By JUSTIN FERGUSON
A weekend full of international soccer action wraps up Sunday with the final Confederations Cup group stage matches and a few more opening matches at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
With the top spot in Group B wrapped up, Spain moves from its double-digit win over Tahiti to a meeting with Nigeria. The Super Eagles will need a win over Spain if they hope to advance to the competition’s semifinals as Uruguay, who beat them on the last matchday, gets its shot against lowly Tahiti.
The day’s action will kick off in Turkey as eight more of the world’s best youth squads kick off their World Cup campaigns. Chile will show off its entertaining brand of attacking soccer against Egypt, a side that has a few players that have put in minutes for Bob Bradley’s senior team. The two favorites out of Group F, Uruguay and Croatia, will battle for an early advantage in the first round of the competition.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
10am – ESPN3 – New Zealand vs Uzbekistan – Under-20 World Cup
11am – ESPN3 – Chile vs Egypt – Under-20 World Cup
1pm – ESPN3 – Uruguay vs Croatia – Under-20 World Cup
2pm – ESPN3 – England vs Iraq – Under-20 World Cup
3pm – ESPN – Nigeria vs Spain – Confederations Cup
3pm – ESPN2 – Uruguay vs Tahiti – Confederations Cup
5pm – ESPN – Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls
7pm – NBC Sports Network – Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids
11pm – UniMas – Chivas USA vs LA Galaxy
dang, tahiti sees red now too.
Great moment for Tahiti as their keeper saves a penalty on Uruguay, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Then the dude who missed the penalty got sent off 30 seconds later.
Iraq score in the 93rd minute to make it all the way back and draw England 2-2…wow
This Nigeria v. Spain game looks like the U.S u-20’s vs. Spain. The only difference is that Spain’s U-20 team finished their breakaway chances.
it was like that for a while, kind of strange in that the U20 Spain team, which I’ve only watched at this tournament, seem to play that way more often while we all know what the senior team tries to do…possess posses. possess. Nigeria showed ok in this game for a pretty good spell
Nigeria taking it to Spain so far even tho down a goal, they came to play
When do players report to camp for the Gold Cup?
I think Altidore should stay put one more season. I would not risk moving before the WC and unless it’s an offer that can’t be refused I expect he will stay where he is.
Completely agree. Wait until after the WC. He’s finally finding his confidence and comfort, why screw it up now. Plus Jozy’s stock will rise after another good season and possibly WC.
Wait, but is Maher leaving?
He’s one of the reasons Jozy has done so well there – not the only one, obviously, but AZ might lose his great services.
I’m leaning towards go, not stay, but I see the dilemma. It does take Jozy a longer time to adjust to new environments. Not everyone is Michael Bradley.
Yes, Maher is going.
I hope he stays. He’s finally in a situation that is allowing him to grow. People want results too quickly sometimes and it hurts players in the long run.
Totally agree.
well said, totally agree
+1
Great goal for Bedoya today for Helsingborg.
Sick assist.
I didn’t see enough of Sunderland to know if this is a good or bad thing. Personally, I sort of hope he goes somewhere else.
How’s Sunderland look?
One of the lowest scoring BPL clubs last season so there’s a big risk that it’s another Hull situation where the team routinely plays 10 behind the ball and he has no service and no me to combine with. On the another hand, the Black Cats have completely overhauled the FO and made a number of signings already this offseason. They also traditionally have more resources than Hull who came into Jozy’s season as a clear sacrificial lamb.
DiCanio is a no nonsense type of a coach and call also light a fire to Jozy.
Possibly. Somewhat similar personality to Verbeek.
Jozy had 35 goals last season. I wasn’t aware he needed someone to light a fire under him.
That aside, what’s interesting about DiCanio is that he was a hell of forward – passionate, fiery, determined, and occasionally flamboyant. I think he would “get” Jozy and put him in a position to succeed.
Not so much light a fire but does seem to respond well to disciplinarian type managers.
DiCanio is not Premiership quality as a manager. He has one leadership tactic, which is to flog. Given the combination of his poor skill set and Sunderland’s medicore talent level I predict Sunderland will make the drop this year.
Jozy should stay far, far away, but this is an easy call, and I’ll eat a hat should he choose to go to Sunderland.
Dutch site Football Oranje says Celtic, Norwich City, Cardiff City, Southampton, and Fulham are all interested in Jozy as well. You’ve got to like Fulham the best of that list. Solid mid table, good history with Americans, excellent resources, and a balanced attack.
Of that list, I’d rather see him at Celtic. At least then he’d be playing in the Champions League.
not me, I’d like to see Jozy remain healthy which is a challenge in that league, and not have to deal with the stuff Beasley had to like having his car set on fire
no way dude…the SPL would be a step down.
Oh God no. SPL is awful. Much worse than Eridivisie. It would be a Giant step down.
chile v egypt on espn3 is very entertaining. a lot of good attacking movement and quick passing.
Sunderland Echo reporting Sunderland interested in Altidore.
Interesting if true. He can stay AZ Alkmaar and continue to tear it up there or make a move but a year before the WC it’s an important decision as to what he decides.
I wouldn’t read too much into it right now. I’m sure they are interested but I’m sure Chicago is also interested in David Villa or any other top class striker. I don’t see Altidore leaving for Sunderland, at least right now. He’s got a good situation at AZ so I doubt he’ll leave unless he’s absolutely sure it’s the right move.
I like Sunderland in some ways (not crazy about their Nazi-loving coach). But I don’t think this is a good move for Jozy. Hold out for better or stay w/AZ.
Agreed. He needs to be at a team that plays like arsenal, not a redo of his misadventure at Hull. If that means he goes to France for a year, fine. There are worse things to do that play for Marseille, Lyon, or PSG.
i hope he would pass on that.
Exactly. Come on Tahiti!
The Uruguayans need a bunch of goals though for goal differential purposes in the unlikely event that Nigeria beats Spain. And Suarez is classless. The team might be ruthless today. Poor Tahiti.
Crap. Well, then, here’s to one more goal today!
Tahiti has no chance of making the WC. New Zealand won the group. And they’re going to lose to CONCACAF’s #4 team.
That said, I agree with your sentiment.
I think New Zealand has a chance against Mex
Win in NZ and they’re all but guaranteed a tie at Azteca
Easy, there. The Kiwis didn’t lose a single game in 2010, and finished ahead of defending champions Italy in their group. I wouldn’t put money on them, but to suggest that they don’t have a shot against the fourth-best team in CONCACAF is a little silly.
Only undefeated team in the World Cup. 🙂
Does anybody know the over-under for Uruguay vs. Tahiti?
I’m hoping a Tahitian bites Suarez.
I know it’s a joke, but I think the Tahitians are awesome. They were just so excited to be a part of the tournament, and tried their hardest every minute of every game. I was really glad they got a goal against Nigeria. Giving the Spanish team (including the coaches and reserves) those necklaces and flags was a wonderful gesture. I hope they still have a chance at making the World Cup.
Totally agree! (Although they are already out of the World Cup). Tahiti has been awesome to watch because they are obviously there to just enjoy the whole thing.
I think it’s ridiculous when people say they shouldn’t be there. It’s called the “Confederation’s Cup”. They won their confederation. Therefore, they should be participating. You can’t ignore (and omit) one part of the world because they don’t produce a team that can hang with the rest of the world when it comes to playing soccer. People in Oceania still play the game; they should be represented.
+1
Are you kidding me? They’ll never make the W.C. And if they were to, it be a ridiculous. The point of the cup is competition and the resulting beauty. How in the world could that team compete?
No, I’m not kidding you…If a team wins their confederation championship, why should they NOT be included in the “Confederation’s Cup”?
By your logic, we should not include Nigeria, Japan, etc because there are better teams in the world that would make the “Confederation’s Cup” more competitive. Germany would make this way more competitive if they were included instead of Nigeria or Japan. However, Nigeria and Japan won their confederations and rightfully deserve to be there…just like Tahiti!!!!!
Oh yeah, and I’m sure people said a tiny island(s) country like Trinidad and Tobago will NEVER make the World Cup either (see Germany 2006).
I believe its 7.5