World Cup: USA Eliminated
- Author: Min-Q Kim
- Posted on: Monday June 28, 2010 at 8:00 AM
- Filed under: sports, soccer, football, world cup, united states, eliminated, landon donovan, brazil, spain, portugal, south africa, germany, england, exclusive
Heartbreak for the US. I guess the real question is, "Cubs fans: How do you live this way?" (Photo: ALESSANDRO BIANCHI / Reuters)
After a thrilling victory that vaulted the US World Cup soccer team to the round of 16, US dreams were dashed by a faster and more physical Ghana team Saturday. A suspect US defense gave up yet another early goal, and captain Landon Donovan again came to the rescue, scoring the equalizer in the 61st minute. The game went into extra time, where three minutes in, Ghana went up again -- a mountain that an exhausted-looking US side could not climb. So, for the second World Cup in a row, Ghana eliminated the US by a score of 2-1.
"Soccer can be a cruel game," Landon Donovan said after the match.
Yes, it hurts now, but Donovan has nothing to hang his head about. His goal against Algeria ranks among the best sports moments of the year, and the US squad took sports fans in this country for a great ride. There were record ratings for the televised games this year, and walking around seeing bars open and brimming with excitement at 9:30 in the morning for early matches made New York City feel very special.
England, by the way, was eliminated the next day in a brutal 4-1 loss to Germany. I don't think they were very happy. Ouch.
photo via Deadspin
So who do we root for now? Well, anyone who watched that German team had to admire their skill and open style of play -- they are youthful and fun to watch and the talk of the tournament. Lionel Messi leads a very strong Argentina squad, whose front line reads like a dream team. Portugal seem to have hit their stride, and Ronaldo has yet to really spread his wings and show what he can do. Brazil always brings the highest quality football, and we have yet to mention Spain, who were the favorites coming in to South Africa. Lest we forget, as one of our beloved readers, spookje33 boldly predicted last August, the Netherlands ("those guys in Orange") have had a strong showing here. They are coming off a solid victory over Slovakia and are already safely in the quarterfinals. It's going to be a great finish, so keep watching. The best is yet to come!
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“ I am proud of Ghana though, and it uplifts African-Americans. We don't want that? ”
