So the Countdown Begins for 2010

I got one thing right. Argentina won the gold medal (for a second consecutive Olympics I might add).

And now the world waits. It waits for South Africa (or where ever the hell the World Cup may be) 2010. Two years. And it waits for the eventual clash between Spain's young guns and the Albicelestes. It's not like we don't expect it.

La Furia Roja earned its nickname earlier this summer, creatively slashing through the rest of Europe for its first major title in 44 years. And of course, most of the guys on the squad are up and coming youngsters, who will probably only get better in two years' time.

And Argentina? Well, they may have lost Copa America last year, but this current side plays with such a pace and flair, that these Olympics showed us that there is a changing of the guard in South America. Fine. Brasil defeated them 3-0 in the Copa final last year. But that was an old Brasil side against a very young Argentina team. In two years, I guarantee that the Albicelestes are the class of the world. And don't forget about Lionel Messi.

So, I can't wait. World Cup 2010 is going to be fun. Let's just hope that we get the final we all want. Argentina versus Spain.

Revisiting Michael Orozco

It's quite possible that I was a little hard on Michael Orozco earlier today. Especially as some of the comments were trying to defend Orozco's actions in the third minute.

Yeah, it was a harsh call by the referee. If I were him, I would probably only caution Orozco for that elbow. Regardless, he threw one and then the ref tossed him.

But of course, lost in my post earlier today was the fact that Team USA played hard, played well and really should have tied the Nigerians in the waning moments of that game.

Somehow, the United States out-hustled and out-paced Nigeria in the last 15 minutes and probably deserved an equaliser at the least. If Charles Davies only got a good strike on the ball; if Benny Feilhaber's header was an inch lower; if the U.S. had capitalized on the open goal late in the game, then we'd see the Americans playing in the quarterfinals.

But they aren't. Effort wasn't good enough on this day.

And it's not to say that it's all on Orozco, cause it really isn't. That's kind of the superficial reason as to why the U.S. lost.

There were a few times during the game, especially in the first half, that I thought that the U.S. was a little leggy and where their tactics failed them. In the first half, Team USA played too low, didn't get up field enough and that created the pressure that had the Americans on their heels when that first goal was scored.

Same thing happened on the second goal for Nigeria.

The U.S. could have tied. They could have salvaged a point. They could have been in the quarterfinals. And maybe that's why I and most everyone else who watched was so upset.

Orozco is the easy scapegoat. Bad luck and a few mental lapses is the real reason why the Americans did not advance.

Thank You, Michael Orozco

Thank you, Michael Orozco for wasting my time this morning.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making get up at 4:55 in the morning.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for getting that red card in the third or fourth minute of the game, whenever FIFA decides you were sent off from the game.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Robbie Rodgers, a midfielder, play in the backline because you were ejected.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Michael Parkhurst play more of the pitch, thus making him tired and prone for that mistake that led to the first goal.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Peter Nowak subout Jozy Altidore and put in Benny Feihalber.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Brad Guzan make save after save, doing all he can to overcome your red card.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Brian McBride a nonfactor. The old man has no legs, but is a great target guy, of course Nowak keeps him in.

Thank you, Michael Orozco, somehow, you led to that Dutch goal that led to their win today over Japan.

Thank you, Michael Orozco for making Team USA, which was atop the group before play began today, miss out on the quarterfinals ofthese Olympics.

Thank you, Michael Orozco. That elbow was unnecessary. That ejection costly. The U.S. lost. Now go back home and watch the rest of the Olympics from your couch.

Since I've Been Gone

First of all, my apologies for not updating the last couple of days. I'm starting a new job and the work is pretty crazy. It also doesn't help that I don't get an internet connection where I'm staying, but I'll make due.

A lot's happened since the last time I've posted. Here's what I've missed. And don't worry, the Phelps versus the world gold medal count is coming up in just a bit.

• I guess the USA men's basketball team is out to redeem itself. Or, maybe all the conspiracy theories have been disproved. Whatever the case, Team USA made a huge announcement when it thrashed host China in the opening game of the Olympic hoops tournament. This totally throws out my friend Chris's theory (Chris by the way runs Bear Territory, check it out sometime). Chris thought that at the beginning of the NBA's most recent season, Yao Ming was going to win the MVP, get the Houston Rockets to the finals and then lead China to gold all in a huge conspiracy/marketing ploy. I guess not. (None of those things have happened or may not happen yet, btw).

• Even more impressive was the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team drawing the Netherlands in the second day of group stage. At one point (after a Jozy Altidore score) the Americans were actually leading the U-23 European champions. But I'll take a draw. Team USA still leads its group and with a draw tonight against Nigeria, can secure a spot in the quarters.

• Michael Phelps owes Jason Lezak some money. And so does Cullen Jones. What Lezak did was amazing. And with Phelps winning the 200m freestyle yesterday, he's 3 for 3 in gold medal attempts. Thanks Lezak. That was incredible.

• China's men did their thing in the gym, winning the gold medal that they were supposed to win. But the U.S., without the Hamm brothers, taking bronze? That's a miracle.

• Aaron Peirsol and (Cal graduate) Natalie Coughlin did their thing in the 100m backstroke. Both won gold.

• And everything is alright with the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. They defeated New Zealand 4-0 today. Forward march to the quarters.
  

Americans Sigh Relief

They finally got one. The United States U-23 team notched their first goal in four matches and took its Olympic opener over Japan, 1-0.

I didn't get to watch the game (I didn't wake up for it, but I tried, I promised), but from what I heard, the U.S. is still plagued by the same lack of attacking prowess that it displayed in the three friendlies leading up to the Games.

Peter Nowak also sought to sit the next American superstar, Jozy Altidore (who didn't play until the 74th minute), a move that SI's Grant Wahl hails as genius. What was genius was starting Maurice Edu (normally a central midfielder) in the back. Not starting Altidore not so much. Sure the Americans got the win. But, from what I've read, the team still lacked a cohesiveness.

The team got the goal, it got the win, but it hasn't played a solid game of football yet.

And then maybe Nowak's sending a message to his young starling: shape up or don't play. The later isn't going to happen anytime soon and I'm sure Nowak will insert the young sensation for Team USA's next match against the Dutch.

But they got the win, albeit an ugly one. And now the Americans find themselves atop of their table and in control of their destiny. I say one more win and the U.S. cashes their ticket for the quarterfinals. When was the last time that happened?

Let the Games Begin (One Day Early)

I may not have the scores right for the women's soccer games last night, but at least I got most of the results correct.

Let's try this prediction thing again, this time with the men's football tourney starting tonight.

Must see game to watch: anything with the Argentines. They will be a sure joy to view, analyze, watch. Just sit back and let them take control of the ride.

Also interesting will be whether or not Peter Nowak can figure out how to get some balls in the back of the net for his American squad. Can Nowak find away to tap into that attacking and creative flair that Freddy Adu played with when he went toe-to-toe with the full national squads of Argentina and European Champion Spain? Can Jozy Altidore and Brian McBride find chemistry up top? Can Michael Bradley not be a bitch?

Those are the questions for an American side that I think can contend for a medal. But, with the U-23s, and stars like Ronaldihno and Messi leaving their club teams to play in this pseudo-World Cup, Team USA has got to get its act together.

Predictions:

Group A
Australia draws Serbia, 1-1
Argentina over Ivory Coast, 4-1

Group B
USA over Japan, 1-0 (finally, a goal for this American team)
Netherlands over Nigeria, 3-2

Group C
Brasil over Belgium, 3-0
China over New Zealand. 2-0

Group D
Italy over Honduras, 1-0
Cameroon draws Korea, 2-2

So, That's How Much They Missed Abby

Okay, so everyone will say to not get to excited or to put too much on the United States' 2-0 loss over Norway in the first game of the women's football (Soccer) tournament.

Rightfully so. The Norwegians were the biggest threat to the Americans in the group stage. Team USA should win its next two games and if it does that (or even just wins one and draws the other) then the defending gold medalists have a good chance (and should) advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Such is the set up of the women's tourney in the Olympics, with only 12 teams qualifying. There's a lot of leeway for a team to make it to the quarters.

Also, a team scoring two quick goals is an anomaly. Especially two quick goals in the first half off of two very huge mistakes.

But that forced the U.S. to change its gameplan. And instead of the possession-oriented game that we were all supposed to see out of Pia Sundhage's team, we saw the Americans play the way they did in last year's World Cup--a more direct, long-ball style of play that works when you have someone like Abby Wambach in the lineup. This was all because Norway began to sit back and defend with eight or nine players in its half of the field.

Wambach is probably the best target player in the world and one of the best pure strikers. Without her, Team USA's attacks fizzled when it got to the attacking third. Poor finishing didn't help either.

Would Wambach's presence have changed that? Would she have been able to net a few of those oh-my-why-didn't-you-put-that-into-the-back-of-the-net opportunities that the U.S. had?

Maybe. But the Americans don't have Wambach and I'm not going to let them use it as a crux as to why they lost today.

What we saw is the United States' inability to change its gameplan when things go awry.

Maybe they were shell-shocked, but they are the No. 1 team in the world. And I'd expect the No. 1 team in the world to play like it, whether their up by two, or down by two.

Now, the Americans are at the bottom of the table. When was the last time that happened?

Let the Games Begin (Two Days Early)

It's currently morning in Beijing, Aug. 6, 2008. That means the first day of the 2008 Summer Games is all set to begin.

Now, wait, aren't the opening ceremonies Friday? Well, yeah, they are, but the football (soccer) gods have deemed the sport so amazing that it gets to start before the official start date of these Games.

And the women kick it off today with all 12 nations in competition tonight (early tomorrow morning). The men kick off tomorrow.

In the world of women's soccer, there are always interesting matchups and today's openers are no exception.

The United States' hardest test of the group stage comes first, with No. 5 Norway. Of course, it will be the first real competition for the No. 1 Americans since losing their best player in Abby Wambach. Heather Mitts is also back for Team USA and Grant Wahl of SI.com has written this awesome story. After that, it's a cake walk for Team USA all the way into the quarterfinals.

The most enticing matchup comes when Germany and Brasil meet on the pitch. FYI, they're the No. 2 and No. 4 teams in the world. And, FYI, it's a rematch of last year's World Cup final.

And China's biggest test of the group stage comes early also, as the Forceful Roses take on Sweden.

Here are predictions for today's games (note: I don't know if I can do this for the whole tournament, but I'll try).

Group A
Canada over Argentina, 1-0
China over Sweden, 3-2 (upset special)

Group B
Brasil over Germany, 3-2
Korea over Nigeria, 2-0

Group C
Japan over New Zealand, 1-0
USA over Norway, 2-1