Remember that time Costa Rica made it deeper in the World Cup than any other CONCACAF team? Well, a CONCACAF underdog is at it again at a major tournament. Mexico is out, Honduras isn't, and now it's up to them. Mexico finished third in Group C, ending their chances at a second consecutive gold medal in the Men's Olympic soccer tournament.
El Tri looked strong in the early going, drawing 2-2 with group favorites Germany. They had no trouble against group lightweight Fiji, beating them 5-0. It would turn out that Mexico ended up scoring the least amount of goals against Fiji, in retrospect an indication. South Korea put eight past them in their opener, drawing 3-3 with Germany in their next game. Germany beat Fiji 10-0. South Korea shutout Mexico 1-0 and it was South Korea and Germany advancing.
Meanwhile, in group D it was Honduras beating Algeria, losing to group winners Portugal, and then drawing 1-1 with Argentina. Honduras and Argentina finished tied on points with Honduras advancing on the tiebreaker. They now face South Korea in the quarterfinals.
It's no knock against Honduras to see South Korea as the favorite. They pulled off the bigger shock in the group stage by winning it. Now, they stand in the way of CONCACAF potentially pulling off the Olympic double.
The US Women might have drawn with Colombia in their final group stage, but they're the strongest team in the women's tournament. They've got Sweden in the quarterfinals on August 12. The winner advances to play the winner of Brazil vs Argentina. They're not the only CONCACAF team with Canada perhaps pulling off the biggest shock in either of the tournaments by advancing. They play France in the quarterfinals.
Plenty of takes on what's happening with Brazil in the Olympic soccer tournaments. The men's side advanced to the quarterfinals to play Colombia, but it wasn't easy. The women also advanced to the quarterfinals, with The NY Times' Michael Powell seeing growing respect for the women's National Team. The Wall St Journal's Joshua Robinson on Brazil's issues competing in soccer tournaments. The NY Post's Brian Lewis compares Brazil's soccer problems with the country's bigger issues.
Chicago Now's Guillermo Rivera looks at the issues facing the Chicago Fire including their stadium situation and outside interest in the MLS club.
In The Guardian, Xavi Hernandez explains the importance of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The Independent's Samuel Stevens talks to former England manager Glenn Hoddle about the upcoming Premier League season. The Mirror's Adrian Kajumba on the likelihood of another outsider turning into a contender in this season's Premier League. ESPN FC's Ben Pearce has Spurs figuring out how to win in Europe and England. FC Business has a report advocating for safe standing sections in Premier League stadiums.
It's been a very difficult time but all the hard work was worth it for this moment! Great to be back on the pitch! pic.twitter.com/8UB5VbaHvH
— Aron Jóhannsson (@aronjo20) August 10, 2016
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