Wondo Back On The Mainland, Still Apologizing

((HT: CSN Bay Area))

And he is still apologizing for what went down against Belgium

Remember, San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski took to Twitter and apologized for his miss that could have sent the USMNT to the quarters to play Argentina.

I'm gutted to have let down everyone but especially my teammates. It's been an incredible ride but I know this will make me stronger.

Thank you to all the great fans that has supported this wonderful team. This is a special group made up of great teammates

Now, that he's back here in the States to get the Quakes out of the bottom of the Western Conference standings in MLS, Wondo is thinking that what went down will only make him stronger as a player.


The HQ wasn't all that cool with people turning him into a verb, but we hope he is right.
And he doesn't need to apologize for anything, but it is our way...

Here's All Of Tim Howard's Activity Vs. Belgium

((HT: bubbaprog's COUB))

The HQ thinks that Team USA keeper Tim Howard should not have to buy another drink in this country for the rest of his natural born life and should IMMEDIATELY be given the Congressional Medal of Honor

Here's all of his saves put back-to-back and Ian Darke gets to yell a lot, too...


The HQ blames Piers Morgan for the loss

If Nick Saban Was In Jurgen Klinsmann's Cleats...

((HT: Fox Sports/Mike Romano via Vimeo))

This is what happens when Nick Saban is answering questions as the head coach of the USMNT after Group play...

And Mike, pretty much, nailed it...


No other questions, coach, thanks...

Group of Death Recap: USMNT Can Thank Ronaldo Later (Plus Free Swinging In Ghana)

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As it turns out, the Germany 4-0 blowout of Portugal was the decider that sent Germany and the United States on and sent Portugal and the Ghanaians home.

This is one of those times that a 1-0 loss is a win as the US moves on to play, probably, Holland


And here's how Ronaldo put the Portuguese in front of Ghana for good...


But, the incident that will make everyone remember that particular match comes from something worse than a cup-check
((HT: Jack Conness' Vine))

Yeah, Okay... We'll Talk About It, Too...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

The HQ had the feeling Twitter broke twice in, about, a half an hour Sunday when Clint Dempsey scored and then CR7 assisted in game-tying goal with ten seconds left in the USA-Portugal match for a salvaged 2-2 draw.

Let's relive that hell all over again, shall we...??? With analysis...


So, there's all the talk now of colluding with Germany Thursday so both advance (yeah, that NEVER has happened in the past) and Portugal can go home- which would be the biggest irony of it all.

The back line was a complete breakdown in the last possession and NBCSports analyzes with a Molly Ringwold reference
((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Audience Network))


Yeah, it feels like a loss- and with a country that has increased expectations- it should be...

Now, go and park that bus against Germany!!!

When Live Shots Explode...Sometimes, It's Funny...

((HT: KGW-TV))

Drew Carney is KGW-TV's man about town in Portland...

He was promoting a beer garden constructed just for the events in Brazil for the next month or so. His timing was squared with the USA-Ghana match to being with and his live shot was going on during the latter stages of the match.

You can make a pretty good guess as to exactly WHEN his live shot happened...

Sometimes, you just need to be lucky. And the HQ thinks that Carney will have to be live during the Portugal match this weekend...

Jus' saying...

Clint Dempsey's Goal Broke Twitter

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

It was the 5th-fastest goal in World Cup history and the fastest ever in the history of the US National Men's team. But Clint Dempsey caught the Ghanaian defense napping for this opener in competition


Larger issues are around Jozy Altidore's injured hamstring and Matt Besler wasn't too far behind in the 41st minute to go along with the shot Dempsey took to his nose- which is, probably, broken.

So, Which USMNT Team Do We Believe In...???

((HT: ESPN))

The one where Michael Bradley showed what he does is world-class and Chris Wondolowski is back being an offensive force or the one that had the gaping hole directly in front of Nick Rimando for Rafa Marquez...???

The USMNT was up 2-0 at the break in Glendale last night, but gave up two in the second half to only leave the friendly with Mexico with a 2-2 draw.

Here's the highlights...


Now, Mexico travels to New Zealand, but will have to play without Chichirito on yellow accumulation...

Dos A Cero Round Two Gets USMNT Closer To Rio (UPDATE: They're In)

((HT: Univision))

The US Men's National got one step closer to making it to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after knocking off El Tri in front of a lottery-drawn 24,000-plus at Crew Stadium in Columbus.

The game could have filled a good part of the Big House over at tOSU, but the intimacy of the rowdy crowd gave the red, white, and blue their position at the top of the ladder in an automatic qualifier spot in their CONCACAF group.

Eddie Johnson ruled the air as the USA found their rhythm in set pieces and capitalized here...


There were a lot of concerns with injuries and cards taking hold of the XI- especially with Bradley missing at the back...

Diskerud hooked up with Donovan for the 2-0 lead and only Clint Dempsey airmailing a PK in stoppage time kept "Dos A Cero" at that score.

So, here was the scene in the locker room as the #USMNT was waiting for a Honduras-Panama result...
((HT: ussoccer Instagram))


A Wilson Palacios goal put the home team up 2-1
((HT: beinSportUS))


Panama scored in the first minute of stoppage time for the 2-2 draw on a great scoop shot from an overlapping Chen...
But that was the final and the US qualifies for World Cup 2014... their 7th bid...

So, the HQ guesses there's only one thing left to say...

Deuce Rolled Out In Seattle

((HT: MLS/KING-TV))

Now, having elevated his game from Fulham to Spurs, Clint Dempsey is now officially back in Major League Soccer for a reported $9-million transfer fee and a Designated Player status of $32-million over the next four years...

"I am very excited about coming back to the MLS and thrilled to be joining Sounders FC," said Dempsey as part of the press release. "Having recently played in Seattle with the National Team, I experienced the incredible atmosphere and the passion from the supporters first-hand. It's going to be an honor to represent the fans in Seattle." Think Seattle is serious...???

“Major League Soccer is thrilled to have Clint Dempsey, arguably one of the best players the United States has ever produced, return to the league to play for the Sounders,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in the standard press release. “Clint could have played in any league throughout the world, and he chose MLS and the Sounders. Our vision is to become one of the best leagues in the world, and we look forward to Clint being a part of that legacy.”

Dempsey is expected to join the Sounders’ workouts Monday and is supposed to make his debut with the club next Saturday in Toronto.

His first home game is supposed to be the Cascadia match-up on the 25th, when the Sounders host Portland.
No pressure there or anything...

Dempsey was presented to the fans at Century Link Field before the game with FC Dallas- and, to no one's surprise, he's wearing the number 2... gear available for purchase now at mlssoccer.com

Here's part of the welcome... ((HT: MLS/Sounders FC))

USMNT Takes Gold Cup Title Over Panama

((HT: Fox Sports))

After another Brek Shea goal (who thought the HQ would say that regarding the USMNT offense, like, ever...???)- 42 seconds in after being called in as a substitute- the Gold Cup final went to the United States in front of 59,000 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

After only having three goals scored against them leading up to the last game in the tournament, Panama gave up one to Shea after a Landon Donovan whiff in the box.

It was almost 2-nil on this play, which gave banished USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann a coronary


Or several...

Shea got the game-winner against Costa Rica on a feed from Donovan and the two hooked up again in the final- only thing missing was the goal...

Stewart Holden was removed in the 16th minute on a sprained knee injury and he will be reevaluated after the tournament...

Klinsmann Could Miss Gold Cup Final

((HT: Fox Soccer/CONCACAF))

All for this...


There were conflicting reports after the game as to whether or not USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann was going to miss the Gold Cup FInal Sunday in Chicago- and it came from the CONCACAF press officer himself.

But the bottom line is that a CONCACAF think tank will be putting their collective head together to see whether or not Klinsmann will have committed such a grievous spiking of the ball on the sidelines that he'll miss the winner of Panama-Mexico...

Klinsmann did apologize afterwards for his outburst, but we'll see just how much water it holds...

USMNT Fighting Uphill Vs Costa Rica In Gold Cup Group Finale (But Winning)

((HT: Fox Soccer/CONCACAF))

Okay... something had to give between the USMNT and Costa Rica- both unbeaten in their last seven...

The US dominated time of possession in the first half and had their chances early in the second...
Which included this...


Costa Rica should be playing with ten for the rest of the game, but they're not...
Scoreless in the 63rd minute...

It was a shot on goal outside the box and not a pass...

Nicely done, CONCACAF...

UPDATE: 83rd minute, this happened...


So, for now, the US wins Group C with Costa Rica second and Cuba third to advance

USMNT: Bradley Volleys Golazo In Russian Friendly

((HT: US Soccer))

Let's just look at the goal that tied it against the Russians...

The first time...


The stars and bars finished their friendly schedule 9-3-2 and there is room for optimism under Klinsmann...

Especially, if Dempsey and Donovan can suit up occasionally in tourneys that matter...