Last Friday I was pleased to point out that the US Men’s soccer team had won it’s first match by beating Japan 1-0, with the winning goal coming from Clemson product Stuart Holden.

Sunday, I watched the US match against the Netherlands. After a bit of a slow start, the US offense took over and dominated its way to a 2-1 lead. With victory and a pass to the quarterfinals almost certain, and with under a minute of stoppage time remaining, Stuart Holden committed a horrifically stupid foul at the top of the penalty box. Holden got a yellow card. Holland converted the kick to take the tie and to leave the US’s status for the quarterfinals unknown.

Well wouldn’t ya know, the team blew its third game against Nigeria and its chances of advancing. It didn’t help that the team was going into the game with two players, including Freddy Edu, suspended. But it really didn’t help that one of the defenders got ejected just four minutes into the game, leaving the US to play almost 90 minutes with only 10 players.

My hopes weren’t high, but they sure picked up after the game against Japan. My hope was rewarded with quite a debacle (Obama supporters take note). Time to resume ignoring the Olympics.

Posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am by Broken Gnome

Filed under Olympics, Soccer.

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