FIFA U17 World Cup Soccer News: USA Solid Says Cabrera

The U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team clinched a place in the Round of 16 of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup after a scoreless draw with New Zealand. Both teams entered the game with three points and were even on all tiebreakers, so a tie was enough to put both into the Round of 16. A drawing of lots was needed to determine who would finish second and third in Group D, and just more than one hour after the game, it was decided that the U.S. would finish in second place.

The U.S. will play the first-place finisher in Group E, on Thursday, June 30, at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET) in Queretaro. Group E, which is currently led by Germany with six points, will wrap up play Sunday evening.(usa vs mexico, usa vs mexico gold cup, usa, gold cup, gold cup final time )

Coming into the match against New Zealand, all four teams in Group D were tied with three points through their first two matches. Each team had the opportunity to advance with a win, or be eliminated with a loss. The USA and New Zealand were in control, as both were deadlocked on tiebreakers and ahead of both Czech Republic and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s win against the Czech Republic on Saturday secured their top place finish in Group D. New Zealand advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams and will face Group B winners Japan on Wednesday.
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U.S. women have real shot at World Cup glory

On a steaming hot morning, the United States women's national team had ridden nearly an hour for a workout in the middle of New Jersey. Nobody in Somerset noticed the players' arrival earlier this month at a solitary field. Nobody on the team complained. That was the plan. They weren't there for autographs. A long workout, some quick interviews, back on the bus.

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"The World Cup has been our focus,'' said Heather O'Reilly, one of five New Jersey women on the team.

Whatever they've collectively been doing for the last four years, the Women's World Cup, beginning Sunday in Germany, will determine this group's legacy. You could argue this is a real tipping point. The U.S., which opens group play Tuesday against North Korea in Dresden, fell short in the last two World Cups. They no longer dominate their own CONCACAF region.(gold cup, soccer, gold cup 2011, womens world cup, gold cup final 2011 )

Obviously, winning in Germany would alter the story line completely. The U.S. pulled out a surprising gold medal at the 2008 Olympics on an overtime goal by one of the Jersey girls, Carli Lloyd of Delran. That was the last time full national teams got together for top competition. A reprise of that success will put the Americans back on top of the pile.
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