Jozy Altidore Ruled out for USA’s World Cup Match vs. Portugal

Sports Illustrated ^ | June 19, 2014 | Brian Straus

[Berlin_Freeper]

SAO PAULO – Striker Jozy Altidore will miss the U.S. national team’s World Cup match against Portugal on Sunday with a strained left hamstring, a U.S. Soccer Federation spokesperson confirmed.

[dfwgator]

CONCACAF RULES!

[dfwgator]

Now I’ve reached the conclusion that a Euro team is NOT going to win it.

[kevkrom]

It’s almost enough for me to cheer for Mexico over Croatia on Tuesday.

Almost.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Bye Bye Three Lions.

[kevkrom]

Now I’ve reached the conclusion that a Euro team is NOT going to win it.

Germany and Holland might want a word with you. I think you're right, but the Europeans aren't done... yet.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Heard it said three former WC Winners in the group an Costa Rica are first to advance.

[dfwgator]

Balotelli is such a frustrating player....once he missed those opportunities, he went into a shell.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Pretenders to the Throne.

[Berlin_Freeper]

He sure does sweat a lot.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Group D

	Team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1.	Costa Rica	2	2	0	0	+3	6
2.	Italy	2	1	0	1	0	3
3.	Uruguay	2	1	0	1	-1	3
4.	England	2	0	0	2	-2	0

[Berlin_Freeper]

Costa Rica takes down Italy, 1-0
With the win, Costa Rica locks up a spot in the Round of 16 for the first time since 1990. England has been officially eliminated, while Uruguay and Italy will face off next week to see who moves on.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) wants England manager Roy Hodgson to be axed: “I like Roy Hodgson, but if you’re England manager for our worst ever World Cup campaign, you resign or get fired. End.”

[Berlin_Freeper]

Suarez: Roy inspired my performance
"It wasn't revenge, but in England they talked about the injury and the coach had words that annoyed (me),"

[Berlin_Freeper]

England asks Hodgson to stay on despite exit

We think Roy has done a good job

[Berlin_Freeper]

Everything you need to know about about Costa Rica, the unlikely leaders of the World Cup's group of champions
When the 2014 World Cup groups were announced and Costa Rica were dumped in Group D with the unprecedented trio of past champions in Italy, England, and Uruguay, it was widely assumed by those unfamiliar with Costa Rica that they would be the sacrificial lamb for the three bigger teams fighting for the top two spots. But now they've beaten Uruguay 3-1 and proven it wasn't a fluke by beating Italy 1-0, sealing their place in the knockout stage and putting them in position to win the group. In other words, Costa Rica are the twist ending to the M. Night Shyamalan film that is the Group of Death.

[Berlin_Freeper]

By beating both Italy and Uruguay, Costa Rica not only guaranteed its place in the knockout stage — it killed any chance that England, its next opponents, will qualify from Group D. England have not failed to advance from the group stage of the World Cup since 1958.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Ruiz: 'Costa Rica dream come true'
“We suffered so much in this game. I dedicate the goal to my family and it’s incredible to score at a World Cup.

“We had dreamed of this moment, even though we knew people didn’t believe in us. We qualified ahead of teams much stronger than we are, so this is all a dream come true.

“We thank all those who did believe in us, as we’ve achieved something extraordinary considering our country is so small.”

[dfwgator]

Turns out England was in the real “Group of Death”.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

I thought we sucked because we had trouble with Costa Rica. Wow! Viva CONCAF!

[BeadCounter]

How is that group D working out that the announcers endlessly make clear that it has 3 ex-World Champions? And 3 top 10 sides.

WELL DONE COSTA RICA.

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Quite a few contests going on, I even heard one advertised on the radio to start for the knockout rounds.

Yesterday, there were 2 games with 2-1 scorelines. So a guy who claims he knows something about gambling said that 2-1 scorelines are somewhat common so fairly reliable with predictions. I just thought that was interesting. A rough counts shows 8 games have ended 2-1. Might be worth considering. Of course, I’m not a gambler but guessing the scores is fun, I’m in 3 contests.