Holy Cow What a Finish

As a coach and soccer blog I preach about the first five and the last five minutes of the half. They are the most critical of every game. Amazing at the international level goals are given up like hotcakes in the final minutes of the game. Shame on the South African fans for leaving early and not believing. What a finish to regulation. If this is a preview to the final the USA better fasten its seat belt because we might see Brazil give up three goals like they did against Egypt.

USA USA USA

This is a huge win for US Soccer. Beating the worlds best team with its best players on the field should give soccer fans hope. An outstanding win for Uncle Sam's Army that will send a ripple through the soccer world. The Soccer Network has been doubting Bob Bradley lately but the last two victories have put the complaining on hold.

Poor Officiating in the US Loss

The red card in the US loss was a joke. FIFA should be ashamed for assigning the ref, it really changed the course of the game. While it was a foul and possible a yellow card it was not a sending off offense. It appeared the ref was on the take from the Italian side which has happened before in Italian soccer in the Seire A.

The two goals that cost the US the game were given up not because the good guys were playing a man down but due to a lack of pressure put on the ball. It really is that simple. If they would have been playing pressure, cover, balance then the goals would not have been allowed. See for yourself.

Tommy Smyth On Ronaldo's Transfer

I love Tommy Smyth insight. I think he is spot on.

US National Team Highlights

This is a classic mistake by the US, in giving up give up a goal in the first five minutes of the game on a bad play by Clint Dempsey. He held the ball to long, tried a bad heal pass and was disposed to give up the counter attack that caused the goal.

This is same story in a different round of qualifiers. The US needs to learn how to open and close a half, the first five and last five minutes of the half are crucial. Maybe they will learn before 2010.

FA Cup Final

The highlights of a Chelsea FA Cup victory.