World Cup: Day 14

Howdy Soccer Fans !!

What a moment. 91st minute, goal or go home, ball sitting alone in front of the net, guy closest is wearing a white shirt. That’s a snapshot that will stick in my mind forever along with Steve Garvey’s blast in ‘84 and Tony Martin’s catch in ’94 (San Diego sports references may be lost on the bulk of this international crowd, but permit me the indulgence). The USA has arrived in soccer. And it’s not just their play on the field in qualifying, in coming back in their first two games, in extended time heroics by the best American soccer player ever and newly minted sports icon. It’s also the true entrance of soccer in the national conversation. Yesterday evening, I’m in the San Francisco airport – the right half of the bar is showing the live SF Giants game, the left half is showing a repeat of the England-Slovenia game. Guess which half was packed with people engrossed in the TV and which was nearly vacant?

Okay, so in case you hadn’t heard, the US won group C with a 1-0 victory over Algeria. And in England, I think they are still playing tennis. No actually, the Brits held on against Slovenia (1-0) to earn the second spot. In Group D, Germany beat Ghana 1-0 providing an opportunity for Serbia who couldn’t convert against the Socceroos in losing 1-2. Germany wins the group with Ghana #2 as likely the only African country to qualify for the knockout stage.

Germany and England matchup on Sunday in 2nd round play, and the US plays Ghana Saturday at 11 am Pacific. The winners of these matches will be 2010 quarterfinalists.

And, this morning Italy and Slovakia played a very exciting match -- with 3 goals and 22 flops in the last 10 minutes -- as the defending champions were sent home in last place in Group F – behind New Zealand. Paraguay drew with the Kiwis to win the group, with Slovakia #2. South Americans, by the way, are 10-0-3 in this tournament. This afternoon, Japan handily defeated Denmark 3-1 to earn the second spot in Group E behind Holland, who beat Cameroon 2-1 and became the only European team to win all three of their group games. Netherlands goes against Slovakia Monday and Japan plays Paraguay on Tuesday.

So let’s see, France and Italy surrender leaving England to battle Germany as the USA comes through at the last moment. There’s something vaguely familiar about this….

And also familiar is Ben at the top of the pool, with his early round picks leading to a solid 10 of 12 correct Round of 16 choices so far in the second round.

Arrivederci!
Chris