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Monday, June 28, 2010

The Hidden Costs and the Future's Reward

First, my apologies in taking a bit of time to get this post-match posting up. The loss to Ghana, for the second World Cup in a row, required some tempering and time to reflect on my part.

The U.S. advancing into the 'knockout' round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, was an interesting journey. Three times, the American side fought back level, after allowing early goals. The trait had been an unsettling characteristic of the team since qualifying, and for many experts, this defensive liability was the main component holding the team back from a deep run into this World Cup. Sadly, for on two of the three occasions, the same culprit could be singled out, and as much as I try to support the hometown kids, unfortunately, St. Pius' Ricardo Clark must bear the burden.

When handed the starting lineups for the Ghana match, a little more than an hour before kickoff, it was quite unsettling to see 'Rico' in there. He had not played since the England match, and it was his lapse that allowed Steven Gerrard to give England a lead four minutes in during that encounter. Ghana must have been licking their collective chops, because it only took them one more minute, to expose the same crease off a turnover by Clark, to take a fifth-minute lead.


It was a mistake coach Bob Bradley would allow to play out for 30 minutes, before pulling Clark for Maurice Edu, who in most opinions, should have been the starter all along in that critical midfield spot. One hopes Rico can recover from what has been a personally disastrous tournament, and at 26 years old, he has time to bounce back, both at his club Eintracht Frankfurt, and with the national team.


















Playing Ghana is always an encounter fraught with physicality, and they dish it out a lot better than they take it. Their histrionics on every foul, and dramatic proclamations of innocence, on even the most obvious fouls, is an embarrassment to the game. They try every trick in the book, and not only have no shame in their cheating, but an air of arrogant entitlement. For Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai to have only issued two bookings in this match was bordering on gross negligence.






















Ultimately, such play could not be allowed to stand and the opportunity to draw level for the U.S. came from the penalty spot when Clint Dempsey was hauled down in the 62nd minute. One of the two yellows was issued then to Ghana, but not on this red-card offense pictured above.

Landon Donovan drew the match with his usual efficiency on the spot kick, and the goal made him America's all-time leading World Cup scorer in his third such tournament, as he also set a new record for World Cup appearances by an American player.
































The U.S. pressure continued for the duration of regulation time, and only a couple of near misses kept our side from taking the lead. Through it all though, one could tell the team was low on battery power, as the quick turnaround from group play, and the emotional roller coaster that incompetent officiating forced, began to show its toll. Realistically, this match should have been played Sunday, not Saturday, and the Group A-B showdown with Argentina and Mexico, should have been played in this time slot, not the Sunday night slot. Those teams' group play had concluded the day before the U.S., and this was a mistake on FIFA's part.

As regulation time expired, Ghana looked the beat team, however, and there could be some argument the intermission before the start of extra time came at a perfect time for them. Again, as at the beginning of the match, Ghana came out very aggressively, and in the third minute, a long ball flighted out of their back found teammates from the French club, Rennes, contesting this long service. Asamoah Gyan would best Carlos Bocanegra in settling this service, and Jay DeMerit would arrive to help one stride too late, as Gyan put away the chance for a 2-1 lead.













































Through the four matches played by the U.S. in South Africa, there is a strong argument our team put forth one of the best efforts, from beginning to end, during their four matches.

For the first time in our World Cup history, America does not leave the tournament with more losses than wins. For the first time in our World Cup history, our team won its group, despite lamentable officiating taking its toll in the end. And most importantly, our team can head home with their heads held high, unlike England, who may go straight to holiday, not even venturing home to what awaits.

A couple days before the U.S. match, a front-page article in the Pretoria newspaper was following up the U.S.-Algeria match, calling Landon Donovan "arguably the biggest name in America's short history in the sport".  More African arrogance. Landon's individual and team resume' far exceeds any player this continent has ever brought to the tournament. Ghana has been gifted advancement two World Cups in a row (their only group stage goals were two spot kicks), America has been gifted to have Landon Donovan for three tournaments, and hopefully, for another one or two more.

The U.S. played in the second-ever World Cup match in history, July 13, 1930. A U.S. player scored the first hat trick in World Cup history. The U.S. pulled off one of the greatest upsets in 1950, defeating England, 1-0, at Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Not sounding like a 'short' history to me. And only the most elite teams here, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, have played in more consecutive World Cup Finals tournaments, and lasted as long at this edition, as the U.S. did. Italy went home in shame. France went home in shame. England, well, despite the controversial goal, which should have stood, also went home in shame.

The Nike commercial during the World Cup themed "Write the Future" wasn't, in the end, brought to life by their poster boys, Wayne Rooney, or Christiano Ronaldo, but by one of their sponsored teams, which played as a team, with heart, determination, for each other, and for their country. Our team wrote a proud prelude to their future, our future, this time around at the World Cup, and with one of the youngest rosters at this edition of FIFA's tournament, the promise is there for more to come in 2014.


Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Friday, June 25, 2010

Behind the Scenes and the Bigger Picture

The ground swell following the dramatic U.S. advancement into the 'real' phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup has come full circle from here-to everywhere else-back to here.

Landon Donovan posted a link to a YouTube video on his facebook page, showing reactions all around the country, and indeed, the world, as the U.S. scored in the waning seconds of the Algeria match. The president called the team following dinner last night. The world press here has finally realized the U.S. team is one of the best stories of this World Cup. Sure Italy and France get to go home in shame, and those too are stories, but let's revel in our success, as it is our moment.


There is so much more to the story of the U.S. Sure, we all see the guys who hit the pitch and make their contributions, but there is the bench that gets them ready in training, and sits, ready to go, should the need arise during a match. During this tournament's three matches, all but a couple of the field players have seen action, and over half of the squad has made their World Cup debut. This team is a good blend of experience, talent, and youth.


















Coach Bradley and his staff have made sound tactical changes, both to the starting 11s, and as they have judiciously exercised the three precious substitutes allowed during each match.


A couple of the blue-collar guys, who have yet to come off the field, hold perhaps the biggest key to the U.S. progressing much further into this World Cup.  Defenders Jay DeMerit and Steve Cherundolo are both athletic and tough. Cherundolo, in particular, being a 10-year veteran of Germany's physically demanding Bundesliga, brings solid fundamental defense on the right flank, but also the attacking mentality necessary to spread the ball to the proper spaces.














































Joined by captain Carlos Bocanegra, this back line is growing from a question mark to a strength as the tournament goes on. The options coach Bradley has to put in front of the defense is also a versatile bunch, with his son, Michael, being one of the day in - day out performers that can be counted on every time the whistle blows. Young Bradley's fitness, and attacking savvy helps transition the team, and as evidenced against Slovenia, his touch around the goal can be both clutch and world-class.

















The team will be hitting the pitch in Rustenburg, Saturday night, on a short turnaround, but is both fit, and inspired. The fact five of the starters were on the field for the bitter elimination match in 2006, against the same country, works even more in the favor of the home side.

Media attention here is focused on Ghana too, as they are likely the only African team to advance into the knockout phase, for the second WC in a row. There is some anticipation as to the crowd reaction, Saturday, as the locals have picked up on the exciting American squad, but also hold great pride in the teams from this continent. The hope this time around is FIFA won't be under the same pressure to advance a team from the host continent, the match will be called correctly, and when the U.S. scores goals, they actually be allowed to stand.


















































All of this helps set the scene a bit more for tomorrow, but in the meantime, tonight I am shooting another critical match, the final Group Stage encounter for Group H, Spain-Chile, here, in Pretoria. Spain is looking to avoid the ignominious fate of Italy and France, so one of the world's elite teams is going to have to play like it tonight. Chile is through with a draw, and even a win does not guarantee Spain advancement, as Switzerland plays Honduras simultaneously to finish out this tournament's Group Stage.

Finally, a quick shout out to fellow Lion lettermen and alums, Elliott McCarthy and Dev Pandya, who have been following the U.S. through South Africa. Ran into them pre-game before the Algeria match, and it's good to see Lion pride in our team, and our game, runs across generations. Lovett helped put soccer on the map in Georgia, and now we bear witness to the U.S. continuing to spread our game across the world scene. Passion fuels Pride. Until tomorrow . . . . .




Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Wow!!! Where to Start?

Wednesday, June 23rd, had been on the U.S. Soccer calendar since the World Cup draw in December.

 The last match of Group Stage competition in any World Cup always brings special significance, and following the previous match's injustice, our side was up against the wall in a 'win or go home', scenario.

The history was not in our favor, as the U.S. had never won a previous third game of the Group Stage. In 2006, the last African team with a chance to advance to the knockout round, Ghana, was escorted by generous officiating, to a 2-1 win over the U.S., also then in a must-win situation.

The U.S. team this time around, however, is one with an established track record of being very strong mentally, time and time again, solving the toughest of problems when the stakes are highest. This 'must-win' mentality takes the field as a 12th teammate, every time this group hits the pitch.


The match had high stakes for both teams, Algeria as well, but with a real chance to take first in the group, the true prize was there for the U.S. Forget the horrendous decision against Slovenia, win at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, and next stop, the Round of 16. Coach Bob Bradley once again adjusted the lineup, starting Jonathan Bornstein at left back, sliding captain Carlos Bocanegra into the middle, Maurice Edu in the defensive midfield slot, and Herculez Gomez at forward for Robbie Findley, sitting due to a second (questionable) yellow card.

Those changes gave the U.S. side more offensive options, while also spreading World Cup experience across virtually the entire bench. Early on, the addition of Gomez looked to make the offense more versatile. In the 20th minute of the first half, it seemed that change, in particular, was to pay dividends, as a second effort shot, then cross, by Gomez, found Clint Dempsey on the back post. Dempsey slotted the ball home for seemingly an early lead, but the offsides flag was wrongly raised.

The World Cup of Refereeing this is not.....
























Another great opportunity came in the 35th minute on a Dempsey break-through off a great passing combination from Altidore, then Landon Donovan, but the Algerian defense arrived at the very last instant, preventing a sure goal.


Tim Howard was solid in goal, with only one truly challenging Algerian effort early in the match finding the crossbar. The match was otherwise the Americans on the attack, and Algeria doing everything in their power to destroy the flow of the match, legally or otherwise. Dempsey and Jozy Altidore wore bulls-eyes all day long, and were constantly being ankle whacked, and in this case, elbowed in the mouth, with yellow cards being very slow to appear.




















The one benefit of the constant fouling by Algeria (21 to our 11), and time-wasting through 'cramps' and other 'injuries' was the referees did decide to add four minutes of stoppage time as the 90 minutes drew near a close. In the second minute of that add-on time, Algeria made an offensive effort towards the U.S. goal, which was quickly gathered up by Howard. His long distribution throw targeted a Donovan run near midfield.....



















.... an out, then in, dribble through the middle third by Donovan .....























..... found a curling right flank run by Altidore, who drew the defense enough to open space for a cross in search of Dempsey .....


.... from there, the melee' ensued, the ball bouncing out of the target area inside the six-yard box, into the path of Donovan, who had glided along behind the play in search of just such a rebound. My view was blocked. Landon's was not. A lightning strike .....
Pandemonium!


































































Landon Donovan is not a big man.
But make NO mistake, Landon Donovan is THE man.
He has time and time again put this team on his back, carrying them to places the rest of the world does not believe U.S. Soccer should be. Nothing is given this team, they work, they scrap, they persevere, they find a way.

When the final whistle blew, I was perhaps the closest person in the stadium to Landon.


The emotion that flooded out of him, hit me like a physical force, and with the wall of sound from the ecstatic U.S. crowd behind me, sheer joy was a palpable thing. Completely spontaneously, his grip on the game ball became the reflex to share, and some lucky person got the souvenir of a lifetime.
























Donovan does not do what he does alone. He is a team guy, energized by highly-charged situations, and truly appreciates the extraordinary efforts it takes for supporters of this team to be there for these occasions. There is a sincerity and humility when he acknowledges the crowd at the end of such a match.























In the post-match press conference, emotion took hold of Donovan. After a moment to collect himself, he said:

“I’ve been through a lot in the last four years, and I’m so glad it culminated this way. It makes me believe in good in the world, and when you try to do things the right way it’s good to see them get rewarded.”

Wednesday, June 23rd, was just such a reward.
 To share it, makes so many of us, yes, Landon, believe.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

This One Today Needs to be A Quick Post

We got home late from Ellis Park and the Spain-Honduras match, then were up early to head out to Rustenburg for Mexico-Uruguay, which should determine the winner in Group A. Since I'm already due on the field for that match, I'm going to post some photos for now, and will hopefully fill in the gaps later.

As you can see, it was once again a chilly night in Johannesburg...
























































































Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Monday, June 21, 2010

One Day Off -- Now Back to Work

With the end of the U.S. - Slovenia being what it was, and all the aftermath, since, it turned out well I took Saturday off to rest. Got a real night's sleep, and wasn't due back in action until Sunday night at Soccer City for Brazil - Ivory Coast (Cote' de Iviore). This was a match I'd really been looking forward to shooting since it featured Chelsea's Didier Drogba against Brazil's all stars.

Drogba was also very much on Brazil's minds as well, as indicated by the close attention given him by defender Lucio, here, and the rest of the Brazilian defense all night.










































Brazil went up 1-0, then 2-0, on goals by Luis Fabiano, the second of which was arguably aided by his hand to settle the ball for the finish. The third Brazil goal was scored by midfielder Elano, who scored for his second straight match, but soon after, was knocked from the match by a hard tackle, illustrating the quick changes of fortune in football.

























Drogba had one look at goal, with an opportunity to bring it back to 2-1, just before Elano's goal, but his header was high and wide of the far corner. It was the kind of chance the high-powered goal scorer makes weekly fare of finishing in the English Premier League.


The introduction of speedy Gervinho into the Ivory Coast line up brought the change of pace necessary, and from that point on, the match was more end-to-end. It was in fact, on the clearance of a Brazil chance in the Ivory Coast penalty area, where Gervinho raced the length of the field, through the middle of the slow to recover Brazilian defense, where Drogba was finally able to get one back for his side. The tackle below on Gervinho spun the ball out to the left flank, where it was gathered in by the trailing attackers, who found Drogba lurking on the back post awaiting the crisply-delivered cross, which he surgically finished past a helpless Julio Cesar in goal.
















































Despite the result firmly in hand for Brazil in the closing minutes, it was much less so firmly in hand from a decorum standpoint and in the final minutes, a strong challenge by Kaka, the key cog in Brazil's midfield, earned him a second yellow, and the subsequent red card. Kaka will miss the final group stage match in the critical Brazil - Portugal showdown.


This evening, am in Jo'burg, again, this time at Ellis Park, for the Spain - Honduras match, a critical outing for both teams in Group H, as they chase group leaders Chile and Switzerland.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA