I haven't visited the half-full vs. half-empty review style in a while, so before I hit the web,
Twitter, and fifteen different views of player ratings which will inevitably color my perspective,
let's dust it off.
To level set though, let's remind ourselves that for all intents and purposes, the USA vs.
The United States walked off the field in the Meadowlands with disappointment written on their
faces. The national team did not show well against a young and relatively inexperienced Brazilian
team. Although the game didn't mean much in the scheme of things, the US missed an opportunity to
gain a some respect in the soccer world.
The U.S. team held its sole training session tonight at the New Meadowlands Stadium, testing out
the turf for 75 minutes before tomorrow night's match against Brazil. The grass was installed over
two days at the end of last week.
The training activity itself was standard fare, with a long warm-up, passing, an 8 v.
Neymar (5 Feb 1992) plays striker / winger for Santos and the Brazilian national team. During
his national team debut last night in a 2-0 win over the United States, Neymar netted a goal just
29 minutes into play.
When more eyes are on you than Robinho, you know you have arrived. A fresh new Brazilian team
took the pitch last night, and they are again starting to look like the Brazil of old.
The game against Everton Vina del Mar was a tremendous occasion. My only regret is that the
Chileans didn't score because you could tell everyone was ready to erupt for the visitors.
It was great to see such an historic game. I love sporting trivia like the Everton Everton
thing.
The club definitely need to do something regular with the Brotherhood Trophy now.
By Michael Lewis - EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Aug 11, 2010) US Soccer Players -- After the dust had
settled after a rather lackluster by the United States National Team in which the Americans were
out shot and outplayed by the new-look Brazilian team, it wasn't easy finding a silver linking to a
2-0 loss on Tuesday night.
The Neymar transfer saga seems to be ending at least for now. English champions Chelsea are set
to withdraw their offer as Santos are bound to make Neymar their highest paid player ever.
Many are not ready to see another rare talent go to waste and that is why there is so much hue
and cry surrounding this transfer.
Lancenet, one of the most influential sports website in Brazil, published yesterday a report
about the Local Organising Committee of the World Cup 2014.
The members of the LOC were all chosen by the President of CBF, Ricardo Teixeira: Joana
Havelange, Teixeira's daughter (Teixeira is son in law of Joao Havelange, who was President of
FIFA from 1974 to 1998); Francisco Mussnich, Teixeira's lawyer; Mario Rosa, Teixeira's advisor in
Brasilia, helped Teixeira while he was responding to a Probing Comission before the Brazilian
Senate, in 2001); Rodrigo Paiva, spokesman of CBF; and economist Carlos Langoni, former President
of the Central Bank of Brazil.
A few weeks ago, Neymar, player of Santos FC and a rising star of the Brazilian team, had offers
to move to Chelsea; a few days ago, Neymar declared that he would decline Chelsea's offer and
would stay in Brazil.
Was Neymar naive? Far from it.
According to rumours (leaks?), Chelsea offered to pay £55,000 per week, which converts to about
R$ 600,000 per month.
