Brave U.S. Falls To Germany
After inspiring a nation plagued by soccer ennui to rise early, the Americans lost to Germany 1-0 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
But the United States came of age this month on the international soccer stage, playing hard against the larger and more experienced Germans in the quarterfinal. The Americans had already beaten two world class teams, Portugal and Mexico, on their way to Friday's match.
"We have had a great ride," U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel said.
Unlike four years ago, when Germany manhandled the Americans during a 2-0 first-round victory in Paris, the U.S. players shoved back. But ultimately it came down to the goalkeepers. The German keeper, Oliver Kahn, made two brilliant saves on forward Landon Donovan - the first one preserved a scoreless tie and the second one preserved Germany's 1-0 lead.
Friedel, brilliant throughout the tournament for the U.S., could not get his arm on a header by Michael Ballack and that squeaker of a goal was the difference the Americans could not overcome.
They came close though, with minutes left in the game, defender Tony Sanneh just missed a goal on a header, hitting the side of the net off a cross from Clint Mathis, who had entered early in the second half.
Earlier, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilians danced as the sun rose, celebrating their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup quarterfinals early Friday.
As Brazil's game drew to a close, with their lead appearing safe, thousands of people watching on a giant television screen erupted with chants of "Five-time champion."
The nation is still two victories away from its fifth World Cup, but players on both sides had considered Friday's game a virtual final. Brazil won its fourth title in 1994 and lost to host France in the 1998 championship game.
Ronaldinho, nowhere near as heralded as attacking partners Ronaldo and Rivaldo, made two of the signature plays. He set up one goal with a magnificent run, then scored the winner with a sensational floater from 35 yards as Brazil beat England 2-1.
And then he got ejected and will miss Brazil's semifinal game against Turkey or Senegal.
Until referee Felipe Ramos of Mexico gave him a red card in the 57th minute, Ronaldinho was unstoppable for the four-time champions.
"When Ronaldinho was sent off I went to him and told him just to leave and not to worry," captain Cafu said, "because we were going to win the match for him."
In first-half injury time, he turned the game with a burst and a pass to Rivaldo to tie it.
In the 50th minute, awarded a free kick barely in the danger zone, Ronaldinho lobbed a 35-yarder into the breeze from the right side of the field. Goalkeeper David Seaman mistakenly took one step forward, and the curling, spinning shot came down over his head and settled into the top corner of the goal.
"If anyone (blamed Seaman), it would be an absolute disgrace," captain David Beckham said, "because it wasn't his fault. He is one of the best goalkeepers ... a world-class goalkeeper."
England opened the scoring on a dreadful Brazilian error midway through the first half. Emile Heskey's long pass toward Michael Owen went directly to defender Lucio, but he misplayed it — directly to Owen's foot.
On Saturday, Spain plays South Korea for the right to play Germany in a semifinal match. And Turkey plays Senegal, hoping to beat the Africans and avenge a controversial first-round loss to Brazil in the other semifinal.
Written by PETE BRUSH