The U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team didn't make it to the Olympics, but that hasn't stopped one team from stepping forward to capture the appreciation of plenty of American soccer fans at these Olympic Games.
Honduras has put together a dream run into the Olympic quarterfinals, and with four MLS players on the roster, it has become easy to root for them (and let's face it, not many American fans are going to root for Mexico). The 'Catrachos' face their toughest test of these Olympics today as they try to keep their Cinderella run going with an upset win over Brazil in today's Olympic quarterfinals.
Mexico will try to book a place in the Olympic semifinals by knocking off a dangerous Senegal side this morning. 'El Tri' won their group and have a very reasonable path to the gold medal game.
If you're craving some European soccer action, Paris St. Germain takes on Barcelona in a match-up of star-studded rosters. If you would rather see a U.S. national team player in action, Jose Torres and Pachuca are in action this afternoon.
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today's TV Schedule is after the jump):
TODAY'S SOCCER ON TV
9:30 a.m. - MSNBC/NBCOlympics.com - Mexico vs. Senegal
10 a.m. - GOLTV - Brighton vs. Chelsea
12 p.m. - MSNBC/NBCOlympics.com - Brazil vs. Honduras
1:40 p.m. - ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes - Paris St.-Germain vs. Barcelona
2:30 p.m. - MSNBC/NBCOlympics.com - Team Great Britain vs. South Korea
5:30 p.m. - GOLTV - Palmeiras vs. Internacional
6 p.m. - Unvision Deportes - Queretaro vs. Pachuca
6 p.m. - Telefutura - Monterrey vs. Jaguares
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew
8:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC
9 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake
10 p.m. - Univision Deportes - Atlas vs. Tigres UANL
Watching Olympics all day today. Mexico just scored great header goal off of free kick. 10th minute
I’ve got to say, I’m impressed by Senegal so far. They move the ball well, and are not at all afraid of Mexico.
Both teams are strong. Corona has made a couple outstanding saves to keep Mexico in the lead.
Olympics is where it’s at. GolTV will likely botch the Chelsea broadcast.
Although the Senegal players dive as bad as the Mexican players. Ugh.
O/T (though still Olympics)… Serena Williams is bossing Sharapova on her way (likely) to the Gold. After this match, onto Soccer.
Peralta should have made it to 2-0; he got perfect service in front of the goal.
Urgh, the announcer for the Chelsea-Brighton match just needs to stop talking. Terrible. Brighton looking decent in the the middle third in possession, but so far lacking in any sort of finishing touch.
Yeah, she was in full blown, beast mode Truly impressive again.
Also, while I have never been a fan of amateur boxing, I will say that Teddy Atlas is the greatest analyst ever. He actually can make the amateur fight game a bit interesting. He actually teaches the viewer about boxing while being entertaining. And he is a sweetheart of a guy too. He actually cares about boxers and people. [commentary over]
Sweet save by the Senegal keeper. Mexico with a beautiful piece of combo work to make the chance.
Other than watching Japan’s awesome play this tournament, this is the best game I’ve seen. As a US fan, I hate the fact that Mexico finally looks to have found a potential world class keeper. But this is a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
bah, horrible mistake and the game is pretty much done. bummer.
The Cruz Azul winger makes it 2-0 by finish loose ball in the box.
Senagal back in it with header on great cross. 2-1.
Wow, this announcer has decided that Kanote wasn’t trying. Instead, how about that Mexico made adjustments and took him out of the game? I really hate announcers.
Edit: Konate
fun game. Gorgeous cross
Tied up; great header on corner.
WOW. Tied. Amazing
Awesome comeback by Senegal!
Holy crap, am I happy to be wrong. What a game. Soare is the man of the match for Senegal at this point. He is just wearing out the Mexican right side.
I’ve never seen a more dominant effort. She dropped one set. ONE set!
And now Senegal is on a mission to crush Mexico’s little hopes and dreams.
It’a GolTV -it’s crap!
Pretty lucky draw for Mexico. If they progress to the final and face Brazil, they will have not played at top team until the final.
Wow, should have been a red to Soare for a cleat to the face. Totally deliberate.
In this U23 tourney, I think it is tough to assess which teams are really ‘top’ until the games are played. While I agree Brazil was a favorite coming in, so was Spain. Japan probably should have a been pre-tourney favorite but if Mexico does get through this game, I think Japan will handle them. Cheers,
Wow where is the red card?!?!?!? A Senegalese player just intentionally karate kicked a Mexican player in the head and wasn’t ejected. That’s freaking ridiculous.
WTF IS THAT
Souare, who has delivered the two assists for Senegal, delivers a cleat to the face of a Mexican player; he got a yellow; I think he is lucky because it looked intentional.
Soare just De Jong’d him
How do Senegal continue to not have players ejected for assaults. He just karate kicked a Mexican player in the face.
Even if you give Soare the benefit of the doubt (I do) and say it wasn’t an intentional kick, it was so reckless that it doesn’t matter if it’s intentional. Should have been sent off.
Peralta with another great chance; 2-2 in stoppage time. The game is going to OT.
How does he get the benefit of the doubt? He actually made a complete kicking motion into his face while looking at him.
I’m waiting for ‘A’ to go on his usual racist diatribe.
I probably give him the pass on intent because it is just too ridiculous to think that he TRIED to kick the guy in the face. He was amped up and was probably just trying to catch his balance at the top of an outrageous jump.
Then again, maybe he is just insane.
Either way, red card.
I’m pretty sure I could call this match
Senagal keeper with great kick save.
Mane has made some stunning plays today.
Mexico takes the lead.
That’s a tough way to give up a goal for Senegal; they worked hard to get back into the match.
yeah, but full marks to Gio for pouncing and finishing. (I hate saying this.
)
Shocking, freakish athleticism means little if you’re an idiot.
thats the game….
Mexico ahead 4-2; weak back header and goalkeeper came out and couldn’t secure the ball. Two Senegalese defensive miscues are costly. It looks as if one CONCACAF team will make it to the semifinal round.
2nd bad backpass to the keeper, 2 goal lead now for Mexico going into the 2nd overtime. Feel bad for the Senegalese keeper, he was hung out to dry on both of those goals.
What exactly is lucky about it?
Mexico won their group so they avoided the tougher side of the bracket, same with Japan.
SBI logic at its finest.
Honduras? Are you kidding me? The only person that would be cheering for Honduras are those who don’t follow soccer much, or don’t care about seeing poor play. Honduras is a group of flopping timewasters. The fact that there are MLS players on the team makes this fact even worse. I was in KC for the qualifying finals and it was an absolute disgusting display to watch. I hope Brazil rocks their world, which I suspect they will.
Living in Japan, I haven’t been able to see any games except for those with Japan. Any hints on how to see others?
link to nbcolympics.com
rojadirecta.me
And the flopping begins. OK. Drinking game. Anytime a Honduran rolls around on the ground, drink. We’ll be drunk by the 30th minute. Disgusting display.
Goal from Honduras
Awesome, fluke goal by Martinez. Game on.
Anger issues?
Strong Honduran free kick but straight to keeper.
I didn’t think that foul was worth of a yellow.
I’m cheering for honduras for sure. I follow soccer… much.
Another tough yellow for Honduras and now they are down to 10 players.
Two soft yellows in quick succession and Honduras is down to ten. Crisanto off.
Official just ruined this one.
Brazil scores, and I’m wondering how long this will be worth watching. Thanks, ref.
Awful defensive error. Granted when you’re missing a player it helps that Brazil has more people, but…
Why would you try and trap the ball 3 feet outside off your goal line?! KICK THE BALL
Yikes referee is making some real gaffes.
Sadly, the wheels are coming off for honduras…
Well…it’s certainly not the first time someone has won a major tournament dropping only one set (or no sets).
Honduras again
Well, Honduras is still game, even down a man. 2-1 Honduras.
And I’m glad I kept watching, game back on!
aaaaaand the ref gives a penalty to Brazil a few seconds later. Looked a little soft to me. 2-2.
The ref has it out for Honduras or has been paid.
And of course a penalty is given just as I type this, Neymar levels it.
I can see the earlier red card as a product of Honduras going physical after grabbing the lead. That being said, the referee went with the second yellow too quickly and then really destroyed his credibility as the game went on as he called fouls for feigning of injury/fouls by Brazil.
Well, that shows how much you know about soccer, or you don’t mind watching disgusting play.
No major powers in their group. Senegal then Japan then the final. When they start outplaying top powers on neutral sites, then I’ll be impressed.
Yeah. That’s it. It’s not because Honduras can’t play without giving hard fouls, and even if they’re not, they can’t adapt to the ref calling fouls. Either way, it’s hardly the ref’s fault. Also it would help if the Hondurans weren’t a bunch of floppers.
So far the ref is winning.
The ref is either incompetent or biased.
Uh…have you seen Neymar?!? he is skinny but cmon he should be participating in the synchronized diving competition with his antics….the ref has given Brazil every single call its blatant
Was your family kidnapped by the Honduras government?
Who is the color commentator for this game? Absolutely horrible:
After Brazil scored their third goal making it 3-2:
“If this was any other team, Great Britain or South Korea, Brazil would be in trouble.”
The f**cking score was 3-2…and Honduras has played extremely well, even with a man down. What a clown, this guy.
Damiao tackles the Honduras player on the counter and he says:
“That’s not a yellow card. This ref is just card happy.”
…regardless, that WAS a yellow card. This guy belongs in the John Harkes Hall of Shame.
I appreciate you setting me straight.
Both?
South Korea throwing a team temper tantrum after they give up a penalty for a blatant handball in the box.
Ramsey is awful at penalties. Who is allowing him to take these?!
LOL lame, they were a seed team. Is it Mexicos fault Germany didn’t qualify? or Argentina and so on..
HAhAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHFDhfdhjasfhAHA
That sort of screw up could not have happened to a better person. Selfish sturridge trying to get fancy with his PK and just blows it all for GB.
Could not have happened to more deserving person for all the selfishness he’s displayed.
Didn’t SBI say Mexico’s group was easy? Guess Korea was no push over.
Terrible refereeing in the Honduras game. That ref seemed to want to see Brazil through.
Amazing effort by Espinoza and the whole team. Way to rep CONACACAF and MLS.