YouTube Clip of The Week

Pre-tournament favorites Brazil have looked everything like the dominant soccer nation we all know they can be. Today's 3-0 shutout against Chile moved the Seleção into the quarterfinals, one step closer to another World Cup title.

But standing in their way will be the Netherlands, a perennial underachiever and one of the handful of teams that can boast the same abundance of attacking talent as Brazil. The Oranje dispatched Slovakia 2-1 today in a match that was not nearly as close as the final score.

Here are highlights of the Netherlands' goals from today's game, showing the Dutch Machine in action. Brazil and the Netherlands will face-off Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET with a berth in the semi-finals on the line.

USA-Ghana Second Half

USA-Ghana From 2006

The United States faced Ghana in the last group match of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, losing a tight game by a score of 2-1. The loss meant the U.S. had to pack their bags and head home.

Here are highlights from that match which was played four years ago. Let's hope today's result is a lot different!

Suarez Looking To Cash In

With three goals in four games, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has made a name for himself at this year's World Cup.

The Ajax player currently is tied for the tournament lead in scoring, while leading his nation to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1970. Today against South Korea, Suarez curled in a superb strike that was Uruguay's game-winning goal.

United States Player Ratings

(Donovan celebrates after scoring the clinching goal)

As soon as Landon Donovan slotted home his eventual game-winner in the 92nd minute, I jumped up, glasses flying out of my pocket, and hugged my boss who was sitting at the bar to my right.

Just like thousands of other American soccer fans, I was lost in the moment after the Yanks' 1-0 victory over Algeria. So many emotions were experienced over the course of 90 minutes that I left the pub with my limbs shaking.

Random Links

My apologies for not posting in the past couple of days. Over the weekend I was helping to work at a beach soccer tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. I was at a hotel that did not have wireless. Still, I hope you guys had a chance to catch all of the exciting World Cup action!

At the moment, the tournament has gotten a little more interesting with some story lines starting to crop up.

YouTube Clip Of The Week

This video from The Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom has been making its rounds all over the Web. Maybe you have seen it already!

U.S.-Slovenia Preview

For the first time in this tournament, the United States will be favorites when they step onto the pitch at Ellis Park to face Slovenia. The Americans will be looking to build on their second half performance against England and come out with three points.

Slovenia is not going to just lie down for the Americans. With their deliberate style of play, the Green Dragons pose a serious threat to the Yanks.

Group Of Lame

On paper, Group G is the "Group of Death." Besides Brazil, soccer-heavyweight Portugal is included with tournament dark horses Ivory Coast and a virtual unknown in North Korea that could use its defensive-first strategy to frustrate.

But after watching today's group matches, I think we should give it a new title (see above).

England-United States Player Ratings

It was a tale of two goalkeepers.

For the United States, Tim Howard valiantly battled England attackers all day, helping the Americans to a 1-1 draw.

As for England, Robert Green's gaffe on a Clint Dempsey shot in the first half proved costly. It was a speculative effort by Dempsey that was not deserving of a goal. Will this error make England manager Fabio Capello rethink his options at goalkeeper? We'll find out.

Check out my player ratings for both sides below the jump.

The Journey Of Herculez Gomez

Here's an article I wrote for USLsoccer.com today:

Five Bold World Cup Predictions

I'm about to gaze into my crystal ball and point out what I think will happen in South Africa. You may or may not agree with me, but don't say you didn't hear it here first!

Onyewu's Road To Recovery [Video]

It remains to be seen whether U.S. national team defender Oguchi Onyewu will be fit enough to start Saturday against England. But for the 28-year-old, even just playing in the match would be an amazing feat after tearing his left patellar tendon back in October 2009.

ESPN.com just released a video on Onyewu's recovery process. Check it out below the jump for some never-before-seen footage.

Injury Bug Bites Hard

Didier Drogba. Rio Ferdinand. Michael Ballack. Arjen Robben. Martin Skrtel. Wilson Palacios. John Obi Mikel.

What do these big-name players all have in common? They've succumbed to the dreaded injury bug just days before the World Cup is set to begin.

YouTube Clip Of The Week

The secretive nation of North Korea is sending its national soccer team to the World Cup for the first time in 44 years. Little is known about this team and its respective players. Could they use this to their advantage and make some noise in the "Group of Death?"

Here's a video the North Korean contingent arriving in South Africa on Tuesday.

Countries Make Final Roster Cuts

(Sorry Theo, but there's no turning back now)

Today was the deadline for participating nations in the 2010 World Cup to submit their 23-man roster to FIFA. Some of the countries, such as the United States, had already chosen just whom they were taking to South Africa before June 1st.

Today gave us some surprises, most notably the absence of a couple promising young players from European nations.