USA goes home

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So the USA lost to Ghana in a cynically-played game, with the winning goal coming from a bad call to give a penalty. Wretched. Sweden had its best defender sent off in the match against Germany for doing, seemingly, nothing. Tunisia did not have a penalty awarded for a handball, yet Ukraine (who defeated them) was awarded a penalty after Shevchenko tripped himself. Whatever.

The USA-Italy game was inspiring stuff. Perhaps the Aussies will do the same thing...without the red cards.

The Bruce Arena era of US Soccer is now seemingly at its end. What will he do now? Coach in Europe? Probably not. Return to UVA?

Concacaf and Asia are already out of the tournament...and Oceania and Africa seem doomed for a quick exit. The Argies look mortal after the Mexico game. Germany continues to march. Portugal and England appear to be unsteady powers, and France managed a win only without Zidane.

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Photos

USA 1 - 2 Ghana
decked out, before the shame and rage

USA 1 - 1 Italy
one of the game balls. the other two are mcbride's

Fan Zone
germany: land of soccer

Fan Zone
adidas built a ibero-american barrio to inspire better soccer

Germany 2 - 0 Sweden
brave swedes

Germany 2 - 0 Sweden
discussing tactics in a biergarten

Germany 2 - 0 Sweden
leaving the biergarten...millions of over-confident germans...