Spain is the No. 1 team in the world for a reason

Anytime you take the field against Spain, the reigning 2010 World Cup champions and the undisputed No. 1 team in the world, you're guaranteed to have your hands full.

When you play Spain with most of your best players on the bench to start, you might as well not show up. At least, that's the attitude that the United States seemed to take on Saturday afternoon as they hosted Spain at Gillette Stadium in what should have been a nice send-off for the U.S. before the Gold Cup.

Instead, it turned out to be a 4-0 beating handed to them by Spain which truthfully should have been 6-0 or 7-0. It was that bad. Alvaro Arbeloa scored on a 1-2 but the play was incorrectly blown dead. Alvaro Negredo's cheeky chip went off the crossbar and David Villa just curled a shot wide (all in the first 25 minutes).

"It's been a good moment in football for Spain," said Spanish head coach Vicente del Bosque. "We've had success for some time. We're all reaping the fruits of our labor and hard work."

Carlos Bocanegra (rest) and Landon Donovan (illness) didn't get off the bench while Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey were subbed on at halftime. It didn't make much of a difference since Spain jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead. I'll bet Tim Howard wished he got a similar break before the U.S. hosts Canada on Tuesday in Detroit for the Gold Cup opener.

"It's a tough test to play them (Spain) anytime, even tougher on the eve of the Gold Cup," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "We've always chosen to take these kind of challenges, playing the best teams. It's the way to see what the game at the highest level is all about."

Spain's finishes were all clinical, leaving Howard with no chance to stop any of them. A leaky U.S. backline was at fault, compounded with Spain's top notch playmaking and shooting abilities.

Santiago Cazorla got Spain on the board in the 28th minute after a David Silva beat his man down the flank then played it to him in the box. Cazorla didn't waste it, putting the ball in the corner, upper 90.

Before the U.S. had a chance to regroup, Alvaro Negredo made it 2-0 after a long, looping pass that sprung him. Xabi Alonso, the Spanish midfield wizard, passed it from behind the midfield line.

Cazorla scored his second in the 41st minute, assisted once again by Silva. It was basically a replay of his earlier strike.

There were wholesale substitutions at halftime for both teams but that only made the game more dull. Neither team did much until Fernando Torres of all people took a through ball and hit a pretty shot off both posts and in. 4-0 Spain, game set match.

The good news for the U.S. is that they'll get right back out there on Tuesday with a game against a rival that they own. I think that's positive for them, rather than going back to training for weeks and letting this stinker stew in their heads.

"Hopefully there's something we can take from this game for the next three weeks and also moving forward," said a strangely upbeat Bradley.

Yeah, let's hope so Bob. If the U.S. doesn't at least get to the Gold Cup final (against Mexico), I'm going to buy the domain name (firebobbradley.com) and then we'll have something to really talk about.

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Torres and Gerrard want to stay at Liverpool, Mascherano not so much

One of the most persistent rumors since Liverpool crapped out last season in the EPL and failed to qualify for the Champions League was that they would have a massive overhaul.

For now, I'm happy to say that Fernando Torres was quoted as saying he's happy to be "stay at the best club in the world." The Spanish striker was back at training after winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain and he said all the right things.

"My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead," Torres said. "I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates.

"This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season, but we are sure we can improve this season."

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson always maintained that he wanted to keep the Reds' record-signing at the club and Torres said he was impressed to have been paid a personal visit.

"I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays," Torres said. "He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that.

"I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him. At the moment I am training just on my own but as soon as I can I will train with the team and with the new manager."

Coach Rafael Benitez left after last season but his time was up anyways and that was expected. Hodgson has replaced him (from Fulham) and he also has captain Steven Gerrard back in the fold after Captain Fantastic pledged his commitment to Liverpool after the World Cup with England.

The only player looking to get out of Anfield is midfielder Javier Mascherano, who wants to get back with Benitez at Inter Milan. However, Hodgson won't let the Argentine leave without receiving around 25 million pounds in return.

Not a surprise at all

If you watched the 2010 World Cup and wondered why there was all the fuss about Spanish forward Fernando Torres, hopefully today's news will clear some things up.

Torres had a miserable tournament, ultimately getting benched and leaving the final with an injury that has now been diagnosed as a ruptured thigh muscle in his left leg.

It turns out that Spain didn't even need Torres which is a shame because you have to believe us when we tell you this guy is one of the best strikers in the world. Watching him play for Liverpool is one of my favorite parts about the EPL.

Head of Sports Science and Medicine Peter Brukner told the club's official website: "The initial assessment was he had a mild adductor tear and the Spanish medial staff didn't consider it to be too serious at the time.

"He had an MRI scan yesterday [Tuesday] which confirmed a small tear. He should be able to resume training within two to three weeks and be able to play again within three to four weeks."

Boss Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, is taking encouragement from the image of Torres wearing a Liverpool scarf after the World Cup victory.

"As Liverpool manager, I take great pride in the fact that two of our players can call themselves World Cup winners this summer," he said.

"Unfortunately, one team had to lose that final and, while my commiserations go out to the Dutch lads, I have to say congratulations to Fernando and Pepe (Reina). Winning the World Cup is the ultimate honour any player can have in international football and you could see what it meant to both players as soon as the celebrations started.

"I think it's safe to say the pictures of Fernando in the dressing room with the World Cup certainly went down well with our fans but the club can be proud of all the players who went away to the World Cup.

"To have four players reach the final is an incredible achievement and I look forward to working with them when they return to Melwood after their holidays."

Ironically the opening day of the 2010-2011 EPL season is exactly one month from today: Saturday, August 14 (really). The world needs a healthy Torres, we missed out on that for the past month so hopefully he can fully recover for another incredible club season.



I'm not enough of a fanboy to know the reason but maybe Torres should go back to the blond hair. I don't think the dark shade suits him well.

Nice defensive play by Friedrich

Torres made a nice move on Friedrich and seemed to have a step on him but the German defender knocked it out for a corner kick.

1-0 Spain in the 90th minute.

Spain-Portugal live blog

The last match of the round of 16 is a tasty one: Spain vs. Portugal. A date with Paraguay in the quarterfinals awaits on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) for whomever survives this.

Either way, a very solid team capable of winning the 2010 World Cup is going home tonight.

Starting 11's:

Spain Lineup
G
1Iker Casillas
CD-L
5Carles Puyol
CD-R
3Gerard Piqué
LB
11Joan Capdevila
RB
15Sergio Ramos
CM
16Sergio Busquets
LM
14Xabi Alonso
RM
8Xavi
F
7David Villa
LF
9Fernando Torres
RF
6Andrés Iniesta

Portugal Lineup
G
1Eduardo
CD-L
2Bruno Alves
CD-R
6Ricardo Carvalho
LB
23Fábio Coentrão
RB
21Ricardo Costa
CM
15Pepe
LM
16Raul Meireles
RM
19Tiago
F
11Simão
LF
18Hugo Almeida
RF
7Cristiano Ronaldo

0-0 in the 8th minute but Spain has already had three quality shots: two by David Villa and one by Fernando Torres, forcing three good saves by Eduardo.

Fabregas and his beard check in

One of our other favorites-Cesc Fabregas-just replaced Torres. It speaks to the depth and quality of Spain that possibly the best midfielder in the EPL comes off their bench.

Granted, he's coming back from an injury. He's also rocking a Dustin Pedroia-esque beard in his 52nd international appearance which is particularly impressive when you remember that he's only 23.

2-1 Spain in the 58th minute.

0-0 Switzerland-Spain in the 60th minute.

Keep it in your pants: Iniesta, Torres and Fabregas all cleared to play for Spain

Spain hasn't played a match yet but the good news is rolling in for the team that many (cough cough Shimer) have picked to win the 2010 World Cup.

After practice today, it was announced that Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas are all available for tomorrow morning's Group H match against Switzerland (10:00 a.m.).

"Iniesta trained well" Monday and Tuesday, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We still have some hours to talk with the doctors and it's they who will make the decision. We're thinking about [Wednesday], but we're also mindful that we have a chance to go forward in this competition."

Del Bosque added that Fernando Torres could also start in the Group H match. Cesc Fabregas is almost certain to make his 51st appearance for Spain. Both players have recovered from right leg injuries.

"All 23 players are available," said Del Bosque, who left his starting lineup a secret.

Fabregas is the most likely to start of the three, because Del Bosque can employ David Villa alone as striker in front of a five-man midfield.

"Everyone ... finished the session and, at a medical level, we couldn't ask for any more," said Oscar Celada, the team's chief doctor.

With Chile and Honduras also in the Group, Spain is clearly the front-runner in this somewhat average foursome. Let's see what the Spanish can do vs. Switzerland as they have all their weapons at their disposal.

Update: The drama queen is fine

What had initially been feared as another metatarsal fracture for an England international in the closing months prior to the World Cup appears only to be strained ligaments in the foot of John Terry.

With the FA Cup final on Saturday versus Portsmouth, Chelsea's only remaining game this season, the London club decided to take the precautionary route and put a protective boot on Terry's foot. Now it appears as if not only will Terry definitely still be fit for the World Cup, he looks to still be ready to play in this weekend's big match at Wembley Stadium.

In other Chelsea news the rumor mill is already starting to churn at Stamford Bridge.

There will sure to be plenty of summer splashes from many of the big boys, but one club that may be looking to dump players is Liverpool. Losing out on the Champions League and the extra millions of Euros the club had counted on, Liverpool is in dire financial condition at the moment and may need to sell off players to make up for the difference or at least give themselves some breathing room.

Additionally it had been long rumored that had the Merseyside club failed to qualify for the UCL, Spanish forward Fernando Torres would ask for a transfer to a club that was in the competition. Although Manchester City also failed to qualify for the UCL, they have been one talked about destination for Torres talking about making him one of the highest paid forwards of all time while also offering a potential record transfer bid.

However, the latest club to be mentioned in the same breath as Torres is Chelsea. Apparently Carlo Ancelotti will have plenty of money to play around with this summer, and the Blues are talking about a £70 bid for Torres, a move that would be welcomed by both Didier Drogba and Terry.

"I have heard the talk about Torres maybe coming in and I would welcome it, of course,'' Drogba said. "Every time there is a new player coming here it's making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength. If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome because any help is welcome!"

Drogba and semi-bozo Nicolas Anelka put up 51 combined goals this season at Chelsea, as Drogba won the golden boot with 29 goals in the English Premier League in 2009-10. But can you imagine a lineup that featured two of the top three forwards in the world. That would be an amazing tandem and something I would love to see even though I am a much bigger Arsenal fan.

Torres goes under the knife

Liverpool and Spanish striker Fernando Torres was set to have surgery today on his right knee and he's expected out for six weeks.

"Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee," Liverpool said in a statement. "We cannot comment ahead of the operation but, as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks."

The biggest question is if he'll be ready for the World Cup and (all fingers crossed), he should be in the starting 11 when Spain take on Switzerland on June 16 in their first game.

Shimer and I are both huge Torres fans and we hope that our guy is at full strength in South Africa this summer. He's one of the most exciting players in the world and he deserves to have all his abilities when everyone is watching him.