Daily Archives: June 23, 2010

Donovan rescues U.S. World Cup dream with goal in 91st minute

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“Landon Donovan scored a stunning goal in the first minute of injury time, advancing the United States to the second round at the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Algeria. With the U.S. perhaps three minutes from elimination Wednesday, Donovan brought the ball upfield on a counterattack and Jozy Altidore’s shot on the breakaway was tipped by Clint Dempsey into goalkeeper Rais Bolihi. The rebound went to Donovan, who kicked it in from about 8 yards for one of the biggest goals in U.S. soccer history.” (ESPN)

USA vs. Algeria World Cup instant analysis
“The teams are heading out, and the BBC cuts away from the tennis just in time. Phew! I almost had to tell you what someone on the radio was telling me was going on. Bob Bradley can hardly keep the grin off his face during the anthem, players’ attempt at the hands-on-shoulders move has *not* been well choreographed today. You can see how much this means to them, though. Algerian anthem sounds like the music British broadcasters use in the background of clips from horse racing. Not unpleasant, is what I’m saying.” (SI)

United States 1, Algeria 0: U.S. Wins Group C
“Three thoughts after the U.S.’s 1-0 victory against Algeria, sending the U.S. into the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 2002…” (SI)

U.S. puts up brave fight to advance
“As they have throughout this tournament, the Americans put up a brave fight. This time they delivered a victory, with their 1-0 win putting them through to the knockout stage. Here’s how each individual U.S. player performed.” (ESPN)

Could We Be Any More Likeable?
“Every couple of months, Bob Bradley produces a crisis of faith. His team slips and the mind wonders, what if Jurgen Klinsmann were the man in charge? Would we look so shaky in the back? Would our attack have a bit more flair?” (TNR)

United States (USA) 1-0 Algeria – Video Highlights, Recap, and Match Stats – World Cup – 23 June 2010
“The USA faced Algeria knowing they would need at least a draw and likely a win to advance out of the group stage. Algeria still had a chance but would need a win and some help in the other match.” (The 90th Minute)

Landon Donovan GOAL VIDEO: USA Scores To Win In Stoppage Time
“The United States advanced in the World Cup on Wednesday with a critical goal in stoppage time. With just minutes remaining in the game, Landon Donovan knocked in a goal to put the United States up for good. Scroll down to watch. The victory ended Slovenia’s World Cup trip, and the United States will learn the identity of their next opponent Wednesday afternoon, when Group D is finally sorted out.” (Huffington Post)

Deconstructing The Jabulani

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“After seeing some of the comments on the site, and after hearing the rampant discussion concerning the lack of goals during the first round of group play, I understand that there’s a lot of confusion about the effects of new Jabulani ball. For those of you that have been living in a cave, essentially the argument is that the new ball is very different, and because of this, there haven’t been a lot of goals scored because players aren’t used to how the ball flies through the air. The argument goes on that the players are using ‘old’ techniques to kick the new ball and these ‘old’ techniques are causing the ball to fly above the cross bar an inordinate number of times.” (Yanks Are Coming)

The Puzzle

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“Nothing is funnier than this article, but nothing is faster than this tournament, even if it seems to roll at a regal pace. If you stop to rest, or write a post about John Terry’s failed career as the seditious leader of a crushed splinter sect, two more matches blow past, the tortoise wins the championship, and the only rock with your name on it is covered with vines forever. We have to move with the times. If John Terry’s failed career as the seditious leader of a crushed splinter sect tells us anything, it’s that.” (Run of Play)

Slovenia 0-1 England – Video Highlights, Recap, and Match Stats – World Cup – 23 June 2010

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“It was a must win for England as they faced Slovenia in their last group stage match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They have struggled in their first two matches while Slovenia have impressed with a win and a draw. Slovenia would advance with a draw, win, or a USA loss in the other match.” (The 90th Minute)

World Cup 2010: Slovenia 0-1 England
“I think it’s fair to say that the introduction’s already on site, so I’ll just go straight into the game. England line up as a 4-4-2, with Gerrard on the left and Milner on the right, and Defoe partnering Rooney up front. As with last night’s Nigeria-South Korea report, I’ll include how the group stands, and any changes. 1. Slovenia 2. USA 3. England 4. Algeria” (twohundredpercent)

Slovenia 0-1 England
“England finally made their presence felt at the World Cup by securing the win they needed over Slovenia in Port Elizabeth to reach the last 16. Jermain Defoe’s close-range strike midway through the first half was enough to give Fabio Capello’s side the three points they required to avoid an early departure from South Africa and finish second behind the United States in Group C. And after the misery of Friday’s draw against Algeria in Cape Town and the controversy surrounding former captain John Terry’s comments about the mood in the camp, Capello will have been delighted to see England produce a hugely improved performance under pressure.” (BBC)

From Lalas to Landon: What Is The American Style Of Play?

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“The idea of a distinctive national style of play is not entirely foolish, but the stereotype — being a stereotype — is not exactly a straightforward representation of reality. There are many examples of this, but I’ll give you a timely one from Gabrielle Marcotti today on the English belief about the robotic German style of play, one ever undermined by how numerous German players actually play.” (Pitch Invasion)

France and Raymond Domenech exit World Cup by betraying their heritage

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“La fin. Let the discredits roll. Let Les Bleus depart the total shambles that they are. Their World Cup 2010 experience has been so unfathomably awful, it is hard to know where to begin with the inquest. A poll conducted by Canal Plus split the blame pretty evenly between the players, the manager and the French Football Federation. All of them have blundered their way through South Africa in their own special way.” (Guardian)