Ghana, Uruguay reach quarterfinals

Disappointing. I realy thought we'd make it atleast one more round.

South Korea played an excellent game, too bad they were not able to win. The Americans also did really good, but Ghana was just too much for them.

So much for the typical over the top comments by Donovan - saying that they could beat ANYONE at the WC was just asking to be taken out by a team with a bit of talent, a LOT of desire and karma on their side... I guess the flip side of his comments should have also been that "we could also just as easily get our asses-kicked by any backwater country that simply wants it more than we do"....

When I watched the first goal in the South Korea vs. Uruguay game I was outraged at the utter stupidity of their defense -- it looked like they fell asleep outside the box. Seriously, I think everyone thought the kick was going out of bounds and didn't bother to watch the Uruguayan offense. After that, it got pretty serious, but too little too late for the Korean team. Utterly sickening.

As for the US game, I didn't have a chance to see it, but it sounds like another disappointment. Good for Ghana and Uruguay, but still.

So much for the typical over the top comments by Donovan - saying that they could beat ANYONE at the WC was just asking to be taken out by a team with a bit of talent, a LOT of desire and karma on their side...

What, exactly did you want him to say?

I guess the flip side of his comments should have also been that "we could also just as easily get our asses-kicked by any backwater country that simply wants it more than we do"....

Ah... very well then.

Congrats to the Black Stars. Certainly have the best goal celebrations at the World Cup.

Pathetic that SK/Uruguay wasn't a sellout. It seemed like most of the stadium emptied once the rain began to fall in the 2nd half, but at least the supporters of both teams stayed in their seats getting soaked chanting and singing. Great job by both.

I actually thought USA could win against Ghana. a little bit sad...

Its ok, root for Ghana to beat Uruguay, it's the last African country still standing.

Good job Ghana!!! The "I LOVE GHANA" flag on my wall ain't there for nothing.

Gyan is simply amazing. He's truly a superb athlete. I'm disappointed the US didn't advance, but I'll be rooting for the only African team left.

Congrats to Uruguay and Ghana. I was hoping Team USA could keep this thing going to keep Americans interested in soccer a bit more. Oh well, at least they have baseball season to turn to.

Was hoping Korea would do better, happy for Ghana though.

Bring on the real games now, England vs Germany tonight, then Argentina vs Mexico later on. Lot of continental pride on the line on those games, hope we see a bit of biffo!

I went to sleep during after the first half of the USA-Ghana game. The Ghana team seemed to have more intensity so I figured they would win. Congrats to Ghana!

Bring on the real games now, England vs Germany tonight,

I am all anticipation. I just wonder whether the two teams would live up to all the hype.

I was hoping Team USA could keep this thing going to keep Americans interested in soccer a bit more.

The US could have won the world cup and you could probably fit all the people excited about it into a highschool auditorium. Despite all the pushing the news and sports stations I don't think the US peoples position of noninterest is going to change one bit.

Sad for USA, but good to see an African nation in the next round. Bad luck for the Korean team, they looked very good in the second half, especially when Uruguay was sitting back and defending- but that last goal from Suarez was a great effort. The England vs. Germany game should be great- the poms better play well- I wonder if it'll go to penalties lol.

thequestion, I take you're not American? Ever heard of the term "soccer mom?" Soccer is very popular among kids and though it is probably the 5th most popular professional sport in America, there's quite a following.

Soccer is very popular among kids

I always wondered about that paradox too, bicultural. Soccer has always been a popular little league sport for kids, but it could never generate the level of interest that American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey has on the pro level. Even at the college level, team sports like volleyball overshadows that of college soccer teams in the U.S. Even individual sports like golf, tennis, and track and field get more air time than soccer does. I guess as a participation sport, soccer is popular with Americans, but as a spectator sport, it is not.

"The US could have won the world cup and you could probably fit all the people excited about it into a highschool auditorium. Despite all the pushing the news and sports stations I don't think the US peoples position of noninterest is going to change one bit."

Let the excuses begin! I thought this would have started with Europe or Japan, but should have suspected an American would come onto this Japanese news site to desperately press upon us all how 'uninterested' his nation is. :)

The US could have won the world cup and you could probably fit all the people excited about it into a highschool auditorium.

Judging from all the video clips on YouTube of wild celebrations in bars and on the streets after the goal against Algeria, I think you would need a ridiculously large auditorium. But don't worry, high school and college football practice gets started soon, that should get y'all good and excited.

Missed the first half of the USA game, but looked like they could have gone a couple of rounds farther with a decent striker. Altidore was definitely the weak link in attack, and the guy who subbed for him was even worse.

Bad luck for South Korea, but if you give away a free goal like that in an evenly matched game, you will probably lose. Nice finish, but the goalie's blunder set it up.

USA lol

Sorry but Ghana was supported by the referees with all these penalty kicks nonexisting. I understand the need to push African football in the world cup finals but it is not fair to other teams. USA team was better than Ghana. Referees are evil. sad.

Let the excuses begin!

I'm actually surprised that you're surprised. Each country has been making their share of excuses when it comes to some of the World's biggest stages (e.g. the World Cup, the Olympics). It's naive to think any country is immune to this disease. In fact, it was the U.S. soccer team that was most vocal about bad referreeing that went against them. The coach himself called out "floppers" or players who dive and how cheaters often get away with it. All excuses if you ask me.

Even the French made excuses and fingerpointed at "traitors" within their team. Italians are scrambling to find excuses to explain their flop in this tournament too. I even have a Canadian co-worker who refuses to follow the World Cup because he made the excuse that ice hockey is a real man's sport. He can't stand players who can't take getting bloodied a bit or act like they were hit by a car. I'm assuming he would change his tune if Canada actually qualified for the World Cup.

it was the U.S. soccer team that was most vocal about bad referreeing that went against them

Two good goals were stolen from the U.S. during the group games, indisputably. Their complaints were measured and reasonable, and then they let it go. They still made it out of the group.

The US could have won the world cup and you could probably fit all the people excited about it into a highschool auditorium.

Overstating things a bit. I think the world game is gaining popularity here in the States. It's moving from the level of no more than an international curiosity to something closer to the Olympics - stirring a bit of interest every 4 years. But it's unlikely to move beyond that unless U.S. pro soccer gets better and stirs more interest. We can't rely on the Premier League or La Liga to do it.

I don't know. Yes, the ref could have been better, but this time we played poorly and lossed as a result... when we clearly could have done much better. If we aren't going to try for the first half of the game we aren't ready for the finals.

The US could have won the world cup

Which world cup?

ANOTHER bad call: England's goal denied.

When are they going to admit that they need cameras? Does every sport need to go through a period of pointless, obstinant denial? Also, they need a better time keeping system. Stopping the clock will help reduce diving and exaggerated injury.

End of first half, if England loses old Sepp Blatter has will be out of a job. Actually, it might be the end of the anti-technology Luddites even if England come back and win.

Just when I thought the refs couldn't get any worse. Germany's first goal was off-side and then they take away England's goal. That ball was a good ball and half inside the line. I want to say unbelievable, but that was just unforgiveable.

End of first half, if England loses old Sepp Blatter has will be out of a job.

Perhaps this won't be an issue: if Germany keeps hammering England like this that one lst goal won't matter.

bicultural, there's no offside from a goal kick, it's in the rules. England's goal? Call it divine justice.

Pulverized. That was brutal.

Sorry but Ghana was supported by the referees with all these penalty kicks nonexisting. I understand the need to push African football in the world cup finals but it is not fair to other teams. USA team was better than Ghana. Referees are evil. sad.

Reason to push African teams? The host SA would have been in the tourney. US were good but the lack the bit of soccer techniques, play quick when u have the strength but re-group when u need energy but the US played like there was no tomorrow while the Ghanaians re-grouped.

if Germany keeps hammering England like this that one goal won't matter.

Actually it mattered a lot. One goal lead and both teams play differently than if the game is level. I was cheering for Germany, but can still see that.

Actually it mattered a lot. One goal lead and both teams play differently than if the game is level

Oh, I get that; morale is very important, and one goal can give birth to many. But at some point you have to say "$&*# happens" and step up and perform. Just for the record, I think they need cameras, too, but its hard to say Gemany didn't deserve that last win.

ANOTHER BAD CALL. Argentina scores despite being off-sides. This is EMBARASSING.

ESPN sees high World Cup TV ratings

http://www.digitalsportsdaily.com/sports-business/tv/1542-espn-sees-high-world-cup-tv-ratings.html

Saturday's long-awaited match between the U.S. and England drew 12.9 million viewers and was the most watched U.S. Men's National team game since 1994.

The network says that an additional 1.3 million people have watched a game on ESPN3.com.

Argentina vs. Germany.

I expected much more from England. Some goals were unfair but it is a fact Germany was the better team. England did not justify the expectation of the fans. disappointing and sad. Who can stop the healthy German boys now? Argentina plays beautiful and spectacular, German play rational and physical. I wish Argentina wins but the German machine seems unstoppable...

Go Ghana, goooo!!! So happy to see USA out.