The above picture was taken from my seat in Seattle at (sadly) the U.S. soccer team's last 2026 U.S. World Cup game.

I had tossed around the idea of going since the U.S. qualified for the round of 32, but I came up with too many excuses to take it seriously. It wasn't until the day before the game when my wife said, " Memories over money — just do it." More on that later.

The best emails I get from clients at Exit 59 Advisory , where I am president, feature phrases such as:

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