This will be a tough day for U.S. soccer fans.

Not so much for the early game, Netherlands-Brazil. If you can't find a little joy in that one, well, check the Major League Baseball schedule, because soccer just ain't your sport.

No, this will be tough because of today's second quarterfinal, Uruguay-Ghana, otherwise known as "the game the United States should be playing.

A friend and colleague from law school wrote on my Facebook wall yesterday evening: Try putting that into words. He's right. It's been over twenty-four hours since Landon Donovan catapulted the United States to its first group win in the modern era, and I still don't quite know what to make of what happened.

Get to know the Qatari skyline, I suspect you'll be seeing it a lot of it in 2022.
So I head out to the Other Banks for a bit of R&R and I return to find a world where something positive (and even lucky) happened in Washington sports and where England now views its World Cup bid as a smoldering pile of metal.

1. A fantastic result for Ghana and (sorry American readers) the tournament. Maintaining an African interest into the quarter-finals is a big bonus for the World Cup. 2. Good to see Ghana conceding a penalty instead of winning one for once. 3. Bob Bradley might have got a couple of selection decisions wrong, but I don't think [.

By Eric Beard, writing from Boston

Maurice Edu said he "had never met this President before" because he met George W. Bush during his days playing college soccer with Maryland. This time around, however, "Mo" seemed a little more excited about President Obama.

Today marked a very proud moment in the life of the 23 men who will be representing the United States at the World Cup this summer. They and the coaching staff met with President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, as well as Vice President Joe Biden on the steps in front of the White House.

Dennis Miller was on Fox News Wednesday to discuss the United States victory over Algeria. He had plenty of praise for Landon Donovan, but couldn't resist taking a jab at former President Bill Clinton.

Still, nice to see some soccer coverage on national news channels.

Related posts:

1. World Cup: Group C Comments After World Cup Buzz Podcast Without being philosophical, it must be said that every individual.

WASHINGTON, DC — President Barack Obama says FIFA made the "wrong decision" in awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar over the United States. The U.S. Soccer Federation spent millions of dollars on its bid. Former President Bill Clinton was highly involved in the process and participated in the closing presentation.

WASHINGTON, DC — President Barack Obama says FIFA made the "wrong decision" in awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar over the United States. The U.S. Soccer Federation spent millions of dollars on its bid. Former President Bill Clinton was highly involved in the process and participated in the closing presentation.

Former President Bill Clinton is the honorary chairman of the 2018/2022 USA World Cup bid. The announcement was made earlier today in a ceremony in New York. "In my travels around the world – from the dirt fields of Lusaka, Zambia, to playgrounds in schools across America – I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," President Clinton said.

U.S. Men's National Team with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and President Bill Clinton at the White House today. (Photo via U.S. Soccer Federation)

Its not too often a President decides to meet a soccer team. But most of us know our current Head of State is a bit different anyways.

U.S. Men's National Team with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and President Bill Clinton at the White House today. (Photo via U.S. Soccer Federation)

Its not too often a President decides to meet a soccer team. But most of us know our current Head of State is a bit different anyways.

Maybe that should have read Obama and Bill Clinton wish the US Team.Protocol is everything when it comes to getting a presidential sendoff...

The US Mens National team took a trip to the White House on Thursday to meet up with President Obama, Vice President Biden and former President Bill Clinton. The players got a brief send off pep talk by the president and a few were able to shake his hand. Bob Bradley seemed to unusually smiley when the President told the team, "We're going to be proud of what you do when you get to South Africa, and you will have somebody in the Oval Office who's going to be watching ESPN to make sure that things are going OK.

Hate these Saturday nights. There you are sat watching Doctor Who wondering why you'll never get the chance to go time travelling with Amy Pond when suddenly you realise the neighbours are having a party. What do you do? Ignore it, gatecrash it, call the police? Or just sit silently fuming, hoping they have a really bad night?

Image via Facebook.

The only thing better than having your photo taken with former U.S. President, Bill Clinton? Having a brewski break with the former world leader.

Carlos Bocanegra, 1.
Edson Buddle, 0.

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Random factoid: Boca is listed as an "actor" in the credits of this Funny Or Die 1goal montage video.

So, former U.S. president Bill Clinton and rock legend Mick Jagger were seen cheering on the United States national squad this afternoon during their 2-1 loss to Ghana in the round of 16.

At first, we couldn't figure out what one of the most famous English rock singers of all-time has in common with the Arkansas-born 42nd president of the United States.

US Soccer has opened the voting for its Best of 2010 US Soccer awards. Among the categories is best soccer blog. You can vote for the Philly Soccer Page here. (You'll have to register on the website to vote.) Voting ends Friday, November 19. Union

The Philadelphia Union have confirmed what John Hackworth revealed on the KYW Philly Soccer Show podcast, recorded Monday night and released Tuesday on the PSP: Danny Mwanga retains his Generation Adidas status, thus freeing up a spot on the Union's protected list.

Most the attention in American soccer circles right now is rightly focused on the MLS Playoffs and this weekend's upcoming Conference finals, the US Women's struggle to qualify for the World Cup following the shocking defeat to Mexico some have labeled the greatest upset in the history of soccer, as well as the US 2022 World Cup bid, which received another jolt of diplomatic energy this week with the news that President Bill Clinton will be part of the.

Who cares if it was against Everton's reserves? Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored a goal so good it will singlehandedly give you hope in humanity [NCNB]

Why is this not a big deal? Cool Carlo, Drogba has malaria! [Pies]
Hibs and Hearts thrashed Celtic and Rangers last night.

By Eric Beard loads of famous politicians

The world of power playing global politics has been hit by a magnitude 1000 earthquake as the Sweden-based site WikiLeaks released a plethora of secret US Embassy cables. The madness surrounding WikiLeaks' cablegate has been described as "the 9/11 of world diplomacy" by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman arrived in Zurich this morning in advance of the USA's bid presentation to the FIFA Executive Committee. He rehearsed his part of the presentation and also sat down for a few questions from Studio 90. Freeman opened up the four-person Bid presentation that also included, in order, U.

Awards show? Bosh. The FIFA red carpet blows such gilded nonsense right out of the water.

All the superstars of the various bids showed up in Zurich today well, most of them, anyway and FIFA rolled out the red carpet with photogs happily snapping away, just in front of the suits holding out collection plates.

With the end of March Madness, the WPS season not yet started, the baseball season still young, and the NBA and NHL effectively off my radar ... I find myself looking at news of the real world this morning. What's been happening since those two Selection Sunday's back there in mid-March?

Well, Sarah Palin has been raking in more bucks than I care to think about, for starters.

The 2010 TIME 100 issue was unveiled today and only one professional footballer in the world was featured on the magazine's most influential people list: Didier Droga of Chelsea FC/Côte d'Ivoire.

Placed at the #10 spot in the "heroes" category, Drogba is said to be carrying "the hopes of a continent as Africa's best-known soccer star" come World Cup kick-off.

Last week, Time magazine featured Didier Drogba in its annual issue dedicated to the "most influential" people on the planet. No doubt many of the magazine's subscribers in America will have absolutely no idea who the Ivory Coast footballer is – much less why he deserves a spot on the magazine's iconic cover right next to Bill Clinton and Lady Gaga.

AC St. Louis is rapidly becoming the funniest thing in American soccer since Dwight Schrute was in those Nike ads a few years ago. In an uncomfortable comedy move that Michael Scott would surely approve of, fans of the team have dubbed an unofficial mascot "Chickenhead"; there is even a Facebook page dedicated to this "OMFG are you kidding me" achievement.

Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America, was today named Honorary Chairman of the USA Bid to bring the 2018 or 2022 World Cup back to the United States. The announcement came during a joint appearance with U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati at FC Harlem Field in New York City.
"Soccer is a metaphor for the way the world should work in the 21st century," said Clinton.

The USA striker will take the shirt off your back...

• What would a U.S.S.R national team look like today? (The Best Eleven)
• Oguchi Onyewu to play for free (Calciomercato)
• Remembering the 1974 World Cup (BBC Blogs)
• World Cup beer (Japan World Cup Blog)
• Blue Square Premier tougher than the other Premier League (Unprofessional Foul)
• Bill Clinton joins USA World Cup bid (Soccernet)
• As Lord Triesman leaves England bid (The Independent)

Laurent Blanc To Be Next French Manager

Bordeaux Manager Laurent Blanc will accept the French Football Federation's offer and take over the French national team after this summer's World Cup. At Bordeaux Blanc, 44, achieved the French League and Cup double but finished a disappointing sixth in this year's campaign.

Toronto FC's second round pick Zachary Herold has been forced to retire at age 17 due to an abnormally thick heart muscle. He had 15 U-17 National team games under his belt and will be honored this Saturday before kickoff.

For Bob Bradley, Princeton will always feel like home. Sort of like Robbie Findley and the bench?

I know I am asking for trouble by letting politics into the blog . . . but this picture is screaming for a caption.

Bill Clinton joined Juan Pablo Angel, Seth Stammler and Chris Albright at FC Harlem's home for a GOUSA event supporting the countries bid for the 2018/2022 World Cups respectively.

In a recent article entitled "Promotors have high hopes for FB Edmonton," Curtis Stock mentions that "...Instead of the other way around, we are bringing the European concept to Edmonton, 'It's never been done before.'" – Curtis is directly referring to the soccer ceiling that Canada currently experiences, and their initiative to promote an elite soccer force out of Edmonton.

Well, not in the same place at the same time.

Before the USMNT, the Galaxy's Edson Buddle et al., leaves to do battle in South Africa, they met President Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden today at the White House.

And a proud looking group they are, too.

Followers of soccer or football or futbol (or whatever you call it) also refer to the sport as 'the Beautiful Game.'
Certainly, long-time fans know why it's beautiful.
Skillful play, impeccable ball handling, expert dribbling and exhilarating goals make us jump out of our seats and tremble with joy.

• Podcast discussing USA 23 man roster (USA World Cup Blog)
• Bill Clinton discussing the USA squad's shoes (CBS)
• Tactical innovations at the World Cup (The Ghost Goal)
• ESPN's World Cup murals (World Cup Buzz)
• Uruguay's old school 3-5-2 (Zonal Marking)
• Retro Panini World Cup sticker albums (The Import)
• Found: Ricardo Quaresma's talent (Italy Offside)

• Podcast discussing USA 23 man roster (USA World Cup Blog)
• Bill Clinton discussing the USA squad's shoes (CBS)
• Tactical innovations at the World Cup (The Ghost Goal)
• ESPN's World Cup murals (World Cup Buzz)
• Uruguay's old school 3-5-2 (Zonal Marking)
• Retro Panini World Cup sticker albums (The Import)
• Found: Ricardo Quaresma's talent (Italy Offside)

The entire Argentina squad and all its surroundings has descended into pure, unadultered lunacy. All of it. Much, of course, is down to their head honcho, the soon-not-to-be-naked Diego Maradona, who is as influential off the pitch as he was on, just in all the wrong ways. Or right ways, depending on your vantage point.

Just three days before departing for South Africa, the United States Men's National Team traveled to the White House on Thursday morning for a World Cup send-off meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. All 23 members of the recently-named squad were in attendance, along with the coaching staff and U.

O ex-presidente norte-americano Bill Clinton acompanhará a partida entre seu país e a Argélia nesta quarta-feira, em Pretória, na África do Sul.
Depois de acompanhar a partida, Clinton irá a Tanzânia e ao Malaui para acompanhar o andamento de seus projetos humanitários, segundo comunicado da própria fundação.