Category: Story

[SWITZERLAND-CZECH REP. REPORT CARD] Alexander Frei, Switzerland’s captain and leading scorer, forced two saves from Czech keeper Petr Cech before suffering a first-half knee injury that takes him out of the tournament. Substitute Vaclav Sverkos latched on to a pass over the Swiss defense to volley low into the goal for the 1-0 gamewinner in the 70th minute. Soccer America’s Mike Woitalla grades the players.

Vancouver and Charleston remained 1-2 in the USL First Division with 3-1 wins over Portland and Montreal, respectively, on Saturday. For the slumping Impact, the goal was its first in six games. Defending champion Seattle moved into a tie for third place with Portland thanks to a 3-1 win of its own over Minnesota. For all the results and goal scorers …

[PORTUGAL-TURKEY REPORT CARD] Portugal showed that it is more than a one-man team in beating Turkey, 2-0, in their Group A opener in Geneva on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo was excellent for Portugal, but it was his supporting cast that did the damage. Brazilian-born Pepe (on a brilliant one-two with Nuno Gomes) and substitute Raul Meireles (fed by young Joao Moutinho) scored second-half goals to put away the disappointing Turks. Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy grades the players. …

[GERMANY-POLAND REPORT CARD]Germany won its first European Championship game since its victory in the 1996 final when in its Group B opener it downed Poland, 2-0. German striker Lukas Podalski, who was born in Poland, scored in the 20th and 72nd minutes. Each was set up by Miroslav Klose, another Polish-born German. The Germans dominated the first half but the Poles picked up steam after the halftime entry of Roger Guerreiro. Soccer America’s Mike Woitalla grades the players.

[AUSTRIA-CROATIA REPORT CARD] After a fourth-minute penalty kick converted by Luka Modric, it looked like it would be a blowout for Croatia, but it had to hang on for a 1-0 win over host Austria that was scrappy but ultimately lacking in ideas. Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy grades the players.

Officially, American keeper Tim Howard earned Man of the Match honors for his superb work in a 0-0 tie with Argentina at the Meadowlands Sunday night, but truth be told he really rated nothing more than second-best. In just 45 minutes of work, Lionel Messi dazzled the sellout crowd and befuddled the USA. By escaping the kicks and tackles of Pablo Mastroeni and Michael Bradley and clipping balls over and through central defenders Oguchi Onyewu and Danny Califf, Messi repeatedly unhinged the Americans. Only some desperation tackles by Onyewu, Califf and Steve Cherundolo, and the amazing work of Howard kept Argentine forwards Julio Cruz and Sergio Aguero from scoring.

[USA-ARGENTINA GRADES] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players’ performance in their 0-0 tie with Argentina on Sunday.

[EURO ’08 PREVIEW] The Group of Death could be something less. Injuries are a major for concern for France, Italy and the Netherlands heading into the Group C openers on Monday in Switzerland. For a look at the Group C teams and their rosters …

Euro ’08 continues all week on the ESPN family of networks with coverage beginning at 11:50 am and 2:30 pm ET. In addition to game coverage, ESPN2 also offers extensive studio analysis, featuring its ESPN axis to break down key plays. Euro 2008 Today at 7 pm ET provides all the days’s highlights and previews the next day’s matches.

Iran and Iraq captured must-win games in Asia’s World Cup 2010 qualifying, while China dropped to last place in its group with a 1-0 loss at home to Qatar. In African qualifying, The Ivory Coast was held to a disappointing goalless draw at Madagascar and Togo suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at tiny Swaziland. For all the results …