By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports WriterJOHANNESBURG - While teams from Europe and Africa have struggled at this World Cup, FIFA doesn't plan to alter its qualifying breakdown for future tournaments. 'There is no discussion about slots for the future, we have 32 teams,' FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Saturday.Of the 13 European teams that started this World Cup, only six made it to the final
By RONALD BLUM AP Sports WriterRUSTENBURG, South Africa - When the U.S team got back to the Irene Country Lodge after the big win over Algeria, players and staff were greeted by family and friends.For a brief moment, Bob Bradley got to savor a victory.'The saddest part is that sometimes the game no sooner ends and you're just thinking about the next game,' the U.S coach said Friday on the eve o
By RONALD BLUM AP Sports WriterIRENE, South Africa - When Jozy Altidore isn't playing soccer, he's playing video soccer.As himself.Teams traveled to South Africa to test themselves at the World Cup.And in their down time, some guys on those squads are playing FIFA 10 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, video games developed by EA Sports.Altidore thinks about using his first pick on Lionel Messi, the reignin
By SIMON HAYDON AP Sports WriterJOHANNESBURG - Modern soccer has turned the penalty area into a wrestling ring, and that's what cost the United States victory in its World Cup match against Slovenia on Friday.Maurice Edu committed no foul as he scored from just over six yards.However, just about every other player in the penalty area was holding, grabbing, pulling or pushing as the U.S free kick
By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports WriterPOLOKWANE, South Africa - 'Chicharito' was too big for France.Mexico's Javier Hernandez, whose nickname means 'Little Green Pea), emulated his grandfather by a scoring a World Cup goal against France.One major difference: his was in a victory.Substitutes Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco each scored in Mexico's 2-0 win over France on Thursday, leaving El Tri needin
By RONALD BLUM AP Sports WriterJOHANNESBURG - They played 62 games over four years just to get ready for the World Cup, convinced obsessive preparation and attention to detail would turn around their fortunes after a quick exit in 2006.But the stark reality is this: All that work will amount to nothing unless the United States gets at least a tie against Slovenia on Friday.'Obviously a loss would
By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports WriterIRENE, South Africa - It's easy to believe Italy's new starting goalkeeper when he says he has luck on his side.Federico Marchetti had already lost his two best friends in auto accidents when he and two teammates at fourth-division side Pro Vercelli emerged uninjured from a car crash themselves five years ago.'When you stare death in the face it leaves something in
By DENNIS PASSA AP Sports WriterPORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - The 2010 World Cup was set up as Sven-Goran Eriksson's personal vengeance mission, and after Ivory Coast's opening draw against Portugal, he already has a measure of satisfaction. The Ivory Coast was drawn to face Portugal and Brazil in its opening two group games - the nations that dramatically dumped Eriksson's England out of the p