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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2014 13:38:42 GMT
Because the World Cup has become his coming-out party. When striker Radamel Falcao was forced out of the event with a knee injury, people quickly got pessimistic about Columbia’s hopes. Enter Rodriguez, who’s been nothing short of dominant during the group stage. Rodriguez’s global profile isn’t what it would be if heplayed his club soccer in England or Spain, but people—maybe even some opponents—who didn’t know much about him are getting a crash course in his abilities. Equal parts striker and playmaker, Rodriguez potted goals in all three of Columbia’s Group C contests. Rodriguez is demonstrating an ability to be the focal point of a team. It’s one thing for a young player to contribute, but quite another to take your game to a whole new level when the team’s best scorer is out. That’s what the Colombian is doing now. The fact Rodriguez—who can line up at left wing in addition to midfield—can both tee up and finish plays makes him doubly dangerous, and he’s masterful from set pieces. At 17 years old, Rodriguez become the youngest foreign player to both compete and score in the Argentinian league while a member of Banfield. Predictably, things only improved from there. Rodriguez moved to Europe and FC Porto, where he played alongside Falcao and bagged 31 goals in 104 appearances over three years. In 2012, he was awarded the Portuguese Golden Ball as the top player in the Primeira Liga. Spotting Rodriguez’s long-term potential, AS Monaco coughed up a 45-million Euro transfer fee to get him in their colours in the spring of 2013 and he rewarded the French side with a league-leading 12 assists this past season. Rodriguez was a standout at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, notching three goals in 11 matches. After competing in the 2011 U-20s, he graduated to the national team and was named man of the match in his first appearance, a 2-1 victory over Bolivia. His first goal came in his third game with the senior squad during a 1-0 win over Peru, but his “I’m here” moment occurred three contests later versus Chile. With the Chileans holding a 1-0 advantage, Rodriquez blasted home a 30-yard free kick to square the match, eventually won 3-1 by Columbia. He finished World Cup qualifying with a flurry, notching a goal and three assists during his final four outings. James Rodríguez scores both goals in a 2-0 win over Uruguay. Rodriguez’s free-kick goal versus Chile was spectacular, but his status has gone to another level since the World Cup kicked off in Brazil. His signature moment may have actually come in the third game versus Japan, when Columbia asserted its dominance atop Group C. With the contest knotted 1-1 to start the second half, Rodriguez came in off the bench, promptly assisted on two goals by Jackson Martinez, then added one of his own right before the final whistle. At that point, it was impossible to deny his standing as one of the best young players in the world.
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Post by Admin on Jul 2, 2014 13:15:52 GMT
American media and the four major American sports institutions can breathe a sigh of relief today as soccer can return to the status of redheaded stepchild and Teddy Goalsevelt can shave his moustache and hang up his hat: The USA is out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil. World Cup fever swept much of the 50 states and as it does every four years now, the US Men’s National Team received its 15 minutes of fame. The simple fact that it must be clarified that it is the Men’s National Team and not the US Women’s National Team – two time World Champions – shows the lack of acceptance and interest over the years for the men’s game within the US. The USA and Canada’s domestic league, Major League Soccer, could benefit from this exposure. In its nineteenth year, the league is stronger than ever and has seen its fair share of ups and downs. MLS is currently on the ascendency as the league will introduce two new clubs – New York City FC and Orlando City Soccer Club – in 2015. Those clubs have already signed two marquee former European players in the form of David Villa and Kaka, respectively. Despite the national team’s success, there is no guarantee MLS will see an upswing thanks to it. In the past, MLS Cup Final attendance has been pointed to, to show the game and league’s growth; or lack thereof. In the wake of the USA’s elimination last night, goalkeeper Tim Howard has emerged as not only the country’s best ever goalkeeper, but arguably as the country’s best player of all-time. Howard was the difference between the USA losing 2-1 in extra time and not 4-0 during the preceding 90 minutes. Howard’s heroics kept the USA with in touching distance despite the midfield being overrun and routinely giving the ball away too easily. The centerback pairing of Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler were capable to a point, and the fullbacks of DeAndre Yedlin and DaMarcus Beasley were the USA’s best attacking players on the night. With the U.S. and Belgium still scoreless into third and final minute of second-half stoppage time of their Round of 16 clash on Tuesday, the 31-year-old substitute striker was presented with a chance to steal a win against the run of play. The U.S. was pushing forward in a last-gasp foray into the Belgium penalty area when midfielder Jermaine Jones headed the ball into Wondolowski's path. The goal line was just steps away, but Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was closing fast. The Major League Soccer veteran who made his World Cup debut in 2014 sent his right-footed shot over the crossbar. At the time of the missed shot, ESPN announcers stated that a linesman had raised a flag indicating Wondolowski was offside, but replays showed he was in an onside position when Jones headed the ball toward him. The stats of the match at FIFA.com later showed that the U.S. was not whistled for offside during the 120-minute clash at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Look back at the best moments from #BELUSA including all the goals & saves - www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186497/index.html
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Post by Admin on Jul 5, 2014 15:18:01 GMT
Brazil paid a heavy price for their 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Colombia in Fortaleza on Friday, with star man Neymar suffering a fractured vertebra that will cause him to miss the rest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. After being carried off in tears on a stretcher, Neymar was taken to the city’s Hospital Sao Carlos, where it was confirmed that his third vertebra had been broken. The news that neither his team nor his country wanted to hear was announced by the Brazil’s medical staff at the Estadio Castelao. “Neymar had a scan, which confirmed he had fractured his third vertebra,” said Brazilian Football Association (CBF) doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. “In terms of the recovery process, it’s a fracture that heals quickly, but unfortunately he’ll be in no condition to play next week.” Lasmar added: “It’s not serious in the sense that it requires surgery, but he’s in pain and he’ll need to immobilise it to recover. He’ll have to have it immobilised with a belt for a few weeks to be able to get back to full mobility.” Neymar sustained the injury in the closing stages of the match, under a challenge from a Colombian defender. The sight of the stricken No10 being carried off and then taken to hospital for scans dampened the spirits of the Brazil fans as they celebrated their side’s qualification for the last four. While the confirmation that Neymar’s tournament is over was greeted with dismay and sadness, his team-mates are already thinking about how to make up for his absence, Hulk among them. “It’s very sad news,” said the forward. “Nobody expected this. We are delighted with the win but sad about this news. It’s all very frustrating. Neymar really looks after himself. He was so excited about the World Cup and he’d helped us so much. We have to get over this and run even harder for him. We’re going to try and be the champions anyway and dedicate the title to him.”
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Post by Admin on Jul 6, 2014 14:14:56 GMT
The Newcastle player came on late in extra time and produced two saves in a penalty shoot-out against Costa Rica after a goalless draw over 120 minutes in Saturday's quarter-final in Salvador. "Tonight I have realised a dream," Krul told www.telegraaf.nl. "What I've experienced is an incredible emotion. "(Holland coach Louis) van Gaal had warned me. It was something prepared and I knew that I would have this chance." Van Gaal promised Cillessen - who, unlike Krul, was not told of the planned change for the shoot-out - that he remains his first choice for the semi-final. "There is no question about who will start next game, it will be Cillessen," he said. "But we felt Krul was the better choice here. Holland, runners-up four years ago in South Africa, take on Argentina in the last four on Wednesday in Sao Paulo. "Now we have to think of Argentina," Krul said. "It will be a very difficult game." Navas lamented his team's elimination from the World Cup but believes they have done their nation proud. Los Ticos had never reached the quarter-final stages of the competition and had gone unbeaten in Brazil before losing 4-3 on penalties in Salvador.
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Post by Admin on Jul 9, 2014 13:43:26 GMT
Playing without star striker Neymar, the Brazilian team was battered by Germany today 7-1 during a semifinal match at the World Cup. Deflated Brazil fans were seen sobbing in the stands in Belo Horizonte during the first half as the Germans continued to score goal after goal without seeming to even break a sweat. The Germans led 5-0 after 29 minutes. Defender David Luiz, who served as captain for the Brazilian side during the match, held back tears after the game when he expressed his disappointment for the devastating loss. Captain Thiago Silva was also absent, forced to sit out after previously receiving two yellow cards and serving a one-game suspension. But the man on everyone's minds was the heart and soul of the team -- Neymar. Brazilian players wore hats honoring their teammate, who is sidelined with a back injury. Brazil's humiliating loss to Germany in last night's World Cup semi-final was the most talked about individual sports game ever on Twitter. An animation has been released revealing how the Twittersphere lit up during the World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany: Germany scored five goals in the first 29 minutes, the fastest any team has scored five goals in any game in World Cup history. In addition, Germany’s Miroslav Klose is now the highest goal scorer in World Cup history. Klose has 16 career World Cup goals, breaking a tie with Brazil’s Ronaldo who had 15. Once the game ended, Brazilian officials told German fans to stay inside the stadium for security reasons. Brazil fans walked out stunned by the loss. There were no reports of fan violence following the game.
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