United States vs Ghana

Last night in Natal, Brazil was a battle of two power house rivals. Ghana, and the USA. In the Group G matchup, these two teams have history with each other. So, tempers were bound to be flying last night. Ghana, having beaten the United States out of the last three World Cups, have a revamped team. As well as the US.

Nobody knew what was going to come of this game. The story leading up to this particular game was beating a dead horse. USA wants revenge. It's unlikely for a team to get revenge. Or is it? The USA playing in the group of death, had it's work cut out for them. Ghana didn't know what was going to come of this match, until Captain America, Clint Dempsey, struck lightning in under 30 seconds, making his goal the 5th fastest in World Cup history. Taking the 1-0 lead into the half, the US had Ghana broken down.

It was only until then, when Ghana broke the US back line down, and started creating easy chances. Shaken up, and frustrated, the USA had been torn apart and they knew it. In the 82', the Ghanaians stuck the equalizer past keeper Tim Howard and knotted it up at 1-1. Devistated, the US seemed to have given up. They were playing fr the draw, but head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wasn't having that. Graham Zusi, and John Brooks, both second half subs came on and sparked a little flare into the remaining players. Zusi took the job of taking a corner kick in the 86'. A nice delivery ball into the box, and John Brooks gets his head to it. It's in. John broke down and laid flat out on the grass while his teammates dog piled him, congratulating him on his goal. The whistle blew minutes later, and the game was over.

The United States, beat Ghana.

World Cup 2014

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year again. The time of year that football fans all around, come together in one country, to watch their national sides compete in one of the biggest tournaments in the world; The time of year, where all eyes are glued to the television for at least 6-9 hours; The time year where the world, has one time zone. Brazil standard time.

The FIFA World Cup. 32 nations from across the world compete in matches to earn a spot in this tournament. Those 32 teams who qualify, are split into 8 groups of four and battle it out in three matches to fight for the top two seeds in their group. Now, I'm not gonna get into the breakdown of how the teams will play out in the rest of the tournament, but just know, this is a pretty big deal. It only comes around every four years.

This year, it's held in the biggest country in South America; Brazil. 12 cities got the pleasure of getting a stadium SPECIFICALLY for the World Cup. Now, not only is the largest soccer tournament in the world being held there, but there are also demonstrations Anti-World Cup protests going on. For those wondering, yes it does impact. But it hasn't had one yet. The closest impact it had to this, was yesterday afternoon. Ahead of Argentina's first group stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the infamous, Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, 300 protesters were runoff by Brazilian police.

But putting all of the protests aside, the world greatest sports tournament is back and better than ever. With new teams, new faces, new challenges, and a NEW 'Group of Death.'

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

Pre-view: Columbus v Sporting

TOTO! Toto. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Well you're correct. You're in Columbus. Facing a hungry Columbus Crew who want three points. Sporting? They want a supporters shield.

Its the battle of originals. Columbus are home tonight to face Sporting KC in a crucial battle. Columbus looking to make the postseason, are coming off a 4-2 victory in Dallas. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Play hard is the point.

Columbus 2-1 SKC

Pre-View: Columbus @ FC Dallad

Is it just me, or are Columbus' playoff chances looking good so far? Who can tell? Well the team can after beating rival Chicago Fire 3-0. WHAT A DOOZIE! Anyway, after that win Columbus is on the right path to (Hopefully) making the post-season. But a tough challenge lies in their path.

Tonight, the Columbus Crew take on FC Dallas in Toyota Stadium. (That's so cliché. Or is it?). Looking for a win, Columbus has to play the way they did against Chicago last week. Also on the line is the Pioneer Cup. Which Columbus has won the past few years. But a fierce Dallas team look to plaster their chances.

Well there isn't much to say about this game except "We'll see the result tonight."
FCD 0-2 Columbus

P.S. ; We got White Castle last week!

Review: Chicago vs Columbus

It seems as though that the Columbus Crew would not make the playoffs this year. Or will they? A stellar win over rival Chicago Fire could give them that boost they just might need to push for a spot. The battle between these two teams is badass. No lie. Last night, they played their last game of the series in Columbus.

A win for either side could give momentum to crush other teams playoff hopes. *cough* New England. *cough* Philadelphia.  But it seems as though Columbus may have the last laugh in the end.

After a blantant red card tackle (which resulted with a red card), Columbus and their special 12th man had the advantage. And no doubt used it for granted when former Fire player Dominic Oduro opened the scoring. His celebration: Lets just say he was a little hungry. So a slice of Papa John's pizza will do it. Going into the half with Columbus on top, I bet that Frank Klopas excoriated his team in the dressing room.

To open up the second half (well, 50+ minutes gone) was a Federico Higuain penalty kick as "Milk Man Johnson" took down Jairo Arrieta in the box. The crowd erupts and then chants of 'Dos A Cero' escape mouths of the Crew supporter sections. [Wrong team guys]. But anyway, that was quickly put to rest with a Bernardo Añor goal. 3-0 was the final; 3 points AND a shed of light to a playoff spot belong to the Columbus Crew.

What did we learn from last night?
That when you doubt the tactics of an interim head coach and a fiery Columbus Crew club, chances are you WILL feel the aftermath.

(And driving an ambulance?  What's up with that?)

Pre-view: Columbus v Chicago

Its a rivalry renewed. Columbus versus Chicago Fire. Truth be told, its David vs Goliath. These two teams are as bad as Buster Douglas and Mike Tyson. Or something like that. With playoff contentions running high for both teams; Lets just say, this match could get real ugly. Real quick.

As for the teams, the Fire lead the series 2-0-0 with wins in Bridgeview and in Columbus. Also in Columbus' mind is the US Open Cup loss to 'Them' in Bridgeview losing by a score of 2-1. As they did during the regular season. Peculiar right? But with a win over Chicago could boost Columbus' playoff hopes; And help fron others. Obviously. With traveling support coming from Section Latino, and Section 8, this rivalry just got more extreme. But nothing happens anyway. (Damn CSC). Hopefully no arrests will be made and a happy Brian Bliss can lead his side to victory over the Fire.

Columbus, coming off a 2-1 come from behind victory against Montreal look to make an impact on the Eastern conference standings. Chicago, just above Columbus also loom to ease their way into the top 5. But who wants it more? Well you really can't tell since both teams are decent this year. Maybe Chicago takes it. Maybe Columbus takes it. Maybe Mother Nature takes it.

Columbus 2-1 Chicago

Pre-view: Columbus @ Salt Lake

This weekend, Columbus travels to Salt Lake to face a red hot Real Salt Lake squad who currently holds the top spot in the West. Holding that spot for quite some time now, RSL is one of three teams who are also in the running for the Supporters Shield. Coming into this match, these two teams are looking to help boost their clubs in every which way.

Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake are coming into this clash with Columbus, top of the Western conference with 42 points. (12-8-6) ; Only getting one point out of their previous two games, Jason Kries is hoping for a turn around with captain Kyle Beckerman coming back from suspension. Wanting to win these three points, RSL look to put a damper on Columbus' two game win streak. Salt Lake recently played Portland Timbers to a 3-3 draw Wednesday night at Jeld-Wen Field. 

Columbus Crew

Since Precourt Sports Ventures took over the Crew, Columbus is now on a two game win streak and are only 8 points out of a playoff spot; And it seems as though a scoreline of 2-0 is popular around Columbus. Their previous games have been that particular scoreline, beating former Eastern Conference leaders New York 2-0, and Canadian rivals Toronto FC 2-0. Getting all three points from these previous games, Columbus look to extend this streak to 3 games, but have to deal without Higuain due to suspension.

With RSL struggling as of late, and Columbus playing good, solid, quality football, I see Columbus escaping with this game by one goal.

Columbus 2-1 Real Salt Lake