You don't have to be a soccer genius to watch the first game and see England kick our ***. Nor to watch the second game and know that we were lucky to come back and tie. Nor to watch the third game and see the tremendous fortune in scoring an OT goal with our nuts on the chopping block. I know enough about soccer to know that. And also to know that I'd watch the English premier league any day of the week over American soccer if given the choice. Not even close, even for a layman like me. Gee, I hope that the local authorities don't come and arrest me for subversive activities...
Whatever you say. We had as many stolen goals as England scored in the entire group stage...but we were "lucky". There was nothing "lucky" about coming back against Slovenia. We were however unlucky vs. Algeria, otherwise it would have been 4-0 US. [mod]not needed[/mod] it is okay to puff out your chest...they are good. They deserve what they got. And England also deserves what they got. They were better but didn't play like it.
He doesn't have to live in Italy, although he moved there when he was 16. The fact that he has both Italian parents makes it too easy for him to go to the Italian consulate in Jersey and get the papers and an Italian citizenship and passport. I have the same thing although I was born and raised in Toronto and never lived in Italy.
My rule would be: Wherever you play your youth soccer and have citizenship is the team you are eligible to play for.
LOL, Ireland has been doing it for years with English born players. It happens, some players just want to play international football, so will declare for the team they have the better chance of playing for or if they want to play for the country of their parents/family. And in fairness, there is no point trying to get a player who wants to play for another country.
Maybe if the USA didn't give up the 2 goals earlier, they would have gotten the 3 points If you want to play the "what if" game, just think about this. What if Englands GK makes the save instead of giving the USA a goal, USA comes away with 0 points instead of 1. What if the Algeria GK doesn't give up the rebound, like catching the ball or pushing it out instead of giving up a loose ball in front of the goal, USA only gets 1 point. IF any of this happens, the US doesn't go thru the the next round. Just something to think about
Yeah...I have no problem with it... it is up to the youth programs to sell your country's program to players.
Not a "what if" game. The Goal was good. The first half goal vs. Algeria was also good. it isn't our fault that it took England all of qualifying to find a keeper they would bench after the first group game. So it is not "what if's". it was reality. if you want "what if's" the US could have scored 12 goals in the last two games.
For the US going forward in this tourney, anything now is gravy. Our fitness and work rate is proving too much for many of our opponents. The only thing holding the US back is top rate technical ability...which has greatly improved from years passed. With the MLS now having developmental squads and the 16-20 year olds showing a lot of promise, The prospects for US soccer going forward look very bright.
Well, sorry to my Italian friends out there, but I'm happy to see them out before the knockout stages even begin. They didn't play well at all in any of their three games, needing essentially a win today, they came out poor and reactive, never a good sign. France and Italy out... and England thru...
The English are so overrated its baffling. Bear in mind they failed to even qualify for Euro 08. At some point in time you stop blaming Erickson, McClaren and Capello in succession and realize the team isn't very good. The sad thing for them going forward is I'm not sure they have the players coming up to replace the likes of Gerrard, Fat Frank, Rio and Terry. At least Rooney will be around for two more WC cycles.
Just out of curiosity, how does that work along with the college system. I'm confused as to how professional teams in the US can have youth teams, as it would seem to go against the kids going to college and then getting drafted by a pro team?
Yes it does. and USA Soccer is getting PLENTY of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ as well. it is all gravy...the program is humming along.
...and I'm tired of the English press always professing that Joe Cole is the cure to all that ails the team.
Just so many scholarships that Colleges have to give for soccer. Alot of programs are limited. So it is advantageous to go semi-pro early and if you want to go to school...then go. (at the same time)
The MLS and Bradenton have also instituted scholarship programs with their developmental programs. At some point in time the MLS developmental program will make the NCAAs irrelevant.
that fact is americans are no different then any other country. Everyone is proud of where they are from barring it being caught in war,etc. People who say things like this have no objectivity when it comes to americans IMO.
Maybe...the last two European WC winners have already been knocked out. Who's next? Good thing for Europe one of Germany or England will advance.
Every time I've gone to Europe I've had gotten tons of women. They love American men. Maybe the chest puffing is just enough.
Never been to Cuba..(not allowed to visit by Cuban law) but I do love Mexico.. But it is long..and the list of countries I have visited too. I won't post it for the shear pomposity of posting something like that. Even I though I love pomposity.
Didn't Rossi choose Italy because that's where his parents were born and his father just died of cancer? I really don't mind him choosing Italy for that reason. And anyone see Honda's goal just now for Japan? He has a laser shot.
factoid...since 1962, South America and Europe have alternated winning the world cup... this year's turn, the trend would be South America... I'm hoping it's someone else besides Brazil or Argentina...
Two more facts, no European team has ever won a World Cup outside of Europe and 1958 was the last team a team outside of Europe won a World Cup in Europe.
Good, I will always hate Denmark and Sweden for the BS they pulled in Euro 2004 , among others. I've just realized I am full of hate. Sucks to be me I guess. Gotta find some inner peace.
YOU ASKED FOR IT! YOU GOT IT. Andres Cantor..calling Donovan's Goal... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKf-DqZYd9k"]YouTube- GOL DE DONOVAN por Andrés Cantor[/ame]
Japan may have peaked at the right time. So far they've only given up 1 goal, to the Netherlands a tournament favorite, and it was a goal that could have been saved.
Rossi committed to Italy years ago. Arena tried to cap him leading up to the 06 WC but Rossi declined. It would be a real shame for Rossi if he is never selected for Italy at the WC when he could have potentially competed in 4 WCs for his country of birth.
Did you really watch these games? Or just the highlights on Sports Center. Even most English fans will tell you we played them fairly straight up in the second half of the English game....and in Soccer....you don't score three goals .... two on the score board....to come back and tie a game and call it lucky. Sorry man....and we way out played Algeria, whom England tied 0-0. [mod]not needed[/mod]