Posted on 06/09/2014 10:50:52 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The 4,080-mile overnight flight to Sao Paulo was easy for the U.S. World Cup team.
A 4-mile bus ride from its base hotel through the city's perpetually congested streets to the Americans' training camp was another matter.
"We haven't had any problem, other than the traffic. But other than that, not too bad," goalkeeper Tim Howard said Monday after the Americans arrived in Brazil exactly one week before their World Cup opener against Ghana.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Soccer sucks. It’s what Liberals play and the San AnPhonio Sperns play too.
"We want USA!" they hollered.
The Ghanians were feeling festive as their team won its last warmup match for next week's World Cup opener against the Americans by beating South Korea 4-0.
Beating Ghana will be crucial for U.S. soccer team
It can be done.
That’s right. The United States can get out of the Group of Death at the World Cup. And it’s easier than you might think.
While it appears to be a daunting task to be one of two teams to advance to the knockout round from a group that includes Germany, Portugal and Ghana, try not to look at the group as a whole.
Your countrymen are going on a field of international competition.
South Korea already lost?
geez.
Maybe they need to bring old Cha Bum-kun (Guen) out of retirement. Sure, he’s 61 but I bet he’d put up a good fight.
Very incomplete fields of competition from what I have read
After watching his team turn in the best performance of its World Cup send-off series, now we know why Klinsmann was so giddy. He had managed to cook up a plan that not only helped maximize the strengths of some of his most important players, but he did so in a matter of days.
Why Argentina doesn’t like its best player, Lionel Messi
HE’S one of the best players in the world but his own country doesn’t want him.
That’s the burden superstar Lionel Messi has to carry as he bids to take Argentina to World Cup glory in Brazil.
At 26, Messi has already been voted the world’s best player four times.
He has won six league titles with Barcelona, and three Champions Leagues.
But Argentinians don’t like him.
Why? Because he isn’t Argentinian enough.
Brazil braces for Argentine hooligans during World Cup
Anti-World Cup protests are not the only problem Brazilian security authorities will face during the soccer tournament. They are also bracing for an invasion of Argentine hooligans.
The soccer fan clubs called "barras bravas" in neighboring Argentina are notoriously violent and Brazilian police are taking no chances.
According to TMZ, Casper was given his walking papers, 2 motorcycles, a jeep, and a truck — but nothing else. After years of rolling in style, he is left with empty pockets and no clue of what to do next. The public humiliation has weighed heavily on Jen, so much so that she has pulled out of the Opening Ceremonies of The World Cup in Brazil just 4 days before she was scheduled to perform with Pitbull and Brazilian star Claudia Leitte. “We Are One” was recorded by the trio especially for this event and so pulling out at the last minute is totally frowned upon.
The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Song We Are One (Split, Canceled, Dumped - Ole Ola)
In England's last five World Cup finals appearances they have averaged just 3.2 goals in group matches, mustering just two goals in the group stages at the 2010, 2002 and 1990 finals and five in 1998 and 2006.
But Hodgson is confident they'll be no shortage of scoring chances in the forthcoming matches with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, despite a goalless draw with Honduras in their final warm-up game in Miami.
Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/England-manager-Roy-Hodgson-believes-goals-World/story-21211185-detail/story.html#As57glqFjPJDquDt.99
Jose Mourinho: 'Wayne Rooney can lead England in World Cup'
"I don't agree with Scholes," the Portuguese coach said in his role as a Yahoo World Cup ambassador. "I think Wayne is right when he says this is 'his' World Cup, it is the right moment [for him].
"He is not a kid any more, he is not an old player at the end of his career, he is in what I call 'the best age'. I think it is his World Cup. I think he has also a role as a leader in the team, a little bit similar that he had at United this season. I think he is ready to cope with this."
England midfielder Jack Wilshere not concerned about World Cup heat as temperatures soar in Brazil
“We've had time to prepare for the conditions, they don't cause us any fears," said Wilshere.
"We trained with extra layers on in Portugal and stepped it up again in Miami.
"I think we've all got confidence in the things we've got in place. We've got cooling systems in the dressing rooms and we're fully prepared.
"When I played in Malaysia I was struggling for air, the humidity there is over 90 percent, this isn't totally new for me."
Superfan covers WHOLE house with St George's flags to cheer on England at World Cup 
Football-mad Tony Baddams spent three weeks covering the four-bedroom terraced house in Southampton with more than 300 flags, shirts and giant fluffy dice.
This time, what is there not to like about young Belgium? The Red Devils have reached their first World Cup since 2002, but has a team full of players that have already made a mark in the Premier League and La Liga.
Belgium’s blueprint that gave birth to a golden generation
Belgium’s emergence as one of the strongest nations in world football has exceeded all expectations. A country with a population of only 11m, with just 34 professional clubs competing across two leagues, has produced – and there are no reservations in Belgium about using this term because it is widely accepted as the only description befitting of their talent pool – a golden generation of footballers.
Marc Wilmots’ 23-man squad for the World Cup is replete with stellar names, players who have changed hands for hundreds of millions of pounds and in the majority of cases belong to Premier League clubs. It is also a group that could stay together for years to come – all but six are aged 27 and under.
Van Buyten talks up Belgium chances
"We have been snappy in training and have become increasingly stronger," he explained.
"We will pull out all the stops so that on our return we can look our fans in the eye.
"We will not disappoint (them)."
Germany finished third at the last two World Cup finals in Germany and South Africa and would obviously like to go at least one step further in Brazil. Their path to the final should see them finish top of their group that includes Portugal and from there they could play Russia in the second round followed by a possible encounter with France in the Quarter-Finals. The Semi-final’s would likely pitch them with Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Then maybe, just maybe a final with England, Spain or Brazil.
Germany's time to shine may have come, says Mertesacker
“We are really looking forward to the tournament,” said Mertesacker. “We have been consistent with second and third places over the last few tournaments. The expectation is huge because if you always get second or third place, you want to get to the top.
“On paper we have an outstanding squad and nearly every position has two players so that is big competition. The rivalry between the players will be high and tough, so maybe that gets us to the next level to achieve something.
“We have to raise the team spirit as well, as that can always make a big difference when you know each other well and trust each other. We can create team spirit but it takes some time.
“We have always been well placed over the last ten years but the team spirit can take us one step further to the title.
“We have to go game by game and give better performances, and as well to build up the team spirit that is necessary to get something out of the tournament.”
It is difficult to know which African side has the best chance. Ghana has perhaps the most complete squad and is in the hardest group by far, while Cote d'Ivoire have an array of attacking talent but are less productive in defence.
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