“Every contest eventually becomes a headgame. I like people who don’t quit though. We are not keen on quitters in my family.” — Former U.S. President Bill Clinton afterattending the USA’s 1-0 win over Algeria. (The Guardian)
Special Edition
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Landon Donovan: Finally a household name
[MY VIEW] If there’s anything American soccer needed badly, it’s an American superstar. He has arrived and his name is, of course, LandonDonovan. In stoppage time of the USA’s must-win clash with Algeria, Donovan sparked an attack at the halfway line, passed off to Jozy Altidore, and followedup to bury a rebound to send the […]
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U.S. Player Ratings
[USA-ALGERIA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players after the USA’s 1-0 tie over Algeria inPretoria on Wednesday. USA SUBS: Rating/Player (Club/Country) GP/G6 Tim Howard (Everton/ENG) 54/0Didn’t need to save many shots of note aside from one by Karim Matmour and a late effort by Rafik Saifi, yetcollected several crosses and constantly […]
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Everything to play for in Group F
[PREDICTIONS] All four teams have a chance of qualifying from Group F, where the drawing of lots could determine the second-place team. In Group E, Japan andDenmark will face off to decide the second-place berth in the knockout phase. For a look at Thursday’s four games and Soccer America’s predictions … GROUPE: DENMARK (3 pts. […]
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Cardiac kids do it!
[USA-ALGERIA] Has there ever been a more dramatic goal in U.S. history? Landon Donovan scored in stoppage time and gavethe USA a 1-0 win over Algeria that sent it into the second round of the World Cup as the Group C winner. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like about Wednesday’s game … (Note:The USA-Algeria […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“Lots of people are for South Africa now. The French are disgusted with the results of their team, so this (cheering) is a bit to make fun of France now.” — French radio journalistAngelique Jurquit on French fans jeering Les Bleus and even cheering for South Africa at a big screen broadcast of across from […]
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Slovenia and Ghana hold precarious leads
[PREDICTIONS] All eight teams in Groups C and D remain in contention for berths in the second round. Slovenia and Ghana lead their respective groups but facestern tests against traditional powers England and Germany. For a look at Wednesday’s four games and Soccer America’s predictions … GROUP C: USA (2pts. 3-3) vs. ALGERIA (1 pt. […]
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No miracle in Bloemfontein
[GROUP A] There was no miracle in Bloemfontein, but South Africa sure made it interesting. Uruguay won Group A ahead of Mexico, which edged out South Africa ongoal difference for second place and joins the Celeste in the round of 16. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like about the final day of play in […]
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U.S. defensive success depends on Jay DeMerit
[UNDER THE MICROSCOPE] The knee cap tendon that Oguchi Onyewu ruptured back in October has dominated coverage of the U.S. back line, yet hispartner, Jay DeMerit, has rather quietly played two very solid games. The DeMerit-Onyewu pairing in the middle of the U.S. back line is, on paper, an ideal melding of the smaller,quicker defender […]
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South Africa exit marks new low for host
[MAKING A LIST] South Africa’s elimination from the 2010 World Cup marks the first time in the history of the 19 tournaments that the host team has failedto reach the second round. For how the hosts rank in World Cup history …. The host has lifted the trophy six times and finished runner-up twice. Only […]