ROUND OF 16
MEX 2-1 KOR
ENG 2-1 SRB
NED 3-0 SLV
BRZ 2-0 HON
GER 1-2 USA
ARG 2-1 URU
ITA 0-1 JPN
SPN 3-2 CIV
QUARTERFINALS
MEX 1-3 ENG
NED 2-1 BRZ
USA 2-3 ARG
JPN 1-3 SPN
SEMIFINALS
ENG 2-3 NED
ARG 2-4 SPN
CONSOLATION
ENG 3-2 ARG
FINAL
NED 2-3 SPN
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday's Most Important American
Today's most important American is another of the young forwards Bob Bradley brought to South Africa, Edson Buddle. Previous readers of my work know the disturbing sports crush I have on Buddle, so it's no surprise that he makes the cut in the Most Important American series.
Buddle has actually been a professional since 2000, playing one season for the Long Island Rough Riders before moving up to Major League Soccer. Since 2001, he has been an MLS mainstay, playing for the Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC before making his current home in Los Angeles with the Galaxy.
Injuries have kept Buddle from making a huge impact on both a club and country level, but this season's performance with the Galaxy is what caught Bradley's eye. For most of the MLS season, Buddle had been the league's leading scorer.
Buddle made his first appearance for the senior US team in 2003, but it wasn't until this year's World Cup preparations that his opportunity to shine really arose. He was given an opportunity to play for a half in the American's first warm-up game against the Czech Republic, and put in a lot of energy (if not a lot of result) in the US 4-2 defeat.
But when Jozy Altidore picked up an injury in training, Buddle got the call alongside Robbie Findley to start up front against Australia in the final warm-up game in South Africa. Buddle showed for the first time the scoring flair he had demonstrated in MLS, netting two goals for the US in their comprehensive 3-1 defeat of the Socceroos.
The emergence of Buddle and Findley (along with Herculez Gomez from the Mexican Primera league and owner of the coolest name on the American squad) had suddenly given Bradley options in the front he did not have previously. With threats like Buddle upfront, Bradley can keep stars Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey in their preferred positions on the wings and hopefully bring more diversity to the American attack. Given the defensive struggles for the US, the ability to score goals could be crucial as the US prepares for group play.
Buddle has actually been a professional since 2000, playing one season for the Long Island Rough Riders before moving up to Major League Soccer. Since 2001, he has been an MLS mainstay, playing for the Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC before making his current home in Los Angeles with the Galaxy.
Injuries have kept Buddle from making a huge impact on both a club and country level, but this season's performance with the Galaxy is what caught Bradley's eye. For most of the MLS season, Buddle had been the league's leading scorer.
Buddle made his first appearance for the senior US team in 2003, but it wasn't until this year's World Cup preparations that his opportunity to shine really arose. He was given an opportunity to play for a half in the American's first warm-up game against the Czech Republic, and put in a lot of energy (if not a lot of result) in the US 4-2 defeat.
But when Jozy Altidore picked up an injury in training, Buddle got the call alongside Robbie Findley to start up front against Australia in the final warm-up game in South Africa. Buddle showed for the first time the scoring flair he had demonstrated in MLS, netting two goals for the US in their comprehensive 3-1 defeat of the Socceroos.
The emergence of Buddle and Findley (along with Herculez Gomez from the Mexican Primera league and owner of the coolest name on the American squad) had suddenly given Bradley options in the front he did not have previously. With threats like Buddle upfront, Bradley can keep stars Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey in their preferred positions on the wings and hopefully bring more diversity to the American attack. Given the defensive struggles for the US, the ability to score goals could be crucial as the US prepares for group play.
World Cup predictions, group stage
GROUP A
RSA 1-1 MEX
URU 2-1 FRA
RSA 0-1 URU
FRA 1-2 MEX
MEX 2-0 URU
FRA 2-1 RSA
1) Mexico (7 pts, +3GD)
2) Uruguay (7 pts, 0GD)
3) France (3 pts, -1GD)
4) South Africa (2 pts, -2GD)
GROUP B
KOR 1-0 GRE
ARG 2-1 NIG
ARG 2-1 KOR
GRE 0-0 NIG
NIG 1-1 KOR
GRE 0-2 ARG
1) Argentina (9 pts, +4GD)
2) South Korea (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Nigeria (2 pts, -1GD)
4) Greece (1 pt, -3GD)
GROUP C
ENG 2-2 USA
ALG 0-1 SLV
SLV 0-0 USA
ENG 2-0 ALG
SLV 0-1 ENG
USA 2-1 ALG
1) England (7 pts, +3GD)
2) United States (5 pts, +1GD)
3) Slovenia (4 pts, 0GD)
4) Algeria (0 pts, -4GD)
GROUP D
SRB 2-1 GHA
GER 2-0 AUS
GER 1-1 SRB
GHA 1-1 AUS
GHA 0-1 GER
AUS 0-1 SRB
1) Germany (7 pts, +3GD)
2) Serbia (7 pts, +2GD)
3) Ghana (1 pt, -2GD)
4) Australia (1 pt, -3GD)
GROUP E
NED 3-1 DEN
JPN 1-0 CAM
NED 1-0 JPN
CAM 1-2 DEN
DEN 2-2 JPN
CAM 1-3 NED
1) Netherlands (9 pts, +5GD)
2) Japan (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Denmark (4 pts, -1GD)
4) Cameroon (0 pts, -4GD)
GROUP F
ITA 2-1 PAR
NZL 0-2 SLK
SLK 1-1 PAR
ITA 2-0 NZL
SLK 1-1 ITA
PAR 2-1 NZL
1) Italy (7 pts, +4GD)
2) Slovakia (5 pts, +2GD)
3) Paraguay (4 pts, 0GD)
4) New Zealand (0 pts, -5GD)
GROUP G
CIV 2-1 POR
BRZ 3-0 DRK
BRZ 2-2 CIV
POR 2-1 DRK
DRK 0-2 CIV
POR 2-3 BRZ
1) Brazil (7 pts, +4GD)
2) Ivory Coast (7 pts, +3GD)
3) Portugal (3 pts, -1GD)
4) North Korea (0 pts, -6GD)
GROUP H
HON 2-1 CHI
SPN 3-0 SUI
CHI 1-1 SUI
SPN 2-1 HON
SUI 1-1 HON
CHI 1-3 SPN
1) Spain (9 pts, +6GD)
2) Honduras (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Switzerland (2 pts, -3GD)
4) Chile (1 pt, -2GD)
RSA 1-1 MEX
URU 2-1 FRA
RSA 0-1 URU
FRA 1-2 MEX
MEX 2-0 URU
FRA 2-1 RSA
1) Mexico (7 pts, +3GD)
2) Uruguay (7 pts, 0GD)
3) France (3 pts, -1GD)
4) South Africa (2 pts, -2GD)
GROUP B
KOR 1-0 GRE
ARG 2-1 NIG
ARG 2-1 KOR
GRE 0-0 NIG
NIG 1-1 KOR
GRE 0-2 ARG
1) Argentina (9 pts, +4GD)
2) South Korea (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Nigeria (2 pts, -1GD)
4) Greece (1 pt, -3GD)
GROUP C
ENG 2-2 USA
ALG 0-1 SLV
SLV 0-0 USA
ENG 2-0 ALG
SLV 0-1 ENG
USA 2-1 ALG
1) England (7 pts, +3GD)
2) United States (5 pts, +1GD)
3) Slovenia (4 pts, 0GD)
4) Algeria (0 pts, -4GD)
GROUP D
SRB 2-1 GHA
GER 2-0 AUS
GER 1-1 SRB
GHA 1-1 AUS
GHA 0-1 GER
AUS 0-1 SRB
1) Germany (7 pts, +3GD)
2) Serbia (7 pts, +2GD)
3) Ghana (1 pt, -2GD)
4) Australia (1 pt, -3GD)
GROUP E
NED 3-1 DEN
JPN 1-0 CAM
NED 1-0 JPN
CAM 1-2 DEN
DEN 2-2 JPN
CAM 1-3 NED
1) Netherlands (9 pts, +5GD)
2) Japan (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Denmark (4 pts, -1GD)
4) Cameroon (0 pts, -4GD)
GROUP F
ITA 2-1 PAR
NZL 0-2 SLK
SLK 1-1 PAR
ITA 2-0 NZL
SLK 1-1 ITA
PAR 2-1 NZL
1) Italy (7 pts, +4GD)
2) Slovakia (5 pts, +2GD)
3) Paraguay (4 pts, 0GD)
4) New Zealand (0 pts, -5GD)
GROUP G
CIV 2-1 POR
BRZ 3-0 DRK
BRZ 2-2 CIV
POR 2-1 DRK
DRK 0-2 CIV
POR 2-3 BRZ
1) Brazil (7 pts, +4GD)
2) Ivory Coast (7 pts, +3GD)
3) Portugal (3 pts, -1GD)
4) North Korea (0 pts, -6GD)
GROUP H
HON 2-1 CHI
SPN 3-0 SUI
CHI 1-1 SUI
SPN 2-1 HON
SUI 1-1 HON
CHI 1-3 SPN
1) Spain (9 pts, +6GD)
2) Honduras (4 pts, 0GD)
3) Switzerland (2 pts, -3GD)
4) Chile (1 pt, -2GD)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday's Most Important American
In the leadup to the USA - England match opening Group C of the World Cup, we will continue with a look at another US under-the-radar player that will make a difference. Today, the lucky lad is Robbie Findley.
Findley was a late addition to the US squad, and likely owes his presence in South Africa to Brian Ching's late-season injury and lingering questions of his fitness. But his addition couldn't have come at a better time. With star striker Jozy Altidore nursing a training injury, Findley got an opportunity to start against Australia in the final US friendly before the World Cup.
And what a start it was. The US got a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Socceroos, and Findley's presence was a huge factor. Although he didn't score (Edson Buddle got two, and Herculez Gomez got a late add-on), his presence changes the way the US team can attack opponents.
Findley's main weapon is his speed. The effect that has on the Yanks was apparent in the friendly before Australia, when they played Turkey in Philadelphia. At the half, the US was down 1-0 and looked pretty toothless up front. Bob Bradley put Findley on at the half, and it made all the difference. Clint Dempsey, who scored the game-winner in the US 2-1 victory, observed that it was Findley's speed that stretched the Turkish defense and provided the space needed for Dempsey and Altidore to score in the second half.
Findley plays his club soccer for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. In last year's MLS playoffs, he scored the decisive goal against the Columbus Crew in the semifinal to advance underdog Real Salt Lake to the MLS Cup final against the LA Galaxy. In that game, he scored a second-half equalizer to send the game into extra time, then to penalties, which Real Salt Lake ended up winning.
Findley has dual citizenship with the US and Trinidad and Tobago. While US soccer has struggled to keep some of their best dual-eligible players in stars and stripes (see: Rossi, Giuseppi), Findley's decision to play for the US has reaped great rewards.
Ever since the tragic injury to Charlie Davies, US soccer fans have been worried about how their team would be able to replicate the success they had at the Confederations Cup in 2009, beating Spain and falling in the final 3-2 to Brazil. In that tournament, Davies was arguably the American's most important player, with his speed and vision creating scoring opportunities for everyone else. Without Davies, the fear is, the US will be unable to replicate that success.
But, remember, prior to the Confederations Cup, Davies was an unproven commodity. Just like Findley is now. While as an American fan I would dearly love to see Davies on the pitch against England on Saturday, Findley does bring a lot of the same qualities to the team. With Findley on the pitch against Turkey and Australia, the US looked for the first time since Davies' injury like the team that was in the Confederations Cup final.
Yes, I know, the World Cup is a completely different animal from the Confederations Cup. I know a group stage game against England is a completely different animal from a friendly against Australia.
But Findley gives the Americans the secret ingredient - speed at the front - that has been lacking. Given that Landon Donovan will be, in all likelihood, dealing with Ashley Cole the whole game against England, the US will probably have to look for scoring options elsewhere. With Findley's speed and a makeshift English central defense, and Altidore and Dempsey lurking in the background, the table could be set for a sixty-year itch to be scratched on Saturday.
Findley was a late addition to the US squad, and likely owes his presence in South Africa to Brian Ching's late-season injury and lingering questions of his fitness. But his addition couldn't have come at a better time. With star striker Jozy Altidore nursing a training injury, Findley got an opportunity to start against Australia in the final US friendly before the World Cup.
And what a start it was. The US got a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Socceroos, and Findley's presence was a huge factor. Although he didn't score (Edson Buddle got two, and Herculez Gomez got a late add-on), his presence changes the way the US team can attack opponents.
Findley's main weapon is his speed. The effect that has on the Yanks was apparent in the friendly before Australia, when they played Turkey in Philadelphia. At the half, the US was down 1-0 and looked pretty toothless up front. Bob Bradley put Findley on at the half, and it made all the difference. Clint Dempsey, who scored the game-winner in the US 2-1 victory, observed that it was Findley's speed that stretched the Turkish defense and provided the space needed for Dempsey and Altidore to score in the second half.
Findley plays his club soccer for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. In last year's MLS playoffs, he scored the decisive goal against the Columbus Crew in the semifinal to advance underdog Real Salt Lake to the MLS Cup final against the LA Galaxy. In that game, he scored a second-half equalizer to send the game into extra time, then to penalties, which Real Salt Lake ended up winning.
Findley has dual citizenship with the US and Trinidad and Tobago. While US soccer has struggled to keep some of their best dual-eligible players in stars and stripes (see: Rossi, Giuseppi), Findley's decision to play for the US has reaped great rewards.
Ever since the tragic injury to Charlie Davies, US soccer fans have been worried about how their team would be able to replicate the success they had at the Confederations Cup in 2009, beating Spain and falling in the final 3-2 to Brazil. In that tournament, Davies was arguably the American's most important player, with his speed and vision creating scoring opportunities for everyone else. Without Davies, the fear is, the US will be unable to replicate that success.
But, remember, prior to the Confederations Cup, Davies was an unproven commodity. Just like Findley is now. While as an American fan I would dearly love to see Davies on the pitch against England on Saturday, Findley does bring a lot of the same qualities to the team. With Findley on the pitch against Turkey and Australia, the US looked for the first time since Davies' injury like the team that was in the Confederations Cup final.
Yes, I know, the World Cup is a completely different animal from the Confederations Cup. I know a group stage game against England is a completely different animal from a friendly against Australia.
But Findley gives the Americans the secret ingredient - speed at the front - that has been lacking. Given that Landon Donovan will be, in all likelihood, dealing with Ashley Cole the whole game against England, the US will probably have to look for scoring options elsewhere. With Findley's speed and a makeshift English central defense, and Altidore and Dempsey lurking in the background, the table could be set for a sixty-year itch to be scratched on Saturday.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday's Most Important American
From now until kickoff on Saturday, I will be giving you some insight on the American players that you may not have heard of but should play a huge part of the game. Impress your friends, annoy your neighbors!
Today's Most Important American is Michael Bradley. Yes, he's the coach's son, but don't let that fool you. His spot on the team is the best argument for nepotism you can find. He plays in the central midfield, and is a crucial part of the cohesion of the American squad. Bradley is the guy that can provide support to a sometimes-shaky defense by giving them a link to clear the ball upfield, directs traffic and interrupts the opponent in the midfield, and gets the ball to the playmakers towards goal.
In the American's surprise run to the finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, Bradley scored the second goal against Egypt in the game that in many ways has been the turning point of US Soccer. He also scored in the American's 2-0 win over Spain, busting their long unbeaten run in international play. Unfortunately for the Yanks, Bradley was sent off at the end of the Spain game, meaning he would miss the final against Brazil, which the US lost 3-2. Most American fans feel that if Bradley had been available for that final, the outcome would have been different.
But that does underline one of Bradley's weaknesses. He is prone to picking up cards and getting himself suspended at inopportune times. Some of it is inevitable, given the "all in" style in which he plays and excels. It shouldn't be an issue for the game against England, but coach Bob Bradley does have to worry about keeping his version of Xavi Alonso on the pitch if the US is going to advance.
Bradley has scored seven goals in international competition, and 24 in club play. He was just outside of the US squad in 2006, playing in three of the send-off friendly matches prior to the team leaving for Germany. His first cap came against Venezuela in May, 2006, and his first international start in March, 2007, against Guatemala.
Bradley plays his club soccer (yes, I'm an American, and we call it soccer here) with Borussia Monchengladbach. He is also, like many of the squad, an alumni of Major League Soccer, playing two seasons with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls).
Michael Bradley - today's Most Important American.
Today's Most Important American is Michael Bradley. Yes, he's the coach's son, but don't let that fool you. His spot on the team is the best argument for nepotism you can find. He plays in the central midfield, and is a crucial part of the cohesion of the American squad. Bradley is the guy that can provide support to a sometimes-shaky defense by giving them a link to clear the ball upfield, directs traffic and interrupts the opponent in the midfield, and gets the ball to the playmakers towards goal.
In the American's surprise run to the finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, Bradley scored the second goal against Egypt in the game that in many ways has been the turning point of US Soccer. He also scored in the American's 2-0 win over Spain, busting their long unbeaten run in international play. Unfortunately for the Yanks, Bradley was sent off at the end of the Spain game, meaning he would miss the final against Brazil, which the US lost 3-2. Most American fans feel that if Bradley had been available for that final, the outcome would have been different.
But that does underline one of Bradley's weaknesses. He is prone to picking up cards and getting himself suspended at inopportune times. Some of it is inevitable, given the "all in" style in which he plays and excels. It shouldn't be an issue for the game against England, but coach Bob Bradley does have to worry about keeping his version of Xavi Alonso on the pitch if the US is going to advance.
Bradley has scored seven goals in international competition, and 24 in club play. He was just outside of the US squad in 2006, playing in three of the send-off friendly matches prior to the team leaving for Germany. His first cap came against Venezuela in May, 2006, and his first international start in March, 2007, against Guatemala.
Bradley plays his club soccer (yes, I'm an American, and we call it soccer here) with Borussia Monchengladbach. He is also, like many of the squad, an alumni of Major League Soccer, playing two seasons with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls).
Michael Bradley - today's Most Important American.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Altidore back at practice
Never have so many Americans enjoyed watching someone run wind sprints. US forward Jozy Altidore returned to training under the watchful eye of Bob Bradley and the US medical staff. While he was held out of the US friendly against Australia, signs are pointing towards his availability on Saturday against England.
Definite good news for the Yanks, particularly with the news that England central defender and captain Rio Ferdinand is out of the cup with an injury. It's early, but things definitely seem to be falling into place for the Americans to make a real splash on day two in South Africa.
Definite good news for the Yanks, particularly with the news that England central defender and captain Rio Ferdinand is out of the cup with an injury. It's early, but things definitely seem to be falling into place for the Americans to make a real splash on day two in South Africa.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Another injury crisis?
Just when you thought it was safe ...
Yesterday, US forward Jozy Altidore was removed from practice with an ankle injury. He was taken to the hospital, and X-rays were negative. He was diagnosed with a mild ankle sprain, and he is listed as day-to-day.
Ouch. Just when US fans were starting to deal with injuries at the back leaving Bob Bradley with some less-than-stellar options, now we have to deal with the possibility that the mainstay of the US attack may be unavailable or less than 100 percent.
We'll know more in the next few days, but with Saturday's friendly against Australia looming, the damage of the injury is real and present. It is likely Bradley intended to have his starting 11 play against Australia as a tune-up game. Now, it's likely that Altidore won't get a whole game, even if he is ready to go, and Bradley will have to use the friendly to do a little more experimenting.
If Altidore can't go, as much as Bradley would like to leave Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan on the wings, I think it's likely that you'll see one of the two (probably Dempsey) up front. Bradley is looking smart in bringing all the young, untested forwards he did, but it's hard to see him lining two rookies up top against England on June 11.
Watch this space for more details.
Yesterday, US forward Jozy Altidore was removed from practice with an ankle injury. He was taken to the hospital, and X-rays were negative. He was diagnosed with a mild ankle sprain, and he is listed as day-to-day.
Ouch. Just when US fans were starting to deal with injuries at the back leaving Bob Bradley with some less-than-stellar options, now we have to deal with the possibility that the mainstay of the US attack may be unavailable or less than 100 percent.
We'll know more in the next few days, but with Saturday's friendly against Australia looming, the damage of the injury is real and present. It is likely Bradley intended to have his starting 11 play against Australia as a tune-up game. Now, it's likely that Altidore won't get a whole game, even if he is ready to go, and Bradley will have to use the friendly to do a little more experimenting.
If Altidore can't go, as much as Bradley would like to leave Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan on the wings, I think it's likely that you'll see one of the two (probably Dempsey) up front. Bradley is looking smart in bringing all the young, untested forwards he did, but it's hard to see him lining two rookies up top against England on June 11.
Watch this space for more details.
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