PACHUCA, MEXICO - A 10-man United States held on for a 0-0 draw with New Zealand on Saturday, enough to advance it and give CONCACAF a second team in the second round of the Under-17 World Cup.
The result finished both teams with four points and tied for second place in Group D behind Uzbekistan. Although the draw assured both of advancing, because the United States and New Zealand finished with an identical 4-2 aggregate goal count, the tie had to be broken by lots.
Acting FIFA U-17 World Cup chairman David Chung conducted the draw, pulling the United States' slip of paper and putting sending the Americans to a second-round meeting against the Group E winner - likely Germany -- on Thursday.
Earlier, Canada was eliminated from contention with its 0-0 draw with Rwanda, a result that also knocked out the African side.
The Canadians finished with two points, in third place, five behind Group C winner England and four back of Uruguay.
In the latter game, the United States outshot the Kiwis 20-4 and had 10 corners to New Zealand's one, but lost captain Marc Pelosi in the 68th minute to a second yellow card.
The United States joins host Mexico in the knockout round, leaving Panama with a chance on Sunday to add another CONCACAF side in the round-of-16. Canada was eliminated along with Jamaica.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
United States player Tim Howard lashes out at CONCACAF
PASADENA, UNITED STATES - As goalkeeper for the U.S. National Soccer team, Tim Howard is one of the most demonstrative players on the pitch. The 32-year-old pro can often be found barking directions at teammates and isn't afraid to show his emotion during close games. Howard certainly didn't shy away from expressing his feelings after Mexico's 4-2 victory over the U.S. in Saturday night's Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
"CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves," Howard told the Sporting News after the match. "I think it was a [expletive] disgrace that the entire post-match ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your [butt] if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't all be in English."
Though Howard said the influx of Mexican fans at the match had no impact on Mexico winning, he was visibly upset at the setup of the event.
"It never ceases to amaze me, all that stuff," he said.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley acknowledged the disparity in fan support but said the experience was good for his team.
"Obviously, the support that Mexico has on a night like tonight makes it a home game for them," he said. "Certainly we have some fans, but the overwhelming amount of support [for Mexico] is something that we expected and as a team we understand it's part of what we've got to deal with tonight. It was still a great atmosphere."
"CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves," Howard told the Sporting News after the match. "I think it was a [expletive] disgrace that the entire post-match ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your [butt] if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't all be in English."
Fernando Fiore, an anchor for Spanish-language network Univision, was the emcee for the post-match trophy ceremony. According to the Sporting News, Fiore used mostly Spanish while conducting the ceremony, except for the awarding of silver medals to the Americans in which he switched to English.Though Howard said the influx of Mexican fans at the match had no impact on Mexico winning, he was visibly upset at the setup of the event.
"It never ceases to amaze me, all that stuff," he said.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley acknowledged the disparity in fan support but said the experience was good for his team.
"Obviously, the support that Mexico has on a night like tonight makes it a home game for them," he said. "Certainly we have some fans, but the overwhelming amount of support [for Mexico] is something that we expected and as a team we understand it's part of what we've got to deal with tonight. It was still a great atmosphere."
Dennis Marshall killed in car crash
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - Defender Dennis Marshall, who scored in Costa Rica's Gold Cup quarterfinal loss to Honduras on Saturday, has died along with his girlfriend in an apparent car crash, the Costa Rican soccer federation confirmed on its website Thursday.
The Associated Press, quoting the Red Cross, said Marshall died Thursday when his car collided in a head-on collision with a truck in a mountainous region near the capital of San Jose.
The 25-year-old member of Danish club AaB Aalborg, had returned to Costa Rica following Saturday's loss, in which he scored in the 56th minute for "Los Ticos", equalizing and eventually sending the match to penalties where Honduras prevailed 4-2.
The Costa Rican federation announced the death in a three-sentence statement on its website, saying it profoundly lamented the death of Marshall and his girlfriend Meylin Masis Castro.
Marshall had been a member of the Costa Rican national team since 2009 and had played in eight games over two Gold Cups.
U-17 FIFA World Cup--Panama advances to second round
QUERETARO, MEXICO - Panama fell to Germany 2-0 Sunday in its group finale but still advanced to the second round of the Under-17 World Cup. The result finished "Los Canaleros" in third place in Group E with three points, six behind group winner Germany and three back of Ecuador. It sends them to a round-of-16 encounter on Thursday against host Mexico, which has won all three of its group matches.
It also confirmed a second-round meeting between Germany and the United States on Thursday in Queretaro.
Panama finished the group stage outscored 4-2, outshot 20-10 by Germany and unable to register a goal against Germany despite playing the final 24 minutes with a man advantage.
Okan Aydin gave Germany the lead in the 10th minute, capitalizing on space granted to him and scoring from outside the penalty area.
Mitchell Weiser double the lead in the 39th. Cimo Roecker was freed down the left side and he worked his way to the byline and then toward goal before sending a cross back into the middle of the area, where Weiser settled the ball and hit a left-footed strike that Panama keeper Ivan Picart was able to get an arm to but not stop.
Panama was given an advantage when Aydin was ejected in the 66th for a studs-to-the-shin tackle of Alonzo Goot, but "La Marea Roja" was unable to mount any serious challenge the rest of the way.
Top 10 Players--2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
1. Javier Hernandez-Mexico
2. Giovani dos Santos-Mexico
3. Rodolfo Zelaya-El Salvador
4. Clint Dempsey-United States
5. Andres Guardado-Mexico
6. Landon Donovan-United States
7. Luis Tejada-Panama
8. Jerry Bengston-Honduras
9. Demar Phillips-Jamaica
10. Tim Howard-United States
2. Giovani dos Santos-Mexico
3. Rodolfo Zelaya-El Salvador
4. Clint Dempsey-United States
5. Andres Guardado-Mexico
6. Landon Donovan-United States
7. Luis Tejada-Panama
8. Jerry Bengston-Honduras
9. Demar Phillips-Jamaica
10. Tim Howard-United States
2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round annouced
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Four-time qualifier San Francisco of Panama will open the CONCACAF Champions League at home against the Seattle Sounders on July 26, kicking off the 78-game, nine-month championship with the first game of the Preliminary Round.
Herediano of Costa Rica will host Alpha United of Guyana the same night, with three games set for the next day.
The Canadian champion, either Toronto FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps, will be at home against Real Esteli of Nicaragua on Wednesday, July 27, with Isidro Metapan of El Salvador against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and Mexico's Santos hosting CD Olimpia of Honduras.
The Canadian champion will be decided July 2 with the replay of the second leg of the final in Toronto, which was abandoned midway through the second half on May 25 due to heavy rain and lightning.
The first leg of the Preliminary Round will conclude on Thursday, July 28, with Monarcas Morelia at home against Haiti's Tempete FC, El Salvador's Alianza FC at home against FC Dallas, and Motagua of Honduras hosting CSD Municipal of Guatemala.
The second leg of the Preliminary Round will begin with Esteli against the Canadian champion on August 2. Five games will follow on August 3: Dallas vs. Alianza, Tempete vs. Morelia, the Puerto Rico Islanders vs. Metapan, Seattle vs. San Francisco, and Olimpia vs. Santos Laguna.
The first phase of the Champions League will finish on August 4 with Alpha United vs. Herediano and Municipal vs. Motagua.
The winners will advance to the Group Stage, which will commence on August 16.
CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round
All Times U.S. Eastern
FIRST LEG
Tuesday, July 26
San Francisco (PAN) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA), 8 p.m.
Herediano (CRC) vs. Alpha United (GUY), 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 27
Toronto FC vs. Real Estelí FC (NCA), 8 p.m.*
Isidro Metapán (SLV) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 8 p.m.
Santos Laguna FC (MEX) vs. CD Olimpia (HON), 10 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN) vs. Real Estelí FC (NCA), 10 p.m. *
*Pending outcome of Canadian championship final on July 2
Thursday, July 28
Monarcas Morelia (MEX) vs. Tempete FC (HAI), 8 p.m.
Alianza FC (SLV) vs. FC Dallas (USA), 10 p.m.
CD Motagua (HON) vs. CSD Municipal (GUA), 10 p.m.
Second Leg
Tuesday, August 2
Real Estelí (NCA) vs. Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN), 10 p.m.
Wednesday, August 3
FC Dallas (USA) vs. Alianza FC (SLV), 8 p.m.
Tempete FC (HAI) vs. Monarcas Morelia (MEX), 8 p.m.
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Isidro Metapán (SLV), 8 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 10 p.m.
CD Olimpia (HON) vs. Santos Laguna FC (MEX), 10 p.m.
Thursday, August 4
Alpha United (GUY) vs. Herediano (CRC), 8 p.m.
CSD Municipal (GUA) vs. CD Motagua (HON), 10 p.m.
Hernandez selected as MVP of tournament
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who scored in four of Mexico's six victories and finished as the leading scorer with seven goals, was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the 2011 Gold Cup. Hernandez led Mexico's near sweep of the awards. Hernandez also finished as the Golden Boot winner and captain Rafael Marquez accepted the Fair Play Award on behalf of El Tri.
Only Honduras' Noel Valladares interrupted the Mexico domination, selected as the tournament's best goalkeeper for leading "Los Catrachos" into the semifinals by permitting only five goals in as many games.
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup---Hosts Germany tops Canada
BERLIN, GERMANY - Germany scored a pair of first-half goals and beat CONCACAF champion Canada 2-1 to open the Women's World Cup on Sunday. Kerstin Garefrekes gave the host and two-time defending champion the lead in 10th minute and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi added her tally in the 42nd before a crowd of 73,680 at Olimpiastadion.
Germany outshot Canada 21-6 and 9-1 with chances on goal, and failed to finish several opportunities, particularly in the second half.
Canadian forward Christine Sinclair, who shot high with game's first real chance in the sixth minute, pulled the North Americans within one in the 82nd.
Her right-footed free kick from 25 meters over the right-side of a six-player defensive all and just inside the right post was the first goal conceded by Germany in the Women's World Cup since the 2003 final, a stretch of six full games and 693 minutes over eight matches.
Germany extended its unbeaten streak to 13 in the Women's World Cup with the victory.
Canada next will play Thursday in Bochum against France, which beat Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday in its Group A opener.
Germany outshot Canada 21-6 and 9-1 with chances on goal, and failed to finish several opportunities, particularly in the second half.
Canadian forward Christine Sinclair, who shot high with game's first real chance in the sixth minute, pulled the North Americans within one in the 82nd.
Her right-footed free kick from 25 meters over the right-side of a six-player defensive all and just inside the right post was the first goal conceded by Germany in the Women's World Cup since the 2003 final, a stretch of six full games and 693 minutes over eight matches.
Germany extended its unbeaten streak to 13 in the Women's World Cup with the victory.
Canada next will play Thursday in Bochum against France, which beat Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday in its Group A opener.
Mexico crowned CONCACAF Champions
PASADENA, UNITED STATES - Pablo Barrera scored a goal in each half and Mexico rallied from a two-goal deficit to a 4-2 victory over the United States on Saturday for its sixth Gold Cup title.
Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado added goals for El Tri, which beat the United States for a fourth time in the final and earned a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
"There's no better moment than victory," Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said. "Everything else is in the past now."
Mexico won championships in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, and 2009 -- when it beat the Americans 5-0 in the final.
The United States played without striker Jozy Altidore who sat out with a hamstring strain. Both teams lost starters to injury in the first half: Steve Cherundolo for the United States with a left ankle sprain, while Mexico had to replace defenders Rafael Marquez (hamstring) and Carlos Salcido (heel).
Jonathan Bornstein was inserted for Cherundolo, a move that perhaps proved to be more costly, with the Tigres defender losing his mark on Barrera's second score of the night.
Barrera sparked Mexico's unanswered scoring run after the United States appeared to be taking a commanding control of the match.
Landon Donovan gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Mexico had only allowed two goals combined in its five previous matches in the tournament.
"You're worried and you don't want to become disorganized," de la Torre said about falling behind. "The United States was playing well. They surprised us with the first goal. We pushed too far up in the second goal. Fortunately, we were able to maintain our calm."
The American's lead didn't last long, with Mexico taking seven minutes to equalize.
Mexico cut the United State's lead to 2-1 in the 29th minute when Barrera sent a right-footed blast in between Howard and his left post. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez fed Barrera a long ball from about 30 meters. Barrera sprinted past Bornstein to get to Hernandez's pass.
El Tri tied the match in the 36th minute when Guardado poked in a lose ball from the mouth of the goal. Guardado got to the ball before Howard could pounce on it after it Eric Lichaj bocked a Dos Santos shot across the penalty area.
Mexico started the second with high pressure, and Barrera capitalized. He had a quick exchange of passes with Guardado and buried a right-footed shot into the right, lower corner of the net for a 3-2 lead.
"You have to give Mexico a lot of credit," Donovan said. "They are a difficult team to play against. They have bunch of guys that can make special plays.
"Tonight I thought Gio (dos Santos) was excellent. I can say Barrera was excellent. Actually of all things we did a good job with Chicharito, preventing his chances. They just had too much for us."
Dos Santos added the insurance in the 76th minute when broke into the area, Howard raced off his line and the Tottenham midfielder lobbed an arcing ball into the top-right corner of an empty net. United States defender Eric Lichaj lept at the back post but could not jump reach the precise shot.
"It was a great goal," Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said. "We'll forgive him for all the ones he's missed."
Dos Santos almost single handedly created the scoring play. He dribbled into the penalty box while Howard dived at his feet trying to slap the ball away. Dos Santos turned and spun to maintain control before placing the ball in the top corner.
That prompted a roar from the sellout partisan Mexican crowd of 93,420.
But that crowd grew silent eight minutes into the match.
Michael Bradley gave the United States the lead in the eighh minute when he sent Freddy Adu's corner kick into the net. Adu curled a ball to the near post, where Bradley got a glancing header on it, and Mexican keeper Alfredo Talavera was able to get a hand to it, but not stop it.
Donovan's goal - which gave him the Gold Cup's career scoring record with 13, one more than Mexico's Luis Alberto Aves or "Zague" -- appeared to humble El Tri. But it wasn't enough to control the match.
"We have to learn to keep composure," United States coach Bob Bradley said about losing a 2-0 lead. "These are learning experiences when you're playing against a skillful good team. Now you have to find a way to deal with it and tonight we didn't do a good job."
Adu began the scoring play by dashing past his defender and feeding Clint Dempsey a through ball near the top of the arc. Dempsey then found Donovan running freely to the right of Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.
Donovan one-touched the ball to his left and a sent well-located shot past Talavera.
Then it all changed for the United States. Mexico took over.
"We're disappointed," Bob Bradley said. "A game like this, when you're together for a month, you feel like you've grown and put yourself in the final and let it get away…it's an empty feeling."
Howard shared a similar feeling.
The American goalkeeper said there is no room to panic despite the defeat.
"We're in a good place," Howard said. "This will hopefully motivate us. We're not running away just because of this game. Right now it all hurts. It sucks getting your (butt) kicked. That's what happened tonight."
Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado added goals for El Tri, which beat the United States for a fourth time in the final and earned a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
"There's no better moment than victory," Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said. "Everything else is in the past now."
Mexico won championships in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, and 2009 -- when it beat the Americans 5-0 in the final.
The United States played without striker Jozy Altidore who sat out with a hamstring strain. Both teams lost starters to injury in the first half: Steve Cherundolo for the United States with a left ankle sprain, while Mexico had to replace defenders Rafael Marquez (hamstring) and Carlos Salcido (heel).
Jonathan Bornstein was inserted for Cherundolo, a move that perhaps proved to be more costly, with the Tigres defender losing his mark on Barrera's second score of the night.
Barrera sparked Mexico's unanswered scoring run after the United States appeared to be taking a commanding control of the match.
Landon Donovan gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Mexico had only allowed two goals combined in its five previous matches in the tournament.
"You're worried and you don't want to become disorganized," de la Torre said about falling behind. "The United States was playing well. They surprised us with the first goal. We pushed too far up in the second goal. Fortunately, we were able to maintain our calm."
The American's lead didn't last long, with Mexico taking seven minutes to equalize.
Mexico cut the United State's lead to 2-1 in the 29th minute when Barrera sent a right-footed blast in between Howard and his left post. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez fed Barrera a long ball from about 30 meters. Barrera sprinted past Bornstein to get to Hernandez's pass.
El Tri tied the match in the 36th minute when Guardado poked in a lose ball from the mouth of the goal. Guardado got to the ball before Howard could pounce on it after it Eric Lichaj bocked a Dos Santos shot across the penalty area.
Mexico started the second with high pressure, and Barrera capitalized. He had a quick exchange of passes with Guardado and buried a right-footed shot into the right, lower corner of the net for a 3-2 lead.
"You have to give Mexico a lot of credit," Donovan said. "They are a difficult team to play against. They have bunch of guys that can make special plays.
"Tonight I thought Gio (dos Santos) was excellent. I can say Barrera was excellent. Actually of all things we did a good job with Chicharito, preventing his chances. They just had too much for us."
Dos Santos added the insurance in the 76th minute when broke into the area, Howard raced off his line and the Tottenham midfielder lobbed an arcing ball into the top-right corner of an empty net. United States defender Eric Lichaj lept at the back post but could not jump reach the precise shot.
"It was a great goal," Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said. "We'll forgive him for all the ones he's missed."
Dos Santos almost single handedly created the scoring play. He dribbled into the penalty box while Howard dived at his feet trying to slap the ball away. Dos Santos turned and spun to maintain control before placing the ball in the top corner.
That prompted a roar from the sellout partisan Mexican crowd of 93,420.
But that crowd grew silent eight minutes into the match.
Michael Bradley gave the United States the lead in the eighh minute when he sent Freddy Adu's corner kick into the net. Adu curled a ball to the near post, where Bradley got a glancing header on it, and Mexican keeper Alfredo Talavera was able to get a hand to it, but not stop it.
Donovan's goal - which gave him the Gold Cup's career scoring record with 13, one more than Mexico's Luis Alberto Aves or "Zague" -- appeared to humble El Tri. But it wasn't enough to control the match.
"We have to learn to keep composure," United States coach Bob Bradley said about losing a 2-0 lead. "These are learning experiences when you're playing against a skillful good team. Now you have to find a way to deal with it and tonight we didn't do a good job."
Adu began the scoring play by dashing past his defender and feeding Clint Dempsey a through ball near the top of the arc. Dempsey then found Donovan running freely to the right of Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.
Donovan one-touched the ball to his left and a sent well-located shot past Talavera.
Then it all changed for the United States. Mexico took over.
"We're disappointed," Bob Bradley said. "A game like this, when you're together for a month, you feel like you've grown and put yourself in the final and let it get away…it's an empty feeling."
Howard shared a similar feeling.
The American goalkeeper said there is no room to panic despite the defeat.
"We're in a good place," Howard said. "This will hopefully motivate us. We're not running away just because of this game. Right now it all hurts. It sucks getting your (butt) kicked. That's what happened tonight."
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