USA Clinches World Cup Birth!

The U.S. clinched a berth to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Saturday night. After a scoreless first half, both teams turned up their attack to score five second half goals. The U.S. team returns from Honduras to face Costa Rica at RFK Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. with first place in CONCACAF qualifying on the line. Even though the US is guaranteed a spot in South Africa, Coach Bob Bradley assures everyone that they want to finish at the top of the group and keep their unbeaten at home streak alive. Also, this is a pay back game for losing to Costa Rica a few months ago down in San Jose. The game is on ESPN2 at 8pm.

But the team will be playing tonight with a heavy heart as one of their teammates recovers from a car accident. Forward Charlie Davies is in serious but stable condition and resting following several hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. to treat injuries suffered in a one-car accident on the George Washington Parkway early Tuesday morning. Davies suffered a lacerated bladder and fractures to the tibia and femur bones in his right leg. He also suffered facial fractures and a left elbow fracture. He is expected to be out for at least a year and will miss the World Cup matches. Davies played in 17 matches and had 4 goals for the US. He did start and play 78 minutes for the team last Saturday against Honduras. Davies will be missed and I am sure the guys will be thinking of him as they try to close out the qualifying matches against Costa Rica tonight.

Another thing I want to bring up is the fact that Atlanta is in the running to host a FIFA World Cup™ match should the USA win the bid to host the Games in either 2018 or 2022. If you are a soccer fan and live in or close to Atlanta, you really want this to happen! It would mean world-class teams playing in the biggest tournament in the world right in your city! You can help make this happen by going to http://www.gousabid.com/ and sign the petition. While you are there, you can forward the petition to your friends for them to sign as well. I think Atlanta has proven that they will support big time soccer by the huge turnouts for the international matches held here in the summer. It would be a great thing for US Soccer and the city of Atlanta to land a game or two if the US gets the World Cup bid. I want to think Smyrna Townie for bringing this to my attention.

Go USA!