Soccer Saturday: World Cup and MLS gameday

i-a43f946fe5d18b87b1ea9390e5bd5bf8-flagssunset.jpgThe flags of Germany and the Netherlands are still flying at the World Cup in this shot taken Friday evening in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (AP Photo).

As the World Cup draws to a close there’s still the matter of the Germany-Uruguay third place game today at 11:30 a.m. on ABC.

Sounds like those involved are taking it seriously:

“I guess I’ll never win the World Cup title,” said the 32-year-old German striker Miroslav Klose, who lost the 2002 final to Brazil and was on the losing side against Italy in the 2006 semifinals in Germany. “I want to win against Uruguay, even if I don’t score.”

And on the opposing side from striker Luis Suarez:

“Now what’s left is to play to the death for third place.”

That’s the spirit.

The main event this weekend, of course, is 11:30 a.m. Sunday on ABC:

* Game preview.

*This is the player I expect to make the difference in the game.

*Here’s how the game breaks down for each team.

*Incidentally, this is shaping up as the place to watch the game Sunday in Southern California. For more viewing options, click the link at top right.

*Quotable:

“I’d rather play an extremely ugly game and win, instead of a beautiful one and lose,” said Arjen Robben of the Netherlands.

*On the sociological front, crime wasn’t the big problem some feared it might be while racial harmony in South Africa remains a goal in the wake of the World Cup, not a reality.

Both the Galaxy and Chivas USA are on the road this weekend:

*The (11-1-3) Galaxy are without playmaker Landon Donovan (rested) and defender Omar Gonzalez (suspended) for the 4:30 p.m. game (live on Prime) in Boston against the toothless (3-9-2) New England Revolution. Can the hosts score against the best defense in MLS?.

*Chivas USA (3-9-2), undefeated in consecutive games (!), has a chance for a road win against a team even worse than they are (hopefully): the 3-7-3 Kansas City Wizards, who were emasculated in this great piece in the Kansas City Star Friday morning. For those who can bear to watch these two teams the game airs at 5:30 p.m. on KDOC.

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