Well, it was back to the Old Angle for today's USA-Ghana match in the World Cup. Love that Jameson's Highball with Gosling's Ginger Beer. Anyway, the day started like this:

"House Party"/J. Geils Band



And it ended like this...

"Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me"/Hee-Haw



Going in, there was talk about the Home-Continent advantage for Ghana. I'm not really sure what that means. Are North Americans going to root Mexico now that the USA is eliminated, regardless of where the World Cup is played? I don't know about that.

But there was even more talk about how the US keeps allowing early goals. Well, they obliged Ghana by letting in a goal in the 5th minute. Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has a brother playing for Germany, BTW, knocked a shot past Tim Howard, that quite frankly, he should have stopped. Immediately after the game, I hear Radio Sports Guy talk about a lack of passion, etc, at the start of these games as a reason for early goals.

Another Early Goal



No, it's about possession, execution and tactics that keeps putting the US behind. The problem in the first half was possession. Mainly the USA's lack of such. Also, Coach Bradley's yanking of Clark after only 30 minutes is sure to buoy his detractors. Seems that he can't find a lineup he's comfortable with and appears to be reaching at times. Edson Buddle in the lineup? Anyone?

In the second half, the boys really dominated possession for the first 20 minutes or so. Clint Dempsey got knocked about for a penalty and Landon Donovan made the Penalty Kick for a 1-1 tie. That was in the 62nd minute.

Landycakes Penalty



I thought as early as the 70-minute mark that Ghana was ready to play for a Shoot-Out. But in the 4th minute of Extra Time, Gyan hit one in for the gamewinner. It was a beauty. Howard had no chance on that one. One of the problems with the US team is its strength up the middle and it burned them on both goals today.

The Gamewinner for Ghana



Very disappointing result. Certainly it was a winnable match.

In the earlier match today, Uruguay finally gave up a goal, but still beat Korea, 2-1. Uruguay scored early, not really a lack of passion by the Koreans, just a terrible play by their keeper. But they tied it in the second half, then this beautiful goal from Suarez was the late gamewinner for Uruguay.

Suarez Goal #2 for Uruguay



Friday afternoon's matchup is Uruguay-Ghana. Until then, I'll be having nightmares about this guy.




















Meal of Links

Iceland comic runs for mayor of Reykjavik as a joke. Then he wins.

These cities should know this will happen each time you host the G20. The riots have begun. Uh-oh. Pizza Pizza got it. Please do not wreck any Tim Horton's. Oh no, they didn't make it.

I happen to like Olivia Munn. But some women think she's too hot.

Exercise Yard

Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs had an epic meltdown yesterday. You can't really yell at your teammates in the dugout, but he did. So, the Cubs suspended him. Now they are stuck with an out-of control pitcher and his fat contract.

Visitor

20 Across: Einstein and Planck, e.g. (7 letters) Answer: Germans

I Couldn't Resist