The Italy - Argentina quarterfinal in Olympic Stadium, Berlin was amazing.  The atmosphere wasn't quite as expected, but electric none the less.  The opposing fans were much more friendly with each other - taking pictures laughing and just having fun (which is how it should be - Mexican fans take note: no bags of urine or batteries were to be seen).  The game was great, the seats were great, everything was great.  Check out the pictures...

Riding high on making it through group play Team USA was hoping for an upset of the tournament favorite Portugal team.  Portugal jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on wing play that was dominating.  Portugal had the definite advantage swinging crosses into the box and finishing them.  Team USA got one back just before the half - leaving a little bit of hope for the underdogs.  In the second half Portugal again scored two quick goals, leaving team USA out. 

 

Team USA could take some consolation out of knowing Portugal went on to win the Xbox Cup Championship however.

 

As a side note, there is a rumored glitch in FIFA World Cup that allows Portugal to exploit their "strategy" of crossing the ball and finishing it.  This has not been confirmed nor denied by those involved with the tournament...

There seemed to be a lot of similarities between the xbox cup and the real World Cup for Team USA.  Going into the begining of group play, hopes were high.  As happened to the boys who played real soccer, those hopes crashed after losing 3-0 in the opening match.  This time however the opponent was Austria.  In other first round action, Italy beat England.

 

After the 3-0 thrashing, Team USA regrouped and posted a 2-2 tie with England.  With the Austrians beating Italy, it setup a situation much like the one faced by USA in the World Cup - win and you're through - with some help.

 

This time Team USA did its part, beating Italy 4-1.  However Austria did not.  England managed a win against the top ranked Austrians.  This left Team USA out of the round of 16 on goal differential thanks to the 3-0 drubbing they took in the opening game.  It looked like all hope was lost of Team USA...

 

Or did it...

 

After a thorough look through the rules (that everyone should have read the night before) it was pointed out by a member of Team USA that ties were in fact broken first by goals scored, not the traditional goal differential.  Team USA had scored one more goal than the English side.  After a bit of discussion it was determined that Team USA would in fact make it through to the round of 16.

Last nights festivities started off with the group draw.  As happened in the real World Cup, the US was drawn into a very difficult group.  Word had it this was the dreaded "Group of Death"

 

England

Italy

Austria

United States

enough said...

 

oh ya - and donovan too

 

good game and good luck to Ghana