World Cup 2010 Schedule: World Cup TV Schedule, Times and Channels
What makes Ronaldinho one of the most successful soccer players in world today? Is it his skills with the soccer ball? His uncommon techiniques to impress the fans with the way he dribbles around the soccer field? The fact that he has appeared in many Nike commercials? His good looks? Or the fact that he has won many “World Player of the Year” awards?
The answer is: all of the above, and more. Ronaldinho, or as he is known in Brazil, Ronaldinho Gaucho, has been in the public eye since 1999, but it wasn't until around 2002, when this great Brazilian star “got his break”. Since then, the star of Ronaldinho Gaucho has only been getting bigger and bigger through the years.
Ronaldinho first became famous in Brazil under the name Ronaldinho (little Ronaldo) Gaucho (meaning he is from the Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul), in order not to be confused with another Brazilian soccer star, Ronaldo (formally known as Ronaldinho in Brazil). However, when Ronaldo moved to Europe, he became well known only as Ronaldo, allowing Ronaldinho Gaucho to drop the “Gaucho” and be well known only as Ronaldinho.
In his adult life, Ronaldinho has been in three major soccer teams including Brazil's Gremio, France's Paris Saint-Germain, and Spain's always great Barcelona.
He is also one of a very few number of players to ever “play at every footballing level, for he has played at under 15, under 17, under 20, under 23, and senior level. He made his first ever appearance for Brazil playing against Scotland on 7 March1995 in an under 15s match, Brazil lost the game 1-0.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldinho. He was also part of the first Brazilian team to ever win the under 17s championship, which took place in Egypt, 1997.
He then went on to become a part of the under 20s Brazilian team that played on the Fifa World Cup in 1999, and eventually made his first appearance in Brazil's national team that same year in the 1999 Copa America, in which Brazil won.
Since then, Ronaldinho has collected many awards such as “FIFA World Player of the Year” in 2004 and 2005, “World Soccer Player of the Year”, also in 2004 and 2005, “FIFPro World Player of the Year” in 2005 and 2006, “UEFA Clube Footballer of the Year” in 2005 and 2006, and many many others.
Ronaldinho's personality has also helped him become the star he is today. Even with top name awards under his belt, he still remains a very humble, down to earth guy. When asked about his status as the number one soccer player in the world, he simply said: “I don't even feel I'm the best at Barça.” (Barcelona), FourFourTwo magazine.
So there we go, Ronaldinho has clearly made his mark in the world of soccer, and continues to be a great star representing Brazil in a world wide level. What does the future have in store for Ronaldinho? His contract with Barcelona ends in 2010, other than that, all we have to do is simply just keep watching, as this boy from Rio Grande do Sul keeps re-writing soccer history.
from: Taloris Weblog
Ciarans Weblog
Hello there from N.C. State, where I finally overcome some internet issues (operator error, no doubt) to get on line and provide updates from tonight’s game between Hoggard and North Mecklenburg for the 4-A state girls soccer championship.
We’ve got about 8 minutes left in the first half and North Meck is leading 1-0 on a goal by Alison Stearns in the 11th minute.
Other than the goal – which came on a play in which Stearns settle a ball 18 yards out from the goal, turned and fired a shot high into far corner of the net — the game has been remarkably even. And well-played. Hoggard has had its share of chances, including a cornerjust a moment ago, but as yet, it has yet to cash in. …
I thought the NCHSAA had rules about uniformity. Apparently not. Otherwise, the Vikings’ Sarah Clinard wouldn’t be allowed to wear those gl0w-in-the-dark green shoes she’s wearing with her white and light blue uniform. Clinard isn’t the only one making a fashion statement with her feet. North Meck’s Lisa Myers is wearing a pair of even brighter yellow soccer boots. …
Hoggard’s Blythe Rhodes just prevented some further damage in the final minute of the first half by racing to block a shot by North Meck’s Carly Williamson after Williamson had somehow found a seam in the Vikings’ defense and was wide open directly in front of goalie Sarah Downing. …
It’s halftime and Hoggard still trails 1-0. …
By the way, FYI … both teams are nicknamed the Vikings, the school colors for both are blue and white and both are trying to win their first state girls’ soccer title. …
Second half underway and North Meck got the first real chance right off the bat. Hoggard was outshot 4-3 in the first half. …
Hoggard’s defense has definitely started tightening up and the Vikings are steadily pushing the ball upfield and building an attack. They’ve maintained possession for most of the past few minutes and look determined to get the equalizer. …
31 minutes still left … not time to panic yet. …
Coach John Teller is changing things up by putting Olivia Robertson, Madyson Marshburn and Caitlin Whitehead into the lineup. Looking for a little more offense, perhaps? …
It’s starting to get physical out there, but the ref is letting them play on. That’s good news for Hoggard, which is clearly the aggressor right now. The Vikings have North Meck back on its heels . …
Kristin Busby just made a great run that would have resulted in a goal had the North Meck goalie not beaten her to the ball at the last moment. …
And now an exquisite cross by Christy Murphy that sailed just over Busby’s head as she came flying through the box. 23 minutes left. Still 1-0 North Meck. …
Morgan Edwards and Kelsey Hamm back in for Hoggard. 20:37 left …
HOGGARD GOAL!!!!
The Vikings were finally rewarded for pressing the attack for nearly the entire second half. The goal came off a free kick from about 35 yards out. Left back Morgan Tilley put a beautiful ball into the box, where Madyson Marshburn outjumped two North Meck defenders for the perfect header into the back fo the net with 19:01 left. …
Hoggard is right back on the attack, nearly scoring again on a scrum in the box. The Vikings also had another free kick from about the same spot as the one that led to the goal, but this one was blocked by the North Meck wall. …
Clock stopped with 12:30 to go for an injured North Meck player. … The good news is that Melissa Williams is coming off the field on her own and looks to be okay. …
Ten minutes left and Hoggard is still pressing the attack. The Vikings look like the fresher team right now, illustrated by the way Liz Lace just blew past the North Meck defense, forcing goalie Emily Rusk to come way out of her box to beat her to the ball. …
Hoggard corner with 7 1/2 to go …
A good effort, but Hailey Piepmeyer’s kick from about 5 yards out to the right of the goal sailed high, over the net. …
Hoggard goalie with a potential game-saving play. With North Meck’s Morgan Byrne racing in to pick up a loose ball in the box, Downing came sliding out to smother the ball and keep the game tied at 1. Give Downing credit. It’s tough to be standing back there watching for as long as she has with the ball at the other end of the field and then suddenly be tested. But she came up big …
Three minutes left. Looks like we might be heading to overtime. …
Downing with a routine save on a long shot by Byrne. Then again, can any save be called routine with less than two minutes left in a tie game for the state title? …
Looks like North Meck is getting its second wind. …
End of regulation, Hoggard 1, North Mecklenburg 1. … We’re headed for overtime. …
The format is two 10 minute periods, to be played no matter how many goals are scored. If we’re still tied after that, we’ll play two five-minute sudden death periods. After that, it’s the dreaded shootout. I don’t think it’s going to come to that that, though. …
Shots in the second half: North Meck 3, Hoggard 1. The Vikings are being outshot 7-4 for the game. But that’s not the stat that counts. …
Olivia Robertson came about an inch from scoring the go-ahead goal with 7:30 left in the first overtime. Her shot from close range was headed inside the left post, but goalie Emily Rusk dove in to save it at the last second. Even after she stopped it, the ball still amost rolled over the goal line. It was so close that several Hoggard players raised their hands thinking it was in. …
Now a near-miss for North Meck as Stearns, the goal-scorer, launched a high shot just over the net …
North Meck has taken the attack away from the Vikings. It has threatened a couple of times here in overtime since Hoggard’s close call. Fatigue and humidity may be starting to take its toll …
That’s the end of the first overtime, and the break couldn’t come at a better time for Hoggard. The Vikings are starting to look tired and can use the break. Even though it’s only a short one. …
The teams have switched ends and we’re playing in the second overtime. Not trying to be a naysayer, but both goals so far have been scored in the net at which North Meck is currently shooting. …
Hoggard’s Morgan Tilley is down. Looks like a leg cramp. That’s a tough loss for the Vikings. Not only is she a top defender, but she’s also great on those long free kicks … like the one she served up to Marshburn for the Hoggard goal.
…
Two golden opportunites for Hoggard with 6 minutes left in the second OT. The first one came on a free kick by Marshburn from just outside the box. It looked ticketed for the top far corner, but goalie Rusk punched it over the crossbar. Then off the ensuing corner kick, Rusk came up big again on a shot from close range. …
With 3 1/2 left another close call. This time Marshburn, in a full sprint, blocked a clearing attempt by the goalie. The ball caromed off her back toward the net and trickled just outside the far goal post. …
Great stuff here! …
The Hoggard fans in the stands are going crazy as the Vikings contiue to press the issue. Then, just like that, North Meck’s Katherine Rusk got behind the Hoggard defense and rocketed one just wide ride with 1 minute left in the second OT. …
And we’re going to sudden death! …
Whew! …
Next goal wins. Sudden death has begun. …
That’s the end of the first 5-minute golden goal period. Five more minutes to go, then penalty kicks. Man, that’s a horrible way of deciding a championship game. I know it’s not good for a reporter on deadline, but I wish they’d let them play until somebody scores a goal … no matter how long it takes. That’s the only fair way of doing it. …
Second sudden death period off and running, and just 30 seconds in Busby fires a shot from the top of the box and sails it high. …
And Busby gets another chance, arriving a split second late before Rusk comes out and knocks the ball away. …
Now skill is taken out of the equation and it becomes a matter of luck. We’re going to penalty kicks. …
How even is it? Both teams have 10 shots. Both goalies have four saves. Hoggard has 4 corners to 3 for North Meck. …
Hoggard will go first in the shootout. There are five rounds. I’ll keep you posted as the shots are taken. …
First up, Hoggard’s Kristin Busby. GOAL!!!!
North Meck’s Byrne … Goal
Next up for Hoggard, CHelsea DeLiberto … GOAL!!!!
North Mecks’ McAnaulty, goal
And Hoggards Tilly SCORES!!!
North Meck’s Robinson scores .. 3-3
Hoggard’s Piepmeyer is denied by goalie Rusk. Vikings in trouble
But wait, North Meck’s Williamson hits the cross bar and Hoggard’s Marshbun SCORES!!!!!
Rusk, the goalie’s sister scores to tie it at 4. .. and we go to sudden death in the shootout.
Next up for Hoggard, Liz Lace… GOAL!!!!
Lyndey Byrne scores for North Meck ..
Whitehead up for Hoggard .. GOAL!!!
Shalon keeps it alive for North Meck
Rhodes is stopped by Rusk. Uh oh …
And Christy Murphy, the girl with the yellow shoes, scores in the eighth round of the shootout to give the state title to North Meck.
Just a terrible way to end the game and the season. It’s a shame it came down to that. Hoggard deserved better.
The Rock Bridge girls soccer team advanced to the title game of the Class 3, District 9 tournament with a 3-0 victory over tournament host Timberland on Tuesday in Wentzville.
The Bruins (10-11-2) will play Troy Buchanan (9-11-1) at 5 p.m. Thursday in Wentzville in the championship game. Troy Buchanan beat Hickman 3-0 in the late semifinal Tuesday. The Kewpies end their season at 7-12.
Lexi Bumby* scored twice for Rock Bridge in the victory over Timberland. She netted the Bruins first goal off a throw-in from Brett Fuller in the 22nd minute of the first period. She scored her second goal in the 60th minute of the second period, rebounding a shot on goal by Mary Bowman.
Kelsey Reimler had the other Rock Bridge goal, scoring off a Morgan Pitchford in the 45th minute. Goalkeeper Carrie Levy earned the shutout with four saves.