And those words are: Meeting the challenge.

Right. So before the first playoff leg I predicted a series score of 2-1. Then before the second playoff leg, seeing the kind of chaos the two teams were creating and the resulting goals, I predicted 2-1 for the game on Sunday.

So, looking at a 3-2 aggregate and a 1-0 second leg scoreline, you can see that I bloody well can't predict anything when it comes to these two teams.

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First off, I apologize to everyone for not being able to get a post-game analysis together for last week. It was one of those times when life bitch-slapped my futbol blogging time. In the future, I will, at a minimum, create posts where you all can share your own reactions and analyses, even if I can't start your comments off with a comprehensive review from my perspective.

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If you are a connoisseur of Twitter like me, then you've already stumbled upon the terms "twiggers" and "twitches" numerous times and you've undoubtedly already figured out what they really mean. So to pacify the Decency and Morals Subcommittee of World Cup Blog, I will be using those terms (well, actually only one of those terms) liberally during this post in order to avoid getting into twouble.

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Now that was the best tie I've ever watched. Down early 2-0 the US fought back hard to earn a tie in the final seconds of the game, keeping the US at the top of the table and pushing Honduras into the World Cup.
Bornstien scores as heard on Honduran radio.
Two nations exploded with sound as, Bornstien's head hit the ball and sent it bouncing into the bottom corner of the net. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Team USA will travel to Denmark for a friendly on Wed Nov 18. Seeing as Sat Nov 14 is also an international date, do we see our team playing on that day as well?
-Denmark's best known players are probably Daniel Agger, Dennis Rommedahl, Jon Dahl Tomasson & Nicklas Bendtner. Click to continue reading...

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After yesterdays results things look like this for the USA to get in the World Cup: - Beat Honduras (Oct 10) or Beat or Tie Costa Rica (Oct 14). There are several other ways to get in too, but they are all slightly more complex. These 3 choices are straight up and doable. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Brazil & Ghana are the next two teams to have qualified for the World Cup.
dN
Edgar Castillo of UANL Tigres got his clearance from FIFA on Friday to swap from the Mexican national team to the USA.
TEAM USA
Official Team Blog
dN
World Cup Qualifying Match & Score:
-Sat Sep 5
USA 2-1 El Salvador - USA goals by Clint Dempsey & Jozy Altidore. Click to continue reading...

Post-game analysis: England see off Slovenia. Posted in International Football, Videos Tagged: England, Slovenia Click to continue reading...

The opening day of the 2009/2010 Premier League season felt like a roller coaster ride especially for viewers in the United States most of whom were more exhausted than usual on Saturday morning after getting little sleep from the night before after hearing about the eleventh hour decision by ESPN to acquire the TV rights to the Premier League's early Saturday kickoff as well as Monday game for the upcoming season.

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An open letter to Clark Hunt...

You dont know me from adam. I am just another one of those nameless pundant/fans that used to flock to your stadium to watch the Hoops...FCD..or whatever they are called these days. The last two games have been great. We have won. We have played soccer the way that the bus driver wants to see.

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In the pre-game analysis of this 0-0 match I commented on the fact that Malmö has been a team that often plays a great game but falls short right when it's time to put the ball in the back of the net. I also noted that AIK often plays an imperfect game of soccer, but has despite this managed to fight tooth and nail to grab enough points to stay in the top of Allsvenskan. Click to continue reading...

Summer 2009 is full of live, international soccer matches in the United States. With the Gold Cup and the World Football Challenge are playing in cities across the nations, fans have the opportunity to witness the ball wizardry of Ronaldinho and Drogba. These are experiences that this "beautiful game" fanatic must share with a special someone. Click to continue reading...

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The USA & Mexico will do battle again this Sunday as they advanced to the Final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
dN
Don't you dare miss my Thunder on FSC Friday night - 7pm Central time taking on Miami FC Blues.
TEAM USA GOLD CUP
Tonight - Semifinal Match:
-Thu Jul 23
USA 2-1 Honduras - USA goals by Clarence Goodson & Kenny Cooper. Click to continue reading...

Photo by K. Djansezian of Getty Images

I not going to do a real post-game analysis, just leave you with some thoughts and impressions and invite everyone to leave their own.

*****
I'm warming up to the idea that you don't have to be the best team in the league, just the best team in the stadium.

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Hi everyone,

My name is Daver and I'm the new blogger for the Revs Offside. I'm very excited to breathe some life into this blog. I plan to cover topics ranging from Revolution game analysis to soccer in America, and hope to increase participation from the Rev's fan community as well.

Check back frequently to see what's going on, and be sure to leave comments and let me know your thoughts on articles posted here.

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STARTERS
Landon Donovan On if the USA's run in the tournament gained respect for U.S. Soccer: "... we're at the point where we don't want respect, we want to win."
CONFEDERATIONS CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2009
Final match:
-Sun Jun 28
USA 2-3 Brazil - USA goals by Clint Dempsey & Landon Donovan. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
One of my favorite writers for the past 25 years has died - Steven Wells. Never for the faint of heart, always for the strong of wit and will, I first read his stuff in the English music weekly New Music Express (NME) and later in the Guardian. Click to continue reading...

What else can you write about on a day like today!!!!!
dN
Confederations Cup Semifinal
-Wed Jun 24
USA 2-0 Spain - USA goals by Jozy Altidore & Clint Dempsey.
Venue: Free State Stadium - Bloemfontain, South Africa
dN
BBC: "What was starkly apparent on the Free State Stadium pitch, was the superior athleticism of the Americans. Click to continue reading...

With Setanta UK on the verge of going into administration after losing the TV rights to the Premier League through 2013 in the UK as well as losing the TV rights to the Scottish Premier League, the demise of Setanta UK looks certain. It may be days or hours before the plug is pulled.

The big question is what will happen to Setanta US?

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Ever since the exciting news of Dulee Johnson's return to AIK there's been a virtual dead calm surrounding Swedish soccer. Nothing truly noteworthy has occurred in the Allsvenskan transfer market in the past week, but the Allsvenskan teams are at least returning to practice following a short vacation. Click to continue reading...

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Simply put, it's a 3 game tournament, not 1 or 2. With that crazy win and Italy loss we get to see our USA team live another day in South Africa. 2 more days actually. The Semifinal round, and then a Final or 3rd place game! How cool is this. Who bet big money on this happening? Click to continue reading...

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Holy shit. What can you even say after that game. I let the Costa Rica game slide off my back. I had fun at the Honduras game. The Italy game was OK, but they could have been more effective. Today was supposed to be a step forward. And yet it was a complete failure. Complete. Click to continue reading...

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That was the first loss for the USA, when they lead at half time, in 95 games. Disappointing. The USA is now 0-7-3 all time against Italy.
dN
Bag me on Twitter: dunord
TEAM USA - CONFEDERATIONS CUP
USA Group Stage Matches:
-Mon Jun 15
USA 1-3 Italy - USA goal by Landon Donovan(PK). Click to continue reading...

Before I give my short pre-game analysis of Saturday's game at the CAB I would like to say that I feel honored because it seems that Coach Curt Onalfo took the time to read my last post and e-mail me his opinion on my criticism about the team, the players and his coaching. Since the Coach sent me an e-mail and did not post his answer in an open forum (comments) I will not answer his e-mail in an open forum (although I will do it if he's OK with that), but regardless of his displeasure with how I see things, I can only say that my article is actually based on facts and my opinions were based on those facts.

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Manchester United vs. Arsenal LiveBlog

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Reposted from YouTube.

One thing to say, the Comcast Sports Net broadcasting team of John Schrader and Troy Dayak is professional but fairly low-rent. Lots of stats, not so many insights, and lots of platitidues. At least Shep Messing has an opinion about things on the field...

My post-game analysis is here.

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It was not pretty. It was not entertaining. It was a little nerve wracking. But it was one goal and a win for the USA in Cuba. 6 points from 2 games on the road is a good thing. But please, let's get the motor running. OK? Is that too much to ask?
~and~
Adam Spangler of This is American Soccer delivers Part 1 of a 5 part indepth story/interview with Clint Dempsey. Click to continue reading...

Victory. A good game. Either Alex or I will have a game analysis later. Right now, it's time to celebrate. Click to continue reading...

... but first, congratulations to Usain Bolt on his phenomenal victory in the 200! He is just amazing to watch ... how beautifully effortless and strong. Can't wait to see it tonight! On the USWNT front, we've got Lindsey Dolich with her pre-game report and Jeff Carlisle on the USWNT mindset heading into the [. Click to continue reading...

We don't really get Bolton on TV here unless FSC shows them playing Chelsea or Blackburn. I spent a good part of the first half looking for a stream online only to find one where the owner of the site kept switching between the Bolton match and the Hull match. Needless to say, he happened to switch during all 3 goals.

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It sounds like Lindsey Dolich likes the USWNT's chances - but is NOT taking Canada lightly (nor are we). There were major doubts that Swede Pia Sundhage would pull the strings for a team left reeling after the loss of superlative striker Abby Wambach. But, somehow, Sundhage delicately guided a vulnerable U. Click to continue reading...

So how exactly did Holland score the tying goal against the USA late into stoppage time on Sunday? Check out this photo and you will see who the culprit is. Of the 6 people in the wall for the USA, 5 did what they were supposed to do. 1 did not, and it cost them a clinched spot in the next round.
~and~
Thunder Bay Chill win the 2008 PDL championship. Click to continue reading...

Do you realize it's less than 2 weeks until the USA playing their next World Cup Qualifier in Guatemala City - Wed Aug 20! Where will you be watching. Me? At the Sweetwater of course.
~and~
From the Oregonian: "The funeral procession marking the end of the Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders rivalry started early Thursday evening. Click to continue reading...

It was not pretty, but they got the job done as the USA beat Japan 1-0 to get the Men's Olympic tournament started right. Details in USA Olympic section below
~and~
The speculation has ended for one of the biggest non-stories of the year - Cristiano Ronaldo is playing at Manchester United this season. Click to continue reading...

Done deal. Brad Guzan to Aston Villa. Luis Bueno of the enourmous Sideline Views blog with the details. Does he get the work permit this time? They must be quite certain of it or why would they go through this process again.
~and~
Samuel Eto'o will be in the Twin Cities next Tuesday for the opening ceremony of the massive youth tournament, the USA Cup. Click to continue reading...