Summer 2010 soccer fever continues with the people of Baltimore. Saturday night Charm City and M&T Bank Stadium hosted a soccer “friendly” (or exhibition game) between Manchester City and Inter Milan. The final was 3-0 Inter Milan. While the city loves a good game of soccer, this was also held to try to help the U.S. bring the World Cup back in 2018 or 2022.
Sitting in the Manchester City section was the best decision all night. The loyal fans brought their cheers and songs across the pond to the States. Even though I was cheering against the Motherland (Italia), these blokes draped in blue brought the energy to the game that the entire stadium could hear.
Well after 30 days & 63 matches, the World Cup is finally over. Spain is the World Champion for the first time in their country’s history. Going into the tournament as the favorite, they were upset early on in the group stage by Switzerland so many wondered if this team could live up to their reputation. They certainly proved that they could. The game had no score going into extra time & it looked like it might come down to penalty kicks but in the 116th minute, Andres Iniesta put the ball in the back of the net against the Dutch goalkeeper. I’m personally a little jealous that I do not live in Spain tonight because I can only imagine the celebration. Imagine New Years Eve multiplied by your team winning the SuperBowl multiplied by an entire country adding to the fact that Europeans are far more passionate then Americans & I’m no math whiz, but I think that equals the happiest place on earth. Felicitaciones (or however congratulations is spelled in Spanish!)
It has been said, that it is a curse to be beautiful (which we all know is false, its effin’ AWESOME!)… But when it comes to the boys of the World Cup… It may actually be true! Back in June, Vanity Fair blessed us with theirWorld Cup Edition. There were 12 soccer studs from different countries modeling in their underwear. We can’t hate on that.. but here’s the catch:
None of these 12 made it pass the quarter finals, except for one, Michael Ballack of Germany…but he never played a single game because he was injured. Our very own US stud, Landon Donovan: ousted. Ghana’s Midfielder, Sulley Muntari, scored a goal from 35 yards against Uruguay, BUT was ousted none the less. Not even hottie Christiano Ronaldo could beat the curse of the Soccer Model. (My theory: the hotter you are, the worse you do).
In addition, it appear that the boys of the Nike, “Write the Future” Ad, have suffered the same ill fate. Nearly every soccer player prominently featured in the popular World Cup ad had an extremely poor World Cup showing with many of them crashing out in the group stages — If that doesn’t spell curse – I don’t know what does!
The moral of the story: Yes, soccer players: We know you are one of the hottest athletic species on the planet earth, but if you want to win, it appears you have to conserve all that hotness for the field… Sorry ladies, but no one wants to date a loser!
In addition, there seems to be one player who is well-known for his side job of “Soccer Modeling”. Ironically enough, he didn’t play with his Team this year in the World Cup due to injury…Coincidence?? I think NOT! http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivepress/3467180/
I’m pretty sure they don’t call it the Elite 8 in soccer but that’s what i call it. The World Cup has been narrowed down to eight teams. Today was a very big game against Spain & my boyfriend Cristiano’s team, Portugal. The US is gone & so are some of the early favorites, such as France, England & the last World Cup champ Italy.
There will be a break for a few days & the next game will be on Friday & here’s what we’ve got left in Eastern Standard Time…
Friday, 10 AM: Netherlands v Brazil
Friday, 2 PM: Uruguay v Ghana
Saturday, 10 AM: Argentina v Germany
Saturday: 2 PM: Paraguay v Spain
These should all be good games, especially Argentina-Germany. All I know is that I’m in a couple of contests & I’ve got 2 of the 8 teams left so I’ve got a pretty good chance of winning!
A few things have happened this weekend in the sports world so in case you missed it, here they are…
The 4th (5th*) no-hitter this season was thrown on Friday. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson added onto 2010 being the year of the pitcher. It’s the 2nd no-hitter this year thrown against the Rays, which is no small feat considering they are a very good team. Jackson threw 149 pitches, which is the most in the majors in 5 years. He also had 8 walks, which without fact checking, I’d say that’s the most ever in a no-hitter but double check that before you go blabbing it around.
The Yankees & Dodgers played each other for the first time since Joe Torre left the Yankees & began managing the Dodgers. Friday was the first time that Torre had to get the sinking feeling that manager’s get when the opposing team brings in Mariano Rivera. It was the first time he ever had to hope Derek Jeter & Jorge Posada didn’t get a hit. He & Joe Girardi hugged each other & posed for pictures when they brought the lineup cards to the umpire. It wasn’t without controversy because since his book came out, he & Alex Rodriguez haven’t been on the best of terms & they didn’t speak to each other Friday.
Ghana ended the US soccer team’s glorious run at the World Cup. Ghana took an early 1-0 lead but the US was once again able to come from behind with a penalty kick from Landon Donovan. The game went into overtime tied 1-1 & Ghana once again took the lead early in extra time. Did the US have it in them once again to come from behind and win this one? No we did not. All of our luck unfortunately ran out.
On Wednesday morning, history was made at the World Cup. The USA was dueling it out with Algeria, and nothing seemed to be panning out for either team. For those of us that watched this game, it was tension filled, and almost painful to watch as shot after shot attempt did not come up successful…that is, until the 91st minute of the game. With only 4 minutes remaining Landon Donovan scored a game winning goal for the US .
Landon’s goal was one of the most exciting moments in sports, and over 300 million people around the world watched the drama unfold in South Africa. This video is a great glimpse at USA fans from around the world, and their reaction to Donovan’s game winning goal.
U-S-A!! Let’s Go!! Next Game is Saturday, against Ghana at 2:30pm Eastern.
Today was the last day of the group stage for the USA. In order to move on we either needed to win or draw & England to lose or draw. The games on the last day are played simultaneously so when England scored a goal against Slovenia, everybody knew what had to be done. The US had a lot of chances & they looked like the much better team against Algeria but the goals were just not going in. One did go in but it was called back because the refs said he was offsides (it didn’t appear that he was though.) If we didn’t advance, it would most certainly be because of 2 VERY bad calls by the refs in this game & the last one.
The England game was finished & our game was entering extra time with the score still tied at zero. Full time is 90 minutes & we were given 4 extra minutes (this is because of any time the game stops but the clock keeps going.) It was do or die time; win or go home. Landon Donovan got the break away & passed it to Jozy Altidore who went for the goal, which was deflected by the Algerian keeper. Donovan was right there for the rebound & put it in to give the US the lead with less then 3 minutes to play. It was like one of those Hollywood sports movies where the good guys come through in the end, except this was real life. It was so dramatic & amazing that it might be exactly the kind of thing that makes the US love soccer as much as the rest of the world does. We will next play the runner-up in Group D on Saturday at 2:30 so get on your red, white & blue & cheer on your country!
At 10AM ET today, the turmoiled French team will play for their survival in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Even though some teams find themselves in this situation, the French have had a whirlwind of a trip and proven to the rest of the world that the team’s own stubborn pride reigns over national pride.
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The Frenchies have been at each other’s throats – the team boycotted practicing on Sunday due to the fact that Head Coach Raymond Domenech dismissed teammember Nicolas Anelka after a very heated argument with Domenech during halftime of their Mexico game. To add insult to injury, the French team director resigned & the fitness coach fought it out with team captain Evra, throwing his credential and storming off.
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France did practice yesterday, however as of this morning, Domenech took away captianship from Evra & is not playing him, nor stars Florent Malouda & Thierry Henry – this is huge.
According to ESPN.com, France plays South Africa in a Group A match
it needs to win to stand a chance of advancing. It also needs a winner in the Mexico-Uruguay game to avoid a repeat of the 2008 European Championship, when it went out in the first round.
With this lack of leadership, national pride, and teamwork, it seems as though the country of France will see it’s World Cup dreams shattered (especially against the home team of South Africa). Talked about going from Hero to Zero…
10. We are all suffering from World Cup fever and he is one of USA’s Team Captains. Whats not to love about that?
9. In his first pro season with the Chicago Fire, he was named the leagues “Rookie of the Year”.
8. For the last 10 years, the California native has held the Carlos Bocanegra kids soccer Camp. The camp features members of the U.S. National team and is held every year after Christmas.
7. As a LA girl I have to mention that he is a UCLA Bruin! Graduated in 1999, and was a History Major…Closet nerd hottie… we like this!
6. After getting his game on in the MLS, he moved over to Fulham, an English Football Club. But is currently in the Rennes Club located in France. oooo La la
5. He is our captain for a reason. He’s been described as having great strength and deceptive speed with a powerful aerial presence. He is adept at both heading away attacks and finishing off set pieces on the opposite end of the field. Bocanegra plays as either a left back or in the centre.
4. Bocanegra was one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer, becoming the first player to be named MLS Defender of the Year twice, doing so in 2002 and 2003.
2. A few things you might not know about Mr. Bocanegra: his Hidden off-field talent: I’m a Rock Band superstar. World Cup pregame pump-up song: “America’s Sweetheart,” by Fall Out Boy. That one pumps me up. I also like that new Usher tune at the moment [“OMG”]. Relationship status: My girlfriend isn’t into soccer that much, but she’s learning. (compliments of Interview Magazine)
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