Tag: world cup

[HEXAGONAL] The contrast at Estadio Cuscatalan couldn’t have been more stark; fans in near-delirium raining noise and passion on two sets of intense yet focused players. On the faces of one set of players shone the dreams and hopes of a nation, of which just 31,000 had been admitted to the stadium as countless radios and televisions sufficed for the rest. In the other set of players could be detected a firm resolve to get the job done, to take care of business.

Zakumi the Leopard is the official mascot of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Zakumi, the 12th World Cup mascot since the tradition began in 1966, is the third of the feline persuasion after World Cup Willie (1966) and Goleo, the big pantless lion of Germany 2006. Only once has a dog had the honor – USA 1994’s Striker.

As several U.S. players mobbed Michael Bradley after he flicked in Landon Donovan‘s free kick to provide a 1-0 lead against Trinidad & Tobago Wednesday, longtime Donovan pal DaMarcus Beasley ran over to Donovan instead. Donovan barely grinned while acknowledging his friend and colleague of nearly a decade at all age levels of competitive play. Beasley wanted to frolic, but Donovan stayed focused, as did most of the Americans for most of this match.

[GUATEMALA-USA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players’ performance in their 1-0 win over Guatemala on Wednesday. …

[WORLD CUP 2010] Pavel Pardo scored two late goals to lead Mexico to a 2-1 comeback win over Honduras. Canada is already in trouble after tying at home with Jamaica because of an own goal by its MLS keeper. Suriname had a 2-0 lead until squandering it in the waning minutes against Haiti. The Ticos and Soca Warriors fared well.

[WORLD CUP 2010] The first USA foray into Central America for 2010 World Cup qualifying followed tradition in so many ways, except for one: the result. Guatemala 0, USA 1. Spectacular? No, but historic, yes. Never before in a qualifier, and only once in nine games, had the USA returned from this nation victorious.

[WORLD CUP 2010] In a country where 89 percent of the labor force is foreign, it’s little surprise that Qatar’s national team, which has advanced to the final round of Asia qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, is a collection of imports.

[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] With not much at stake other than for a few players to get their first taste of World Cup qualifying, albeit a Caribbean stadium basking in a crowd of picnic proportions and mellow mood, the USA beat Barbados, 1-0, in Bridgetown to complete a 9-0 aggregate win in the two-match series.

[OFF THE POST] FIFA has moved the World Cup qualifier between North Korea and South Korea from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Shanghai after North Korea objected to the playing of the South Korean anthem, instead demanding that a folk song popular in both countries be played. FIFA stipulates that each national anthem must be played.

Mike Woitalla reporting from South Africa
Is South Africa in danger of being the first World Cup host not to reach the second round? So disappointing have recent performances been that President Thabo Mbeki suggested changing the Bafana Bafana (Boys, Boys) nickname to something more intimidating. While there’s little chance of that, pressure is mounting on Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who during the World Cup Preliminary Draw explained the challenges he’s faced since taking the helm last February.