Spain Wins First World Cup

Amazingly, English referee Howard Webb did the impossible. By constantly puffing on his whistle throughout Sunday's World Cup final, he managed to create a more shrill sound than the omnipresent vuvuzelas.

Sadly however, Webb's timing, well, sucks.

Yes the Dutch were dirty, just ask Johan Cruyff, but Webb's need to interject himself over and over did as much to take away from the spectacle of Spain's 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands. Spain were no saints either. Portugal's Iberian cousins apparently have been paying attention to the master baby-daddy Cristiano Ronaldo, the diver extraordinaire. The drama was in overdrive Sunday night in Jo-berg and the result was a lousy final.

But really, this isn't a surprise. After all, aren't most major tournament finals terrible? They're chippy, dirty and yes, extra-time affairs that rarely live up to the hype. Thank God sex isn't like soccer, otherwise, we'd all be orgasming in the early stages of the event and the big finish we hope for ends up being a limp biscuit.

Spain won its first World Cup, and justly so. Spain was the better team. It was the best team in the tournament, though Germany has an argument there. It's appalling that the Dutch went into the game convinced they could not contend with Spain's patience and precision. They approached the rectangular pitch like an MMA octagon. Nigel de Jong, in fact, took that a bit literally. He should have been red-carded immediately, as should have Arjen Robben late in the extra time.

Look, we're a few hundred words into this post and we haven't talked about the pretty football that was practiced on Sunday. Because between the whistles, magic spray breaks, and embellished pains in the knees and ankles, we tend to forget how every single time Robben touched the ball he did something positive. How many corners did he create? How many breathtaking runs through the impenetrable Spanish defense? And the breakaway that should have been a goal. Good think Ilker Casillas didn't trim the nail on his big toe, eh?

How about Carles Puyol's play in the semis and the final? And what about Sergio Ramos turning the Dutch defense silly on more than one occasion, never mind his header that should have settled things long before Andres Iniesta's goal late in extra time.

And the wonderful Iniesta. Long a favorite here, it was so fitting he scored the legendary winner. How perfect that he played so perfectly the whole match. He and Xavi are the best midfield pairing I've ever seen, and I believe the best teams always win, and the best players always win.

And speaking of winning, Spain is the first World Cup title holder to also hold the European championship. More remarkably, Spain did so winning both championships on foreign soil. The greatest team of our time won the world championship. Like Iniesta, perfectly fitting.

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Portugal v Spain Starting 11

PORTUGAL

GK: Eduardo

D: Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Ricardo Costa

MF: Pepe, Raul Meireles, Tiago, Simao

F: Ronaldo, Hugo Almeida

SPAIN

GK: Casillas

D: Puyol, Pique, Capdevila, Ramos

MF: Busquets, Xabi, Xavi

F: Villa, Torres, Iniesta

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Random Thoughts about World Cup 2010

Compiling some random thoughts about World Cup 2010 as I listen to Andres Cantor's call of Landon Donovan's goal over and over. Just sensational.

• Dunga will be validated for going with these team and this approach. Defense wins for the first time in Brazil, which will win one for the other hand--a very Jordan-like sixth world championship.
• Arjen Robben comes back to Holland's lineup and scores the Dutch's first goal. Who knew he was that good? Um, EVERYONE! Everyone except Slovakia
• In a close race for the most overrated figure at World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello v. Jozy Altidore. Put them in a UFC octagon and Altidore would spend the bout behind Capello, who would be making the blowfish face while sitting on a bench with his arms folded. Altidore would come close with a lot of his punches, but be late or just miss all of them. Capello, meanwhile, still has his arms folded.
• So FIFA says showing the replay of Carlos Tevez's offside goal for Argentina yesterday was a mistake and adds it will censor future replays at World Cup venues. So let's get this straight, non controversial goals will be shown, anything that could sully a referee's reputation won't be. I guess it will be easy to spot the bad calls, and there will be a lot of dark screens in South Africa.
• Miroslav Klose has scored 12 goals in the World Cup finals; just as many as that Pele guy. Klose's dirty dozen are a well-kept secret, a quiet 12 goals. BTW, those two guys are tied for fourth all-time. Trivia: Name the top 3 (answer below)
• Germany may give Brazil a battle in the final (I think I've conceded this point), but I'd still rather have Argentina-Brazil in the final; or even the real Portugal-Brazil game this time of course in the final.
• Is it my prejudice, or is Portugal kinda sneaky lurking around in this tournament and might just play its way into the final? Or at least the semis? Maybe.
  
• And speaking of Argentina, here's the perfect example of the "Is it the players or the coaching" argument. Diego Maradona ain't pushing all of these buttons folks. He just ain't. I don't know enough about his staff to say it's all them, but I know it ain't all Maradona right now. He's built an offensive machine, a relentless force that might outscore everyone all the way to the championship. Higuain, Aguero, Messi, Tevez--should I keep going? This is an unparalleled collection of offense. Players? Coaching? Let's see how this plays out.
• Brazil's physical defense-first approach versus Argentina's Playstation-style of offense. If that's the final, I can't wait.
• Trivia answer: Ronaldo of Brazil (15), Gerd Mueller of Germany (14), and Just Fontaine of France (13).
• Ian Darke rocks. John Harkes, not so much
• If the U.S. is going to can Bob Bradley--it should and I think it will--then hopefully Sunil Gulati is on the same flight out of town. In fact, I'll drive you fellas to the airport.
• Portugal-Spain just has a whole lotta awesome about it.
• I wonder under what bridge ESPN has Tommy Smythe tied up? Does he get to come out for the Champions League?
• Did you like my Lady Gaga/France post? I did.
• Speaking of the French: See ya in 2014, hopefully 2018. Yeah, that's it, 2022.
• I'm 4-for-6 in my second round predictions so far, thanks Bullet Bob Bradley, and you too Fhony Fabio

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World Cup 2010: Second round predictions

This was an epic first round of World Cup 2010. So many stories: France's disgraceful exit; Italy's unexpected ouster; the dominance of the South American nations; Ghana the lone standing African nation; shoddy goalkeeping; poor refereeing; Landon Donovan's goal; Argentina scoring at will; Portugal, Uruguay and Chile yet to surrender a goal.

How can the World Cup's sweet 16 top that? We're about to find out.

Uruguay v. South Korea -- The South Americans are physical, stingy and have Diego Forlan scoring goals. 2-0 Uruguay.

United States v. Ghana -- Ghana got in on goal-differential; the U.S. got in on its goal of the century. The U.S. can't do it the easy way finally, can they? Yes. 2-0 USA.

Quarterfinals: Uruguay v. United States

--

Argentina v. Mexico -- Argentina has the best scoring talent in the tournament. Mexico has a lot of heart and is playing well. Argentina has Diego Maradona. Mexico does not. They don't have Lionel Messi either. 3-0 Argentina.

Germany v. England -- Oh boy. The political and traditional implications aside, this is epic and mammoth. Germany leaked badly in its group after opening with a 4-0 win. Schweinsteiger may not play. England has yet to cut loose and play its best. Capello is outcoaching himself. But in this one, he pulls the boys together and Rooney wins it in extra time. Yes, this goes to extra time. 1-0 England.

Quarterfinals: Argentina v. England

--

Paraguay v. Japan -- Japan has been most impressive so far, but I have to stick with my Southern hemisphere theory and go with Paraguay. 2-1 Paraguay.

Portugal v Spain -- A classic in the making. This will be everything that Brazil-Portugal was not. Portugal will have to attack and so will Spain. But in the end, we need an upset in this round, and this is it. 2-1 Portugal.

Quarterfinals: Paraguay v. Portugal

--

Netherlands v. Slovakia -- The dark horse to win the whole thing, Holland is ever dangerous and with Robben on his way back, they're bound to get better. 4-0 Netherlands.

Brazil v. Chile -- My Southern hemisphere theory kicks in again -- has to! Brazil stomps on Chile. 4-1 Brazil.

Quarterfinals: Netherlands v. Brazil.

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World Cup 2010 Group Stage: How did we do?

So now that we're two games shy of the end of the group stage of World Cup 2010, let's check out how our previews and predictions have gone so far.

Group A: I got the two teams who moved ahead correct in this group: Mexico and Uruguay, but I had Mexico winning the group. Close, but no cigar. (Fine Uruguay lady, right) At least France is going home and I got that one right too.

Group B: Got Argentina right here, the two-time champs won the group as I predicted. But I had Nigeria and it's South Korea moving on.

Group C: Had the England and the U.S. here in that order; right teams wrong order as it turned out. I'll take it, no sweat. Landon Donovan can do no wrong.

Group D: I blew this one royally, just like Group B. I got the winner correct in Germany, but Ghana made it too by the skin of its teeth over Australia.

Group E: I figured this group for a three-way logjam at the top with a lot of tiebreakers coming into play. Nope. Netherlands went 3 for 3 and Japan pound Denmark for second place. I had Holland and Cameroon. Oh well.

Group F: Perhaps the most shocking result of the first round, Italy's ouster. The defending champs gone and of course, they messed up my predictions. Paraguay wins the group, as I figured. Slovakia is in also. I had Paraguay and Italy.

Group G: Nailed this one, almost to the point. Brazil finishes with 7, Portugal with 5. I had Portugal with 6. Oh well. The Group of Death is as expected for me.

Group H: Still to come this afternoon, but I had Spain and Chile. Switzerland a close third. Still could go that way.

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Andres Cantor's Call of Landon Donovan's goal

Just had to share: This is a link to Andres Cantor's call of Landon Donovan's goal.

Enjoy.

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U.S. World Cup Team Can't Rest on Algeria Win

The United States has been pining to be a world soccer power and they're so close, especially after the first round of the World Cup. But let's stop calling yesterday's 1-0 win over Algeria that enabled the U.S. to win its group and advance to the knockout stage of the tournament the biggest win in U.S. soccer history. This isn't the game that's going to make soccer the new football in the U.S.

It's the next game that will do that.

And then the one after that.

And hopefully one or two after that.

Enjoy this one now, because come Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the win over Algeria and Landon Donovan's wonder goal will be long forgotten; especially if by 4:30, we're with our hands in our heads and tears of sorrow staining our faces. The U.S. has to take the next step, now. Their time has arrived because they won't get a more favorable road to World Cup glory. Ghana, and their either Uruguay or South Korea stand between the U.S. and the World Cup semifinals.

The U.S. made the semifinals in 1930, ironically played in Uruguay. The U.S. were hammered by Argentina 6-1, whom they could theoretically meet in this year's final.

Yes, I'm way ahead of myself and I wouldn't bet my chocolate lab on that happening, but they certainly could end up in the final four against Brazil, Holland, maybe even Portugal.

That's what yesterday's victory did. It wasn't the end game. It wasn't the end-all, be-all. No Bianca, it wasn't the greatest day in U.S. soccer history. That will be Saturday. And then July 2, July 6 and maybe July 11.

Until then, savor it, but don't be satisfied. That's how world soccer powers behave.

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Landon Donovan's Goal puts U.S. into Second Round

I'm sorry Landon.

I'm sorry for crapping all over you not so long ago. I doubted you. I doubted your ability to lead the United States men's national team. I doubted your ability as a finisher on the field. I doubted your ability as a playmaker. I doubted your heart. I doubted you'd get it done.

What do I know?

Not much apparently. So I'm manning up and apologizing.

I'm sorry.

You are a soccer stud, the leader of this team and the rightful face of American soccer. You should be SI's Sportsman of the Year. You should be captain for life.

You've grown so much since the 2006 World Cup. You started to win me over before the Confederations Cup, you put David Beckham in his place, you made a huge impact at Everton and now this. Today's goal. 92nd minute. USA in the second round of the World Cup; not just in the second round of the World Cup, but for the first time, group winners. Hopefully we've avoided Spain by doing so and maybe, just maybe, opened up a clear lane to the semifinals.

I sure didn't expect this two weeks ago. I expected the US to get out of the group, but not like this. Not after being screwed by an incompetent ref. Not after playing so-so against England and needing an all-time gaffe to earn a tie there. Not after going toe-to-toe with a hungry Algeria team for 90-plus minutes.

You were at the center of all that was great today about the United States and it's so fitting you scored the game-winner. Cry those tears of joy son, because we know you can refocus. We know you can lead us to victory against Serbia--maybe even Spain if need be.

I apologize for all the crap I personally heaved upon you. I'm sorry; it won't happen again. I won't ever have to say I'm sorry to Landon Donovan.

Just "thank you."

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U.S. Starting 11 v. Algeria

The United States Starting Eleven for today's match against Algeria has been announced:

• GK: Howard
• D: Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bocanegra (c), Bornstein
• MF: Donovan, Bradley, Edu, Dempsey
• F: Gomez, Altidore

Clearly, the shocker there is no Oguchi Onyewu on defense. Gooch has not been stellar in the first two matches. Fanhouse is reporting Onyewu's benching is a "coach's decision." Very interesting stuff. Jonathan Bornstein is in the lineup in place of Gooch, giving the U.S. more speed to attack via the wings.

Coach Bob Bradley messing with his lineup for the vital win or go home game opens the door for a lot of second guessing and Monday Morning Quarterbacking. I kinda like it though; I've been critical of Gooch and I think it's pretty gutsy of Bradley to sit one of his best--well he's considered one of his best--players.

Remember, here's the qualification scenario for the U.S.:

1. Win and they're in.
2. Tie and they still advance if England loses
3. Tie and England ties and U.S. maintains its goal differential advantage.

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Should Portugal Rest Stars against Brazil?

June 15, 2008, a little more than two years ago to the day, Switzerland hammered Portugal 2-0 in the final day of the group stage of Euro 2008. Portugal won its group on goal differential after beating Turkey and the Czech Republic in its first two matches, but it left a good, talented and expensive hunk of its lineup on the sidelines for the Swiss game. Cristiano Ronaldo did not play, neither did Simao Sabrosa, Deco, Nuno Gomes or Ricardo Carvalho among the regulars.

Former boss Big Phil Scolari decided to rest his stud horses, preparing them for the quarterfinals and a date with Germany. And we all remember how that one ended, a 3-2 German win in a game that was not as close as the final score would indicate.

I contend to this day had Scolari played his regulars at least a half, Portugal would have beaten Germany, hammered Turkey in the semis and maybe, just maybe, beaten Spain in the final.

You see, my theory is this: It may take you two years to qualify for the World Cup, but at the end of the day, the World Cup is a short tournament. By the time the managers select their final 23 players, there's scant more than a month to build some sort of final cohesion and continuity. To rest players during the tournament, players who aren't injured or aren't in yellow card hell, is irresponsible and risky.

Just ask Portugal.

So in that respect, it will be very interesting to see what manager Carlos Queiroz does later this week when Portugal meets Brazil. Brazil is through to the knockout stage, and after today's 7-0 dismantling of North Korea, Portugal would need a disastrous collapse and an equally heroic goal onslaught by Ivory Coast over North Korea not to join Brazil in the next round. To quote the Mythbusters, plausible, but I'd rather call it busted.

So what does Queiroz do? Does he play his regular Portugal Starting Eleven 45 minutes? 75 minutes? Not at all. Is there any validity to my theory.

I sure think there is. Portugal did not play well against Ivory Coast and today was an aberration. North Korea surrendered once the second-third-and-fourth goals found their way into the back of the net. The 7-spot was insurance against an Ivory Coast shellacking of the North Koreans. Portugal needs more quality minutes in this tournament. Hopefully they get them against Brazil, which has been dominant in the first two matches.

Brazil has physically overpowered both Ivory Coast and North Korea, imposing its will and flair on both opponents. It doesn't need to win against Portugal, nor does it need to tie. Hell, my theory may not even apply to Brazil in this case.

But it sure does to Portugal. The Selecao das Quinas needs to button up its unity on the field. They need to shore up defensively and figure out whether Tiago or Deco is the guy in the middle of the field. Another game of lineup shuffleboard won't do it for Queiroz.

Do the right thing Carlos. Go for the jugular against Brazil, try to win and infuse some confidence in your team--even if it's phony confidence against a Brazil team that does not need to win. You have seen the failure of Scolari in Euro 2008. History is doomed to repeat itself; let's hope not this time.

Quim, Rui Patricio, Bosingwa, Ronaldo, Petit, Simao, Carvalho, Deco, Nuno Gomes

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U.S. Robbed by Mali Ref v. Slovenia

Robbed. Absolutely and unadulteratedly robbed. Kiss me next time you're gonna screw me Koman Couilibaly of Mali. You're lucky your name isn't Smith and no one in the United States gives a shit about soccer. Robert Green needs to Google "Bill Buckner"; you need to Google "Don Denkinger" because you royally screwed the United States men's national team out of three points and passage to the second round of World Cup 2010.

A referee is supposed to stay out of the way, call a game fairly and objectively and not influence the game in either direction. You blew it Koman Couilibaly. Your phantom foul/offside call that wiped out Maurice Edu's go-ahead goal against Slovenia today was horrific. A clusterfuck of Biblical proportions.

Now because of you Koman Couilibaly, the United States needs a lot of help to get into the World Cup's version of the Sweet 16. We have to root for England and Algeria to tie and then root for, gag, England to beat Slovenia. All because you decided to blow your whistle after you saw something that wasn't there.

I hate blaming the ref for a team's woes. The U.S. was pitiful in the first half; Tim Howard was out of position on the first goal, but I'll contend the U.S. defense, Oguchi Oneywu in particular, gave the Slovenia goal scorer too much room, was way too late in reacting to the realization he was going to shoot, and then to top it off, he leaned and ducked in the wrong direction. Howard had no prayer to stop it and the shot was well placed and very opportunistic.

On the second Slovenia goal, the diagonal pass was sensational and Steve Cherundolo and Jay DeMerit were on their heels leaving Howard exposed. No shot.

And that's what set the stage for Koman Couilibaly.

The U.S. sure as hell knows how to close out a game; if it ever figures out how to start one, they'll win the World Cup.

Some other random thoughts:

• Landon Donovan is a star; so much maturing and confidence and that goal is the goal of the tournament so far. He scared the Slovenia keeper into not even attempting to block the shot, which was hit with such pace and fury, I can't say I blame him.
• Clint Dempsey disappeared unfortunately today
• Jozy Altidore isn't a star, but he sure as hell thinks he's one. When he decides to play and go after the game instead of thinking it should come to him, he'll be the star he thinks he is.
• The U.S. defense; major suckage again. Though Cherundolo has been the best of a bad bunch. Oneywu? I just don't know about this guy and whether he'll ever live up to the hype. He just ain't that good; forever out of position.
• Michael Bradley, much better today and just a perfect finish to the tying goal. Bob Bradley's insertion of Herculez Gomez put a third attacker up front and freed up Bradley to own the middle of the field and finish. Credit Roberto Martinez of ESPN for that analysis -- spot on.
• Finally, let's go tie game today!

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World Cup 2010: What Have We Learned So Far?

OK, I'm going to mix my sporting metaphors here for a bit. We've gone once through the lineup at World Cup 2010 with each team having played at least once and it's time to play "What Have We Learned So Far?"

• Not enough has been reported and commented about the weather in South Africa and its impact on the matches. It's been sunny, so I think those of us here in the summer countries are being deceived by just how cold it is in South Africa. I guess this is what it will be like for the 2014 Super Bowl in New York.
• My southern hemisphere theory is intact! No northern hemisphere nation has ever won a World Cup south of the border, so to speak. So far, the South American teams are 5 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses at the World Cup (this includes Uruguay's win over South Africa yesterday). That's pretty spiffy. Must be the counterclockwise down-the-drain thing in full effect.
• The African nations, however, are not holding up their end of the bargain. Ghana has the only win of the bunch with its 1-0 upset of Serbia. Ivory Coast gutted out a point against Portugal as did South Africa against Mexico. But overall, it's been a bummer and by the time we're at the second round, we may be fresh out of African teams to root for.
• Goalkeepers. Oh boy. Where to go with this one? Well, they sure ain't shooting par; plenty of bogeys for this bunch. And I'm not so ready to give them the benefit of the doubt because of the ball. Robert Green is the poster boy for incompetence so far, but my guess is that all could be forgiven if England has smooth sailing through the rest of the first round and somehow get into the quarterfinals, maybe the semis. But what of Algeria's Faouzi Chaouchi? His half-hearted stab at Slovenia's only goal was a head-scratcher for sure. At the other end of the spectrum, we have the wondrous Tim Howard who singlehandedly kept the U.S. in its game against Green and England. Hopefully, Howard has some range of movement tomorrow against Slovenia with his injured ribs.
• Hot chicks. I think Paraguay may have surpassed Brazil for the hottest World Cup babes. Just sayin...
  
• Upsets. None until yesterday. Switzerland's 1-0 shocker against Spain is a victory for opportunism. Spain's dominance against the Swiss was overshadowed by its inability to finish against the upstart Swiss, who I predict will be dangerous for a while. Remember, this nation won the Under-17 World Cup not long ago. Spain-Chile should be a war.
• The ball. OK, all I'll say is this (and I'll confess this isn't my line) but only in football would they allow a change to the ball in the sport's most important event. It's like, for the World Series, playing with a whiffleball.
  

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Portugal, Ivory Coast Fail to Impress at World Cup 2010 Opener

What if Cristiano Ronaldo had scored instead of hitting the post today against Ivory Coast in the Group of Death opener at World Cup 2010?

Would we have had the dreadful snoozer we were left with?

We certainly would have had Didier Drogba enter the game sooner (at the half?) than we did. We certainly would have had the Ivory Coast attack Portugal with some vigor much sooner than in the 91st minute. And we certainly would have had Simao Sabrosa in the game much sooner than he appeared.

One thing's certain, however: Portugal and Ivory Coast owe us an apology for producing a goalless draw that wasn't even up to the depths of a kiss-your-sister tie. Neither team was interested in playing attacking, interesting or imaginative soccer. And as soon as the raindrops started falling, we were more than destined for goose eggs.

So much for the Group of Death producing exciting football. It's going to be tight, but it's not going to be great. Thank goodness Brazil and North Korea played a competitive game. Kudos to the North Koreans for solid tactical defense and for not being intimidated by Brazil's imposing size and patient passing. Say what you will for Brazil's style and flash, it's their patience that will kill you. It's the 10th, 12th pass in a sequence that you need to be alert for. Brazil wore North Korea down with its persistence, its ability to lean on the North Koreans and wear them down physically.

Hopefully Portugal and Ivory Coast were watching because they will need to do the same or they may be doomed to take but just one point from the mysterious Asian team. I'm thinking there was a similar approach from both nations today that they would be happy to take a point out of this game, have their way with North Korea and then let fate roll against Brazil.

Well, Portugal gets first crack at North Korea and assuming it gets a result and Brazil beats Ivory Coast, the Portuguese could be in the driver's seat needing just a tie against Brazil to advance. Then again, Ivory Coast closes against North Korea, and one would have to think that it would jump ugly all over North Korea if it needed three points. That would leave Portugal having to beat Brazil in the group finale. Nothing I saw today told me that could happen.

Hmm, maybe this will be a Group of Death after all.

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Breaking News: Drogba on Bench, Not on Ivory Coast Starting Eleven

ESPN is reporting that Didier Drogba will not start for the Ivory Coast today against Portugal in the Group of Death Opener at World Cup 2010.

Live blogging to come later.

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Who Will be in the Italy Starting Eleven today?

Italy-Paraguay is without a doubt the juciest matchup of today's World Cup 2010 matches. The defending champions take the field with a great deal of uncertainty surrounding their efforts and of course the starting 11 they'll put on the field.

Much like Fabio Capello's mysterious starting lineup, especially in goal, the Italians aren't really sure who will take the field today against the South American challengers. Only one player, defender Gianluca Zambrotta, has started all of Italy's warmup matches prior to the tournament, and even he's not sure what's going on in Marcello Lippi's mind.

"We don't know if this means he hasn't decided, it just means he hasn't told us."

Never mind player, Lippi apparently can't settle on a formation. He's played 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 to a number of other combinations that would make any craps player's head spin. Plus he's dealing with an injured Andrea Pirlo and shaky mix of aging veterans and youngsters.

Serie A Talk took a stab at a Starting Eleven for Italy. I think they're close. What do you think?

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U.S., England tie in World Cup 2010 opener; English Keeper Hands Americans a Point

Now that I have had almost 3 hours to digest the United States' 1-1 World Cup 2010 draw against England, I must say that my greatest fears have been confirmed. Not being one for moral victories, I'll say that the tie was better than surrendering three precious points and definitely leaves the U.S. in better emotional standing than the English.

But Lord oh Lord, the American defense is, well, to borrow an English coloquiolism, shambolic. As my Portuguese father put it, "meteram agua" which roughly translates to "they leaked" a lot. Ricardo Clark was so Lost, I thought I was gonna see John Locke's smoky ass creep out of the South African night and take him away. There was nothing Evangeline Lilly-pretty about the back four. Steve Cherundulo played well for sure, and Oguchi Onyewu had some moments to be proud of (though he was often scrambling to recover for being woefully out of position, and still did not challenge well in the air). Jay DeMerit and Carlos Bocanegra, for all the touting about their first-division European experience, they could have passed for MLS rejects all day long.

Steven Gerrard proved he is a world-class midfield. His composure and confidence are two traits the U.S. team as a whole needs to stock up on. And, oh yeah, he scored England's goal with an instinctual play off a throw-in he delivered. He flew through the U.S. back line, losing Clark along the way, and collecting a cheeky pass from Heskey which he finished with a one-time flick. Gerrard was a methodical monster all over the pitch today, defending well, sending dangerous crosses all night long at Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch. One has to wonder how well Rooney is physically. He was invisible for much of the match, though in the final 20, the few times the ball found him, he managed to challenge Tim Howard with it.

And oh yes, the keepers.

Shall we start with Howard since we've already mentioned him. A close second to Gerrard for man of the match. Check that, he was man of the match. Clutch save after clutch save made Howard an early star of this tournament. He had to feel like a man on an island with the way his fullbacks were playing in front of him. His constant shouts of positioning calls and encouragement made him a giant among many small players today. Howard may be the man who carries this U.S. team, one that had very little inkling what it wanted to do with the ball on offense. Michael Bradley was a disaster; he couldn't do anything right. How about that giveaway in the first half that almost sent Gerrard home alone against Howard?

Landon Donovan was another bright spot, but still not active enough for my liking. Every time he touched the ball, he did something positive; maybe he just didn't touch the ball enough?

Clint Dempsey, the U.S. goalscorer, was the most fortunate man on the continent. After a clinical series of fakes and dribbles, he found enough space to deliver a low shot with some pace, but not enough that it should have bothered England keeper Robert Green. But ol' Stone Hands somehow managed to redirect what should have been an easy save over the goal line. English hearts were breakin all over the world. Young English lads would do well to Google the name "Bill Buckner" to console themselves. At least it's only been 44 years for England since their last title.

I'll be watching Slovenia-Algeria pretty closely tomorrow because honestly, don't know much about either one. And chances are, one of them will be leading this group after tomorrow, putting both the U.S. and England in the position of HAVING to win both their remaining games to assure passage to the second round. If either finds some courage against the U.S., for example, we'll quickly forget whatever moral victory we think we have after a 1-1 draw against England.

I posted on Twitter earlier today something to the effect of Come On U.S., time to be one of the big boys. F-ing act like one and win this game. I'm not ready to say it's more of the same for the U.S., but they're still not acting like one of the big boys.

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World Cup 2010: One Day Down, Bring on U.S.-England

Day 1 is in the books and what do we have to show for it? Aside from an epic South Africa goal, right, we're left with two draws, a bunch of questionable refereeing and inane analysis from Alexi Lalas. Lord help us, hopefully Day 2 is a lot better tomorrow.

Can't wait for U.S.-England and Argentina-Nigeria too. Any day you get to see Messi play, it's a good day and hopefully he cuts loose and plays like the hero he is for his country. His ineffectiveness for Argentina is a big and overlooked storyline so far; and don't forget Dummy Diego Maradona. If anyone can screw up a good thing for Argentina, my money is on Maradona more so than Messi.

The story of U.S.-England will be the American defense. If Rooney is less than 100%, the U.S. has a chance to steal a result, especially without Ferdinand in the back. Criticize him all you want, but the man is a veteran and a solid player. For consistency's sake, his absence will hurt England.

But the U.S. back line is a fright. Oguchi Onyewu is a shell of himself and if he can't challenge John Terry and Peter Crouch in the air, it's going to be a lonnnnng day for Tim Howard in goal. If the rest of the backline blubs in Bornstein, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Spector et. al. don't play the game of their lives, see the above as well.

Tim Howard, I fear, will have to be a big-time hero for the U.S. to earn a precious point, or 3.

Either way, you have to figure it's gotta be better, in terms of quality of play, than Day 1.

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Injured Stars Returning to World Cup Starting Eleven

Call them the Lazarus Squad: Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo, Julio Cesar, Jozy Altidore, Arjen Robben -- all of whom suffered injuries that were expected to keep them out of their respective World Cup 2010 Starting Eleven for at least a couple of games, if not the whole tournament.

And now, it looks like they're all playing [where is my sarcasm font?]

Can David Beckham be far behind? Prolly not since Posh is not into winter, and after all, South African nights might be cold this time of year.

So was it gamesmanship, medicinal miracles or just good fortune that all of these stars were listed as questionable for the World Cup, only to turn it around. Broken bones be damned, eh Didier?

There's nothing more specious in professional sports than stories about injuries, especially to prominent players. There's no way to legislate it, though the NFL tries with its injury lists, but hardly ever succeeds (Tom Brady was listed with a sore shoulder for I think three seasons, so what's the point at that point?).

Perhaps the problem is that we're all so gullible in believing what comes out of these respective teams as gospel. Was there any real doubt we wouldn't see Altidore against England tomorrow? Or Drogba line up against Portugal later this week? Julio Cesar with a bad back! Psshaw. Show me a bad back, and I'll show you a liar or a slacker. You pick.

Italy's players say they don't know who will be on Marcello Lippi's Starting Eleven. Lippi hasn't stuck to a consistent formation, though he is sticking to his story that Pirlo will miss at least the group stage.

Let's just set some ground rules for the rest of the tournament: If we don't see blood, ambulances or an Eduardo-style gruesome broken-bone type injury, spare me the stories and BS about boo-boos. I'll be right here watching the games, and watching Julio Cesar, Drogba, Rooney, Pirlo et al.

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World Cup 2010 Running Commentary: South Africa-Mexico

Random thoughts while watching the first match of World Cup 2010 between South Africa and Mexico:

• ESPN has already had a bunch of audio glitches and video flubs. Um, you've only had years to get this right World Wide Leader.
• The hiring of Martin Tyler will prove to be ESPN's best move. Just awesome sparing us JP Dellacamera, Tommy Onion Bags et al.
• Mexico in black; looks wierd
• If South Africa has a strong on-field leader, they need him now in that huddle.
• Thinking of Senegal's '02 upset of France. Hmm.
• This is like a Mexican training session
• Wow. DosSantos should have buried that. South Africa is playing petrified.
• How many times do you see a team dominate completely early on, only to give up a bad goal in counter-attack. Not sure South Africa has it in them.
• South Africa is poor fundamentally. This isn't just nerves.
• Great point, don't be afraid to lose South Africa.
• That was promising, decent run down the right for The Boys, The Boys
• Just for fun, you know like counting yellow cars on the highway during a boring Sunday drive, let's count how many consecutive touches the Mexicans manage during a given possession.
• 10 ending in an offside
• 7 and out of bounds
• BTW, 13 mins. 0-0
• Poorly defended corner, Franco's header off the mark untouched. Should be 2-0
• Ref fell for a dive, dangerous spot for a free kick for RSA
• Ack. Bad miss son, at least put it on goal. 18 mins, 0-0
• One more free kick for RSA after handball, and another set piece disaster.
• robbery!
  

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Let's Play Some Football

Behind me, Martin Tyler's voice is the soothing contrast to the horns of South Africa. That will be the signature sound of World Cup 2010.

I can't imagine the pride of the South African people and the celebration that this tournament will be to them. Here's to them and here's hoping the emotional lift carries on for decades. This has been a challenge for them, but no great deed happens without tears, sweat and hard work.

Let's play some football.

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