Last month, as the Knicks raced towards their first NBA Championship in 53 years, they hit only one major bump, an orange one in fact – Donald J Trump. His presence at Game 3 at Madison Square Garden created an unwelcome distraction and, as I imagine it, a wave of negativity.
He shifted the energy and the Knicks lost their only game of the playoffs that night.
Happily, the team came roaring back after that Game 3 loss and brought a shiny trophy home. NYC has been standing particularly tall ever since.
Knicks in 5, baby!
This sense of pride of continued to radiate for me until yesterday.
That’s when I learned that DJT interfered with the FIFA official’s decision to award a player on the USMNT a red card during their most recent match. The consequences for this player included ejection from that match and a full (next scheduled) game suspension.
I am no expert in sports, but the penalty did not look, to me, worthy of the punishment. I truly believe he was going for the ball, but would not have argued if the player was awarded a yellow card for his actions. However, it did not appear to be a red card offense.
Despite playing down a man, team USA prevailed and finished strong that night. Again, there has been a sense of pride that feels like a breath of fresh air during this dystopian time in this country’s history.
I was so looking forward to tonight’s (7/6/26) match and watching it with friends on the Cape.
Until, DJT once again made his presence known, despite not yet attending a single World Cup 2026 soccer match. He and his artful deal making approached the powers that be at FIFA and suddenly, the red card and its resultant penalty have been negated.
It’s almost like a J6 pardon.
I don’t even know if I want to watch the match tonight anymore. Everything Trump touches turns into shit and he has tainted this World Cup for our country with his meddling.
In my (not anymore) secret fantasy, the USMNT would refuse to field the player who was to have been benched for tonight. They would ignore the cringy interference of the POTUS and win the match because of their own hard work, commitment and dedication* to their sport.
Win fairly or lose gracefully.
How are you feeling about the World Cup? Are you Team USA or are you rooting for another team?
*Three verbs that DJT does not possess.
DelSo 
Actually, I’m with you. I don’t think it was a red flag foul (the little I understand it), but FOTUS’s interference despoils it for me. Now that Mexico and Canada are out, maybe the US should make the hosts 0-3.
I’m rooting for, in order, Morocco, Egypt, and Columbia. France and Spain are supposed to win, and Argentina (with Messi being at least close to a yellow card often), so I guess not them.