Thanks to Superwoman (Megan Rapinoe), US Top France 2-1 to Reach 8th Straight World Cup Semis

I don't think that it's hyperbole to say that nobody crushed this early week of summer in the world quite like U.S. women's national team icon Megan Rapinoe. From scoring both goals in the U.S.' 2-1 win vs. Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday afternoon, to sparring with the orange buffoon that currently resides in the White House, she was basically everywhere. Proving what a certified baller and legitimate bad ass/role model that she is, Rapinoe left her biggest mark on France in this afternoon's quarterfinal match at the Parc Des Princes (PSG's home stadium) in Paris. Once again, she scored both goals for the Americans as they got out to a 2-0 lead on the French and held on for a mighty impressive 2-1 victory.

Many pundits thought that France (ranked #4 in the latest FIFA world rankings) would represent the toughest test for the top-ranked US and I have to say that the game lived up to the hype and then some. I agree with those that said it's a shame that these two heavyweights had to face off this early in the tournament but I think that also discredits England (ranked #3) who the US now meets in the semifinals on Tuesday afternoon (3, FOX) and Germany (ranked #2) who they could possibly meet in a dream World Cup Final next Sunday.

For days, Rapinoe faced the media and backed up what she said about Donald Trump rather than take the coward's way out by retracting what she had said or even worse, just backing down to the bully. Nope, she faced all the cameras and extra attention but it clearly didn't faze her in the least bit as she gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match. That means that the U.S. has scored a goal in the first 12 minutes of all five matches in this World Cup which is pretty insane given the quality of their last three opponents (Sweden, Spain and France).

Unlike her two goals vs. Spain which were both on penalty kicks, Rapinoe's first tally against France came via a free kick. Somehow her shot (pass?) found its way through a maze of arms and legs without anybody (not American Julie Ertz, French defenders nor goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi) touching it. Including the U.S.' second goal (which also came during the run of play), eight of their 22 goals at this tournament have come from set pieces. As a team, they are only one goal behind their 1991 squad and 2003 Germany (both Cup winners) for the most goals in a single World Cup.

France dominated possession all game (61-39%) but they were so wasteful once they got in the attacking third of the field: they took twice as many shots as the US (20-10) but the Americans actually put three more (8) on target. The French also had more than twice as many corner kicks (7-3) so you have to conclude that this was close to a defensive masterpiece by the U.S. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, France came out with their hair on fire to start the second half with U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher forced into by far her most stress of this fortnight.

After withstanding that pressure by France, Rapinoe doubled her team's advantage and effectively put a dagger in French hearts around the globe. We had heard that France's backline was a potential weakness against the U.S. and didn't that pan out on the second goal that made it 2-0 in the 65th minute. Tobin Heath had a rare counterattack for the Americans and she made the most of it as Sam Mewis drove to the net but the clever Heath instead hit a changeup slower pass to Rapinoe on the far post that she was able to blast in. France seemed to be in full collapse mode when Heath scored in the 77th minute but for some reason, it was quickly ruled that Crystal Dunn (who gave her the ball) was offsides on the initial pass from Alex Morgan before she found Heath for a one-time finish. With all the VAR delays in this tournament, it was very surprising that this one wasn't looked at least looked at further. Ugh, thankfully it didn't ultimately mean anything.

Speaking of Morgan, she's had a rather bizarre four games (head coach Jill Ellis-who won her 100th game today-sat her vs. Chile): an insane five goals in the laughable opener vs. Thailand but after that no more goals. She's had her chances of course but now Rapinoe along with England striker Ellen White are tied with her for the Golden Boot award (most goals in the World Cup). She's definitely banged up which isn't a total excuse but something to keep in mind when you see her stay on the ground time after time since getting hurt in the Sweden group stage finale. It's not like she's been completely useless as she had the through ball that sprung Heath on the second goal as well.

Credit to France for not completely rolling over though I'm sure they were stunned to be down 2-0. Their massive (6-foot-2) central defender Wendie Renard put in a header from midfielder Gaetane Thiney's free kick in the 81st minute to cut it to 2-1. That was her fourth goal of the tournament, all coming from set pieces where she uses her height and power to head everything in sight. Ellis was a little faster to make a substitution than against Spain as midfielder Rose Lavelle was pulled in the 63rd minute for Lindsey Horan (who should be starting but I digress). Carli Lloyd entered for midfielder Sam Mewis in the 82nd minute and Christen Press replaced Pinoe (her second Woman of the Match award in a row) in the 87th minute. The U.S. used the exact same lineup for the second straight match and Lavelle is the only puzzling decision since even before the game, you questioned it then she went out and played rather terribly.

Rapinoe made some notable history in the win as she became the first American woman to score four straight goals for her team in a World Cup. She was also the first woman since Brazil's Marta in 2007 to get back-to-back braces (2-goal performances). Normally, I would throw out the old cliche that the U.S. has to be careful not to have a letdown vs. England but with so many players still active for them that won the World Cup in 2015 vs. Japan not to mention a few that lost in the heartbreaking Final to the Japanese in 2011 (damn you, penalty kicks!), I doubt that will be an issue. Furthermore, this is the #1 team for a reason, they are always a huge match for any opponent no matter the time or venue so they are used to that constant pressure of living up to their incredible history. Even if they lose to England (who rolled 3-0 over Norway in the quarterfinals), the U.S. is at least assured of another game in France-the third-place match-but who wants to be in that? This team is on a mission and they are two wins away from the fourth Cup title in their storied history joining all the legends from 1991, 1999 and 2015.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

U.S. Men Vs. France 2nd Half Live Blog

No changes for either team at halftime even though they are allowed six substitutions each.

Edu with a foul on a 50/50 ball. He had to go for it since Williams gave him a bad ball. France chooses to shoot it directly on net (from way outside the box) but it went well wide.

USA chants are quickly extinguished by French boos.

Beckerman takes a long shot from way outside the box that doesn't challenge the French goalkeeper. Maybe it's because I refuse to watch MLS but I've never understood how Beckerman keeps getting CAPs. He is the definition of an average player.

Dempsey draws a foul by using his unique dribbling skills that none of his teammates possess.

Another France offside call. As far as I can tell, the U.S. isn't trapping them or anything but France repeatedly gets caught well behind the last defender. I don't get it, no adjustments.

French corner kick. A header by Benzema goes off the corner of the crossbar. Big break for the U.S., another great chance for France.

Ribery wins a free kick basically for being a star. Howard makes an incredible save, keeping the ball out despite his body falling into the side netting.

The ball bounces around the U.S. box and France takes a bunch of shots but they all get blocked and the final one is shot over the net.

Altidore is working hard up front but he doesn't seem to have any help.

First 3 subs for France.

France has taken it up a notch but the U.S. is lagging behind right now. They're lucky that it's still scoreless, France has owned the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half after an even first half.

Nice passing sequence by the U.S. Beckerman gave it to Chandler on the left wing. He played it into Dempsey but he couldn't do much with it.

Ribery flops in the box. Jozy is getting no love from the refs today, another easy foul call goes uncalled.

Two more French subs, Ribery is out. France has made five changes before the U.S. has made one. Looks like Jermaine Jones is the first sub for Beckerman, yes!

Possession is all in favor of the French in this half. The U.S. is chasing the ball all over the field.

Howard with a big save, the rebound goes to France but Giroud hits it over from a few yards out.

Shea is out from Beasley. Good tactical move, they need the ball and DeMarcus is one of their few guys that can do something with it.

And the inevitable happens, France scores. Remy takes a long ball, beats Goodson and finishes well. 1-0 France in the 72nd minute. You could feel that coming for a while, France has been the better team by far this half.

Dempsey wins a free kick outside the box.

Buddle on for Edu. Dempsey had a partial breakaway but he was taken down. Altidore started it with a backheel. Dempsey crushed the free kick from outside the box but it was high and wide.

Hey ESPN2 cameraman, no closeups of Ribery's grizzly face. I'd like to eat dinner soon after this game. Thanks.

Bocanegra with a foul outside the U.S. box. France free kick doesn't go anywhere. Dempsey gets tackled hard, France gets a yellow card. Reckless challenge as he clipped Dempsey while he was in the air.

Love Harkes' honk tendencies coming out as he argues that should have been a red card. Ok dude.

U.S. corner kick results in nothing.

Beasley with a decent cross in (with his right foot). Dempsey fed it to Altidore with a header but he probably should have put it on goal himself.

Buddle with a nice move beats a few defenders but he's Edson Buddle so he can't be counted on to do that consistently.

Altidore with a lazy foul, he's gotta be tired.

Haha what did I say? Buddle had a chance to give a nice cross but his effort was terrible. Soft and on the ground.

Jones goes down after taking the ball off his face. He goes off for a second but comes back on (I hate that).

Credit to Cherundolo for making a run forward but his offensive limitations cause him to lose the ball. The U.S. has woken up since the goal but it looks like time will run out.

France corner kick, Jones made a nice recovery run to knock the cross out. Another France corner. France is taking their time and just bleeding the clock.

Four minutes of added time. Harkes says there's still time for the U.S. to push for the equalizer, he must be drunk or high.

Jones turns the ball over leading to a France 2-on-0 but Giroud smacks it into the side netting. Nice try bro.

Almost another goal for France, off the outside of the post but it goes out of bounds.

Jozy called for offside when it looked like he was fouled. Tough call. France would have earned a yellow or even red.

Final: France 1, U.S. 0
The U.S. falls to 1-4-1 under Jurgen Klinsmann but even worse, they've only scored two goals for him. This is becoming a major issue. Their defense and Howard are fine but they'll never beat anyone with this lack of scoring.

U.S. is at Slovenia on Tuesday, 12 p.m. on ESPN2. They need to get a better effort in their final game of 2011.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

U.S. Men Vs. France 1st Half Live Blog

Back and forth opening few minutes. Maurice Edu and Steve Cherundolo both make good plays to step up and steal the ball.

Ribery looks in top form for France, I assume he's having a nice season with Bayern Munich. Love his game, he's relentless.


Ugh two goals in five games under Jurgen Klinsmann. The U.S. is 1-3-1 overall in those five matches.

Not a fan of the France jerseys, they look like rugby jerseys with the stupid collar. Benzema looks offside (since he waited for a ball to come to him, behind the U.S. defense) but he bungles it out of bounds.

Altidore was wide open but Williams put it way over his head and out for a throw in.

Chandler with a decent ball near France's goalkeeper but nobody could run onto it.

I know I say this every time I see him but will Shea ever cut his hair? He'll never be taken seriously looking like that.

Haha France with an obvious offside nullifies a slight break they had with numbers.

Pretty back heel by Benzema leads to a bozo teammate taking a dumb shot from outside the box.

Altidore with a move in the box, gets taken down but no call given. It was a flop, no way it gets called for a PK.

On second view, Altidore got tossed down after putting it through a defender's legs. That actually could have been a foul.

The U.S. is lacking good passes and touch in the attacking third-a constant them with this group.

France with a nice cross but Howard grabs it before they can connect.

Williams draws a clear foul in the middle of the field. A bunch of the U.S. and France players are all tatted up-a nod to its NBA brethren that are locked out.

Shea is showing more defensive ability than I knew he possessed.

France draws a foul on Chandler that was a bit of a flop. French free kick on the edge of the box gets cleared out of danger.

Ribery with France's best chance thus far. He backheeled a cross, just wide.

Great hair on some French clown, a dyed blonde mohawk. Everybody knows France is one of the fashion capitals of the world.

Cherundolo wins a corner kick; Edu heads it down but no teammates are there to pounce on it.

France counterattack but the U.S. gets back and Goodson blocks the shot with his chest. Ouch, that always hurts.

The announcers (Darke and Harkes) are debating whether Landon Donovan should be here. In my mind it doesn't matter: a friendly or the MLS Cup. Neither are that important, sorry three MLS fans.

Jozy with a nice turn in the box but he shoots it wide. 12 U.S. goals for Altidore, who's still only 22. Donovan is the only U.S. player with more goals at that young an age.

Williams has been in position for many plays but he keeps falling down and looking for calls. Gotta be stronger on his feet.

Should have been a goal for France: Ribery pulled it back and Menez fired it over from inside the box.

Dangerous ball into the U.S. area but France can't go get it.

Chandler looked like somebody in my men's league. He ran right at the defender but forgot to make a move and got taken down hard (cleanly). Chandler goes off the field for a second but returns after the U.S. throws the ball back to France.

Halftime: 0-0. The U.S. acquitted themselves pretty well in the first half although would it kill them to make more of an effort to try and score some goals? I'm starting to get convinced that they believe they can win 0-0.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

U.S. Men's Roster Announced For France & Slovenia Friendlies

As usual, the U.S. men's national team friendlies are sneaking up on us. Did you know it's a little over a week before the U.S. faces France? Likewise, they'll meet Slovenia is less than two weeks.

Today, U.S. men's head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named the 22 players (2 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 10 midfielders and 3 forwards) that will make the trip across the pond to face two decent European teams.

These matches represent the last games of 2011 for the U.S.; two more chances to impress Klinsmann and his coaching staff. Time is running out before things get really serious as far as World Cup qualifying next year and figuring out who will be on the field for the U.S. in the 2014 World Cup (in Brazil).

There are mostly familiar names, albeit with a backup goalkeeper (Bill Hamid) that we still don't know anything about, a German-American midfielder (Fabian Johnson) that was going to play in the last couple friendlies but was pulled at the last second due to injury/fatigue and a German-American defender (Alfredo Morales) that plays for Hertha Berlin (Bundesliga). All three should get their first U.S. caps during one of these two matches.

Here's the U.S. men's roster for November 11 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN 2, UNIVISION, ESPN3.com) in France and November 15 (12 p.m. ET, ESPN 2, UNIVISION, ESPN3.com) in Slovenia.

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Bill Hamid (D.C. United).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hanover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy).

Players on MLS teams that are still alive in the MLS Cup will report back to the States after the France match. On a sidenote, Shea will train with Arsenal for a month after the friendlies while Hamid is currently training with West Brom. These will also be Klinsmann's first games with Donovan at his disposal. The U.S. stalwart missed the U.S. games this summer and fall since he needed a break between all the MLS and international contests he had in the past year.

UPDATE 11/7: Donovan is out for these two friendlies since his club team-the Los Angeles Galaxy-is in the MLS Cup.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

U.S. Men's National Team Set For A Short European Vacation In November

After months of rumors, the U.S. men's national team has finally set its final two exhibitions of 2011 in Europe: November 11 against France in Saint-Denis (outside of Paris) and November 15 against Slovenia in Ljubljana (which apparently is a real place) at Stozice Stadium.

Both matches have some intrigue since the U.S. and Slovenia were in the same group in the 2010 World Cup. Who could ever forget that improbable U.S. tie (2-2)? It was capped off by Landon Donovan's biggest goal of his career. The stakes will be much lower this time but it does mark the first U.S. trip to Slovenia so expect plenty of hype over there; I mean really, what else is going on in Slovenia, ever?

France formerly used to be one of Europe's strongest teams but with the 2010 World Cup serving as the boiling point, they've devolved into a complete mess. Still, they must be taken seriously with extremely talented players like Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.

The U.S. needs to win at least one of those games and start improving on Jurgen Klinsmann's (1-3-1) less than impressive start to his U.S. head coaching career.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. France 2nd half live blog

Second half is underway. No changes for the U.S., Delie is out for France.

This is getting silly, the U.S. can't do anything with the ball. They continue to give it away. They can't play this way with 40 minutes left, France is going to take advantage at some point.

Bompastor ties it up in the 55th minute. Her cross went right on goal, a France player couldn't connect but it went off the post and in. Not Solo's fault, you could see this goal coming from a mile away. (1-1)

First U.S. sub: Alex Morgan in for Rodriguez.

Krieger rolls her ankle and comes off the field for a moment.

The U.S. is looking really shaky. Two corners for France. Megan Rapinoe in for Lloyd (second U.S. sub).

15 of France's 20 shots have come from outside the box.

Cheney wins a free kick outside the France area. Rapinoe puts it on net, forcing a dicey save by the French goalkeeper. Morgan is ruled offsides (by a hair, if that) before her rebound was save.

Wow, Morgan is taken down on a through ball that was bouncing. No call, so much contact.

WTF? A French player goes to head the ball out of Solo's hands. Yet no card? Haha never seen that before. As usual for this tournament, the referees have been abysmal.

France has never reached the final of a major tournament (World Cup, Olympics).

Thomis in for France, captain Soubeyrand is out.

U.S. wins a corner. Wambach got knocked down in the box on a 50-50 ball. Cheney floats it to the far post and Wambach heads it in. (2-1 U.S in the 79th minute). Her third goal in five matches, tying Akers for first all-time for the U.S (12 goals).

France misses a header from in close, Delis would have put that one in. Thanks for subbing her out Bruno.

Morgan makes it 3-1 after a great find from Rapinoe. Seemed like she waited too long as she came down the side but she lifted it over the French goalkeeper. Great strike, big for her confidence. That's what she's capable of doing.

Five of her eight goals for the U.S. have come in or after the 80th minute.

Tobin Heath in for O'Reilly. Last U.S. sub, outstanding performance by O'Reilly. She's a rock in the midfield, one of the U.S.' most consistent players in every game.

Morgan almost adds a second goal. France is pushing forward and she gets a semi-breakaway, forcing a good save by France's goalkeeper. U.S. corner.

Yellow card for Thomis, hard challenge on LePeilbet.

Two minutes of added time.

It's all over, the U.S. wins 3-1 and advances to their first Women's World Cup final since 1999. Great response after playing bad for much of the match. The subs (Rapinoe, Morgan) totally changed the momentum of the game and made winning plays. Excellent goals by Wambach and Morgan. Nice to see Morgan get a goal too, that'll be big for her confidence. She's a baller.

Follow @RichSlate


Follow @RichSlate

2011 Women's World Cup semifinal: U.S. vs. France 1st half live blog

We're underway in the first semifinal with the U.S. taking on France. The U.S. is 11-0-1 all-time vs. the French.

It is misting, making for

The only change for the U.S. is that Rachel Buehler is out with the red card from the Brazil match. Becky Sauerbrunn gets her first World Cup action with the start.

Haha France's coach is named Bruno Bini. Classic French name, apparently he likes to play clips of Dead Poets Society with his team.

Amy Rodriguez, my favorite A-Rod, wins the first corner kick of the game. Abby Wambach heads it wide of the goal.

Wambach needs one goal to equal American World Cup record of 12 (held by Michelle Akers). That reminds me, great story about Akers in the latest Sports Illustrated.

France wins a corner, they have 36 so far in the tournament (most of any team). Hope Solo has to make a nice tip save over the crossbar. Good save, another corner for France. Solo handles the next shot easily.

Lauren Cheney scores off a great cross from Heather O'Reilly in the 9th minute. She just had to tip it in with the outside of her right foot. (1-0 U.S.) That was Cheney's second goal in the five matches thus far.

Delie wins a free kick from outside the U.S. box. France is controlling possession so far, the U.S. keeps giving it away carelessly.

O'Reilly wins a corner. Carli Lloyd heads it wide, she did well to get to it but should have done better with the accuracy.

Rodriguez wins another corner.

France keeps getting chances but they are either from distance or right at Solo. By the way, Solo is making her 100th cap for the U.S. today.

Wambach wins a long through ball and makes a nice move to cross it.

Solo with a top class save on a France through ball that got by three U.S. defenders (who were caught ball watching).

France shoots it off the crossbar from outside the box, great strike. The U.S. has to wake up here, France is owning play. The goal was totally against the run of play.

France leads the tournament with 37 shots on goal in the tournament (5 so far today).

Too much kicking and running for the U.S. right now. They need the ball on their feet.

Another shot by France goes over the crossbar, they haven't figured out yet that they're unlikely to score from outside the box on Solo.

Christie Rampone makes a great run forward and plays a cross a little long for Wambach. Abby gets to it but she doesn't have any kind of an angle so it goes back across the goalline.

Shannon Boxx has a cross that Wambach almost gets to but in the process, she sandwiches the French goalkeeper and a defender. Good to see a little flurry from the U.S. They haven't had a shot on goal since the goal in the ninth minute.

Corner kick for France in the 43rd minute. France leads 6-3 in corners so far.

Two minutes of added time.

Halftime: U.S. 1, France 0

Of the eight goals scored by France, seven have come after halftime. Something to keep in mind going into the second half. Frankly the U.S. is lucky to be leading. The goal was a great one and Wambach had a couple tricky chances but France is doing everything they want (other than scoring). Look for a change in the U.S. lineup to start the second half, they need somebody (Rapinoe) that can get the ball and keep it.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Leave it to the French to upset you during the holidays

What's that? You thought you had heard the last mention of the 2010 World Cup disaster by France?

Well my friend, in the spirit of the holiday season, here's (hopefully) one final nugget from this fiasco. Apparently, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka have yet to formally give up their World Cup-related bonuses, the French soccer federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.

French newspaper Liberation reported that the two strikers had refused to sign the paperwork stating that they would give up the bonuses, but the FFF said that was not exactly the case.

"They have not replied but they have not refused," FFF communications director Francois Manardo told Reuters.

Federation president Fernand Duchaussoy said last month that the France players who took part in this year's World Cup would give their bonuses, amounting to some 3 million euros ($3.95 million), to amateur clubs.

After their shock first-round exit in South Africa, the players promised they would give up a share of sponsorship revenue.

France's dismal World Cup campaign also included a players' strike in protest at the decision to kick Anelka out of the squad for insulting then coach Raymond Domenech.
Chelsea striker Anelka was banned for 18 matches by the FFF.

Henry has always been and will always be one of our all-time favorites. This doesn't help his cause but we can forgive him since he seems to be a decent guy. However, even though Anelka is on Chelsea (my favorite EPL team), I have to state that I'm not a fan. Like at all. Yes, he's very talented and fun to watch on a soccer field but the guy just doesn't get it. Never has and never will. He's the rare player that you makes you shudder every time he does something like this, despite the fact that he constantly delivers on the pitch.

Samir Nasri voted best French player of the year

With rare exceptions (Henry, Florent Malouda, Ribery), we don't tend to be big French soccer fans, look no further than their fiasco in the 2010 World Cup for some reasons why.

However, Arsenal's Samir Nasri is quickly earning our love with his stellar play this season for the Gunners in the EPL and Champions League.

For his work this season, he was voted France's best player of the year by France Football Magazine.

Nasri wasn't involved in France's World Cup fiasco. Then-coach Raymond Domenech left the midfielder out of the squad that crashed out in the first round in South Africa.

New France coach Laurent Blanc recently said Nasri - who finished ahead of Chelsea winger Florent Malouda and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the voting - is currently the best French player.

The 23-year-old Nasri has already scored 10 goals in the Premier League and Champions League this season for Arsenal.

If France is going to region its top form with the national team, odds are Nasri will play a vital role in that turnaround.

Nice going France

In case you somehow forget about France's comedy of errors at the 2010 World Cup, today served as a beautiful reminder of what a mess that turned out to be: the France Football Federation suspended Nicolas Anelka (18 games), Patrice Evra (5 games), Franck Ribery (3 games) and Jeremy Toulilan (1 game).

The fifth player involved in the mutiny, Eric Abidal, didn't get suspended.

All 23 players on France's World Cup squad boycotted a training session in South Africa to protest Anelka's expulsion after he insulted then-coach Raymond Domenech during a 2-0 loss to Mexico.

But the French federation only summoned the five players who played a leading role in the mutiny. Ribery and Anelka -- whose dressing room rage triggered the strike -- sent lawyers. Ribery, who was vice captain at the World Cup, did not attend the hearing because Bayern Munich refused to release him ahead of its opening Bundesliga match on Friday against Wolfsburg.

Only Evra, Abidal and Toulalan showed up at the hearing, federation official Yann Le Guillard said.

"The players seemed sincerely sorry for what happened," said former France team director Jean-Louis Valentin, who resigned when the players refused to take part in a training session and, instead, sat in the team bus under the eye of cameras from around the world. "I felt they were very affected by that event.

"It's obvious that if they had to do it again, they wouldn't do it," Valentin said.

Domenech was among those who attended Tuesday's hearing, along with then-FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and assistant coach Alain Boghossian.

Valentin, who attended the hearing as a witness and was the only one to comment later, expressed a clear measure of sympathy for what he said were chastened players. As far as he is concerned, he said, "everybody has the right to a second chance."

He said that dialogue within the group called to testify was "excellent" and that Domenech was "dignified."

"We talked again about the events. In some ways, there was a very good dialogue that was, at times, moving," Valentin said. "Everybody was aware that there was a collective mess-up, and now we have to turn the page and move on."

France was eliminated after the first round of the World Cup without winning a match. But it was the players' actions, including the squad's sit-in on the team bus, that drew condemnation from the French public, President Nicolas Sarkozy and other political leaders.

The players already have been punished financially, with the federation withholding their World Cup bonuses. Hardliners such as Lilian Thuram, a former international and a member of the FFF council, said Evra should never play for France again.

France coach Laurent Blanc dropped all 23 players for his first match in charge last week -- a 2-1 loss to Norway in an exhibition. He'll be without Anelka, Evra, Ribery and Toulalan for the 2012 European Championship qualifier in September against Belarus.

Blanc has done the right thing by trying to move on from this dark chapter in France soccer history but it's going to take a long time to erase the bitter taste of this group's pathetic actions.

Take a number: Bayern Munich hates the French too

No professional sport in the world has quite the same dynamic as soccer in the sense that club teams hate seeing their players compete for their home country and vice versa. Players are investments and only bad things can happen (in the clubs' minds) when the players leave them.

Along those lines came news today that Bayern Munich won't release its star Franck Ribery for an upcoming hearing by the French soccer federation on the national team's disaster at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The club complained Monday that it "had to learn from the media" of plans by the federation to summon Ribery and others to Paris for a hearing Aug. 17.

The German champion said that FIFA rules oblige it only to release players for competitive matches on the international soccer calendar.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge informed French federation president Fernand Duchaussoy of the decision in writing, Bayern said in a statement.

"It cannot be the case that the French federation arbitrarily hauls Franck Ribery out of his commitments at Bayern Munich," Rummenigge said. "The club's preparations for the new Bundesliga season now have priority over the French federation's processing of the World Cup."

The club said Ribery would be playing a German Cup match against Germania Windeck on Aug. 16 and would start preparing the following day for the season's first Bundesliga match, against 2009 champion Wolfsburg on Aug. 20.

The French federation opened a disciplinary case last Friday against Ribery and four others who went on strike at the World Cup -- Nicolas Anelka, Eric Abidal, Jeremy Toulalan and captain Patrice Evra.

Don't ask me why this hearing is happening so long after the World Cup, when clubs are clearly gearing up for their long campaigns. Then again, who else would this whole situation happen to but the French?

The gift that keeps on giving

What's that, you thought you'd heard the last of France's epic failure at the 2010 World Cup?

As Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend! Today, Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, two French national team players were issued preliminary charges for soliciting an underage prostitute.

This story surfaced right before the 2010 World Cup so it's not really going out on a limb to say it might have affected those players and the team in general.

Ribery and Benzema were questioned Tuesday as part of a probe into a suspected network of prostitutes that operated out of a nightclub on Paris' glitzy Champs-Elysees, a judicial official told The Associated Press. She was not authorized to be publicly named, according to office policy.

The scandal, which broke before the World Cup began June 11 and has been front-page news in France, includes allegations by a self-described escort girl who says Ribery flew her to visit him as a birthday present for himself when she was still under 18. Ribery is married with two children.

Real Madrid striker Benzema and Bayern Munich forward Ribery could face up to three years in prison and a $60,000 fine if found guilty of paying to have sex with a minor. They are among the most famous soccer players in France.

Both have denied any wrongdoing.

There are many more juicy details so read up on this if you're looking for a good summer trashy novel.

How do you say shit the bed in French?

I'll let Shimer take some real cuts at the French later since he knows all the details and I caught only some of the tasty nuggets but I will say that it's hard to remember a legit. contender (depending on who you asked) shitting the bed faster than France just did in the 2010 World Cup.

A squad that many picked to go far in South Africa, surely out of their group, it's hard to believe that they're going home already. However, for the last week since the ship started sinking it has been a meltdown of epic proportions.

First Nicolas Anelka-a talented player but complete bozo- popped off about the team and then he was sent home. Next, the rest of the team refused to practice and the coach, Raymond Domench-that Shimer has said for months didn't know what to do-clearly lost control of this star filled team.

Around the world everyone hates the French, so let's all revel in this shitshow for the next few weeks. No doubt, Domenech will be sent packing and someone else will take over this toxic group. Good luck to you bud, whoever you may be.

France (after teams play their last game, we'll do a quick postmortem on their 2010 World Cup)

Best moment: Malouda scoring vs. South Africa, ensuring the hosts wouldn't make it out of the group stage.

Worst moment: Every other second spent in South Africa, it's hard to fathom a team blowing up more on such a big stage.

Best result: The thrilling 0-0 (sarcasm) opening night tie vs. Uruguay. It turned out to be the only point the French picked up.

Worst result: Losing 2-0 to Mexico in the second match, showing the world that this team was going nowhere fast.

Final tally: one goal scored, four allowed.

Best player: Uh Malouda I guess since he provided the only highlight and made sure France wouldn't be shut out in 2010 after being runners-up in 2006.

Worst player: Anelka since nothing says I'm an idiot like getting kicked out of the World Cup by your own team.

Game over: Uruguay wins 1-0 but Mexico also advances

It figures that just when something awesome seems possible-namely South Africa advancing, the French manage to mess that up too (by scoring in the second half).

Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 and South Africa won 2-1 over France. It's only the second time that South Africa has ever won a World Cup game and unfortunately they become the first host nation to not make it out of the group stage.

Uruguay wins Group A with seven points, Mexico moves on with four points. South Africa had four points and France slinks out of the 2010 World Cup with a disgraceful one point.

Mexico moves on because their goal differential was +1 and South Africa's was -2.

Uruguay will get South Korea or Greece on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the first knockout stage match.

Mexico plays Argentina on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Sadly, this isn't going to happen

Mexico-Uruguay has slowed down significantly and South Africa-France has completely changed with that goal by the French.

Uruguay is up 1-0 in the 86th minute and South Africa is up 2-1 in the 84th minute. If these results hold, Argentina will play Mexico and Uruguay gets the No. 2 team from Group B-either South Korea or Greece.

Malouda probably sends Mexico through

It looks like the dream for South Africa is over as they conceded a goal in the 70th minute by Malouda.

They need either two more goals by Uruguay which is unlikely with a goal of their own. Not going to happen.

It's too bad, it would have been cool to see Mexico go home and another African team move on (looks like Ghana is a sure thing).

1-0 Uruguay in the 77th minute, Alvaro Pereira is out for Andres Scotti. Hernandez got a yellow card for elbowing a Uruguay defender before a corner kick.

2-1 South Africa in the 76th minute.

Rodriguez could have iced it for Mexico

Javier Hernandez, the young Mexican star came on for Cuauhtemoc Blanco and defender Francisco Rodriguez should have tied it up but his diving header missed wide.

He couldn't have been more open in the box and he was right by the goal but somehow he put it out of play.

1-0 Uruguay in the 66th minute, 2-0 South Africa in the 65th minute.

Mexican substitutes

At halftime, Mexico put Israel Castro in for Hector Moreno. They also just replaced Andres Guardado with Pablo Barrera.

Henry came on for Cisse and South Africa replaced Anele Ngcongca with Siboniso Gaxa.

1-0 Uruguay in the 61st minute. 2-0 South Africa in the 60th minute.

Mphela hits the post for South Africa

The second halfs of both games are underway and Mphela just hit the post for South Africa. It looks like Theirry Henry is coming on for France. Andre-Pierre Gignac was pulled at halftime in favor of Florent Malouda.

Uruguay had a good chance in the box but the Mexican defense blocked it.

1-0 Uruguay in the 56th minute, they have a corner.

2-0 South Africa in the 54th minute.

Uruguay-Mexico live blog with a hint of South Africa-France

Sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend. Shimer's laptop broke (he's got a new one on the way) and I was in Upstate NY for my cousin's wedding.

Other than the first half of Ivory Coast-Brazil and New Zealand-Italy, I didn't see any action this weekend. The good news is that I'm back home and it couldn't be at a better time now that Group A is wrapping up this morning.

Uruguay leads Mexico 1-0 at the half and South Africa leads 10-men France 2-0. They had the longest odds to get to the second round from this Group before today's matches started but if Uruguay scores another goal and South Africa adds another then they go through and not Mexico.

All three goals so far today have been on headers: Uruguay's Luis Suarez scored in the 43rd minute off a perfect cross from Edinson Cavani. For South Africa, Bongani Khumalo headed a corner from Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 20th minute. Then Katlego Mphela made it 2-0 in the 37th minute with another header.

French forward Yohan Gourcoff received a red card in the 25th minute so his pathetic team is playing a man down for the rest of the game. We'll have more on the French meltdown later when they're officially elminated but their tournament has been just a complete disaster.