Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls – Preview – MLS
On Saturday August 21, 2010, the match between Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls will be the second clash between these two clubs this month. By defeating the Canadian team 1-0 at Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls pleased their home fans.
In the 23rd minute, the Estonian midfielder Joel Lindpere scored an early goal and secured another 3 points on the league for the New York Red Bulls. To watch the solid performance, more than 19,000 New York fans showed up. Considering it was a weekday, this was a great turnout. At the end of the game, Toronto’s star player Dwayne De Rosario burst with frustration, by taunting and pushing some of New York’s players.
However, on Saturday 8/17, the game is going to have a whole different dynamic. For starters, at BMO Field, Toronto F.C. hopes to get plenty of motivation from its fans. Considering that the last game was decided only with a single goal, the home advantage may play a major role in the outcome. Both teams are fighting to secure spots in the post season, at this point of the MLS season. In fact, in the Eastern Conference, New York is second and Toronto is right behind in the third position.
Against Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls lost their most recent match. At the sold out Red Bull Arena, 25,000 New York fans were disappointed, as Edson Buddle delivered the game’s only goal. At the front of the pitch, New York star strikers Angel and Henry could not create anything. On Saturday, this loss may give Toronto F.C. some hope of winning the game. However, Galaxy is currently the best team in the MLS and it should be kept in mind.
Meanwhile, against Cruz Azul, Toronto F.C. has to host a CONCACAF Champions League match before the game against Red Bulls. For Saturday’s rematch against New York, a victory may give Toronto plenty of momentum. On TV on MSG and CBC, fans can watch the action, as kick off is scheduled at 1:00 PM eastern time.
Philadelphia-Columbus preview: MLS Soccer
Columbus will travel to Union Field to face Philadelphia in MLS action on Thursday, August 5. With a record of 10-3-4, Columbus sits first in the Eastern Conference, with one game each left to play before this pivotal match, while with a less than impressive record of 4-8-2, Philadelphia is 6th in the East.
Will Hesmer, Columbus’ goalkeeper, is of utmost importance. Hesmer is a huge part of Columbus’ success and that Hesmer is a huge part of Columbus’ success. He has made 45 saves, in 17 games started this season. Philadelphia’s goalkeeper, Chris Seitz on the other hand is having a fairly mediocre year. He has only made 23 saves in 14 games started.
Columbus is very balanced offensively. On the season, Guillermo Barros Schelotto has 5 goals, Emilio Renteria has 4, and several other players have goals as well. A polar opposite, is Philadelphia. Sébastien Le Toux, who has 7 goals on the season, and Danny Mwanga, who has 5 are the two players on whom their offense relies on. The problem with this is that, Philadelphia typically loses, when Le Toux and Mwanga have a bad game.
This is still a pivotal match in the MLS Eastern conference, despite the large gap in their records. Philadelphia is trying to claw their way back into contention and Columbus is looking to stay at the top. If Philadelphia can get everyone on the same page, they could certainly give Columbus a run for their money and this match should provide plenty of action.
FIFA World Cup: Germany vs. Spain – 2nd Semifinal Review
Between Germany and Spain, in the 2010 FIFA World Cup semifinal there was a lot at stake. The German team was the heavy favorite in this game as insisted by all of the historic and recent records. Meanwhile, the Spanish team reaching their first ever semifinal, entered completely new territory in the World Cup stages. Sportsbook betting favorites, Spain struggled, while Germany breezed through its first round and quarterfinal games. At Durban Stadium over 61,000 fans, nevertheless knew they’d witness an unpredictable battle.
Without Thomas Mueller, Germany came into this Semifinal match, who was suspended. Mueller, knew that his absence could play a major role in the outcome of the match, who scored 4 goals at this year’s World Cup.
During the first half, with some plays from David Villa, Pedro, and Iniesta, Spain missed some great opportunities to take an early lead. During the first half, the German’s barely had any looks at the Spanish goal and The Spanish side controlled most of the possession. The teams headed into the locker room tied at 0-0, to come up with some new strategies.
Marcell Jansen and Toni Kroos to the pitch were introduced by German coach Joachim Low, early in the second half. For the German side, the substitution didn’t do much. Defender Carles Puyol leaped into the air and hit a header from a corner kick to give Spain a 1-0 lead, only moments later in the 74th minute, .
Germany failed to create any meaningful plays from any side of the pitch and looked disorganized, in the last 15 minutes of the game. Spain advanced to its first ever World Cup Final and defended its lead well.
At the end of the day, as evident by 13 total shots taken, compared to Germany’s only 5 shots, Spain simply was more aggressive. It was a surprisingly clean match, as no warning cards were given out, for such an occasion, .
US Knocked Out by Speedy Ghana
In the round of 16 losing 2-1, the United States fell to a faster more organized Ghana team in their World Cup knockout match. By one of United States’ team leaders, Landon Donovan, the goal in the match against Ghana came in the form of a penalty kick.
The United States appeared to be inferior to Ghana when it came to one crucial aspect of the match, speed and they squandered many scoring opportunities on offense. While defending their own end, Ghana was faster to ball and when Ghana set their mind to scoring, which wasn’t often, they had the speed to get behind the United States defenders.
Under normal circumstances for the first time since they defeated the United States 2-1 in the 2006 World Cup, Ghana scored their first two World Cup goals. Ghana’s first goal of the match came quickly. for giving up early goals in the World Cup, the United States has had a penchant and this match was no different.
To start with, Ricardo Clark was possibly Coach Bob Bradley’s worst mistake of his 2010 World Cup. The mistake made by Clark led to Ghana’s first goal by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Robbie Findley and Jozy Altidore were ineffective as strikers in their roles as forwards also. In fact, no United States forward scored a goal in the 2010 World Cup.
Early in the extra time scoring, Ghana took advantage of the United States lax defense on an awkward break as Asamoah Gyan broke through the United States defense pairing of Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit.
Stage 2, Argentina versus Mexico: World Cup Preview
Argentina and Mexico will face each other in the first game of the round of 16, for the second consecutive World Cup. Argentina knocked Mexico out of the tournament with a 2-1 win in 2006. Argentina qualified for the second round by finishing first in Group B and Mexico qualified by finishing second in Group A. at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, at 2:30 PM ET on Sunday, the match will take place.
By winning all three games, Argentina cruised through Group B. Team Captain Lionel Messi has been instrumental in his team’s success, despite going without a goal in group play. Messi, who is considered to be the best player in the world, has been a constant burden for opposing teams’ defenders put the success of his team ahead of scoring goals. I try to seek the best for my teammates. I do not care that I didn’t score because the team still won,” Messi said after Argentina beat Greece 2-0 to secure first place.
By all the attention Messi receives from opposing defenders, Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain has been benefited. In his team’s 4-1 win over South Korea, he scored three goals.
To the second round, Mexico’s road wasn’t near as impressive as Argentina’s. After a draw, a win, and a loss, they qualified. They scored three goals in those three games. Mexico may benefit from playing in a tougher group, all though Argentina will thus be the favorite to win.