Official Press Release – NEW YORK (June 28, 2010) – The USA Bid Committee today announced Fox Soccer Channel as an official partner in support of the organization’s efforts to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the United States in 2018 or 2022.

“The challenge and privilege of hosting a FIFA World Cup is enormous, as we are seeing here in South Africa,” said Sunil Gulati, Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of U.S. Soccer. “The same can be said for the bidding process. Corporate support is an important component to a successful bid, and now we’re very fortunate to count Fox Soccer Channel as a friend and official partner of our endeavor to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022.”

Fox Soccer Channel and its associated platforms, Fox Soccer Plus and Foxsoccer.com, will begin a series of corporate sponsorship announcements for the U.S. bid in the coming weeks. Fox Soccer Channel is an American multi-platform sports network showcasing the most comprehensive world-class soccer programming in the United States throughout the year. Fox Soccer Channel programming is dedicated to global soccer, and holds exclusive rights to key properties such as UEFA Champions League, England’s Barclays Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, the CONCACAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. It also carries a full slate of Major League Soccer, Women’s Professional Soccer, NCAA Division I men’s and women’s soccer matches in the United States and is the Official Broadcast Partner of United States Youth Soccer Association. read more »

Head coach Bob Bradley was left to rue a missed opportunity as his experienced United States side were knocked out of the World Cup by Ghana in Rustenburg. The Americans fought back following a sluggish first half in which they fell behind to Kevin-Prince Boateng’s fifth minute goal.

Landon Donovan, who had been the hero of their dramatic qualification for the last 16, equalized from the penalty spot just after the hour. But, a spectacular left-foot strike by Asamoah Gyan in extra-time sent the Africans through to the quarter-finals.

The States attempted a desperate all-out assault in the final few minutes of extra-time, but it was not to be. Bradley felt his side simply did not have anymore to give, saying: “I really felt when we got to 1-1 there were some chances for us.

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I’m happy that I don’t have to follow the most dramatic game winning goal in U.S. Football history with a doom and gloom, “now it’s time to lose to a decent team” match preview! Ghana is no pushover, we all know that, but this should be a good game, and more importantly a game in which the USA are not outclassed. Here’s my take on the game and what we’ve seen so far means to it:

Positives: The best U.S. players have been the difference makers. This is important in every sport, whether you’re trying to win the Super Bowl, World Series, Beer Olympics, or the World Cup. Donovan, Dempsey, and Howard have all come up big in key moments; they’re the reason the Yanks are alive and they’ll have to keep it up. Michael Bradley also deserves a mention.

With Michael Essien injured and Sulley Muntari playing like garbage it’s not likely that Ghana will run a ball-possession clinic on the Yanks. This is so important! Fans with long memories know that at least half the time this team loses it’s due to getting dominated in terms of possession through the midfield (Netherlands friendly, Costa Rica at the Saprissa, etc.). The US have played well in the middle of the park this tourney, due in large part to the play of Michael Bradley, and they should look forward to another good performance.

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Algeria and USA lock horns in their final Group C clash with both sides in with a chance of progression. The stakes could not be much higher in the first ever meeting between the two countries

A win for USA will secure a spot in the last 16 for Bob Bradley’s men, while a draw could be good enough if England fail to beat Slovenia. Algeria must win to have any chance of qualifying and they may need to win by a two-goal margin dependent on England’s result against Slovenia.

USA will be pressed into an enforced change with Robbie Findley suspended after picking up two bookings in the opening two games. In his absence Clint Dempsey could be moved further forward alongside Jozy Altidore in attack.

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England’s World Cup tournament got off to a slow start in Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg tonight with a 1-1 draw against a determined USA team. England got the perfect start after only 4 mins when stand in captain Steven Gerrard latched onto an Emile Heskey pass to slide the ball past Tim Howard into an empty net. However, they failed to capitalize on their advantage and were pegged back in the 44th minute when England goalie Robert Green dropped the clanger we were all afraid of when he allowed a harmless long shot from Clint Dempsey to dribble away from him and into the net. England were a much improved side in the second half but the USA defended strongly and honors remained tied.

The starting line-ups held a couple of surprises as Robert Green took the goalkeeper position for England, with James Milner starting out on the left despite suffering from a virus this week. Peter Crouch was left out in favor of Emile Heskey which surprised many as Crouch is a proven goalscorer. USA coach Bob Bradley started with Donovan on the right and Dempsey on the left, with the surprise inclusion being Robbie Findley partnering Jozy Altidore up front in favor of Edson Buddle.

The fan support was evenly divided between both nations but England flags adorned all sides of the stadium and even the infamous vuvuzela could not drown out the anthems. Both teams started slowly but it was England that sprung to life after only 4 mins. Glen Johnson’s throw on the right side was mishandled by Rooney but the ball was collected by Heskey who slid a perfect pass onto a charging Gerrard who, with the outside of his right foot, slid the ball past a helpless Tim Howard to give England the lead. They were now content to sit on their lead and patiently build up their attacks but the lack of movement was evident even at this early stage.

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1.22am – Just got back from the Timberwood. Will do a full update tomorrow, but what an absolutley AMAZING turnout and atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who showed for the game (and the ensuing shenanigans). Absolutely awesome…..

10:27am – Luckily for me I only have to type today as my vocal chords took a bit of a battering yesterday. What can I say about the turn out of die hard fans to the Timberwood? First of all I didn’t know there was that many Brits living in or near to Charlottesville (a family on vacation from Scotland even showed up the the game), and secondly for the first time in my American living life I actually saw a room full of US footy fans – real fans (not like dumb asses who boo all the way through the English national anthem at another local bar that I won’t mention – however thanks to those fans several American and Brit families left and came to the Timberwood instead – and were very thankful that they did).

First to arrive was ‘chelseahobbit’ and family in tow. Good on you guys for being there at 10am. They were also the first to sample the All Day English Breakfast that was on offer. Two hours later we were sold out of that particular dish – do the math

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Christmas came early this December for the Yanks, who avoided the “Group of Death” (another group like 2006 and 2002 would have at least arguably represented a third straight ticket to the Finals’ toughest group) and drew England, Algeria and the Cup’s smallest competing nation, Slovenia.

Without question, it is a challenging group—but for perhaps the first time since Paul Caliguiri found the back of the net against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989’s “Shot Heard Round the World”, vaulting a group of college kids into the World Cup and U.S. soccer back into the most glorious of international competitions for the first time in two generations; the Americans find themselves favored to survive the group stage.

Can they manage a group victory? Certainly this isn’t out of the question but their first opponent, the Three Lions of England, are rightly prohibitive favorites, though we may regret saying we know we are so loudly when the groups were introduced in December.

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United States boss Bob Bradley insists his side will not make England star Wayne Rooney a target in Saturday’s World Cup opener. The Americans are expected to try and provoke Rooney’s volatile temper this weekend, particularly after the Manchester United striker was booked during England’s warm-up match against Platinum Stars for shouting abuse at the referee.

But Bradley, who says he is a friend of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello, is adamant Rooney will not be singled out.

Respect

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