The better team won.

I'm done. I'm slightly excited about the fact that I don't have to anymore. I'm not a journalist, obviously. Cheers...

Step 1. Ghana Step 2. Uruguay/S.Korea Step 3. Semifinals...

The dust has settled and though the couch still slants forward with its broken leg, we're all upright with that win. More later.

The Third Goal: Offsides or Roman/Greco wrestling?

First of all, it has to be said: What. A. Comeback. Donovan - who hits the underside, the ceiling of the netting? Nice. Boy Bradley - way not to think about it. Hit the ball anyway you can at the goal. Thank you.

So we got some moxie - to go along with their bad luck. More on that in a minute.

At the beginning of the game I applauded the young Torres' inclusion in the squad. He had played well up until today, when he appeared in just a little over his head. It didn't help having Onyewu playing soft in the back giving the Slovenians room to square up with Timmy. (See first goal.) Then again I can't put it all on Guch. During the first half the entire U.S. squad looked uninspired, slow, and about as bad as the qualifiers during the Confederations cup last summer when we embarrassed off the pitch. I applaud Coach for making some key changes in the second half and getting that team running and playing like they wanted it.

Findley's yellow was a joke. The ball hits him in the face clearly and now we don't get him for Algeria. That's the first F U from the ref.

Then there's Maurice Edu's game winning goal that wasn't. Even though Jozy (nice second half, by the way) goes down pretty easy in a very Italian fashion to win us that free kick, I'd still take that goal. I was screaming as much as the next until I realized the score on ESPN hadn't changed yet. Was Bradley so locked in embrace with the defender behind him that the sideline official couldn't see that Bradley was even with not only his marker, but also the leg of the player marking Altidore? Even then, the ball was played to Edu, so - and this is the gray area - Bradley doesn't make a play on the ball, so depending on who you ask, it wouldn't be offsides anyway. Finally, Bradley's glistening, fleshy skull, if an eyebrow offsides he was (I said, IF) then Slovenia's second goal was offsides as well (by the sweat on the striker in green's knee).

Basically, I'm trying to find a reason for the call and I CAN NOT! Bullshit I say! BULL-SHIT!

Oh and there were two other amazing games today as well. The short of it - Klose's second yellow was exactly that, a yellow card infraction, but his first - incidental contact when hustling back after a missed opportunity - was NOT a penalty. I'll say Algeria's goal was nice (the right winger with the bleached hair was man of the match for me) but it's impossible to separate Klose's sending off and the goal a few minutes later. Tough break for the Germans, and now our group has a lot to think about since 1st place might have to play the Germans in the next round.

Okay, my Three Lions - man I hate those guys right now. Both hands are sore from slamming the granite bar top at Thirsty Lion this morning. Wayne Rooney where the fuck are you?! Stevie G - why don't you shoot the ball when you're dribbling up to goal?!?! Did you forget how to do that?!?! Huh?!?

Still, there loss helps us, these self-destructive United States of America. And if I recall, we finished up okay last summer - even if we did blow a massive lead to those samba-stylin' Brazilians in the final.

Essentially, it's not over. And I lost my voice for the second time this Cup. Cheers.

Stupid state of Oregon won't serve me booze for another 3 hours...

Actually the coffee's hitting the spot, sweetened nicely with a great match-up between the sharp German squad and Dejan Stankovic's Serbian team, who already with one loss, have to win. The anthems...

Match Day 8 and a few surprises, though it's definitely not finished. What they are, my brain isn't awake enough for the moment to elaborate.

No blogging during gameplay!

Is the ball really a bitch?

I say yes!! Too many good players are sending the ball sailing. Louis Fabiano, with the ball at his feet facing goal 18 yards away DOES NOT send that ball high and outside.... I'm not saying all the atrocious shots are the fault of an Adidas ball too light and flighty BUT definitely some. If you recall, in 2006 the ball favored the strikers, 'moving too much in the air' a constant refrain by the keepers. So this shit really does happen!

And Poobah, No, I think Howard deserves a Top 5 ranking. Give me five others. I can think of four. Turtle boy Petr Cech is scared now that he lost part of his skull. He is not on my list. Good point about Buffon, though I think he still plays the rest of this tourney.

Just sayin...

miscellany...

World Peace? By the number of ties, I'd say it's doable...

Then there's all the gift wins too - even if Ghana deserved theirs. It's all a bit a bit cautious with a few exceptions.

Germany - With the side viewed as somewhat overconfident heading into the cup, their clinical dismantling of the Aussie Socceroos belies a justly confident squad. It is the new German generation of Mueller, Schweinsteiger, Cacau and others. Oh yeah, then there's the Poles - Klose and Podolski. Yeah they contribute a little bit too. I see little stopping the Germans from rolling through the group - something I wasn't too sure about with Ballack out before. Mistake Chimpo.

South Korea - Did you know they've never lost their first game of the World Cup Finals before? Damn. Apparently, if I heard the announcer right, neither has the Dutch. (And the Oranje's record goes back to the 1930's, while Korea's... maybe not quite as far.) Still, S. Korea and the boys in red hit the ground running and are probably still running in place as they wait for their next game against... Argentina.

So, was Lio Messi just being nice to not score all over the face of Nigeria the other day? Did you notice the blur of his legs as split defenders left and right? I think he had a ball with him. Still, to not hit the back 'of the ol onion bag' (as Andy Gray and Tommy Smythe always talk about during Champions League) is huge for the young master. He had a total of eight shots - all on target and he couldn't finish. Let's not take away anything from the Nigerian keeper who was HUGE in there, but Messi needs to score, as he hasn't for his national side, La Albiceleste, in the passed 8 games that he's played for them. Think I got that right...

Couple of notes:

My cousin, watching the U.S. game in Bismark, North Dakota (it's a small province on the Siberian peninsula), asked my opinion of Tim Howard's ranking in the world of goalkeeping. Before the game, I said, slightly overrated, makes some mistakes, Top 10. Timmy, I stand corrected - Top 5. (Buffon, Cassillas, couple of others that I'm too lazy to think of right now.)

And this Green character from England - yeah way to fucking blow it. But he didn't blow it on Altidore's near post blast that would have given the U.S. a full 3 points and England none. THAT was quite a save.

Despite the tie, I think Italy looks sharp, just without too much creativity. This will change with the return of Andrea Pirlo for the last game of the group stage. They're trouble, no doubt.

And finally, Japan. Not bad... Not bad at all. Now what the fuck are you doing E'To'o?

Gotta go to work. poor Cristiano... only the woodwork...

I've been lagging. Maybe it was the ten hours at the bar on Saturday followed by the rounds through sunny (for the first time in a while) Portland that left this supporter a little flat-footed covering the rest of the games.

We got the tie. Sweeeeeet.

What to say about a team that looked sharp on the ball, had numerous opportunities and kept control for a good portion of the time?

We got lucky.

Oh, and England is doomed to never have a keeper. More later.

Man I suck at picking games...

So I'm down a few thou but it's early, and I blame it all on Greece. Something about picking 64 scores in one sitting with a 32oz stein in hand. Hmmm...

Okay... So I finished my picks...

Soooooo I've got Brazil winning this thing over England in the final and so what? Let me break it down for you a little further.

The only reason Holland aren't in the finals is because they lose in the semis to Brazil - otherwise, with Arjen Robben fit - I don't think there's a better team in the tournament.

Except maybe, for Spain? Perennial underachievers, the Spanish won Euro 2008, but lost to the U.S. in 2009. (Confederations Cup semis.) For real, Spain is legitimate and the only reason I don't have them in the final, no to mention even winning it, is because I have Fabio Capello's Three Lions (England) defeating Spain in the semis, 2 - 1.

And where's Italy? Believe it or not, I don't have them past the round of 16, where they lose to the magnificent Samuel Eto'o and Cameroon. I just don't think the Azzurri (Italy) have it this time. I know, it's been said in past tournaments as well. (See Germany 2006.)

Finally, my beloved Argentina. How do they fall? England defeats them, in a glorious quarterfinal match that reflects Maradona's legacy - he's great on the field but otherwise you're afraid to admit he's your friend. Diego Maradona is not a manager. I could see him hiring some guy to advise him from behind the scenes while he absorbs the media spotlight.

But damn I wish I was wrong.

Messi, do it. Prove me wrong.

No one else is allowed to though so BACK OFF!

Cheers... Enjoy the cup!!!!! (I'd be blowing my vuvuzela now if I had one...)

OK got my picks...

It's England v. Brazil in pk's with Brazil winning. Damn. Unfortunately for Argentina, the amazing squad that has no excuse, they lose to England in the quarterfinals...

I have S. Korea beating Mexico 2-1 in the opening game, with France defeating Uruguay shortly thereafter, (2-1).

The U.S., as I've already mentioned, will draw with the 3 Lions, two apiece and help both their causes down the line.

Netherlands has to face Brazil, and Netherlands loses.

It could have been the Ivory Coast but Drogba is no way 100 percent.

France loses to Nigeria in the round of 16 because both Cameroon and Nigeria still have quality teams. (Cote D'Ivoire does as well, but I'm hesitant about Drogba's arm of course.)

Uruguay doesn't hang with Argentina in the round of 16, and it looks like Argentina are destined to do what they should. Unfortunately, they have no leader and they blow it.

Balloon D'Or: Wayne Rooney

Champions: Brazil

(Ouch!! Where's Torres? Where's Argentina? Where's Messi? I say I hope I'm wrong.)

Drogba Broken arm...

Man, I've always had a problem with this guy, who's mentality and overall fierceness I've compared with the Uruk-hai of Lord of the Rings mythos, but I WANTED TO SEE THIS GUY PLAY! As the striker for Cote D'Ivoire (50/1) in Group G with Brazil (4/1) , Portugal (25/1) and North Korea (2000/1), Drogba could mash some things up. And in Africa. Hard to hear about the broken arm, though Sven Goran-Eriksson claims he'll play against Portugal in their game on the 15th. Hmmm....
(Oh, the parenthetical numbers are odds of the team winning the whole tournament outright, as of 5 am, J-Burg time.)

My Picks Coming Before the First Kick Off!!

So I've been putting off filling out my bracket and so I've got a little bit of work to do tonight. As a sneak peak though, I'm calling a 2-2 draw between England and the US, with England scoring a late equalizer, either via a Rooney header or a Steven Gerrard on the ground far post. Just sayin'...

The Turkey-Friendly Warm Up...

What'd we learn on Saturday, watching our squad come from behind to defeat a solid European challenger? First of all, Dempsey is in form. The game winner he put away was really one of three he could have had and maybe not even his best opportunity - 'til he slots with the outside of his right foot. Now there's a cheeky, crafty strike from someone outside of Italy or South America! What's that? He's American?

But he wasn't the only Yank playing aggressive, take-the-ball-at-your-opponent soccer. Jozy Altidore, with his weave pass to himself in the box looked confident and ready to compete. Not that he didn't at the Confederations Cup last year, but still the move he made was class and then to have to where-with-all to look up and try to pick out Dempsey. Fantastic. They're playing together folks, and giving some teams something to think about.

Landon, oh Landon. Though Bradley has actual progeny on the field, Landon, you know, you are his boy. Right down to the matching veins popping out from their temples, Coach Bradley and Landon Donovan seem to be on the same wave length as far as game plan is concerned. Quick counters, use your speed, and stay attack-oriented. No more of the slow build-up, please. PLEASE!!! We might have some success, that is, of course, if you two (Coach, Landon) can get your squad amped enough not to give up the early goal.

EARLY GOAL SYNDROME - we have it. Not cool. It can be fatal for inexperienced squads. Solution? Other than a general, play deep behind the ball until our fitness can take over the other team? No. I don't have a real answer for this one, other than we're not going to win much if we continue to consistently go down by a goal in the first half. We will see...

Side notes: Torres - the guy has got style. His dribbling reverse to escape pressure in our own end spoke volumes of the guy's mental acuity for the game. I look forward to seeing what else he can do, as I didn't get to see much of him in qualifying. (And no, I don't like him just because he has the same last name as a certain Liverpool/Spain striker. Though I did like his old-school 'five' celebration with Dempsey after the goal.)

Robbie Findley - Nice chip to Donovan to what became one of the cleanest, sharpest goals by the U.S. squad against a solid opponent in some time. And Findley had a nice fro going too. Cheers