wow, one more for australia

6/23/2010 3:59:29 PM

-2 now.

6/23/2010 3:59:53 PM

Game Grades from ESPN

Quote :

"United States Tim Howard, goalkeeper, 6.5 -- He wasn't asked to do much, but did well to parry a shot from Karim Matmour in the 38th minute. He was solid with his distribution, and it was his long throw that eventually led to the game-winning goal. Jonathan Bornstein, defense, 6 -- He repaid Bob Bradley's faith. His distribution wasn't the greatest early in the match, but he defended his left side well from start to finish. Carlos Bocanegra, defense, 8 -- Was about the only guy keeping things together in the early going. Solid in the air and maintained excellent positioning. His vital clearance in the 63rd minute saved a goal. Jay DeMerit, defense, 7 -- Survived a very shaky opening and recovered to be a force in the air and on the ground. Steve Cherundolo, defense, 7.5 -- Aside from one early communication mix-up with DeMerit, he didn't put a foot wrong. His defending was solid and he was a constant menace getting forward. Clint Dempsey, midfield, 7 -- Per usual, he didn't quit. On a different day, he could have had two goals. Only the closest of offside decisions prevented him from scoring in the first half. He did well to find spaces inside, and he was denied by Algerian keeper Rais M'Bolhi on a deflected effort. Dempsey was moved up top in the second half, and hit the post on a glorious chance. His hustle and shot on Altidore's cross kept the play alive for Donovan to score in stoppage time. Maurice Edu, midfield, 6 -- Provided the physical presence the U.S. needed in the center of the park. Edu was tidy enough with his passing to keep the U.S. attack ticking. Michael Bradley, midfield, 7.5 -- His late runs into the box created all kinds of problems for Algeria. Bradley could have had at least two assists but for some wayward finishing. He gave his usual herculean effort on the defensive side as well. His late pile-driver of a free kick forced a fine save from M'Bolhi. Landon Donovan, midfield, 8 -- Continuing his fine run of form, Donovan was at the center of the Americans' best moves. He went off the boil a bit in the second half, but was in the right place at the right time to slot home the game winner. Jozy Altidore, forward, 7 -- Did so much good work with some nice touches and powerful runs. He'll have regrets about his close-range miss in the first half, but his assist on the game winner was sublime. Herculez Gomez, 6 -- Took up some good positions and was always available to help out defensively. Probably could have done better with a first-half shot that was saved by M'Bolhi, and it was a bit surprising to see him taken off at halftime. Subs: Benny Feilhaber, forward, 6 -- Didn't have a massive impact early on, but looked much more comfortable once he moved into the center of midfield. Edson Buddle, forward, 6 -- Nearly won the match with a point-blank header that was well-saved by M'Bolhi. Should have delivered a better pass on a deep run into the box late in the match. DaMarcus Beasley, defense, 6 -- Defended well when thrust into a role as a left back late in the match."

I'd bump Howard, Bradley, and Feilhaber up a notch though.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:01 PM. Reason : x]

6/23/2010 4:00:21 PM

OH SHIT HERE COME THE AUSSIES!

6/23/2010 4:00:26 PM

the dude who does the grades never gets it right. the only way youd get a 10 from him is if you scored 7 goals or something. bradley def played at higher than a 7.5

6/23/2010 4:03:26 PM

Beasley same as Feilhaber/Buddle?? I don't think so


that was an awesome second goal from Australia

6/23/2010 4:03:53 PM

^^seriously. howard had a clean sheet, and he's one of the lowest marks.

6/23/2010 4:04:46 PM

australia may have to do this on their own. germany dont look much for scoring again

6/23/2010 4:04:58 PM

whats the link for those grades? who does it

6/23/2010 4:06:32 PM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5318011/ce/us/us-puts-brave-fight-advance?cc=5901&ver=us

6/23/2010 4:06:55 PM

i think its carlisle from soccernet

the refs really try to ruin these neutral matches for me. way too many fouls called for no reason


to be honest. i dont want australia if this is how theyre gonna advance. theyd be even more pumped than the usa

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:09 PM. Reason : ill take ghana off a loss]

6/23/2010 4:07:23 PM

I know Donovan/Dempsey/Altidore had solid games...but had we not won, I would have put them all around 5 because our finishing was ABYSMAL. Every game people say, "oh, we could have had several more goals", but our point blank misses were ridiculous.

Donovan only gets a break because he FINALLY finished that last one.

6/23/2010 4:09:39 PM

game over for australia. if serbia scores another i think they are in now

6/23/2010 4:10:08 PM

Australia, you got Serbed

6/23/2010 4:10:09 PM

booooooo. ghana isn't even trying

6/23/2010 4:10:14 PM

yeah if serbia scores one more they would have more goals scored than ghana and they would go in if the germany game stays the same


ghana can thank whatever god they praise right now that serbian player was a half leg offsides or else theyd be out now

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:12 PM. Reason : f]

6/23/2010 4:10:55 PM

Quote :

"Australia, you got Serbed"

ha!

6/23/2010 4:13:02 PM

THIS. IS. INTENSE.

wow what an awful shot

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:14 PM. Reason : f]

6/23/2010 4:13:20 PM

i think Ghana is trying they just look a hell of alot more out of shape then the Germans at this point of the game.


So have all of the African countries been knocked out?

6/23/2010 4:14:08 PM

not yet. ghana are in right now if results hold and ivory coast still have a long shot

6/23/2010 4:15:09 PM

serbia denied a handball...wow

6/23/2010 4:16:16 PM

whoooooooooooooooops

6/23/2010 4:16:21 PM

Come on people,

6/23/2010 4:16:27 PM

We play Ghana Saturday morn.

Stupid Wolfood

6/23/2010 4:17:49 PM

this Serbia game is crazy as hell

6/23/2010 4:18:48 PM

holy crap serbia. this game is nuts. i wish we had like 10 more minutes of this match to watch

6/23/2010 4:18:52 PM

why was he off? he should have known better

6/23/2010 4:19:07 PM

if serbia scored 2 they advance

6/23/2010 4:19:48 PM

australia playing for pride till the end. good stuff



everyone in this group got a win.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:22 PM. Reason : ]

6/23/2010 4:19:52 PM

ok we avoided germany in a crazy thrilling last 30 minutes there. at least in the serbia match. shit was nuts

6/23/2010 4:20:10 PM

woooo hoooooo Ghaanaaaa

6/23/2010 4:20:17 PM

alright. 2006 rematch. let's go



we'll likely be playing the final remaining african team.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:21 PM. Reason : ]

6/23/2010 4:20:22 PM

I didnt realize until they scanned the crowd, GOD-damn Germany brought their whole fucking country to South Africa didnt they?

6/23/2010 4:21:14 PM

Quote :

"We play Ghana Saturday morn. Stupid Wolfood"

Sat @ 2pm

6/23/2010 4:21:21 PM

11am where I'm at.

6/23/2010 4:22:59 PM

If Germany continues to play like they did against Ghana, England will dispatch them with a quickness.

6/23/2010 4:24:36 PM

Have you seen England play the last 3 games?

6/23/2010 4:25:24 PM

^^huh? you mean two goals-in-the-group-stage england? sorry, don't see it happening. it'll be a good game, because i still don't know what to expect of germany, but england is on the ropes, here.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:26 PM. Reason : ^]

6/23/2010 4:25:43 PM

To Ribs/Prawn Starr:


Yes, after looking at that chart its obvious now that an African team made it through to the next round, glad you two know everything there is to know about Soccer to share your knowledge with us little people.

6/23/2010 4:26:28 PM

england will step their game up against germany. heated rivalry game. and germany better not play against england like they did today, or england will advance

6/23/2010 4:26:35 PM

They'll have Klose too, won't they

6/23/2010 4:27:16 PM

^^that's a very bold prediction. i'm not sure if hatred can compensate for poor form, honestly.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:27 PM. Reason : ]

6/23/2010 4:27:36 PM

didnt sound like they had poor form today

6/23/2010 4:28:43 PM

maybe not, but they almost blew their lead late, and couldn't convert on a few opportunities. i'm just not convinced they've completely righted the ship. we'll see, i guess, but i'm not gonna put any money on them.


but i'll admit that i didn't really watch their game today, for obvious reasons.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 4:31 PM. Reason : ]

6/23/2010 4:30:24 PM

Two goals or not, England has been much more aggressive. Germany didn't even come alive until the second half. Ghana made many more good attempts at goal, they just couldn't finish.

I'm hoping Germany can get their shit together before the next match.

6/23/2010 4:31:10 PM

England was totally on form today, the first two games were poor but they've found their rhythm now and the heated rivalry will put both teams into overdrive.

6/23/2010 4:32:04 PM

germany didnt really come alive at all. they had only 1 guy really do anything this game, and ghana shouldve had a PK call for them in the first half

6/23/2010 4:32:10 PM

now that we're not involved with England, I'm definitely pulling for them against Germany and then either Argentina/Mexico

6/23/2010 4:34:26 PM

Either way, this half hearted play is not going to work against England.

6/23/2010 4:34:48 PM

yeah im pulling for england now, since we most likely will never see them again this tourney

6/23/2010 4:35:30 PM