World Cup Update #1: Laser pointers

In just three days, there has already been a lot of complaining about the ball, the quasi-artificial pitch at some stadiums, and the vuvuzelas. Not much has been made, however, of the fact that Lionel Messi and others were menaced with a laser pointer in yesterday's Argentina-Nigeria match.

Late Breaking News Flash!

According to today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

"The Seattle Sounders FC and Soccer United Marketing combined to organize the match and brought in a natural grass surface that was laid down over the FieldTurf for the match."

So tonight's friendly at Qwest Field between Brazil and Canada will be played on grass after all, unlike the Mexico - China match a few months ago.

"It doesn't really matter, does it?" some might ask. All we can do is shake our heads and try not to cry.