Time for our daily World Cup roundup. Today was one of the most memorable sports days that I can remember and one of the main reasons was the amazing USA victory against Algeria. With all hope appearing to be lost, Landon Donovan rescued American hope. But, that wasn't the only thing that happened today at the World Cup as Groups C and D reached their conclusion.
1) Biggest Winner - USA! USA! USA! USA!
2) Best Game - USA 1 Algeria 0
-YYYYYEEEEESSSSSS!!!!
YYYYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!
YYYYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!
That was my reaction and probably the reaction of millions of other Americans around the country when THIS happened...
What an unbelievable moment and what an unbelievable game! The USA needed to beat Algeria with England defeating Slovenia 1-0 to win the group and advance into the last 16. For 90+ minutes, the USA team had hit the post, been robbed by the officials again, and come close on countless occasions. For all the world, it looked like that the soccer gods were against us yet again and we would fail on the big stage yet again. Soccer in the US would go dormant for another 4 years and a golden generation would wave goodbye to their chance to do something special.
Then, one of the most exciting moments of the sports year and the history of US Soccer happened in the 91st minute. Just when all hope looked lost, Tim Howard made a key save and a Herculean throw to find Donovan in space and the rest is history. The sheer joy in that moment is what sports is all about. This team showed such heart and desire throughout the three games so far that seeing them bow out after a disheartening and unlucky draw would have been a cruel twist of fate. But, our boys came through and now there is a pathway to the semifinals (v Ghana, v Uru/Kor) and what could be a defining moment for the sport in the USA. What a game, what a moment, and what a time to be an American! Wow, I'm getting goosebumps just typing this - how bout a lil Lee Greenwood baby!
3) Standout Performer - Landon Donovan
-This was Donovan's goal and Donovan's day. In truth, he wasn't much of a factor throughout the game, but he showed up with the play that sent the USA through to the knockout round. Donovan is the poster boy for US Soccer and it's only fitting that he be the one to score one of the most memorable goals in US history. Donovan started the play latching onto Tim Howard's beautiful throw, took a great first touch, followed up Dempsey's block and sent it in. The tears in Donovan's eyes after the game told you just how much that goal and that win meant to him and US soccer. Nobody in the red, white, and blue deserved that moment more than the American #10.
4)Biggest Loser - Serbia
-The Cinderella/darkhorse/under the radar team du jour coming into the tournament was Serbia. They had a difficult but not unconquerable group, veteran talent and experience, and enough defense to make a long run in the tournament. Heck, they even beat Group D winner Germany! And, they would have made it to the last 16 if they had not choked against Australia. They were level through 69 minutes and had several chances to hit the front in that time, but Serbia ended up allowing 2 quick goals and bowing out of the competition. With Serbia and Slovenia both exiting the World Cup from favorable positions, it won't go down as a banner day for Eastern European soccer.
5) Biggest Surprise -England's Hero is... Jermain Defoe?
-With all of the focus stateside on the American triumph, England's ability to win in a must-win game has been overlooked. Without their 1-0 win today over Slovenia, they would be headed back towards London in disgrace. And, it was a goal from surprise starter Jermain Defoe that won the game and saved England's World Cup. Defoe was one of the last guys you would expect on the England roster to step into the starting lineup and be able to take the Three Lions into the next phase with Capello's preference for Emile Heskey to partner Wayne Rooney. Defoe was left out of the 2006 World Cup and never seemed to fit into Fabio Capello's team structure this time around - nevertheless it was the Tottenham striker that was the man today and it will be interesting to see if he features in the team going forward.
6) Highlight - From Way Downtown!
-German wunderkind Mesut Ozil (one of our breakout players to watch, which I will certainly take the credit for) scored one of the great long-range goals of the tournament thus far with a splendid strike and a clutch goal to send Germany to the top of Group D and a matchup with England in the last 16!
Not to be outdone though is Aussie Brett Holman with this wicked one hopper that put away the Serbs!
7) Extra Time - What A Moment!
-Today's USA game is what sports is all about. Across the country Tweets, Facebook messages, IMs, texts, e-mails, phone calls, and everything in-between was going nuts over Landon Donovan's goal. Even some of the most diehard soccer haters were watching on the edge of their seat and hoping that the USA could pull out a victory. Donovan's goal was that moment that we love so much about sports. The moment when the dream comes true and frustration and disappointment instantly transform into joy and achievement.
I'll say this - it is not our greatest soccer moment, we've reached the WC quarterfinals before, but it might be the most significant moment and the greatest goal in US Soccer history because of the pure excitement. Having the team fight through such adversity and come so close to getting the breakthrough built the suspense to an unbearable level. Winning the game in such a dramatic way shows folks that soccer IS an exciting sport and it does contain surprises and unforgettable moments like the NFL and other sports. Sure, it's not going to make soccer the #1 sport here at home, but mark down June 23, 2010 as a huge day in the history of US Soccer.
Thursday Preview
Group F - 10:00 ET
Slovakia (1 PTS) v Italy (2 PTS)
-Of course the logical choice is to choose Italy to win big. However, the logical choice was also to pick Italy to win big over Paraguay and New Zealand. Yet, here they sit in a wide open Group F needing a win to move on to the knockout round. Slovakia is also in a must-win situation, but they have disappointed thus far in the tournament and you wouldn't expect them to really threaten the Azzuri. In spite of things going against them, Italy must simply get through this group - if not, them and France should be banned from the next World Cup.
PICK: Italy 2 Slovakia 0
Paraguay (4 PTS) v New Zealand (2 PTS)
-Paraguay should continue South America's unbeaten run against a plucky New Zealand team that has punched far above their weight in the tournament thus far. Who knows, perhaps a draw could see the Kiwis through, or they might even shock the world and get a win to move on (and top the group perhaps?) It has been an incredible story for them to even get this far, but Paraguay is quietly playing some world class soccer and should get the win to top Group F.
PICK: Paraguay 2 New Zealand 1
Moving On - 1) Paraguay 2) Italy
Group E - 2:30 ET
Cameroon (0 PTS) v Holland (6 PTS)
-With Holland in and Cameroon out this game has zero significance except for the Dutch to experiment with a couple things and Cameroon to maintain some pride. It's an impossible game to predict. Oh... a prediction you ask? I'm going to say 59-59, why not, right?
PICK: Cameroon 59 Holland 59
Denmark (3 PTS) v Japan (3 PTS)
-The scenario here is clear - a win or tie from Japan sees them through and only a Danish win sees them through. Japan has a clear edge here and can sit back and defend and perhaps strike on a counterattack (a strategy that worked against Cameroon). However, I believe that Denmark is simply the better team and will get the result they require.
PICK: Denmark 1 Japan 0
Moving On - 1) Holland 2) Denmark
No comments:
Post a Comment