Photo: chumsdock

On September 5, the US will host El Salvador in Sandy, Utah, in a match that will be broadcast in the US by both ESPN Classic and Univision – something to be thankful for after no network picked up last month’s qualifier against US rival Mexico.

Saturday’s other game, between South American giants Brazil and Argentina, is getting even more attention than normal, as qualification to South Africa rides on the game’s outcome. As one controversial ad suggests, the Argentines need a win, and seem prepared to take it by any measures necessary.

On the edge

Photo: chumsdock

These are crucial games for both the Americans and the Argentines.

With their final two matches against Costa Rica and Honduras, first and second in the standings respectively, the US cannot afford to give up points this week. The US currently sits in third place in North and Central American region’s standings; the top three teams automatically qualify for South Africa.

The fourth place team will face a playoff against the fifth place team from South America’s qualifying group—something any team from CONCACAF hopes to avoid.

If Argentina isn’t careful, they just might end up being that fifth team. Fourth-place Argentina will play host to first-place Brazil on Saturday, in a resumption of South America’s best and longest-standing sports rivalry.

This will be the tenth time Brazilian coach Dunga and Argentinian coach Diego Maradona have faced off. The previous nine matches were all in their playing days, and Dunga’s side didn’t fare too well, only coming away with one win.

Photo: Spencer Klein

History aside, it’s no small deal. For Argentina, a loss or tie, coupled with a win by fifth-place Ecuador over Colombia, would mean relinquishing their spot as an automatic qualifier (is it too early to ask what a World Cup without Argentina would be like?).

At home and on the road

The US should be able to take care of business this Saturday in Utah. While they finished an earlier away game in El Salvador with only one point, the US selection has never lost to El Salvador in World Cup qualifying. On home soil, they should be looking for nothing less than three points.

On paper, next Wednesday’s game, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, should be no different. But there are no freebies when you’re on the road.

I was there in person for the US’ 1-3 loss in Costa Rica in June, and I was astonished by how the hostile atmosphere rattled the US. With the exception of Michael Bradley and Freddy Adu, the US players were not comfortable with the ball at their feet. It will be important for the US men to get some rhythm going early on in Port of Spain to avoid a similar collapse there.

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Get your tickets to the US’ upcoming games at the US Soccer website.

Photo: clarque

The International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games will be held this year in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica from August 1st to 8th. The 2009 Games will be the 8th edition of the tournament and the first to ever be held in Central America.

Playa Hermosa is a heavy, hollow beach break located a few miles south of the city of Jaco on the Pacific coast. The main peak, where the contest will be held, is widely considered one of the best waves in the country. It should be firing throughout the event with August being one of the top months of the year for south swells.

The ISA is expecting somewhere around 40 countries to be represented. Australia is clearly the team to beat, having won the gold medal the last three events, and four of the eight events in the history of the Games since 1996.

Photo: Spencer Klein

This year, the Costa Rican team is looking to finish strong on its home turf. The US, Brazil, and South Africa, the only other countries besides Australia to win gold in the Team competition, all did so while hosting the tournament.

The Costa Ricans also achieved their first ever Top 10 finish in international competition in the 2006 Games, placing a respectable 8th.

The atmosphere across Costa Rica’s surfing community right now is one of anticipation and pride. Jose Urena, President of the Costa Rican Surf Federation (FSC), attributes the opportunity to host the games to the fact that the FSC has been one of the few countries to attend all the ISA commitments with a full team and staff.

“It is the best thing that could happen to a country concerning surf,” Urena said.

For those in the area, the event will definitely mean an unusually crowded beach. But one of the best things about Hermosa is the stretch of excellent beach breaks to the south, called “Tulins.” which stretch all the way down to Boca Tusurbes.

Additionally, anyone considering making the trek might consider picking up a copy of The Surfer’s Guide to Costa Rica & SW Nicaragua for additional information on nearby breaks.

For those who won’t be able to hop a plane south, event sponsor Billabong will be offering a free live webcast during the event. The webcast, which will reportedly reach an audience of 80 million people across the globe, and will be available at www.billabong.com.

Community Connection

Planning to hit up Playa Hermosa? Check out our article How to Paddle Out to a Famous or Localized Surf Break and Get Respect.

A vendor sells Brazilian flags ahead of Sunday’s final. – Photo: Axel Buhrmann / Feature Photo: fabianoofficial.com

The US narrowly lost to Brazil in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final in Johannesburg, after a second-half comeback saw the five-time world champions surge to a 3-2 victory.

For Brazil, the win was the anticipated result in an undefeated march that included a 3-0 victory over the US during group play.

For the US, it was the end of an unlikely run through the tournament, highlighted by Wednesday’s win over number one-ranked Spain. Despite the disappointing loss, the second-place finish is the best ever for the US men’s squad in a FIFA competition.

“The feeling is a mix of great disappointment, but also great pride,” said US head coach Bob Bradley.

The US men went into halftime with a staggering 2-0 lead. Clint Dempsey scored first in the 10th minute, volleying in a cross from Jonathan Spector for his third goal of the tournament. 17 minutes later, Charlie Davies sent a low cross behind the Brazilian defense to Landon Donovan, who finished it low and hard. Meanwhile, a stellar 45 minutes from goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the Brazilians scoreless.

This was a moment to relish in the history of US soccer. With Spain already beaten, it seemed that the US was about to accomplish the Miracle on Grass.

Photo: fabianoofficial.com

It didn’t take Brazil long to come back. 38 seconds into the second half, Luis Fabiano scored with a shot that left a blinded Howard with no chance. 15 minutes later, the US was spared a goal on a Kaka header that clearly crossed the goal line before Howard punched it out.

The missed call didn’t faze Brazil, and they persisted with constant pressure down both sides of the field. Despite a few excellent saves by Howard and the US defense, a cross from Kaka eventually made its way to Fabiano, who headed it in for the equalizer.

The winning goal came 10 minutes later, when Brazilian captain Lucio scored off of a corner kick.

Even with the disappointment of giving up a 2-0 lead, the US men can hold their heads high as they move into July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and the next stretch of World Cup qualifiers. This was a US team that represented themselves and CONCACAF in a big way by beating Spain and making a game of the final.

It might even be worth making the trek to South Africa in 2010: if the last week is any indicator, the U.S. team may finally be ready to make some noise in the World Cup.

See the goals for yourself in this highlight reel:

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