Chris Oler

Author, Molly and the Magic Suitcase Series (#earlyreader) and The Shield of Horatius (#middlegrade) #familytravel #childrensbooks

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

We have a new writer for Molly's Blog. Amy and I were a creative team in search of a children's book project when our daughter Molly crawled into my suitcase 13 years ago. Our new blog writer? Molly, of course! #familytravel #kidsbooks
https://t.co/4g8eGA4rd0

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@wbuxtonofficial Credit to Ghana, it's against a player's nature to not get frustrated when you have so little of the ball. They stayed disciplined and England couldn't find a different gear.

[Jermaine Jones @Jermainejunior]

Thank you Football.

Once again, you’ve created moments of joy, happiness, togetherness, and love. You bring people from all walks of life together, celebrating in the streets, sharing their cultures, and embracing one another in a spirit of unity.

I have so much respect for the players who proudly express their faith, values, and beliefs while inspiring millions through the game they love.

Football is more than a sport. It connects people, breaks down barriers, and reminds us of what we have in common. Football is for everyone, and that should always be clear.

Watching countries share their passion, pride and spirit, not only through football but through their openness, hospitality and willingness to embrace something new, has been truly special. In doing so, they have won the hearts of so many people.

Thank you Football. Never stop bringing us together.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

And all credit to Ghana for staying disciplined despite not having the ball. I mean, really, not having the ball is maddening!
Spain is also guilty, btw. They were static in the corners against Cape Verde and once Saudi Arabia pulled back their foolish high line, Spain only got one past them.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@IanDarke They need to play for more than possession: less deliberation and more opportunism.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

With zonal systems it's hard to pull a defender out of a line. That is an easy concession. So you play quick and try to overload wherever there may be opportunity. England played well, but deliberate. It looks like that's the system, one that focuses on possession rather than creation. It won't be 0-0 every time, this is a very good team, but they do need to be able to find a different gear.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@MaxBretosSports They couldn't step up their pace and some of the credit must go to Ghana. I didn't see the urgency of a side hungry to win.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@artofutbol @MaxBretosSports He came in and immediately started walking. Put me in at the 75th minute, I'm running sprint circles just to distract a defender for a half second or so that might be critical.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@Eyesandvibes This question isn't nuanced, it's fallacious. USA must do X for Y to happen? Just root for England, please. Their fanbase today: "We haven't scored three yet so we must be terrible."

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@JustineBateman I mean, come on. No one commented "Not many people know that story."

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

If you come into the game fifteen minutes from time and immediately settle into a strolling pace, then you're the problem. England didn't look like they wanted a win until the 85th minute. #ENGvGHA

[NOBUNAGA🇯🇵🏯_夏樹蒼依 @japan_nobunaga]

I went to In-N-Out and ordered a cheeseburger. The cashier, a calm young woman named Destiny, asked me a question I did not expect.

"You want that Animal Style?"

I paused.

I did not know what this meant. But a samurai does not admit he does not know. So I answered with weight.

"...Animal Style."

"Cool. So that's mustard-grilled, extra spread, grilled onions, pickles. Yeah?"

I understood now. This was a sacred permission. For one meal, I was being told to put down my manners at the door. To eat the way a beast eats, without shame. I had waited my whole life for someone to give me this order.

"Yes," I said. "I will become the animal."

Destiny did not blink. "...Okay. You want your fries Animal Style too?"

I stopped. Even the potatoes?

"The potatoes also become animals?"

"I mean, they get cheese and sauce and grilled onions, so..."

"Then yes. Let the potatoes abandon their restraint as well."

"...Got it." She was the calmest woman I have ever met. "3x3, 4x4, or just the one?"

I did not know these numbers, but I knew a challenge when I heard one. "How many must I face?"

"It's, like, how many patties you want."

"How many is the most honorable?"

"...Four is a lot."

"Then four. A warrior does not ask for fewer."

She wrote it down without argument. A 4x4, Animal Style, with animal fries. She warned me once, kindly. "That's gonna be huge." I told her I was counting on it.

It arrived. It was a tower. Cheese and sauce ran down my hands the moment I lifted it. There was no clean way to eat it. There was no dignified way. That was the entire point.

I ate it like a beast. Both hands, no honor, grilled onion on my chin, and I have to be honest with you, it was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth.

For thirty years I have kept my manners at every table in the world.

They handed me a burger and told me to be an animal, and I have never felt so free.

So tell me, America.

The whole country knows the secret menu. What else are you hiding in plain sight?

And "Animal Style." Was I eating the animal, or finally becoming one?

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@Rockman98111935 @grok @CFCVortex Lol. Pele said that as well.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

I like how long Doski took to hit that cross. They sat off him so he waited to see what he wanted to see. Just outside the 18 and France aren't pushing for the ball. Hmm. #FRAvIRQ

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@BrooksDT That's the length we wore on the field until about '91 or '92.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@malukasdavid Not sure you had to share that detail. Dirt and grass in the air does lead viewers to different interpretations and 'planned' isn't on the list. Great stuff there.

[David Malukas @malukasdavid]

aura farm pass (wasn’t planned)

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

@BlueBoxDave Agree the timing of the changes. Had to laugh at the scarf part of your comment, it's so true. Still can't bring myself to give Nike a cent of my soccer budget. Folks, being there back when doesn't give us something above anyone else, it just means our experience was different.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

Watching Thierry Henry give Flo Balogun a pop quiz on things they've undoubtedly discussed before. Good stuff. #worldcup2026 #usmnt

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

Makes sense, but that's an impossible backline. Someone has to make the vocal cues. Freeman and Ream start, Freeman in the center, McKenzie on the right. Scally starts as LWB. Roldan and Berhalter aren't enough size in the middle, it will be Tillman and Berhalter. Wes, Aaronson, Pepi up top. I can't see Reyna starting, he hasn't had a complete competitive match in 2026. The lineup needs anchors in every line and you have to have some continuity in level of play or you risk throwing some confidence away.

[Chris Oler @COLORMktgDesign]

2-0 doesn't reflect Austria's performance. Much, much to like about the Argentina squad, but a more incisive team... We'll see. #ARGvAUT