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
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
Their keeper saying Ronaldo is 100% means nothing. Could be true or it could be gamesmanship. This isn’t news.
he was limping off the field at training. Something is not 100%
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.
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?
But Jozy’s replacement may not the person who steps up big time.
Speaking of “one player on everyone’s mind”, how is Dempsey’s nose doing? Is he going to be able to breath on Sunday?
As long as his mouth is still functional, probably.
So will Jozy be okay for the Germany match? is Ronaldo going to play on Sunday? So much suspense this WC for USA.
The earliest we will see Jozy is the knockout round.