The United States will advance to the last 16 of the World Cup with a win tonight over Portugal. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, the Americans have advanced past the group stage in every World Cup hosted outside Europe since 1990.

Since the new millennium began, one of U.S. Soccer’s brightest moments was their 3-2 win over Portugal in 2002. To many players of the current generation, the game is one of those “Where were you?” moments in American sports. It was a memorable game right from the start, when John O’Brien gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead, which increased to 3-0 through an own goal and a Brian McBride header, up until the final whistle, with Portugal clawing back thanks to Beto and an own goal from Jeff Agoos. Here are highlights of that ’02 encounter (uploaded to YouTube by Benjamin Rodriguez):

12 years later, the rosters have changed almost entirely. American DaMarcus Beasley is the only player from either country to be included in both the 2002 and 2014 squads. The current U.S. team grew up hearing about their country making the quarterfinals in Korea/Japan, while the Portuguese are well aware of the failure to advance in 2002, though they would make the semifinals four years later. With the Americans on the verge of qualifying for the knockout round with a game to spare, will they take advantage of the opportunity?

With Russia and South Korea drawing 1-1 last night, every nation has now played at least one game in this year’s World Cup in Brazil. Through the past six days, we’ve seen goals and shocks galore, as some teams put themselves in position to qualify for the Round of 16 with a game to spare. Others are already in a must-win scenario, or they will exit at the group stage. Last week, I talked about some things worth following prior to start of the tournament. Here are some new stories to keep an eye on.

Is Spain in serious trouble?

The defending world champions were shocked 5-1 in their opening match against the Netherlands, who got some revenge for the 2010 Final. Only four Dutch players started both of those matches, and the new faces, particularly the five defenders, stood tall and showed they weren’t going to be intimidated. Spanish fans will remember that in 2010, La Roja lost its opening match to Switzerland, before winning its first ever World Cup, and the Netherlands is the strongest opponent that the reigning champions will have faced in group play. However, fans also remember that after Italy won in 2006, they finished dead last in their group in 2010; after France won in 1998, they exited the group stage in 2002 without scoring a goal. Spain can get back on track with a win over Chile, but their work is laid out for them.

Will the United States advance from group play?

In my post last week, I mentioned how head coach Jürgen Klinsmann had said multiple times that the U.S. won’t win the Cup this year. However, after the Americans’ win over Ghana and Germany’s thrashing of Portugal, fans can be very optimistic going into Sunday’s match vs. Portugal in Manaus. Paulo Bento’s squad will be without two key defenders in Pepe, who is suspended after being sent off against the Germans, and Fábio Coentrão, whose World Cup is over after a thigh injury. Meanwhile, the U.S. has injury problems of their own; Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, and Matt Besler all picked up injuries against Ghana, but Klinsmann is hopeful that all three will continue to play at this World Cup. The Americans will automatically advance to the Round of 16 if they beat Portugal and Ghana fails to beat Germany.

What surprises will we during the second group games? Has your pick to win the World Cup changed? Leave a comment below!

In case you missed it, Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes made an incredible throw from left field to home plate on Tuesday night to nail the Angels’ Howie Kendrick. What’s most impressive is seeing Cespedes recover from misfielding a line drive, and throw a rocket back to catcher Derek Norris, without any bounces in between. Los Angeles would ultimately have the last laugh that night, winning 2-1 in 14 innings.

Last night, Cespedes made another unbelievable throw, robbing Albert Pujols of a triple. The Athletics would win this contest 7-1. Check out the throw here, from MLB’s YouTube channel:

You’ll notice Cespedes misfielded the ball last night as well, and it makes you wonder if he will make a habit of baiting a batter or runner throughout the rest of the season. Oakland has tonight off, but will we see more highlights this weekend against the Yankees?

The 2014 FIFA World Cup begins tomorrow in Brazil, when the host nation takes on Croatia in São Paulo. This is not the first time Brazil has hosted the world’s biggest sporting event, but a lot has changed since 1950. There have been many stories about the teams and the conditions leading up to the tournament, and there will only be more things to talk about between now and the Final on July 13. Here are three of the unique storylines I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Is Brazil ready to host?

There are many reports that the conditions have been less than adequate, most recently about the state of the pitch that will be used in Manaus. Manaus isn’t the only host city with stadium issues; of the 12 venues, three were not ready by FIFA’s deadline at the end of 2013. There have also been protests over the use of money in preparation for the tournament, and in March FIFA announced there will be no speeches given at the opening ceremony. With all the concern about preparations for this year’s World Cup, it’s important to remember there were major fears about South Africa hosting in 2010, such as the government relocating the homeless away from stadiums. But South Africa received a lot of praise from critics for how it staged the tournament four years ago, and Brazil has an opportunity to earn equally high marks.

How will the United States fare?

Here’s how the Americans have finished in the last six Cups (in order from 1990-2010): Group Stage, Round of 16, Group Stage, Quarterfinals, Group Stage, Round of 16. Should that trend continue, the U.S. would exit this competition in group play. However, in those six previous finishes, all the group exits were at World Cups hosted in Europe; they advanced to the knockout round in the non-European tournaments. U.S. head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has stated multiple times that he doesn’t think his squad will win the Cup in 2014, and he’s received criticism for leaving Landon Donovan off the 23-man roster. The United States has a tough draw in Group G, facing Ghana, Portugal, and Germany. How the Americans perform in their first match on Monday will go a long way in determining how long they stay in Brazil.

Will the stars shine on the big stage?

The top players who will appear at this year’s World Cup include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney. In 2010, these three players combined for just one goal all tournament (Ronaldo vs. North Korea). Of the three, Messi advanced the furthest, as Argentina made the quarterfinals before losing to Germany. Rooney’s tournament is more remembered for his rant on English fans following the draw with Algeria, than for his actual play. This year’s World Cup will certainly give the sport’s biggest stars to add to their accomplishments, but will they take advantage of the opportunity?

When Spain won in 2010, they were largely led by David Villa, who scored five goals. When Italy won in 2006, only Marco Materazzi and Luca Toni scored more than once. The intriguing question is not just which country will win, but will they be led by a star forward or a balanced attack? Whoever wins, the next month will be full of amazing soccer action in Brazil.

Tonight is the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg in horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown. California Chrome has the opportunity to become the first horse to win the Crown since Affirmed in 1978, and the 12th horse overall.

Since Affirmed’s victories, 11 horses have won both of the first two legs, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but fell short in the Belmont. (In 2012, I’ll Have Another lost his shot at the Crown when an injury forced him to withdraw early.) California Chrome is eligible to compete in this year’s Belmont because of a ruling last month that will permit him to wear a nasal strip for tonight’s race.

The Belmont is the longest of the three Triple Crown races, measuring a mile and a half (compared to 1.25 miles for the Kentucky Derby, and 1.1875 miles for the Preakness). Chrome right now is embracing the publicity that comes with being a potential Triple Crown winner, but this will be the longest race of his career.

It’s also a big night for Chrome’s jockey Victor Espinoza, who is just 2-for-67 in races at Belmont Park. Espinoza rode War Emblem to victory in the Derby and Preakness in 2002, before falling short at the Belmont.

In the ESPN baseball documentary Four Days in October, one commentator says this about Game 7 of the ALCS between Boston and New York: “Perhaps this is the way ‘the Curse’ has to end…this final exorcism…coming back from (down three games to zero)”

Maybe this is the way the longest drought in Triple Crown history will end: a horse trying to become the 12th Crown winner, the 12th horse since Affirmed to compete in the Belmont after winning the first two legs, attempting to end a drought of 36 years (a factor of 12!) and enter racing immortality.

Tonight is bound to be historic, regardless of who wins. Will California Chrome complete the Crown, or will we have to wait until next year for a new contender? We’ll find out in just a few hours.

245 days ago, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers began their quest for one of the most prestigious trophies in professional sports: Lord Stanley’s Cup. Here’s how each team made it to the championship round.

Los Angeles Kings

Regular season: 46-26-8, 3rd in Pacific Division

Playoffs: Defeated San Jose, Anaheim, & Chicago

The Kings captured the Western Conference title by winning three Game 7s, all on the road. Their leading scorer this postseason is Marian Gaborik, who arrived in Los Angeles just three months ago at the trade deadline. Los Angeles will be seeking their second Stanley Cup in three years, and return many key components from that squad, including goaltender Jonathan Quick, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012 as playoff MVP. The Kings have had an up-and-down postseason so far in 2014, coming back from three games down to the Sharks, and almost throwing away a 3-1 series lead to the defending champion Blackhawks. But Alec Martinez’s game-winning overtime goal has the Kings back in the Final, looking for their second Stanley Cup triumph in franchise history.

New York Rangers

Regular season: 43-32-7, 2nd in Metropolitan Division

Playoffs: Defeated Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, & Montreal

New York has qualified for their first Final since winning the Stanley Cup in 1994. Their main on-ice performer in the postseason, Martin St. Louis, won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with Tampa Bay, and like Gaborik, switched teams at the trade deadline. The Rangers will play the first three games of this series without Daniel Carcillo, whose suspension was shortened enough that he will be eligible for Game 4. Like Los Angeles, New York has an experienced goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, who may not have a Stanley Cup, but won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Turin Olympics. The Rangers have also overcome adversity this postseason, erasing a 3-1 series deficit against Pittsburgh to win in seven games. They are seeking their fifth Stanley Cup in team history.

Fun Facts

-Los Angeles won three Game 7s on the road this postseason, but they would host Game 7 in the Cup Final.

-Kings head coach Darryl Sutter is 1-1 in Cup Finals (lost in 2004 with Calgary, won in 2012 with Los Angeles); Rangers coach Alain Vigneault is 0-1 (lost in 2011 with Vancouver).

-A Canadian team has not won the Stanley Cup in 21 years, since Montreal in 1993. The last team from Canada to make the Final was Vancouver in 2011.

Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup?

Two rounds are in the books at the Memorial Tournament, held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. 76 players made the cut, including defending champion Matt Kuchar, who is more than 10 shots behind the leader. Of the Top 5 Friday night, there are a couple familiar names, but could we see a surprise winner come Sunday? Here are those five players, with their current scores…

Martin Flores: -7 (137) through 36 holes

The Fort Worth native achieved a 3rd-place finish at the beginning of May in the Wells Fargo Championship, and has only made three bogeys this week at MVGC. He has already won more money in 2014 than he did all last year, and with two more solid rounds this weekend, could earn himself a first PGA Tour win.

Hideki Matsuyama: -7 (137)

Matsuyama was the only amateur to make the cut at the 2011 Masters, and turned pro last year. After beginning Friday tied for 21st, he was on a little roll on the front 9, getting birdies on holes 5, 6, and 8. Matsuyama’s career-best finish is 3rd, at the Frys.com Open last October.

Chris Kirk: -8 (136)

Like the two players ahead of him on the leaderboard, Kirk opened this year’s Memorial with a solid 66, and has been bogey-free on the front 9 so far. Kirk is coming off a pair of Top 15 finishes, at the Players and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He sits at 8th in the FedEx Cup standings, and won last November at the McGladrey Classic.

Bubba Watson: -9 (135)

This year’s Masters champion had a little trouble closing out Friday’s round, bogeying four times on the back nine. This is only Watson’s second tournament since the win at Augusta, and he can take pride in having eagled the par-5 15th both of his first two rounds. In addition to his two majors, Watson is also known for being one of “The Golf Boys” along with Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler, and Hunter Mahan.

Paul Casey: -12 (132)

Casey posted back-to-back rounds of 66 to take a three-shot lead into the weekend. Once ranked 3rd in the world, Casey has had a couple personal setbacks since then, but hasn’t shown signs of struggling this week at Muirfield Village. Casey’s only previous PGA Tour win was the 2009 Shell Houston Open, but like Watson, he has eagled twice in his first two rounds this week.

Will one of these five win this year’s Memorial? Will first-round leader Rory McIlroy recover from his second-round 78? Can Adam Scott go 2-for-2 as the top-ranked player in the world? All these narratives should lead to exciting golf in Central Ohio this weekend.

15 years ago today, Manchester United met Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final in Barcelona. The two sides had earlier met that season in the group stage, with both games finishing in draws. Bayern took an early lead in the Final from a Mario Basler free kick, with the German side striking the woodwork twice in the second half. With United about to give up hope, Teddy Sheringham tied the game in second-half stoppage time, and roughly 100 seconds later, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer directed a David Beckham corner into the net to give MUFC a famous 2-1 victory. The Red Devils became the first English club to win the prestigious Treble, having won the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season as well.

15 years later, the game still has a place in history for its dramatic finish. Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, who also officiated the 2002 World Cup Final, said it was the most memorable match he oversaw, partly because the noise from United supporters was comparable to a “lion’s roar” following Solskjaer’s winner. The club’s official television channel, MUTV, spent most of today airing old highlights from the Treble season.

Here’s a unique angle of the last three minutes from the Final, taken behind the goal (video uploaded on YouTube by SDJP):

It’s Sunday evening, and there have been a couple sports events worth following this Memorial weekend. Whether it’s been soccer, cricket, or auto racing, sports fans all over the world witnessed incredible finishes in the last 48 hours. Here are 5 memorable moments from this weekend…

SATURDAY

Championship Play-Off Final

The often-called “richest game in football” was certainly rich in drama, as Queens Park Rangers were on the back foot most of the game, had a player sent off, but pulled out a 1-0 win over Derby thanks to Bobby Zamora’s 90th-minute goal. QPR were relegated from the Premier League in 2013, so coming back after one season in the Championship is an accomplishment for Harry Redknapp and his crew.

UEFA Champions League Final

Atlético Madrid were two minutes away from their first ever European Cup triumph, as their defense was keeping fierce rivals Real Madrid scoreless before Sergio Ramos tied the game with a header past Thibaut Courtois. Once extra time began, it was all Los Blancos. Gareth Bale, Marcelo, & Cristiano Ronaldo each found the net to send Real to a 4-1 victory, their 10th title in the competition.

SUNDAY

League One Play-Off Final

Rotherham United had gone down 2-0 to Leyton Orient at half-time, but two goals in five minutes from Alex Revell (this was the game-tying goal), followed by a scoreless extra time, brought the teams to penalties. (Watch the shoot-out highlights here). Two late saves from Adam Collin saw the Millers earn promotion for a second straight season, this time into the Championship.

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians vs. Rajasthan Royals

In T20 cricket, scoring 190 runs off 120 deliveries is tough enough. After Rajasthan made 189, due to the tiebreaker rule, Mumbai had 87 deliveries to make 190 if they wanted to qualify for the playoffs. MI managed 189, meaning they had one more opportunity to hit a boundary, and Aditya Tare dispatched the ball for six. Defending IPL champions Mumbai, who started the season 0-5, have completed a remarkable turnaround and qualified for the playoffs. Watch the incredible finish here.

Indianapolis 500

“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was absolutely a spectacle to watch, especially in the final laps. It came down to Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves, the latter looking for his record-tying 4th win. But after nearly turning into the grass, Hunter-Reay regained the lead for good on Lap 199 and held off Castroneves, becoming the 1st American winner since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006.

What’s on tap for Monday? The League Two Play-Off Final, NCAA Men’s Division I Lacrosse National Championship Game, the NHL Conference Finals, among other events. Will we see more dramatic finishes on Memorial Day?