The Internet broke a record today with over a million hits a second just after the Italy game Having that game plus the Wimbledon game broke the record I don't have a link, it was on CBC news
There was a bit of hyperbole in my statement. I am an American, and I have been around the world, seeing both good and bad reactions to Americans. It's not all bad by a longshot. My even commenting on this board today was mainly in response to a ( I believe) Jamaican guy getting hammered for not rooting for, or rooting against, the American soccer team, which is ludicrous. I'm a football guy visiting a WC soccer thread pretty much due to a lack of anything football related going on. A very casual soccer fan- but still, in most any sport athletic ability, talent and skill stand out, it's not all that difficult to spot them. Enough of me on this board, over and out.
I must admit to being surprised that the Italian Club fans are not more..emotive..over their elimination from the World Cup in the first round?
I have a deal to offer. The US will give back the Dempsey goal vs. England, award the win to England and the 3 points. The US will also give back the Donovan goal in the 91' minute. In return..... The US gets the Two goals they had stolen. The one in the Slovenia match and the one in the Algeria match. Deal?
You're focused on the goals scored. I'm focused on ball movement, passing, individual skill, stuff like that. And to me, when I'm watching the WC I see a big difference between the top international teams and the U.S. squad. It's just my opinion. Donavan's goals were great- personally I really liked the Gerrard goal against the U.S. and there was a Brazillian goal that I found to be just stunning. But overall- the U.S. soccer just seems to be a cut below. It's just my opinion, and I have zero doubt that you know ten times more about soccer than I do. I live in sofla, but as an example when I watch the Miami Heat play- there's just something missing, a void separating them from the Celtics and Lakers (ugh) of the sport- a lack of cohesive team work and skill. But that doesn't mean that I don't want the U.S. soccer team to do well- they've been gritty, clutch, had their moments and they survived to the next round- they can be very proud of that. I grew up down here and watched quite a bit of Ftl. Strikers soccer- loved it. Gerd Muller, Jan van Beveren, Ray Hudson, Nene Cubillas, even George Best for a bit. We used to get jacked up for games against the Cosmos- Georgio Chinalia, et al. It might have been second rate as compared to top European competition, but no one cared, it was a blast. I'm pulling for the U.S.- hey maybe they can win it all, who knows. But my hunch is that most of their clutch and luck bullets have been fired- it ain't gonna get any easier in the next round, and I doubt that they'll be able to make up many 2 goal deficits from here on out. Who knows, we'll see.
I also focused on the games jim. The US completely dominated Slovenia for most of that game to the point where they were making a mockery of them in the second half. and hell...they really won if you think about it. They beat the crap out of Algeria. Every which way. The one game they were outplayed..they managed a draw. End of story. They are good. Every bookmaker in the world has them as a favorite to make the quarters and the early word is that they will likely be favored in the final 8 as well. The Money doesn't lie. and this is NO SURPRISE to any of us that followed this team. We said so. Most of our expectations were the quarterfinals..and they still are. Losing to Ghana will be a disappointment.
Donovan's 1st goal against Slovenia was nothing short of awesome. Better than any goal that Brazil has scored.
I agree with everything you said, except if they have to play Uruguay I doubt they'll be favored. I'd say USA +200, Uruguay +120, Draw +220
I also don't think they are better than Uruguay, but I give the US a realistic shot. I am told the US will be a slight favorite if it happens by a friend of mine in Costa Rica that works an online book.
I could listen to him all day even though I haven't a clue what he says 75% of the time. If Mexico or USA ever won, we might actually hear his brain explode...
Damn good goal from Donovan, but I really liked the goal scored by Slovenia's #10 as well. Still prefer Gerrard's goal [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm0tA6Hr7dQ"]YouTube- World Cup 2010 England V USA Goals - Steven Gerrard and Clint Dempsey[/ame] and this one from Brazil, my favorite: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCKitPQROIc"]YouTube- Fifa World Cup 2010 Brazil vs North Korea.. (the first goal from Brazil)[/ame]
Ghana vs USA on Saturday will be epic. This is the Africans only remaining team. Expect the crowd to be heavily behind them. And expect one or two calls to go their way. In a neutral environment, it's very close. In Saturday's environment, I think Ghana pulls it out. Even though there is a certain magical cloud following the US team around at the moment. Ghana 3... USA 2 in extra time (30 minutes) sounds about right. Plus, I think Ghana makes the semi's.
You like goals jim? here..check out this counter attack by the US vs. Brazil in the Con Cup final. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXkModt0v1s"]YouTube- Landon Donovan Fantastic Goal 2-0 - USA vs Brazil - Confederations Cup Final 2009[/ame]
Damn good goal. Still prefer Gerrard's to it- there's a certain nuance, subtlety to it- I had to watch the replay 3 times just to see what the hell he was doing- moving right, kicking with his right leg, kind of a jab with the outside of his foot placed into the right corner of the net. The first time that I saw it I thought to myself, "wtf was that?' Great goal. And maybe I'm alone on this, but the Brazilian goal- what a thing of beauty, and what a show of precision. Just stunning imo, one of my favorite goals ever. Dude basically kicked an inside out slider from a side angle into the net past the goalie- on the run. Perfectly placed with plenty of juice on it. Loved it. If I were to comment on the nuance of a sport to the best of my ability it wouldn't be football and it sure as hell wouldn't be soccer. It would be tennis. The stunning movement and passing shots of Borg. The incredible angles and accuracy of McEnroe. The absolutely ludicrous, low margin of error, flat ball crushing of Connors. The clay court beast that was Vilas. The sick double handed ground strokes of Mecir. That was my sport, that is what I really know- that's what I did. So I'll leave soccer to the experts- and all of those goals, Donovan's included- were pretty awesome in my book. Cheers.
this is false because your "what if" relies on an alternative universe where players change what they did on the field and instead do something different his "what if" simply asks for competent officiating with the same actions on the field in your "what if" i may as well ask what would happen if all 11 guys had heart attacks at the same time
Oh they care man......and they believe!!!! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w"]YouTube- The World's Reaction to Landon Donovan's Game Winning Goal[/ame] Wow....all I can say is wow.....
Kaka (red card), Robinho, Elano all sitting. Wish this was a 7:30AM game so I could go back to sleep. When was the last time Julio Baptista had even a decent game?
The US have not been "lucky." With two clear goals disallowed over three matches that is actually quite a silly statement. As for their collective ability, there is no secret they are a step below the top teams. However they account for much of this with their pace, fitness and will. These things are not to be discounted. As for technical ability, you have to consider the strides made since the early 90s. There is no reason this won't continue allowing this side to develop into a top side for 2018 to 2022.
Some of these yellow cards given to both sides are REALLY pathetic. 7 yellow cards in 45 minutes. This will not end 11v1.
Why is Dunga mad? This is what happens when you break with Lucio and Michel Bastos. Just admit that you went into this game positioning your team for the uninspiring draw, and you got it. Move on.
This writer is conflicted, but he makes great points on American Soccer. Some of which have been argued in this thread. It's nice though, to hear it from an "uneducated hack" as he puts it. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/world-cup/la-sp-0625-plaschke-20100625,0,5960259.column One of his clear points is that the U.S. shouldn't be considered an "underdog." In my opinion, soccer doesn't capture the minds of the general public...not like basketball or baseball does. Sure, some casual fans will be intrigued but....I don't know. The U.S. has had a football program for decades, and we still criticize the country's interest. More success might change that.
I agree. The US is not the "underdog". They are clear favorites to Beat Ghana. A loss to Ghana will be unacceptable. Watching Ghana, they are obviously talented, but their game seems immature. Not ready. The US has a decided experience edge. Watch the Bodog number. They are begging people to take Ghana. Their opening line was IMO, way too high, but the betting public has spoken. You are favorites. Play like it.
Well I'm down $50 so far....All I have left is Portugal winning it all and the USA need 3 more goals I know they still have not qualified but i still see Spain winning it all
It might sound somewhat cocky but all it took to reach that conclusion was to actually watch some bleeding games over the past couple of years. The notion that the US was underdog has been pretty exclusive to the US itself. Literally no one I know - and we're soccer affecionados over here - thought that the US squad wouldn't advance past the group stage. Quite a lot of knowledgable folks even had them as a quarter final pick and with the way the final rounds shape up, they have a good shot at making it to the semi finals. They aren't a particularly talented squad but they are well disciplined, tactically educated and play physical ball. And that's all it takes to advance in a major tournament. Just ask the Germans. We know.
Don't read too much into soccer lines, mate. The odds are so heavily tilted against the capper, they might as well pull them out of their hats. Which I suspect they do.
chile just missed tieing the score. chile really attacks well with its passing but has a hard time finishing
