You can talk all you want about tactics, fitness, motivation — but the keys to the USA advancing in World Cup qualifying have been Clint Dempsey, a few other veterans, and theprodigal son. On Tuesday, for the sixth time in history, the USA hosted Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier. And for the sixth time, […]
world cup 2014
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dempsey deuce powers USA past Guatemala
[USA-GUATEMALA REPORT CARD] Clint Dempsey tied Brian McBride for third on the all-time scoring list with 30 goals as theAmericans clinched their Hexagonal berth by beating Guatemala, 3-1. Starters GRADE/PLAYER (CLUB) GP/G 4 TIMHOWARD (Everton/ENG) 83/0.Rescued one of several bobbles with a nifty kicked clearance, but failed to smother another ball under pressure that he […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“I don’t know how to explain it. Normally, we would not waste a four-goal lead.” — Germany coach Joachim Loew on his team’s stunning collapseagainst Sweden, which rallied from four goals down after an hour to earn a 4-4 tie in World Cup qualifying. (AP)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Iran pulls even with South Korea
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING: Asia] Iran beat South Korea, 1-0 in Tehran to pull even with the Koreans at the halfway point of World Cup 2014 qualifying in Asia’sGroup A. Australia moved back into the race for one of the top two spots in Group B with a 2-1 win on the road against Iraq. […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Argentina extends Chile's decline
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING: South America] Argentina extended its lead at the top of the South American World Cup 2014 qualifying group to three points with a2-1 win over Chile in Santiago. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain scored for Argentina, which handed Chile its thirdstraight loss in qualifying. Ecuador, for which Chivas USA midfielder Osvaldo […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Chapines go out
[USA-GUATEMALA: Wrapup] The USA moved into the 2013 Hexagonal — Concacaf’s six-team World Cup qualifying group — with a 3-1 win over Guatemala before asellout crowd at the Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City. The Chapines, who were eliminated with the loss, took the lead in the fifth minute, but the USA soon was in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Canada coach asks for forgiveness after humiliating loss
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING: Concacaf] Once again, Canada won’t be going to the World Cup. It traveled to San Pedro Sula needing only a draw to advance to theHexagonal, but it was no contest. Before a sellout crowd in the afternoon heat at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, Honduras was ahead 4-0 after 33 minutes and coasted […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Spain and Germany have winning streaks snapped
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING: Europe] Germany, winner of 13 straight qualifying games, was cruising along with a 4-0 lead over Sweden after an hour in Berlin.Defending champion Spain, winner of 24 qualifiers in a row, was leading France, 1-0, late in stoppage time in Madrid. Guess what? Neither team won. The Swedes rallied for four […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Wynalda: 'We have to be ruthless'
Thoughts on the national team? Eric Wynalda has a few. In a wide-ranging interview the night before the USA faced Guatemala Tuesday in the last game of its2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, the former international gave his thoughts on the current squad, the work of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and the rigors ofCONCACAF qualifying. Soccer […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Messi 'Producing Magic' for Argentina Now, Too
To anyone who watches three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi play soccer on a weekly basis for FC Barcelona, it’s shocking to hear the criticism leveled at thelittle genius when he suits up for Argentina. However, the Associated Press reports that those days of criticism may be over, as Messi is now […]