Soccer TV Schedule for the week of 6/26

Normally posted on Friday's, I've decided to move the soccer TV schedule up by one day in order to keep with my every other day World Cup analysis tomorrow. So without further ado here is the soccer TV schedule for the next week as the World Cup enters the knockout rounds and the MLS returns to action.


Friday (25th):
- World Cup: Brazil vs. Portugal - 9:30am - ESPN
- World Cup: North Korea vs. Ivory Coast - 9:30am - ESPN2
- World Cup: Chile vs. Spain - 2pm - ESPN
- World Cup: Switzerland vs. Honduras - 2pm - ESPN2

Saturday (26th):
- World Cup: Final 16: Uruguay vs. South Korea - 9:30am - ESPN
- World Cup: Final 16: USA vs. Ghana - 2pm - ABC
- MLS: LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC - 7pm - FSC

Sunday (27th):
- World Cup: Final 16: England vs. Germany - 9:30am - ESPN
- World Cup: Final 16: Argentina vs. Mexico - 2pm - ABC
- MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. Philadelphia Union - 5pm - ESPN2
- WPS: FC Gold Pride vs. Sky Blue FC - 6pm - FSC

Monday (28th):
- World Cup: Final 16: Netherlands vs. Slovakia - 9:30am - ESPN
- World Cup: Final 16: Brazil vs. Group H 2nd Place - 2pm - ESPN

Tuesday (29th):
- World Cup: Final 16: Paraguay vs. Japan - 9:30am - ESPN
- World Cup: Final 16: Group H 1st Place vs. Portugal - 2pm - ESPN

Wednesday (30th):
- WPS: All-Star Game - 8pm - FSC

Thursday (1st):
- MLS: Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC - 7pm - ESPN2

Friday (2nd):
- World Cup: Quarter-Finals: Netherlands/Slovakia Winner vs. Brazil/2H Winner - 9:30am - ESPN/ABC
- World Cup: Quarter-Finals: Uruguay/South Korea Winner vs. USA/Ghana Winner - 2pm - ESPN

World Cup 2010 Analysis: 6/22-23

Group A (Final Match):
 - Thoughts: Great way to kick off the last set of matches in group play as the hosts looked to write an incredible come back with some help from Uruguay. South Africa scored two first half goals and put forth a performance to make their country proud. Despite holding on the 2-1 victory over the disappointing French side, the hosts will still eliminated on goal differential by Mexico. The Mexicans did not look strong in this final group match while Uruguay continues to build its momentum behind Suarez and Forlan.
 - Advancing: Uruguay and Mexico.

Group B (Final Match):

 - Thoughts: Greece, needing a win, still played up their strength - defensive - and let Argentina run their game to a 2-0 victory stealing the top spot of the group. South Korea and Nigeria both had a chance to advance and each had moments where they were the team in the 2nd spot. A great free kick goal takes South Korea into the final 16 for the first time on foreign soil. 

 - Advancing: Argentina and South Korea.

Group C (Final Match):

 - Thoughts: Simply Amazing. Following up their incredible 2nd half against Slovenia the USA scored a historic goal to top the group and advance to the knockout round. The match marked the first time America had ever earned a point from its final group game. England had put the pressure on USA early in the match by taking a 1-0 lead over Slovenia. Many shaky moments for both USA and the English but both sides are still alive into the knockout rounds as most predicted. This victory will be another boost for soccer in the US. 

 - Advancing: United States and England.

Group D (Final Match):

 - Thoughts: Another group where all four teams were still alive entering the final day. Germany scored first, and held one to the 1-0 lead, to take the top of group D. After that goal both Germany and Ghana seemed to slow down a few gears and hold on to hopefully advance. In Nelspruit Australia jumped out to a two goal lead and tried to pull the same feat South Africa was going forward. Serbia fought back strong until the final whistle, but were unable to find a second goal to equalize. Ghana become the first (and likely only) African team to advance to the knockout round in the 2010 World Cup.

 - Advancing: Germany and Ghana.

Round of 16 Matches:

 - Uruguay vs. South Korea

 - USA vs. Ghana

 - Germany vs. England

 - Argentina vs. Mexico

World Cup 2010 Analysis: 6/20-21

Group F (Second One):
 - Paraguay: South American teams are still undefeated through 10 matches and Paraguay have looked the class on this group. Another victory seems assured against New Zealand and they could be a good team to surprise a few sides in the knockout rounds.
 - Italy: Like France and England, Italy are playing dangerously close to an early elimination. They have fallen behind early in both matches and cannot do the same against Slovakia as they would sit in defensive for hope of advancing. Either way the Italians lack the attack and speed to advance far.
 - New Zealand: The Kiwis came off of their first World Cup point with their first World Cup lead - against the world champions Italy. While they haven't been dominate in either match they have been opportunistic. Another draw could see them as the surprise team in the final 16 - against the Dutch though. Despite the final match New Zealand have to be happy to have shown they deserve to be at the finals after coming from a weak qualification group (Oceanic).
 - Slovakia: Normally a B-tier European team sitting in last place after two matches and facing the world champions is not a place many teams would want to be. But Slovakia have the skill to beat Italy and jump into the 2nd spot in Group F. Will likely put the pressure on the Italians. Hamsik and Weiss need to step up and show they are future European stars.

Group G (Second Match):
 - Brazil: Another samba victory as Brazil have clinched a spot in the final 16 heading into a skill showdown against Portugal. Even though the Kaka red card was soft I was disappointed to see Brazil make the most of so many fouls throughout the game. A team with this much skill should not have to delve into the 'dark arts' of soccer.
 - Portugal: For most of the build up leading into this tournament I think people forgot that Portugal was ranked #3 in the world. Overshadowed by the bigger teams of the world and disappointing in their first match it looked like they would not live up to that ranking. Ronaldo and crew are now set up for a great group winning match-up against #1 in the world Brazil.
 - Ivory Coast: It was great to see Drogba start and I'll admit I was sad to see another African side fall. The game got really rough by the end as Brazil seemed to keep the pressure on after the victory was assured. The Ivory Coast have a tough hill to climb to get back into 2nd place - they must overcome a 9 goal differential with Portugal. Either way hopefully Drogba can shine for the African teams.
 - North Korea: It looked as though the mysterious North Korean side we about to continue their great defensive run....and then Portugal scored 7 goals. North Korea seemed to quit by late in the second half and it will be interesting to see how they come out against Ivory Coast who will need to put up a lot of goals.

Group H (Second Match):
 - Chile: Chile plays a very attractive and entertaining brand of soccer and have put forth two great 1-0 victories. Sitting a top the group on 6 points is a great position, but they must take on a Spanish side who will enter the game possibly needing a victory. Should make for great entertainment for Friday afternoon.
 - Spain: Now there is the Spain we all know and enjoy to watch. The 2-0 result should have easily been 4 or 5 to 0, but Spain are back in form and can still finish top of Group H despite the shocking loss to the Swiss. Either way they will likely face Brazil or Portugal in the round of 16.
 - Switzerland: Another soft (and probably unwarranted) red card which altered this match. Despite the loss the Swiss are still in a good spot to advance with a win over Honduras and a Spain victory over Chile, which could happen. Switzerland however did take home an impressive World Cup record - longest streak (in minutes) of not letting in a goal - 551 minutes.
 - Honduras: As expected Honduras has been one of the weaker sides at the 2010 World Cup - they've managed only 1 shot on goal in their first two matches. While not technically eliminated their new goal should be to represent well for the CONCACAF region.

USSF D2 Table Update & Power Rankings

If you are like me you have probably been glued to the TV and internet for all things World Cup as the tournament gets ready to enter the 3rd match of group play. In lieu of that here is a consolidated look at the past week's results, current USSF D2 Table, and power rankings (through 6/20). 

Week 11 Results (Attendance): [Winners in bold]

 - Vancouver 1-1 Puerto Rico (2,112)

 - Minnesota 1-0 Portland (8,877)

 - Baltimore 1-1 Carolina (2,821)

 - Portland 2-0 Minnesota (1,152)

 - Tampa Bay 0-1 Puerto Rico (1,542)

 - Miami 1-3 Austin (2,143)

 - Rochester 1-1 Montreal

NASL Conference Standings

NASL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	20	12	5	2	5	12	7	+5	*
2	Montreal Impact	16	11	4	3	4	9	10	-1	*
3	Carolina RailHawks	14	10	3	2	5	12	9	+3	*
4	Miami FC	13	12	2	3	7	14	18	-4
5	Crystal Palace Baltimore	12	12	3	6	3	11	16	-5
6	AC St. Louis	7	10	2	7	1	7	17	-10

USL Conference Standings

USL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Austin Aztex	27	13	8	2	3	25	15	+10	*
2	Rochester Rhinos	19	12	5	3	4	14	11	+3	*
3	FC Tampa Bay	18	12	5	4	3	18	14	+4	*
4	NSC Minnesota Stars	17	15	5	8	2	12	21	-9	*
5	Portland Timbers	16	13	4	5	4	12	10	+2	*
6	Puerto Rico Islanders	13	10	4	5	1	15	13	+2

Power Rankings (Week 11) (W-L-D):

1. Austin Aztex (8-2-3) (LW: 1)
2. Vancouver Whitecaps (5-2-5) (LW: 2)
3. Rochester Rhinos (5-3-4) (LW: 4)
4. Carolina Railhawks (3-2-5) (LW: 5)
5. Tampa Bay Rowdies (5-4-3) (LW: 3)
6. Montreal Impact (4-3-4) (LW: 6)
7. Portland Timbers (4-5-4) (LW: 7)
8. Puerto Rico Islanders (4-5-1) (LW: 8)
9. Minnesota Stars (5-8-2) (LW: 9)
10. Crystal Palace Baltimore (3-6-3) (LW: 10)
11. Miami FC (2-3-7) (LW; 11)
12. AC St. Louis (2-7-1) (LW: 12)