Entries from June 2006 ↓
June 25th, 2006 — Soccer
David Beckham’s quintessential bending free kick was all England needed to advance past Ecuador 1-0 in today’s early Round of 16 matchup. The 90F heat was a major factor, which you would have thought favored the Ecuadorians. However, both teams only played at high tempos for short spurts. Arsenal’s Ashley Cole played his best game of the tournament, and if not for his brilliant sliding shot block in the 2nd minute, it would have been a very different match.
The later was a very different match. Portugal and Holland beat the crap out of each other - a total of 18 cards were issued. In the end, Portugal overcame the Dutch 1-0, and will now face England on Saturday.
June 24th, 2006 — Soccer
Germany continues to ride the wave of the home side advantage as they cruised past Sweden 2-0 in the first Round of 16 matchup of this World Cup.
In the late match, a 98th minute Maxi Rodriguez goal was the difference as an underperforming Argentina dodged a bullet in the form of a very strong Mexican team. Mexico were the better team throughout, but in the end, Argentina won 2-1, and will now face Germany in the quarter-finals on Friday.
June 23rd, 2006 — Soccer
A good day for Arsenal boys both past and present, as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira scored in France’s 2-0 victory over Togo; while Phillipe Senderos scored the first goal in Switzerland’s 2-0 win over South Korea. Switzerland’s win earned them top spot in Group G, and a date with Ukraine, who overcame their opening defeat to Spain to advance to the round of sixteen. Speaking of Spain, they’ll be taking on Les Blues, which promises to be a fantastic matchup.
So, the knockout stages begin tomorrow, and right off the bat, there are two great matchups lined up: Germany v Sweden, and Argentina and Mexico. Germany and Sweden kickoff at 11 AM ET, and both games will be on ABC.
June 22nd, 2006 — Arsenal FC
SEASON 2006/2007 DRAFT FIXTURES
Aug 8/9 Champions League 3QR 1L
Sat Aug 19 Aston Villa H
Aug 22/23 Champions League 3QR 2L
Sat Aug 26 Manchester City A
Sat Sep 9 Middlesbrough H
Sept 12/13 Champions League matchday 1
Sat Sep 16 Manchester United A
Sat Sep 23 Sheffield United H
Sept 26/27 Champions League matchday 2
Sat Sep 30 Charlton Athletic A
Sat Oct 14 Watford H
Oct 17/18 Champions League matchday 3
Sat Oct 21 Reading A
Wed Oct 25 Carling Cup 3
Sat Oct 28 Everton H
Oct 31/Nov 1 Champions League matchday 4
Sat Nov 4 West Ham United A
Wed Nov 8 Carling Cup 4
Sat Nov 11 Liverpool H (F.A. Cup 1)
Sat Nov 18 Newcastle United H
Nov 21/22 Champions League matchday 5
Sat Nov 25 Bolton Wanderers A
Wed Nov 29 Fulham A
Sat Dec 2 Tottenham Hotspur H (F.A. Cup 2)
Dec 5/6 Champions League matchday 6
Sat Dec 9 Chelsea A
Sat Dec 16 Portsmouth H
Wed Dec 20 Carling Cup 5
Sat Dec 23 Blackburn Rovers H
Tue Dec 26 Watford A
Sat Dec 30 Sheffield United A
Mon Jan 1 Charlton Athletic H
Sat Jan 6 F.A. Cup 3
Wed Jan 10 Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat Jan 13 Blackburn Rovers A
Sat Jan 20 Manchester United H
Wed Jan 24 Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat Jan 27 F.A. Cup 4
Tue Jan 30 Manchester City H
Sat Feb 3 Middlesbrough A
Sat Feb 10 Wigan Athletic H
Sat Feb 17 F.A. Cup 5
Feb 20/21 Champions League Knockout Rnd 1st
Sat Feb 24 Aston Villa A
Sun Feb 25 Carling Cup Final
Sat Mar 3 Reading H
Mar 6/7 Champions League Knockout Rnd 2
Sat Mar 10 F.A. Cup 6
Sat Mar 17 Everton A
Sat Mar 31 Liverpool A
Apr 3/4 Champions League QF 1
Sat Apr 7 West Ham United H
Mon Apr 9 Newcastle United A
Apr 10/11 Champions League QF 2
Sat Apr 14 Bolton Wanderers H (F.A. Cup Semi-Final)
Sat Apr 21 Tottenham Hotspur A
Apr 24/25 Champions League SF 1
Sat Apr 28 Fulham H
May 1/2 Champions League SF 2
Sat May 5 Chelsea H
Sun May 13 Portsmouth A
Sat May 19 F.A. Cup Final
May 23 Champions League Final
TBA Wigan Athletic A
June 22nd, 2006 — Soccer
Italy does their part by beating the Czech Republic 2-0, but the US just can’t get the job done, and fall to Ghana 2-1. A controversial penalty decision in first half stoppage time was the difference in the game, but Bruce Arena’s negative tactics proved to be the difference in this short World Cup for the Americans.
EDIT: 9:50 PM - In the late matches, Australia drew 2-2 with Croatia, which earns them a round of 16 date with Italy, while Brazil came from 1-0 down to beat Japan 4-1, which ensured the defending champions top spot in group F.
June 21st, 2006 — Soccer
Despite a 2-1 loss to Portugal, Mexico joins Selecção das Quinas in the round of sixteen. Also moving on are Holland and Argentina who played to a dour 0-0 draw.
Mexico will face Argentina, Holland will face Portugal. Both matches will take place this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Tomorrow is the biggest day in the history of US Soccer. The US must win against Ghana, and hope for a Italy win over the Czech Republic in order for the Americans to advance to the round of sixteen. The drama kicks off @ 9:30 AM ET on ESPN.
