hidden meaning on your shirt.

These are ready and available for order at Buck Foston Shirt for a measly $15! Head over, buy early, buy often. We have a limited first run, so get them while they last! Orders are ready to be shipped as of 1/22/2010.

Here is a list of all available PS3 trophies/Xbox 360 achievements for NHL 10. They are identical tasks to complete, with the only difference between the two consoles being the assignment of a Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum trophy for PS3 and various Gamerscore points on the 360. If you wanna know which are Gold or whatever or how much each is worth, consult an actual gaming site.

While all of these are self-explanatory, I didn’t find any guides available that actually give you pointers or additional information that may make getting these easier.

Raise Your Banner
Acquire all the Bronze, Silver and Gold trophies

Complete all the other tasks. You know how platinums go…

Gold Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Gold Medal

I have heard of some teams opening up membership to whoever requested it that had won all their medals for the previous season. Try scouring some message boards to see if anyone out there is doing it. Or you know, just assemble a good team and go at it yourself.

If you get a gold medal, you will automatically get the underlying silver and bronze as well.

Silver Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Silver Medal

I believe you have to be in the top 150 of whichever league you play in (Casual or Professional) for a given month/season to unlock this one.

Bronze Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Bronze Medal

Let’s say this one is maybe around top 200 or so?

Party Animal
Complete an EA SPORTS Hockey League match with 6 human controlled players on your team

If you never end up with this many people online at once on your EASHL team, resort to the public games. Just rinse and repeat until someone mans up and doesn’t quit the game after 5 minutes of playing goalie and letting in 4 goals…

It’s a Challenge
Challenge and beat another EA SPORTS Hockey League team

We had trouble getting this one with my Xbox 360 EASHL team. It would never match us up with anything. Yet my PS3 team seemed to have it pretty quick. Anyways, you have the option to go for this if you create an EASHL game and are waiting for people to filter into the room and start things up.

Trophy Case
Be a member of a team that has won all the EA SPORTS Hockey League team trophies

Most of the team trophies you get are pretty basic. The only tough one might be playing with 6 people at once.

Grade A
Get an overall A rating in a match with your Be A Pro character

Stay in position, knock a puck loose or win some faceoffs, and tally a goal or an assist and you should satisfy the requirements here.

Star Power
Get the first star in a match with your Be A Pro character

Easy enough. Just score a goal or two and odds are you’ll be named first star.

Goal Master
Get 25 goals with your Be A Pro character

You’ll get this one in time by playing BAP. Not sure if this needs to be done with the same BAP character or over everything you may have saved.

Assists King
Get 35 assists with your Be A Pro character

You’ll get this one in time by playing BAP. Not sure if this needs to be done with the same BAP character or over everything you may have saved.

Point Leader
Get 60 points with your Be A Pro character

You’ll get this one in time by playing BAP. Not sure if this needs to be done with the same BAP character or over everything you may have saved.

Goalie Legend
Win 5 matches with your Be A Pro character playing as a goalie

This one takes a surprisingly long amount of time if you start a goalie from scratch and have to play in the NHL. Not sure if it’s possible, but try starting up a BAP profile with like, Martin Brodeur or something and see if you can do that. Obviously that would be easier than being the backup for the Lake Erie Monsters.

Out Of the Box
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without getting a penalty

This one is all about discipline. I play pretty aggressive defensive that involves a lot of poke checking, which inevitably leads to a few tripping penalties. Just go into a game with this task in mind and don’t go for any pokes or late hits or anything and you will do fine.

Century Play
Score a total of 100 goals in Online Versus Play ranked matches over your career

Play a lot, score goals, get paid.

All Play
Complete and win an Online Versus Play ranked match with three or more guests on the same PS3 system

I hope you’re rich enough to afford this many controllers. They ain’t cheap.

Its Not Easy
Beat a NHL team using an AHL team in an Online Versus Play ranked match

This is exactly as it sounds. Just wait till the wee hours when your online opposition may be drunk and vulnerable and stick it to them with a lesser squad.

Faceoff King
Win 80% of the faceoffs in an Online Versus Play ranked match

Pretty much the same logic as beating an NHL team with an AHL team. Wait for lesser opposition and prey upon them.

No Offsides
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without being called for an offside

This is somewhat on par with not getting a penalty during a match, but not as bad. Just be conscious of it throughout the game and don’t mess up.

No Icing
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without being called for icing

Avoid any long passes that might not reach their destination, since they will likely sail through the neutral zone and be touched up for icing. Once again, this is one you have to be conscious of.

Shootout Shutout
Win an Online Shootout ranked match without being scored on

Most people I have played Online Shootouts against haven’t been the best of opponents. Just don’t stray too far from the middle of the crease and don’t flop around like an idiot and odds are they will shoot the puck right into you.

Shootout Master
Score three goals in a row in an Online Shootout ranked match

Forehand, backhand, forehand, shoot. Forehand, backhand, forehand, shoot. Forehand, backhand, forehand, shoot.

Or just skate in a wide pattern and wait for the opposing goalie to inevitably be out of position.

It’s the Playoffs
Complete an Online League playoff match

Never played this mode, but sounds pretty self explanatory.

League Champion
Win an Online League that has at least 4 members

Never played this mode, but sounds pretty self explanatory.

Call Me
Unlock 3 phones in Be A GM mode

I have actually never played this mode and haven’t the slightest idea. Next.

Look No Goalie
Pull your goalie and score a goal against the CPU or an online opponent in a ranked match

If you’re winning and the CPU pulls their goalie, pull yours too when you have possession of the puck and skate down and score.

Don’t Let Up
Score four unanswered goals against the CPU or an online opponent in a ranked match

If you have trouble scoring goals and can’t do this the easy way, try getting into a situation where you can come back from a 1-0 deficit. Go up 2-1, then the CPU will pull their goalie and you will have a chance to pull away and get up to 4 total goals.

Pressure Play
Keep the pass completion % for CPU or online opponent in ranked match under 40%

This is tricky, as the CPU is pretty good at connecting with their passes. You are best off trying to find an online opponent that can’t pass for shit, or play the computer, win the opening faceoff of each period, and just skate circles.

Dump It
Dump the puck from outside the offensive blue line 10 times in one match

Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Carry the puck past the red line, shoot the puck in. Voila! Trophy.

Break Away
Score two break away goals in one match

I initially had trouble with this one because I’d get multiple breakaways in a game but only score one goal on my attempts. Then I joined my PS3 EASHL team and they scored a couple on the breakaway, allowing me to unlock this. Easy stuff – just let someone online do the work for you!

Line Juggler
Do five manual line changes during a match

This should be cake. If you don’t know how to change lines in a Versus game, RTFM (always wanted to use that acronym)

Board Play
Pin a player using board play and gain possession of the puck

If you passed the tutorial and made it this far, then I would imagine you would be able to repeat what you learned there.

Gameplay Master
Perform a loose puck deke and score a goal

The easiest way to do this one would be to play a single player match, go up by no more than 2 goals so the opposing team pulls their goalie, then gain some room moving towards the empty net, deke, and bury the puck.

Fighting Major
Accept and win a fight against a human controlled opponent

Doesn’t matter if you do this one in a Versus match or an EASHL match. Just fight a dude and win.

Self Sacrifice
Score a goal with an injured player

You’ll have to do this one in a single player game or an Online Versus match. If someone on your team gets hurt, you will receive a prompt if he is able to come back in the game. Obviously, you want to put him in. Now just pray he isn’t too battered and slow that you can’t score with him.

Hardcore Superstar
Play and win a match on Hardcore Superstar settings against the CPU

Tweak the pre-game settings to Superstar difficulty and Hardcore rule settings. Play as the Centennial Montreal Canadiens team against like the Austrian national team or something.

Unlock Gloves
Earn a pair of 2 slot gloves

I forgot how I got these but I think it was easy. Just go scroll through the different gloves in the Edit Player section and see what you have to do.

Unlock Skates
Earn a pair of 2 slot skates

I did this one by playing a game with each NHL team. Just go through them all and do a quick shootout with each squad and you will unlock these. You don’t even have to win each shootout.

Battle for the Cup
Win a Battle for the Cup series with an Elite league team in a 7 game series against the CPU

Eager to Learn
Complete the Boot Flow Interactive Tutorial

You’ll get this one as you do the basic tutorial to start the game. If you can’ t get it, you better have saved the receipt for this game.

New Beginnings
Complete a match using NHL 94 Control settings

This one is dumb, as you can’t really do much right with such primitive controls in a next-gen game. Be sure to switch the controls before you start the game. Also, be sure you switch them back to whatever you were using before if you go to play online. I got stuck with NHL 94 controls in an EASHL game and it was brutal (although I did manage an assist!)

WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?

Yes, that phrase is still considered English, and it is the rallying cry of freshly minted undefeated juggernauts, the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints are legit. With my fantasy football boyfriend Drew Brees leading the charge accompanied by a beastly running attack and inspired defense, this could very well be an epic season.

What better way to embrace this than with some local team gear? The iconic fleur-de-lis AND the Batman logo? All that’s missing is a set of exposed Mardi Gras bosoms to complete the cycle of awesome.

To a new-found NFL fan living in Los Angeles, fandom doesn’t come easy. I have no team to identify with but collegiate USC, and only because I am bedding a Trojan. This leaves me as a highly coveted free agent fan. Brees is my fantasy keeper, Reggie Bush is a local hero, and this team stands for all that is good (maybe?). I am officially pledging my allegiance, donning said shirt, and finally embracing the fandom I have yearned for.

Reenactments of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video have long made waves on the web. Lately, athletes have been getting in on the act as well. Although this is slightly late for Halloween, here are five athlete “Thriller” dance interpretations:

Villanova Men’s Basketball Team

The 2009 Villanova men’s basketball team kicked off their season with a Midnight Madness dance performance, complete with single, sparkly gloves and all.

Casey Mulligan

This St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer made a splash a few months back by entertaining fans during a rain delay.

Donovan McNabb

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has always been prone to busting a move in the end zone, so much so that they even included it in the Madden video game series.

Matti Hoyla

This Finnish goalie really took things to the next level, not only performing on the ice in skates, but executing one mean cross-ice moonwalk.

Ron Artest

Ron Ron’s love of Michael Jackson is no secret, as he selected his No. 37 on the Los Angeles Lakers for the number of weeks that the “Thriller” album was Number 1 on the charts. Here he is joining a dance number in Sacramento.

Ron Artest Thriller Dance!!!

Kindly disregard the girlish squeals of delight and appreciate that true showmanship.

If you happened to cruise by ESPN.com earlier this afternoon, you would have been subject to this sheer brilliance of a headline promoting the Philadelphia Phillies against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS:

Yes, we get it. You’re talking about the bullpens. And yes, they proved critical in the game, as George Sherrill gave up a 3-run homer to Raul Ibanez that ultimately won the game and caused me to contemplate burning my jersey t-shirt. The bullpen misadventure known as Brad Lidge then hung on for the save, and that was that.

But honestly, how could you think of anything other than this classic SNL sketch upon seeing that headline? And especially with Chase Utley shoving his very own penis mightier results right at you through the screen?

Well done, ESPN editors. Even though my team lost, this kinda made up for it.

BUCK FUTTER!

Edit: I just realized someone beat me to the punch with this one. But screw it, I was at work and didn’t have the time til now to write this up, plus it’s already written. Just enjoy the video twice and quit whining.

Feeling patriotic? You damn well better be, cuz our boys on the U.S. Men’s National Team sit atop the qualifying tables and are poised to make a splash in next summer’s 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

We are currently witnessing the emergence of a soccer power. With Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Charlie Davies leading the charge, the Americans are definitely a fun bunch to watch who can play with the best of them, just as they did against Spain and Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

The excitement is building, and our boys need the support, so what better way to show it than to head over to the soccer shop to outfit yourself with some gear to cheer them on?

Crisp, classy jerseys for a crisp, classy team. Unless Dempsey goes nuts and takes a swing at you, that is. Then at least they’re still good looking jerseys. And if you don’t fancy a jersey, then just consider a USMNT t-shirt. For the record, I’m glad that in the States, we can make such differentiations between soccer jerseys and soccer shirts, not using 3 different words (kit, as well) to describe one article of clothing.

God Bless America indeed.