FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014

[romeo212000]

And the US is not shitty.... And I know this analogy is tired, but it is true: if the US had to qualify on any of the major soccer continents, they would not qualify at all. We just do not play this talent level often enough and I sense a 1998 time performance. In '98 Germany was the only legit team within our group and the drop off was significant as we played Yugoslavia and Iran giving up 5 goals and scoring 1. And that was not even a very good Germany team that only Mexico 2-1 and lost to Croatia 3-0 in the quarters!

Fast forward to this year and we face a deep, legit German team, a solid Portugal side and our history versus Ghana speak for itself. This group is vastly more difficult than 1998. And yes, our talent is considerably better than the '98 team, but so is this group. And every team in this group knows they cannot coast (a la how the Italians do every 4 years in the group stage). So is 9 goals a lot? Yes. But this group is that good.

Sorry, but I just think you're way off. The only associations the US might not qualify in is UEFA and CONEMBOL. If you honestly believe this team draws parallels to the 98' team, you should stop watching soccer. You're honestly saying this team can't beat so and so because the 98 team was shitty? Are you kidding me? You want history? In the entire history of the World Cup, no team has beaten another three times in a row. In 2002 a young USA team shocked World Cup favorites Portugal, beat heavy favorite Mexico, and lost in a fantastic 1-0 game in the quarterfinals to Germany. That team, much like this one lacked experience, but was loaded with talent.

I'm sorry, but I disagree strongly with your perspective on this team. This team is more creative, and better technically than that one. Yes there are question marks, but there is loads of talent and potential. They have the capability to play with any team in the world. I don't know if they'll make it out of the group. It will be tough, but in any case I don't see them getting curb stomped like you do.

 

[lasportzphan]

Sorry, but I just think you're way off. The only associations the US might not qualify in is UEFA and CONEMBOL. If you honestly believe this team draws parallels to the 98' team, you should stop watching soccer. You're honestly saying this team can't beat so and so because the 98 team was shitty? Are you kidding me? You want history? In the entire history of the World Cup, no team has beaten another three times in a row. In 2002 a young USA team shocked World Cup favorites Portugal, beat heavy favorite Mexico, and lost in a fantastic 1-0 game in the quarterfinals to Germany. That team, much like this one lacked experience, but was loaded with talent.

I'm sorry, but I disagree strongly with your perspective on this team. This team is more creative, and better technically than that one. Yes there are question marks, but there is loads of talent and potential. They have the capability to play with any team in the world. I don't know if they'll make it out of the group. It will be tough, but in any case I don't see them getting curb stomped like you do.

Well, the US system has not evolved much and we saw that against Nigeria. We tend to rely on a packed defensive zone and then wait for a counter against World Cup caliber teams. You are absolutely right, this is not the '98 team. But you could make an argument the 2002 team was superior. But we will see....

My overall point - the US has never been in a group of this caliber. And when we have been in weak groups we have qualified by the skin of our teeth or failed miserably. I probably doubt this team a bit too much, but you probably have too high of expectations as well. Somewhere in the middle is how this will most likely play out.

 

[romeo212000]

Well, the US system has not evolved much and we saw that against Nigeria. We tend to rely on a packed defensive zone and then wait for a counter against World Cup caliber teams. You are absolutely right, this is not the '98 team. But you could make an argument the 2002 team was superior. But we will see....

My overall point - the US has never been in a group of this caliber. And when we have been in weak groups we have qualified by the skin of our teeth or failed miserably. I probably doubt this team a bit too much, but you probably have too high of expectations as well. Somewhere in the middle is how this will most likely play out.

I see evolution for sure. We are looking at a USA team that scores from the run of play more than from set pieces. Something that almost never happened under Arena and far too rarely under Bradley. Yes the game plan against Nigeria involved a lot of counter attacking, but the precision with which it is being executed is something we have rarely seen before. While our defensive shape against Turkey was clearly suspect, our attack was dynamic and created lots of chances. I honestly don't see how someone can say we have not evolved.

 

[HuskerinBig10]

On the bright side, the new stadium in Sao Paolo did not collapse under the strain of being actually sat in.

But the lights did go out.

I wonder if all the stadiums will hold up?

 

[lasportzphan]

I see evolution for sure. We are looking at a USA team that scores from the run of play more than from set pieces. Something that almost never happened under Arena and far too rarely under Bradley. Yes the game plan against Nigeria involved a lot of counter attacking, but the precision with which it is being executed is something we have rarely seen before. While our defensive shape against Turkey was clearly suspect, our attack was dynamic and created lots of chances. I honestly don't see how someone can say we have not evolved.

Beat Ghana, then I'll say we've evolved. But the US has not beat an elite A team in the World Cup... Ever.

 

[RegentDenali]

Hopefully the renovation of Rio's Maracana stadium addressed this structural problem.

It was falling apart because people wouldn't stop pissing on it.

For decades, Brazil soccer fans have developed the habit of skipping stadium bathroom lines and letting it flow on whatever crucial support structure happens to be closest by. This to minimize the time spent missing any of the game.

As this has been happening for decades, all that acidic urine has actually corroded the stadium so much that it now has severe structural damage. To make matters worse, fans take losses out on what few bathrooms there are, resulting in them being constantly out of service.

The damage was soo bad that Brazil hired an actual "anti-urine squad" that patrols the renovated stadium and uses force to stop fans from going anywhere they please.

 

[romeo212000]

Beat Ghana, then I'll say we've evolved. But the US has not beat an elite A team in the World Cup... Ever.

Portugal was favored to win it in South Korea.

 

[xpuctaqpGT]

Portugal was favored to win it in South Korea.

I was at the USA vs Portugal match in South Korea. That was a fucking thing of beauty

 

[romeo212000]

Ronaldo left the Portugal practice 15 minutes in with an ice pack on his knee.

 

[RegentDenali]

Ronaldo left the Portugal practice 15 minutes in with an ice pack on his knee.

Not buying it for a second until we see him out there playing and how much his game is off. The euro squads are famous for B.S. drama like this.

 

[romeo212000]

Not buying it for a second until we see him out there playing and how much his game is off. The euro squads are famous for B.S. drama like this.

We'll know soon enough against Germany. You know all their tactics and gamesmanship is for them right now.

 

[redseat]

 

[redseat]

File this under: "NO Sh&t"


Ryan Zimmerman to Return to Third Base Upon Harper Return

 

[757Hokie83]

is that what the game winning PK was called on? i heard about it, but didnt see....bad, but not the worst flop i've ever seen

 

[CalamityX11]

is that what the game winning PK was called on? i heard about it, but didnt see....bad, but not the worst flop i've ever seen

yes that's the first controversial play of the cup...

sad part is, I've too seen worse flopping but more times than none, even THOSE weren't called lol...

I'm really on the camp of actually banning that ref from further cup games this year...

If I want to nitpick, I've been watching him after that pk and he was way off based and totally non-consistent for both sides.... guys are getting tackled left n right n they stop as if waiting for the whistle but no whistle... then a similar play occurs and bam whistle...

Could not understand that ref at all. On Brazil's third goal, the turnover from Modric was caused by Ramires foul, the guy scissor drop kick him from behind but no call lol... I was like wtf....

 

[757Hokie83]

yes that's the first controversial play of the cup...

sad part is, I've too seen worse flopping but more times than none, even THOSE weren't called lol...

I'm really on the camp of actually banning that ref from further cup games this year...

If I want to nitpick, I've been watching him after that pk and he was way off based and totally non-consistent for both sides.... guys are getting tackled left n right n they stop as if waiting for the whistle but no whistle... then a similar play occurs and bam whistle...

Could not understand that ref at all. On Brazil's third goal, the turnover from Modric was caused by Ramires foul, the guy scissor drop kick him from behind but no call lol... I was like wtf....

the bad thing about it, the more casual watchers of the cup who see the opening game decided on a BS call like that are going to be very turned off by the whole thing now.

 

[CalamityX11]

the bad thing about it, the more casual watchers of the cup who see the opening game decided on a BS call like that are going to be very turned off by the whole thing now.

its becoming part of the game and I absolutely hate it... players start playing for fouls rather than futbol so that robs the excitement and true nature of the game.....

 

[ugafan6612]

its becoming part of the game and I absolutely hate it... players start playing for fouls rather than futbol so that robs the excitement and true nature of the game.....

Now you have almost a better chance of getting s flop pk than scoring in the box it seems

 

[bksballer89]

7 games into the WC and only 2 teams have not scored

 

[Tainthappening]

7 games into the WC and only 2 teams have not scored

Great point.. I have enjoyed this World Cup thus far (other than flop and Colombian Assistant that called offside too much).

Average of 3.5 goals per game and of the first 8 games the team that scored first has won 4 and lost 4.