Germans spell GUTTERDAMERUNG for Argentina

In Germanic lore, Gutterdamerung is the 'twilight of the gods', the eventual death and fall of the powerful Norse tradition.

But today, against Argentina, the word came to bear new meaning as a young, underestimated German squad overcame the explosive, highly ranked Argentinians.

Until today, Argentina was considered the odds-on favorite to finish as World Cup runners-up to Brazil. Now, the betting masters will have to find a new runner-up.

As in all the German matches, the difference was made by German 'wunderman' Miroslav Klose. The German striker hit solid gold in the 80th with a header delivering Deutschland from the jaws of defeat.

Two 15 minute overtimes were not enough to change the scoreline for the Germans or for the Argentinians. This lazy play set-up, do or die penalty kicks.

Here, the Germans exposed another of their many weapons. With German keeper Jens Lehmann in net, the Germans were able to put away 4 PK's to Argentina's 2. Lehmann was really the deciding factor here, as stopping PK's in World Cup competition is on par with robbing a Swiss bank in the middle of the day. It should not be possible.

Regardless, Lehmann's superb form sealed the German victory and advancement. Next week, the Germans will face Italy (as the victors in a Ukrainian match-up) and will take their shot at the World Cup final.

With Klose and Lehmann in the line-up, plus a entire nation in support, the Germans may very well win the whole thing, if they can get a couple of lucky breaks.

'Give Soccer a Chance' - Newport Mercury Cup Coverage

Last week, I was fortunate enough to help spread the gospel of soccer to the entire Newport, RI area with the help of the Newport Mercury. The article was entitled 'Give soccer a chance,' and like I do here just about everyday, it was about this year's World Cup.

For those of you who did not see this article, a fantastic AP photo of Nedved and Donovan accompanied the text, and a full schedule was listed in a column along the article's side.

Most importantly, however, was the shout-out to this World Cup blog that the article featured in italics as a footer.

For those of you who want to see the original, go to
newportmercury.com/articles/2006/6/21/features/features2.txt

Otherwise read a copy of the text below.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read up on my rants and raves, your comments, criticisms, thoughts and opinions are always appreciated.
Give Soccer a Chance

Brazil has won 5 crowns, Italy and Germany 3, Argentina 2. The U.S. has never won the World Cup. And don't get your hopes up this year either.

BY ZACHARY McCUNE

If you are an American, the World Cup may be nothing more than an interruption of quality baseball: Who the hell are these Brazilian guys?! Where do I have to go to watch the Sox?

Most Americans view soccer with the sort of contempt bikers reserve for helmets. Although the sport has enjoyed being America's most popular youth sport, it is often considered to be a just children's game - something to outgrow and abandon, not a game to hone for the sake of national glory.

But for lots of people, the World Cup is the most important event of the year. National pride rides on victory or defeat. Huge sums of money are won and lost. Heroes are forged and rivalries created. It is the penultimate athletic competition of a global society. It is the defining championship of the world's most popular sport.

And so, with a worldwide media blitz of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, it may be time to give soccer a second chance. Take a look, watch some games, and give David Beckham more than a jealous stare; this is the World Cup we're talking about, and that means "party" in 32 different countries.

The World Cup is the international championship of soccer. It pits 32 national teams against each other every four years with the chance to win World soccer supremacy. Before teams can even play at the World Cup, they must qualify through international competition. To secure a World Cup berth, teams must win, or place highly in their respective continental groups. The USA qualified by winning the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). England qualified finishing over Poland in their UEFA (European League) grouping.

Once the teams have formally qualified, they are randomly split into eight groups of four. These groups, labeled by letters A through H, represent the first part of the competition. Each member of the group must play all of the other teams for a Round Robin-style mini-tournament. The top two teams from each group advance.

The winning teams and finalists of the "mini-tournaments" must compete in a single elimination competition. Like the Final Four, this round quickly halves the field of competitors from 16 to eight to four and then to the final two.

This year, Germany plays host to the world's most celebrated international championship. With a national infrastructure of renovated stadiums, hotels and soccer villages, the Germans have invested a lot in the competition. Nevertheless, the enormous influx of fans, families and tourists is sure to stimulate the German economy and give it a month of unrivalled prosperity.

This year's tournament has been dominated by European teams who feel a sense of home-court advantage as they play in Europe for the first time in eight years. Among the European favorites is England, captained by poster-boy David Beckham and stocked with a field full of international superstars. France, too, has an impressive array of star power including Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry. The French won the tournament at home in 1998.

Of course, whenever you talk about the World Cup you talk about Brazil, and this year is no exception. With striker Ronaldinho fresh off a Champions League title and star forward Ronaldo still in the mix, Brazil is heavily favored to win the whole thing as it did in Korea four years ago.

Unfortunately for the Americans, their 3-0 thrashing by the Czech Republic in round 1 has all but eliminated the chance of advancing. After almost a year of hype, and an impressive campaign to the CONCACAF title, the Americans completely fell apart in round 1. Their defeat dealt a deathblow to growing domestic interest, as the desire to support a losing team is anything but American.

The American rebound against the Italians may have opened the window for advancement, but it may be too little too late. The draw showed a great improvement for the Americans and may have finally proven to Europe that the U.S. has arrived. Sadly, the boys in red, white and blue are now dependent on other teams and other wins to take them through.

With lots more soccer play, and any number of World Cup legends yet to be made, try getting around domestic prejudices and giving European football a shot. With world soccer supremacy and international street cred hanging in the balance, you might be glad you did.

Zachary McCune blogs daily about the World Cup at www.the2006worldcup

germany.blogspot.com/.

Older & Wiser, the French Foil Espana

France 3 - Spain 1

Excuse my excitement, it has been eight years since the French won the World Cup at home in Paris, and my best friend, a Frenchman, has never let me forget it. Now, for the for the first time since that magical tournament, Les Bleus are firmly in the hunt for the World Cup.

For Spain, France has jsut become the humbling agent for an overly-confident Spanish squad. Sure they looked good in the qualifiers, but they beat up on EASY teams. Given a little challenge, the Spanish defense crumbled, and now they'll have to WATCH the rest of the tournament from the sidelines.

For the French, today's victory means renewed support, hope and vigor for France. The French team has looked weak, tired, sloppy and slow over this tourmanent, but today they were reborn.

And the owe it all to one man.

Zinedine Zidane Or "Zizou" is widely regarded as god for the people of France. Since 1998, when the Algerian born maestro led a young team to world supremacy, Zizou has remained the icon of French soccer mastery.

His time with Real Madrid, will notably dry for los galaticos, marked a time of world recognition and respect for the power of Zidane. But recently, looking tired, old and exhausted, Zidane seemed ready to retire at any game, as he readily told the press he might.

After findind the head of Patrick Viera to break the tie in the 83rd minute, Zidane not only rushed the net in the final minutes, but cut in and out of defenders, crossing up keeper Iker Casillas and sending home the game winner. With his gold cleats flashing, it was easy to forget that THIS Zinedine Zidane was not 18 or 25, but 34! Having already told reporters that this would be his last World Cup and, in all likihood, last tournament of formal soccer, Zidane plays with the constant threat that a loss might be his last game.

And so, supported by a cast of revamped Frenchmen, Zidane leads Viera, Henry and Barthez against the Brazilians next week. This match reeks of the World Cup fianl in 1998, when the French met the Brazilians in Paris' Stade de France, and took home the World Championship.

Now, with Brazil fresh off their 3-0 trashing of Ghana, and Ronaldo still keenly aware of the his country's embarassment at the hands of the French 8 years ago, France must prepared for an impossibly hard second match.

It won't be easy, or clean, but the French are as alive as anyone in this World Cup, and with Zinedine Zidane at the helm, Les Bleus might just be headed for reclaiming the World Title.

* My good friend Tom Rodelli will now be helping me blog about the World Cup for the remaining matches and action of the Tournament. His login name, Zizou, betrays his alliances, and heritage. As a resident of Zurich, Switzerland for the summer, Tom will round out our World Cup coeverage with a distintcly European point of view. I look forward to Tom's many, insightful posts.

Dirtier than an Aguilera Video

Portugal 1 - Holland 0

Figo flopped, Ruud was nowhere to be found, and the Dutch blew a game they couldn't afford. But the real question is, how can a referee blow a game that bad?

Where do you start with a game like today's blood-soaked Holland-Portugal match-up? For a while there, I thought that I was watching the Stanley Cup finals and not a World Cup knockout match.

This was game was DIRTY. There is no other way to say it. From the earliest moments of the match into its penalty-full second half and through the violent six minutes of stoppage time, Portugal and Holland were at each other's throats.

In short order, the game was on a constant verge of riot, and Russian ref Ivanov did nothing to gain control. Unlike the experienced refs that should be officiating this top-priority games, Ivanov did nothing to curb the excessive violence and fouling that was goin on. Instead, the ref responded to the actions by distributing the most cards in World Cup history. There have been ugly games before, but if refs did not require 16 yellow cards in 80 years of World Cup play, why would they need them now?

As a Netherlands supporter, I greatly regret the elimination of my boys in Orange. Nevertheless, the Portuguese deserve credit for a fantastic game. Their attacks and counterattacks were full of speed and precision, spontaneously setting up the game's most dangerous strikers with many opportunities.

The Dutch had their shots, and the took them. In games like this, hindsight reveals every close shot and miss as a mistake. The king of the mistakes for the Dutch was striker Kuyt, whose appearance over Ruud van Nistelrooy was suprising in the first place. Kuyt blew several touches, and shot high on many occasions. How many times did the ball slip wide of his head or just out of reach of his volleys. He is the Peter Crouch of the Dutch team, and it was ridiculous for Coach van Basten to play him in so pivotal a game.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is a finisher used to playing under pressure, and performing under the gun. He would have struck home any number of those van Persie crosses to Kuyt, and changed the game. Instead, the Dutch must wonder about another game another time. Another for years.

Portugal will be done in the next round against England anyway. Cristiano Ronaldo is hurt, Deco and that other guy are out with red cards and the Three Lions are destined for greatness. Forget about it Figo, the English advance into the Final Four next week.

WC Knockout Bracket

"For Zidane, Without Zidane"

France 2 - Togo 0

Things finally came together for Les Bleus this evening, and I cannot express my contentment that the French finally got through.

For Zinedine Zidane,the victory means resurrection. The French captain was on the verge of retirement extinction when Henry and Viera secured a second life for the French squad. Should the French had lost, Zidane would probably have seen his last World Cup. Instead, the French survive to face Spain in the second round.

After an exciting but scoreless first half, things looked down for the Frecnh. The opportunities had been there, but the finish was not. Ribery, on the French right, had the best look of the early half as he shot over the net after Thierry Henry set him up perfectly.

If the French had not pulled out the win, I would not have been suprised to see angry french mobs rioting in Paris and calling for the suspension of Monsieur Ribery.

Instead, Patrick Viera put away a beauty of a goal to go up 1-0 in the 55th minute. His cluth upper left corner goal all but secured the French win.

Five minutes later, Thierry Henry converted in signature style and put the French win just out of reach for a talented Togoian squad. With the fancy, confident footwork so often seen in Henry, Paris and the French people had a reason to sit back and breathe out.

France was through to the round of 16.

Zidane will live to see another game.

* The title of tonight's post comes from the Spanish commentators on Univision where I watch all my World Cup action. They said of the match, "por Zidane, sin Zidane" which translates to "for Zidane, without Zidane". PERFECT.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Ghana 2 - US 1

Italy, and Ghana Advance to the round of 16. Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna and Kasey Keller return to the US.

In the aftermath of defeat, it is easy to see the mistakes, the critical moments and the writing on the wall. But these are the advantages of hindsight, and no matter how much analyst criticize the play of Team USA, nothing will push them into the round of 16.

For the US, today's loss to Ghana represents all that ails the sport in the US. For your average American, watching World Cup soccer is like trying out your first Indy 500- it's long, tediously boring and in the rare instances that it becomes exciting, things usually catch on fire.

Just kidding.

But seriously, the performance of the US at this World Cup has all but torpedoed the growth in national interest. Had America moved on, like it did in 2002, American soccer confidence would swell. America's MLS, collegiate leagues and youth programs would begin to believe that they are doing something right. Domestic interest would peak up, and coverage of the World Cup would improve. With a win, and an advancement, Landon Donovan could remain the poster-boy hero he has become, Claudio Reyna could get credit for captaining a talented team, and Bruce Arena could prove definingly that he is the man to coach the US.

On a sidenote, if Bruce Arena was coaching a national team in Europe and they played to this result, people would be burning effigies on street corners and demanding his resignation.

I hate to slam Kasey Keller, but his time has come to exit the American soccer scene. Like an old machine in a new factory, Keller holds back the pace of his teammates and is no longer ready to mind the American net. Maybe, I am being to harsh. Then again, if Fridel, 2002 US goalkeeper, had been there for the Penalty Kicks, he just may have stopped it, like he did to 2 Korean PKs in 2002.

To be fair, Ghana played to win and got the result that their determination demanded. The US was never really in this tournament, though they breifly shook to life against Italy, most of the time the US looked like it was watching a soccer game NOT playing it.

Landon Donovan ought to be ashamed of himself in every which way. After whoring himself to the media, milking American sportswear for all the sponsorship it provides and billing himself as the messiah of American soccer, Donovan literally dropped the ball. I hope that he can mature as a player and realize that his skills need work, and that he must be ready to compete agaisnt the world. If you identify yourself as the icon of American Soccer, you run the risk of being its most hated member when you disappoint the masses.

Clint Dempsey may be the only member of the team whose inspired, 'look-what-I-can-do-soccer' reeks of European and Brazilian prowess. Clint's solo blast in the first half was America's only goal. After ending without a goal against the Czech and surviving on an own goal against Italy, rookie Clint Dempsey recieves the noble honors of scoring Team USA's only goal.

Dempsey, not Donovan, is the future of American soccer. He is more confident against the big names in the big games than anyone else wearing the red, white and blue. Like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rooney, Ruud, or Raul, Dempsey not only controls the ball on the attack, but plays with it. His well-honed ball skills are EXTREMELY dangerous against any defender. He must return to lead Donovan and the US to World Cup glory in 2010.

Four years is a long time to wait until the US can give the world another taste of its improvement. Hopefully, when 2010 rolls around, the US will not only dominate CONCACAF, but also the entire world cup field. By that time, a new goalie will be in the net, and new core of American talent will be on the field, and Bruce Arena may no longer making the line-ups.

Oh what a beautiful day that will be.

The Ghana- US Game Approaches

For the US, tomorrow's game is do or die.

oh, and the Italians need to rock the Czech Republic so pray for a Prague Plague in addition to an American Assault on Ghana.

For Donovan, McBride, Keller, Onyewu and co. the Ghana game is the biggest of American soccer history. With a win, the Americans not only keep hope alive for advancement, but also prove that the Czech Massacre was an exception- not a rule.

For Landon Donovan, Ghana may be the last chance to prove himself in a country that has been anything over than hospitable. Donovan tried hsi hand at German soccer on two occasions, and was deemed a disappointment both times.

For McBride and Keller, the Ghana game may be a ride into the sunset. Both Veterans have been with the National team for what seems like eons. While anchoring the Stars & Stripes through thick and thin, the boys will unlikely return for another shot at the world in 2010.

McBride in particular, has a lot to prove. His voracious scoring has defined him the world over, and he looks to score tomorrow to maintain a record of three straight tournaments with a goal. McBride's pride may also need a big win, as the warhorse recovers from the cruel elbow of Italian defender de Rossi, and prepares to show the world what you get when you mess with an old bull.

Nevertheless, Ghana will not go quietly. They are coming off a huge win over Nedved and the Czech Republic, and favor their chances against a wounded American side. The country of Ghana has called on a half day so that Ghanians can watch the game. America has not followed similiar suit, though TV ratings will likely spike as American fans tune in from around the country to watch America's chances unfold in realtime.

I like America's chances. I think that the US will pull off a dirty, ugly 2-1 win over Ghana and that Italy will get the Czech's 1-0. But that is also wishful thinking. Things could just as easily switch the other way around, and the US could come out on the cold side of a match against Ghana, or the Czech's could take the Italians off the mark.

Fortuantely for the US, everyone is playing to win. Group E is the only group where NOTHING is certain and any team could go through. That means that Italy, Ghana, the Czech Republic and the US are all playing for keeps.

I cannot wait to see what happens.

Second Cycle Completed

As of monday, the Second flight of World Cup group qualifying was completed. With Spain's explosive 3-1 win over the Ukraine, tournament officials looked ahead to the thrid and final games of the Cup groupings.

England, Brazil, Sweden, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Portugal have all qualified for the round of 16. Today, England and Sweden met and played to a 2-2 draw. For England the game hit a sour note when key forward Michael Owen was injured. For the Swedes, the draw was less than what they were hoping for, but a pleasent, neutral way to end qualifying.

Suprises Was there anything in the second round has exciting as Ghana's 2-0 shocker over the Czech republic? I think not. This huge win not only kept hope alive for the Americans, but also proved resoundingly that Group E not C, was the 'group of death'. Going into the the third and final game for Group E, nothing remains for certain. Three of the teams, Italy, Ghana, and Czechoslovakia, remained 'tied' with 3 points apiece. It should be an interesting Thursday to see what transpires for the Americans.

Another suprise should be America's miracle on Saturday to endure a relentless Italian attack two men down. Full credit to my compatriots, though the win against Italy would have been far sweeter.

Disappointments France's play in this year's World Cup has been haphazard to say the least. Considering their skill, strength and reputation, Les Bleus should not be struggling against Switzerland or South Korea. Is this not the legendary squad that played for keeps last time the Cup was in Europe?

Zidane's red card for an early exit was a terrible blow to the French squad and may signal his last hurrah for the Republic. Henry has ensured that play will improve, but who is to say?

Germany Good for the Home team! When I saw that Germany had made the tournament, I remember thinking 'Oh how disappointing it will be for the Germans when they lose it all at home!' This has been anything but the case. With inspired performances over Poland, Ecuador and Costa Rica, the home team looks ready to rumble.

I think that this year's Cup is really up for grabs. It will be a question of heart and dedication that will separate the winner's from the rest of the field.

Games to Watch
Tomorrow,
Portugal vs. Mexico 10am
Netherlands vs. Argentina 3pm

Thursday
USA vs. Ghana 10am
Italy vs. Czech Republic 10am

America the Beautiful

Call it irony. Call it the greatest turn around in World Cup history. Call it destiny. Call it fantastic. Call it a flirtacious, fickle fate- But do not call the Americans OUT.

USA 1 - Italy 1

The world expected Italy to follow the Czech lead and stomp all over the red, white & blue. I'll be honest- I did too. When I turned off my TV after the 3-0 Caech embarassment, I wrote the Americans off. But fate has a fickle finger, and one must never write off a wounded animal.

Lunging from a self-dug grave, Team USA proved overwhelmingly why it deserved to be in Germany against the Italians on Saturday. Landon Donovan did not shy away. He stepped up, ran the ball beautifully and unlike the weak, diving Italian forwards, he pushed through the hard tackles to set up game-changing possiblities.

Clint Dempsey, my man from Foxboro and the New England Revolution was an absolute sparkplug for the American offense. His addition to the starting line-up marked the fundamental break that the Americans made with their loss to Czechoslovakia. Dempsey should start every game. Put McBride in the middle and Beasley on the left, keep Dempsey going.

I have never seen an American toy with European defenders like Clint did. His footskills resemble Brazilian tomfoolery. He actually crossed defenders up, proper LeBron James-style.

Still the man of the match for the Americans turned out to be Kasey Keller. I won't lie to you. I've never liked this guy. I LOVED Fridel in Korea and am still wandering what the hell happened to that rare specimen of an all-star keeper.

But Kasey Keller held down the fort on Saturday, staving off Italian attack after Italian attack and winning the draw for the US. Not only did Keller keep the net closed to visitor's, but Kasey also orchestrated the impenetrable defense of Fort USA. Props.

On the Ref I don't even think I need to address how atrocious the calling of the Italy-US game was. It was terrible. That guy had no idea what he was doing. The calls were at first tight and narrow, then few and far between. The few good calls that the man made were the called-off Beasley goal for obstruction, and the the de Rossi-McBride elbow. Besides that, he threw out Pope and Mastroeni for trivial calls and ruined a sure-fire American victory. Shame on him.

Consequently, the fool also blew several offsides calls for the Italians. Shame on him again.

On Italian Injuries We all know that the Italians "perfected" football, but did you know that Italians also invent the fake-injury, the on-the-field sob and the Sicilian dive? Everytime a US player got near an Italian, the chances were high the Italian player might try something ridiculous to win a call. These guys would even get taken off the field in a stretcher just to get up and skip lithely back to play once the red card was awarded. Forgive my anger, but that is straight BULLSHIT. These guys need a lesson in real hard knocks, and should take a page out of any American's rulebook: play hard until you are really hurt, and never use the Stretcher unless you cannot physically walk. Seriously.

America Advancing? Unfortunately for the US, the prospects of advancement rely on a must-win game over Ghan, and an Italian victory over the Czech. Other situations are possible, but the US would need to win its game with Ghana in any case.

Advancement is given to the teams who score the most points. A win is given three points, a draw one, and no points are awarded for a loss. If teams are tied, they go down to something called goal differential. There, goals for are averaged with goals against, and the resulting number is compared with tied teams.

The current US goal differential is -3.

Still, the world must sit up and take notice of America now. The draw, while unfortunate for future US prospects, does mark an American arrival to world-class competition. For the US to draw with Italy down 2 men and with a goal called back that could have taken them through, America should be proud.

Soccer isn't something that we Americans have in our blood, but the level of skill and infatuation is rising.

The Dutch keep Rolling

On Friday, the Dutch showed why the world and the World Cup should get ready to see orange. With a great win over a powerful Cote d'Ivorie team, the Oranje have qualified to move on to the round of 16. Beautiful goals from van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy took the Dutch through. On the defensive end, revamped keeper Edwin van der Sar and his cast of defenders were able to keep Cote d'Ivorie's power offensive to just one goal.

23' Robin van Persie gets taken down just outside the penalty area. Lining up his kick quickly and flawlessly, the Arsenal prodigy put the free kick away into the upper corner before the keeper realized what was happening. This may be the most stunning goal that I have seen yet in the Cup. van Persie's precision was unnerving. The ball sailed just wide of the Ivorie defensive wall and dropped in to the upper corner. Goals like this are brilliant because they make opposing teams live in fear of fouling. Intimidation through goals like this beauty will keep opponents whether it is better to bring van Persie down, or to let him go.

Neither is a good choice.

Also worth praising van Persie for is clutch stop in the Dutch goal mouth, when the forward took a deflected ball off the chest to prevent the tying goal. van der Sar was far out of reach and would surely have let the ball go by. Instead, van Persie chalks up both a goal and save, proving his value immensely.

van Nistelrooy Ruud called his go-ahead goal in the first half, the finest goal of his life. I wouldn't call it that, but it certainly proved to be the most important goal of the game. Watching the replay, it is difficult to tell whether the Man U start was onsides or not. Nevertheless, Ruud's unwavering finish certainly gave the fans something to cheer about.

Argentina Despite having already secured passage to elimination soccer, the Dutch must still face the Argentinians in their final round robin game. This should be a match to see. Both teams are strong, and as the group winners, they have nothing more to fight for. Still, there is much to prove. World Cup history remembers the Dutch-Argentine rivalry as a blood feud of old. This year's teams have different strengths. The Aregentinians are offensive warhorses with flair and panache. The Dutch are a little more balanced, and may have both the defensive to neutralize Crespo & co. and the forwards to put away the winner.

I look forward to this game and the advance of the Netherlands.

As they say in Amsterdam, "Hup Holland Hup"

England Eternal

Forgive my penchance for History, I cannot help but to see the deep fate at work for the English and their quest for world conquest. In 1066, William the Conqueorer invaded England and seized the British Crown. Nine hundred years later, England was once again invaded, and like it had done since William took over in 1066, the Brits defended their island with world champion tenacity.

Since that time in 1966, when England won the World Cup at home, the Three Lions have had their share of ups and downs. But, as the date for their campaign nears a full 40 years since their World Championship, no one in Germany is looking as strong as Beckham & Co.

In their match today against Trinidad & Tobago, the Three Lions showed once again why they are a force to be reckoned with. Taking over 20 shots on goal, the English pounded the Trinidad goal with the sort of ruthlessness Germany has not seen since Dresden.

At the other end of the pitch, Robinson played well in net and dominated his goal. On the single occasion that all seemed lost for England and Robinson was caught out of position, John Terry saved a Trinidad header in what HAD to be the greatest play of the game. His near bicycle kick was an absolute gem of selfless defending. Though Crouch and Gerrard may get credit for winning the game, it was John Terry who saved it.

To be fair to the Trinidad & Tobago footballers, the Caribbeanners played one of the most defensively sound games that I have ever WATCHED. I saw T&T play the US at Foxboro about 4 years ago and they played horribly. After giving up 2 goals to the US, the defense completely fell apart and began bickering. Since then however, T&T has got fantastically better. Their solid game against England should be considered a great milestone in the development of Island Football. Had Terry not saved the first half Trinidad header, we all might be reading about a very different game.

If one man must be praised for Trinidad's brillance it is their keeper Shaka Hislop. Shaka may well be one of the greatest goalkeepers that I have ever watched in action. His leadership on the field continued to keep up T&T's outstanding defense despite a veritable British bombardment. Several times in the match today, Shaka saved the Islanders from going one down. The two times that he was beat, were brillant shots from World Class strikers. His performance today forced the Brits to be at their best.

On the whole, England's play was exceptional, and only a strong Trinidad defense kept out a number of would-be goals. However, Peter Crouch, the "hero" of today's match, should be kept of the pitch for the rest of the tournament. When I saw that Wayne Rooney was healthy, I expected the end of Peter Crouch. Instead, I was tortured by his insipid weakness, his inability to finish, and his love for foiling otherwise simple goals. The fact that he scored today should be considered a miracle. He missed sooooo many chances to score that he should never be allowed to take the field for England so long as Owen and Rooney are healthy.

That said, with Rooney back in the line-up England is unstoppable. I eagerly await their campaign for the Cup and expect to see history repeat itself when the Three Lions claim victory forty years out of Wembley.

First Cycle Completed...

With Spain's impressive 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine and Tunisia's last-second draw with Saudi Arabia, the World Cup Round Robin has passed through it's first complete cycle.

With ALL of teams played and accounted for, it is now time to assess favorites, upsets, teams on the rise, those on the fall, and the glory games to come in the week ahead.

Favorites By my estimations, England is still the team to beat. Despite having a weak outing on Saturday, they still looked much stronger than any of their high-ranking counter-parts. England's team is STACKED. They have Beckham comfortably captaining, keeper Robinson firmly in charge in the rear, and a host of top-notch talent at every position. Everytime the ball is passed, it switches into the possesion of one of the World's best. Rumors have it that Rooney will even be ready to go by tomorrow's match against Trinidad & Tobago. England will easily rock its Group, and proceed with full strength into elimination soccer.

On Brazil Am I the only one in the world who thinks the Brazilians are overrated? After winning 1-0 over Croatia, on a lucky goal from Kaka, I think that Brazil is a shadow of its former self. Sure the Boys from Rio have the FINEST footballers in the world. But they, like many of their high ranking counterparts, seeming uninspired in their play. If the former World Champions and heavy favorites can play to 1-0 against Croatia, who knows what they'll do with a stronger opponent. The Three Lions of England will surely crush the Brazilians.

Teams to Watch The Czech Republic embarassed the US, and looked confident while doing it. I agree with Claudio Reyna's assessment that the Czechs will go far in the tournament. If they manhandle Ghana like they manhandled the US, Italy will not stand in the way of a Prague Summer.

The Netherlands looked very good against the Serbians, and I will expect only greater things this weekend. Watch for van Persie to step up his game, and for Robben to start sharing the ball. If Arjen can share with his fellow Oranje, the Dutch will easily escape the Round Robin.

Spain is the only team among the European favorites that played to their potential. Rocking 3 goals with Raul on the sidelines, and 1 with him on the pitch, the Spainards have nowhere to go but up. Sure, they may have beat up on a weaker squad, but England, Brazil and France were surely no beating anyone up as they confronted their own share of weaker nations.

Disappointments It seems almost unecessary to repeat the enormous disappointment from Team USA's thrashing at the hands of the Czechs. Still, the point needs repeating. The US would be lucky indeed to get out of Group E, and will most likely be taking an early trip back to a disappointed and yet uncaring host nation.

About six months ago, Zidane returned to Les Bleus amidst an expolsion of French Patriotism. Following in his footsteps were a number of equally talented international players that had quit because of problems with the administration. Theirry Henry, France's darling and the star striker of Arsenal stood at the center of the team Europe was wary of for World Cup championship contention. There less than inspired play against Switzerland was regrettable to put it nicely. Not only did the French fail to perform, they blamed the grass and its "stickiness" for their difficulties in the match. They won't have to worry about sticky grass when they're watching the rest of the tournament in a bar in Paris.

Why Korea Can Compete...

I used to share a room with a Korean student and a fantastic soccer player. He taught me the only two things that one needs to know about Korean Soccer. Koreans will study hard to learn EVERYTHING about a sport, and they will play with a passion that is unrivalled the world over.

With almost 2 million Korean fans in support, and a blinding red prescence in their Opener, the Korean soccer squad was bound to get the win against Togo. Watching the game this morning I was reminded of Korea's 2-2 draw with the US in 2002. In that game, the Americans jumped out on top, and seemed to have the win secured. But a disciplined, passionate, and never-say-die Korean squad refused to lose the game at Home. Instead, with pressure mounting from within, the Korean footballers played for the glory of their nation and scored a game-tying second goal.

This passion, this intensity and love for the game and the opportunity of the World Cup is shared by few other teams competing in Germany this June. Most European nations have lost the "fun" of football for the expectation of success. It was just this sort of expectation vs. fun paradox that played the French into a 0-0 draw with Switzerland this afternoon.

It seems that Team USA has also picked the European penchant for not getting excited for World Cup competition. Unlike the spirited team of '02, that refused to give in and shocked the world with its success, this year's squad seems uninspired.

All the more reason to love the Koreans.

Today's game against Togo was a great game. Playing up into a 1 all tie late in the second half, Korea continued to pund the ball into the box and took shot after shot. Like roulette, the odds of scoring continued to rise until FINALLY! Ahn Jung-hwan put away the game-winner at 72'.

Korean fan support is also unrivallled. Unlike the thugs that maruade with England, cruelly expecting victory and ready always to fight, Korean fan support is happy, peaceful and loving. To support the "Red Devils," 2 Million Korean supporters massed in Seoul to celevrate Korean goals (2) with fireworks displays. Meanwhile, back in Frankfurt, the stadium was absolutely overrun by Korean fans. Red jerseys DOMINATED the stands, and cheers wre clearly discrinable in song-like Korean.

The Korean style of soccer closely mimics that of European powerhouses like the Czech Republic, The Netherlands or even a psuedo-Brazilian style of play. Unlike the British blend of long passes and broken one-man runs, Korean attacks are usually centered around a cluster of 3-4 players whose beautiful crisp passing allows opportunities to open up.

In defense of Team Togo, the Africans looked far better than I expected them to be, and readily attacked the mediocre Korean defense. Had the calls gone as they Should have, Togo would surely have secured a penalty kick, and perhaps the tie.

Unfortunately, Korean firepower overwhelmed a strong Togoian defense and brought home the first World Cup victory for Korea not played in their own nation. With France looking mediocre at best, and Switzerland easily neutralized, I wouyld not be suprised to see the Koreans get out of the round robin on TOP, and they will SURELY make the second seeding from group G if nothing else.

The American Cookie Crumbles

Czech Republic 3 - USA 0.

I got up early to watch this game. I had intended on sleeping 'til 12 but I got up at 10:30 instead. The game was on ESPN2, but I don't have cable so I had to watch Univision.

And for what?

Team USA got smoked with the sort of kung fu precision that I have not seen since The Matrix. Landon Donovan and Co. made the Czech Republic look like Brazil. The game was downright embarassing.

Tactically, the Czechs played brillant game. They attacked hard and fast. They never slowed down a possession or withdrew to their own half while on Offense. Instead, the Czechs cut, passed, led their teammates and gave American goalie Kasey Keller no chance to make a difference.

5' The First Goal: Early on, the teams looked well-matched, and I sat back for a even and exciting game. Then Koller put away a beautiful cross and I sat reeling on the couch for the next five minutes. At the time, there were only two defenders in the American box. Koller, the Czech striker, also happened to be about six inches taller than his American defender. It was a beautiful goal, and it inspired the Czechs on to an even more explosive victory.

The American defending was weak on almost all parts. Eddie Pope and Brian Convey looked exceptionally unprepared. Only Onweyu seemed up for the challenge of defending against the Czech offense and saved the US in several precarious positions. The American defense was also unassisted by the midfield. In one photo of the second Czech goal, Claudio Reyna can be seen sliding in from the midfield. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late.

In all of the Czech attacks, the Americans looked thin and weak in the box. By comparison, the Czech defense was a packed and aggressive collection of players within the goalie's box, and there was enormous pressure on any American attack.

Claudio Reyna had the US's only got look at the goal when he fired off a beautiful 20 yard shot near the 24'. Unfortunately, the shot spun jsut wide and hit the post for a very near miss. Here, one of the weakness of the American game was completely unveiled. As the shot rebounded into the box, there was no put-back or follow-up from the Americans. Truly, it was a missed opportunity.

Rosicky then scored another goal in the 35' to put away the Americans for the second half. Ironically, Rosicky's goal came off of a rebounded shot, and was strikingly similiar to Reyna's 24th minute blast.

Throughout the game, American possesion grossly exceeded that of the Czech. At one point in the first half, ball possesion was estimated at 58% - 42% in favor of the Americans. But the American possesion was sloppy and haphazard. It lacked form, structure, or discipline and readily shot long balls to strikers beyond reach. The American attack also focused to heavily on a east-west attack rather than a north-south. Relying on their crosses, the American offense was overwhelmed by an all-too-prepared Czech defense. Reyna's shot was the approach that the Americans needed. Good ball possesion and dribbling until a space could be found to shoot.

Had the Americans actually moved with the ball and attacked the Czech goal head-on, I feel that they would have actually had a positive result. Johnson, a second-half subsitute game very close to scoring equalizers by attacking head on. Even Landon Donovan, the buzz kill whose weak and uninspired play left Team USA high and dry, made a solid move straight at the net when he was brutally cut down and was able to draw a free kick.

Eventually, Rosicky got clear in the second half and scored a second goal to bring the Czech total to 3. This is where the game would end, and how the American's would recieve their most brutal loss since 1990.

On Landon Donovan I have had to see this guys' face way too much for him to suck when it becomes time to pay the piper. Landon Donovan was an absolute non-presence today, and I was convinced that Bruce Arena would sub him. Clint Dempsey is sitting on the American bench waiting to score goals like he did in 2002, when the pressure was on. Why is Team USA wasting its time on a weak, poorly-playing poster boy?

With any luck, and by that I mean A LOT of luck, the US team will advance. But that requires beating Italy and Ghana, who both played an inspired match tonight and looked as though they would easily crush the Americans in the upcoming matches. Currently, I would expect the US to draw with Italy and to narrowly defeat Ghana. But they will probably no advance. Instead, Italy and the Czech Republic are destined for elimination soccer.

Why I love the Dutch

So the World Cup officials expected 4,000 Dutch soccer fans to descend on Leipzig for Holland's opening round match against Serbia. They were wrong. They were wrong by about 39,000 people.

43,000 "Hollanders" Dutched the opening round game for group C, filling the streets, partying outside of the Stadium, and absolutely DOMINATING their Serbian counterparts. This is the glory of World Cup fever.



Fortunately, the Dutch fans were not to be disappointed. Arjen Robben drove home the game's first and only goal in the first half to secure the Win. Meanwhile, the Dutch did what the Dutch do best.

They partied.

They sang the National Anthem, the dance to Tiesto, they raved, they played games and they broke the spirit of their Serbian counterparts.

On an interesting side note, I recently read Franklin Foer's How Soccer Explains the World which detailed the tenacity and aggressiveness of Serbian soccer fans. I was expecting the Dutch to back down or to get ROCKED by some hard-ass Eastern European Bad Boys. BUT, the Dutch did no such thing. They smothered their bad-ass companions and defeat the hate of the Easterners with Love.

I feel like I'm watchin' a Cher video, Tom,
And frankly, I don't mind it at all.