Outsiders Are Few and Far Between in Brazil
World Cup 2014: It’s Coming Down to South America vs. Europe
By ROB HUGHESJULY 3, 2014
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Costa Rican players at a practice this week. With a population of less than 5 million, Costa Rica is the smallest country left at the World Cup. Credit Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
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LONDON — When the president calls from the Oval Office, you have to assume that the United States has come of age as a soccer nation.
For all its never-say-die spirit, Team U.S.A. was eliminated by Belgium at the World Cup. Michael Bradley ran a marathon in midfield and Tim Howard was heroic in goal for a reason — the Americans were being pounded by the Belgians, who forced the keeper to make 16 saves.
But beyond the euphoria, the new reality is the old reality: This World Cup is going the way of every World Cup since the tournament started in 1930. It is coming down to South America vs. Europe, with only “little” Costa Rica showing the class and the defiance of an upstart outsider
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/04/sp...rope.html?_r=0
World Cup 2014: It’s Coming Down to South America vs. Europe
By ROB HUGHESJULY 3, 2014
Photo
Costa Rican players at a practice this week. With a population of less than 5 million, Costa Rica is the smallest country left at the World Cup. Credit Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
Continue reading the main storyShare This Page
SAVE
MORE
Continue reading the main story
Continue reading the main story
LONDON — When the president calls from the Oval Office, you have to assume that the United States has come of age as a soccer nation.
For all its never-say-die spirit, Team U.S.A. was eliminated by Belgium at the World Cup. Michael Bradley ran a marathon in midfield and Tim Howard was heroic in goal for a reason — the Americans were being pounded by the Belgians, who forced the keeper to make 16 saves.
But beyond the euphoria, the new reality is the old reality: This World Cup is going the way of every World Cup since the tournament started in 1930. It is coming down to South America vs. Europe, with only “little” Costa Rica showing the class and the defiance of an upstart outsider
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/04/sp...rope.html?_r=0
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