England vs. Algeria has ended in a scoreless draw, following up the controversial USA vs. Slovenia draw, which means that the USA soccer team now controls its own destiny. It's very simple right now for the USA,
grab a victory and the full three points in the USA vs. Algeria match-up, and you advance into the Round of 16 and the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup.
USA Soccer In Control Prior to Algeria Match
The USA vs. Algeria preview can all be boiled down to this: win the game, and keep on advancing. Regardless of what happens elsewhere in Group C, the USA will be one of the advancing teams if they win.
If the USA only ties Algeria, they'll need a bit of help. They will need Slovenia to beat England, or Slovenia to tie England in a low scoring game that allows the USA to retain its goals scored advantage (see below, or see World Cup Tie Breaker Rules).
If the USA loses to Algeria, they're out!
The USA vs. Algeria match won't be easy however. Algeria proved against England and Slovenia that they are a high quality club, and offer a stern defensive challenge. 19 of their 23 players play in high level European clubs, so they aren't overmatched. The USA certainly cannot afford to go down early once again, as they have in each of their first two matches.
USA vs. Algeria Game Time
The USA vs. Algeria kickoff time is 10 am Eastern on Wednesday, June 23. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. At the same time, the England vs. Slovenia match will be airing on ESPN2, wrapping up Group C action. Both matches will determine the fate for all four of the Group C 2010 World Cup teams.
Group C World Cup Standings
After all of the Group C teams have played two games, the standings in the group are:
Slovenia - 1 win, 1 draw - 4 points - +1 goal differential - 3 goals scored
USA - 2 draws - 2 points - 0 goal differential - 3 goals scored
England - 2 draws - 2 points - 0 goal differential - 1 goals scored
Algeria - 1 draw, 1 loss - 1 point - -1 goal differential - 0 goals scored
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
UFC 116 Brock Lesnar Vs. Shane Carwin Preview
It has been a long time coming, but Brock Lesnar will finally face Shane Carwin in a battle between two of the biggest UFC heavyweights of all time. Originally scheduled for UFC 106, the match got postponed after Lesnar
fell to a serious illness.
Normally, a new opponent would be found for Carwin to avoid a long layoff for both fighters. Complications arose, however, as Carwin had been promised a UFC Heavyweight title shot. With the champion unable to defend and a challenger, rightfully, unwilling to risk losing in a contenders match up it left the heavyweight division in disarray.
The match was rescheduled for UFC 108 in January of 2010 before details arose about just how serious Brock Lesnar's illness was. The match was quickly postponed again. This time, however, the UFC was not going to risk having the top contender sit on the shelf. An interim UFC Heavyweight title fight was scheduled between Shane Carwin and former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir. It was announced that the winner of this fight would go on to face Brock Lesnar to unify the disputed championship.
Carwin made short work of Mir, claiming the interim belt and the right to face off against Lesnar. At UFC 116, going down July 3, 2010, Carwin and Lesnar will finally see who is the best between these supersized brawlers.
George Sotiropoulos (12-2) vs. "Batman" Kurt Pellegrino (15-4)
Last Fight for Sotiropoulos: Defeated Joe Stevenson by Unanimous Decision at UFC 110.
Last Fight for Pellegrino: Defeated Fabricio Camoes by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at UFC 111.
Rundown: These two Lightweight contenders have quietly built up impressive resumes in the UFC. Sotiropoulos comes into this fight with a six fight winning streak, highlighted with a victory over The Ultimate Fighter 2 Welterweight Champion Joe Stevenson while Pellegrino is riding a four fight win streak over the likes of Josh Neer and Rob Emerson.
Kurt Pellegrino is a very game opponent, but has surprisingly weak submission defense for a fighter with his pedigree. Three of his four career losses have come via submission, most recently succumbing to a Triangle Choke from Nate Diaz two years ago.
fell to a serious illness.
Normally, a new opponent would be found for Carwin to avoid a long layoff for both fighters. Complications arose, however, as Carwin had been promised a UFC Heavyweight title shot. With the champion unable to defend and a challenger, rightfully, unwilling to risk losing in a contenders match up it left the heavyweight division in disarray.
The match was rescheduled for UFC 108 in January of 2010 before details arose about just how serious Brock Lesnar's illness was. The match was quickly postponed again. This time, however, the UFC was not going to risk having the top contender sit on the shelf. An interim UFC Heavyweight title fight was scheduled between Shane Carwin and former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir. It was announced that the winner of this fight would go on to face Brock Lesnar to unify the disputed championship.
Carwin made short work of Mir, claiming the interim belt and the right to face off against Lesnar. At UFC 116, going down July 3, 2010, Carwin and Lesnar will finally see who is the best between these supersized brawlers.
George Sotiropoulos (12-2) vs. "Batman" Kurt Pellegrino (15-4)
Last Fight for Sotiropoulos: Defeated Joe Stevenson by Unanimous Decision at UFC 110.
Last Fight for Pellegrino: Defeated Fabricio Camoes by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at UFC 111.
Rundown: These two Lightweight contenders have quietly built up impressive resumes in the UFC. Sotiropoulos comes into this fight with a six fight winning streak, highlighted with a victory over The Ultimate Fighter 2 Welterweight Champion Joe Stevenson while Pellegrino is riding a four fight win streak over the likes of Josh Neer and Rob Emerson.
Kurt Pellegrino is a very game opponent, but has surprisingly weak submission defense for a fighter with his pedigree. Three of his four career losses have come via submission, most recently succumbing to a Triangle Choke from Nate Diaz two years ago.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
UFC 115 Rich Franklin KO Chuck Liddell After His Arm Is Broken
The conditioning was there and so was some of the old versatility. But when it came time to stay under control, Chuck Liddell's killer instinct got the best of him. One of the great mixed martial artists of the 2000's was doing major damage late in the first round but he got a little wild trying to land the big shot and got blasted by a short uppercut from Rich Franklin. Liddell went down in a heap. His head bounced off the canvas and he took one more right to the face. He was out cold at 4:55 of the first and now it looks like his career has come to a close in Vancouver at UFC 115.
It was far from a terrible way to go out. No one wants to be the victim of a knockout but Liddell was winning the fight and doing some major damage to Franklin. A kick early in the first round actually broke Franklin's left foreman. Amazingly, Franklin didn't hesitate for a second and was giving back much of what Liddell was delivering. It didn't even appear that he cut back on using his left hand.
Franklin laughed when he was asked by UFC analyst Joe Rogan if he thought he going to be able to come for the second round.
"Are you kidding me? I broke my hand before and continued fighting," said Franklin. "It’s a broken arm! These fans came here to see a fight."
Liddell (21-8, 16-7 UFC) actually looked like he was in position to potentially finish the fight after he delivered a big right elbow with 15 seconds left in the first. Franklin (27-5, 13-4 UFC) lost his balance a bit and Liddell missed with a right. That's when Franklin counter with his own short right that blasted Liddell right in the middle of his face.
Liddell, 40, has now lost 5-of-6 fights, four of those by knockout. He last fought in Apr. of 2009 at UFC 97 where he was finished by current UFC light heavyweight champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
Immediately after the event, UFC president Dana White announced that Liddell was retired. Liddell wouldn't make it official and asked for one more chance. White responded behind the scenes by telling Liddell that he needed to take the sport seriously, make lifestyle changes and cut out all of his legendary partying. The former champ did it, putting down alcohol starting back in November of 2009. He got himself in better shape going from 238 down to 215. Liddell even appeared on Dancing With The Stars. He also spent the beginning of the 2010 training hard while he served as a coach on Season 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter."
In the end, you have to win fights and against Franklin, who has also run into a rough patch recently, Liddell was again finished in devastating fashion.
It was far from a terrible way to go out. No one wants to be the victim of a knockout but Liddell was winning the fight and doing some major damage to Franklin. A kick early in the first round actually broke Franklin's left foreman. Amazingly, Franklin didn't hesitate for a second and was giving back much of what Liddell was delivering. It didn't even appear that he cut back on using his left hand.
Franklin laughed when he was asked by UFC analyst Joe Rogan if he thought he going to be able to come for the second round.
"Are you kidding me? I broke my hand before and continued fighting," said Franklin. "It’s a broken arm! These fans came here to see a fight."
Liddell (21-8, 16-7 UFC) actually looked like he was in position to potentially finish the fight after he delivered a big right elbow with 15 seconds left in the first. Franklin (27-5, 13-4 UFC) lost his balance a bit and Liddell missed with a right. That's when Franklin counter with his own short right that blasted Liddell right in the middle of his face.
Liddell, 40, has now lost 5-of-6 fights, four of those by knockout. He last fought in Apr. of 2009 at UFC 97 where he was finished by current UFC light heavyweight champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
Immediately after the event, UFC president Dana White announced that Liddell was retired. Liddell wouldn't make it official and asked for one more chance. White responded behind the scenes by telling Liddell that he needed to take the sport seriously, make lifestyle changes and cut out all of his legendary partying. The former champ did it, putting down alcohol starting back in November of 2009. He got himself in better shape going from 238 down to 215. Liddell even appeared on Dancing With The Stars. He also spent the beginning of the 2010 training hard while he served as a coach on Season 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter."
In the end, you have to win fights and against Franklin, who has also run into a rough patch recently, Liddell was again finished in devastating fashion.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
UFC 115 Preview Liddell V. Franklin
More than a year after he lost a fight that UFC fans were told would be his last, Chuck Liddell is back on Saturday night against Rich Franklin, who stepped in on short notice to fill Tito Ortiz's place both as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter and in the main event at UFC 115 in the season-ending fight between the coaches.
So does Liddell still have anything left? Or is the most popular fighter in the history of the UFC about to lose again? We weigh in on that and more in our full preview and predictions below.
What: UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin
When: The non-televised undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, the Spike TV card starts at 9 and the pay-per-view card starts at 10.
Where: General Motors Place, Vancouver, Canada
More Coverage: UFC 115 Results | UFC 115 Pictures | Latest UFC 115 News
Predictions on the five pay-per-view fights:
Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
At first glance, Liddell and Franklin might appear to be at fairly similar places in their careers: Both are former champions whose best days are behind them and who are coming off ugly first-round knockout losses. But the 40-year-old Liddell is five years older than Franklin, and I think he's a lot further past his prime than Franklin is. Liddell is one of the sport's all-time great competitors, and it would be great to think he might be back on top some day, but I just don't see it happening.
Pick: Franklin
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry
Cro Cop is a little like Liddell, a fan favorite knockout artist who's way past his prime. The 30-year-old Barry has just six pro MMA fights on his record, although he had a six-year career as a pro kickboxer before he got into MMA. Barry has gushed about how he considers Cro Cop his idol, and I think he's going to beat his idol, simultaneously earning his biggest victory and also demonstrating once and for all Cro Cop is done as an elite heavyweight.
Pick: Barry
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
You wouldn't know it from the lack of media attention devoted to him, but Thiago is the best fighter on this card. At 13-1, Thiago is probably only a couple of wins away from getting a welterweight title fight, and I expect him to get one of those wins against Kampmann, who's a well-rounded and exciting fighter but not quite on the level of Thiago.
Pick: Thiago
Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
Rothwell is fighting for the first time since Cain Velasquez brutalized him in October, and Yvel is fighting for the first time since Junior dos Santos brutalized him in January. These two heavyweights are on the main card not because they're great fighters but because they're almost certain to produce a fight that ends in a knockout. I think it'll be Yvel who lands the punch that ends the fight.
Pick: Yvel
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
MacDonald is one of the most exciting young prospects in all of MMA, a 20-year old Canadian who's won all 10 of his pro fights, with six submissions and four knockouts. I give the UFC a lot of credit for its matchmaking in putting him in the Octagon against Condit, who's a step up -- but not too big a step up -- in competition for him. I believe Condit, the former WEC welterweight champion who's 24-5 in his career, is going to stay out of trouble against MacDonald and win a decision.
So does Liddell still have anything left? Or is the most popular fighter in the history of the UFC about to lose again? We weigh in on that and more in our full preview and predictions below.
What: UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin
When: The non-televised undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, the Spike TV card starts at 9 and the pay-per-view card starts at 10.
Where: General Motors Place, Vancouver, Canada
More Coverage: UFC 115 Results | UFC 115 Pictures | Latest UFC 115 News
Predictions on the five pay-per-view fights:
Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
At first glance, Liddell and Franklin might appear to be at fairly similar places in their careers: Both are former champions whose best days are behind them and who are coming off ugly first-round knockout losses. But the 40-year-old Liddell is five years older than Franklin, and I think he's a lot further past his prime than Franklin is. Liddell is one of the sport's all-time great competitors, and it would be great to think he might be back on top some day, but I just don't see it happening.
Pick: Franklin
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry
Cro Cop is a little like Liddell, a fan favorite knockout artist who's way past his prime. The 30-year-old Barry has just six pro MMA fights on his record, although he had a six-year career as a pro kickboxer before he got into MMA. Barry has gushed about how he considers Cro Cop his idol, and I think he's going to beat his idol, simultaneously earning his biggest victory and also demonstrating once and for all Cro Cop is done as an elite heavyweight.
Pick: Barry
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
You wouldn't know it from the lack of media attention devoted to him, but Thiago is the best fighter on this card. At 13-1, Thiago is probably only a couple of wins away from getting a welterweight title fight, and I expect him to get one of those wins against Kampmann, who's a well-rounded and exciting fighter but not quite on the level of Thiago.
Pick: Thiago
Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
Rothwell is fighting for the first time since Cain Velasquez brutalized him in October, and Yvel is fighting for the first time since Junior dos Santos brutalized him in January. These two heavyweights are on the main card not because they're great fighters but because they're almost certain to produce a fight that ends in a knockout. I think it'll be Yvel who lands the punch that ends the fight.
Pick: Yvel
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
MacDonald is one of the most exciting young prospects in all of MMA, a 20-year old Canadian who's won all 10 of his pro fights, with six submissions and four knockouts. I give the UFC a lot of credit for its matchmaking in putting him in the Octagon against Condit, who's a step up -- but not too big a step up -- in competition for him. I believe Condit, the former WEC welterweight champion who's 24-5 in his career, is going to stay out of trouble against MacDonald and win a decision.
World Cup Day 2: United States V. England Preview
Saturday is the first three-a-day during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with one match being a close call, the other a free-wheeling affair, and the third, if ESPN’s marketing machine is to be believed, possessing the potential to rewrite the outcome of the American Revolutionary War.
Group B: South Korea v. Greece, 7:30 a.m. ESPN
The day’s first game has all the earmarks of a close encounter. This is a scrappy Asian team taking on a scrappy European team, and while the match may not be high scoring, it will be spirited. Greece is still largely the tightly compact, counterattacking squad that stunned the world by winning UEFA Euro 2004. However, they have never won a World Cup match, and, excluding Euro ’04, they have lost 10 of their 12 international games by an aggregate score of 23-2. The Taeguk Warriors are a disciplined, fit team who won their opening match in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. A draw would be the logical result for two teams vying for second place in their group (behind presumptive top-rung Argentina) and afraid to lose their first match.
Players to watch:
Theofanis Gekas, Greece: The veteran striker rose to the occasion during European World Cup qualifying, leading the region with ten goals, outpacing Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Villa.
Park Si-Yung, South Korea: The versatile Manchester United winger is team captain and playing in his third World Cup. He is a consistent offensive and defensive force.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Group B: Argentina v. Nigeria, 10:00 a.m. ESPN
Expect fireworks. Nigeria is representing their continent against one of the elite national teams in the world. Both teams are fast, athletic, and offensive minded. And, both are notorious for a lack of discipline (Coach Maradona?). It should be one of the more entertaining matches of the first round. The bad news for Nigeria starts with the knee injury that befell John Obi Mikel, their standout midfielder. Moreover, the Super Eagles have never beaten a non-European side at the World Cup, while the Argentines have lost only one of their nine group stage matches over the last three World Cups.
Players to watch:
Lionel Messi, Argentina: The only man who might be able to stop the best player in the world is his own coach, as it is an open question whether Maradona will switch formations to accommodate Messi’s roaming, creative style.
Obafemi Martins, Nigeria: Although playing in his first World Cup match, the 25-year-old striker has played in Serie A, the Premiere League, and currently the Bundesliga. His two second-half goals versus Kenya secured the Super Eagles’ World Cup spot.
Prediction: Argentina wins 3-2
Group C: England v. United States, 2:30 p.m. ABC
Everyone hopes for this to be a great match, but wisdom says England should easily fend off the Americans. For my money, the United States’ overall World Cup success ultimately rests on coach Bob Bradley finding a way to rotate and maximize the minutes of forwards Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, and Herculez Gomez. However, the U.S. defense has been a sieve in the lead-up to the Cup, and while fitness has been the blame, poor organization is the real culprit. The American’s speed will create exciting chances, but it will not be enough to overcome the defensive woes and the offensive prowess of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard. In 2005, England’s B-team (Kieran Richardson was their star that day!) easily handled the Americans at Soldier Field; in 2008, England easily bested the U.S. at Wembley. Tomorrow will not be any different.
Players to watch:
John Terry, England: The team’s former skipper (no need to delve into all that) will lineup at center back alongside the chronically unfit Ledley King, who replaces injured captain Rio Ferdinand. Terry will have to anchor England’s defense against a speedy American scoring third.
Tim Howard, U.S.A.: Howard is a world class goalkeeper, but he will have to find another gear to keep the talented and experienced English scorers at bay. Otherwise, the U.S. won’t be able to tally enough goals to keep up.
Prediction: 3-1 win for the Three Lions.
Group B: South Korea v. Greece, 7:30 a.m. ESPN
The day’s first game has all the earmarks of a close encounter. This is a scrappy Asian team taking on a scrappy European team, and while the match may not be high scoring, it will be spirited. Greece is still largely the tightly compact, counterattacking squad that stunned the world by winning UEFA Euro 2004. However, they have never won a World Cup match, and, excluding Euro ’04, they have lost 10 of their 12 international games by an aggregate score of 23-2. The Taeguk Warriors are a disciplined, fit team who won their opening match in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. A draw would be the logical result for two teams vying for second place in their group (behind presumptive top-rung Argentina) and afraid to lose their first match.
Players to watch:
Theofanis Gekas, Greece: The veteran striker rose to the occasion during European World Cup qualifying, leading the region with ten goals, outpacing Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Villa.
Park Si-Yung, South Korea: The versatile Manchester United winger is team captain and playing in his third World Cup. He is a consistent offensive and defensive force.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Group B: Argentina v. Nigeria, 10:00 a.m. ESPN
Expect fireworks. Nigeria is representing their continent against one of the elite national teams in the world. Both teams are fast, athletic, and offensive minded. And, both are notorious for a lack of discipline (Coach Maradona?). It should be one of the more entertaining matches of the first round. The bad news for Nigeria starts with the knee injury that befell John Obi Mikel, their standout midfielder. Moreover, the Super Eagles have never beaten a non-European side at the World Cup, while the Argentines have lost only one of their nine group stage matches over the last three World Cups.
Players to watch:
Lionel Messi, Argentina: The only man who might be able to stop the best player in the world is his own coach, as it is an open question whether Maradona will switch formations to accommodate Messi’s roaming, creative style.
Obafemi Martins, Nigeria: Although playing in his first World Cup match, the 25-year-old striker has played in Serie A, the Premiere League, and currently the Bundesliga. His two second-half goals versus Kenya secured the Super Eagles’ World Cup spot.
Prediction: Argentina wins 3-2
Group C: England v. United States, 2:30 p.m. ABC
Everyone hopes for this to be a great match, but wisdom says England should easily fend off the Americans. For my money, the United States’ overall World Cup success ultimately rests on coach Bob Bradley finding a way to rotate and maximize the minutes of forwards Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, and Herculez Gomez. However, the U.S. defense has been a sieve in the lead-up to the Cup, and while fitness has been the blame, poor organization is the real culprit. The American’s speed will create exciting chances, but it will not be enough to overcome the defensive woes and the offensive prowess of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard. In 2005, England’s B-team (Kieran Richardson was their star that day!) easily handled the Americans at Soldier Field; in 2008, England easily bested the U.S. at Wembley. Tomorrow will not be any different.
Players to watch:
John Terry, England: The team’s former skipper (no need to delve into all that) will lineup at center back alongside the chronically unfit Ledley King, who replaces injured captain Rio Ferdinand. Terry will have to anchor England’s defense against a speedy American scoring third.
Tim Howard, U.S.A.: Howard is a world class goalkeeper, but he will have to find another gear to keep the talented and experienced English scorers at bay. Otherwise, the U.S. won’t be able to tally enough goals to keep up.
Prediction: 3-1 win for the Three Lions.
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