U.S. Gives Gutsy Performance, Bows Out of World Cup

NYT:

The United States was eliminated from the World Cup, but it went out battling. Belgium beat the Americans, 2-1, in the Round of 16 at Salvador, with all the goals coming in extra time. Tim Howard was heroic in keeping the game scoreless through 90 minutes, and he ended the evening credited officially with 15 saves. But in the third minute of extra time, Kevin De Bruyne finally broke the deadlock. He was set up by Romelu Lukaku, who had just come into the match.

Official highlights of the games can be seen here.

 

- John C.L. Morgan

U.S. Group Stage Highlights--Animated

Courtesy of artist Richard Swarbrick:



- John C.L. Morgan

Despite Loss to Germany, U.S. Advances to Knockout Round

SI:

Thomas Muller scored his fourth goal of the World Cup on Friday as Germany defeated the United States 1-0 to win Group G ahead of the Americans, who also advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup despite losing. With two wins and a draw, Germany topped the group with seven points, while the U.S. progressed with four. Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 but both were eliminated. Portugal also finished with four points but the U.S. had a better goal difference.

Official highlights from the game can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Portugal Scores Late Goal to Tie U.S.

SBI:

MANAUS, Brazil — The U.S. Men’s National Team’s once again delivered some late World Cup dramatics, but so too did Portugal. Substitute forward Varela scored a last-gasp goal at Arena Amazonia on Sunday night to give Portugal a thrilling 2-2 draw with the U.S., which had rallied from an early deficit and was on the brink of securing an early ticket to the Round of 16.

Official highlights from the game can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

U.S. Opens '14 World Cup with Thrilling Win

NYT:

An early goal by Clint Dempsey--the sixth fastest in World Cup history--gave the United States national team a shocking lead against Ghana in the teams' opening game of Group G. And a late goal by John Brooks, an inexperienced American defender who came on as second-half substitute, earned the Americans a victory. The 2-1 win was the United States team's first over Ghana in three World Cup games.

Official highlights of the game can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

The (Animated) World Cup

Richard Swarbrick, the filmmaker behind this sublime animated representation of some of the most well-known goals scored in World Cup history, will be animating each day of the 2014 edition. Above is his take on Day 1.

Swarbrick's YouTube channel is here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Tactical Previews of the World Cup

Soccer writer Michael Cox has compiled a collection of tactical previews for each of the 32 teams in the upcoming World Cup. Highly recommend you check them out prior to every game and after each game to read his recaps. Here's a snippet of his preview of the United States' tactics:

The United States are expected to add to this variety by using a diamond midfield, which might be unique among the 32 teams. Jurgen Klinsmann has spent recent weeks telling the press that the formation doesn’t matter, but the switch to the diamond in April’s 2-2 friendly draw against Mexico was a significant move, and was designed to bring the best out of the USA’s outstanding player, Michael Bradley.

- John C.L. Morgan