Slovenia has come out and guaranteed a victory against the United States in the second match in Group C. Credit midfielder Andrej Komac with giving Bob Bradley’s team the bulletin board material.
It’s now almost 48 hours before the USA meets Slovenia on Friday. This swing match is more important to the US hopes of advancing than the England game over the weekend.
Bradley’s team is guarding against a mental letdown when it faces a Slovenia squad with no big name stars.
The first goal for the USA on Friday is not to concede one in the early moments of the game, a trait they have become known for.
There is debate whether the Slovenia match-up is a good one for Robbie Findley, who has been charged with bringing speed to the US team at the World Cup.
Clint Dempsey says he felt that England found it hard to deal with the pressure in the first match.
Oguchi Onyewu will be ready for the second Group C game thanks to NASA technology which helped him make a comeback from injury.
Back in the States, one US newspaper opens its eyes to the widespread interest in the World Cup on American soil.
Sports Illustrated attempts to explain the lack of goals scored in South Africa.
One man charged with stopping goals, Italy ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon, missed another day of practice and his World Cup is in jeopardy. At least the azzurri can count on Andrea Pirlo’s return against Slovakia.
In other player news, Juan Sebastian Veron will sit out Argentina’s next game with a right calf injury. Also, England holding midfielder Gareth Barry will be back against Algeria.
After “Rambo” De Leon was ruled out of the World Cup for Honduras, the Central American country called up another Palacios brother, making for a World Cup first.
Honduras plays on Wednesday in the Group H opener on a national holiday in South Africa which carries great significance in remembrance of the Soweto uprisings.
One article describes the World Cup’s political impact over the years.
In Major League Soccer, Houston Dynamo assistant coach John Spencer was fined for a gesture made to the fans. Turns out he was sticking up for Brian Ching in LA in front of fans who Spencer calls “classless.”
It was only a matter of time before a transfer amount made its way into the press after the Sacha Kljestan signing by Belgian club Anderlecht from Chivas USA.
The two-week World Cup break is helping one former World Cup defender on the Columbus Crew come back from a nagging injury.
In MLS, FC Dallas has sent a player on loan to the second division Austin Aztex.
AC Milan will be returning to the USA this summer and will play an exhibition match at the Detroit Silverdome.
Lastly, the US Open Cup registered its fair share of thrilling matches with 16 matches on Tuesday. The second round match-ups are set.
