bullets13

Algeria has held England to a 0-0 draw through 75 minutes.  This could make for an even more interesting final day of action for Group C if the result holds up.  Regardless of the result of this game, US controls their own destiny.  if they find a way to beat Algeria by 2 goals or more, they're guaranteed to advance.  A draw for Algeria here could actually benefit the US, as when the US/Algeria game rolls around, Algeria is likely to sit back and try to just get a point for pride if they actually have a chance to advance with a win...

The rangers have now won 5 straight series, and 5 straight games after sweeping the Marlins.  They're facing the stros this weekend, which has been a good thing for most of their opponents this year.  For once i don't feel bad rooting against the astros, as they're done for the year anyway.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- The 20-year-old son of former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vandalism and assault charges stemming from a fight with his mother. Nikolai Bonds entered the plea Thursday as part of a deal with San Mateo County prosecutors. Three additional misdemeanor charges dropped. Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says Bonds was sentenced to four days in jail, but given credit for time served. Authorities say Bonds threw a doorknob at his mother, Sun Bonds, spit in her face and stopped her from leaving through the front door of her Menlo Park home on Dec. 5 after she suggested his friends may have taken jewelry. Wagstaffe says prosecutors reached a deal because Sun Bonds refused to cooperate in the case.

oh yeah, and the Findley handball was terrible.  not only did it kill a play where the ball was bouncing around in their goal mouth, it also means he's out for the next game.  this is a shame, because i thought he finally showed he deserves his spot on the field today.

the ref in this game was terrible.  there were several non-calls or fouls against slovenia that went against the US.  on the goal that was disallowed, he missed THREE blatant holds that could've gone for PK's, plus disallowed the goal on a phantom foul against the US.  as bad as they played in the 1st half, the US looked pretty good in the 2nd, and deserved the win they were cheated out of.  Defensively, I don't know what to say.  Against England we did well the last 86 minutes, but today it wasn't good.  Gooch might not be ready to be out there yet.

[quote name="sharkfutbol" post="813564" timestamp="1276873853"] Donovan did great.  Doesnt change the fact our defense is not good.   And thank goodness Torres is off the field.  Hope he sees no more action this cup. [/quote] what did torres do wrong?  he wasn't great, but at least he didn't spend the whole game falling down like ricardo clark does.

i didn't read the article, but yes, they're capable of beating the US.  that being said, they SHOULD NOT.

things are looking up in the goal scoring department.  3 goals in the first game of the second set of games, and then 3 goals in the first half so far this morning of Argentina/S. Korea, although two of the goals have come off of brutal defensive mistakes.

I'm in dead last in the pickems, but i'm kicking butt in the fantasy team league!

[quote name="A Bear's Bear" post="813264" timestamp="1276742903"] Why is scoring down so much this Cup?  Statistically, is the number of shots on goal down, or what?  And look at Spain.  Plays practically the entire game on the attacking third and loses 1-0.  Of course, in the last 5 WC games they've played, Swiss have let up 0 goals... [/quote] i still think the ball has something to do with it.  25 goals between the 32 teams in the first 16 games is hard to ignore.  maybe they're starting to figure it out, though, as Uruguay went off for 3 goals today in their second game.

LOS ANGELES -- Celtics center Kendrick Perkins landed awkwardly trying to haul in an offensive rebound midway through the first quarter of Tuesday's NBA Finals game with an injured right knee. The Celtics announced that Perkins was undergoing X-rays and would not return to the game. As for his availability for a potential Game 7, Celtics coach Doc Rivers told ESPN that Perkins would be re-evaluated Wednesday. Perkins spilled hard to the floor after being sandwiched between Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant as the trio battled for the rebound under the Boston basket with 5:30 to play in the first frame. Dr. Brian McKeon attended to Perkins during a timeout on the floor and Perkins hobbled off using Brian Scalabrine, Glen Davis and Shelden Williams as crutches. He went straight to the locker room for further examination. Rasheed Wallace took Perkins' place in the lineup. Perkins played the first 6:30, missing the only shot he took. The Celtics lead the series 3-2 and are trying to wrap up their 18th championship.

[quote name="ForeverADog" post="813006" timestamp="1276650972"] US need a win especially after Slovenia already has a win so it would be huge for us to potentially take the group lead! But we will take additional motivation. I hope their us no let down from the huge England game [/quote] a tie against slovenia and a win against algeria would probably ensure the US advancing, but a loss and they're pretty much done.

Tim Howard is healthy enough to play Friday: [Hidden Content]

England's Rooney, Cole resume full training: [Hidden Content]

Spain's Iniesta, Torres, and Fabregas cleared to play tomorrow: [Hidden Content]

Drogba comes on as sub with broken arm: [Hidden Content]

Back problem could end Buffon's cup for Italy: [Hidden Content]

Here's some injury news

Slovenia's Andrej Komec has predicted a win over the US on Friday.  I'm kind of glad to hear this, actually.  US is much better than them, but maybe a little added motivation will help keep the US from overlooking them.

Drogba played today, and Portugal's coach complained.  He thinks that FIFA is bending the rules a bit by letting him play with a cast because he's so culturally significant in Africa, and i'm kind of inclined to agree with him, although i'm glad Drogba is on the field.

i think it's funny that so many people hate the vuvuzelas.  after about 2 minutes of watching a game, i don't even hear them anymore, but i can't even imagine what it would be like to try and watch a game at the stadium.

the rangers have won their last 4 series, and start one with a pretty mediocre Florida team tonight.  they're currently 35-28.

a relatively boring day today.  two weak teams tie 1-1, IC vs. Portugal ends 0-0 in a game with about 2 good scoring chances the whole game, and at this point, at least, N. Korea has held Brazil 0-0 through 50 minutes.  That last fact is pretty impressive considering that Brazil is #1, and N. Korea #105 in the world...

[quote name="PNG Proud" post="812617" timestamp="1276570939"] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=70019.msg808729#msg808729 date=1275585696] We fished the intercoastal last weekend.  No trout, a few reds, and other assorted junk.  there are tons of crabs out there, if you're interested in loading up on blues. [/quote] Where are those crabs??? [/quote] all over the place.  launch your boat, take a right, find a cut, crab the point.

So i want to hear opinions about the world cup ball... here's what i think so far...  it's garbage.  through 7 games we've seen only 9 goals.  in 7 games i've seen exactly 0 quality free kicks that have been put on goal.  i have, however, seen at least a dozen full-field switches where a ball bounced 10 feet in front of the receiving player and still somehow bounced over his head out of bounds.  Another thing that i haven't seen is a long ball that's been connected.  I've probably seen at least 15 great long runs wasted when a quality long ball was sent to them, only to see the ball hit a couple of yards beyond them, and then inexplicably shoot well beyond their reach after a crazy superball bounce. of the 9 goals, i've seen two were what i would call great strikes.  one was SA's goal in the 1st game, and it really got my hopes up that this ball was going to be okay.  the other one was heintze's header for germany, which was a thumper from the PK spot.  other than that, we have: a tap-in volley and a ball that looked to be mishit into the ground that hopped over the keeper for S. Korea's two goals.  Mexico's goal was a can't miss from 2 yards.  one goal was a PK for Ghana.  Steven Gerrard's goal was nice, but it was essential just a pass with the outside of the boot, and there wasn't enough power on it to judge the ball.  this leaves the final two goals: Dempsey's goal against England, and Slovenia's goal against Algeria.  Both of those were on goalkeeper mistakes, and both times i wonder just how much the ball came into play.  Maybe i'm overreacting, but it seems like the quality of play has been effected some by this ball.  please feel free to refute this or chime in with your opinion.