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General Discussion => Beer and Queso => Topic started by: Limey on June 22, 2010, 06:09:49 pm
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Group C - 9:00am CDT
This is definitely a 2 TV day! Sputtering England and Goalie-Giveth-but-Ref-Taketh-Away USA are trying to beat out plucky Slovenia and annoying Algeria for the 2 spots in the next round. All can still qualify for the Round of 16.
England play Slovenia, and it's win-and-in for either. Slovenia are guaranteed to move on with a draw, and can still get through with a loss as long as Algeria beats or ties the US team. If England draw, it needs to be a high-scoring affair to overtake the USA's +2 in the goals scored column and they need the other game to be a draw, preferably of the 0-0 variety. Essentially, it's win or go home for the group's seeded team.
USA takes on an Algerian side that has shown it can be quite organised in defense, but has yet to score a goal. Algeria will progress with a win, regardless of what happens in the other game (although certain bizarre and unlikely score permutations may trip them up). USA is also guaranteed to move forward with a win, and can also move on with a draw as long as England has a low-scoring draw or loses.
So here we are. Perhaps the purest group in the tournament. Every team is win-and-in, lose-and-go-home! Wear your asbestos undercrackers, because there should be some fireworks this morning.
Game to watch: Both.
Group D - 1:30pm CDT
While Australia still has a mathematical possibility to come second in this group, their inability to keep 11 players on the field, and the 4-0 tonking they got from Germany, makes a knockout berth a virtual impossibility. That leaves Ghana, group leader on 4 points, playing Germany (3 points), both being chased down by Serbia who earned their 3 points with a shock win over Germany.
Neither Ghana or Germany will be comfortable playing each other while Serbia has a relative lay-up against the Aussies. Either moves on with a win, while a draw favours Serbia who could leapfrog 'em both, putting Germany out. Either could lose and stay in, if Serbia loses to Australia, but a German loss and a Serbian draw puts Germany out. Ghana go if they lose and Serbia wins, but likely survive if Serbia draws.
Serbia are chasing the top two but have the easier game...on paper. The Aussies have never been credited with an abundance of smarts, but they do hate to lose. They could put up an almighty fight, ending in a glorious fuck you to the Serbs, or ignominious defeat as they finish the game with only 8 men. Unless the Serbs trip over their dicks - and how could they - this game should be a given.
Game to watch: Ghana vs. Germany.
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Is there a clear winner in this group (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/worldcup2010/galleries/the_hottest_wags_of_the_2010_world_cup/the_hottest_wags_of_the_2010_world_cup.html)?
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So if Algeria and Slovenia both win, you uh, wanna share a cab?
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Algeria does not progress with an England win, right? They and Slovenia would each have 4, and Slovenia holds the head-to-head?
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Algeria does not progress with an England win, right? They and Slovenia would each have 4, and Slovenia holds the head-to-head?
Algeria and Slovenia would be tied on 4 points and if the matches are decided 1-0, you are correct. If it's not that neat, then other tie-breakers would kick in before the head-to-head.
Of course, all this assumes an England win...
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Of course, all this assumes an England win...
Which I think is a safe bet. I mean, they came in heavy favorites against USA and easily took care of business.
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Which I think is a safe bet. I mean, they came in heavy favorites against USA and easily took care of business.
No need to kick a man while he's down.
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As kick off approaches, I find that my faith is being renewed. Faith, of the blind variety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOgiFbv8CI&feature=player_embedded).
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As kick off approaches, I find that my faith is being renewed. Faith, of the blind variety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOgiFbv8CI&feature=player_embedded).
How long have you been drinking this morning?
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10 of 11 Americans know which hand is their right hand.
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If both games tie, what happens?
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Anybody having a tough time logging into ESPN3.com to watch the game?
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no problem here, knocking on wood
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Anybody having a tough time logging into ESPN3.com to watch the game?
Nope. Both games on in two windows.
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Well shit.
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US fucked again.
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GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL England.
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Offsides is a stupid fucking rule when it comes down to inches.
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Offsides is a stupid fucking rule when it comes down to inches.
It's a stupid fucking rule, period. Why is the offense penalized for the defense sucking?
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This webpage is not available.
The webpage at https://broadband.espn.go.com/opensso/saml2/jsp/spSSOInit.jsp?metaAlias=/sp2&idpEntityID=https://login2prodx.att.net/FIM/sps/ATT-ESPN/saml20&binding=HTTP-POST&reqBinding=urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:bindings:HTTP-POST&NameIDFormat=urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:nameid-format:transient&RelayState=http%3A%2F%2Fespn.go.com%2Fespn3%2Findex%3Fid%3d0 might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new web address.
I'm happy about this.
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This webpage is not available.
The webpage at https://broadband.espn.go.com/opensso/saml2/jsp/spSSOInit.jsp?metaAlias=/sp2&idpEntityID=https://login2prodx.att.net/FIM/sps/ATT-ESPN/saml20&binding=HTTP-POST&reqBinding=urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:bindings:HTTP-POST&NameIDFormat=urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:nameid-format:transient&RelayState=http%3A%2F%2Fespn.go.com%2Fespn3%2Findex%3Fid%3d0 might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new web address.
I'm happy about this.
What is that link? This is the one I'm using: http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=6375&league=FIFA
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What is that link? This is the one I'm using: http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=6375&league=FIFA
It's what I get when I click the link on ESPN3.com and have to log into att to access it. Watching on Univision online right now. Anybody know spanish?
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Works now. Thx Ty. Don't know what I was doing wrong.
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Works now. Thx Ty. Don't know what I was doing wrong.
Using an 8 year old link?
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Using an 8 year old link?
Apparently using an 8-year-old brain.
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What is that link? This is the one I'm using: http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=6375&league=FIFA
My firm doesn't use an approved internet provider. Argh.
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sucks for you.
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My firm doesn't use an approved internet provider. Argh.
I just used my home login and it worked.
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I didn't have to log-in.
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sucks for you.
Nah. I'm just going to head next door to the bar for the second half.
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I didn't have to log-in.
Today was the first day in 2 weeks I had to.
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I just wanted to go on record before these scores hold and someone gets the wrong idea about me.
If these scores hold and the USA comes home thanks 100% to FIFA officials (ok, 99%; they still could have scored other goals and didn't), they got fucked. Hard core. Double time. No vaseline. Going back to what Limey was saying yesterday...if that's the case, and USA gets assfucked out of this World Cup, that's motivation enough for me to root for us next time. If I did my job as poorly as the FIFA officials, I'd be living under a bridge.
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In fact, fuck "next time."
Go. U. S. A.
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In fact, fuck "next time."
Go. U. S. A.
welcome aboard, kemo sabe.
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ugh
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welcome aboard, kemo sabe.
Hating for hating's sake is one thing. Watching and endorsing the slapdickery that has been the officiating in the US games just because FIFA sees the US as a security nuisance is horseshit. If you fuckos can't stand the heat of putting on a major world-wide tournament, then don't. Don't exclude certain countries with clearly fake calls just because you don't want to have to do your fucking jobs.
If there's one fucking thing I can't stand, it's laziness.
Fuck FIFA. Go USA.
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Hating for hating's sake is one thing. Watching and endorsing the slapdickery that has been the officiating in the US games just because FIFA sees the US as a security nuisance is horseshit. If you fuckos can't stand the heat of putting on a major world-wide tournament, then don't. Don't exclude certain countries with clearly fake calls just because you don't want to have to do your fucking jobs.
If there's one fucking thing I can't stand, it's laziness.
Fuck FIFA. Go USA.
Don't take this the wrong way, but that was an impressive 180. From "I don't give a shit" to full on conspiracy theory. I'm in awe. For what it's worth, I find myself actually following this World Cup. Previously, the closest I've come to paying attention to soccer is u4-u6 soccer games. Those games are hysterical to watch, plus it's my kids, so it's easy to enjoy.
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Don't take this the wrong way, but that was an impressive 180. From "I don't give a shit" to full on conspiracy theory. I'm in awe. For what it's worth, I find myself actually following this World Cup. Previously, the closest I've come to paying attention to soccer is u4-u6 soccer games. Those games are hysterical to watch, plus it's my kids, so it's easy to enjoy.
It's no theory and isn't news. Before the World Cup, I read that FIFA and South Africa asked Obama not to come to the World Cup because it was a security nightmare. It's clear that the powers that be down there don't have the technology or manpower to deal with the POSSIBILITY of what would happen if the USA sticks around. We're a large, sitting target and FIFA sees us as a nuisance that no one would miss. This isn't theory, this is fact and frankly, if I was FIFA, I'd feel the same way.
But if they're going to just let their officials fuck the USA out of clearly good goals, without any responsibility or punishment, then fuck that. You let us in, you get what you deserve. Do your jobs, you lazy fucks.
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Do your jobs, you lazy fucks.
Every American watching the game right now disagrees with you.
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Every American watching the game right now disagrees with you.
Americans think the FIFA officials are doing a good job? That's news to me.
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I think he means those of us at work watching.
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Americans think the FIFA officials are doing a good job? That's news to me.
Americans watching the game right now aren't doing their jobs right now. That's all.
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Americans watching the game right now aren't doing their jobs right now. That's all.
I gotcha. Sorry.
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Could this tournament be more rigged?
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Could this tournament be more rigged?
ask the Irish...
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This is annoying.
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ask the Irish...
Right, exactly.
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what the fuck?
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
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WOOOOHOOOOOOO!
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Ok, THAT kicked ass.
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FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!
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Follow the shot boys, well done!
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yes!!!
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YESSS!!!!
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That was fucking awesome! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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by far the most excited i've ever been watching soccer
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Two quotes from the Guardian chat:
"I have been watching the the USMNT for the better part of 20 years and it is always the same, in any big game where they need a result or where they are the favorites they play with both hands placed firmly around their necks," bawls Brian Goldych. "American soccer players are just mentally weak."
Altidore hares to the by-line. He could pull it back to Dempsey in the middle ... but instead plays it behind him, allowing Algeria to clear. "They just don't have the footballing intelligence," concludes Martin Keown on the BBC.
I don't know who those guys are but I hope they feel stupid.
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I'm very happy now!!!!!!!!
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what a finish!
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by far the most excited i've ever been watching soccer
Me too. I just scared an awful lot of Chinese garment workers.
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Congrats to Limey, too.
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I screamed, it was awesome. Glad the only other person in the suite was watching the game also. Unfortunately for him, my feed was about 3 seconds faster than his.
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Walking around my office trying to trade shirts with my coworkers. No takers yet.
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Woohoo Yeah!!! America Fuck Yeah!!
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USA!
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It's no theory and isn't news. Before the World Cup, I read that FIFA and South Africa asked Obama not to come to the World Cup because it was a security nightmare. It's clear that the powers that be down there don't have the technology or manpower to deal with the POSSIBILITY of what would happen if the USA sticks around. We're a large, sitting target and FIFA sees us as a nuisance that no one would miss. This isn't theory, this is fact and frankly, if I was FIFA, I'd feel the same way.
Wait a second, this sounds a lot more like FACT! than fact.
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I screamed, it was awesome. Glad the only other person in the suite was watching the game also. Unfortunately for him, my feed was about 3 seconds faster than his.
I hugged a lawyer. It was... weird.
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I hugged a lawyer. It was... weird.
did he reach around?
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did he reach around?
I believe we refer to that as professional courtesy.
So, in order to avoid Germany next game, the US needs either (1) Germany to beat Ghana or (2) Ghana to beat Germany or (3) Germany ties Ghana AND Serbia to beat Australia.
That can't be right. Right?
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If Germany wins and Australia wins or ties, wouldn't Germany be #1 out of group D? Then they could play England.
But you have to beat the best to be the best.
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If Germany wins and Australia wins or ties, wouldn't Germany be #1 out of group D? Then they could play England.
But you have to beat the best to be the best.
If Germany wins they're almost certainly #1 in the group. If they lose, they won't go through so who cares.
Basically, it’s Germany-England unless Germany loses or if Germany and Ghana draw AND Australia beats Serbia.
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Just got back from watching at Sawyer Park.
I will echo the "most excited I've ever been watching soccer" sentiment, and go so far as to say that it now exceeds any game-watching experience I've had outside Astros baseball or Longhorn football.
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Me too. I just scared an awful lot of Chinese garment workers.
Racist.
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Two quotes from the Guardian chat:
"I have been watching the the USMNT for the better part of 20 years and it is always the same, in any big game where they need a result or where they are the favorites they play with both hands placed firmly around their necks," bawls Brian Goldych. "American soccer players are just mentally weak."
Altidore hares to the by-line. He could pull it back to Dempsey in the middle ... but instead plays it behind him, allowing Algeria to clear. "They just don't have the footballing intelligence," concludes Martin Keown on the BBC.
I don't know who those guys are but I hope they feel stupid.
That was an emotional roller coaster ride for the the invested ones like me (I am an unabashed fan of the USA futbol club). One thing that I kept screaming at the tv was how awful Torres and Buddle were at finishing what was excellent attacks set up for them by Bradley, Altidore, Dempsey and Donovan. I am now an official Bradley fan, he just plays with an air about him that he knows exactly what he's going to do to setup the attack on goal. It is a pleasure watching Bradley and Donovan do their work. But man oh man, can at least somebody other than Dempsey please finish an attack and keep me from screaming!?!?
When Donovan finished the attack in stoppage time, my first reaction was to scream "THAT'S HOW YOU FINISH A PLAY!!!" Oh, and by the way, Howard may not have been tested much, but he played a huge part in the attack for the winning goal. It was his brilliant clearance (instead of just kicking the ball down field and hoping someone runs on to the ball) that made the whole attack work. Algeria committed too many people to the goal try prior and Howard must have sensed that if he cleared the ball to right before midfield to Donovan, it could lead to a really good attack.
It did and finally someone finished the play! Howard, Donovan, Bradley, Altidore, Dempsey all showed an immense amount of futbol intelligence on that play. In years past, the goalie on the USA side would have punted and hoped someone would run on... a very silly way to attack on goal. That moment defined how to play futbol brilliantly even when you're facing the last minutes of play and you need to secure a win. Those pundits at the BBC have nothing to say bad about how well that attack played out and especially the excellent finish.
*Phew* I need a beer to celebrate!
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I can't believe the officials couldn't figure out a way to disallow the winning goal.
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I can't believe the officials couldn't figure out a way to disallow the winning goal.
Funny you should mention it. I half expected a side judge to raise his flag and say that a foul was committed on the goalie by Dempsey. But the ball was not in his arms secure, so it was a free ball and Dempsey had every right to go for the ball. That's what he did... he went directly at the ball and not the player and that allowed Donovan to run on to the ball as it lay there waiting for him. The goalie flinched a little because he was more worried about Dempsey than Donovan.
Tough, hard play, but fair.
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If'n you've got stars 'n stripes fever, here's some medicine (http://www.spikesnstars.com/2010/06/23/castrooooooooooooooooooooooooooo/). Skip the stupid words, and just head straight to the videos. Play each three times or so, then run through the nearest wall.
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Sure enough; this is how it works.
Now I'm chatting with a baseball/football/basketball friend of mine about the USA game and where he's going to watch the next round.
ETA: I just realized I'm significantly more interested right now in soccer and tennis than baseball. Thanks, Gerry.
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You know, I don't watch much soccer in general, but Ian Darke, the PBP guy in the game today, I'd love to hear him calling some sports I do watch regularly. He is an absolute pleasure to listen to.
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You know, I don't watch much soccer in general, but Ian Darke, the PBP guy in the game today, I'd love to hear him calling some sports I do watch regularly. He is an absolute pleasure to listen to.
I'm glad someone else said this. He's fucking great.
The American who does color.....is not.
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I'm glad someone else said this. He's fucking great.
I agree too. I like how he gets on the officials right away for their shit calls.
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I'm glad someone else said this. He's fucking great.
The American who does color.....is not.
Give me the Scottish color guy anyday. He is hilarious. Between soccer slang and that accent, I can't understand him half the time, but it still makes me laugh.
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Give me the Scottish color guy anyday. He is hilarious. Between soccer slang and that accent, I can't understand him half the time, but it still makes me laugh.
Yes. Totally agree with all points.
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I think the American is former US Midfielder John Harkes. I'm still breathless an hour later. Unfreakingbelievable. AMERICA, F*** YEAH!!!
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Yes. Totally agree with all points.
Also, Bob Ley's hair scares the shit out of me.
And Alexi Lalas just scares me in general. He just doesn't belong on TV.
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Apparently Ian calls the big boxing matches in UK.
Great, and I have to listen to Jim and The World's Oldest Man in the States. What, HBO can't fly someone in from Britain?
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And Alexi Lalas just scares me in general. He just doesn't belong on TV.
I don't care how great a player Lalas was, he's a tool on television.
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Separated at birth with Nate from Six Feet Under.
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I'm glad someone else said this. He's fucking great.
The American who does color.....is not.
Check his brilliant commentary on the replay of Donavan's goal. "Here's the ball..."
(30 seconds of silence)
(PBP bails him out)
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Check his brilliant commentary on the replay of Donavan's goal. "Here's the ball..."
(30 seconds of silence)
(PBP bails him out)
Oh yes. I caught it the first time and then again on the replay. He's really genuinely awful. He has neither the voice nor the insight to do this job. He's bad for any sport.
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Oh yes. I caught it the first time and then again on the replay. He's really genuinely awful. He has neither the voice nor the insight to do this job. He's bad for any sport.
I actually thought it was Mary Carillo.
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Oh yes. I caught it the first time and then again on the replay. He's really genuinely awful. He has neither the voice nor the insight to do this job. He's bad for any sport.
If you listen closely, Harkes goes in and out of a weak British accent when he speaks. He is ridiculous.
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Offsides is a stupid fucking rule when it comes down to inches.
Not unlike a side judge eyeballing where the football ends up at the point the ball carriers knee hits the dirt, spotting a different ball that he's carrying, and then using chains to make an exact determination.
The linesman blew the call - it was an understandable mistake given the play.
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Not unlike a side judge eyeballing where the football ends up at the point the ball carriers knee hits the dirt, spotting a different ball that he's carrying, and then using chains to make an exact determination.
The linesman blew the call - it was an understandable mistake given the play.
The rule is the problem, not the call.
ETA: The call was a problem too, but I agree that it's an understandable mistake.
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I can't believe the officials couldn't figure out a way to disallow the winning goal.
Dempsey was offside, lying prostrate over the goal line. Tough to say that he was "active" though. If you were playing Germany...flag.
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Dempsey was offside, lying prostrate over the goal line. Tough to say that he was "active" though. If you were playing Germany...flag.
"you?"
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I'm glad someone else said this. He's fucking great.
The American who does color.....is not.
John Harkes. I now understand why he was so crap as a player - he has no clue about what's going on in the game.
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I don't care how great a player Lalas was, he's a tool on television.
He was shit as a player.
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I'm curious, have those flaming the offsides rule in soccer ever actually played the sport competitively? I haven't gotten the impression that players and coaches think the rule is silly.
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"you?"
We lose to them on penalties. US got fucked in 2002 (IIRC), when a German defender extended his elbow - while standing on the goaline - to block a shot. The referee ruled it accidental, instead of penalty + red card as the rules dictate. US lost to Germany.
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I'm curious, have those flaming the offsides rule in soccer ever actually played the sport competitively? I haven't gotten the impression that players and coaches think the rule is silly.
I admit I know very little about soccer. Please, help me understand. I was under the impression that offsides is meant to stop a player from just hanging out around the goal and waiting for a fast break. That isn't an issue when the ball is ten yards from the goal.
Why is offsides a good rule? What does it prevent?
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I'm curious, have those flaming the offsides rule in soccer ever actually played the sport competitively? I haven't gotten the impression that players and coaches think the rule is silly.
The rule is that the benefit of the doubt goes to the attacking player. This is done to "protect" strikes in the position that Dempsey was in. The problem lies with the assistants, who are less scared of flagging a good goal than they are of not flagging a bad one.
This iteration of the offside rule is relatively new, so I hope that FIFA continue to "educate" assistants as to when to holster the fucking flag.
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This is done to "protect" strikes in the position that Dempsey was in.
I don't understand. Are you saying that the rule is worded to allow goals like the one that was disallowed during the game?
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I admit I know very little about soccer. Please, help me understand. I was under the impression that offsides is meant to stop a player from just hanging out around the goal and waiting for a fast break. That isn't an issue when the ball is ten yards from the goal.
One suggestion has been to create a "no offside" zone past a certain point in the opponent's half, but FIFA makes glaciers look like Usane Bolt.
Why is offsides a good rule? What does it prevent?
It's meant to stop strikers "goal hanging" as that encourages kick 'n' chase tactics which make a mockery of the game.
However, every time the rule has been tweaked to make it less problematic for attackers, there has been a change in defensive tactics to negate it at best, and occasionally make things worse. For example, when the rule was first introduced (early in the 20th century), Arsenal unveiled something called an "offside trap" that they deployed with amazing aplomb for over a century to thwart legitimate and offside attacks alike.
Even now, players are still too stupid to time their runs past the last defender. Drives me nuts. The rule isn't bad, but most players and most officials make it so.
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I don't understand. Are you saying that the rule is worded to allow goals like the one that was disallowed during the game?
Yes. Unequivocally.
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Yeah basically the offsides is just to prevent cherry-picking where you have one guy hanging around th goal behind the defense waiting for the long pass. Its pretty much the same as hockey except the line is where the defense is instead of actually being on the playing surface.
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My experience consists of exactly 2 years of organized soccer from ages 16 to 18, so I'll let the lifelong fans (Limey) cover the technical answer. But from my experience, it is a big part of what makes the game "beautiful". Without it, you get bunches of players, the attacker and their matched defender, around the goals. The pitch is huge, and with fewer players occupying midfield you end up with a game of lobs. Gone would be the fast strikes and coordinated 2/3 player attacks. Instead you basically have a constant back and forth of goal cluttering lobs from midfield that would look like corner kicks. Corner kicks are great, but not if they represent the bulk of play. The game would trend towards violence and physicality instead of skill and ball handling.
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One suggestion has been to create a "no offside" zone past a certain point in the opponent's half, but FIFA makes glaciers look like Usane Bolt.
It already exist, you are not offsides till you cross the midfield line. I like the offsides rule. It is imperfect and is a judgement call.
What drove me crazy as a keeper was when my defenders where too busy raising their hands to try to get the offsides call instead of marking the man they were supposed to. That often resulted in me fetching the ball from the back of the net and resisting the urge to kick the ball up the rear of the defender who was walking back to his position.
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He was shit as a player.
Even better then.
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That.
Was.
Awesome.
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It already exist, you are not offsides till you cross the midfield line. I like the offsides rule. It is imperfect and is a judgement call.
But is an offsides rule really necessary for kicks that originate say, beyond a line past the penalty area? There are already attackers and defenders packed in around the goal at that point anyway.
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But is an offsides rule really necessary for kicks that originate say, beyond a line past the penalty area? There are already attackers and defenders packed in around the goal at that point anyway.
Exactly. Like hockey. It's offsides if a player crosses the other team's blue line before the puck. This prevents players from hanging out waiting for the puck. But once the puck and the other players are in the offensive zone, it doesn't matter.
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Australia just scored twice in five minutes, up 2-0. Germany leads 1-0.
At this rate, US will play Ghana next game. If Ghana ties it up, however, it will be Germany.
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Australia just scored twice in five minutes, up 2-0. Germany leads 1-0.
At this rate, US will play Ghana next game.
Is this the matchup they preferred?
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Is this the matchup they preferred?
It is generally preferrable to play Ghana over Germany. And it is generally preferrable for England to play Germany in anything.
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It is generally preferrable to play Ghana over Germany. And it is generally preferrable for England to play Germany in anything.
And it's set. US v. Ghana on Saturday, England v. Germany on Sunday.
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It is generally preferrable to play Ghana over Germany. And it is generally preferrable for England to play Germany in anything.
And the US owes Ghana a payback for a knockout loss suffered at a previous World Cup.
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And it's set. US v. Ghana on Saturday, England v. Germany on Sunday.
Both those matches have qualities about them that makes for great play expectations. Germany is stoic but tough, England has more style and loves to create open space. It will be force meeting the wall type of matchup. As far as USA vs. Ghana, it's about speed vs. speed, maybe a little less about quality finishes, but it will be like watching two basketball teams running full court for a full game. Defense problems that the US has suffered so far will not be as exposed with the Ghana squad, unless Ghana changes it's style and tries to be more intentional the way they attack. If so, what they'll be doing is the same thing Algeria tried... and loss.
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But is an offsides rule really necessary for kicks that originate say, beyond a line past the penalty area? There are already attackers and defenders packed in around the goal at that point anyway.
It is a rule meets style of play at that point. You generally do not expect a squad to pass the ball so much in the box. You expect shots and thus when the ball rebounds off the goalie and or other defenders, it's a free ball for a run on. At that point it is who reaches the ball first. Basically, you don't generally want to make too many passes in the box... it is unecessary. Shoot the ball instead and if the defense pulls up, it's their problem, not yours, just run in and kick in the rebound. But if you tried to make small little precision passes instead of shooting, you're prone to find someone who is perhaps offsides or not prepared to stop and shoot as well as you are.
It's how you play that dictates how much the offsides comes into play so deep in the box. One of the criticisms of the USA club is how they don't finish well. Today, Donovan showed how you finish. Stop all this foolish shooting with effect... shoot the ball with precision instead.
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Just noticed the bracket placement. Things have really worked out well to give the USA a semi-plausible path into the semi finals, with Uraguay/South Korea in the other bracket. England will likely have to go through Germany and Argentina.
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Just noticed the bracket placement. Things have really worked out well to give the USA a semi-plausible path into the semi finals, with Uraguay/South Korea in the other bracket. England will likely have to go through Germany and Argentina.
Uraguay is very tough. I think they're as tough as Argentina (IMHO).
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Have a look at the bracket (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html) as it exists now with half of the final 16 filled in. One of the final four teams will come out of the group of Argentina, Mexico, Germany, and England. That's a lot of heavy hitting on the right side of the bracket. Meanwhile, the U.S. has to get through a foursome that contains the relatively lesser Ghana, Uruguay and Korea (all good teams, but none of Argentina/Germany's caliber). There's room for the US to reasonably make an epic run to the semis.
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Uraguay is very tough. I think they're as tough as Argentina (IMHO).
So you would rather switch places with England?
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Uraguay is very tough. I think they're as tough as Argentina (IMHO).
Uruguay IS tough and some people are referring to them as dark horses that can get far and do some damage in this Cup.
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Have a look at the bracket (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html) as it exists now with half of the final 16 filled in. One of the final four teams will come out of the group of Argentina, Mexico, Germany, and England. That's a lot of heavy hitting on the right side of the bracket. Meanwhile, the U.S. has to get through a foursome that contains the relatively lesser Ghana, Uruguay and Korea (all good teams, but none of Argentina/Germany's caliber). There's room for the US to reasonably make an epic run to the semis.
I will be cheering for an England - USA final.
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So you would rather switch places with England?
Nope. Germany scares me because they can do a lock-down on USA easily. And with the exploits of the shaky middle defenders on the US side, Germany has the ability to put together a nice attack up the middle, score one goal and then fall back and defend incredibly well against the US. It could lead to a very frustrating match to watch. Uraguay is strong though. They have the style to exploit the middle much better than any club the US has face to date, with perhaps the exception of England (who didn't play as determined in the first match). First things first, get past Ghana and that match will be a track meet.
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It is generally preferrable to play Ghana over Germany. And it is generally preferrable for England to play Germany in anything.
don't mention the war....
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Nope. Germany scares me because they can do a lock-down on USA easily. And with the exploits of the shaky middle defenders on the US side, Germany has the ability to put together a nice attack up the middle, score one goal and then fall back and defend incredibly well against the US. It could lead to a very frustrating match to watch. Uraguay is strong though. They have the style to exploit the middle much better than any club the US has face to date, with perhaps the exception of England (who didn't play as determined in the first match). First things first, get past Ghana and that match will be a track meet.
Uruguay is a big first hurdle. Randy West Diego Forlan is in top form right now, and has plenty of help.
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Missing the swarm of wild bee noise once the game is over? Fear no more (http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/espn.com)
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Missing the swarm of wild bee noise once the game is over? Fear no more (http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/espn.com)
There's an iPhone app for that as well. It's delightfully annoying.
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There's an iPhone app for that as well. It's delightfully annoying.
FIFY.
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Uruguay is a big first hurdle. Randy West Diego Forlan is in top form right now, and has plenty of help.
Other than Rooney, the USA club has not faced a real world class player in the middle who will give them all sorts of headaches. Rooney was shadowed pretty much the first match, but with all things being what it means in these knock-out rounds, I don't expect Forlan to show mercy. The US better be ready to shore up that middle defense (Demerit and Bocanegra did well today, but still they had all sorts of problems back there).
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Completely out of left field, but I think Steve Cherundolo has my favorite last name in the WC so far.
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Completely out of left field, but I think Steve Cherundolo has my favorite last name in the WC so far.
Cherundolo sounds like something one would call someone else in the barrio as a derisive slang word "Horale... ese is a cherundolo, holmes".
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Completely out of left field, but I think Steve Cherundolo has my favorite last name in the WC so far.
Tshabalaba for S Africa was my choice.
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Tshabalaba for S Africa was my choice.
Definitely high on the list as well.
I went to (512) Brewery's open house on Saturday, and there was a guy hawking tshirts of a weird stick figure drawings and other weird stuff next door. We went and browsed, one of the pictures he had was a picture of a pterodactyl saying "I'm a fucking buffalo!" with a buffalo underneath him saying "Buffaloooooo! Buffalooooo".
Maybe it's because we were mildly sauced, but we were laughing hysterically. We kept saying "I'm a fucking buffalo" all the way to the car. Then it dawned on me... "I'm a fucking Cherundolo!" Needless to say, we were in tears the whole way home.
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Cherundolo sounds like something one would call someone else in the barrio as a derisive slang word "Horale... ese is a cherundolo, holmes".
In fact, I'm positive that's a fact. Yo soy pinche gringo cherundolo, guey.
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Celebrations (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5517320/usa_soccer_bars_celebrate_landon_donovan.html) around the bars in America as the game winds down. Shouts of "USA! USA! USA!" erupt throughout.
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Definitely high on the list as well.
I went to (512) Brewery's open house on Saturday, and there was a guy hawking tshirts of a weird stick figure drawings and other weird stuff next door. We went and browsed, one of the pictures he had was a picture of a pterodactyl saying "I'm a fucking buffalo!" with a buffalo underneath him saying "Buffaloooooo! Buffalooooo".
Maybe it's because we were mildly sauced, but we were laughing hysterically. We kept saying "I'm a fucking buffalo" all the way to the car. Then it dawned on me... "I'm a fucking Cherundolo!" Needless to say, we were in tears the whole way home.
I want that shirt.
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Celebrations (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5517320/usa_soccer_bars_celebrate_landon_donovan.html) around the bars in America as the game winds down. Shouts of "USA! USA! USA!" erupt throughout.
I was at a bar on the west coast at 6:30am and when that goal came the entire place erupted. Throughout the game a buddy of mine lead the whole bar in chants, made us empty our pockets into a "wishing well" and pretty much ran around like a maniac.
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I was at a bar on the west coast at 6:30am and when that goal came the entire place erupted. Throughout the game a buddy of mine lead the whole bar in chants, made us empty our pockets into a "wishing well" and pretty much ran around like a maniac.
Lucky for you all, I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong.
I am wrong.
GO USA! SOY PINCHE CHERUNDOLO!
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Lucky for you all, I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong.
I am wrong.
GO USA! SOY PINCHE CHERUNDOLO!
Its fun eh?
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Lucky for you all, I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong.
I am wrong.
GO USA! SOY PINCHE CHERUNDOLO!
Dude, you're the best thing for the FBGs! (Fut-Bol Gods). Ever! You're not wrong, you're Alkie! BTW - "Soy Un Pinche Cherundulo!" would make for a sweet t-shirt.
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Dude, you're the best thing for the FBGs! (Fut-Bol Gods). Ever! You're not wrong, you're Alkie! BTW - "Soy Un Pinche Cherundulo!" would make for a sweet t-shirt.
I tell you what, dude, if only there were some way to make tshirts really fast by, say, uploading an image to a website and giving them a few bucks per shirt. We could all take 30-50 of them to our respective bars/parties/sex dungeons Saturday and easily start a massive, massive fad.
SOY UN PINCHE CHERUNDOLO, GüEY!
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Where the fuck is JackAstro?
We need a design to upload, immediamente!
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I listened to the game at work today. I work with some soccer(futbol) fans. I ran out with the "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!" yell.
I am part of a family now, though I still don't understand the game.....YET!
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Completely out of left field, but I think Steve Cherundolo has my favorite last name in the WC so far.
I agree. His last name sounds like it should be the noun for the noise that wheelie-bins make.
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I was at a bar on the west coast at 6:30am and when that goal came the entire place erupted. Throughout the game a buddy of mine lead the whole bar in chants, made us empty our pockets into a "wishing well" and pretty much ran around like a maniac.
What was supremely cool was that the whistle blew on the England-Slovenia game a couple of seconds before Landycakes Donovan slotted USA's winner. Our end of Buffalo Wild Wings erupted, followed momentarily by the USA end. Classic.
What was more fun through the game, however, was that we had an SD feed for the USA game at our end that was 3-4 seconds ahead of the HD feed the US fans were watching. We could see all the near misses etc., and then enjoy the US fans' anguish a few seconds later.
Oh, and drinking at 9am on a school day is always fun.
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Dude, you're the best thing for the FBGs! (Fut-Bol Gods). Ever! You're not wrong, you're Alkie! BTW - "Soy Un Pinche Cherundulo!" would make for a sweet t-shirt.
For Saturday, I may make it my Facebook status. Sunday, of course, will be a Churchill quote.
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For Saturday, I may make it my Facebook status. Sunday, of course, will be a Churchill quote.
Where's today's WC Limey Time?
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Where's today's WC Limey Time?
He's up to his eyeballs in fish. Give the man some space.
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Where's today's WC Limey Time?
Lost it in the bottom of either a beer bottle or some cleavage. Or both.
Not sure.
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Lost it in the bottom of either a beer bottle or some cleavage. Or both.
Not sure.
I'm sure your dignity died a hero. I'm proud of you, Mrs. Eisenhower is proud of you, the American people are proud of you.
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don't mention the war....
As John Stewart told John Oliver (http://tv.gawker.com/5571372/jon-stewart-debates-the-usas-world-cup-win-with-john-oliver), if those Germans give you trouble on Sunday, just give us a call and we'll come bail you out again.
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went to Ernie's on Banks for the game, day/morning drinking is fantastic, doubly fantastic when your side pulls a win off like that. Crowd at Ernie's went ape when that ball found the back of the net, thought the old shack was gonna collapse. Reminded me of the good old days when the Rockets were winning championships.
Here is Andres Cantor's call of the final goal.
http://www.fanaticos.com/2010/06/23/asi-narro-andres-cantor-el-gol-de-landon-donovan/2#c28854464
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL
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went to Ernie's on Banks for the game, day/morning drinking is fantastic, doubly fantastic when your side pulls a win off like that. Crowd at Ernie's went ape when that ball found the back of the net, thought the old shack was gonna collapse. Reminded me of the good old days when the Rockets were winning championships.
Here is Andres Cantor's call of the final goal.
http://www.fanaticos.com/2010/06/23/asi-narro-andres-cantor-el-gol-de-landon-donovan/2#c28854464
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL
WOW!
That was a fantastic call of the play and then a reaction afterwards. I could do without the trademark scream of GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!! but it is also somewhat icing that tops that cake of a call. His reaction seems to be either one where he is crying out of joy or just entirely wiped by all the action and ultimate storyboard finish. I'm guessing as an immigrated American, Andres is crying just a little bit.
Awesome!
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I could do without the trademark scream of GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!!
How else would you have known he scored?
Milo has ruined you.
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went to Ernie's on Banks for the game, day/morning drinking is fantastic, doubly fantastic when your side pulls a win off like that. Crowd at Ernie's went ape when that ball found the back of the net, thought the old shack was gonna collapse. Reminded me of the good old days when the Rockets were winning championships.
Here is Andres Cantor's call of the final goal.
http://www.fanaticos.com/2010/06/23/asi-narro-andres-cantor-el-gol-de-landon-donovan/2#c28854464
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL
That's a good call, but man Ian Darke's was perfect. Here's a good interview with him after...asking him to do baseball and college football games now.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/69769
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So he bails out Harkes on the worst color job ever and blames the producer.
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Someone decided to do a video montage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w&feature=player_embedded) of all the celebrations around the country and world too. The ending is kinda cheesy, but the videos themselves are all raw celebrations, capturing emotions beautifully. I wish we had digital video cameras for the Miracle on Ice in 1980. I remember coming home from work, it was a Friday and I was going down to the Airship Pub for a hamburger, some season fries and catch some Olympic Hockey for a few minutes. When the USA won, I went outside to see and hear cheering crowds rushing out to the streets.... in HOUSTON?!?! People were honking their horns, high fiving each other. This was a time when there was not much in terms of National Pride. Iran held our people hostage, things looked bleak and desperate. One hockey game brought pride back into the step of Americans, even those of us who understood nothing about hockey.
It was about being an American, a proud American for everyone. We needed something to raise the spirits and that was the magic of that moment. I'm not sure this was a defining moment for Americans. I'm not sure how invested everyone was in this moment or why they would be. I guess inside of each one of us, there is a pride that says "Hey, don't ever tell us we can't" and maybe the game that the world claims is there game and not ours kind of gives us one big American chip on our shoulder.
Maybe that is what all the celebration is about. We're Americans.
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Someone decided to do a video montage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w&feature=player_embedded) of all the celebrations around the country and world too.
But Noe, I was told that nobody cares about soccer in this country.
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I said I was clearly wrong. It happens. It'll happen again.
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That's a good call, but man Ian Darke's was perfect. Here's a good interview with him after...asking him to do baseball and college football games now.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/69769
Ian Darke is fucking awesome.
From the interview:
DL: Do you almost feel like you're one of us now, in a sense? You clearly have the understanding that you're doing these for an American audience and I almost feel like your call is skewed that way.
Darke: Absolutely. I'm a firm believer in that if you're a broadcaster, you talk to the audience you're addressing. There no good me pitching it as if I'm talking in England. I feel I have a duty to retain my neutrality but be emotionally involved in the game and try to feel it as an American audience would feel it. I felt at a moment like that, you have to let it rip a little. I work with great people at ESPN…I almost did feel like I was an American at that moment. I did feel like an honorary American for a few seconds there.
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/69769#ixzz0rsxjlNJT
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FTR, the greatest last-second goal call ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wyLvagyApY).
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But Noe, I was told that nobody cares about soccer in this country.
Very few folks are giving the USA a chance against Ghana right now. I could happen that it's one and done for the Americans. The "care" factor may take a hit for sure. One thing about the Miracle on Ice, that was not the game for the gold medal, that was to setup the gold medal/silver medal match. The USA has to take care of business versus the Ghana squad and then fight like hell if they face off against Uruguay. If that happens, there is going to be a ton of interest beyond the casual fan. It's going to take on more National Pride importance. ESPN hype will make sure of that.
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Very few folks are giving the USA a chance against Ghana right now.
Que??
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Que??
My guess is because Ghana is an athletic team with a defense that can shut people down. Their offense is a bit suspect though.
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Que??
Heard this morning that many believe the USA players have spent all their energy on getting to the knock out rounds, Ghana is just going to exhaust them into giving up goals and a loss. Basically, it ends tomorrow.
I don't agree of course, but some are not giving them much of a chance tomorrow. I say that energy and adrenalin works both ways sometimes. Last year at the Confederation Cup, the same thing was assumed after the Egypt match (where the USA had to produce a 3-0 win to move on... and they had to have all three goals to win on goal differential). There next opponent was Spain. The USA beat Spain 2-0, shocking the world. The USA was playing on a miracle win high and Spain had little to no energy playing against them... as if they took the Americans for granted. So the USA was in the championship round against Brazil, who also took them for granted and that meant the USA was prime to take them out. Suprisingly, the USA went up 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of play, scaring the Brazilians back into the match. They ultimately loss to the Brazilians 3-2, but the USA played with a lot of spirit those three matches, leaving everything they had on the pitch.
It works both ways, and I'm hoping for a continuation of the good feelings left over from the previous match and not a hangover instead.
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Heard this morning that many believe the USA players have spent all their energy on getting to the knock out rounds, Ghana is just going to exhaust them into giving up goals and a loss. Basically, it ends tomorrow.
I don't agree of course, but some are not giving them much of a chance tomorrow. I say that energy and adrenalin works both ways sometimes. Last year at the Confederation Cup, the same thing was assumed after the Egypt match (where the USA had to produce a 3-0 win to move on... and they had to have all three goals to win on goal differential). There next opponent was Spain. The USA beat Spain 2-0, shocking the world. The USA was playing on a miracle win high and Spain had little to no energy playing against them... as if they took the Americans for granted. So the USA was in the championship round against Brazil, who also took them for granted and that meant the USA was prime to take them out. Suprisingly, the USA went up 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of play, scaring the Brazilians back into the match. They ultimately loss to the Brazilians 3-2, but the USA played with a lot of spirit those three matches, leaving everything they had on the pitch.
It works both ways, and I'm hoping for a continuation of the good feelings left over from the previous match and not a hangover instead.
I don't buy the lack of energy thing either. I think they will hit Ghana hard early on.
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Heard this morning that many believe the USA players have spent all their energy on getting to the knock out rounds, Ghana is just going to exhaust them into giving up goals and a loss. Basically, it ends tomorrow.
I don't agree of course, but some are not giving them much of a chance tomorrow. I say that energy and adrenalin works both ways sometimes. Last year at the Confederation Cup, the same thing was assumed after the Egypt match (where the USA had to produce a 3-0 win to move on... and they had to have all three goals to win on goal differential). There next opponent was Spain. The USA beat Spain 2-0, shocking the world. The USA was playing on a miracle win high and Spain had little to no energy playing against them... as if they took the Americans for granted. So the USA was in the championship round against Brazil, who also took them for granted and that meant the USA was prime to take them out. Suprisingly, the USA went up 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of play, scaring the Brazilians back into the match. They ultimately loss to the Brazilians 3-2, but the USA played with a lot of spirit those three matches, leaving everything they had on the pitch.
It works both ways, and I'm hoping for a continuation of the good feelings left over from the previous match and not a hangover instead.
Whenever you are in need of some perspective, turn to Vegas.
US +140
Ghana +195
Draw (at the end of regulation) +215
US is the underdog.
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Whenever you are in need of some perspective, turn to Vegas.
US +140
Ghana +195
Draw (at the end of regulation) +215
US is the underdog.
OK, now I feel slow. Doesn't +140 mean you bet $100 to get $140?
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Whenever you are in need of some perspective, turn to Vegas.
US +140
Ghana +195
Draw (at the end of regulation) +215
US is the underdog.
I don't think this means what you think it means
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I don't think this means what you think it means
Yep. Cue HH again
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I don't buy the lack of energy thing either. I think they will hit Ghana hard early on.
Ghana scares me, but not as much as other World Class squads with better players. Usually, in the knock out rounds is when the better individual players find space and wreck havoc. Guys like Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, et. al. establish themselves during these type of games. Ghana has nice players, but it's what they do as a team that scares me (on counter attacks). This will be one match where I'm not as concerned with the defense being porous as much as I'm worried about committing too many men forward and getting caught flatfooted on a counter attack. If the Americans can control the midfield, sustain an attack all game, score one or two goals, they will win. All the hopes now are on Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan and Edu to shine and really control the entire match. That's where the match will focus on for me. If the Americans are one step slow at midfield, they will be pressured to fend off the Ghana attack and look for several counter attack opportunities. The Americans don't play that style of futbol well. They are used to midfield play that sets up attack and occasionally falls back to help on defense.
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Edu makes me nervous. He's been very inconsistent.
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Edu makes me nervous. He's been very inconsistent.
If the center back defense was better, you could move Bocanegra up to play in his place. It's pick your poison between having Edu sit or Onyewu. The other thing to do is sit Edu and put in Feilharber, who is an attacking midfielder. Feilharber had a great match versus Algeria and maybe earned a chance to start against Ghana. Although something tells me Coach Bradley will want the speed and size of Edu to play defense from the midfield. I followed Edu from his days as a member of the 17 and under USA squad. He has talent that has not been realized. He will one day be a star if he learns to keep his game under control and let his natural talent come through. I believe he is playing for Ranger in Scotland where they're trying to help the young man grow as a player.
Right now, it's a gamble to play Edu over Feilharber, but you will get better all field play and keep the Ghana flyers from pressuring all game long.
ETA: I was actually thinking about Freddy Adu when I spoke about the seventeen and under squad. After thinking about what I wrote, I just thought that Edu being a midfielder and more of a defender is not who I remember as a midfielder and striker. I was right, Freddy Adu is who I remember. Having said that, I've changed my mind, maybe Feilharber should play and not Edu.
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If the center back defense was better, you could move Bocanegra up to play in his place. It's pick your poison between having Edu sit or Onyewu. The other thing to do is sit Edu and put in Feilharber, who is an attacking midfielder. Feilharber had a great match versus Algeria and maybe earned a chance to start against Ghana. Although something tells me Coach Bradley will want the speed and size of Edu to play defense from the midfield. I followed Edu from his days as a member of the 17 and under USA squad. He has talent that has not been realized. He will one day be a star if he learns to keep his game under control and let his natural talent come through. I believe he is playing for Ranger in Scotland where they're trying to help the young man grow as a player.
Right now, it's a gamble to play Edu over Feilharber, but you will get better all field play and keep the Ghana flyers from pressuring all game long.
ETA: I was actually thinking about Freddy Adu when I spoke about the seventeen and under squad. After thinking about what I wrote, I just thought that Edu being a midfielder and more of a defender is not who I remember as a midfielder and striker. I was right, Freddy Adu is who I remember. Having said that, I've changed my mind, maybe Feilharber should play and not Edu.
Onyewu has been disappointing. He's definitely not playing how he can but I don't know if its a good idea to put him in and hope he gets it together in the elimination rounds. If anything I've been impressed with the speed and fitness of the US team. Should be a good match anyways.
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Whenever you are in need of some perspective, turn to Vegas.
US +140
Ghana +195
Draw (at the end of regulation) +215
US is the underdog.
Yeah, no. You've got that backward. That means Ghana is the dog (well, the draw is the dog, but of the two teams)....
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Noe, I believe Freddy Adu has been on loan (and benched) in Greece. He looks to be destined for MLS in career-resurrection mode.
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Noe, I believe Freddy Adu has been on loan (and benched) in Greece. He looks to be destined for MLS in career-resurrection mode.
Maurice Edu
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Maurice Edu
Maurice is the one on the USMNT that should be benched for Feilharber, IMHO. Freddy is the one Noe was thinking about, as mentioned in his ETA.
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Yeah, no. You've got that backward. That means Ghana is the dog (well, the draw is the dog, but of the two teams)....
No wonder I've lost so much money gambling...
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Noe, I believe Freddy Adu has been on loan (and benched) in Greece. He looks to be destined for MLS in career-resurrection mode.
Freddy is so young, he ultimately wants to play for Tottsham Spur and something tells me he'll eventually wind up there if he stops bouncing around so much.
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Maurice is the one on the USMNT that should be benched for Feilharber, IMHO. Freddy is the one Noe was thinking about, as mentioned in his ETA.
Ahh I missed the ETA.
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If anything I've been impressed with the speed and fitness of the US team.
From what I've heard, opponents always believe the USMNT will come in with 2 qualities:
1. Speed and fitness;
2. A very American belief that they should *not* lose.
Of course, they also are working on shedding the "choker" label that's dogged them for years, too.
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Freddy is so young, he ultimately wants to play for Tottsham Spur and something tells me he'll eventually wind up there if he stops bouncing around so much.
Grant Wahl on Freddy (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/04/26/adu/index.html?eref=si_writers)
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From what I've heard, opponents always believe the USMNT will come in with 2 qualities:
1. Speed and fitness;
2. A very American belief that they should *not* lose.
Of course, they also are working on shedding the "choker" label that's dogged them for years, too.
I think they're slowly shaking the tentative style of play also. Probably too slowly as it is annoying sometimes.
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Maurice is the one on the USMNT that should be benched for Feilharber, IMHO. Freddy is the one Noe was thinking about, as mentioned in his ETA.
Correct. I was the one who confused everything. More and more, I'd rather keep Edu and Onyewu on the bench. Feilharber is the player who has the ability to put pressure attack from the middle. It will mean Bradley will have to play the whole field more, as he did somewhat in the Algerian match. One thing I suspect is that there will be plenty of space in this game, as I believe both the USA and Ghana will commit to pushing forward. This will leave gaps, so I'd definitely not start Onyewu and definitely one of the midfielders will have to come back and overlap with Bocanegra if he is marking his man closely. One dibble to get ahead of Bocanegra will mean space will be created in the middle and you'll need a guy like Bradley running back to clear. You need Demerit to stay back and continue to play sweeper and not commit forward.
Just thinking about it, it's going to be a match where Bradley (or someone else from midfield) will have to do a ton of running!
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Grant Wahl on Freddy (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/04/26/adu/index.html?eref=si_writers)
Great article! This paragraph is what I think about Adu as well (how did I get confused with Edu? Need more coffee! :) )
Yet if this sounds like a sad story, then why does U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard maintain that Adu "has skills with the ball that not many -- if any -- American players possess"? And why is Adu so upbeat? "I'm only 20," he says, flashing his magnetic smile. "People panic sometimes when things don't go right. I don't. I've still got a long way to go, but I'm on the right track now. I'm finally, finally on the right track."
I once saw a training video put out by Bradley and Adu when they were on the 20 and under USMNT. Bradley challenged Adu in a skills game striking the ball from several spots on the pitch. Think of it like a game of horse or around the world on a futbol pitch. The rules were to hit certain spots on the goal, like the crossbar, the left post, the right post, the back of the net, etc. from certain spots. Bradley went first and did fairly well, showing excellent striking abilities.
Adu went next and by the time he finished, he had Bradley on the ground saying "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!". Adu absolutely masterfully struck each and every shot, placing the ball exactly where it was targeted to go.
The kid is perhaps too big for his britches, so if he gets his head on straight, he will be an awesome star of the future. Jozy Altidore just out-matured him in both play and off and on field comportment.
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Jozy Altidore just out-matured him in both play and off and on field comportment.
Jozy and Bradley have been the revelations to me thus far.
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From what I've heard, opponents always believe the USMNT will come in with 2 qualities:
1. Speed and fitness;
2. A very American belief that they should *not* lose.
Of course, they also are working on shedding the "choker" label that's dogged them for years, too.
My friends used to tell me that the only thing good about the Americans was how much they could run and run and run. They also marveled at the catching ability by American goalies. Stands to reason if you think about how much running and catching is part and parcel of games played as children in America. Having great hands and being able run under a football or baseball or even dribble a basketball without looking down at the ball are all almost second nature to American kids.
Any way, they would laugh at how the strategy of American teams was to punt the ball and hope the midfield and forwards would run on to the ball and without even thinking "pass" or strategic attack, the American player would shoot on goal, often times ackwardly. The other thing my friends would tell me was coming along nicely about American futbol players was their ability in the air (comes with vertical leaping ability I guess). The problem each and every one of them said to me was the major flaw was control of the "balon" (ball). No control, no style, no style, no attack.
In the last twenty years, Frankie Hydeck aside, the American player has come on in terms of control and style. Each one now knows how to control the play and seek out the space needed to run on and overlap play to create clear and concise attacks on goal. That makes them more and more dangerous as they mature as a team. Bruce Arena and Bradley have been good for these guys because they understand the American player and their maturity in terms of attack and style. Americans have to be given a very long time to play advanced styles (European or South American) under a coach that comes from those areas. What I've seen of the USA squad this World Cup has been a lot more style and a lot more brilliant attack and even what seems like a real strategic idea of where to expose the other side and take advantage on the pitch and scare the living daylights out of opponents.
Long gone are the days of punt-run-shoot-run-back style of play. The USA is melding a style of play that borrows from everyone and mixes well the American kids strength with the World Class play needed in advanced futbol.
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Long gone are the days of punt-run-shoot-run-back style of play.
See: Wednesday's winning goal. The FIFA video feed missed the critical element of the play, which was Howard's perfect throw to Donovan.
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Jozy and Bradley have been the revelations to me thus far.
Bradley caught my eye in the Confederations Cup. I thought maybe it was for real, but then thought maybe it was other squads not playing World Class futbol and allowing Bradley to use his superior conditioning to beat them. But his play in this World Cup is proving it is no fluke. Same with Altidore. And the best skilled one of them all... Adu... is not even here... yet.
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See: Wednesday's winning goal. The FIFA video feed missed the critical element of the play, which was Howard's perfect throw to Donovan.
In the subtlety of Ian Drakes call, he mentioned it right away, but the play was developing so beautifully, I bet all the screaming that was starting drowned out what he said about the throw by Howard. "Brilliant clearing pass by Howard... here is Donovan... can the Americans make this time... ooohhh, Dempsey is stopped again.... BUT HERE IS DONOVAN!!! Oh my goodness... GO, GO USA!!!!"
Howard actually earlier in the match threw a midfield pass to Bradley in much the same manner, he led him perfectly and Bradley had one man to beat to go ahead and start a great run towards goal. So I'm not sure if Howard had that in the back of his mind that he was going to look for another opportunity to do the same if the Algerians pushed forwarded too much and he could catch them committed. He did and the rest is history.
You are right, in years pass, the goalie would have punted and hoped Altidore would muscle his way on the ball and strike if from distance.
Not this year, probably not ever again if they keep improving as World Class players.
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I remain convinced that Howard is the best player on the team.
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Fuck! Ass! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMxB_l2_-nU&feature=related)
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(203): Watching that soccer game was like getting kicked in the crotch for an hour and half and then coming right at the end.
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Uruguay's coach should be.... ahum... kicked in the arse for taking a squad like S. Korea so lightly. I was cheering like mad for S. Korea to finish some of those multiple attacks. Shame on Uruguay for playing so uninspired, they should have loss that game if the FBGs would have decided to make things right in this world.
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Uruguay's coach should be.... ahum... kicked in the arse for taking a squad like S. Korea so lightly. I was cheering like mad for S. Korea to finish some of those multiple attacks. Shame on Uruguay for playing so uninspired, they should have loss that game if the FBGs would have decided to make things right in this world.
South Korea features some fast little fuckers, that's for sure. My Uruguayans definitely have to tighten up the defense if they want to progress any further.
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South Korea features some fast little fuckers, that's for sure. My Uruguayans definitely have to tighten up the defense if they want to progress any further.
I think it was premature for the coach to commit to the four corners/shut down defense. He basically dared the S. Koreans to mount attacks after attack, his wall would hold. After a while, I was cheering for the wall to crumble and it did. Had not been for the world class play of Forlan and Suarez on that last goal, then we'd be seeing a possible penalty kick win for someone. I hate penalty kicks defining a winner, takes the skill and puts more luck into the win.
But I bet anything the Urugauian coach is being plastered by the press in S. America for playing so passively so soon in the match. That they got away with it was a blessing for his sake.
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South Korea features some fast little fuckers, that's for sure. My Uruguayans definitely have to tighten up the defense if they want to progress any further.
Never had a chance to see Chile until yesterday. Talk about speedy little fuckers!
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Never had a chance to see Chile until yesterday. Talk about speedy little fuckers!
To my eye, the Japanese side has been the most fun to watch.
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Here we go:
Q: What's the difference between Cinderella and the England football team? A: Cinderella wanted to get to the ball....
Osama bin Laden has just released a new TV message to prove he is still alive. He said that the England Team performance on Saturday was completely shit. British intelligence have dismissed the claim, stating that the message could have been recorded anytime in the last 44 years.
Robert Green - the only man to leave Africa without catching anything.
Knorr have released a special edition beef cube in white with a red stripe to commemorate our world cup campaign. It's called the laughing stock.
The guy on death row in Utah got to pick his own firing squad. He went for Rooney, Lampard, Heskey and Gerrard.
Guy walks into the brothel dungeon and says to the mistress "I'm really kinky, I want total humiliation, how much will it cost?" The mistress looks at him and says "£29.99" "WOW", says the guy, "That's a great price so what do I get for that?" She looks at him and says "An England shirt".
David Blain is upset. His record of spending 42 in a box without doing anything has just been broken by Wayne Rooney.
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First PK's of the tournament are about to get underway.
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First PK's of the tournament are about to get underway.
PK's after 120 goalless minutes. Ugh.
Go Paraguay!
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PK's after 120 goalless minutes. Ugh.
Go Paraguay!
And they do. Terrible match, nice shootout.
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First PK's of the tournament are about to get underway.
After boring the shit out of everyone for 120 minutes, these two even made a shootout dull. Hopefully Paraguay gets what for in the next round.