Like the country it represents, the United States men’s soccer team entered a world of uncertainty this week. Unlike the U.S. nation itself, we can blame Mexico for the change in mood. Team USA lost 2-1 to Mexico on Friday at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Rafael Marquez scored the winning goal in the 89th minute to consign the U.S. its first home loss in FIFA World Cup qualifying in 15 years. Conversely, Mexico notched its first road World Cup qualifying win over its archrival since 1972. While “El Tri” has kicked off its final round of World Cup qualifying with a bang, team USA has stumbled into an iffy future ahead of
Tag: rafa
Rafa Silva: Braga’s creative director
Born: 17/05/1993• Rafa Silva started out at the same club as Ricardo Carvalho, Maniche, Deco and Mantorras – Alverca. Raised in Barreiro, on the south bank of the River Tagus, he spent seven years at the club before switching to Feirense.• His coach at Feirense, Quim Machado, remains amazed that Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP never spotted Rafa's "natural talent", noting: "I'm not surprised at how well he has done, but what I do find strange is the fact that none of the big three got to him before Braga."• Sporting may have come to regret letting him go as a child. After trials at the club's academy, the player was sent away with club official...