International Recap: Tune-Ups and Tidbits

I've fallen behind on the international round-ups, so here's some abbreviated updates on the last three days.  Click on the scores for video highlights (or, in the case of the Chile match, a match report):

Netherlands 2, Mexico 1: Robin van Persie scored a couple of pretty goals, as Mexico once again had some issues at the back in their second consecutive friendly loss.

France 2, Costa Rica 1: The Ticos took a surprising early lead with an 11th minute goal from Carlos Hernandez, but their lead was wiped away just 10 minutes later.  The game stayed level until the 83rd minute, when Les Bleus added a second to secure the win.

Uruguay 4, Israel 1: Uruguay may have just eked out a World Cup berth after a tough qualification run, but things went very smoothly on Wednesday as they cruised past Israel in Montevideo.

Chile 3, Zambia 0: Chile rode three second half goals to a comfortable victory over the surprise quarterfinalists from January's Africa Cup of Nations. 

South Africa 2, Colombia 1: All of the goals in this match were scored from the penalty spot, as Bafana Bafana earned another good result ahead of their Group A opener against Mexico.  Also worth noting is that Colombia was robbed by hotel workers during their stay in Johannesburg. 

Denmark 2, Senegal 0: The Danes held a 1-0 lead for most of the match before doubling their lead in second half stoppage time.

Honduras 2, Belarus 2: Los Catrachos managed a draw against Belarus yesterday thanks to a 71st minute header from Georgie Welcome that leveled the score at 2-2.  Welcome, as you may remember, was the player chosen to replace Carlo Costly on the Honduras roster after Costly fractured his foot during club play. 

Ireland 3, Algeria 0: Algeria's World Cup preparations got off on the wrong foot this afternoon with a loss to Ireland.  They controlled possession but had difficulty finding the target, as just two of 13 shots were on frame.  Robbie Keane's second half brace secured the comfortable win for the Irish, who also defeated Paraguay earlier in the week. 

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Some other tidbits:

France was chosen to host Euro 2016, beating out Turkey and Italy in the process.  Click here to see the cities and stadiums included in the bid.

The USMNT has already lined up its first post-World Cup opponent, as they will take on Brazil at the new Meadowlands Stadium on August 10th.  The date is the first of two FIFA match days for friendlies following the World Cup, so all players will be available for selection.  (For those curious, the second post-World Cup FIFA match day for friendlies of 2010 is on November 17.)

Last, but not least, Bob Bradley has stated that he will field his starting lineup against Turkey tomorrow in Philadelphia after resting a number of key players against the Czech Republic.  Approximately 50,000 tickets have been sold for the match, so expect a great atmosphere at the Linc.  Yours truly will be in attendance to cheer on the Yanks in their final match before heading off to South Africa.

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