[UNDER-17 BOYS] U.S. U-17 boys national team Wilmer Cabrera selected 24 players for the two-week journey that began inCosta Rica and has taken them to Argentina. After two scrimmages against Costa Rica — 4-0 win and 2-2 draw — the U-17s headed to Argentina for the Copa Cordoba. U.S. Roster: GOALKEEPERS (2): Wade Hamilton […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Captain Messi leads perfect Argentina
[GROUP B] Argentina completed a sweep of its Group B games — only its third ever three-game sweep in group play — with a 2-0 win over Greece, while SouthKorea joined Argentina in the round of 16 with a 2-2 tie against Nigeria in a nail-biter. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like from Tuesday’s Group […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Bafana Bafana and France depart, the Maradona-Messi show gathers strength
By Paul Gardner Group A has finished all wrong, of course. It’s been an unswerving rule of every World Cup that the host team always qualifies for the second round.South Africa should be celebrating right now. But it’s out of the tournament after only three games, and I’m wondering who ever really believed that the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
One goal changes everything
[MY VIEW] Rampant, near-hysterical promotion is a staple of ESPN’s philosophy, yet it came up short with its World Cup slogan, “One Game Changes Everything.”Nice try, guys, but as the first day of group finales vividly showed on Tuesday, one goal changes everything. By virtue of beating Greece, 2-0, in its opener on June 12, […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
South Africa and France face almost certain elimination
[PREDICTIONS] The World Cup moves into the final stages of the first round when group matches will be played simultaneously. Mexico and Uruguay have the edge inGroup A, while Argentina is all but assured of advancing to the knockout phase from Group B. For a look at Tuesday’s four games and Soccer America’s predictions … […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Beware of coaching nonsense
By Paul Gardner We’re now reaching the stage of the World Cup when we are forced to put up with a good deal of crap about coaches and coaching. From the coachesthemselves, of course, but also from their players (how would they dare contradict their coach?), and from their followers in the media. Of the […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Finally, goals, lots of goals …
[GROUP B] Want goals? We got goals for you on the second day of play in Group B. Eight goals in total. As many as in the previous five games combined. Argentinaisn’t yet assured of a berth in the second round, but its play in its two wins puts the Albiceleste among the favorites to […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rating the big seven
[MY VIEW] The seven seeds other than host South Africa were considered the favorites to win the World Cup. How did they do in their openers? They ranged fromGermany, magnificent in its 4-0 win over Australia, to Spain, upset by Switzerland, and Italy and England, both lackluster at best in opening ties. Here’s how we […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
What tricks does Maradona have for South Korea?
[PREDICTIONS] Argentina players are crediting Coach Diego Maradona with coming up with the play that produced thewinning goal against Nigeria. He’ll need to come up with a plan to stop South Korea, so impressive in its win over Greece. For a look at Thursday’s three games and Soccer America’s predictions … ARGENTINA (3 pts., 1-0) […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Messi, Enyeama and young Koreans stand out
[GROUP B] Lionel Messi didn’t score but didn’t disappoint either in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Nigeria, whose goalie Vincent Enyeama was the game’s outstanding performer. Young stars Lee Chung-Yong and ParkChu-Young helped South Korea to an easy 2-0 win over a terrible Greece team. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like about the opening Group […]