Americans Step Up Against Australians in Soccer Game

World Cup 2010 USA vs AustraliaThe United States World Cup team played its final tune-up game a week before they are set to face England. That match will definitely test the entire team’s talent and skill.

The Americans were ahead by two goals when the referee blew the final whistle. 3-1 was the verdict in favor of the US. Edson Buddle gave the team two goals and the third one was scored by Herculez Gomez.

The team played spectacularly well even if some starters didn’t play. One was Jozy Altidore who suffered a mild ankle sprain. He is the team’s forward and will need to rest a lot if he wants to save the game from the likes of Rooney and Ferdinand.

Another who did not start is Oguchi Onyewu, one of the defenders. His last full 90 minute game had been the one against Honduras which the US defeated to secure their place in the 2010 South Africa World Cup. This being said, the staff are hoping he has not gone rusty and can still perform well against a high caliber team like England.

His absence is due to a knee surgery he underwent to repair a split tendon in October. His playing ability has not yet been fully proven though he has performed satisfactorily in the last 30 minutes of the match against Australia.

In terms of defense, the American team seemed to be sturdier than in their last two games, the loss to the Czechoslovakian team and the win over the Turks. Tim Howard, a veteran goalkeeper who has played in elite clubs in England was satisfied with the team as well.

Obama Reschedules Trip to Asia

Barack Obama Asian Trip RescheduledWhite House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has announced last Thursday that President Barack Obama’s trip to Australia and Indonesia will have to be rescheduled. He did not mention any specific reason for the postponement.

Some sources say the postponement is due to the president’s focus on cleaning up the oil spill. It is estimated that up to 798,000 gallons of oil are still endangering our seas.

This is actually the third time his trip to Asia has been rescheduled. Previously, Obama had to do the same twice because of his need to remain in Washington. At that time in March, the House was voting on the health care bill.

Obama expressed his regret in postponing the trip yet again. He delighted in the new plan though to meet with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when they are in Canada instead. They will be going to Toronto to attend the G-20 summit later this month.

Both parties fully understand the situation Obama is in. The spokesperson of the Indonesian president said “President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono fully understands the need for President Obama to remain in the United States and deal with the worst environmental disaster in the country’s history.”

The Gulf Coast oil spill is one of the largest and most devastating to date. Half a million gallons of crude oil are spilling everyday from that undersea well. As of now, around 40 million gallons of oil have drifted into the Gulf since the disaster on April 20.

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