World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 2

While not as star-studded as yesterday's affairs, today's knockout round brings some interesting differences in styles of play.

Spain vs Russia
The host nation, with thousands of fans screaming for them to move on, will face a team born of class, grace and ball movement. This is not the 2010 Spanish team that won the World Cup. It's also not the 2014 version that looked lost, and slow. While much is made of front starman Diego Costa, the beauty of Spain's attack are the midfielders like Iniesta and Isco. Russia's straightforward attack Johnny feels is going to get thrown into all kind of disarray as the Russians chase the ball most of the afternoon. Spain's real ace in the hole are their two central defenders, incredible rivals in league play, Barcelona's Gerard Pique and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos may well prove to be the best pairing of central defenders ever. Through all the European championships, and the World Cup title, the one thing that never changed was Pique and Ramos on guard.

To have effect Russia will have to play a clean game, no giving Spain free kicks in dangerous areas, no speculative balls that wind up in the fifth row, they'll have to play tight and clean and maybe get a little help on a call. Sorry Vlad, Spain's going on...

Spain 2
Russia 0

Croatia vs Denmark
Croatia has become a dark horse for a lot of World Cup watchers. Their incredible midfield is controlling matches and slowing down opponents. The 1-2 punch of of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric (see these two teams keep coming up?) are field marshals. Denmark is going to have to do well on set pieces and defend like hell. Johnny doesn't see much in the way of Denmark's chances after watching Croatia.

If you're a Croatia fan do get to Hudson Hall this afternoon, Croat fans always overrun that place.

Croatia 2
Denmark 1

We can just list Cory Booker on Amazon at this point

There may be varying degrees of ratings and prices as he's been bought more than once on different platforms.

You'll recall in January we pointed out that while all the Democrats and even a few Republicans were on board with importing drugs to help keep prescription costs down for Americans being ripped off by nonsensical Big Pharma pricing games. Even Donald Fucking Trump brought up the idea while running for President. Not Cory Booker, he stood firm with over $55K in NJ Big Pharma money lining his pockets, no to importing drugs from Canada. Not that Booker had any proof of his claim, that we need to check and make sure these drugs are safe, as Johnny wrote at the time:

Let that sink in. At ANY point in the last few years did you read any articles online or see a teevee news report about a bunch of dead Canadians lying outside pharmacies or along Yonge Street in Toronto or on the prairies of Western Canada? Of course you didn't. These drugs are already safe, it's just an excuse for Sen. Booker. 

If that kind of thing is wrong, this next part is disgraceful and possibly harmful to the security of the country -- yeah, it is. Leading Democrats in Washington D.C. as well as former CIA, FBI and national security experts believe at the very least Jared Kushner's Russian dalliances mean his security clearance should be reviewed and probably revoked at this point. The experts folks, the experts.

Know who thinks he needs to stand up for Jared Kushner AND his security clearance, (something when in doubt for Christ's sake should be double-checked) Cory Booker. Yep, Booker went to bat for Kushner after all we know and the experts have told us.

What's Senator Booker's reasoning for not wanting to chase down US/Russia espionage charges? Maybe the fact Jared and Ivanka Trump held two max out the donations fundraisers for Booker.

There you go. Cory's good friends Jared (Awwww, he went to Jared) and Ivanka lining his pockets full of campaign cash might do it, what do you think New Jersey? Democrats should be beyond mildly worried at this point with Booker's ability to make the wrong choices shortly after getting money from Big Pharma, Big Real Estate, Big Celebrity, et al.

We know from following the Senator on Twitter he likes inspirational quotes for certain situations. Here's one:

"Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul. Was it worth it?"    
 -- Billy Graham

Word Cup Today -- Day 15

Here we are, it has come to this. Back when the groups were drawn back in December, everyone looked at the USA draw in Group G, the "Group of Death" and said the ONLY way the USA gets out is with a win over Ghana (got that) a tie with Portugal (got that) and hold onto your ass vs. Germany. The ass holding begins at noon.

So, here's the long and the short of it. Johnny's not going into long winded tactical discussions because the Germans win most of those. The USA and Germany are tied on 4 points (Germany win any tie in the group currently on goal differential) while Ghana and Portugal each have 1. Best scenarios for the USA?

1) Beat Germany win group
2) Tie Germany come in second in group
3) Have Portugal and Ghana tie, move through
4) Have Portugal beat Ghana because the USA has a +2 goal differential on Ghana but a +7 vs. Portugal

Worst things? Ghana starts kicking the hell out of an uninterested Portugal. Germany starts crushing the USA. That's when our +2 goal difference might go astray. Still the USA has a 74.6% chance to advance according to number crunchers.

BREAKING NEWS!!! -- Ghana has sent home TWO top players from their team, from ESPN:

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari have been suspended "indefinitely" and sent home from Ghana's World Cup camp following alleged rows with their coach and and an official.

As Syrio Forel said to Arya Stark, "There is only one Group G, and its name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: 'Not today'.”

There are two other matches today, at 4pm if you're either hiding under blankets in a huge funk or so excited and happy you just want to watch all the soccer today.

Algeria and Russia will play to see who follows Belgium out of their group. This is the group by the way that the USA's Group G will start against in elimination rounds.  The second place team in Group G will play Belgium while the winner in Group G will get either Algeria or Russia. The Desert Foxes of Algeria impressed last time out with a massive three goal surge. Fabio Capella was paid a LOT of do-re-mi by the Russian Soccer Federation to get into the knockout stages. Let's go Algeria!

USA vs Germany noon
Ghana vs Portugal noon

Belgium vs South Korea 4pm
Russia vs Algeria 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 11

Thanks but no thanks Germany. If Germany hadn't gone to sleep after they scored first yesterday and let Ghana escape with a 2-2 tie the USA could have advanced with said tie today. But alas, they'll have to do it themselves. More on this epic USA match later.

The day starts out with Belgium and Russia at noon. A great mix of styles in this one as Belgium looks to rebound from a dicey start (albeit a win) and prove they are indeed a pre-tourney favorite. The second game today is the Desert Foxes of Algeria against South Korea. S. Korea had a rather dull 0-0 tie with Russia starting their tournament and need a win vs Algeria, who play everyone tough yet usually end up losing late. Tonight's dinnertime matchup is the "Big One" if you're an American. Here's the story as of press time. If the USA beats the depleted Portugal side (and Portugal is ranked #3 in the FIFA world rankings) they go through to the knockout rounds, an amazing feat for the lightly considered USA in this "Group of Death." If they tie and have 4 points they would be tied with Germany while Ghana and Portugal would have 1 point each with a game against each other left this upcoming week. The USA plays Germany (#2 in FIFA world rankings) this week in their final group game. Germany cannot advance from any USA vs. Portugal result today so that means against the USA, Germany will be forced to play their best players and perhaps get some points off the USA to advance themselves. That's a SCARY thought. The USA can end all speculation and all hand-wringing with one win. One game, 90 minutes of hell in the Amazon to become heroes. Ronaldo, Portugal's elite as elite comes striker is hobbled. Their top defensive payer, Pepe is supended. One of their top midfielders who plays for Real Madrid (as Ronaldo and Pepe do) Fabio Coentrau will not play. Other Portugal midfielders Hugo Almeida and Bruno Alves are not expected to play. So here's the thing, if the USA does not seize the opportunity before them today they may well regret it forever. Getting points off of Germany is certainly so sure thing. Win today and this World Cup will have been a HUGE success and the knockout rounds merely frosting on a red white and blue cake.

The USA seem confident going in. They are far more used to playing in the tremendous heat and humidity of the Rainforest site in Manaus. All the USA's MLS players play in that weather as they play through the summer, not the winter like European sides. While Ronaldo vacations the American players play in 110º heat at places like Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.

So here we go America, this is OUR day and OUR time. The United States Men's National Team WILL win tonight and they WILL make us proud.

USA 2 Ronaldo 1

Russia vs Belgium noon
Algeria vs South Korea 3pm
USA vs Portugal 6pm

You can never have too much America on days like this!

World Cup Today -- Day 6

Well wasn't that USA win last night a good feeling to wake up to?

We've got three games today, with Group H starting today. Belgium is the favorite and shouldn't have too much trouble today against the Desert Foxes of Algeria. The middle game is Mexico and host Brazil, what a great afternoon matinee! Later South Korea will tangle with an up-tempo Russian side.

Belgium vs Algeria noon
Mexico vs Brazil 3pm
South Korea vs. Russia 6pm

Spolier Alert: USA! USA! USA!

Now THAT is how you start a Saturday morning! What a game between the USA and Russian men's hockey teams. Pavel Datsyuk was incredible for Russia playing on one good knee and almost willed them to victory. It was St. Louis Blues player T. J. Oshie who stole the show with his 4 goals on 6 chances in the shootout. It should be noted in the Olympics in a shootout after your first three shooters the coach can go back and keep sending the same guy out. Luckily U.S. head coach Dan Bylsma did just that.

AMAZING game. If you didn't see it make sure you watch a replay. Great players playing a very up-tempo game, controversy, overtime, breakaways, then an eight round shootout.

To quote Eric Cartman, "Kiiiiick ass!"

That was SOME test of Johnny's death ray now wasn't it?

Johnny chose the Ural Mountains of Russia this morning to test his death ray which by now all our regular readers know is sequestered safely atop Mt. Secaucus. Some in the media are calling this a "meteorite" but rest assured kids, it was Johnny's death ray test. You have nothing to fear (unless your town runs afoul of Johnny).

A sample of the result: