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

ESPN's Julie Foudy points out (rightly) that the U.S. doesn't seem to have any swagger yet, I think she's know too.

No substitutions for either team at halftime.

Chaney gets another chance and stop me if you've heard this before but she shot it right at the goalkeeper.

Damn, Chaney had open-heart surgery when she was 3-years-old.

Haha what? North Korea waits until two minutes into the second half to take a defender (Yun) out for Yi. Interesting tactic.

After a free kick, Shannon Boxx (best fake porn name in the business) puts it over. Good pressure by the U.S.

Rodriguez finds Wambach and she somehow puts it over the crossbar from six yards out. The U.S. is buzzing now, a goal is coming soon if they keep this up.

Get it girl, Cheney scores in the 54th minute on a header from Wambach's cross. 1-0 U.S., well deserved and pretty finish. Nice job by Wambach to cut it back (leaving the defender flat-footed) and great service to Cheney.

First career World Cup goal for Cheney.

And North Korea hits the crossbar with a shot. I guess they're not going to roll over even though they're down 1-0 now.

O'Reilly volleys wide.

Wambach takes a rough challenge but appears to be OK. They need her to be healthy. A header off the ensuing free kick goes off a North Korean head for a U.S. corner.

Christie Rampone has 235 career appearances for the U.S., the most of anybody in the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Wambach gets a header from in close that goes off the crossbar. Should have been in, the North Korean goalkeeper got a piece of it.

The announcers keep complaining about the heat. It can't be all that bad in Germany.

North Korea makes its second substitution.

Fourth U.S. corner is complete garbage, into the side of the netting. Even Landon Donovan hasn't hit one that bad (as far as I can remember).

Another goal would be nice for the U.S., I think it's time for my girl Alex Morgan to come on.

Rodriguez (or A-Rod, shudders) almost snipes a goal, nice save by the North Korean goalkeeper. Goes out for a U.S. corner kick.

75th minute, Alex Morgan in for Rodriguez. Great performance by Rodriguez. Another U.S. corner.

Nice Krieger hit the bar from distance and then Rachel Buehler (2nd ever goal) picks up the loose change and puts it in through a ton of traffic. Huge goal for the U.S., goodnight North Korea. (2-0 U.S.)

Rapinoe in for O'Reilly. Good game for O'Reilly, her work rate was there all game.

The teams trade chances.

The U.S. has never worse than fifth place at the World Cup.

Wambach's shot saved but Rapinoe scores on a 50-50 ball. However, it's called off since the goalkeeper caught it at the same time. No goal but it doesn't really matter in the long run.

Final: U.S. 2 - North Korea 0

Great second half by the U.S., they seemed like a completely different team after a slow first half. They earned this and they're now on top of Group C. That goal by Rapinoe would have been nice for her confidence but I'm sure she'll get over it.

Two pretty goals but they'll need to play a more complete match and also finish better when they meet tougher opposition.

Up next, the U.S. meets Colombia at noon on Saturday.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

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

Group C action continues (Sweden beat Columbia 1-0 earlier this morning) in Dresden, Germany.

The U.S. gets its 2011 World Cup underway and expectations are high for Pia Sundhage's squad. They struggled in qualifying and haven't won the tournament since 1999 but they have as much talent as anybody.

North Korea is the youngest team in the 16-team field.

Lauren Chaney got the late start and she just had the first real opportunity of the game. Her shot from outside the 18 was easily handled by North Korea's goalkeeper.

The U.S. won in 1991 (the first Women's World Cup) and '99.

Chaney hasn't started since March.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo (who looks like Fergie of Black Eyed Peas' cousin) is rocking an all purple jersey and shorts combo.

Heather O'Reilly wins the first corner kick of the game, for the U.S. Ugh, the goalkeeper bungles it but the U.S. can't really get a foot on it. North Korea clears it out before the U.S. regains possession but hits a cross right to the goalkeeper.

Carli Lloyd gets free at the top of the box but can't put anything on the shot.

Haha ESPN's Ian Darke talked about the North Korea's men team from last summer's World Cup 2010. The team was publicly humiliated and the coach was sent to work at a building construction site. Fun times, who wants to go to North Korea?

Ouch, Lloyd takes a really scary fall on her back/neck but she seems fine. She went up high for a header but was hit by a North Korean player in the air and landed awkwardly.

North Korea wins its first corner kick but doesn't do anything with it.

Yikes, deflected ball by the U.S. almost leaves it on the doorstep for North Korea.

Wow that's creepy, the U.S. women's team is the oldest at the 2011 World Cup (average age 27 years, 9 months which is almost exactly my age).

Another slippery play by the North Korea goalkeeper leads to a U.S. corner. Looking like the U.S. men, they don't do anything with it.

Ali Krieger is the only U.S. player that doesn't compete in the WPS. She plays in Germany.

Chaney gets another good chance but the puts it right at Myong-Hui (3 shutouts in the Asian Cup).

Solo with a nice save on the 16-year-old North Korean star. Corner kick for North Korea.

Lloyd with another chance, right at Myong-Hui. Lloyd and Chaney are getting loose, Wambach has been pretty invisible so far in the first half which is not good for the U.S.

Holy crap, North Korea played a slight cross along the goal line and Solo completely whiffed. Luckily for the U.S., nobody connected for North Korea.

10 of North Korea's players are teenagers. Who's their coach, Justin Bieber?

Amy Rodriguez got free but her shot was blocked by a North Korean defender. It could have possibly gone in, good chance.

The U.S. has been held scoreless three times in first halves during group play, twice against North Korea.

Yikes, this is like watching the U.S. men's team. The women's backline is leaky and almost cost them a goal there, Solo had to come up big.

Nice counterattack by Rodriguez but she couldn't find Wambach who was tightly marked.

Damn, I was just thinking that Rodriguez was pretty cute and they said she's getting married soon along with O'Reilly (what a shame).

Lloyd hits a nice cross of a free kick but nobody on the U.S. can touch it. If they redirected it, would have been 1-0.

North Korea takes a long shot from outside the box that goes wide.

Halftime: U.S. 0 - North Korea 0

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Gold Cup Final: Mexico 4, U.S. 2

I spent Saturday night enjoying myself at a Matisyahu concert and even though, I couldn't avoid the final score and a few updates on Twitter and the ESPN bottom line, I'm thankful that I didn't watch the Gold Cup Final live.

Mexico rallied from an early 2-0 deficit for a well-deserved 4-2 win at the Rose Bowl over the U.S. men's national team.

Head coach Bob Bradley's team could not have scripted a better start as they got up 1-0 in the eighth minute on a flick on header by his son Michael off a Freddy Adu corner kick. Just 15 minutes later, Landon Donovan made it 2-0 and temporarily quieted the pro-Mexican crowd following a nice through ball from Clint Dempsey.

There was way too much time left on the clock though as Mexico quickly got one back in the 29th minute from Pablo Barera. It was tied five minutes later as Andres Guardado got a gift right on his foot from Eric Lichaj that he just had to barely redirect in.

The third Mexican goal, by Barrera, in the 49th minute was more a result of his skill as he hit it one time with the outside of his right foot. To add more pain and misery, Carlos Bocanegra had a terrible giveaway which led to the final goal by Mexico's Giovani Dos Santos (an absurd chip over Lichaj on the far post).

These two bitter rivals aren't much different in overall talent level. The U.S. has the edge in goal and midfield while the Mexican forwards are far superior. However, the biggest mismatch is the porous U.S. defense trying to stop Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez (aka Chicarrito).

It didn't help that American fullback Steve Cherundolo went down with an injury and head to leave way too early (in the 10th minute). His sub Jonathan Bornstein and starter Lichaj were simply outclassed. Mexico always seemed to be on the verge of a breakaway or a great opportunity. Tim Howard can only do so much and none of the goals were really his fault; you can't always expect superhuman stops.

It's clear that the U.S. fullbacks have to get way better but there's no easy solution.

On the positive side, Adu is officially back on the map. After his nice cameo against Panama (1-0 win in Gold Cup semifinals, he played almost a full 90 minutes and proved to be one of the most dangerous Americans with the ball on his feet.

Dempsey had a relatively quiet game by his standards although he should have had a goal as his shot was ripped off the post in the second half.

There's no shame in losing to a quality side like Mexico but the U.S. has to win games that they lead by two goals. Mexico earned its spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup by not getting rattled and proving to be the much more dynamic offensive side. Once they grabbed the lead, they were able to play their Montreal Canadiens style game of flopping, faking injuries and wasting time.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

A Preview of One Goal's Documentary About The U.S. Men's National Team

LADUMA Sneak Peek from Juice Groove Films on Vimeo.

My friends from college have been working feverishly on a documentary on the U.S. men's soccer team. They just released this sneak preview and plan to have the full length film debut this fall in New York.

Please check it out at www.onegoalusa.com and like them on Facebook (One Goal).

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Gold Cup live blog: U.S. vs. Panama 2nd half

The second half starts with Landon Donovan replacing Kljestan. Don't ask me why he didn't start for the second game in a row. As far as I know, he didn't attend any weddings last night.

Panama makes a decent run but get called offsides.

Dempsey wins a free kick outside Panama's box.

Jesus, both Donovan and Jones go down on the field with possible injuries. Hope they're OK.

Well I guess Jones is fine, he just won a ridiculous 50-50 ball with a couple super athletic touches. More energy in that one play than his team has showed for basically the entire match so far.

U.S. is getting stagnant now, I swear if they lose to Panama again, Bradley should be fired on the spot. There's no excuse.

Good run by Lichaj but his cross was too fast for Bedoya to connect on. Finally, some life from the U.S. in the second half and a chance.

Panama with its best chance of the game but they can't connect on a cross that was right on top of Howard.

Freddy Adu is set to come in, don't know yet for who. This illustrates how desperate Bradley is, turning to a guy that hasn't played for the U.S. in years. Yikes.

Adu is in for Agudelo, haha he hasn't played for the U.S. since 2009. Disappointing game for Agudelo, he lacked creativity and his decision making was bad all night.

The U.S. seems to have gotten a spark with Adu coming on, they win a corner.

Bocanegra gets a yellow card for the slightest push you'll ever see. Ugh, don't start handing out cards like that please.

Cooper hammers a shot that Howard deflects over for a corner. Cooper is out for (Edgar?) Renteria.

There we go. Adu finds Donovan, who gives Dempsey a perfect cross that he redirects in. 1-0 U.S. in the 76th minute.

Dempsey's 22nd goal for the USMNT, ahead of Bruce Murray and two behind Joe-Max Moore.

Howard with a routine save, Cherundolo forced the shot with a tackle.

Godoy for Gomez and Torres in for Panama, Barahona out. Last changes for Panama.

Wow, Adu makes a crazy run to keep the ball in play and give it back to Bradley.

Adu wins a corner, mature play. U.S. just needs to milk the clock at this point.

Three minutes of added time and that's before Jones gets cleated up high (possibly in the face).

Ball gets flicked on by Panama in U.S. box but they shoot it wide. U.S. defense did a nice job collapsing on that offensive player.

Final: U.S. 1, Panama 0

It's all about Donovan and Adu's work off the bench. Making Bob Bradley look like a genius (which is pretty hard to do). The U.S. didn't play particularly great but they got the result and didn't have to sweat it out in extra time.

Mexico faces Honduras at 10 p.m. in the other Gold Cup semifinal. As a U.S. fan, you have to want Mexico since it's their biggest rival but Honduras is a much more beatable team. Who to root for?

The final is Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Gold Cup semifinal: U.S. vs. Panama 1st half live blog

After losing 2-1 to Panama in the Gold Cup group play a week and a half ago, the U.S. has a chance to get some revenge after suffering one of its worst defeats in recent memory. The Gold Cup semifinals take place tonight at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

The U.S. faces Panama and then Honduras plays Mexico. A dream final of U.S. vs. Mexico on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl is what everyone wants but first they both have some work to do at the home of the Texans.

Jozy Altidore is done for the Gold Cup (out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury) so Juan Agudelo gets the start in his place, other than that it's the same squad that beat Jamaica 2-0 on Sunday.

U.S. starters:
Howard
Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra, Lichaj
Jones, Bradley
Bedoya, Kljestan, Dempsey
Agudelo

Panama starters:

Penedo
Machado, Torres, Baloy, Henriquez
Barahona, Henriquez, Gomez, Cooper
Tejada, Quintero

U.S. wins the first corner but as usual, doesn't do anything productive with it.

Bedoya did a nice job to keep the ball inbounds and Agudelo tried to back down a defender in the box but he was called for a shaky foul.

Jones needs to play a little more cautiously since he's carrying a yellow card. Panama has four players with yellow cards.

Great reminder, that was the first time Panama had ever beaten the U.S.

Long ball for Bedoya is snatched up by Penedo who comes way off his line to grab it.

Jones with a beautiful ball across the field to somebody's chest. That's what they need more of, some less Vanilla passes.

Dempsey wins a header in the box but Penedo gets it before Agudelo can.

Bedoya gets crushed on a tackle by Cooper who picks up a yellow. The former BC star was hit right in his back. Must of hurt pretty bad.

Bedoya wins a free kick midway between the box and midfield. He seems to be making things happen early on in this one.

Dempsey shoots from distance but it goes well wide. Like the confidence, don't enjoy the lack of accuracy.

U.S. looks to have a counterattack starting but Agudelo misplays a pass to Kljestan at midfield. Bad play, gotta complete that routine pass.

Great buildup by the U.S. Bedoya gives it to Cherundolo who hits a cross to Agudelo. His diving header goes off the Panama post and the U.S. can't connect on the scramble following that rebound.

Panama starts jawing with Tim Howard. Now, they're starting to flop and whine all over the field. I've never seen this team before (since I missed the last meeting) but they're already starting to bug me.

Bedoya gets called for a foul outside the U.S. box. Panama can't do anything with it but it goes out for a throw. They play the ball across the goal but nobody is there for Panama.

Dempsey gets taken down for a U.S. free kick. This game is getting chippy and I kinda like it.

Good buildup by the U.S. but there's too many bodies in the box and they put it out for a goal kick. Just gotta find that finishing touch.

Another yellow card for Panama (Henriquez) after one of their players kicks Bedoya after a play had gone by.

The U.S. with another chance in the box but they can't get the final shot lined up, Dempsey tries to do something with it but it was an impossible ball to control.

Panama wins its first corner in the 40th minute.

Agudelo tries to beat a couple Panama defenders but he clearly drags one down and is rightly called for the foul. He has to show more variety than just trying to blow by everyone. Doesn't work, even against a team like this.

Quintero wins a free kick for Panama right outside the U.S. box. Could have been a disaster there as Goodson got beaten and was forced to tackle him from behind. Barahona tries to be a hero and put it on goal from a tough angle but it goes over.

One minute of added time.

Halftime: 0-0

U.S. has carried the play although they have just had the one really good chance (Agudelo's header). As the announcers said, the U.S. desperately need Landon Donovan in the game. They need someone that can break a defense down consistently, they lack that at the moment.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Gold Cup: U.S. vs. Jamaica 2nd half live blog

No halftime subs for Bob Bradley.

Jones scores in the 49th minute as his volley off a deflected header goes off a Jamaican defender and past Ricketts who had dove and was out of position. Not his fault. 1-0 U.S.

It's the first goal that Jamaica has conceded in this Gold Cup.

Wednesday's Gold Cup semifinals are at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

Jamaica hasn't impressed me at all so far today. Other than that first gift chance, they haven't looked dangerous. They seem to be lacking energy or something, where's Usain Bolt when you need him?

Damn, what a save by Ricketts on Dempsey. A ball by Cherundolo was crossed into the box and Dempsey was right by the goal but his header was stuffed. That would have been it for Jamaica.

Watson in for Vernan in the 64th minute.

Donovan in for Bedoya in the 65th minute. Great match for Bedoya, he is proving to be a valuable part of this team.

Jones gets through for a breakaway and a trip by Jermaine Taylor leads to a red card and a U.S. free kick.

U.S. offsides negates a good chance by Agudelo who goes tumbling over Ricketts.

Jamaica gets free in the box but a shot is blocked by the U.S. and deflected off Jamaica for a U.S. throw in.

Dempsey has a go on a long shot but it's stopped by Ricketts.


Jamaica's last sub, Daley on for Shelton.

Maurice Edu in for Jones in the 75th minute. Great job by Jones, his best in a U.S. jersey. He scored the only goal so far and earned the disputed red card by Jamaica.

Edu shoots wide, would have ended it for the U.S.

Haha the U.S. looks to have a 2 on 1 breakaway with Ricketts coming way off his line but they get called for an offside.

Dempsey puts it away with a sweet goal in the 79th minute from Agudelo. The cross went through a Jamaican defender's legs and Dempsey made Ricketts dive before he went around him and calmly finished. 2-0 U.S. Dempsey topped it off with the "you can't see me" celebration.

With that goal, Dempsey ties Bruce Murray (21 goals) for fifth all-time on U.S. scoring chart.

It goes without saying that this is by far the best performance by the U.S. so far in the Gold Cup.

The winner of this match gets El Salvador or Panama who play later today.

Bocanegra with a terrible giveaway right to Daley but Howard saves it from the top of the 18.

Two minutes of stoppage time.

U.S. wins one more free kick. Ricketts stops Dempsey's shot and Agudelo's half-chance on a rebound.

Final: U.S. 2, Jamaica 0

The U.S. really played well which was great to see. They needed this type of performance, badly. The U.S. advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, hope they get a rematch with Panama and that Mexico gets to the final by beating Honduras.

Things didn't look good with Donovan sitting at the start and Altidore getting hurt early but a bunch of role players and lesser known guys stood up for Bob Bradley. Jones' lucky goal seemed to get it started and Dempsey's goal was a beauty.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet