Victory!!!!

In the much anticipated final match for the US in Group stage C versus Algeria, the US has prevailed. Unbelievable, 91 minute of the match and Landon Donovan cleans up the mess. It was a well fought contest and the US had more than ample scoring opportunities. Yeah sure, we got hosed early when the ref called the goal off by Dempsey because he said he was offsides, but they kept on attacking. And kept on and kept on. If you missed it live, I hate that you did. Although the highlights on EPSN will be running for the next couple of days, possibly weeks. It just seemed like it wasn't going to happen. So many opportunities that went to the wayside. Missed chances, missed kicks and the ref debacle...again. One got the sense that it just wasn't meant to be. That the US wasn't going to get there chance to advance to the knockout round and just like the announcers said, it all can happen in a split second and it did. I think a bit of gratitude has to be given to our US goalie Tim Howard. After he made the save off an Algerian chance, he quickly distributed the ball out to Donovan who started the break. A quick pass to Altidore, who passed to Dempsey who took the chance at goal only to be denied and the ball bouncing behind him out of the goal keepers reach and the man who started the break ended it. Incredible!! Unbelievable!! Awesome!!

We still haven't found out who we will play in the knockout round, but that match will be either Germany,Ghana, or Serbia. They square off this afternoon to determine who moves on. We'll worry about that when the time gets here. For now, GO USA!!!

Judgement Day

Well it all comes down to this for the US team, as well as the team from England...Win and your In. Wednesday, June 23 @ 8:30am on ESPN the US will be taking on Algeria to determine there fate and attempt to reach the round of 16. A victory is a sure fire ticket to the next round but in the rather unfortunate event of a draw there is still a chance if England draws with Slovenia and there is a goal differential. Heres to hoping that it doesn't come down to that and the US takes care of its business. Nevermind the Brits, we don't concern ourselves with them. Lets just take care of business and I think we will. Like I said in my last post in regard to the US in the World Cup, if we play this game with the intelligence and intensity that we played the second half against Slovenia, then we will win the Match. A loss, and it is over.

FYI: In case you were wondering, the Brit on the left is Wayne Rooney, arguably one of the bestter soccer players in the world. He has had a quiet world cup.

Bonus Video that has nothing to do with the US. Saw this live and it still pretty incredible and extremely lucky. Goal by Cristiano Ronaldo against North Korea. You've probably seen it.

Something to get the week started...

Have a great weekend, I'm out!!

Oh Well....

I am glad we got the draw but we got hosed in this contest. Going into the half being down 2-0, I was thinking we were done. Dead in the water. The announcers were arguing about the suspect officiating in the match and after seeing all the replays up close I couldn't agree more. Some real shaky calls and unfortunately it carried over into the second half as well. However, the US team looked like a different squad in the second half. They were more aggressive and this led to more opportunities as well. After drawing within a goal by a sweet shot by Landon Donovan, you could just see the momentum shift. US got after it and Slovenia wasn't sure how to react. Seriously, the keeper for Slovania looked like he was protecting himself instead of trying to stop the shot. The way the ball came in, if it would have hit him, it would have shattered his nose. Anywho, Us back on the attack in the 82 or so minute and the coachs son, Michael Bradley, makes pops and the country proud with the equalizer. This was obviously huge because we just couldn't have a loss. The draw keeps us in it depending on what happens in the match between England and Algeria and so on. Not much later in the contest, around the 86 minute is when the wheels really came off for the officiating. A foul on Donovan just outside the box as he was trying to make the most of a second scoring chance, setup a free kick which ended up in a clean US goal and the lead late in the game. A remarkable comeback and hope, but wait. The official blows it off for a foul. Still a mystery as to what the foul was. There was no foul, there was no offsides. It was picture perfect and the ref blew it, as it he had done the whole contest with the cheap fouls, etc. I will say this, when he did give a player a card, they deserved it. The US got hosed, but at least they did walk away with a draw and that does keep them in the hunt still. The outcome of the England/Algeria matchup is undoubtedly huge. But, the fact of the matter is the US has to absolutely win there next contest and I think they have the momentum now to do so. Coming back from being down 2 goals to tie and the way they played in the second half. I like our chances.

The Sporting World...Game 7 Tonight!!

Not that this is a big deal or anything, but it is the 7th and decisive game of the NBA season. All the marbles, tonight. There ain't no more tomorrows. After game 6 you gotta give the edge to the Lakers, but the Celtics are 4-0 alltime in game 7's against the Lakers. Much drama indeed, which is what makes sports so fantastic in all its ways. Now, personally, it doesn't make a difference to me who wins this thing, but there is history and reputations on the line as well. If Kobe can get him another title then you gotta put him in the elite class. He got his first couple with Shaq, so those are always suspect in terms of greatness. He has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove that he can get it done on his own. He's done it once already, and twice would be nice. As for the Celtics "Big 3" or should we say, "Big 4", this is just a little bit more icing on what is already an impressive resume (cake). I really feel this game hinges on Rondo. I know the "Big 3" gotta step up and play ball, but it all hinges on Rondo. If and when Rondo plays lights out, scoring, assist, rebounds, steals, then obviously the Celtics play there best ball. But who really knows, I mean Ray Ray may come in on fire and start bustin 3 balls left and right. But, I still feel that this is all about Rondo. Just my opinion. I could be wrong. Anywho, should be a thriller.

In addition, on the World Cup front, in case you missed it this past week, The US and England played to a 1-1 draw in there opening match of the Cup and the Americans were damn lucky to get a draw. I'm sure that if you have a pulse that you saw the goal. Anyway, the US squares off Tomorrow morning @ 8:30 am vs Slovenia. This is a must win situation for the US team. Slovenia defeated Algeria in there fisrt match so they hold the lead in Group C standings. Anything less than a victory and you gotta think that the US has got one foot out the door and another on a banana peel. Lots can happen, other teams can tie and lose and so forth, but this needs to be treated as a must victory and a victory is what the American squad needs. I know that most of you will be at work, but you can track the happenings via the web. It will be friday morning, so you won't feel like working anyway, might as well watch soccer. GO USA!!!

In honor of Mac's return....

Inmates and all...