WIN and IN Go USA!!!

GROUP C

USA

vs

ALGERIA

10am Wednesday JUNE 23, 2010.

WIN AND WE'RE IN!

All the American squad needs to do tomorrow is defeat what appears to be the weakest club of Group C; Algeria.  Simple, right?

Squad America just can not afford, much less risk, falling behind early again.  USA had to mount two furious comebacks against England and Slovenia in order to earn draws and escape with the minimum point for each match respectively.  Having said that, it's my opinion that may have been enough of a taste for what the competition demands of their play and also provided ample "game-film" by now to learn from and connect a winning attitude with effort.

A sustained and consistent passing game must emerge from USA's game in order for them to gain success in this match, and if it be our destiny, through the tournament. 

Tomorrow would be a good time to start improving that aspect of their game.

A win by Club USA could eliminate England.

LET's Go USA!!!

USA!  USA!  USA!

BTB

World Cup: ARGENTINA vs. GREECE

ARGENTINA

vs.

GREECE

After First Half

0-0

GOOOOOOAAL !!!!!

Inside the 77:00 mark Argentina scores on a strike by

Martin Demichelis. 

From a right side corner kick the ball was headed, a strike was made, inadvertently blocked by a teammate, but Demichelis was there to clean things up.

At the 80:00 mark, the 36 year old MARTIN PALERMO, BOCA Juniors legend and Argentine All-Time Great, enters the match in a substitution for Milito for his

first ever World Cup appearance.

...AND  GOAL !!!!!

at 88:44

MARTIN PALERMO

The great one, just moments ago mentioned here!!

GOAL!!

"EL LOCO" strikes it home!

ARGENTINA 2

 GREECE        0 

90:00   + 2:00

FINAL

2 - 0

Argentina is victorious and advances to the next round in WORLD CUP 2010

Martin Palermo is the oldest Argentine to score a World Cup goal for his team. 

It's almost unfathomable to be more famous in Argentina that Diego Maradona is.

Martin Palermo ~ El Loco 

is right there.

 

Coach Maradona was widely criticized for awarding Palermo a spot on the team.  I guess Maradona is more savvy a coach than I thought.  He substituted plenty in today's match against Greece and as fate would have it, Destiny found Martin Palermo in the box.  I always felt the Argentine Team had the talent to win this Cup.  It was the legendary coach I was skeptical about.  The players have made him look good; real good.  Club Argentina took 22 shots on goal  and possessed the ball for 67% of match time.  In first round Group Matches, Argentina scored seven goals while surrendering only one.

Messi's lack of scoring?  Nonsense!  He's having a tremendous tournament.

How do you think this is all being set up?  Lionel Messi is having an outstanding time of it.  It may not be reflecting in goals scored.  He is creating plays and space for his teammates and anxiety for the opposition.  His goals will come.  He's been able to get too many quality shots off in his three matches that eventually his strikes will start finding the back of the net.  But make no mistake; he is creating chances for everyone in a like jersey.

Argentina's next match is versus

MEXICO.

Now it gets really good! 

BTB

WORLD CUP 2010

WHY NOT!?

POWER RANKINGS

as/of  June 21

1 ~ ARGENTINA

2 ~ BRAZIL

3 ~ NEDERLAND

4 ~ SPAIN

5 ~ MEXICO

6 ~ GERMANY

7 ~ CHILE

8 ~ USA

9 ~ PARAGUAY

10 ~ PORTUGAL

Uruguay~Slovenia~Italy~England~South Korea

Yes I still believe Spain is not to be taken lightly.  Nederland still continues to roll and they must be recognized.  Argentina first and Brazil second, have shown with out a doubt so far, they are the class of this tournament.  Chile is the Phantom here.  You'd be a fool to take Germany lightly.  They are a cornered cat and will strike down their next opponent.  Slovenia is like the Philadelphia Flyers of Soccer; they play a most physical game and that has to count for something.  Portugal scored 7 goals today; - That's SEVEN GOALS in Soccer folks.  A fluke?  Most likely.  But it's enough to get them ranked.  The USA has been outplayed in 3 of four halves in their two matches.  When they had to dig deep and shovel more coal in the fire, they've managed the timely goal and created chances.  Those chances come at great risk.  Be careful America.

USA plays Algeria Wednesday and WILL advance if they win outright.  Paraguay is just your good, solid, fundamentally sound Football Club who can ruin ANY club's day.  Mexico is as passionate for Football as they are for Baseball.  They always play tough.

Those are my impressions so far in

World Cup 2010

Mike

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

World Cup: INCREDIBLE COMEBACK for USA !!!

USA! USA! USA!

The US was outplayed and outscored by Slovenia in the first half of their morning match. Slovenia had USA
down two~nil into the break.

Then, in the second half, USA went to work trying to correct their situation. Early, in the 48th minute Team America cut the Slovenian lead in half on a booming strike from Donovan. USA continued to carry play and kept up a consistent effort in the offensive zone.

In what is clearly the defining moment for the Americans in this Cup Tourney so far, in the 82nd minute a strike by Michael Bradley tied the match. AMAZINGLY the U.S. had come all the way back from a two~nil nightmarish morning to scoring, tying things at two and sending the American fanatics attending the match into delirium.

It appeared as if the Americans still had even more tricks up their sleeves with an apparent third goal.  Everyone in attendance and watching on TV could not believe the referee's disallowance of what would have been the go-ahead goal. No one on the field ever got an explanation for the call. Yes...., we wuz robbed!!

That aside, what a great comeback by the hometown guys. It secured another point in Group play. There is still life in this squad. There are 3 games remaining within USA's Group matches.  England plays Algeria today. All is not lost for USA.  Unbelievably, Germany fell to Serbia in the early match. After looking so strong, dominant and convincing in their opening match of Group play, they stumbled earlier this morning.  Their undoing was perhaps self created.  They were made to play with ten after a red card eliminated one of Deutschland's forwards.

Spain; one of the overwhelming favorites to win the 2010 tourney also went down in incredulous defeat yesterday. France too fell at the feet of Mexico while Team Italia played to a draw. The European Powers are fit to be tied; Netherlands aside. The Dutch looked very impressive in their match against Denmark.

With Group play only mid~way through the matches, but Argentina already having played twice and being victorious each time, the Argentines are looking like the strongest club in the field.

Brazil was impressive in their first showing and I expect them to remain strong in Group play.

There's a clique of experts telling everyone beware of Nederland.
I would agree they make a great Dark Horse. But the real Horse Power in COPA 2010 is like I said, ARGENTINA.

But where does my home country of the US of A fit into this? Let's see what happens with England. They will not be sending Robert Green to keep goal for them vs Algeria.  England will put their fortunes or failures in the goal~keeping ability of David James.

England's goal~keeping situation has been well publicized as being quite unsettled. What can James do for England and what does it mean to us? We're going to find out more this afternoon.

Happy "SOCCER" everyone.

USA!!

Mike.BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

World Cup 2010 ~ Italy vs. Paraguay

Lorimer Street in Williamsburg appears ready for today's World Cup match between Italy and Paraguay.




Today's match ended 1-1 after 93:00 minutes




Mike    BTB



http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

World Cup 2010~USA vs ENGLAND

GROUP C

USA 

vs. 

ENGLAND

This is a very good English team. 

So how many Cups were they expected to win

over the last four tournaments?

Uh...All of them? 

And they won how many of those?

 I thought so.

They've been talking a lot of smack  

on the other side of the 'Ol Pond.

It's as if they're purposely being overly cocky before hand

in what is really a sloven attempt at intimidation.

Be arrogant Boyz. 

Yea! 

To me it wreaks of FEAR.

All the pressure is on them.  All the expectations weigh on them.

England is under incredible pressure to do well this time around.

That's why they have an Italian coach leading the way.

They're desperate.

We won't get into the more embarrassing eliminations of their recent World Cup tourneys.  Will we?

We, after all, looked pathetic in our elimination last time around.

Club New World Colonists

vs

Her Majesty's Football Club

We're forty minutes away from getting

Revolutionary...again.

USA!  USA!  USA!

BTB

*************************************

Update:

It's not easy being GREEN!
after 48 minutes of first half play:
1-1

 Gerrard scored in minute 4 on a brilliant strike for England.

The USA looks thoroughly outclassed.
As a matter of fact, they look totally out-matched.

In the 40th minute, The English goal-keeper Robert Green had a shot on goal by Clint Dempsey seemingly secured; only to let it slide off his hands and into the net for an American tying goal.
UNBELIEVABLE.
A historic gaffe!

The Americans need to find a way to start putting some passes together and get play moving in the opposite direction.

2nd HALF

At 65 minutes, there remains white shirts loitering all about our box.  England continues to dominate play.

Excellent chances and quality strikes have been traded.
It appears the Americans are more willing to be lucky than strategize a plan to counter England's attack.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.  But I do not think the US can sustain this onslaught of offense by the Brits and not get hurt.  At the 70minute mark...we'll see.

75:30
Where would this team be without the incredible goal keeping by Tim Howard ? 
The Blue-Shirts have been unable to slow the surge of the Brits through our zone.  They've been camped out in our box like a scene out of Woodstock.  Our half of the field has been a
British Invasion all match long.   79:00

We are inside four added minutes of penalty time.

The Americans still resemble little baby sea turtles getting hammered by the surf at shore's edge as they try and make their way to deeper water and relative safety.  Meanwhile, the English continue to crash down in waves of offensive chances upon the sea tur...Americans, and continue to strike like gulls from above.

Time!!!
The whistle has sounded.

FINAL SCORE
USA 1
ENGLAND 1

There will be no celebrations in the pubs of London for this effort; I'm sure.  I know the English Club fanatics can not be happy with this outcome.  English goal-keeper ROBERT GREEN might have to be relocated to Arizona and put into witness protection.
I just hope he has his papers in order  ; )  
I hear A.C. Cowlings is available for "get-away-driver" duty just in case Green is thinking about taking a trip.

What a great outcome for the Americans today. 
The expected blowout never transpired. 
Tim Howard is the biggest reason why.  
At times it appeared he was incredulous about the class of defense being played in front of him.  Consider him as the reason why the Yanks earned a point in their group play.  And yes; Thank Sir Robert Green also. 

The American defenders were mere traffic cones for the English wave of craftsmanship to practice with.  All they did was shave two seconds off the arrival time of another shot on goal.  To call the American defense a "defense" is an insult to swiss cheeze.  The English rush went through an American defense that played with the resiliency of wet toilet paper.

Somehow, someway;
we come away with a point in group play.

For the Americans now..; a chance to qualify for the next round if they can regroup against Slovenia and Algeria.  Those two teams play against each other tomorrow afternoon.

For England? 
They'll advance.  I just fear a more angrier team.

A tale of two countries;
*one game with the same result for both*

How you feel about it is a matter of perspective I guess.

Mike
BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

 

World Cup 2010~Argentina 1; Nigeria 0

Argentina wins their 5th straight World Cup opening match.

GROUP B

In 94 minutes the Argentine Club put 20 shots on goal.

A header from Hienze, off a corner kick from Peron, put Argentina up early in the first half.  The one goal lead held and Diego Maradonna's club gained victory

over Nigeria this morning.

Argentina had many opportunities to increase their goal total; many quality chances.  I will gladly accept the opportunities and deal with the missed shots.

On the other end...Too much of the play was taking place in the Argentine defensive half of the field in the second half. 
An uncomfortable preponderance of that time came in
the last 15 minutes.

It all matters not now.  The 1-0 victory is written in the books.

Argentina wins.

Final

1-0

Next:

Thursday  June 17, 2010

Argentina

vs

South Korea

BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

World Cup 2010

U.S.A.

Let the games begin!

LET'S GO USA!

First Match

USA  vs  ENGLAND

Saturday, June 12, 2010  2:30 pm

y La Hinchada Argentina..

!Viva la ARGENTINA!

Pais de mi Padre

Primer partido

ARGENTINA vs NIGERIA

Saturday  June 13, 2010  9:30 am

Good luck to all!

My souvenirs from

World Cup 1994

Mike ~ BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

Boca Juniors vs. San Lorenzo pre-season Torneo del Verano as i see it.

Tonight's pre-season match between Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo @ Mar Del Plata as I watch it:

The Boca Juniors are starting out very strong in the first 5 minutes of this Torneo de Verano match versus San Loranzo.  The appear in control.

at 7:51 of the first half...GOOOOOOAL!!!!  fed by a beautiful cross from the near corner, a header from Colazo makes the back of the net for BOCA!! 1-0.

Both teams are wearing out the grass in mid-field.

GOOOOOAAL!!!  Deflected, Gunino scores!! San Lorenzo at 11:20.  Boca's defense was floundering, San Lorenzo cashed in off a fluke redirect off a Boca player.  Score 1-1.

And one minute later!!!!! GOOOOOOAL!!  at 12:31 San Lorenzo strikes again.  Bordagay Scores!!  Unbelievable!  A long shot from above the box makes it over everyone's head to include Abbondanzeiri.  score 2-1 San Lorenzo.

As I watch this match, I can't help but think how different these matches are, and always were.  The crowd passions and antics are superior to anything I experience in the states.  Sure there's nothing like a dramatic home run.  But from start to finish 90 minutes later, the stadium sings in unison, chanting their rally songs emphatically all match long.  It's amazing really.  There are no vocal breaks in a soccer match.  The fans do not stop!.  I love that!.

For such a strong start, Boca's play is leaving something to be desired at present.  At 32:27 San Lorenzo almost made it 3-1 if not for a nice dive deflection by Abbondanzieri.

33:17 the third yellow card is issued to San Lorenzo.  They've been controlling play since about 6:30 into the match.  Boca looks lethargic actually.  This is a practice game right?  Whew...yes it is, as are the three matches after this.

Since 2004 success in the South American Cup action, Boca has had it's issues.  This season makes no difference.  The retirement announcement of Abbondanzieri, goal keeper successor controversies rolled into action, post haste.  Boca will soon be having management decisions to be made soon also.

We're at the 42:00 point of the first half.  San Lorenzo is carrying the action spending most of their time in Boca's end.

Coming up on 45:00 of the first half....it's looks like 2:00 minutes are being added said the announcer.  Boca took a corner kick and put in on goal but easily stopped.

46:00.....Boca coming on in this last minute with their second shot on goal stopped.   47:00 
First half ends at 47:00 minutes time elapsed.  San Lorenzo leads, scoring on a deflection, a shot from above the box over 2 defenders and Abbondanzi's head,  catching Boca way out of position but good passing netting their goal..  Boca scored the first goal of the match and it's been San Lorenzo since.  Whistle..HALF.

2nd HALF - let's see if Boca makes adjustments.

A SHOT...barely tipped off goal by S.Lorenzo goalkeeper.  Corner kick bares nothing. Boca looses zone.

Boca got some steam...left side...pass right....pass middle...SHOT!  POST!!!!  rebound GOOOOOOAL!!!
Boca ties score at 49:59 into the match.  Excellent movement.

Boca...Header...wide of goal.  Boca keeping pressure last 5 minutes.

Boca...a passing clinic again....header on net right into goalkeepers arms.  And an off-sides is gonna keep action in San Lorenzo's end.

OUCH!  Boca just got it's second yellow card.....OUCH...a kick to the face... should be a penalty.  Boca got away with one...55:09.   FREE KICK.....doesn't get through the wall...and now interference goes against Boca.  Getting scrappy out there.  Foul...yellow #4 for S. Lorenzo.  See?!

Free Kick...cleared out.  coming up on 59:00.   Foul?  yes...S.Lorenzo free kick.  zip effect.  Bunch of loitering at mid-field.    DOH!  hand to the face...Torres who has a yellow already for S.Lorenzo is a pretty, uh...chippy player.  He takes extra measures of antagonism.  11,000 fans, mostly S.Lorenzo fans are singing throughout.  I don't think they've sung the same jam twice.  Ineffective play takes us into 65:00.

Uh-oh...fancy footwork pissed off Boca and the little dancer went down...here comes a free kick for Lorenzo...Headed up....down it falls in Abbodanzieri's hands.  That dude got too cute and payed for it.  Ouch!

Boca in their dark blue and gold chest banded jersey...San Lorenzo in their white shorts and blue and maroon striped tops.  Palermo...PALERMO  PALERMO.....Boca substitues and the crowd chants PALERMO!  One of my long time favorites is in the game at 69:30.  He's wearing number 18?...he's #9!
Think 18 is his international number.   shhiiii...

While I was bullshitting about his jersey....GOOOOOOOAL!!!! SAN LORENZO - Bottinelli!!!  GOAL!!  San Lorenzo 3  Boca 2.  DAMN!!!!  At 69:58

Crowd is crazy lowd now.  Motown aint' got shit on this crowd.  DOH!! I see white whiskers on Palermo's chin!     Coming up on 74:00

Corner kick for San Lorenzo....cross..offensive foul...back the other way.   OUCH!!!
Someone got the Yellow....Rosada for Boca.  We're all yellowed up 4 apeice.  I know this is pre-season but C'mon!  As I'm listening to the talkies,,, they are right,.  We have a lot of issues to address on defense, not because of this game.  They just do.

Corner kick Boca.....headed wide left.  79:00.   80:20 -- That's the second hand ball not called tonight!  Refs need pre-season too!

San Lorenzo substitutes.

Boca...crossing passssss...headed out.  back in box...Palermo WIDE!...he could'v got a corner kick. Refs swallowing whistle.

Uh oh......RED CARD CITY!!!!  San Lorenzo.  How old is this kid?  OUCH!!  Bertochi...he was in for like 3 minutes.  That cudda been a yellow,  He's young.  Ref probably did him a favor getting him out of angry men's paths.

Can Boca take advantage of 10 on the field for San Lorenzo.  They already made sustitutions.  85:30.

Boca just squandered a good chance.     SHOTTTTT !!!! DAMN!!!! an inch wide. Boca almost tied it.  87:30.

Boca with extra man on field keeping play in S.Lorenzo's end.  Can't get it together though.  ...nothing..89:20.

Boca running out of time.  4 minutes have been added.  Confirmed.  (practice...this is practice).  Another hand ball.....and Another HAND ball!   C'Mon!

91:30 top of the box...in....headed out.  Lorenzo clears...Boca ..left of the box...a header....out......A CROSS.  cleared out to midfield.......Boca charge...shot...shot deflected again...CROSS   GOOOOOOOAL!!!!    GOOOOOOAL!!!!!! GOOOOOALLLL!!  PALERMOO!!!!!! GOOOOOAL!!!
there're chanting his name PALERMO.....the all-time leader scorer with BOCA!!!  against his former team San Lorenzo....at 94:10.

everyone is showing yellow cards and pushing...fans are getting uh...restlesss......TIME!!  at 95:05  BOCA WINS on MARTIN PALERMO's late minute goal.

IN MAR DEL PLATAt; Argentina,  It's over.  In a last minute act of old time Palermo heroism,...just like he lifted the national team.  Can't get into that now... PALERMO.  Goal!  Azul y Oro!!  Oh...right.  this was practice.  I need practice too, right?

Wednesday, January 13, 2010  pre-season of the 2010 Torneo de Verano is under way.
Boca Juniors 3   San Lorenzo 2

game over...go home.

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

Boca Juniors...Abbondanzieri announces retirement after 2010.

Boca Team circa 1906

We'll I told you there'd be some soccer here too.  The  CLUB ATLETICO BOCA JUNIORS, is a team from my childhood.  This may have been the first sports and team I was ever introduced to as a child.  I've kept my eye on them ever since.  There's really no one I come in contact with who, one- follows soccer, and two-if they did would know an Argentinian team.  So, it's just me and this blog, and until I get a follower.

Their GoalKeeper, the very popular, El 'Pato' Roberto Abbandanzieri, anounce he will retire once 2010 matches draw to a close. 

At 38 years of age, he said it's time.  He says in the coming year he'll try to enjoy himself as much as possible. 

I hope he accomplishes that.  And thank you for everything!

BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

picture credit, wikapedia

learn more at:
http://goal.com/en/photo/gallery?id=49988
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com