Suarez headed to Liverpool, joins Torres

With Torres continuing is horrendous form since the World Cup, Liverpoool have been looking for what many will call a "replacement". However, this isn't quite the case. Rather, Torres simply has had no help on the Liverpool side. With the addition of Suarez to the squad, Torres can finally redeem himself and start getting back to scoring.

After Suarez's performance in the World Cup, it's no doubt that he can be of great help to the Liverpool side. The Ajaz forward will be leaving his 5 year old home as a Amsterdam member to join a very well-regarded english side. Hopefully with Suarez Liverpool will begin to produce some much needed results.

Jersey of the Post: adidas Fernando Torres Liverpool Away Jersey 10/11

Viva España!!!

Before I begin, if you didn't watch the game today then you really shouldn't even be allowed to ever talk about soccer again. Today was THE biggest sporting event of the year, already. Spain played the Netherlands in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. As I had predicted before the World Cup even began, Spain would win. And yes, many other people also predicted they would win.

Overall, it wasn't the greatest game of soccer. Spain and the Netherlands both had a few really good chances however, both sides were shockingly unable to capitalize. The game would go into overtime where Iniesta would score what is now the most historic goal in Spain history with just a few minutes left in the second half of overtime.

But what I want to spend a little more time looking back on is Vincente del Bosque's idiotic decision. Sure, they won the game but let's begin with Bosque's decisions to sub Fernando Torres in for David Villa. In all previous games of this World Cup, Spain had never scored a goal while Torres was on the field. Today that changed. And today we also saw what horrible shape Torres is in. Furthermore, IMHO if Bosque had to put Torres in, sub him in for Iniesta. At that point in the game, Iniesta was disgracing football...he was diving all the time and on top of that he was playing horribly. Besides, David Villa and Iker Casillas were the only reasons why Spain had in fact even gotten to the finals. Highlight video here.

Nonetheless, congrats to Spain! I wanted them to win and they did! Viva España!!!

Jersey of the post: adidas David Villa Spain Away Jersey 10/11

Semi-Final #1 Review

Yesterday, Uruguay took on a strong Netherlands side in a very historical game. Both teams were fighting for what would be a prestigious moment in soccer history as both teams would look to advance to the final where they would gain a chance to play powerhouse Germany or Spain (either way, the Final is going to be unbelievably good!). Anyhow, the game was very even with both teams having (withing 1 of each other) almost the same number of shots, shots on target, fouls, corner kicks, offsides, possession (47-53 in favor of Holland), yellow cards, and saves. Statistically, the scoreline was also a perfect match. In most of these areas Holland did fair better and as we can see, the 3-2 scoreline is a perfect epitome of this.

Van Bronckhorst would be the first to score then Forlan would soon follow to make it 1-1 a little before the half. In the second half, the game seemed to begin to sway towards the Dutch as they were able to score another two goals thanks to Sneijder and Robben. However, Uruguay kept with tradition and played literally to the final moments when they were able to score another goal before full time on Periera's behalf. Clearly, a very well played game by both teams. Best of luck to Holland in the finals against the winner of the other semi-final game with coverage beggining at 1:30 ET on ESPN and espn3.com  today.
Click here for the full replay of the Holland vs Uruguay game (view under "REPLAY" tab).

Here's what happened the last time Germany and Spain met (208 Euro Final: Spain 1-0 Germany)


Jersey of the post: adidas Miroslav Klose Germany Home Jersey 09/11

Great first day of Quarterfinals

For the first time in history, Brazil led in the first-half and lost the game to Holland. Felipe Melo gave up an own-goal early in the second-half and would later on get a red card exactly 20 minutes later in the 73rd minute. However, just prior to the red card Sneijder had a fabulous header that would prove to be the goal that sends Holland to the finals.

In the Ghana vs Uruguay game, Ghana would take a first-half lead but Diego Forlan wouldn't care - 8 minutes into the second-half he would score an amazing free-kick. However, in the final minutes of extra time Suarez would purposely use his hands to block a guaranteed goal for Ghana. Fortunately/ unfortunately for Suarez, he will miss the next game but that hand ball would prove decisive as the penalty would be missed and Uruguay would advance on pk's, 4-2. Perhaps this year the hand of magic will be Suarez's hand. Smart guy if I may say so myself (although disgraceful at the same time).

Jersey of the post: Nike Sneijder Holland Away Jersey 10/11

Good Fight for the USA

I apologize for the length of this post but I wanted people to see what the USA could really have achieved had the coaching been even slightly better. All in all though, a good run for Team USA.

The first two games of the Round of 16 games had Uruguay and Ghana advancing. Uruguay took on South Korea in a match that was very well fought but saw Diego Forlan's squad advancing to the next round.

In the USA - Ghana game, it was a thriller. Donovan tied up the game in regulation from a Dempsey earned PK. The game would then go into extra time where Ghana's Gyan scored a fabulous goal 3 minutes into the first overtime period. It would also prove to the be the goal that would give Ghana their second straight win over the US in World Cup competition.

So, you may ask, why did the USA lose to Ghana again? Hopefully I can shed some light on this as an amateur Soccer player in the US with overseas experience as well. First off, I blame this result completely on the coaching staff. I haven't liked the job Bob Bradley has done and I really think the US soccer federation needs a strong European coach who has lots of knowledge in the game. Branching off this issue is where the other problems from the game arose. Why the hell was Clark starting????? Edu has been doing very well in previous game and he should have certainly started today. In a tournament like the World Cup, you don't start who you think did well in practice; you start who has been consistent in games, and that was Edu. Second, I have said this before and I will say it again - Edson Buddle IS a much better finisher/ striker than Findley. I don't know how many of you watch MLS soccer but I like to especially watch the strong teams like the Galaxy play. What I have been noticing in that team is that their really are three members of the team who are crucial to the club's success: Donovan, Beckham, and Buddle. Buddle can finish, he has the correct tendencies as a striker and I promise you had Bradley used Buddle more, we would be heading to the quarterfinals.

The third and final mistake Bradley made as a coach today was not starting Feilhaber. If your not going to play Buddle then at least start Feilhaber. The guy has had a fantastic tournament thus far and come-on he was BORN AND RAISED in Brazil. What more could you possibly ask for??? Brooks Peck seems to also feel Bradley needs to get the boot.

Jersey of the post: PUMA Ghana Away Jersey 2010

Holland, Japan, Paraguay, & Slovakia are the Latest Round of 16 Additions

Holland was more or less through prior to their game against Cameroon today, but they sealed the deal with a 2-1 win over Eto'o's crew. Japan also only needed a tie against Denmark but were able to get an incredible 3-1 win over the Danish thanks mainly to their free kicks. In group F, Paraguay got through with a 0-0 tie with New Zealand while Slovakia had one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by beating previously champs, Italy, 3-2. Check out the highlights here. And with that I go 5/6 with my predictions.

Be sure to catch the rest of the games tomorrow with the Portugal - Brazil game hopefully going to be a very entertaining game along with the battle for first in group H between Chile and Spain.
Portugal v Brazil - 10 AM ET
North Korea v Ivory Coast - 10 AM ET
Chile v Spain - 2:30 PM ET
Switzerland v Honduras - 2:30 PM ET

A great, classic commercial of Brazil and Portugal going at it.



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Jersey of the post: adidas Keisuke Honda Japan Home Jersey 10/12

Huge Win For The USA!

There is no other way to say it: had Donovan not scored in the 90th+ minute, USA and Algeria were headed home. Fortunately Donovan capitalized on Dempsey's (who had a goal taken away earlier in the match for supposedly being offsides - good job stupid ref) rebound which led to some huge celebrations for Bob Bradley's side. In addition, England also got their first group match over Slovenia and because of the USA win, Slovenia will NOT be advancing. Obviously, another weak showing of officiating in the Algeria - USA game. Check out the video below: you got to love the commentary!



However, what will it take for USA to do well in the next round against what, right now, looks to be either Ghana or Germany? Personally, I have been saying this for a while; Edson Buddle should have gotten in to the starting rotation last week because he is a very good player who Bradley has severely overlooked. Get him in with Altidore and I can almost guarantee you the USA will get to the Quarterfinals. Bradley, if you don't start him, I have no reserve in saying you will NOT advance.

What to expect in groups E-H?
1. Group E: Netherlands face last place group members, Cameroon; Holland will win. Japan faces Denmark; I'm thinking Japan's current form might change for the better and they get a win.
2. Group F: Same situation as the USA - England group. To win you have to advance (Paraguay, Italy, New Zealand, Slovakia)
3. Group G: Brazil is in, North Korea is out. Portugal plays Brazil, Ivory coast plays North Korea. Portugal needs at least a tie.
4. Group H: Spain better beat Chile and the Swiss will hope to beat Honduras...if they do, Spain may not be advancing.

Jersey of the post: Nike Donovan Away Jersey 10/11