With all the excitement of the World Cup, we neglected a couple of things, a big one being our own domestic league, Major League Soccer. To wit MLS is back, and so is the Big 5. By Peter Nolan

Both of Sunday's games ended in dramatic fashion, with CONCACAF taking center stage. For Mexico, it was a late surge by the Netherlands. By Peter Nolan

Heartbreak has been the order of the day for the non-traditional soccer powers in the Round of 16 here in Brazil. Chile, Mexico and, Nigeria earlier today against France. By Peter Nolan

Argentina beat Switzerland Tuesday in Sao Paulo, but that result was far from guaranteed as the end of the second half of extra time approached. Penalty kicks seemed inevitability. By Peter Nolan