Countdown to World Cup 2006

[USSoccer]

Okay, I figure we're a little under 4 months to go until the World Cup starts, so I thought I'd fire up a thread to keep all WC/soccer related info stored. I guess I'll just post a little primer for those not familiar or not having followed the draw, or the event itself.

 

 

Where: Germany

Dates: June 9th-July 9th, 2006.

 

Format: There are 32 teams in the World Cup, 30 of whom qualified in regional knockout tournaments. Germany is the host country, so they get an automatic bid, and Brazil gets in for being the defending champion, winning in 2002 in Korea.

 

There are 8 groups of 4 teams, and they play round robin in the first week. Top 2 teams in terms of points advance to the knockout, single elimination round. 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie.

 

Here are the groups:

 

Group A:

 

Germany

Costa Rica

Poland

Ecuador

 

Group B:

 

England

Paraguay

Trinidad & Tobago

Sweden

 

Group C:

 

Argentina

Ivory Coast

Serbia & Montenegro

Netherlands

 

Group D:

 

Mexico

Iran

Angola

Portugal

 

Group E:

 

Czech Republic

United States

Italy

Ghana

 

Group F:

 

Brazil

Croatia

Australia

Japan

 

Group G:

 

France

Switzerland

South Korea

Togo

 

Group H:

 

Spain

Ukraine

Tunisia

Saudi Arabia

 

So after the first round, the groups play out as follows:

 

1A v 2B

1C v 2D

1B v 2A

1D v 2C

1E v 2F

1G v 2H

1F v 2E

1H v 2G

 

So, for example, if the US finish 2nd in their group, they most likely get to play Brazil, who will almost assuredly finish atop group F.

 

So, that's the basic layout. The United States start on Monday, June 12th at 12:00 et (7pm local, i believe) against the Czech Republic, then play Italy on Saturday the 17th, and finish up with Ghana on Thursday the 22nd.

[USSoccer]

A little analysis, now. The US got completely hosed in their inital seeding for the tournament. FIFA only uses the current rankings as part of their seeding system. Had they gone solely on the basis of the current rankings, the US would have been one of the top 8 teams, and therefore a #1 seed for draw purposes. Instead, FIFA used performance in the last 2 World Cups, along with qualifying region finish and world ranking to determine the seedings.

 

So the US drew Ghana, the highest ranking team in Africa, the Czech Republic (a top 3 team) and Italy, traditionally a powerhouse.

 

Of these three teams, the US stands the best shot at beating Ghana and Italy.

 

The US roster will likely be comprised as follows:

 

Locks:

 

Landon Donovan, M/F

Claudio Reyna, M

Kasey Keller, G

DaMarcus Beasely, M

Eddie Pope, D

Oguichi Oneywu, D

Brian McBride, F

Eddie Lewis, D/M

Steve Cherundolo, D

 

Probables:

 

Frankie Hejduk, D/M

John O'Brien, M

Eddie Johnson, F

Carlos Bocanegra, D

Corey Gibbs, D

Tim Howard, G

Marcus Hahnneman, G

 

On The Bubble:

 

Clint Dempsey, M

Steve Ralston, M

Pablo Mastroeni, M

Taylor Twellman, F

Brian Ching, F

Josh Wolff, F

Bobby Convey, M

Jonathan Spector, D

Pat Noonan, M

Ben Olsen, M

[brinoch]

An excellent primer for those who may be unaware of the greatest tournament in sports this summer, in Germany. It would be nice to offer some thoughts on the challenges facing our boys as they head over to Europe. Our group is tough, for sure, but I still think Italy isn't as good as everyone makes them out to be. There's a reason they underperform at seemingly every international tournament -- they're consistently overrated. I'll add some more thoughts as I continue scouting (err... drinking beer and watching friendlies).

 

Oh, and off topic, I made two seriously unconscious, wicked, evil saves last night during my team's indoor game. The first was when we were down 4-0 five minutes into the game (my defense was asleep or non-existant and kept giving up 4 on 2 breakaways until I went crazy on this save). This player was one-on-one with me from about 4 feet when the shot was kicked. I was moving forward towards the top of the goalie box, and as the ball was kicked, I was mid-stride, so I trailed my right foot behind my left and made a belly-up dive, feet first to my left, and so made the save of a ball that was behind and above my waist. My right leg deflected the ball. It was sweet.

 

The second was on an open net with about 6 minutes left in the 2nd half (we were up 6-5). My defense broke down and left a forward unprotected on my right, who -- of course -- received a picture perfect pass. I sprawled out completely to my right and deflected the ball with the tip of my fingers, popped back up, and saved the rebound, too. We won 7-5.

[USSoccer]

An excellent primer for those who may be unaware of the greatest tournament in sports this summer, in Germany. It would be nice to offer some thoughts on the challenges facing our boys as they head over to Europe. Our group is tough, for sure, but I still think Italy isn't as good as everyone makes them out to be. There's a reason they underperform at seemingly every international tournament -- they're consistently overrated. I'll add some more thoughts as I continue scouting (err... drinking beer and watching friendlies).

 

Oh, and off topic, I made two seriously unconscious, wicked, evil saves last night during my team's indoor game. The first was when we were down 4-0 five minutes into the game (my defense was asleep or non-existant and kept giving up 4 on 2 breakaways until I went crazy on this save). This player was one-on-one with me from about 4 feet when the shot was kicked. I was moving forward towards the top of the goalie box, and as the ball was kicked, I was mid-stride, so I trailed my right foot behind my left and made a belly-up dive, feet first to my left, and so made the save of a ball that was behind and above my waist. My right leg deflected the ball. It was sweet.

 

The second was on an open net with about 6 minutes left in the 2nd half (we were up 6-5). My defense broke down and left a forward unprotected on my right, who -- of course -- received a picture perfect pass. I sprawled out completely to my right and deflected the ball with the tip of my fingers, popped back up, and saved the rebound, too. We won 7-5.

 

Nice saves. I always respected keepers that came up with clutch saves. Indoor as a striker always sucks, though, since you have such a small target goal-wise, and less of an angle. I blew more breakaways playing indoor than I care to remember, because of the stupid angles. A keeper with a good wingspan can make it irritating.

 

 

There's more talk about Italy in the Ouch thread, but I think you're dead on, and Seth went into good detail about them-they are criminally overrated. They have no depth, no great mids, decent defenders but ones that are overmatched against fast wing players, and aging, inconsistent scorers. Their only hope of advancing lie in playing that stupid "net" defensive system, and winning 1-0 or tying teams 0-0. I think the US is too talented right now (barring injury to the key 3-Donovan, Beasley and Keller) to lose to Italy.

 

Group E isn't as tough as one might think it is. On paper, it looks nasty, but Ghana suck in the ack end of round robin games, and the US play them last. The Czechs have injury questions, and their best player is older. I think they could be a team like Portugal in 2002.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Here's a schedule:

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901

 

 

 

I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts.

 

We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.

[Mark Priors Calves]

great idea USS. I'm definitely pumped for this thing to start. I'm disappointed by having early afternoon games here in the States, hopefully work schedules are favorable. I put some money on Holland in Vegas to win as a semi-dark horse, so I'm definitely pulling for two teams.

[sethuel1]

Here's a schedule:

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901

 

 

 

I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts.

 

We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.

 

A 100% Totti can get a team really, really far. he's been about 80% for Roma's last 10 games (well, 9.1, I guess, since he got injured ten minutes into the last one). They've won all 10 of those games to tie the Serie A consecutive wins record. it's been almost entirely because of Totti (and to a lesser extent, Simone Perrotta and Mancini, the best brazilian you've probably never heard of).

[Mark Priors Calves]

This might be a stupid question but I'm gonna throw it out there for some of you more informed soccer to answer. Does Freddie Adu have any chance to make the US roster? Is he still too young or too raw?

[USSoccer]

Here's a schedule:

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901

 

 

 

I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts.

 

We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.

 

A 100% Totti can get a team really, really far. he's been about 80% for Roma's last 10 games (well, 9.1, I guess, since he got injured ten minutes into the last one). They've won all 10 of those games to tie the Serie A consecutive wins record. it's been almost entirely because of Totti (and to a lesser extent, Simone Perrotta and Mancini, the best brazilian you've probably never heard of).

 

I just don't think he'll be 100% from a broken ankle by mid-June. He'll probably be on the field, but not at 100%.

 

Was it his plant foot or his main foot?

[USSoccer]

This might be a stupid question but I'm gonna throw it out there for some of you more informed soccer to answer. Does Freddie Adu have any chance to make the US roster? Is he still too young or too raw?

 

He got capped (appeared in a game) vs Canada about 2 weeks ago, but only because Eddie Johnson got hurt. He was in camp training, but Arena probably did it to give him some experience and feel the kid out.

 

I'd be stunned if he made the roster, but if a multiple midfield/forward type guys get hurt, it's a possibility. I'd give it less than 5%, though, since there is so much depth at midfield and forward for Arena to choose from.

[sethuel1]

Here's a schedule:

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901

 

 

 

I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts.

 

We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.

 

A 100% Totti can get a team really, really far. he's been about 80% for Roma's last 10 games (well, 9.1, I guess, since he got injured ten minutes into the last one). They've won all 10 of those games to tie the Serie A consecutive wins record. it's been almost entirely because of Totti (and to a lesser extent, Simone Perrotta and Mancini, the best brazilian you've probably never heard of).

 

I just don't think he'll be 100% from a broken ankle by mid-June. He'll probably be on the field, but not at 100%.

 

Was it his plant foot or his main foot?

 

Plant foot.

[USSoccer]

Here's a schedule:

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901

 

 

 

I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts.

 

We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.

 

A 100% Totti can get a team really, really far. he's been about 80% for Roma's last 10 games (well, 9.1, I guess, since he got injured ten minutes into the last one). They've won all 10 of those games to tie the Serie A consecutive wins record. it's been almost entirely because of Totti (and to a lesser extent, Simone Perrotta and Mancini, the best brazilian you've probably never heard of).

 

I just don't think he'll be 100% from a broken ankle by mid-June. He'll probably be on the field, but not at 100%.

 

Was it his plant foot or his main foot?

 

Plant foot.

 

I'd think that to get strength and quickness back in your plant foot would take awhile, since all of his weight will be shifting on that ankle every time he makes a move.

[USSoccer]

Some more scouting tidbits:

 

Former Ghana coach Giuseppe Dossena noted after the draw that Italy had a difficult schedule because the Ghanaians would be at their best in their opening game. After that, Ghana has a tendency to slip physically and could lose players to cards or other problems. So the U.S. could have an advantage; after meeting the Czechs June 12, it will face an Italy team June 17 which could be recovering from a difficult match, then confront a possibly depleted Ghana on June 22.

 

 

Blurb on the Totti surgery:

 

Totti has undergone a two-hour operation to repair a fractured fibula in his left-leg, and is expected to be out for between two and three months

[USSoccer]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

[sethuel1]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

 

I have no problem with McBride up front as long as we're playing the longball-type game that he's suited to. Against Italy, however, McBride will be totally neutralized by Nesta in the longball game, and should therefore be replaced by Twellman so we've got 2 quick forwards up front. It is imperative that the forwards are then provided with good service. For this, i'd play Dempsey. i hope he's ready for the big stage. he's by far the best passer we've got. In fact, i'd agree with you that Dempsey should probably be starting no matter what, but definitely if the longball game is not in use.

 

Solely for playing against the Czechs, I would bring Mastroeni, because I'd have him absolutely mess with Nedved for the full 90 minutes. he's a real bastard. in a good way.

[USSoccer]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

 

I have no problem with McBride up front as long as we're playing the longball-type game that he's suited to. Against Italy, however, McBride will be totally neutralized by Nesta in the longball game, and should therefore be replaced by Twellman so we've got 2 quick forwards up front. It is imperative that the forwards are then provided with good service. For this, i'd play Dempsey. i hope he's ready for the big stage. he's by far the best passer we've got. In fact, i'd agree with you that Dempsey should probably be starting no matter what, but definitely if the longball game is not in use.

 

Solely for playing against the Czechs, I would bring Mastroeni, because I'd have him absolutely mess with Nedved for the full 90 minutes. he's a real bastard. in a good way.

 

You don't think McBride's usefulness is limited given his age and mileage?

[sethuel1]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

 

I have no problem with McBride up front as long as we're playing the longball-type game that he's suited to. Against Italy, however, McBride will be totally neutralized by Nesta in the longball game, and should therefore be replaced by Twellman so we've got 2 quick forwards up front. It is imperative that the forwards are then provided with good service. For this, i'd play Dempsey. i hope he's ready for the big stage. he's by far the best passer we've got. In fact, i'd agree with you that Dempsey should probably be starting no matter what, but definitely if the longball game is not in use.

 

Solely for playing against the Czechs, I would bring Mastroeni, because I'd have him absolutely mess with Nedved for the full 90 minutes. he's a real bastard. in a good way.

 

You don't think McBride's usefulness is limited given his age and mileage?

 

i absolutely think it's limited. But he still manages to win a lot of balls in the air. Also, I like the change of pace going from him to whoever his sub is (probably twellman) at about the 60-70 minute mark, where all of a sudden defenses have to deal with a guy making runs instead of just going after balls in the air and poaching.

[UK1679666180]

I still don't know how Ireland did not make the top 32, even Isreal had more prelim. points.

[USSoccer]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

 

I have no problem with McBride up front as long as we're playing the longball-type game that he's suited to. Against Italy, however, McBride will be totally neutralized by Nesta in the longball game, and should therefore be replaced by Twellman so we've got 2 quick forwards up front. It is imperative that the forwards are then provided with good service. For this, i'd play Dempsey. i hope he's ready for the big stage. he's by far the best passer we've got. In fact, i'd agree with you that Dempsey should probably be starting no matter what, but definitely if the longball game is not in use.

 

Solely for playing against the Czechs, I would bring Mastroeni, because I'd have him absolutely mess with Nedved for the full 90 minutes. he's a real bastard. in a good way.

 

You don't think McBride's usefulness is limited given his age and mileage?

 

i absolutely think it's limited. But he still manages to win a lot of balls in the air. Also, I like the change of pace going from him to whoever his sub is (probably twellman) at about the 60-70 minute mark, where all of a sudden defenses have to deal with a guy making runs instead of just going after balls in the air and poaching.

 

I think Twellman can be just as effective in the air, plus I also think Twellman has the strikers gift of being in the right place at the right time.

 

I agree with you 100% of Dempsey. I'd like to see Clint out there every game, but the Poland and Germany games are going to be big for him. He needs to show he can keep him composure against players that will knock him around on hostile fields.

[USSoccer]

I still don't know how Ireland did not make the top 32, even Isreal had more prelim. points.

 

Roy Keane is pretty old at this point. Their only good player of note after him is Damian Duff, and even with those limitations they very nearly qualified

[sethuel1]

And finally, upcoming US warmup games:

 

March 1st vs Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany

March 22nd vs Germany in Dortmund, Germany

 

The European based players like Beasley, Keller, Reyna, Cherundolo and McBride should be playing in these games, and the roster you see against Germany will likely be the final roster barring injuries.

 

IMO, this *should* be the starting 11:

 

Keller

Oneywu

Pope

Cherundolo

Lewis

Reyna

Beasley

Dempsey

Donovan

Twellman

Johnson

 

but I think a more likely lineup features O'Brien in place of Dempsey, and McBride in place of Twellman. Also, slide Donovan up front, put Johnson on the bench, and start Ralston at midfield.

 

I have no problem with McBride up front as long as we're playing the longball-type game that he's suited to. Against Italy, however, McBride will be totally neutralized by Nesta in the longball game, and should therefore be replaced by Twellman so we've got 2 quick forwards up front. It is imperative that the forwards are then provided with good service. For this, i'd play Dempsey. i hope he's ready for the big stage. he's by far the best passer we've got. In fact, i'd agree with you that Dempsey should probably be starting no matter what, but definitely if the longball game is not in use.

 

Solely for playing against the Czechs, I would bring Mastroeni, because I'd have him absolutely mess with Nedved for the full 90 minutes. he's a real bastard. in a good way.

 

You don't think McBride's usefulness is limited given his age and mileage?

 

i absolutely think it's limited. But he still manages to win a lot of balls in the air. Also, I like the change of pace going from him to whoever his sub is (probably twellman) at about the 60-70 minute mark, where all of a sudden defenses have to deal with a guy making runs instead of just going after balls in the air and poaching.

 

I think Twellman can be just as effective in the air, plus I also think Twellman has the strikers gift of being in the right place at the right time.

 

I agree with you 100% of Dempsey. I'd like to see Clint out there every game, but the Poland and Germany games are going to be big for him. He needs to show he can keep him composure against players that will knock him around on hostile fields.

 

it's not about twellman getting up for headers on goal. it's about the longball game where McBride redirects balls over the top down for Beasley and Donovan to run onto.

[USSoccer]

it's not about twellman getting up for headers on goal. it's about the longball game where McBride redirects balls over the top down for Beasley and Donovan to run onto.

 

I don't see Twellman struggling to do that, although McBride is probably better at it. In the end, Twellman backing up McBride is probably what will happen, with Eddie Johnson playing the Clint Mathis role from 2002.

 

How do you feel about Saturino Quaranta?

[sethuel1]

it's not about twellman getting up for headers on goal. it's about the longball game where McBride redirects balls over the top down for Beasley and Donovan to run onto.

 

I don't see Twellman struggling to do that, although McBride is probably better at it. In the end, Twellman backing up McBride is probably what will happen, with Eddie Johnson playing the Clint Mathis role from 2002.

 

How do you feel about Saturino Quaranta?

Well, Santino's finally been uninjured for a while. That's a good start.

 

Honestly, I don't have much of an opinion of him

[Marco4]

I still don't know how Ireland did not make the top 32, even Isreal had more prelim. points.

 

Roy Keane is pretty old at this point. Their only good player of note after him is Damian Duff, and even with those limitations they very nearly qualified

 

Robbie Keane? Shay Given? Admittedly, a 22-man squad would be thin on the ground, though.

[da bears]

I really dont care much for soccer, until the World Cup begins, then I'll get up at 4 in the morning to watch the games if I have to. Hopefully we build on our strong showing at the last World Cup (I can't believe that was four years ago already).