The national 11 are headed for South Africa. This week on Only A Game, a report from Team USA’s send off match just ahead of the World Cup tournament. Also, the sometimes weird and frequently wonderful history of the World Cup, and a preview of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bill Littlefield attended one of the US National Team’s final matches before heading to South Africa for the World Cup. Here are some photos from the event.

Are you looking forward to the World Cup next month but feeling you need to brush up on your soccer knowledge? David Hirshey and Roger Bennett have you covered. In their book, the ESPN World Cup Companion, you can learn everything you’ll need to impress your friends at the office. Bill shares his thoughts on the book.

Find out what music Only A Game’s Senior Producer Gary Waleik chose for this week’s show, and why…

The Orlando Magic have scratched, clawed, and occasionally elbowed their way to two straight wins after trailing their series against Boston Celtics three games to none. While this improbable change in the series terrifies Boston fans still wounded from watching the Bruins blow a similarly insurmountable lead, Bill is thoroughly enjoying the action.

Only A Game’s flagship (pun intended) station, WBUR, hosted an event for listeners and supporters at Community Rowing, Inc. on the Charles River in Boston on Sunday, May 23. The OAG crew (pun intended, again) was there, along with the guys from NPR’s Car Talk. The day culminated in a Car Talk vs. OAG rowing race. See a picture and link to more.

“You struck out. Unacceptable. Drink from this shoe.” Bill has the story of a softball coach who probably went too far. Also, a soccer team with a unique set of rituals. Bill submits these two wacky sports items for your approval.

This week on “Only a Game,” NASCAR’s gas men, jack men, and catch can men compete trackside in the pit crew challenge, Diego Maradona tries to hold it together for the World Cup, and Henry “The Hammer” Aaron gets a big, thick book.

The Bruins may have found future stars this year in left wing Milan Lucic and goaltender Tuukka Rask, but that won’t console fans still steaming over the team’s failure to put away the Phildelphia Flyers after building a 3-0 series lead. Meanwhile, the advancing age and creaky limbs of the Celtics stars are a distant memory with the C’s halfway to the NBA Finals. Bill provides his commentary on the all or nothing attitude in Boston.

Many remember Henry Aaron only as the gifted hitter with incredibly quick wrists who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. But Bill says Howard Bryant’s biography, The Last Hero, provides a new perspective of Aaron as a man who not only excelled on the diamond but overcame immense challenges off of it.