Carlos Rivera was snatched away in a moment of shocking violence, but his familya s priest urged people Wednesday not to let that moment overshadow the life that came before.

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper departs upon his first official visit to Latin America this weekend, he will likely make a better impression than did Pierre Trudeau on his own visit to South America.

Freddy Adu wandered for a few paces with his hands behind his head. Then he collapsed onto the soaking-wet turf and looked skyward, joining several of his American teammates in agony and exhaustion as a collection of underdogs danced nearby.

In that vast concrete toilet bowl we call the Big Owe, there must have been some Congo fans last night.

Erwin Hoffer began the game buried on the Austrian bench, but he made it on to the pitch just in time.

It ended like it was supposed to end last night, with Freddy Adu smiling and a group of young Americans celebrating.

Anyone showing up to watch Zambia take on Nigeria tonight at Frank Clair Stadium might be forgiven for wondering if the Zambians had sent out the wrong team.

The Gambian players made their calls back home after a stunning defeat of Portugal and heard news of the festival-like atmosphere they had stirred.