Oh so close

Now it will take a win or a tie against Germany or a tie between Ghana and Portugal.  Two weeks ago any of these seemed unlikely and the first impossible.  But as tonight's game and a number of others have shown, anything can happen in this World Cup.

Who would've thought Spain would be eliminated in the first round or that Portugal's hopes would end after two games?  The former has happened and the latter was just seconds away from happening - until Varestre Varela headed home a perfect cross from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 95th minute to salvage a 2-2 tie and Portugal's slim chances of advancing.

It was a great game, regardless of the outcome as the Americans fought back from a 1-0 deficit created by Geoff Cameron's bad clearing attempt in the 5th minute.  Unfortunately the ball went to his left rather than upfield, and landed at the feet of Nani, who took advantage.

A spectacular shot by Jermaine Jones equalized in the 64th minute and the fans were thinking a tie wouldn't be too bad after the opening round win over Ghana.  But when Clint Dempsey scored in the 81st minute, it appeared that a place in the quarterfinals was secure. 

In between Portugal's two goals, there was spectacular goaltending by American Tim Howard who very properly was named Budweiser Man of the Match.

You still have the like USA's chances as they need a win or tie against Germany Thursday or a tie between Portugal and Ghana, to go through.  The New York Times provides this analysis  of the possibilities.

Football or Soccer?

This article in The Atlantic explains that it was actually the British who coined the name "soccer" for the game most of the world calls "football."

Coach P's Soccer Blog Discovered

Someone must be reading Coach P's Soccer Blog.  

Yesterday I received via e-mail the alumni newsletter of my old high school, Penn Charter in Philadelphia (where I was Class of '64), and it offered links to various on-line stories about Penn Charter alums in the news, including Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro (Class of '83) and former U.S. National Team and Philadelphia Union player, Chris Albright (Class of '97).  What I did not realize until I clicked the link was that the article was from Coach P's Soccer Blog back in February. 

Nice to see someone is reading.

A story about Amaro, who was a very good soccer player at PC:  When he was a senior he was nominated for the annual Alumni Society Award, given to a senior who through scholarship, leadership, athletics and character exemplifies Penn Charter.  I was on the Alumni Society committee that selected the winner from among nominees by the faculty.

I recognized Amaro's name because of his father who played for the Phillies.  His academic transcript was close to all A's, his faculty recommendations off the charts and athletically he was not only a star in soccer, he was even better in baseball.  (He went on to play at Standford and then for the Phillies.)  Bill Bux was the only other committee member  and we agreed to confer by phone the next morning.  When I called him he immediately said, "I was thinking of Amaro."  To which I replied, "I guess we have a consensus."  And so Ruben's name is on the wall of the Assembly Room with some 80 other winners of the award,