#FIFAWorldCup
Showing posts with label usa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label usa. Show all posts
Sen. Charles Schumer on Donald Trump's acquittal
The case of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial was open and shut. President Trump told a lie -- a big lie -- that the election was stolen, and that he was the rightful winner. He laid the groundwork for this big lie in the months before the election, he told the big lie on election night, and he repeated the big lie more than 100 times in the weeks afterwards. He summoned his supporters to Washington, assembled them on the Ellipse, whipped them into a frenzy, and directed them at the Capitol.
And then he watched, as the violence unfolded, and the Capitol was breached, and his own Vice President fled for his life—and President Trump did nothing.
None of the facts were up for debate. We saw it. We heard it. We lived it. This was the first presidential impeachment trial in history in which all Senators were not only judges and jurors, but witnesses to the constitutional crime that was committed.
The former president inspired, directed, and propelled a mob to violently prevent the peaceful transfer of power, subvert the will of the people, and illegally keep that president in power.
There is nothing—nothing—more un-American than that.
There is nothing—nothing—more antithetical to our democracy.
There is nothing—nothing—more insulting to the generations of American patriots who gave their lives to defend our form of government.
This was the most egregious violation of the presidential oath of office and a textbook example—a classic example—of an impeachable offense, worthy of the Constitution's most severe remedy.
In response to the incontrovertible fact of Donald Trump's guilt, the Senate was subject to a feeble -- and sometimes incomprehensible -- defense of the former president. Unable to dispute the case on the merits, the former president's counsel treated us to partisan vitriol, false equivalence, and outright falsehoods.
We heard the roundly debunked jurisdictional argument that the Senate cannot try a former official, a position that would mean that any president could simply resign to avoid accountability for an impeachable offense. A position, which, in effect, would render the Senate powerless to ever enforce the disqualification clause in the Constitution. Essentially, the president's counsel told the Senate that the Constitution was unconstitutional. Thankfully, the Senate took a firm stance and set a firm precedent, with a bipartisan vote, in favor of our power to try former officials for acts they committed while in office.
We heard the preposterous claim that the former president's incitement to violence was protected by the First Amendment. The First Amendment right to free speech protects Americans from jail, not presidents from impeachment. If a president had said, during WWII, that "Germany should attack the United States on Long Island, we've left it undefended" -- I suspect Congress would have considered that an impeachable offense!
Finally, the defense counsel said that President Trump was not directly responsible for the violence at the Capitol. "His words were merely metaphor, his directions were merely suggestions, and that the violent mob was just a spontaneous demonstration." But wind the clock back and ask yourself: if at any point, Donald Trump did not do the things that he did, would the attack on the Capitol have happened? There is only one answer to that question. Of course not.
If President Trump hadn't told his supporters to march towards the Capitol; if he hadn't implored them to come to Washington on January 6 in the first place; if he hadn't repeatedly lied to them that the election was stolen and that their country was being taken from them; the attack would not have happened, could not have happened. January 6th would not have happened but for the actions of Donald Trump.
Here's what the Republican leader of the Senate said: the mob that perpetrated the "failed insurrection" was on January 6th "was provoked by President Trump."
You want another word for "provoke?" How about: "incite."
Still—still!—the vast majority of the Senate Republican caucus, including the Republican leader, voted to acquit former President Trump, signing their names in the columns of History alongside his name—forever.
January 6th will live as a day of infamy in the history of the United States of America. The failure to convict Donald Trump will live as a vote of infamy in the history of the United States Senate.
Five years ago, Republican Senators lamented what might become of their party if Donald Trump became their presidential nominee and standard-bearer. Just look at what has happened. Look at what Republicans have been forced to defend. Look at what Republicans have chosen to forgive. The former president tried to overturn the results of a legitimate election—and provoked an assault on our own government—and well over half of the Senate Republican conference decided to condone it.
The most despicable act that any president has ever committed and the majority of Republicans cannot summon the courage or the morality to condemn it.
This trial wasn't even about choosing country over party, even not that. This was about choosing country over Donald Trump. And 43 Republican members chose Trump. They chose Trump. It should be a weight on their conscience today. And it shall be a weight upon their conscience in the future.
As sad as that fact is, as condemnable as the decision was, it is still true that the final vote on Donald Trump's conviction was the largest and most bipartisan vote of any presidential impeachment trial in American history. I salute those Republican patriots who did the right thing. It wasn't easy. We know that. Let their votes be a message to the American people.
Because, my fellow Americans: if this nation is going to long endure, we, as a people, cannot sanction the former president's conduct.
Because if lying about the results of an election is acceptable, if instigating a mob against the government is considered permissible, if encouraging political violence becomes the norm, it will be open season, open season, on our democracy; and everything will be up for grabs by whoever has the biggest clubs, the sharpest spears, the most powerful guns.
By not recognizing the heinous crime that Donald Trump committed against the Constitution; Republican Senators have not only risked but potentially invited the same danger that was just visited upon us.
So let me say this: despite the results of the vote on Donald Trump's conviction in the court of impeachment, he deserves to be convicted—and I believe he will be convicted—in the court of public opinion.
He deserves to be permanently discredited—and I believe he has been discredited—in the eyes of the American people and in the judgment of History.
Even though Republican Senators prevented the Senate from disqualifying Donald Trump from any office of honor, trust, or profit under these United States, there is no question that Donald Trump has disqualified himself.
I hope, I pray, and I believe that the American people will make sure of that.
And if Donald Trump ever stands for public office again, and after everything we have seen this week: I hope, I pray, and I believe that he will meet the unambiguous rejection by the American people.
Six hours after the attack on January 6th, after the carnage and mayhem was shown on every television screen in America, President Trump told his supporters to "remember this day forever." I ask the American people to heed his words: remember that day forever. But not for the reasons the former president intended.
Remember the panic in the voices over the radio dispatch; the rhythmic pounding of fists and flags at the chamber doors.
Remember the crack of the solitary gunshot.
Remember the hateful and racist Confederate Flag flying through the halls of our Union.
Remember the screams of the bloodied officer crushed between the onrushing mob and a doorway to the Capitol, his body trapped in the breach.
Remember the three Capitol Police Officers who lost their lives.
Remember that those rioters actually succeeded in delaying Congress from certifying the election.
Remember how close our democracy came to ruin.
My fellow Americans: remember that day, January 6th, forever—the final, terrible legacy of the 45th President of the United States and undoubtedly our worst.
Let it live on in infamy, a stain on Donald John Trump that can never, never be washed away.
On Monday, we'll recognize Presidents' Day. Part of the commemoration in the Senate will be the annual reading of Washington's Farewell Address. Aside from winning the Revolutionary War, I consider it his greatest contribution to American civic life. And it had nothing to do with the words he spoke but the example it set. Washington's Farewell Address established for all time that no one had the right to the office of the presidency, that it belonged to the people.
What an amazing legacy. What an amazing gift to the future generations: the knowledge that this country will always be greater than any one person, even our most renowned. That's why members of both parties take turns reading Washington's address, once a year, in full, into the record—to pledge common attachment to the selflessness at the core of our democratic system.
This trial was about the final acts of a president who represents the very antithesis of our first president, and sought to place one man before the entire country—himself.
Let the record show, let the record show, before God, History, and the solemn oath we swear to the Constitution, that there was only one correct verdict in this trial: guilty. And I pray that while justice was not done in this trial, it will be carried forward by the American people, who above any of us in this chamber, determine the destiny of our great nation.
-Sen. Charles Schumer
Joe Biden: 46th President of the United States
President-elect Joe Biden is planning to quickly sign a series of executive orders after being sworn into office on Jan. 20, immediately forecasting that the country’s politics have shifted and that his presidency will be guided by radically different priorities.
He will rejoin the Paris climate accords, according to those close to his campaign and commitments he has made in recent months, and he will reverse President Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization. He will repeal the ban on almost all travel from some Muslim-majority countries, and he will reinstate the program allowing “dreamers,” who were brought to the United States illegally as children, to remain in the country, according to people familiar with his plans.
Although transitions of power can always include abrupt changes, the shift from Trump to Biden — from one president who sought to undermine established norms and institutions to another who has vowed to restore the established order — will be among the most startling in American history.
Biden’s top advisers have spent months quietly working on how best to implement his agenda, with hundreds of transition officials preparing to get to work inside various federal agencies. They have assembled a book filled with his campaign commitments to help guide their early decisions.
Biden is planning to set up a coronavirus task force on Monday, in recognition that the global pandemic will be the primary issue that he must confront. The task force, which could begin meeting within days, will be co-chaired by former surgeon general Vivek H. Murthy and David Kessler, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
There has also been a recognition of those around him that he may have to lean more on executive actions than he had once hoped. He can reorient various federal agencies and regulations, and he can adopt a different posture on the world stage.
But pushing major legislation through Congress could prove to be a challenge.
Although the Democrats will hold a narrowed majority in the House, the final makeup of the Senate is not yet clear. That will be decided on Jan. 5, with two runoff elections in Georgia. Democrats would need to win both races to effectively have control of the Senate — with Vice President Kamala D. Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote — while Republicans would retain a narrow advantage by winning at least one.
“The policy team, the transition policy teams, are focusing now very much on executive power,” said a Biden ally who has been in touch with his team who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. “I expect that to be freely used in a Biden administration at this point, if the Senate becomes a roadblock.”
A Republican-held Senate — or even one with a narrow Democratic majority — probably will affect Biden’s Cabinet picks given the Senate’s power to confirm nominees.
One option being discussed is appointing Cabinet members in an acting capacity, a tactic that Trump also used.
“Just by virtue of the calendar and how many positions are filled, that’s always a possibility,” the person said. “Because the Senate moves so slowly now, so much more slowly than it used to.”
On Saturday afternoon, about two hours after networks called Biden the winner of the election, the president-elect had a brief call with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called to congratulate Biden on a “tremendous victory,” according to two Democratic officials.
Schumer called while en route to a celebration in Brooklyn, holding his flip phone out the window so that Biden could hear the cheering crowd.
If Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stays as majority leader, he would be trying to manage a conference torn between two factions with different interests, but neither necessarily eager to help Biden — one with senators running for reelection in swing states in 2022, and another with those seeking the national spotlight as they vie for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
“In the old days, the mandate meant that the other side would be more amenable, or feeling they had an impetus to work,” said Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.). “I’m not sure that applies any longer.”
It is unclear whether Biden has communicated with McConnell yet directly; aides have not commented on any conversation.
A closely divided Congress could hamper Biden’s efforts to do sweeping legislative actions on immigration changes. He has also said he would send a bill to Congress repealing liability protections for gun manufacturers, and close background-check loopholes. He has pledged to repeal the Republican-passed tax cuts from 2017, an effort that could be stymied if Republicans hold the Senate majority.
Without congressional cooperation, however, Biden has said that he plans to immediately reverse Trump’s rollback of 100 public health and environmental rules that the Obama administration had in place.
He would also institute new ethics guidelines at the White House, and he has pledged to sign an executive order the first day in office saying that no member of his administration could influence any Justice Department investigations.
Biden has long pledged to rejoin the Paris climate accords by executive order, but he has also said that he would attempt to persuade other nations to adopt higher standards in an attempt to curb the impacts of climate change.
Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), a longtime Biden ally who holds the seat Biden had for 36 years, offered a broad overview of Biden’s initial agenda: “Get us out of this pandemic that’s been made far worse by Trump’s bungled mishandling of it, rebuild our economy in a way that’s more sustainable and more inclusive, and deal with division and inequality.”
He noted that Biden’s style will be quite different, saying that Trump and Pelosi haven’t spoken in more than a year.
Coons suggested that Biden would promptly begin reaching out to leaders in both parties.
The coronavirus response has been foremost on Biden’s mind, and it is seen inside his campaign as a chief reason for his victory. He has previously said that even before the inauguration he would reach out to Anthony S. Fauci, the country’s top infectious-disease expert, asking him for advice.
Biden also wants to quickly appoint a supply commander to oversee production and distribution of testing — and, when ready, vaccines — as well as materials such as masks and gowns.
The coronavirus — and Biden’s response to it — could also significantly impact the traditional spectacle that surrounds the transfer of power. Inaugural balls could be altered. And while Biden has previously said he wouldn’t envision wearing a mask while being sworn in, he has said they could try to limit the traditional throngs that fill the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Much of Biden’s early agenda — including which pieces of legislation to prioritize — will be determined in the coming weeks as his transition team begins taking on a far more prominent role.
Biden’s transition effort is being overseen by Ted Kaufman, one of his closest advisers. Kaufman, who was appointed to replace Biden in the Senate when Biden became vice president in 2009, also helped co-write an update to the law governing the transition process, which was passed in 2015 and signed by President Barack Obama.
Biden’s transition team has been given government-issued computers and iPhones for conducting secure communications, and 10,000 square feet of office space in the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, although most of the work is being done virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. His advisers have been granted temporary security clearances and undergone FBI background checks to fast-track the processing of personnel who can receive briefings on intelligence.
But one important next step is for the head of the General Services Administration to rule that the election results are final, enabling Biden’s transition team to expand its work and gain access to government funds. Biden officials are prepared for legal action if that administrator — Emily W. Murphy, a Trump political appointee — delays that decision, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Trump has so far not conceded defeat, falsely claiming Saturday that he won the election.
Pamela Pennington, a GSA spokeswoman, said that Murphy would ascertain “the apparent successful candidate once a winner is clear based on the process laid out in the Constitution.” Until that decision is made, she said, the Biden transition team would continue to receive limited access to government resources.
The transition from Trump to Biden would have few historic parallels, rivaled perhaps only by 1860-1861, when southern states seceded before Abraham Lincoln took office, and 1932-1933, when Herbert Hoover sought to undermine Franklin D. Roosevelt and prevent him from implementing his New Deal policies.
The last time there was a prolonged delay in a transfer of power was in 2000, when uncertainty over the results in the contest between then-Vice President Al Gore (D) and then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) stretched out until the Supreme Court ended a Florida recount that gave Bush the victory on Dec. 12.
The Bush administration’s sluggish start and lack of qualified personnel in place was cited by the 9/11 Commission Report as a critical vulnerability to U.S. national security for the attacks that occurred less than eight months after the inauguration. That prompted changes to the law and the granting of access at an earlier date following the political conventions.
“When George W. Bush left he made clear to his Cabinet that this is going to be the best transition of power that’s ever occurred. Because we weren’t treated very well when we came into power,” said Michael Leavitt, who at the time was the outgoing secretary of Health and Human Services. “Barack Obama to his credit said the same thing. There was a spirit of cooperation that went on and needs to continue. Whether it will or not I don’t know. But we’re better prepared.”
Chris Lu, the executive director of the Obama-Biden transition in 2008, said that within two hours of the election being called in 2008 he had a formal letter beginning the transition process.
“We literally at 9 a.m. the next morning walked into a transition office and had access to it,” he said. “It was the model for the smoothest transition of power.”
Making a clear break from the Trump administration's adversarial posture toward the civil service is also a top priority for the Biden transition team.
The Trump administration's suspicion of career officials and early calls for them to “get with the program” or “go” created tensions with incoming political appointees that never dissipated. Biden officials are hoping to create a positive atmosphere by avoiding some of the terminology and labels they think contributed to the mistrust.
The teams of campaign staffers and other aides that first embed themselves into government agencies after an election have historically been called “landing teams” and “beachhead teams,” summoning the memory of the storming of Normandy during World War II.
To avoid any associations with war, some Biden aides are sticking to soberingly bureaucratic terms, referring to landing teams as “ARTs” or Agency Review Teams, and beachhead team members as “temporary employees.”
So far, Trump administration officials have reviewed succession plans for department officials, planning for which civil servants would take on acting roles amid vacancies. Briefing materials are slated to be delivered over the next several days to Biden’s transition team.
Leavitt, who oversaw transition planning in 2012 for Republican nominee Mitt Romney and has worked with Kaufman to change the law governing presidential transitions, said there are a range of moves the Biden team could make even without cooperation from Trump’s campaign. Cabinet members and other top White House staff could be picked, and key priorities for the start of the administration could be lined up.
“The current moment always seems like it’s the extreme, and often they are. But we get through them. The country survives,” he said. “The internal strength of the United States allows us to get through these things.”
John Hudson contributed to this report.
USA: 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Champions
THE TOURNAMENT REPLAYED – “There will be a before and after the Women’s World Cup 2019,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the closing press conference of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
The 'during' was certainly eventful, as USA retained the title they won at Canada 2015 and lifted the trophy for a fourth time. Runners-up in only their second appearance in the competition, the Netherlands continue to make history of their own, two years after winning the European title, while Sweden claimed a top-three finish for the fourth time. As for France, they fulfilled their promise to stage the greatest Women’s World Cup of all time.
The champions
Led by their two captains, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, USA cruised through the group stage, which they began with a tournament-record 13-0 defeat of Thailand. When tested by world-class opposition in the shape of Spain, France and England in the knockout rounds, the Americans found a way, scoring early in each match and withstanding everything their opponents had to throw at them. And when it came to the final hurdle, the USWNT lived up to their reputation, beating the Netherlands thanks to stellar performances from Rapinoe and breakthrough star Rose Lavelle.
Memorable moments
Oranje make history: While they ended the tournament in tears following their Final defeat, the Dutch will be returning home heroines. Tournament newcomers only four years ago, they are now officially the second best team on the planet.
Tokyo here we come: With France 2019 doubling up as the UEFA qualifying competition for next year’s Women's Olympic Football Tournament, the Dutch also booked a place at Tokyo 2020. They will be joined there by losing semi-finalists Sweden and England. The three European places available at the Olympics have rarely been so hard to claim, with seven of the eight quarter-finalists at France 2019 all hailing from the continent.
Famous firsts: Tournament debutants South Africa, Chile, Scotland and Jamaica all scored their first Women’s World Cup goals, though only La Roja managed to go on and win a match, against Thailand. Spain also earned their maiden world finals victory, while Argentina and Scotland collected first-ever points thanks to their dramatic 3-3 draw.
Individual performers: Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Gabrielle Onguene (Cameroon), Sam Kerr (Australia) and Cristina Girelli (Italy) all excelled on the big stage but were unable to take their teams any further than the Round of 16 or quarter-finals. Picking out individual stars from the four semi-finalists was a tough task, although Lucy Bronze and Ellen White (England), Rose Lavelle and Julie Ertz (USA), Sofia Jakobsson and Caroline Seger (Sweden), and Vivianne Miedema and Jackie Groenen (Netherlands) all played big parts in their teams’ superb campaigns.
French dream unfulfilled: Perhaps the most eagerly awaited match of the tournament, the quarter-final between hosts France and defending champions USA proved to be an engrossing and suspenseful battle that eventually went the way of the world’s top-ranked team. Once their tears of disappointment had dried, however, Les Bleues could take pride from the passion and enthusiasm they had aroused across the country thanks to their fine performances and exemplary spirit.
End of an era?: France 2019 may well prove to be the World Cup swansong for some of the world's finest players. Among the stars perhaps bidding adieu are the Brazilian trio of Marta, Formiga and Cristiane, Canada’s goalscoring legend Christine Sinclair, Norway keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth, and USA idols Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger. While the future is in safe hands with the next generation of talents, these star performers are sure to be missed if they do not return to the big stage in 2023.
Participants
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China PR, England, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea Republic, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, USA
Final standings
USA
The Netherlands
Sweden
England
Host cities
Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes, Valenciennes
Goals scored
146 (average of 2.8 per match)
Awards
adidas Golden Ball: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
adidas Silver Ball: Lucy Bronze (ENG)
adidas Bronze Ball: Rose Lavelle (USA)
adidas Golden Boot: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
adidas Silver Boot: Alex Morgan (USA)
adidas Bronze Boot: Ellen White (ENG)
adidas Golden Glove: Sari van Veenendaal (NED)
FIFA Young Player Award: Giulia Gwinn (GER)
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: France
SEE YOU AT THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN 2023!
United States of America: 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Champions
A scarcely believable four-goal salvo inside the opening 16 minutes meant there was only ever going to be one winner to the joy of the largely pro-USA 53,341 crowd in Vancouver.
USA were quickest to the ball from the opening whistle and immediately reaped greater rewards than they could ever have imagined. A low driven Megan Rapinoe corner from the right deceived a flat-footed Japan defence and Lloyd finished first time from near the penalty spot to put a perfect flourish to a training ground move.
Barely 150 seconds had passed on the stadium clock but, incredibly it was about to get even better for the Stars and Stripes. A low free-kick from Lauren Holiday evaded a swathe of players before the ball found its way, almost magnetically, to Lloyd who applied the finishing touch from close range. USA were 2-0 up inside five minutes and Lloyd had nabbed the two fastest goals in Women’s World Cup Final history.
Japan were looking uncharacteristically shaky at the back and when central defender Azusa Iwashimizu failed to deal with a Tobin Heath delivery, Holiday latched onto the loose ball to volley home. Only fourteen minutes had elapsed but USA already had one hand on the trophy.
Just two minutes later the contest was effectively over as Lloyd completed a 13-minute hat-trick with a goal straight from the realms of fantasy. Collecting the ball inside her own half Lloyd advanced before unleashing a high shot from the halfway line over the head of Ayumi Kaihori, whose desperate back-peddling only resulted in finger-tipping the ball onto the inside of the post and into the net.
Incredibly Lloyd, playing the match of her life, almost immediately scored another, heading just wide and narrowly failing to become the first person to score four in a World Cup Final of either gender. Then it was the turn of Alex Morgan who made a trademark driving run into the box and although she did not make full connection with her shot Kaihori was still forced into a diving save.
However, Japan grabbed a much-needed goal midway through the opening half thanks to inspired finishing from Yuki Ogimi who ended Hope Solo’s run of 540-minute unbeaten run by superbly spinning away from marker Julie Johnston and coolly firing home.
The Nadeshiko momentarily looked like they would pull another goal back three minutes later and only some fine scrambling defening prevented a clear shot on goal with Aya Miyama’s final shot unable to trouble Solo.
Japan coach Norio Sasaki threw caution to the wind making two substitutes inside 40 minutes. The heroine of the 2011 Final, Homare Sawa, firstly entered the fray soon followed by forward Yuika Sugasawa, in place of central defender Iwashimizu and Nahomi Kawasumi.
Five minutes after the break Morgan Brian forced Kaihori to push a long-rage effort over the crossbar, but it was Japan who managed to reduce the deficit further as Johnston could only get a glancing header on Miyama’s perfectly-flighted free-kick inadvertently directing the ball past Solo.
Yet USA restored their three-goal margin almost immediately as Heath netted from close range after Morgan Brian provided the assist after Kaihori was unable to deal with a corner.
Striker Morgan then looked to get her name on the scoresheet with a sharp turn and shot narrowly wide. While there were to be no further goals, some of the biggest roars of the day were reserved for the late introductions of veterans Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone.
Live Your Goals Player of the Match: Carli Lloyd (USA)
9.11.2014.
Walk blindly to the light and reach out for his hand
Don't ask any questions and don't try to understand
Open up your mind and then open up your heart
And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart
'Cause I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
Violence is spread worldwide and there are families on the street
And we sell drugs to children now oh why can't we just see
That all we do is eliminate our future with the things we do today
Money is our incentive now so that makes it okay
But I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
I've been seeing Lisa now for a little over a year
She said she's never been so happy but Lisa lives in fear
That one day daddy's gonna find out she's in love
With a nigger from the streets
Oh how he would lose it then but she's still here with me
'Cause she believes that love will see it through
And one day he'll understand
And he'll see me as a person not just a black man
'Cause I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
I believe I believe I believe I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
Love will find the way
Love will find the way
Love will find the way
Please love find the way
Please love find the way...
USA 1, Honduras 0
The US national team made 20,250 fans sweat on a hot Tuesday evening at Rio Tinto Stadium, but in the end, they got the job done in a 1-0 victory over an undermanned but surprisingly game Honduran side.
Jozy Altidore snapped a scoreless deadlock in the 73rd minute with his fourth goal in as many games, rescuing the US from a languid offensive showing and sending the Americans to their third win in as many World Cup qualifiers.
And with the victory, the USMNT remain on top of the CONCACAF Hexagonal with 13 points through six games and are on the cusp of qualifying for Brazil 2014.
The final result was far from certain. Despite their opponents missing as many as five starters, the Americans came out flat and lacking the attacking verve they showed in their previous two matches against Panama and Jamaica. Though they had most of the possession, there were few opportunities to break through.
The US had a couple decent looks in the early going but couldn’t find that final ball. Fabian Johnson’s threatening cross was swallowed by Honduras ’keeper Noel Valladares seven minutes in, while Eddie Johnson couldn’t finish off some nice combination play 10 minutes later.
Former Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza in particular was active in blowing holes through the US passing lanes, but he didn’t need much help. Center backs Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler, in their sixth start as a tandem, got off to a shakier start than they had in any of their previous run-outs together – both made ill-timed giveaways that were nearly punished by the Catrachos.
Gonzalez coughed it up to Espinoza in the 10th minute, and the Wigan Athletic man was in on goal alone until Jermaine Jones tackled him from behind. Meanwhile, former D.C. United Homegrown Andy Najar – making his first start in World Cup qualifying – picked Besler’s pocket in the 45th minute and charged in on goal to put a low, dipping shot on goal that called Tim Howard into action.
The US had a good case for a penalty kick in the 63rd minute during a goalmouth scramble. After the ball ping-ponged in the box, Clint Dempsey put a header on goal that deflected off Wilson Palacios’ hand, but head official Enrico Wijngaarde didn’t blow the whistle.
That seemed to spark the US attack to life, however, as Dempsey had a rip on goal four minutes later that sailed over the bar. In the 70th minute, Dempsey’s header was punched out by Valladares and fell to Michael Bradley, who ripped one right back at the veteran ’keeper.
Three minutes later, the Americans’ patience was rewarded off some beautiful combination play. Off a pass from Dempsey, Graham Zusi sent a cheeky ball to the left side of the box to Fabian Johnson. The Hoffenheim man took one touch to center it to Altidore, who one-timed it to the far post past Valladares for the winning strike that sent the crowd into chants of "We are going to Brazil."
Jurgen Klinsmann went with a familiar lineup, slotting Jones back into central midfield as expected, forcing Geoff Cameron to the bench. With right winger Zusi back after his suspension, the US manager opted to flip Eddie Johnson over to the opposite side, pushing Fabian Johnson to left back in DaMarcus Beasley’s absence due to card accumulation.
Honduras manager Luis Fernando Suárez was forced to make wholesale changes to his lineup. With hobbled Houston Dynamo star Boniek GarcÃa on the bench, Najar slotted into right wing, joining Seattle Sounders winger Mario MartÃnez and Espinoza in a five-man midfield with heavy MLS flavor.
Former Dynamo striker Carlo Costly was alone up top in Suárez’s 4-5-1. José Velásquez, meanwhile, took the place of suspended San Jose Earthquakes enforcer VÃctor Bernárdez in central defense.
The senior US side now gets a two-and-a-half-month break before World Cup qualifying resumes, with the next match at Costa Rica on Sept. 6. Klinsmann’s “B” side will begin gathering in San Diego in two weeks in preparation for next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
They're going to rue that call for a while, those Canucks will...
I feel for the Canadian football fans. Not those who support the CFL, but those who are soccer fans up north. Armando Archundia took a goal away from them in stoppage time, denying extra time, and the game, and a berth in the final, and the USA defeated Canada 2-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Those fans up north are going to rue that call, and label Archundia as a villain. The BigSoccer forums are going to be busy with the wrath of the Canadians, and some sympathy but tons of relief from the USA supporters. And don't forget, mixed reactions from the Mexican supporter, too.
Two people I have to feel for in his match:
First, Michael Bradley of the USA. There is not a worse feeling in the world for Bob Bradley than to see his son sent off. He had to make that tackle, though, so it was a proper sacrifice.
Second, (and this is to be fair to both sides), Atiba Hutchinson of Canada. Things could have been interesting had the game gone to extra time. I, personally, thought it went in. But it is said that the team that has the most breaks will win it. The offside was the biggest break for the Nats.
I give my kudos to:
Frankie Hejduk. What a was to break your Gold Cup du(c)k, Frankie. His first-ever goal in this competition, and his first goal in over seven years. Incredible. Welcome back, Frankie. Relax like that guy going to Hollywood after seeing some movie-worthy drama in th dying moments of the game, and get ready for a curtain call on Sunday.
Landon Donovan. A goal, an assist, and a card. Had it been a red instead of yellow, that would be a Gordie Howe-like hat trick. (I know Gordie plays a different sport, but the form is similar) A brace on Sunday, and he will kill to records with two volleys past the keeper, over the line, inside the posts, and into the nylon.
I personally hope it's the USA vs. Guadeloupe, but I have a gut feeling, the inevitable classic is coming up Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)