U.S. Team Draws "Group of Death" For World Cup

By - Benjamin Lincecum

I sat at my desk Friday eagerly awaiting the results of the draw for the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team. After our disappointing result against Ghana in 2010 and a coaching change, we had struggled to get back on course.

Earlier this year, however, our squad really turned it on and put together the best winning streak in the history of the team. For 12 games, we played magically and forced our way into the top spot of our qualifying group. I had rarely felt so good about the men's team, to be honest.

Photo by: Kristina Puga

Then the draw came.

As the groups were run off and our name still hadn't been drawn out of the pot by Group D, I started to worry. There's no way we're getting put in that group, I thought. But sure enough, we drew Group G.

This is what some commentators around the world are now calling the "Group of Death." FIFA world power Germany was the first team to be selected, followed by the Ghanaian team that had crushed the U.S.'s hopes not just in 2010, but in 2006 as well.

I immediately started rationalizing. Ghana has been off lately; they're not the same team. We should be able to counter anything they throw at us and contain their scoring. We still have a very good shot at finishing second in the group. Expecting a result here isn't out of the question at all.

Then the final team of the group was selected; Portugal. A team that arguably has the best player on the planet right now, Cristiano Ronaldo. It was done. Our World Cup was over before it ever even got started. It ended the moment we were drawn into Group G, the "Group of Death."

I felt something akin to anger come over me. I certainly didn't want to work anymore. I was planning on taking vacation days to watch the matches in which we were involved. I was really stoked about our chances. We were on fire coming into the World Cup and a good draw would easily see us into the round of 16 and maybe further. I wasn't expecting to win it all by any stretch, but to be competitive, have some good games, and possibly reach the quarters.

There was nothing now. Why care?

Is the FC Barcelona Dynasty Nearing an End?

By - Andy Garcia

In recent years, FC Barcelona has repeatedly been dubbed as the greatest soccer club of all-time. They have enjoyed an abundance of success since 2004, but more notably in the last 4 years.

During this time, they went on one of the greatest runs in history, winning 3 league titles, 2 Champions League titles, 2 Copa Del Rey (King's Cup) titles, 3 Spanish Super Cup titles, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup title.

Photo by: Getty Images

And after a down year where they went 28-7-3, earning 91 points out of a possible 114 during league play and finishing as the runner-up to arch-rival Real Madrid last season, the Catalans are once again atop the standings in Spain's La Liga (The League).

FCB is currently 22-2-2, and barring an unlikely catastrophic implosion, are in line to win their 22nd La Liga title. They have a comfortable 11-point cushion over second-place Atlético Madrid with only 12 matches to go.

Still, Barça fans are in unfamiliar territory where they have officially entered panic mode.

This might sound ridiculous, considering their team is easily running away with the league championship, but their reign as the #1 soccer club in the world is slowly beginning to evaporate before their eyes.

You see, FCB has lost 3 of its last 4 overall games.

The slump began on February 20th with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan in their 1st leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Less than a week later, they were embarrassed with a 3-1 loss at home to Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals, which eliminated them from the Spanish tournament. And to make matters worse, Barça fell 2-1 to their hated rivals only 4 days later in league play.

The primary reason for the recent decline is not entirely the play of the team, but rather the quality of coaching, or lack thereof.

There's a First Time For Everything

By - Andy Garcia

The unthinkable happened Wednesday night.

The U.S. men's soccer team defeated their Mexican arch rivals in Mexico for the first time in 75 years. It wasn't that the American national squad had gone three quarters of a century since their last victory south of the border, it was their first road win against the southern neighbors -- EVER.

Photo by: Miguel Tovar

Both sides were missing key players, it was only an international friendly, and had the favorite won the match, it wouldn't have been a very big deal. But the fact that the U.S. was 0-23-1 against the CONCACAF powerhouse on Mexican soil, made the victory that much more significant.

The historical night was not as pretty as one might think, however.

For much of the game, Mexico dominated. They controlled ball possession for 66% of the time, had 19 total shots (only 2 on goal) to the Americans 7 (3 on goal), and had 10 corner kicks while the U.S. had 0. The red, white, and green had chance after chance to put the ball in the net, but could not find a way.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez was the biggest culprit. The Manchester United striker had numerous chances to put the home team ahead.

Much credit can be given to the American defense.

Center backs Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu both had stellar performances. They held their ground throughout the entire match despite the Mexican onslaught. Goalkeeper Tim Howard also came up huge, showing once again that he is one of the world's best.

With only a few minutes away from stoppage time, Hernandez had a pair of attempts denied by Howard­­. It was the cherry on top to a solid overall effort by the Everton goalkeeper.

While ball possession plays a very important role in winning a match, it does not always prove to be the defining statistic in this sport.

U.S. Women Stunned in World Cup Final

By - Kris Fletcher

Japan came from behind twice on Sunday to win the women's World Cup for the first time ever, beating the United States 3-1 on a penalty shoot-out after the final had finished at 2-2 in extra-time.

Photo by: Thorsten Wagner

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all missed shootout tries for the Americans, who blew tons of scoring chances throughout the game and coughed up the lead just six minutes away from winning their third World Cup title.

Japan captain Homare Sawa was awarded the Golden Boot as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

USA Women Rally to Beat Brazil in Shootout

By - Kris Fletcher

In one of the best soccer games in recent memory, the United States rallied in the final minute of extra time against Brazil and forced a penalty shootout, which they won 5-3, to advance to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup.

Abby Wambach scored in the 122nd minute for the U.S. to tie the game at 2-2 following extra time. It was the latest goal ever scored in the history of the tournament.

Photo from: msn.foxsports.com

"That is a perfect example of what this country is all about," Wambach told ESPN following the victory. "We just never gave up."

The win maintains the women's streak of never having lost prior to the semifinal round of the World Cup. It also avenged a 4-0 loss to Brazil in the 2007 semifinals, and came twelve years after the United States prevailed in a tiebreaker against China to win the championship.

Mexico Stuns United States in Gold Cup Final

By - Kris Fletcher

Mexico just became a six-time winner of the Gold Cup, shocking Team USA 4-2 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Photo by: Kevork Djansezian

The United States actually led 2-0 after 22 minutes, only to see Mexico score four unanswered goals.

Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan each scored a goal for Team USA, while Pablo Barrera scored twice for Team Mexico. Andres Guardado and Giovani dos Santos also added a goal each for the winning squad.

Mexico outshot the United States 13-8 for the game.

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, who led this year's Gold Cup with seven goals for Team Mexico, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Man U Wins Barclays Premier League Title

By - Brian Harrington

English soccer powerhouse Manchester United has won the Barclays Premier League Championship, defeating Blackpool 4-2 in the final and finishing the season with 23 wins, 11 draws and only 4 loses.

Photo from asportsnews.com

This is a record breaking 19th championship for Man U. They started the season with 13 straight wins and 7 draws before losing their first match to Manchester City 1-0 on April 16th.