Continuation: A Little Copa, Bad Chile, and a step-up for Nugent

Brazil 2, Uruguay 2
BRA wins 5-4 on penalties
Copa America Semifinal

The Brazilians opened up two leads but were equalized both times by the hardworking Uruguayans. Despite a 15 minute stoppage in the early goings of the match (due to a blackout of sorts), the game was entertaining but neither team showed much promise in getting by the winner of the other semifinal featuring Mexico and Argentina (which starts tonight on GolTV at 8:30pm). It was nice to see Heerenveen's Afonso Alves get some time as he came in for the last 20 minutes, even if his presence wasn't of "world-class" caliber (then again, it was only 20 minutes).

Goalscorers:
BRA: Maicon (12), Julio Baptista (53)
URU: Forlan (48), Abreu (70)

Chile in Rare Form

- As if the Mexico vs. Argentina semi-final match-up tonight wasn't going to be exciting enough, word from the Chilean camp is that head coach Nelson Acosta resigned mainly due to his responsibility in allowing six Chilean players to drink their asses off after securing their passage into the Copa knockout round. Those six players were captain Jorge Valdivia, Reinaldo Navia (MLS target at one point), Jorge Vargas, Rodrigo Tello, Alvaro Ormeno, and Pablo Contreras. The sad part is the majority of these guys are hard-worked veterans, not people you would expect to get drunk, destroy furniture in their respective rooms and the hotel lobby, as well as insult other hotel guests.

Their punishment? The Chilean FA banned all six for 20 games! As most outlets are reporting, that would put them out for the entire CONMEBOL World Cup qualification process, with two games still to go. Should have suspended them before the Brazil quarterfinal match-up, it probably wouldn't have made the scoreline (6-1 loss) any worse).

More transfer news!!!

Harry Redknapp jumpstarted his summer transfer set-up with the unveiling of coveted Preston North End striker Dave Nugent and big Nigerian and Rennes forward John Utaka. Both are great signings and although Nugent has not been "battle-tested" at the highest level, with the presence of Lua-Lua, Utaka, and other Pompey strikers - the kid will be broken in and not thrown into the fray right away.

Andres Guardado has not wound up in the Dutch Eredivisie after all. Instead, the Mexican starlet will ply his trade for Deportivo la Coruna in the Spanish La Liga. PSV would have given him the chance to hone his skills while having a big impact on the league, whereas the Spanish Primera Division could provide the healthiest of futures but only if Guardado doesn't get lost in the crowd of high profile starlets that sometimes saturate the Spanish leagues. Let's keep track of this guy because between himself, Carlos Vela, Omar Esparza, and Giovanni Dos Santos, they possess the key to screwing up American winning streak over the Tricolores.

Ever so slowly, Liverpool moves closer and closer to finalizing the signings of promising Dutch/Ajax young'un Ryan Babel and West Ham's midfield workhorse Yossi Benayoun. The deals should be announced within the next couple days.