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U.S. Team Heads Home After Loss to Ghana
Not everyone wanted to discuss the call. Onyewu ignored reporters, Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic wouldn't comment and Merk couldn't be contacted through FIFA.
They also left with just four shots on goal over three games _ the lowest total of any nation at this World Cup. And two of those hit the post, including a diving header by McBride in the 66th minute
  Ghana's Razak Pimpong kicks ball away from USA's Oguchi Onyewu, right, during the USA vs Ghana World Cup Group E soccer match at the Franken Stadium in Nuremberg, Germany, Thursday, June 22, 2006. Other teams in Group E are Italy and Czech Republic. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (Jorge Saenz - AP)   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
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Landon Donovan, a startling success when he scored twice in 2002 at age 20, was perhaps the biggest of the U.S. underachievers. He finished the tournament with just one shot, none on net, and showed little enthusiasm for challenging defenders. His streak of scoreless games with the national team stretches back nearly a year.
"He didn't have one of his better days, that's for sure," Arena said.
Hardly anyone did.
In other games, it was Brazil 4, Japan 1, and Australia 2, Croatia 2 in Group F. The Brazilians will play Ghana on Tuesday in Dortmund, while Australia takes on Italy on Monday in Kaiserslautern.
Italy 2, Czech Republic 0
At Hamburg, substitute Marco Materazzi headed in a corner kick in the 26th minute. Materazzi scored his first goal in 29 appearances with the national team and Filippo Inzaghi added a score on a breakaway in the 87th minute for Italy, which won the group with seven points.
The Czechs, ranked second in the world, were eliminated from the tournament, finishing with only the three points they earned in its opening win over the United States.
Brazil 4, Japan 1
At Dortmund, Ronaldo found his goal-scoring touch to finally give Brazil the convincing victory many expected to be routine in this World Cup.
Ronaldo scored twice to tie the all-time record with 14 career World Cup goals. The first goal moved him past Pele as Brazil's career scoring leader in the competition and the second tied the record held by Gerd Mueller of Germany.
With its second-round berth already secured, Brazil fielded five reserve players and got goals from two of them, Juninho and Gilberto. But it was Ronaldo who was the star in Brazil's record 10th straight World Cup win.
He tied the game at 1 with a header a minute into first-half injury time. He was set up by Real Madrid teammate Cicinho, who sent him the ball with a header across the area. Ronaldo scored his second goal in the 81st, with a right-footer from 20 yards after a set up by defender Juan.
Croatia 2, Australia 2
At Stuttgart, Harry Kewell scored from close range to give Australia a second-round berth in its first World Cup in 32 years.
Croatia took the lead in the second minute on a dipping free kick by Dario Srna. Craig Moore equalized for Australia with a penalty kick in the 39th minute after Stjepan Tomas handled the ball in the box.
Croatia went up again in the 56th minute on a goalkeeping blunder by Zeljko Kalac, who started for regular goalie Mark Schwarzer. Croatia captain Niko Kovac shot from about 20 yards and the ball rolled over Kalac's hands.
But Kewell put home a short shot off a scramble in the area.