Tag: usmnt
Belgium Overcome American Resistance To Reach Quarters

Belgium Overcome American Resistance To Reach Quarters

Salvador (Brazil) (AFP) – Extra time goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku sent Belgium into the World Cup quarter-finals for first time in 28 years with a 2-1 win over the United States on Tuesday.

American keeper Tim Howard had made a string of fine saves to keep Marc Wilmots’ men at bay during the 90 minutes in Salvador.

However, he was finally beaten by De Bruyne’s angled drive after good work from substitute Lukaku and De Bruyne then returned the favor to allow Lukaku to slam past his Everton teammate Howard.

The States got back in the game two minutes into the second-half of extra time when substitute Julian Green volleyed home and only a fine save from Thibaut Courtois prevented Clint Dempsey from taking the game to penalties moments later.

But Belgium held on to set up a rematch of their 1986 semi-final defeat to Argentina in Brasilia on Saturday.

Lille’s 19-year-old striker Divock Origi had been brought into the side at Lukaku’s expense after impressing as a substitute in all three of Belgium’s Group H wins and he was denied within the opening minute by Howard’s outstretched leg after racing onto Kevin de Bruyne’s through ball.

Belgium’s pace on the counter-attack was a constant threat throughout the match and they should have gone in front when Jan Vertonghen fed De Bruyne, but having cut inside to open up the goal he slotted wide at the near post.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s men were then dealt a blow as one of their standout performers in the group stages, Fabian Johnson, limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by DeAndre Yedlin.

However, Yedlin nearly made an instant impact as he burst forward on the right and pulled the ball back for the unmarked Graham Zusi who shanked his shot horribly off target.

Belgium started strongly again in the second-half with the ever dangerous Vertonghen producing another fine cross from the left that both De Bruyne and Origi failed to turn home.

Origi was desperately unlucky moments later as his header from Toby Alderweireld’s cross came back off the crossbar.

Vertonghen then saw a low effort saved by Howard and volleyed over before Axel Witsel fired a shot inches wide as the wave of Belgian attacks continued.

Origi was then presented with another great chance after a fine run by substitute Kevin Mirallas, but again his low effort was beaten away Howard.

The Everton keeper’s best stop was to come though as he again used his legs to prevent club teammate Mirallas from slotting home 14 minutes from time.

Howard continued his one man resistance by parrying another low effort from Eden Hazard and then turning over a pildedriver from Origi.

Unbelievably the States then passed up a huge chance to win the game in stoppage time when Chris Wondolowski blazed over from Jermaine Jones’ knockdown.

Lukaku was introduced for Origi at the beginning of extra-time and made an immediate impact as he teed up De Bruyne to finally slot past the outstretched leg of Howard.

The 35-year-old continued to keep his side in the game with three more fine stops, but was eventually beaten for a second time when Lukaku thumped home De Bruyne’s through ball in stoppage time at the end of the first-half of extra time.

America were given a lifeline two minutes into the second period, though, as Green turned home Michael Bradley’s chipped pass.

And they twice came desperately close to taking the game to penalties as Jones fired inches wide before Courtois smothered from Dempsey to book Belgium’s place in the last eight.

AFP Photo/Francisco Leong

Americans Fall To Germany, Move To Knockout Stage In World Cup

Americans Fall To Germany, Move To Knockout Stage In World Cup

Recife (Brazil) (AFP) – Thomas Mueller fired an unstoppable 20 meter shot to give Germany a 1-0 victory over the United States on Thursday and top spot in World Cup Group G.

The United States, coached by former German boss Jurgen Klinsmann, also went through to the last 16 despite the 1-0 defeat in rain-sodden Recife.

Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Ghana was not enough to overtake the Americans in second place as they lost out on goal difference.

The 1-0 win and Germany’s domination of the game answered doubters who had suggested the two sides could be happy with a draw that would see them both through to the second round.

Klinsmann hired German coach Joachim Loew as his assistant when he was in charge of Germany. The two remain friends but both insisted they would go for a win.

Germany went on the attack from the start and in the first 20 minutes the ball was seldom out of the U.S. half. Mueller and his teammates struggled to create clear cut chances though.

The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the second half as U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard faced more pressure.

Howard punched away a header from Per Mertesacker, but Mueller was waiting on the edge of the penalty area and fired it back in giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Mueller now has four goals in the tournament taking him level at the top of the scorer’s rankings with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar.

AFP Photo/ Nelson Almeida

Klinsmann In Letter To U.S. Bosses: Give World Cup Time-Off

Klinsmann In Letter To U.S. Bosses: Give World Cup Time-Off

Washington (AFP) – Team USA have gone to unusual lengths to get the soccer-skeptical country behind their World Cup campaign.

Ahead of the United States’ make-or-break clash with the mighty Germany in Brazil on Thursday, the official U.S. Soccer Twitter feed sent out to its more than one million followers a letter ostensibly from coach Jurgen Klinsmann for fans to fill in and give to their bosses.

The letter, complete with the U.S. Soccer letterhead, reads: “To whom it may concern: Please excuse (insert name) from work on Thursday, June 26th.

“I understand that this absence may reduce the productivity of your workplace, but I can assure you that it is for an important cause.

“The #USMNT has a critical World Cup game vs. Germany and we will need the full support of the nation if we are to advance to the next round.

“By the way, you should act like a good leader and take the day off as well. Go USA!”

It is signed: “Jurgen Klinsmann, Head Coach, U.S. Men’s National Team.”

U.S. Soccer also encourages fans to take pictures of their bosses signing the letter granting the time off for the Germany showdown, which will see the U.S. into the knockout round of the World Cup with a win or draw.

The letter had been retweeted more than 5,200 times as of an hour before the big game, although at least one supporter — who wrote on the letter the name “Alex” — was left disappointed.

“Alex” tweeted a picture with a large red X in the space designated “signature of approval”, along with the words — seemingly from a superior — reading: “AS OUR NEWEST FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE YOU HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED OUR STAY-IN-THE-OFFICE GUY, WHILE THE REST OF US WATCH.”

AFP Photo/Patrick Stollarz

Last-Gasp Portugal Deny U.S. Shock Win At The World Cup

Last-Gasp Portugal Deny U.S. Shock Win At The World Cup

Manaus (Brazil) (AFP) – Portugal snatched a dramatic equalizer deep into injury time to force a 2-2 draw with the United States and keep their World Cup hopes flickering on Sunday.

Varela headed in a cross from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus to grab a vital point.

The last-gasp leveler deprived the United States of a famous win which would have seen them complete a remarkable qualification from Group G, which also includes Germany and Ghana.

It also saved Ronaldo and Portugal from an embarrassing first round elimination from a group they were firmly expected to qualify from.

The result leaves the United States and Germany level on four points in Group G, with Portugal and Ghana on one apiece.

A draw between the Germans and Americans in the final round of matches on Thursday would see both teams advance.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann hailed his team’s heroic display.

“Obviously the last second is unfortunate but my guys were magnificent,” he said.

“We just have to get a result against Germany.”

The Americans were left cursing a late equalizer just seconds from the final whistle after a battling performance.

Portugal winger Nani had shot the Europeans into the lead on five minutes but Klinsmann’s side rallied thereafter and dominated for long periods.

They got their reward when Jermaine Jones equalized on 64 minutes with a rasping shot.

Then nine minutes from time Dempsey chested in a shot to put the U.S. 2-1 up.

It seemed as if that would be enough for victory but Portugal poured forward with one last desperate attack to score.

In other games Sunday, teenager Divock Origi fired Belgium into the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Russia in Group H.

Algeria trounced South Korea 4-2 to notch a long-awaited first World Cup win in 32 years in the day’s other game.

Belgian substitute Origi pounced on 88 minutes to settle a drab encounter at the Maracana Stadium.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said Origi’s match-winning contribution illustrated the depth and hunger in his squad.

“I know people are not happy to be on the bench,” said Wilmots.

“But what is important is Belgium being able to rely upon totally devoted players when they are called upon.

“For the last 20 minutes I had people dying to be brought off the bench.”

The win saw Belgium guaranteed a place in the second round ahead of their final group game against South Korea.

But the defeat leaves Fabio Capello’s Russia facing a tense battle to qualify, with only one point from two games.

“Of course I still believe. We have no other option than to go out and beat Algeria,” Capello told reporters

Algeria thrust themselves into pole position to qualify along with Belgium after thumping a woeful South Korea in Porto Alegre in Group H’s other game.

It was Algeria’s first win at a World Cup since the 1982 finals in Spain.

Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou effectively settled the contest before half-time as Algeria raced into a 3-0 lead.

Son Heung-Min gave Korea a flicker of hope five minutes after half-time, but Yacine Brahimi made it 4-1 on 62 minutes.

Koo Ja-Cheol added a consolation goal for Korea, who must now beat Belgium in their final match on Thursday to have any chance of making the last 16.

AFP Photo/Fabrice Coffrini