The Official World Cup Thread

[sethuel1]

Cannavaro is the perfect example of an Italian defender. Draw your own conclusions.

 

What a coincidence that he's a Juventino, laid on the field twice to waste time/give his guys a break, and is dirty as hell.

[ConstableRabbit]

Worst officiating I've ever seen, personally, in a soccer match.

[Jazz]

It would be an embarrasment to the sport if Fifa does not take action, those poor fans paid to see a real game and it was ruined by this one whistle happy jerk.

[Andy]

Thursday morning will be very exciting

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The worst part now is that we have to root for these dirtbags on Thursday in order to get us through.

[stuy119]

I have no idea how the US will pull off a win on Thursday. Ghana has looked strong in both their games, and our boys will be EXHAUSTED after today's game. On the other hand, the US looked excellent when they were attacking in the first half.

 

I've noticed something in watching the US over the past 16+ years, and it's that the defense consistently fails to mark inside the box. Even more maddening is the formula the US uses, constantly pushing the ball out wide, then trying to center rather than pushing up through the middle (like most of the world class teams).

 

And Cannavalo sucks. What he sucks I'll leave up to you to decide.

[soccer10k]

I'm going to continue my little rant from above. There were four clear consequences of the referee's actions today.

 

1. Rather than the US being up a man or at worst 10 v 10 (with Pope still getting the two yellows) and at least have a decent chance of winning the match, he completely killed any momentum that the US had. So instead of having the whole second half up a man or even strength, the US had to play down a man the whole time. This affected who Arena could substitute during the second half.

 

2. It hurts the US for the next match because now they are without two starters that they shouldn't have to play without. Pope isn't a huge loss, but any time you lose a starter for a game, it's going to hurt.

 

3. During the game, I'm sure the players had absolutely no idea what the referee was going to call and what he was going to allow. It's unbelievable how much a crappy referee can affect the play of the game.

 

4. As I said above, the ref cost us a great chance to win the game. Had we won the game everybody in the group would have had 3 points which would put the US in a win-and-advance situation. Now we have to beat Ghana and hope that Italy beats the Czech Republic. Assuming that the US isn't going to demolish Ghana, this is the only realistic way we are going to advance.

 

 

On a positive note though, everybody has to play hard on Thursday. Even though Italy is in first place, if they lose and Ghana wins, Italy won't advance.

 

If the Czech's lose and either the US or Ghana wins, the Czech's won't advance. If the Czech's tie and Ghana wins, the Czech's won't advance.

 

If Ghana wins, they will advance for sure.

 

If the US wins and the Czech's lose, they will advance.

 

So everybody has something to play for which should provide for two entertaining games.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Also, is there any doubt now that this is the Group of Death?

[soccer10k]

Also, is there any doubt now that this is the Group of Death?

 

There was never any doubt in my mind. There was talk that Group C was actually the Group of Death. I wasn't sold on Serbia and Montenegro and with Argentina's 6-0 win the other day, it proves that. Right now Group E is the only group (out of the five that have played 2 games) that doesn't have a team with 6 points. All of those other groups all have at least one team that has assured itself a place in the knockout stage.

 

Group C is second place, but Group E is most definately the toughest Group.

[Outshined_One]

Italy will want to play hard because a tie could mean they get second place...and a date with Brazil in the second round.

[sethuel1]

Italy will want to play hard because a tie could mean they get second place...and a date with Brazil in the second round.

 

Don't worry about Italy playing hard. They'll get abused by their press this week and come out guns ablazing.

[Balsa]

Italy will want to play hard because a tie could mean they get second place...and a date with Brazil in the second round.

Those Brazilian women are hot! I'd love a date with all of them!

[Balsa]

I have no idea how the US will pull off a win on Thursday. Ghana has looked strong in both their games, and our boys will be EXHAUSTED after today's game.

The two Ghana players who scored goals yesterday will not be playing due to yellow cards?

[Marco4]

I have no idea how the US will pull off a win on Thursday. Ghana has looked strong in both their games, and our boys will be EXHAUSTED after today's game.

The two Ghana players who scored goals yesterday will not be playing due to yellow cards?

 

I think that's the case, yes. (I've just checked - yes, it is)

 

By the same token, USA will be missing Pope and Mastroeni.

[Marco4]

Anyone wanting to learn how to save a penalty, ask Kawaguchi. Perhaps get a translator, too, because you might not speak Japanese. Although he did have a spell at Portsmouth, so he might speak a bit of English.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why in the world am I seeing infomercials instead of Japan-Croatia?

 

EDIT: Thank you Univision.

Edited June 18, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[lowest]

I have no idea how the US will pull off a win on Thursday. Ghana has looked strong in both their games, and our boys will be EXHAUSTED after today's game.

The two Ghana players who scored goals yesterday will not be playing due to yellow cards?

 

I think that's the case, yes. (I've just checked - yes, it is)

 

By the same token, USA will be missing Pope and Mastroeni.

 

i think we can deal without pope. conrad stepped in and filled his shoes well enough (although i did have a fit with the shirt pulling at the end of the game). on the other hand, mastro being out really changes things.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Did Japan just miss a wide open chance? The clock on Univision is only at 6 minutes, but the TV schedule only has it going until the next hour(10 AM here)

[Marco4]

Did Japan just miss a wide open chance? The clock on Univision is only at 6 minutes, but the TV schedule only has it going until the next hour(10 AM here)

 

Yes. It was just sliced wide from about 6 yards out. About 5 minutes ago maybe.

[AI]

I have no idea how the US will pull off a win on Thursday. Ghana has looked strong in both their games, and our boys will be EXHAUSTED after today's game.

The two Ghana players who scored goals yesterday will not be playing due to yellow cards?

 

I think that's the case, yes. (I've just checked - yes, it is)

 

By the same token, USA will be missing Pope and Mastroeni.

 

i think we can deal without pope. conrad stepped in and filled his shoes well enough (although i did have a fit with the shirt pulling at the end of the game). on the other hand, mastro being out really changes things.

 

Maybe I'm not as familiar with the US formations and lineup as I profess to be, but wouldn't O'Brien slide in admirably to Mastroeni's spot in the lineup?

[USSoccer]

When I posted that blurb about the ref a few pages back before the game, I never dreamed that he would be that clearly biased and terrible. He completely dictated how the game was going to end. Given that he's already been suspended by FIFA in 2002 for "irregularities", he should probably get a lifetime ban. The foul disparity at one point was 20-7. I'm not sure how it ended, but I'm sure it didn't narrow much if at all.

 

Mastro shouldn't have been given a hard red, but it was an overly aggresive play. It definetly deserved a yellow. Pope shouldn't have been booked either time.

 

The US played exactly how they needed to. They came out intense, tough, and won just about every 50/50 ball. The entire team played a strong game. Every single played out there deserves praise.

 

My only offensive quibble is with Reyna. He had a clear chance before the Beasley non goal to slip the ball to Donovan in the 18 (and Donovan would have scored, just based on his pace and the angle he would have had the entire left side of the net to slip the ball into) and instead he fired a pretty poor shot from 20 yards. He is supposed to be a playmaker, not a goal scorer.

 

The insane thing was that we had 3 clear opportunities to score once we went down 9v10, but bad luck, poor decision making by Reyna and a terrible shank by McBride cost us.

 

The DMB goal was called to the letter of the rule, but I guarantee if that had been an Italian player passivly offsides in the keeper's line of sight it would have been overlooked.

 

Cherundolo and Boca played really well, and so did Conrad, for that matter. Donovan was sketchy in the attacking third during the first half, but overall played pretty well.

 

Rappin' Clint proved why he should have started the first game. He was really strong in his time on the field. Convey played ok, too, although he had an open shot early and flubbed it, and also didn't position himself well as the "wall" on Italy's goal.

 

I was screaming for Eddie Johnson, but I get why Arena kept that sub in his back pocket. If someone had been hurt, and we'd been out of subs, we'd be 10v8.

 

Finally, that crowd was the best I've ever, ever seen for a US game. They were loud during the anthem, were loud and sang, and I think they kelt our energy high on the field late. The way they were screaming at the Italian player late in the game during the corner was unbelievable. This was the first game I've seen maybe ever where US fans made a clear difference and were wildly passionate and intense. It was a really special game. We outplayed them straight up, 11v10, 10v10 and 9v10. It's too bad the ref decided we couldn't win.

Edited June 18, 2006 by USSoccer

[lowest]

Maybe I'm not as familiar with the US formations and lineup as I profess to be, but wouldn't O'Brien slide in admirably to Mastroeni's spot in the lineup?

 

theoretically, probably. but i dont think anyone outside of the camp is really sure if hes 100% yet. he hasnt played 90 minutes in almost forever, and against a fast, physical team like ghana, fitness will be key. and really, it comes down to the fact that pablo was one of the best players on the field last night before he got himself sent off- we could have used that performance vs ghana matching up against appiah and essien.

[USSoccer]

Maybe I'm not as familiar with the US formations and lineup as I profess to be, but wouldn't O'Brien slide in admirably to Mastroeni's spot in the lineup?

 

theoretically, probably. but i dont think anyone outside of the camp is really sure if hes 100% yet. he hasnt played 90 minutes in almost forever, and against a fast, physical team like ghana, fitness will be key. and really, it comes down to the fact that pablo was one of the best players on the field last night before he got himself sent off- we could have used that performance vs ghana matching up against appiah and essien.

 

I'd not be shocked to see O'Brien in for Mastro, but I'd prefer to see Reyna play in Masro's spot, Landon play in the attacking midfield spot and Eddie Johnson start up front.

 

Keep in mind we have to win the game, and if possible, win by multiple goals. That means we need our goalscorers on the field, and our best offensive lineup possible.

[USSoccer]

Scenarios for Advancing:

 

Current Goal Differential:

 

ITA +2

CZR +1

GHA E

USA -3

 

USA must beat GHA to advance.

 

-If ITA beats CZR and USA beats GHA, ITA and USA advance.

 

-If ITA and CZR tie, USA must beat GHA by 5 since CZR owns head to head tiebreaker with USA.

 

-If CZR beats ITA, USA must beat GHA by at least 4, depending on margin of victory of CZR v ITA. For example, if CZR win 2-0, a 4 goal win v GHA puts the US up 1 on GD. If they beat them 1-0, 4 goals ties them on GD, head to head is even, and the US advance on goals scored with 5 to ITA 3.

 

So basically the 2 best scenarios for the US are a win and a CZR loss, or a win and a CZR blowout win. So we control our destiny, but only in theory.

 

Another example of how the ref screwed us yesterday. We were going to win that game, and he made it all but impossible to do so.

[lowest]

my line-up for thursday:

 

------------------keller------------------

dolo-------gooch-----conrad------boca

------------------reyna------------------

dempsey----------------------convey/DMB

-----------------donovan-----------------

------------EJ-------------Mcbride--------

 

conrad stepped up well, and boca was great last night- very solid.

i agree with USSoccer- reyna takes over for mastro. if dempsey doesnt start again, bruce is a fool; he was fantastic last night and earned his spot. dmb or convey on the left, hell maybe even lewis or JOB, though id prefer convey. if JOB starts, hed be the first off, so id rather see him come in at the half or thereabouts. donovan back in the midfield, and EJ and BMB up top. we need EJ up there.