Guest Post by Eric LaForge: Memorabilia Helpers

It seems simple. You search around the Internet and find a reputable dealer. It may be an online company, a dealer in your area, or even a friend that's selling their piece for a little bit of extra cash. You compare the prices, find the best deal and the sale is made. It ends with you going home a little closer to your favorite player, and very happy with your purchase. It's foolproof!

But if it's that foolproof, then why do so many people buy fakes?

Well, the answer is simple, it's not actually foolproof (far from it). Everybody understands the importance of buying from a reputable dealer, but people have a hard time figuring out who the reputable dealers actually are. It's not because people are stupid, it's because they're unsuspecting. They never stop to think that the person they're buying from is either a liar, or doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line is that they believe everything the seller says, even though that's the last person you want to trust.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

I read a story a while ago from a guy that was talking about his sports memorabilia experience. He bought a fake from a company that I'm sure you've heard of, Ebay. In his case, he found a dealer that he thought was reputable, and ended up getting ripped off. In this case, the buyer trusted a person that he shouldn't have because that person (like many others) knew how to manipulate the rankings on Ebay. It was a mistake that cost the buyer about 800 dollars (560 pounds).

The Growth of Soccer in the USA

Written by Annette Lyndon

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is fast approaching. Fans from all over the globe will be flocking to the country to watch their nations compete. Excitement is building as the opening match approaches (June 11th). Football, or soccer, is the world’s sport, and mounting anticipation can only be expected. However a high level of enthusiasm is coming from an unlikely nation this year, the USA.

While sports are an integral part of American culture, soccer never really gained popularity as a primary spectator sport. For many years soccer was accepted as a popular team sport for youths and never caught on in the mainstream arena. But recently soccer has taken flight and is becoming more than recognized as part of the American sports lineup. Major League Soccer (MLS) was founded in 1993 and today has 16 major league teams. The sport has also attracted a large number of individuals from many backgrounds. Soccer teams and clubs are increasing in popularity in US inner cities. Role models, like Cobi Jones from the LA Galaxy, have demonstrated minority involvement within the sport and are encouraging youths from different ethnicities to adopt playing it as well. Soccer has also developed as an important sport for women. In the US, 35% of all soccer players are female, one of the highest percentages of women participants around the world. Soccer in America is helping to cross racial, as well as gender, lines.

While the United States has their own teams, fans are broadening their horizons and watching international play as well. Many American soccer fans have begun to follow popular foreign teams like Spain’s Real Madrid and Britain’s Manchester United. Yet, when the World Cup begins, you can be sure that the majority of the country will be supporting the USA. As of March 31st, the USA ranks 16th out of the total 204 world teams who entered to take part in the games and qualified for the tournament. The USA is scheduled to play its first match against England on the 12th of June. An overwhelming number of American fans are traveling to South Africa to see the US play. It is reported that Americans stand second after South Africans as primary ticket holders for the tournament.

While American fans may have to fly overseas this year to attend the festivities, in the future they may not have to leave their own backyard. The United States is being considered as the host country for the 2018 World Cup. Former President Clinton’s top counselor, Doug Band, has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors as a member of the USA Bid Committee in an attempt to bring the World Cup to the US in 2018 or 2022. Adding him to the committee should increase the chance that the U.S. has at winning the bid since Doug Band is known worldwide for his international philanthropic initiatives, thus improving the relationship the U.S. has with over 170 foreign countries. Ultimately, the hope is that the committee effort will continue to boost soccer enthusiasm in the US and bring the nation to the forefront as a serious contender for the bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

What are your reflections on soccer in the USA? Comment below!

World Cup Final Match Ball Revealed: The Jo'Bulani

With the important mark of 50 days until the World Cup kick off, the 2010 World Cup Final Match Ball was revealed. The Jo'Bulani will be the ball used in the final match of the tournament, it was unveiled by Adidas with Franz Beckenbauer, the South Africa National Team "Bafana Bafana", and Carlos Alberto Parreira, the South Africa coach.

While the color palette has changed from the colorful green and red of the Jabulani to the more golden of the Jo'Bulani, the name of the ball is also important. Jabulani signifies happiness, or celebration, and the Jo'Bulani is part happiness, part Johannesburg, where the final will be played in the Soccer City stadium.

But for any ball geeks that were looking for new technologies or changes in the balls structures, the final ball isn't any different from the Jabulani. Both of them use the new grip'n'groove technology which helps the ball move smoothly and powerfully, and they are both made up of an 8 thermally bonded 3D panels, making it the roundest ball ever. Both of these balls look fantastic, and millions will be buying them before the epic final in South Africa.

World Cup Live the place to watch live footy on your computer

With the upcoming Champions
League and this summer's World Cup, there is one place where you can watch it all on your computer. http://www.free-football.tv/ is where you can find all the world's greatest football live. With easy to use free software, free footy is just a couple minutes away, sign up and get watching!

Remember to check out World Cup Live along with other great sites on the SWU blogroll like Free Under Over Soccer Picks, and Soccer Betting Odds.