Tag: soccer

CALLER 1: Hello, Green Phone. I am just responding back to the gentleman that responded to me regarding the Little League and the Canez–Klauer scenario. Fortunately, yes, my son was an All-Star and we got lots of coverage and he has been on the front cover of the sports page quite a few times. All I was asking for is a little more coverage on some of the games, and I just want to thank the Free Lance for being out at the rest of the All-Star games which are going awesome.

Now that you have time to reminisce, what is etched in your mind as you recover from four weeks of World Cup competition? Here are a few of thoughts I conjured up as I restarted my normal training routine. There are so many memories but only so much paper.

Close your eyes. Tune in to your favorite song. Picture your

The other football: America's enigma

The streets were alive with music and revelry. Brazilian supporters were dressed in their national colors of yellow and green, joyously pounding their samba drums. Scottish kilts and bagpipes were just as prevalent. The beer was flowing, and so was national pride.

Six months ago, during the draw for the World Cup in Germany, the U.S. National Team's fate may have been determined. Before a ball was kicked, before a penalty kick was awarded and before a red card was handed out, Team USA found itself in the 'Group of Death.' Out of the eight, four-team groups, the U.S. was drawn in arguably the most difficult.

After a dreadful and uninspired performance in its 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic last week, the U.S. national team was counted out, left for dead. The Americans were still searching for their first World Cup victory on European soil. Moreover, the U.S. was up against Italy – and its 0-8 all-time record versus the Azzurri. But after a 90-minute battle and two red cards, the Red, White and Blue were not seeing 'stars' as everyone had projected. Rather, in a defining moment for soccer in this country, the Yanks avoided the potential knockout punch from world-power Italy. Not only did Team USA keep the stars from spinning in front of its eyes with the 1-1 final, but the Americans kept their hopes alive of advancing to the next round of the tournament.

Down by one goal in the dwindling seconds of the semifinal game,

What other sporting competition occurs every four years, involves 194 nations, requires over two years of qualification, involves 847 matches contested over six continents, and includes qualification stages that are viewed by nearly 19 million spectators? The Beautiful Game! The World Cup!