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SBI Thursday Rewind: More Ronaldo updates; USMNT focuses on Portugal; Morgan’s big return; and more

Clint Dempsey

Photo by John Todd/ISIPhotos.com

By CAITLIN MURRAY

It seems there was one player on everyone’s mind Thursday: Cristiano Ronaldo.

With days of back-and-forth mixed signals on the reigning Ballon d’Or winner’s fitness, the latest came from his teammate, Portugal’s backup goalkeeper Beto who said Ronaldo was “100 percent fit” and “sick of reading things about him that are not true.” All signs now point to Ronaldo being ready to face the U.S. on Sunday.

But the U.S. Men’s National Team seemed to be trying to tune the chatter of Ronaldo out as they returned to training in Sao Paulo, Brazil. SBI’s Franco Panizo reported the team is keenly aware of the other threats in Portugal’s squad and are avoiding focusing too much on Ronaldo, even as they face having no Jozy Altidore.

For the U.S. Women’s National Team, however, there was a different player on everyone’s mind: Alex Morgan. In her second game back after a seven-month long injury, the star striker scored an outstanding brace for a draw that pushed the USWNT away from the brink of their first home defeat in a decade.

Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI today:

WORLD CUP:
Portugal teammate: Ronaldo is ‘100 percent fit to play’ against U.S.

Suarez bags brace in return to inspire Uruguay to victory over England

SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Luis Suarez

10-man Greece hold on for hard fought point vs. Japan

SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Colombia on verge of knockout round after defeating Ivory Coast

SBI World Cup Man of the Match: James Rodriguez

ESPN releases broadcaster pairings for second week of World Cup

World Cup Day 8: Your Running Commentary

World Cup Day 8: A Look Ahead

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
USMNT cautious of Ronaldo, but focus remains on full Portugal squad

Altidore ruled out for Portugal showdown

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Morgan’s return to form forces USWNT draw against France

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER:
Report: Kaka to become Orlando City’s first designated player

EUROPEAN LEAGUES:
Thursday Kickoff: Suarez fit to face England; Barca make Higuain offer; and more

 

Comments

  1. I always try to stay positive so I’m looking at it like this. If we can make it to the knockout rounds and Jozy is better by then he can really be our secret weapon. No one will seen him coming.

    Reply
    • If we make the Knock-out rounds. somebody is going to have to step up big time.
      Are you going to send that person back to the bench because Jozy is sort-of healthy enough to play?

      Reply
  2. Speaking of “one player on everyone’s mind”, how is Dempsey’s nose doing? Is he going to be able to breath on Sunday?

    Reply

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