18
Jun

United States defeat Hondruas, inch closer to 2014 World Cup

image

With the 1-0 victory over Honduras, the United States now sits atop the qualifying group with 13 points. After scoring his 4th goal in the last 4 games, Jozy Altidore is the hero once again:

With 4 games remaining, the team is in prime position to book a trip to Brazil and qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Costa Rica have put themselves in a good position as well; with their 2-0 defeat of Panama they trail the United States by just 1 point.

These top two teams square off Sept. 6 and will aim to give themselves a chance to take control of their qualifying destiny.

18
Jun

Incredible double save sends Iran to World Cup

Leading 1-0 over South Korea in a crucial World Cup Qualifier, Iran needed a victory to secure a place in the 2014 World Cup.

In comes Iranian goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi.

Off of a free kick in the 75th minute, Ahmadi made an unbelievable double save that helped preserve the victory and clinch the top spot in Group A, igniting celebrations as the team booked their spot in the World Cup.

15
Jun

Trecker’s Brazilian Travels Day 4: Worth the fight

image

Photo: Jamie Trecker / FOX Soccer

By Jamie Trecker

BRASILIA, BRAZIL

Brazilian security forces sent out the alert at 8:14 local time: avoid the TV tower and stay off the roads.

Security forces worked to “sanitize” the area around the Garrincha, closing off roads, trying to divert cars and pedestrians. They separated the people into two streams: the folks in yellow, and everyone else. The ones in yellow were going to see their national team play; everyone else was going to sit in the road and block the way in.

Some 57,000 security forces have been deployed across the country. I know, because I got a press release that was supposed to be reassuring. It sounded desperate instead.

Read More

14
Jun

Pele asks Brazil supporters not to boo if team plays poorly

image

The Confederations Cup kicks off Saturday and host nation Brazil is widely viewed as the favorites to win the competition. After a string of disappointing performances in the 2010 World Cup, 2011 Copa America, and 2012 Summer Olympics, Brazilians are understandably on edge.

The legendary Pele has stepped up and asked his fellow countrymen to support the team and refrain from booing even if they struggle.

He tells Goal.com:

“A request to all Brazilians, to those who love Brazilian football, to respect this preparation period before the Confederations Cup. Don’t jeer the team, and don’t bring violence to the stadiums. Let’s host a clean cup - even if the team doesn’t perform well, we should not jeer - and support the players, because they need this.”

This will be an interesting test to gauge the Brazilian temperament a year prior to their hosting of the 2014 World Cup.

12
Jun

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva as…a soccer player!?

It’s a good thing Anderson Silva chose to pursue mixed martial arts as a kid, and not a soccer career like 99% of Brazilians.

The defending UFC middleweight champion’s brute strength and temper (we’re just assuming here, please don’t hurt us) just wouldn’t translate well to the soccer pitch, as this funny Brazilian TV spot points out.

In a “what if” montage, Silva is seen botching kicks into the stands, revenge-tackling opponents left and right, even refusing to get subbed off the field. In the process, he dooms the Selecao’s World Cup hopes, becomes a national scape goat and, best of all, gets smacked upside the head by the great Pele.

Yup, good thing you stuck to fighting, Anderson!

Source: Vivo