WORLD CUP QUALIFYINGThe U.S. doesn't start World Cup qualifying matches until June 2008, European zone teams don't
start until August 2008, and 2010 World Cup host country South Africa automatically qualify (as is
policy for any country that hosts the World Cup). For an overview of each zone, see here. Here's a
quick breakdown of each qualifying zone by number of teams followed by a summary of who's on top
thus far in qualifying.
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Saturday 13 October
Uruguay-Bolivia
Argentina-Chile
Ecuador-Venezuela
Peru-Paraguay
Sunday 14 October
Colombia-Brazil
Sports Illustrated has a nice preview here, as does FIFA.
Some other important dates to keep in mind:
25 November 2007
Preliminary Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup™ (Durban)
14-28 June 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 (South Africa)
04 December 2009
Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ (South Africa)
11 June - 11 July 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ (South Africa)
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Having lost a friendly to Sweden by just a goal last week (highlights here), the U.S. can expect
more of the same in the next three friendly matches as they play:
Brazil (Sept. 9 @ Soldier Field, Chicago, IL)
Catalonia (Oct. 14 @ Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain)
Switzerland (Oct. 17 @ St. Jakob Park, Basel, Switzerland)
Of the three upcoming matches, I'd say we should expect the U.
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I had heard the rumor yesterday, but it's apparently offical according to reports (see here and
here). Totti has been criticized heavily since the World Cup ended for his reluctance to take up
with the Italian national team. He has maintained that he was waiting for his ankle to fully heal
(he played on it--and not very well--in the last World Cup).
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After an uncharacteristic fumbled save by U.S. keeper Brian Perk led to an easy goal by Uruguay's
Suarez in the 73rd minute, the U.S. pressured Uruguay into an own-goal in the 88th minute. Then
Michael Bradley finished the game with a goal in overtime by deflecting in a corner kick that
pinballed around the box. That puts the U.S. through to the quarterfinals where they play Austria
on Saturday (7/14).
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While the U.S. men's national team is suffering through the Copa America tournament (in no thanks
to their inability to finish some very good scoring chances), the FIFA Under 20 World Cup is going
strong in Canada. The U.S.'s U-20 team started off with a surprising 1-1 draw against Korea
(Republic), but rallied in their second match by beating Poland 6-1.
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I was convinced this game was not televised on any channel I get at home, so I launched the
Matchtracker over at the U.S. Soccer site, then put my son to bed. I came back to find the
matchtracker scrolling away and I was just about to wander off when I looked at the goals tally.
"Oh, 1-to-1." Then it sank in:
1-to-1!!!Thirty minutes into the game, and the U.
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As Kaka is my favorite active player (Baggio being my all-time favorite player), and Brazil has a
rather deep pool of talent from which to draw players to its national team, I believe the time is
ripe for the U.S. to offer Kaka national citizenship. He's the kind of game-changing player we
could use. He can set the tone and pace of a game, make solos runs, setup his teammates, etc.
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Italy's Euro2008 campaign got back on track as they handled the Scots pretty easily from what I
read and saw. Luca Toni scored two nice headers and almost put in another two. For those unfamiliar
with the competition, only the group winners and runners-up advance to the next stage (click on the
standings chart below). Qualifying games continue throughout the end of this year.
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If, like me, you're an idiot and completely forgot the U.S. was playing this weekend, you can at
least catch the goals here:
Maybe all along, he just needed to be wearing the #10 jersey...
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I've had some time to think this game over and let my faulty first impressions disappear down the memory hole. If this game had been a taco, it would have been stale around the edges of the first bite, filled with some serious meat, spotted with some good
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2010 is just around the corner and after a good 6 months of no action or exciting news from the U.S. men's national soccer team, I thought the announcement of the new coach would be more... well... I don't know. Maybe more exciting. I might even have gott
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I'm at Red Bulls headquarters in Secaucus and we have just been shown photos of Mr. Juan Pablo Angel sporting the Red Bulls uniform.
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I'm at Red Bulls headquarters in Secaucus and we have just been shown photos of Mr. Juan Pablo Angel sporting the Red Bulls uniform.
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