Soccernet on Futbol in the Land of the Hobbits

I imagine that I'm not the only one out there who hasn't thought to much about the state of New Zealand soccer. What with Ryan Nelson, Simon Elliott and Simon Elliott's crap haircut having departed for Jolly Olde, I think the only time I have given the Kiwi's any recent thought was when the Bucks for Becks World Tour™ rolled through last November.

But other people, namely Soccernet, have been doing enough thinking about it to actually write a concise article addressing how the US has played an intricate role in the further development of New Zealand football. And here I was thinking all we were good for was rock-solid goalies and totally awesome, devilishly wry observationist electronic rock music.

Kiwi's, you owe us but don't worry too much about us coming to collect. The only thing we'd want it Crowded House but they're too old now.

[UPDATE] Ironically Toronto FC have cut NZ defender Andy Boyens today...it's a curse!