Sports Thread #1 For 2/24/10: US Survive A Dangerous Trap Game; Mourinho, Inter Win Battle 1 Over Chelsea

Photo from Getty Images' Bruce Bennett

It was a tight and tenuous affair, and it could have easily been a disappointing defeat off the highs of Sunday. But Ryan Parsie, Ryan Miller, and Erik Johnson made sure that their team did not suffer such a fate.

The US team advanced to the semifinal round by beating the disclipine and rugged Swiss side 2-0 in a contest that could have swung the other way. Despite the US having more than double the shots on goal, the brilliant goaltending of the Anaheim Ducks' Jonas Hiller stifled the Red, White, and Blue until Parise scored what turned out to be the game winning goal just as the final period started.

After the Swiss looked to have equalized later on in the 3rd, Parise added the crucial additional goal with 12 seconds left in the contest thanks to an empty net.

The U.S. will await the winner of the Czech Republic and Finland in one semifinal on Friday.

But all attention has now shifted to the massive final held sadly tonight, as Canada and Russia resume their amazing rivalry tonight. Remember, the Russians eliminated the Canadians four years ago at this stage in Torino, and the bitterness of this rivalry is further enhanced by the Crosby-Ovechin hatred for each other.

Should be captivating stuff.

Speaking of captivating encounters, Jose Mourinho faced most of his former players tonight, as Inter Milan took a 2-1 advantage over Chelsea in their Champions League first league contest. Diego Milito shook the struggling John Terry out of his boots to opening the scoring just three minutes in before Salomon Kalou equalized in the 51st minute off of uncharacteristic bad goalkeeper from Julio Cesar.

But Esteban Cambiasso gave Inter into what will be an emotional return to Stafford Bridge for Mourinho with his impressive 55th minute volleyback.

In the other contest, Sevilla takes the edge back to Spain after a 1-1 tie at CSKA Moscow. Alvardo Negredo 25th minute finish brought nervous ennui throughout the Luzhniki Stadium for the entire match, even after Chilean pace merchant Mark Gonzalez equalized with the goal of a day in the 66th minute to give the home side hope in the return leg three weeks from now.

This man is the prankster of our times:


And it was a historic day in the cricket world, as Indian sensation Sachin Tendulkar sets a record .

Your first sports thread.