U.S. team itches to get its World Cup started, already gets lesson

latimes.com ^ | June 14, 2014 | Kevin Baxter

[Berlin_Freeper]

The U.S. soccer team gathered in a meeting room at the team hotel here Thursday afternoon to watch the opening game of a World Cup it won't officially become part of until Monday, when it meets Ghana in the northeastern coastal city of Natal.

And while the Brazil-Croatia opener kept most Brazilians on the edge of their seats, it put American goalkeeper Tim Howard to sleep.

"I dozed off," said Howard,

[Berlin_Freeper]

Correct, Physiotherapist.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Colombia use fervent following to inflict comfortable defeat on Greece
The World Cup will miss Radamel Falcao but Colombia have started just fine without him. Confident, composed and in control against ineffective Greece, José Pékerman’s team reaffirmed their dark-horse credentials in emphatic style as they recorded the biggest victory in Colombia’s turbulent World Cup history in the absence of their leading striker.

Colombia 3:0 Greece Match Highlights

[novascotianative]

Y A W N !!! Wake me when it’s over.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Costa Rica’s Marco Ureña completes fairytale of shock win over Uruguay
This was the result of Uruguayan nightmares and they could not escape the scene of their torture quick enough. Nor could their supporters. The descent from comfort to disaster was startling and their World Cup hopes have been left to hang by a thread.

Uruguay 1:3 Costa Rica Match Highlights

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Dozing off during “futbol” is easy...a boring game.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Ivory Coast stage World Cup fight back to see off Japan
Headers by Wilfried Bony and Gervinho just 98 seconds apart ensured Ivory Coast got off to a winning start at the World Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Recife.

The Elephants left captain Didier Drogba out of the starting line-up but it was his arrival off the bench after an hour which coincided with Ivory Coast finally converting their chances.

Côte d'Ivoire 2:1 Japan Match Highlights

Photos

[Berlin_Freeper]

World Cup 2014: Today at the tournament - day four
There are three World Cup matches on the fourth day of action in Brazil, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Olivier Giroud and Edin Dzeko set to take centre stage.

Switzerland v Ecuador
France v Honduras
Argentina v Bosnia-Hercegovina

▶ World Cup Team Profile: SWITZERLAND - YouTube
▶ World Cup Team Profile: ECUADOR - YouTube

▶ World Cup Team Profile: FRANCE - YouTube
▶ World Cup Team Profile: HONDURAS - YouTube

▶ World Cup Team Profile: ARGENTINA - YouTube
▶ World Cup Team Profile: BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - YouTube

[EEGator]

Is it as monotonous as your comment is on soccer threads?

[Berlin_Freeper]

ping!

[oh8eleven]

Dozing off during “futbol” is easy...a boring game.
Playing it, not so much, but watching it is painful.
I make an exception and watch the World Cup, and to make it a little more invigorating I watch the Spanish speaking (UniVision?) channel.
No, I don't sprecken sie Spanish.

[EEGator]

I highly recommend watching the weather on Spanish news.

[Berlin_Freeper]

United States out for a win against Ghana, not revenge
The Americans have watched no old tapes, have been given no pep talks about payback. It’s as if the discussion topic is forbidden inside the U.S. national team camp, as if the U.S. never lost those last two World Cup matches to Ghana.

There are only four players on the American team now who were on the field when the Americans lost to Ghana in South Africa, 2-1, in overtime — only two who played when they were eliminated by Ghana, 2-1, eight years ago in Germany. Maybe that’s good, because most U.S. players won’t lug bad memories of the green uniforms onto the field for their opener on Monday. Maybe it’s bad, because those who fail to learn from history are doomed to World Cup disappointments.

GHANA!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Messi must make this World Cup his own
Poised for true greatness. Lionel Messi has been soccer's outstanding player over the last six years and has often been described as the greatest club performer of all time. Yet there is still one thing missing from his glorious career: the World Cup.

... With a group featuring Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria, Argentina should progress without too much trouble. As the winner of its group, Argentina would likely face Switzerland or Ecuador in the second round, with Belgium, Russia or Portugal possibly standing in the way of a semifinal spot.

It's an accessible draw for Alejandro Sabella's side and the ingredients are all there for Messi to make his mark. "Let's hope this is Messi's World Cup," said former Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin this week. "It is his best chance — and he knows that better than anybody."

[Berlin_Freeper]

Lionel Messi desperate to escape the shadow of Argentine legend Diego Maradona
Neymar laid down the gauntlet with two goals in Brazil's win on opening night.

Now it's time for Lionel Messi to step forward and become the undisputed No 1 star of the 2014 World Cup, taking his place alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as an all-time great.

Messi, who left his home town of Rosario for Barcelona at 13... says: 'It is hard not to feel honoured when important people compare you with Maradona - he's the best there's ever been. My message, though, is please don't compare me with him yet. He won a World Cup for our nation, and until I've managed to do the same the comparisons are not something I welcome or accept.

'I know I have a responsibility, especially as captain, to the people of Argentina but I try not to let that pressure get to me. I approach every game - it doesn't matter if it is a Champions League final or a World Cup game - as I did as a child … and that is to have fun.

'I know the importance of the World Cup but if you approach games with a smile on your face and with the intention just to have fun on the field, then you often find things look after themselves.'

Brazil fans swarm Diego Maradona at World Cup
But when the hosts opened the match with an own goal, the Brazilians in the box moved away, Folha said.

"Guys, he's a jinx. I'm staying away," said one.

Diego Maradona slams Spain's Iker Casillas
'He had the worst game I've ever seen in my life,'

[Berlin_Freeper]

▶ Diego Maradona's Goal of the Century. - YouTube

[Berlin_Freeper]

The message to Wayne Rooney could have been no clearer. Neymar, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben had shown England’s senior striker what needs to be done at World Cups. The great players are not visitors to the grandest stage. They write their names across the sky.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Honduras target France shock after pushing England in Miami
"I don't think we were too vicious against England. If you go in you have to go in fully, if you stop that is when you might get hurt.

"We tried to go hard for any 50-50 ball because you have to do that in any game. I think the red card was harsh. I think the referee protected them because the England players are at a different level to Honduras because of the Premier League.

"We have got to play even better against France than we did against England to get a result but the World Cup is where you have to deliver, you have to show what you've got.

[Berlin_Freeper]

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” - Sun Tzu

[super7man]

"I dozed off," said Howard,

Yeah, I have the same problem watching soccer.

[Textide]

I watched the Brazil game with a group of our students from Brazil who recently lost a friend. Am grateful they won. Seeing them happy and chanting was an experience to remember. I would’ve paid good money myself to corrupt a ref for that same result.