I do wonder if the quality of play would be better if the World Cup were held in say March... Look at hockey, the NHL takes a couple of weeks off to allow players to play with their national squads for the Olympics. Probably no way the powers that be allow a month long break in the major European leagues. But it would make for better play certainly. However, what's Argentina's excuse? Messi, Tevez, etc. look fine.
Screwed by the Ref...as we discussed would happen earlier Sect.. For my take 'yes" the Ref blew the call, however there is some wisdom in the fact the US was down 2-0, and playing horribly, if the US wishes to ever be a good soccer nation they have to do better than giving up easy goals by unmarked players inside the first 15 minutes for the second match in a row. Did Paul Pasqualoni win the DC job for the US National Soccer team? I've seen players running wide open before when he was running the show.. BTW: Congrats to: -Serbia, nice win against a powerhouse German club. -Slovenia, they are a good team. I'm really liking the radio announcer for the US broadcasts, Tommy Smith is it? If anyone can imagine listening to the matches on a small transistor radio with the constant noise of the valvulas in the background his Irish accented commentary really makes the matches interesting.."one ting, Altidore must be more aggressive with the ball and fource Slovenia to make a mistake"
I think the ref just choked....I think he thought that we might be offside and that his crew missed it and he then "created" a foul. Which just points to incompetent work on his part. that is my theory.
That ref better hope the USA beats Algeria, that'll make things die down. [Imagine if that call happened to a country like Italy or Brazil or England? That ref wouldn't be able to set foot on that continent.] Finishing in 2nd place might not even be the worst thing after Germany lost. No reason to fear them or anyone in that group!
Well now, there is a comfort. I gave up on International Soccer after a official literally handed a match to the Costa Rican team, it was amazingly transparent what he was doing, yet that is just the way Intl Soccer treats the US, second class citizens. When it was mentioned that International Soccer officiating was far worse than NBA officiating earlier in this thread, that was no jest, that putz being suspended means absolutely nothing at all, he clearly cost the US a win, yet there is alteration of his clearly flawed officiating. What next, a FIFA apology? Is that worth 3 pts? Fortunately, the English Team managed a 0-0 tie with Algeria, the US's path to the Sweet 16 is still wide open. That English coach will both taste the pepperoni he had last night, if the English are frozen out he will be burned in effigy.
BTW...last three WC's for the US...they get absolutely ****ed by a ref... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 2002: In the quarters versus germany. 2006: Italy, and Ghana games were iffy. 2010: well..you know. LOL! Just stirring the conspiracy pot.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6K_8covWAQ&feature=related"]YouTube- [HD][CC] Wayne Rooney lashes out looses temper with england vs algeria 0-0 18th june[/ame]
True True my friend...I mean this is the tournament, is there a way not to have these guys play all these games?? I guess not huh?? The clubs pay top dollars to these guys and I would think they want them on the field...
Japan came pretty close to tying that game up in the end, that ball just missed the bar, if it was just a little lower it prob would have went in. I want them to go through with the Netherlands.
Yeah..I was going to say that as well... The point really is...does anybody other than Argentina look any good so far?
Cameroon is done. Japan vs Denmark will decide the final spot in that group, that's Thursday I think. It's basically a knockout game.
We might get lucky and play Serbia in the round of 16. If Serbia beats Australia and Germany beats Ghana, and the US and England both win thats who we would play. And England would face off against Germany. This might work out real well for us
Apparently this is what Anelka said to Domenech during half time of their match with Mexico.Unsurprisingly he has been sent home. http://www.the90thminute.com/soccer...squad-for-insulting-manager-raymond-domenech/
So that's two heroes of the French WC title who have disgraced themselves in subsequent world cups (Anelka & Zidane).
There are reports that the final England game has been moved off the BBC and onto the Gay Adult Channel. Apparently the sight of 11 arseholes getting pounded for 90 minutes is too extreme for mainstream TV.
The England team visited an orphanage in Cape Town today."It's heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope" said Jamal, age 6
What's up with the French team? Talk about a meltdown... this doesn't seem to be the time or place for such a chaotic scene, on the world stage. They'll regret this one for the rest of their lives.
Dirty as in awful? Or dirty as in fouling badly? I saw them be extremely mediocre today. But I must've missed the dirty fouling.
If I see Gilardino's face one more time this tournament, I may gouge my eyes out. And I like Claudio Marchisio more than anybody, but he just doesn't have it figured out for Italy yet. I can't believe Lippi didn't see that after the Paraguay game! Subbing Camoranesi for Pepe was a huge mistake. Pepe seemed the only guy doing anything. He should've came on for Marchisio. Iaquinta's testing my patience too. Thanks Lippi!!! Thanks for leaving all the talent and creativity home. I dare you to find a more Vanilla offense in South Africa than Italy's. Good Luck. Haha, I think the Italy-Slovakia game may be on the Gay adult network too Boom