After a month of the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup culminates this Sunday:
Category: Soccer
2014 World Cup: Semi-Finals Preview and Predictions
2014 World Cup: Quarter-Finals Preview and Predictions
Howard’s Heroics Not Enough for the U.S.
Tim Howard’s performance yesterday was one to remember. Although the U.S. didn’t come away with the victory, Howard had the best match of the World Cup for a keeper, maybe of any player. He was FIFA’s Man of the Match for the second time in the tournament If it wasn’t for him, the scoreline would have been uglier than 2-1 and it would not have even made it to extra time. Howard’s 16 saves are the most in World Cup history. He earned the respect of many across the globe, including one of the best defenders in the world and Belgian opponent Vincent Kompany. Even though the U.S. lost, Howard and the team’s performance will help the growth of soccer/football in America. Everyone will look back and remember the game Tim Howard stood on his head and (nearly) saved everything that came his way. The U.S. team exceeded expectations by surviving the vaunted Group of Death and playing some of their best football. They also came very close to winning the match against Belgium, even though they were vastly out shot and were outplayed for the most part. The U.S. made the most of their chances and just when it looked like they were finished, they were right back in it. Thanks to a nice goal from 19-year old Julian Green, who scored in his first World Cup appearance and on his first touch. The Americans pressed on and had multiple scoring chances, the closest coming from a very clever free kick. Green, who decided to play for the United States over Germany, is a highly touted prospect and will be the face of U.S. soccer in the future. Besides Howard and Green, defenders DaMarcus Beasley, Omar Gonzalez, DeAndre Yedlin (who came on for the injured Fabian Johnson), and midfielder Michael Bradley all played really well. The U.S. have a bright future ahead of them in the sport. They have a solid core of youngsters like Green, Gonzalez, Yedlin, Mix Diskerud, John Brooks and more to go along with a great core of experienced veterans like Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, and Brad Guzan that could make some noise at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. While they didn’t make it far, there were many positives to take away from this World Cup to consider it a success for the United States. Tim Howard and the rest of team USA’s performance will only help with the sport’s exposure, growth, and popularity in the States and it will be interesting to see how each progress by the time the next World Cup rolls around.
– MPT
@mpt117
2014 World Cup: Round of 16 Preview and Predictions
2014 World Cup: Group Stage Weekly Recap
The last three days of the World Cup may have been the best in terms of quality of play. I know this is labeled as a weekly recap and it’s before today’s (Friday) matches have finished, but the past few days have been crazy. It has had a little bit of everything: great goalkeeping, candidates for goals of the tournament, fast-paced action, sublime skill, and some boneheaded plays. There could be a weekend recap if this kind of play keeps up.
John Brooks: America’s Newest Sports Hero
In a game the US needed to win, they got off to an excellent start thanks to Clint Dempsey’s goal 34 seconds into the match. The goal was good for the 6th fastest goal in World Cup history. The Americans looked to hold on and defend the lead the rest of the way, as Ghana had more possession at 59%-41% and almost had more than triple the shots, with 21 shots to the Americans 8. Just as it looked like the US was going to come out of this match with a victory and an important 3 points, Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana in the 82nd minute. Fans across America were silenced. Ghana had been pressing on with many scoring opportunities and finally cashed in. They looked threatening to score again and steal the game from the US, or at the very least ending in a draw, which would make it difficult for both teams to advance. Just 4 minutes later, the tides changed. Defender John Brooks scored a header off a corner from Graham Zusi in the 86th minute to put the US in the lead and what proved to be the game winner. US fans across the world erupted in celebration, just like 4 years before when Landon Donovan’s last second goal propelled them to win the group and advance to the knockout stage. The win was a vital one for the US, as they needed all 3 points to have any chance of advancing. Brooks came on as a half time substitute for the injured Matt Besler and made the most of his opportunity. It was the first goal every scored by a US substitute in the World Cup and the 21 year old prospect’s first international goal. What a way to score your first goal in a crucial time like that. His celebration was great as well, you can tell he can’t believe that he just scored. Brooks’ goal will go down in American soccer and sports folklore and he becomes the latest hero in American sports.
– MPT
@mpt117
In Case You Missed It: The Flying Dutchman
Netherlands forward Robin van Persie with the goal of the World Cup so far in the Netherlands 5-1 romp of defending champion Spain yesterday, as the Dutch get some revenge for the 2010 World Cup final. The play was started by a beautiful pass that traveled over 50 yards from Daley Blind and an excellent finish from van Persie off the volley to head it over Spain keeper Iker Casillas, who was caught in no man’s land. This was just the first of many quality plays and goals at the World Cup and I can’t wait to see what else the World Cup has in store.
Throwback Thursday: Satan’s Horn: The Vuvuzela
In honor of the start of planet Earth’s largest sporting event, viewed all around the globe by those with access to some form of media, this belated version of Throwback Thursday to the last World Cup. However, instead of discussing what transpired on the pitch in South Africa in 2010, this post is dedicated to those in the stands. More specifically, their instrument of death, which tormented the African country and viewers worldwide for a solid month straight. I’m talking of course about the one, and thankfully only, vuvuzela.
Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: Satan’s Horn: The Vuvuzela”
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