You Talkin' to Me? Will U.S. and England advance at World Cup?

From: Michael Harrington

To: Fagan, Kate; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Rooting interests

Well, Kate, we're joined today by Talkin' royalty, the Prince of Page 2. No more of this ersatz Gonzo - we have the real thing.

So who do you two like in Wednesday's Group C games, Slovenia vs. England and the United States vs. Algeria?

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fagan, Kate; Michael Harrington

Subject: Rooting interests

You were better off with the stand-in. The real me isn't nearly as charming or witty.

Kate, congrats on getting sent to South Africa. I begged Cohen to send me with you. Instead, he shipped me to Augusta for golf and Chicago for hockey.

From: Fagan, Kate

To: Gonzalez, John; Harrington, Michael

Subject: Rooting interest?

It's tough when you've been away so long you're unsure of the paper's status.

There's still a paper, right?

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fagan, Kate; Harrington, Michael

Subject: Rooting interest?

For now. By the time you get done in South Africa, that might change. We could always sell vuvuzelas.

From: Michael Harrington

To: Fagan, Kate; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Rooting interest?

I'm being loaned out to the Metro copy desk for a day. It's two cubicles away - don't think I'll need a passport.

As for the games, I think the Americans have enough firepower, especially if Bob Bradley goes with Edu and the underrated Feilhaber from the start. I think the U.S. team and England both win to advance.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fagan, Kate; Harrington, Michael

Subject: Rooting interests

One of my closest friends is English. Like most Brits, he's a huge "football" fan. I asked him about how his side is performing and he said a bunch of stuff I can't repeat here. Mostly the conversation was full of exclamations like "Oi!" and "Rubbish!"

I'm obviously rooting for the Americans to win and advance, and I think they will. As for the English, I think they'll win, but I'm (not so) secretly hoping they won't. Watching the English soccer fans' reaction after Wayne Rooney and the boys melt down is great fun.

From: Harrington, Michael

To: Fagan, Kate; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Rooting interests

South Africa is the first host nation to go out in the group stage of the World Cup. I can see why you've become a Bafana Bafana fan, Kate. They made quite a contrast to France, who looked like they would just pick up their bags on the sideline and head directly to the airport.

From: Fagan, Kate

To: Gonzalez, John; Harrington, Michael

Subject: Rooting interests

It's going to be difficult to fill my postcard without the French cursing at one another and refusing to practice.

But there's still Diego Maradona, who tends to say the most ridiculous things.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Michael Harrington; Fagan, Kate

Subject: Rooting interests

I'm sorry to see the French go. The World Cup is about bringing nations together, and nothing unifies people more than making fun of France.

From: Harrington, Michael

To: Fagan, Kate; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Rooting interests

Fave Maradona quote: "Behind Messi, there is a team that has to support him and he would have to be the strawberry on top of the dessert." That's an insight into his strategy - or dinner plan.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fagan, Kate; Harrington, Michael

Subject: Rooting interests

I like Maradona. Diva, curses a lot, questionable facial hair - if he wasn't from Argentina, he'd make a great Frenchy.