Where’s The Love For Soccer Players?
Can it get any worse for this soccer player? Going from being hurt and needing the G.I. Joe stretcher brought out to finding out how the paramedic’s ass taste, twice.
Larissa Riquelme Will Run Naked If Paraguay Wins World Cup
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Paraguay’s success at the World Cup continued with the country’s team beating Japan on penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals. Now Larissa Riquelme, a lingerie model who loves her national team, has been cheering the Paraguay squad in revealing outfits has made it clear that if Paraguay wins the World Cup she will run through the streets naked.
So who would you rather see run naked through the streets Riquelme or Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona who has made a similar pledge. But wouldn’t we all like to see Dora Noemi Kerchen, the Argentine model who stars in Televisa’s series Desmadruga2 and has been spotted at the World Cup supporting her country.
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Steve Nash vs Tony Parker In Showdown In Chinatown
Steve Nash, Nate Robinson and Jared Dudley lead the U.S. squad against Tony Parker, Claudio Reyna and the international team in the Showdown in Chinatown.
Argentina’s Coach Diego Maradona Has A Big Head
Kevin Mench Is Not Impressed
That definitely is one big head! Right now Argentina fans have a lot of love for their soccer coach because his squad is primed as any other to be one of the World Cup finalist. Argentina has demonstrated on the pitch in South Africa that they came be dominating and that’s lead their fellow countrymen confidence to grow in astronomical size.
So do we now refer Diego Maradona as the “Head of God” instead of “Hand”?
Texas Man Kills Stepdaughter For Crying During World Cup Game
Sad
Hector Castro, a Texas man beat his 2-year-old stepdaughter when she wouldn’t stop crying as he watched a World Cup game has been charged with capital murder. McAllen Police Sgt. Joel Morales says 27-year-old Castro is being held on a $1 million bond at the Hidalgo County jail.
Police Chief Victor Rodriguez says Castro told investigators the toddler wouldn’t stop crying while he was trying to watch the U.S.-Ghana matchup Saturday. Rodriguez says the child was severely beaten and suffered several broken ribs. Police say a screw or bolt was forced down her throat in an apparent attempt to make it look like she choked to death.
Germany’s Coach Digs For Gold & Enjoys It
Germany’s coach Jogi Low went digging for gold during their match against England down in South Africa in the World Cup. Low found his dirty gold and decided to taste it to see if it was the real thing, unfortunately it was.
Booger eaters please keep your act confined to your living room, the public has no interest in watching.
Carlos Bocanegra Enjoys A Budweiser With Bill Clinton
Awesome
How special is that? Bill Clinton witnessed probably one of the most important games in the history of United States soccer when the Stars and Stripes defeated Algeria 1-0 in the 91st minute with a goal by Landon Donovan. The former president has extended his stay in South Africa so he can see the United States play Ghana in the World Cup and has said he even lost his voice after screaming during the Americans epic win.
How does the former commander-in-chief celebrate a moment like that by have some suds with the team. Definitely a moment defender Carlos Bocanegra will never forget and perhaps his grandchildren wont either.
Robinho Writes The Future
Robinho sure didn’t write the future this morning but look for that to change when Brazil ends up taking on Spain or Switzerland in the knockout stage.
WTF: Japan
Protection
In watching the Blue Samurai’s take down Denmark 3-1 and advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup yesterday I kept noticing this fan of theirs. But the closer I looked and more screen time he got he began to look less like Japans flag and more like a human condom or a human tampon or walking sperm?
I was baffled but all I could think about was the human condom scene from “Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” and it was stuck with me all day.
World Cup: Chile vs Spain Preview
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Chile has exceeded many fans expectations but not mine as they have played exactly how I had hoped and saw throughout qualifying with a very opportunistic offense and an airtight defense. They take on Spain, the European champion, who must get a victory or could face an embarrassing exit from the World Cup if Switzerland defeats Honduras in Group H.
Chile aggressive attacking play has netted their squad eight yellow cards so far. Chile will be relying on the forward duo of Mark Gonzalez and Alexis Sanchez to keep playing well and find the net. Chile airtight defense has yet to allow a goal in the tournament. Manager Marco Bielsa will have to juggle the lineup a bit as midfielders Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez will miss the match due to yellow card accumulations.
Spain, who is ranked as the second-best team in the world by FIFA would take first place with a win but they could be knocked out of the World Cup with a draw or a loss if Switzerland wins. Spain has all the talent in the world, but hasn’t really been able to put it together in this World Cup, and previous ones for that matter. They may regret missing a boatload of chances against Honduras, especially David Villa missing out on a hat trick when he shot wide on a penalty kick. Their defense has being doing well enough, even though goalie Iker Casillas has looked a little bit shaky. Fernando Torres hasn’t been much of a factor up front and manager Vicente Del Bosque has been criticized by some for not playing midfielder Cesc Fabregas enough.
Spain has a reputation of choking in the big games but Chile hasn’t beaten Spain in seven previous matches, with Spain winning six and drawing one, while outscoring them 18 to 3. Spain is trying to avoid its first group play exit since 1998, which is also the last time Chile reached the round of 16.
PICK: Chile
World Cup: Brazil vs Portugal Preview
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Soccer fans will be disappointed that the Group G showdown between Brazil and Portugal doesn’t mean as much as it did a week ago. Brazil is guaranteed to go through to the next round and Portugal has a stranglehold on a spot as well. However, this game will decide who wins the group and the history between these two teams should result in an intriguing match as its former colony vs former empirical overlords.
This Selecao squad has been less physical than squads of the pass but are still loaded with all-star power as Luis Fabiano showed when he scored two goals in the 3-1 defeat of Ivory Coast. Elano added the other goal for Brazil and could be questionable with a calf injury. Brazil will though be without midfielder Kaka for the game as he received a red card against Ivory Coast and Julio Baptista may replace him.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke out of his 16-month long scoring drought for his country against North Korea and it’ll be interesting if the floodgates will now open. The Seleccao das Quinas was without Brazilian-born Deco in the last game due to a hip injury, but he should be ready to go. Portuguese players Pepe and Liedson were also born in Brazil.
Both teams will be going for first place, but Brazil only needs a draw, so they might conserve a bit of energy for the next round. Brazil also seems to have Portugal’s number when it comes to soccer as the two countries have met 18 times before with Brazil winning 12, losing four and drawing two, while outscoring Portugal 36 to 15.
PICK: Draw
Dwight Howard Has World Cup Fever
Adidas needs to step their game up and hurry up and make a size 18 in soccer cleats for Dwight Howard. Even if your not a fan of the happy Superman, you gotta admit he doesn’t do a half bad Charles Barkley impression.
Middle America’s Reaction To Landon Donovan Goal
Landon Donovan was America’s hero yesterday and I still can’t shake the goosebumps after watching a bunch of reaction videos on YouTube today. I saw some louder reactions but couldn’t find one that grabbed me like Lincoln, Nebraska.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
Inside The Pro Landon Donovan
It’s your day Landon Donovan, you kept the hopes of U.S. soccer alive in South Africa and probably stateside as well.
“Certain moments come along where you have an opportunity to make an impact on your life”
and you certainly just did that. Thank you.
Landon Donovan Game Winning World Cup Goal
America rules! The rest of the world can continue to go ahead and hate us, we really don’t care.
Landon Donovan and America equal greatness.
World Cup: Ghana vs Germany Preview
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The Germans will need a victory over Group D leader Ghana to advance while the Africans only need a draw to move into the knockout phase. A loss for Ghana however could be fatal, especially if Serbia beats Australia, but they can still advance with a loss if Serbia and Australia plays to a draw. Ghana is effectively Africa’s last hope as the Ivory Coast approach a near insurmountable goal difference, and the trio of South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon are already out. This matchup will showcase Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana against his half brother Jerome Boateng of Germany. It was also a tackle by Boateng on German captain Michael Ballack in the English FA Cup that knocked him out of the World Cup.
Germany’s general manger Oliver Bierhoff has already made it clear that they are not playing Ghana’s Boateng but Ghana themselves and survival. The Germans attack is most effective when going wide and playing in from the wing, Thomas Muller’s passing from the right is an important element, allowing the team to go down his side and use opposite winger Lukas Podolski as more of a goal scoring threat. Germany’s manager Joachim Loew squad is under a lot of pressure but should be able to count on striker Podolski, defender Philpp Lahm, and midfielders Mueller, and Mesut Oezil to step up and have good games. Striker Miroslav Klose will miss the game due to his red card against Serbia and he could be replaced by the Brazilian-born striker Cacau or Mario Gomez.
The Black Stars and Africa will need for Boateng to make an impact and one that requires skills not that of just taking out Ballack. Ghana will see the return of its central defenders Isaac Vorsah and John Mensah and will be vital to helping Anthony Annan slow down the Germans and protect their defense. Ghana however hasn’t scored from open play yet this tournament and needs forward Asamoah Gyan to lead the attack in this matchup if they hope to win. Ghana has created enough chances in their first two games, but hasn’t been able to capitalize on them.
The two teams have only met once before, with Germany scoring six second-half goals in their 6-1 win back in a friendly in 1993. The three-time champions have never gone home after the group stage.
PICK: Germany
World Cup: Australia vs Serbia Preview
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Two teams with the same exact story,an extremely disappointing show in the opener then a much improved outing in the second to keep hopes alive. Serbia is in third place and would advance with a win. With a draw, they could conceivably win tiebreakers against Germany, that is if they have a tie with Ghana but a loss and Serbia’s out. Australia needs to win to have a chance, but sitting on a -4 goal difference, they are unlikely to go through.
Serbia was sliced apart by Ghana in the opener only to turn things drastically around with a win against Germany and a solid effort from Neven Subotic who came in for the suspended Aleksandr Lukovic. Serbia will need another strong game from their leader scorer in qualifying Milan Jovanovic. In addition they will be getting Lukovic back after his one-game suspension but six other players are carrying yellow cards and another would result in a suspension for the round of 16.
The Socceroos will be playing with a depleted squad as they will have to play this match without suspended Harry Kewell and Craig Moore. Australia will see the return though of Tim Cahill who served his suspension for his red card incurred against Germany. Australia’s manger Pim Verbeek will likely play Michael Beauchamp in Moore’s position and will stay with veteran Mark Schwarzer in goal. Australia however will have to break their habit of getting red cards if they have any hope at all of beating Serbia.
PICK: Serbia
World Cup: United States vs Algeria Preview
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Let me take this moment to say I’ve never claimed to be a soccer guru just a fan that has paid a attention to soccer for since youth that’s paid extra attention the last two years in anticipation of this World Cup. Even with squads like Uruguay and Chile consistently pulling at me during the qualifying process my heart and body still lies with the United States. The United States enters today’s World Cup third match with a record of 0-7 in those games. With history not on the Stars and Stripes side and their notorious slow starts, you wont find me going against Old Glory.
United States controls its destiny and advances with a win. A draw is also good enough, provided England draw with Slovenia in the other game without catching up the US in the goals scored column. The United States were wrongly denied victory against Slovenia by temporary referee insanity but should still be feeling good about coming from two goals down in that game to draw 2-2 with Slovenia. The Stars and Stripes will need to get off to a better start and stop there habit of getting behind early. The United States midfielders will need to have strong matches in breaking-up play and making strong decisions with the ball. They will also need midfielder Landon Donovan to continue his strong two-way play as he’s tireless on the offense and defense. Manager Bob Bradley will likely play Clint Dempsey in the attack along with Jozy Altidore. However, Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez are also options. Forward Robbie Findley is out of the game as he received two yellow cards in the first two games and is suspended.
The Desert Foxes have yet to win a game or score a goal at 2010 World Cup but were more than a match for England again whom they earned a 0-0 draw, and only lost the first game to Slovenia 1-0 after going down to 10 men. Algeria can still make it out of Group C, but have to win here and hope England loses so don’t expect to see them sit back and for Karim Ziani and Nadir Belhadj to lead the attack.
Algeria has failed to make it out of group play in their previous tournaments appearances and in its 1982 revolutionized the way the World Cup is played today. In 1982 their exit came about because West Germany and Austria arranged a 1-0 victory by West Germany in the final group match that allowed both teams to advance at Algeria’s expense. The ensuing scandal resulted in FIFA playing the final group matches simultaneously. The United States hasn’t been pass the knockout round since 2002.
PICK: United States
World Cup: Slovenia vs England Preview
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England needs to get a win against Group C leaders Slovenia to guarantee a spot in the next round. If they win, they’ll end up with five points to Slovenia’s four and its possible England could go through with a draw if the United States and Algeria also draw. If Slovenia wins they take first place in the group as they are the only team with a win in Group C to their name. Anything but defeat and they’re through to the Round of 16.
Slovenia qualifies with a win or a draw, so expect to seem them defend and counter, and challenge England to find any kind of creativity that has been missing so far. The Slovenian players need to enter this matchup with the continuation of their confidence, determination and the willingness to help each other out which their opponents have taken lightly so far. The Green Dragons will be without striker Necj Pecnik who suffered a broken ankle and is out for the tournament.
For Three Lions they will need to change the rhythm or the speed of how they have played up to this match as they have looked really slow. England has yet to really press or and run their opponents into the pitch. England is almost as a mess as France with its lack of goal tending, scoring, leadership, effort, pace, skill, imagination, creativity, and good management. It will be interesting if manager Fabio Capello continues to go with a 4-4-2 system or if he’ll opt to go 4-5-1, with Wayne Rooney up front on his own.
The Green Dragons only needs a draw to advance to the round of 16 for the first time ever but could be eliminated with a loss and a victory by the United States or a two-goal triumph by Algeria. Its been 50 years since the Three Lions have have failed to advance past the first round and haven’t won the World Cup since 1966.
PICK: Draw
France’s Raymond Domenech Refuses To Shake South Africa Managers Hand
French coach Raymond Domenech entered the 2010 World Cup knowing two things, he was a win away from becoming the country’s all-time winningiest coach and that he wouldn’t have a job when it was all said and done. What followed will be talked in soccer circles for years to come as the French collapsed before the eyes of the world.
It started with soccer legend Zinedine Zidane criticizing Domenech early on in the tournament after their 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Then Domenech’s dismissal of his star striker Nicolas Anelka, who following their loss to Mexico told his coach to
“Go fuck yourself, you dirty son of a whore”
Then refused to apologize. Things only got worse from there. The France World Cup team refused to practice in protest of their teammate’s dismissal, and trainers throwing their credentials into the air walking off the pitch. France ultimately laid down and lost their final match to an underwhelming South African team.
How did Domenech handle the situation? By refusing to shake South Africa’s coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, hand when approached instead wagging his finger and showed the true colors of France, arrogant but weak.
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World Cup: Greece vs Argentina Preview
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Argentina wont not need any points against Greece to advance to the knockout stage, but that won’t stop coach Diego Maradona’s team from chasing a third straight victory and total domination of Group B. The Greeks are tied for second in the group with South Korea, will need at least a draw to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. An upset win may not even be enough if South Korea beats Nigeria.
Maradona has said he will make drastic changes to his lineup which is likely to see eight new players. Of the players coming in Sergio Aguero, a lightning quick supporting striker, the playmaker Javier Pastore and striker Diego Milito.
The Greeks, who pride themselves on defense will likely have to open things up at some point in the game. Greece will have to at least get a draw to advance and are confident they can score after putting two in against Nigeria. Striker Dimitris Salpingidis said even if they don’t go through to the next round they’re going to give it all they have so they can hold their heads high. Midfielder Thanassis Prittas added that Greece needs to concentrate on defending and counterattacking, but admits they have to score at least one goal if they have any hope.
Defense will be the focus for Greece as it tries to contain the Argentinians, who won 4-0 in the only previous meeting during the 1994 World Cup.
PICK: Argentina
World Cup: South Korea vs Nigeria Preview
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South Korea sits second place with three points and a -1 goal difference and Nigeria is not as far off as most would think but needs a win over South Korea and a Greece loss to Argentina will get them into the knockout stage. If Argentina beats Greece, South Korea can advance with a draw.
Nigeria has no choice here other than to attack and it should make for an interesting game to see if South Korea will be happy to defend or apply the pressure. The African nation lost its first two games by scores of 1-0 to Argentina and 2-1 to Greece. Nigeria needs somebody in attack to come alive. Yakubu Aiygenbeni is not their best attacking player but he appears to be Lars Lagerback’s only consistent selection at forward. The heat has been turned up in a serious way in Nigeria as Sani Kaita has reportedly receiving over 1,000 death threats since his sending off against Greece.
South Korean manger Huh Jung-Moo has said their 4-1 defeat against Argentina was a good lesson for his players and they have to learn from it for their match against Nigeria. South Korea will again be relying on captain and midfielder Park Ji-Sung to lead the way and hope that defender Lee Jung-Soo and midfielder Kim Jung-Woo can continue their fine play. Solving Nigeria can be easy with strong midfield play and that would enable South Korea to get the ball wide and take advantage of their strengths of Park Ji-Sung and Lee Chong-Yong attacking Nigeria’s fullbacks.
The teams have played each other three times with South Korea winning two and drawing the other, although none have come during World Cup play.
PICK: South Korea
Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton Catches World Cup Fever
The 2010 World Cup is just a little over a week old and the fever still rising as this years seems to be an open tournament and no clear cut favorite. Adidas is trying to tap into the mainstream sports base through Facebook in bringing the game to fans of other sports. Adidas has delivered Major League Baseball player and Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton taking the the time to show his wig swag as well as his of soccer and batting skills combo.
