I’m not sure this actually tells us much, but for what it’s worth:

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP)— Forward Jozy Altidore has resumed full training with the
U.S. World Cup team, six days after spraining his right ankle during practice.

“I feel great. The ankle feels fine,” Altidore said in comments relayed by the U.S. Soccer
Federation after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s a little sore, but I had no issues participating in
all the exercises today. I’m happy to be part of the group again.”

Altidore, who has nine goals in 25 international appearances, didn’t play in Saturday’s 3-1 exhibition win over Australia. The U.S. plays its World Cup opener against England on Saturday.

It’s sore, but feels fine? Huh? Doesn’t sound like it.

Jozy might want to do a little praying. At right, a woman touches a glass case today containing a statuette depicting the Boy Saint of Miracles, dressed in the Mexican national soccer team uniform and with soccer balls at its feet, at Saint Gabriel Archangel Catholic church in Mexico City.

The Boy Saint of Miracles is traditionally dressed in white and prayed to for miracles, will be dressed in the Mexican national team colors for the World Cup. (AP Photo).

By the way, it appears our local non-playing Galaxy English midfielder is staying busy:

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) — Yahoo! has signed David Beckham to be part of its World Cup coverage.

Beckham will help promote the site, which will feature a David Beckham channel with commentary on soccer’s biggest event. After the World Cup, at least 75 fans will be invited to pose questions to Beckham.

The injured English star is out of the World Cup after tearing his left Achilles’ tendon. He is in South Africa with the squad and was sent last week to scout the American team, England’s first opponent on Saturday.

Beckham says the Yahoo! deal will allow him to “interact one-on-one with as many football fans as possible.”

Maybe he should actually try playing in MLS if he wants to interact with fans.

Finally, I’m not sure I’m buying this logic (since they don’t actually provide any evidence it’s the World Cup and not, say, the Seattle Sounders that’s responsible for the attendance bump), but again, for what it’s worth:

Major League Soccer’s attendance is expected to be helped by the World Cup and rise 15.4 percent to about 18,500 per game, according to the market research firm IBISWorld.

The league, which started play in 1996, already is up 10.7 percent from a similar point last year, the company said Tuesday.

“The early attendance spike is an encouraging sign of things to come, and the excitement from the World Cup will keep the ball rolling,” IBISWorld analyst Dmitry Kopylovsky said. “Additionally, MLS attendance is expected to keep building momentum throughout the summer as the NBA and NHL playoffs end and there’s less competition for the consumer’s entertainment dollar.”