World Cup Matchday: USA-Nigeria

Well, they say there will be a match tonight. Thanks to Typhoon Wipha, it is already very dark at 3:30 p.m. local time with rain pelting the city and flooding streets. I don't see how they are going to play in this mess, but FIFA must figure there is a better chance of getting the game in tonight than tomorrow, when the storm makes landfall. Already, FIFA has moved the Norway-Ghana game, scheduled for here in Shanghai on Wednesday, to Hangzhou on Thursday as part of a doubleheader with Brazil-Denmark.

Fortunately, things are looking up (sigh):

"This is the first time in 10 years that the eye of the storm will probably make landfall in Shanghai," said Ding Ruoyang, a meteorologist at the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau. Up to 200 millimetres (8 inches) of rain is expected to pelt the city, while winds could gust above 102 kilometres (63 miles) an hour, prompting officials to begin evacuation procedures for 200,000 people.

Of course, 200,000 only accounts for 1/80th of the population.

I will keep you updated.....

5:30 p.m.: The rain has eased a bit -- an encouraging sign.

Wonderful 35,000-seat stadium, on a main street on the north side of the city, subway stop across the street, stands are partially covered. Most importantly, a great noodle place just outside the west gate.

7 p.m.: The heavy stuff has returned. The field was not in good shape to begin with, and this day-long downpour is going to make it a miserable mess. Word is, the surface will be replaced in time for the championship game in 12 days.

Here's your USA lineup.....same personnel as Game 1.....

Solo; Rampone, Whitehill, Markgraf, Lopez; Chalupny, Boxx, Lloyd; O'Reilly, Wambach, Lilly.

Please share your thoughts before, during and after the match.