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I have no idea what it’s going to take. Germany keep winning, as practically everyone expects, but I’m still not sold. Another clean sheet, but I’m still not buying it. Sweden looked more inept offensively (and defensively), particularly Henrik Larsson, than I expected, but is it them or Germany? I still don’t believe Germany has anything in the back. Maybe I just don’t want to see.

It turned out to be an easy 2-0 win for the Fatherland after the two goals in about 10 minutes by Lukas Podolski.

An inexplicable red card, putting Sweden a man down didn’t help. Larsson missing a penalty didn’t help. Sweden not bothering to mark anyone didn’t help. It might have helped a bit if Ibrahimovic, Ljungberg, Mellberg–or anyone but the keeper would have bothered to get off the bus today.

Germany was the better team all day and deserved the win. There’s no doubting what they can do offensively. Can they stop Argentina? I haven’t thought they’d be able to stop a single team yet, but they keep managing.

There are still a couple matches to be played today, but I’m ready for the real games to begin. The first two matches today were snoozefests. I can barely remember who played. France is yet to go, with a fair chance of being eliminated. That always brightens the day.

But, bring on Round 2. The weekend is shaping up to be a good one.

We finally get to see if Germany has really found the answer in defense or it’s all been smoke and mirrors. Sweden has enough firepower to properly test them. That could be a shoot-out.

I’m personally always pleased when Mexico gets knocked-out, and Argentina will do that for me tomorrow. I’m not sure why I hate the Mexican football team so much. I like the country well enough. The food, the migrant workers, I think I even like the tequila if I remember right–but the memory is hazy on that. But, I do not like the football team. Adios muchachos.

On Sunday, the Owen-less England are given another match to get their offense going. I’m not sure where they’re going to find it, but they need to find a goal against Ecuador. Might be time for Rooney to get going. Hopefully, Ecuador’s witchdoctor has gone home by now. England has seen more than enough doctors lately.

Then Portugal/Holland. The news there is one of these underachievers is actually going to advance. Both are playing well enough, and this could be a cracker. Both also tend to do more fighting/bickering/finger-pointing among thesmselves than is necessary. I like both teams here, so I’m happy either way. Just entertain me.

Was there ever any doubt? After sleepwalking for a half, Brazil managed to rouse itself to bury a vastly overmatched Japan side 4-1. Even Big Ron himself managed to get two while he continues to play himself into shape.

But, the match of the day–the match of the tournament, so far–was Australia with their miracle last minute goal against Croatia. Harry Kewell is one of my least favorite players on the planet, so I wasn’t thrilled. But, they go through with that 2-2 draw.

There were several lessons to be learned by the likes of the US and even England in these matches. Brazil shot 21 times. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. Granted, not everybody gets to play Japan. But you have to create shots and take them when they’re there. Otherwise, you end up waiting on some last gasp header with 5 minutes to play.

Australia needed the tie. They played as if their very lives depended on it. They threw everything they had at Croatia, playing with 4 forwards late. The US finished their match as if they were already packing.

Well Done Oz.

Italy did their part for us, beating the Czech Republic 2-0, but the Americans fell to Ghana 2-1.

Bruce Arena apparently had no ideas as the US offense continued to sputter in a match they had to win to advance. Claudio Reyna gifted Ghana the first goal, losing the ball in the back trying to dribble out of danger. Can’t blame him for whatever injury he came up with. I was sick too, after that. The other score was a dubious penalty right before the break. But there’s no point in whining. You have to go out and win these matches, and they didn’t.

Clint Dempsey’s goal after a nice pass from Beasely, his only moment all day, was great. Unfortunately, they needed to do that two more times. If you only manage it once, it smacks of luck.

Landon Donovan was a complete waste of space the entire game. Worse than a waste. At least if he wasn’t on the pitch, somebody else would have been taking the set pieces he was constantly booming uselessly. Anybody else. Please. As expected, Michael Essien ruled the midfield. Stay in LA Lando, you are not ready for prime time.

The US team didn’t look sharp or ready to play from the first whistle on. With everything riding on this, I’d hoped for a bit of flair from somewhere. There isn’t any.

The United States fought, scratched and clawed their way to a draw against a much better Italian team. After looking utterly horrible for 90 minutes against the Czech Republic, the Americans wisely decided to make the next match a ‘war’ rather than a soccer match. They were in danger of not just getting bounced from the World Cup, but being embarrassed while doing so. Well, they have a small amount of respect back, at least in their own minds, now they have to try to play soccer again. They need to beat Ghana on Thursday for a chance to face Brazil in the next round.

Good luck.

Everybody in this country with an opinion on such matters, seemed to look at the US group and peg the Ghana match as the sure win. That was before the debacle against the Czechs, but their voices are coming back now after the Italian adventure. I didn’t see it then, I certainly don’t see it now.

If you listen to the dolts on ESPN, they claim the Ghana win against the Czechs was some huge upset. It wasn’t. Ghana is a quality team and the Czechs were without their star, Jan Koller. Admittedly, Looking at Ghana’s roster, not much grabs you. Michael Essien. That’s about it. And, about eight guys named Addo–none of them Freddie. But, their Serbian Coach, Ratomir Dujkovic, have them playing as a disciplined team that are going to be tough to score against.

And, there’s Michael Essien in midfield. Essien against Donovan? That’s no contest. He will dominate the midfield for Ghana. That’s where the match will be decided.

I don’t believe the speed of the US team is going to present too much of a challenge to Ghana, either. We certainly won’t be running them off the pitch, anyway.

I also don’t necessarily think the US is riding any kind of momentum from that ‘victory’ in the Italian match. It wasn’t pretty. It was a battle they fought their way through. They needed to save face, and they managed to do that–just. Ironically, by nearly getting it knocked off–in Brian McBride’s case. It’s going to be tough coming back out after a match like that. Ghana, on the other hand, looked fine in their previous match. If anyone is riding the crest of the wave, it has to be them right now.

I do think it’ll be an entertaining match. Head to work a little later on Thursday and catch this one. Both teams are more equal than either would probably like to admit. Both teams still have something to play for. The US can steal it if it turns into another brawl. If it’s pure soccer, Ghana takes it. I see some sort of mix of the two, and it going down 2-2.

If the US are as good as they think they are, it’s time for them to show it. They haven’t yet. Play the beautiful game is it’s meant to be played, and beat Ghana. If Bruce Arena has any ideas, other than the smash and grab we were treated to Saturday, it’s time to trot them out now. I’m still waiting to see this US team play to a fraction of its overrated ability. I’ve seen the heart, now show me the skill. I don’t expect brilliance, but I do expect this to be a good match.