"I'm the first person who wants to do well with my national team and perform like I do with Barcelona," said Lionel Messi. (AP Photo / Ricardo Mazalan)
Standing next to his goalkeeper during Thursday's national anthem, Lionel Messi, 22, looked more like the team's ball boy than Argentina's - and the world's - best player. But that's how Messi always looks - until his speed and ballhandling reveal him as a sort of football genius.
The United States' World Cup chances pivot - ready to turn one way or another - with Friday's game against Slovenia. It's an unusual position for U.S. Soccer, which is rarely a favorite in a World Cup match, let alone a favorite to advance out of group play.
Playing on a national holiday, Bafana Bafana fell to Uruguay, despite a million voices behind them. And the loss wasn't just a loss; it was a country-wide kick in the gut. It was a 3-0 embarrassment.
Kickin' It: In the first half of Saturday's 1-1 tie against England, U.S. goalie Tim Howard absorbed a collision with England's Emile Heskey. The collision, Howard said afterwards, was "agony." Now there are questions about whether Howard will be able to play in the U.S.' next game.
The Goalkeeper: Join Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald for a live chat during all three of today's big games at the World Cup. First up is Germany vs. Serbia, with the United States' showdown against Slovenia coming later this morning. Then it's England vs. Algeria this afternoon.
IS WATCHING REPLAYS OF POLANCO'S CATCH
Is Lionel Messi the best player in the world?
