World Cup 2010: Netherlands v. Slovakia

Clinical finish on the first goal from Netherlands: Fast counterattack so that the defense is off balance with the central runner going wide to draw the defense out of the middle. He probably didn’t draw them more than a step, but the attacker with the ball cut...

Jabulani

Adidas creates a new ball for each World Cup. It’s not uncommon for these balls to draw complaint, especially from goalkeepers since each ball seems faster than the one created four years prior. This Cup’s ball, known as the Jabulani, seems poor in several...

World Cup 2010: Argentina v. Mexico

[I’m blogging this after the game.] Argentina had its attacking chance to be sure, but fans of the white and blue shouldn’t rest easy at the 3-1 final score line. Offside should have been the call on the first score and the second was a miserable defensive...

World Cup 2010: England v. Germany

[I watched the game live, but I’m blogging this afterward.] England were tactically outmatched and outplayed virtually the entire game. Their 4-4-2 proved almost wholly unworkable in the midfield and it’s hard to believe their coach didn’t see it by...

World Cup 2010: United States v. Ghana

Onyewu out which good news, but why would Clark be back in? Seems nuts to me. Findley back in for Gomez, which is Bradley opting for speed over ball control and finishing. With Bocanegra moved to the middle to replace Guch, we’ve put Bornstein on the...