FSI Running Diary No. 1

8:39 a.m.: Good morning! I'm coming to you live from the comfort of my living room where in 15 minutes the U.S. will take on Ghana and the Czech Republic faces Italy. I hope you know what the U.S. needs to do to advance to the round of 16, because it's way too early for me to be focusing on anything moving much less do math.

The most likely scenario that would result in a trip to the knockout round would be a victory by the U.S. and Italy. But of course that would be too easy for all involved so I have a feeling I'll be busting out the abacus at some time this morning.

Until then, follow along as I journal the morning's proceedings, my reactions to it, and anything else interesting that may happen in my life in the next two hours.

If for some reason you are following my blog live during this time, feel free to ask a question either by leaving a comment or through e-mail at jcasper@fdlreporter.com.

8:47 a.m.: It's still early and I'm still a bit groggy, but I'm pretty sure I just saw Eric Wynalda and Julie Foudy playing foosball on the ESPN set. Why is the foosball table there? Isn't that degrading to soccer? Someone?

8:49 a.m.: We've got our first Gatorade commercial sighting. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best one out there. If you haven't seen it, go here. I'm getting pumped.

8:56 a.m.: Is anyone else disappointed that Tommy Smyth isn't doing the analysis for today's game? I can't understand half of what he says, but he sounds like someone who should know what he's talking about.

8:57 a.m.: It's very hard to root against Ghana and for Italy. Just sayin'.

9:03 a.m.: An early cross doesn't lead too much but it's a good sign for the U.S. Apparently it's a public holiday in Ghana. They are the only African nation still alive. Very hard to root against them.

9:05 a.m.: What a surprise, our first yellow card of the game on Ghana. Are the refs getting paid per yellow card like bouncers for taking fake IDs? Meanwhile, Ghana is playing really tight. If the U.S. gets an early goal and some confidence, it's quite possible the floodgates could open.

9:08 a.m.: Marcelo Balboa (the color analyst) is already attacking the ref for another yellow card, this time against the U.S.'s Eddie Lewis. Considering two yellow cards in one game means a disqualification, he's right.

9:09 a.m.: The first real set piece of the game by Ghana isn't anywhere close.

9:10 a.m.: The Knicks have fired Larry Brown. Headline stealers.

9:15 a.m.: Both matches are still scoreless, but the Czech Republic nearly snuck in a goal off a rebounds. In case you were wondering, I have two TVs in my living room. They're right next to each other. And my mother wonders why I'm still single.

9:22 a.m.: A horrible turn of events for the U.S. Claudio Reyna lost possession of the ball dribbling upfield and Ghana took advantage for an easy goal. Reyna is down and Ghana is up 1-0.

9:25 a.m.: Teams scoring first in this World Cup are 25-5-5. I think the U.S. has never won in World Cup play when the other team scores the first goal. Meanwhile, Italy just scored the first goal of its match with the Czechs.

9:27 a.m.: Ghana is starting to play with more energy and intensity. And now the U.S. is starting to look flat. DeMarcus Beasley is still nowhere to be found and Ghana nearly scored another goal on a long run. And according to the bottom line, Isaiah Thomas is going to take over as the new coach of the Knicks. There's mass hysteria stateside.

9:33 a.m.: Ghana is winning every 50/50 ball and the U.S. is sloppy with its passing. At least thats what I think I'm seeing. I'm not really sure since I know almost next to nothing about soccer. But what I do know is that Ghana is taking every mistake by the U.S., and running it right back at them. Kind of like what the U.S. did against Portugal and Mexico in 2002.

9:35 a.m.: Landon Donvan just missed a good opportunity to score the equalizer. He hasn't scored in his last 17 national appearances and he's going bald. I think he's due for something good at somepoint. A free kick just outside the box goes nowhere for the U.S. and the clock seems to be moving a little too fast.

9:42 a.m.: The U.S. is starting to build up some good runs, but when that happens, Ghana counters with its speed. Claudio Reyna is out, which is a shame.

9:43 a.m.: GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! DeMarcus Beasley FINALLY does something other than annoy his coach. After winning a 50/50, he had a wide open path to the goal and sent a beautiful ball right in stride to Clint Dempsey, who finds the back of the net and does a little shimmy. Sam's Army is pumped. It's the first goal scored by the U.S. at the World Cup (Italy scored one for them). I'll take this 1-1 tie into the locker room, and if I'm Bruce Arena I show them the Gatorade World Cup commercial a few times and then you're set.

9:47 a.m.: Oh man, a penalty kick for Ghana. A horrible, horrible call to make in that situation. Both were going for the ball. You can't call that at the World Cup. Again, I should remind you, I don't know what I'm talking about.

9:48 a.m.: Ghana scores. 2-1. Horrendous. There better be a makeup call somewhere.

9:50 a.m.: That late penalty kick was devastating. The referee has way too much control in soccer. And the problem here is that there may be a makeup call in the U.S.'s favor later on in the match. Not a good way to officiate if you ask me.

9:59 a.m.: I'm still optimistic. If the U.S. is really one of the top sides in the world, it can put together two goals against Ghana. But its not going to be easy. Neither team has particularly looked crisp in its set offense and the U.S. is getting nothing off its set pieces. Either way, it looks like the winner of this match is headed to the second round, and it wouldn't be a horrible thing if Ghana got there. I'd like to see its speed match up against Brazil. That could be a high scoring affair.

10:06 a.m.: Marcelo Balboa is already calling for Eddie Johnson to get in the game, and he's right. The U.S. has 45 minutes to score two goals. It needs its best offensive options in there. There's no real reason to wait.

10:10 a.m.: The U.S. is 0-14-2 all-time in World Cup play when the other team scores first and Bruce Arena is 2-16-2 when his team trails at halftime. Everyone is due.

10:12 a.m.: Sam's Army is openly calling for Eddie Johnson to enter the game. Balboa is going to join them soon. Italy is still beating the Czechs, and the Italian goalkeeper is having himself a day.

10:15 a.m.: Even though it resulted in a free kick for the U.S., the reason I love watching Ghana is because they aren't afraid to pull out the bicycle kick.

10:16 a.m.: Apparently set pieces aren't Ghana's strength. And apparently the U.S. is pretty good at them. If they say so. ESPN just showed a graphic saying the U.S. has never won the third game in group play. It also has never won a World Cup match in Europe. Sometime these things have to come to an end, right?

10:22 a.m.: Here comes Eddie Johnson, who is apparently the savior of the U.S. hopes. He's got 30 minutes to score two goals. Balboa is excited, Sam's Army is excited and Johnson just fell down. Not looking good.

10:25 a.m.: Ghana just had a free run at the goal but the striker took it down a little too far. The U.S. dodges a bullet. It's pretty obvious its going to take a mistake or two by Ghana for the U.S. to get back in the match.

10:28 a.m.: A flurry of action in front of the Ghana net saw a header by McBride that hit the post and an opportunity for Donovan that never really developed. The U.S. is starting to create more chances, which is good.

10:31 a.m.: The U.S. has had three offsides calls in the last few minutes, and I'm guessing they are going to get some more. Ghana is playing the offsides trap, which is fine, but it could also set yourself up to get beat on a long run if the side ref misses it. At least I think. It always burned me on FIFA World Cup for the PlayStation.

10:37 a.m.: The clock is starting to move faster and faster and the referee is letting the boys play. Too bad he didn't let that happen in stoppage time in the first half. 15 minutes for the U.S. to score two goals.

10:43 a.m.: A golden opportunity for the U.S. went by the wayside with a free kick just outside the box. Italy just scored again and it looks like they are going to win the group. If this score holds, Ghana and Italy will advance. What a tournament for Ghana, beating the Czechs and the U.S. Is Brazil next?

10:50 a.m.: There's still a few minutes left, but there's not much chance for the U.S. now. And I must say it was a disappointing World Cup for the U.S. The 3-0 loss to the Czechs was an abberration, yes, but to only muster one point against Italy and Ghana is not what the U.S. is capable of. I'd think that Bruce Arena, once considered the savior of U.S. soccer, may not be back in 2010. This was supposed to be the World Cup that the U.S. proved it belonged on the international stage, and unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet.

10:57 a.m.: Ghana wins 2-1 and the U.S. looks forward to 2010. Sure you can point at the foul call in the penalty box and the red cards in the Italy match, but the U.S. did almost nothing on offense all tournament. And good for Ghana. Nobody gave them much of a chance at all to win one match, much less advance from the group. Balboa just said that's the beautiful thing about soccer, on any given day, any given team can beat any other team. I'm pretty sure everyone has said that about their sport.

10:59 a.m.: Well, that does it for me. Thanks for reading the blog and continue to check back at FSI for more special events such as this. Thanks to the few (one?) of you that posted comments.