How small is the margin of victory – and defeat in the World Cup? Not only were the Dutch unbeaten in qualifying and in this World Cup until today, but “Spain won its last four games by a score of 1-0 – a tight margin that characterized the month-long tournament. The World Cup featured a record 31 one-goal decisions out of 64 matches – four more than the previous high set in 2002, according to STATS LLC.”
Dutch cup? We’ll find out in a matter of hours who will be raising the trophy in triumph (AP Photo).
I say yes, a 2-1 win for the Dutch (perhaps after extra time), with Spain’s David Villa and the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder both scoring and sharing the Golden Boot
Pregame starts at 10:30 a.m. on ABC with kickoff about an hour later.
Winner: Uruguay’s Diego Forlan. One of the most crowd-pleasing players in the tournament, Diego Forlan in full flight – seen here speeding past Germany’s Sami Khedira today – was a thrilling sight (AP Photo).
Winner: the back and forth third-place game that saw Germany beat Uruguay 3-2 but in truth provided a riveting display that made both teams – and the viewing public – winners.
On to Sunday’s final.
No way through: Alex Cazumba and the Galaxy tried their best to make the Revolution look good Saturday (AP Photo).
Here are the responsible parties: Donovan Ricketts; Sean Franklin, Leonardo, Gregg Berhalter, Todd Dunivant; Chris Birchall (Eddie Lewis 71′), Michael Stephens, Juninho, Alex Cazumba (Chris Klein 77′); Edson Buddle, Tristan Bowen (Alan Gordon 63′). (Leonardo replaced the suspended Omar Gonzalez and Alex Cazumba Landon Donovan).
Notable: The Galaxy are scoreless in their last three road games.
Quotable:
“He (Landon Donovan) hasn’t been around for two months, that’s not an excuse (for losing),” said Coach Bruce Arena. “He hasn’t been here for two months, why would that be a reason?
Next: at D.C. United July 18.
Winner: Chivas USA, who finally got their first MLS win since May 5 – and are unbeaten in four games – over a disintegrating Kansas City Wizards team that managed to make their opponent look, well, better than them. BTW, where was Maykel Galindo for a second consecutive MLS game? Is he the next Chivas USA player on the way out?
Chivas USA lineup: Zach Thornton (Dan Kennedy 36), Mariano Trujillo, Ante Jazic, Michael Umaa, Yamith Cuesta, Ben Zemanski, Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin (Osael Romero 52), Marcelo Saragosa, Justin Braun, Jess Padilla (Daro Delgado 70)
Notable: Thornton came out after injuring an ankle.
Quotable:
“A great effort from our guys, especially coming from playing against Houston a few days ago, and on the road, and against a very good team,” said Coach Martin Vasquez.”We knew it was going to be difficult; winning here 2-0 is going to help us keep building.”
Next: hosting Puebla in SuperLiga Thursday at Home Depot Center where re-signed midfielder Paulo Nagamura and newly-signed forward Giancarlo Maldonado could make their debuts. The players will be formally introduced to the media Monday.
Loser: Jimmy Conrad, responsible for the gaffes that led to both Wizards goals. That’s the sort of display that cost him his national team job; is his professional career far behind?
Winner: Chivas USA’s two-goal Justin Braun, whose fine opportunistic efforts punctuated an otherwise abysmal game. Check them out here:
Loser: MLS. With an engrossing World Cup game as a lead-in, Chivas USA and the Galaxy – and MLS in general given their ghastly opposition today – missed an opportunity to convert some new fans in Southern California with a pair of not just dull, but exceedingly unattractive games.
Bonus losers: even the streakers in Kansas City at halftime were pretty lame:
The 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).
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:
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?.
A loyal 100 Percent Soccer reader took in a game. Here’s a review Studs Up kindly e-mailed to me:
It was interesting. Reminded me a lot of the old days when we used to watch(World Cup games) on closed-circuit TV. The projected picture is still not brilliant and the 3D experience was minimal. They used a lot of field-level camera angles to create more depth and thus enhance the 3D effects. The problem was that the cameras they used for that were set up along the goal-lines and switching back and forth between them and the normal wide angle view was very distracting. The continous flow of the game was lost for me.
Overall, it was interesting to see it once. Ticket price was $21 including the 3D glasses. They do not use the ESPN production and commentary. Single announcer, English, and NO commercials.
I know my review was not very positive but looking back, I’m glad I did it. Theatre was pretty full and people we’re into it. Surround sound was good and the experience was quite different than watching on it on TV. You do get the sense on how big the stadium is with those field level shots.
No prizes for guessing who picked up former Chivas USA striker Maicon Santos, who was waived earlier this week by the club: Preki’s Toronto. Preki, of course, signed the Brazilian for Chivas USA last season.
Incidentally, if you’re wondering who the scoring threat is for goal-shy New England, click here.
Also, is it possible to combine building soccer fields with providing clean water for people? Yes.
Soccer fields like this one, could provide clean drinking water (Photo by Staff Photographer Robert Casillas).
Finally, read why soccer is the most American of sports here.
He’s 28-year-old Giancarlo Maldonado, most recently of Mexican club Atalante, and Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals in 48 appearances.
“Giancarlo is an experienced striker with international experience and the ability to score goals,” said Chivas USA Coach Martn Vsquez. “He’s going to make us a better team as we head into the second part of this season.”
The prolific Maldonado scored 32 goals in 77 games for Atalante between 2007 and 2010 including 18 goals in just 20 games during the 2007 Apertura. He scored the winning goal in the championship against Pumas UNAM.
“I’m very happy to start this new phase in my career, and I’m very grateful to the Chivas USA organization for their trust and for giving me the opportunity,” said Maldonado. “I’m very excited to start playing.”
He’s eligible to do so beginning Thursday when the international trade window opens pending the receipt of his visa and other paperwork.
Maldonado has also played in Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela.
Goal-challenged Chivas USA, tied for last place in MLS, have been clearing the decks in anticipation of signing a big-name striker, getting rid of the likes of well-traveled Brazilian forward Maicon Santos recently, for instance.
Updated
Maldonado scored two goals for Chivas USA today in a 5-0 scrimmage victory over PDL team FC Hasental at Home Depot Center. Forward Chucky Chijindu also grabbed two goals, while returning midfielder Paulo Nagamura also scored.
Chivas USA starting XI: Dan Kennedy, Daro Delgado, Carlos Borja, Jorge Flores, Osael Romero, Cesar Zamora, Edson Lemus, Paulo Nagamura, Gerson Mayn, Giancarlo Maldonado, Chucky Chijindu.
Ten of the 11 Galaxy starters did not start in Saturday’s MLS game against Seattle.
Galaxy lineup: Josh Saunders; A.J. DeLaGarza, Leonardo (Sean Franklin 71′), Omar Gonzalez, Eddie Lewis; Chris Klein (Dema Kovalenko 69′), Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski (Juninho 72′), Alex Cazumba; Clint Mathis, Alan Gordon.
“To me these games don’t make sense,” said Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena. “Essentially it was a reserve game tonight. I think the timing of this competition isn’t right for MLS teams; it’s a difficult time to try and play these games. … The competition is watered down due to the fact that each team is juggling players.”
World Cup champions (AP Photo).
