Iraqis' drubbing of U.S. troops shows who rules the soccer field

[Barrett808]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Iraqis' drubbing of U.S. troops shows who rules the soccer field
By Mike Tharp | McClatchy Newspapers

MULTAKA, Iraq — A soccer game on a dirt field between two amateur teams_ one U.S. Army soldiers, one local Iraqis — may not seem like a big deal in the scope of the wider war.

Especially when it's a blow-out by the Iraqis; when both teams are playing in running shoes, not cleats; when the nets are thin blue mesh; and when only a couple hundred fans brave the 108-degree temperature in this town due west of Kirkuk.

But the recent match between members of the 87th Infantry's 1st battalion and several young men from the Sons of Iraq meant much more than the 9-0 score.

For one thing, it was the third time in recent days when American soldiers donned shorts and "Salute to Our Fallen Heroes" T-shirts to go head-to-head and foot-to-foot with teams of opponents who, only months ago, may have been trying to kill them.

For another, the soldiers were playing without body armor — a sign of improved security in the sandy Hawijah District patrolled by units of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/41848.html

[Taverner]

1. SEE! SEE! THEY'RE PLAYING SOCCER! THE SURGE WORKED!!!

:sarcasm:

[Ian David]

2. Remember that movie about Vietnam where our soccer team was ordered to let the Vietnamese win?

You know.

Too boost the morale of our allies.