The Official World Cup Thread

[soccer10k]

I'm going to be hitting up a local bar with a few of my friends as well. All I can hope for is a win because that's all the US can control. Anything else is a bonus.

[da bears]

I'm so mad. I'm gonna be on a flight and am going to miss half the first half and all of the second half. It's gonna be the longest freakin' flight of my life even though its actually only like two and a half hours.

[USSoccer]

So I'm really wary of Ghana tomorrow. They have a ton of speed. Crazy fast, plus they have 2 mids (Amoah and Essian) who, if given space, will dominate the US and create all sorts of issues, especially without Mastroeni.

 

For the US to win this game, they are going to need to score early and knock Ghana's confidence back right off the bat. They need to defend the flanks and control the middle of the field. Service from the US flanks (I'm looking at you, Bobby Convey) needs to be much better.

 

I'd almost be tempted to start Beasley tomorrow, given Ghana's speed. EJ definetly needs to start. With no Pope and Mastro, I put Conrad in the back and Johnson up front, with Donovan dropping to attacking mid.

 

Your other option is to 3-5-2 your lineup, with DMB, Dempsey, JOB, Donovan and Reyna in the middle. I don't know if I trust 3 in the back in a must-win game, though.

 

Keys:

 

-Donovan. Needs to score.

 

-Reyna. Needs to be better in the attacking third.

 

-Gooch. We need the Italy Gooch again.

 

-The first 15 minutes. Score. DO NOT LET THEM SCORE.

 

-Limit set pieces in your area.

 

I mostly agree with you. A couple things:

 

Amoah is the starting forward that isn't banned. Appiah is the other midfielder you're thinking of. The one that looks like a tank and runs people over. Plays in Turkey. And before that he played for Juve. he's learned well.

 

With Pope and Mastro out, I put Conrad and O'Brien in. Same lineup as before, which is basically a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-3-1. I think. I'm not really sure what we've been playing, to be honest. Unless O'Brien isn't fit, in which case I'd put Eddie Lewis into a midfield role. Unless we think Reyna can play Mastro's ballwinning tough guy role, but I don't think he can. Then again, I don't think Lewis can either. And he's be on the same side as Convey, and we all know how that worked last time. basically I hope O'Brien can play. I do know that we need 4 at the back.

 

I hope to god these suspensions don't mean Berhalter sees the field, because that's simply not acceptable.

 

I miss Gibbs.

 

Ghana is overconfident. We have to hit them early, I totally agree with that.

 

You're right. Appiah is who I'm thinking of.

 

If Berhalter is on the field we're in trouble. And all indications are that O'Brien isn't fit enough to play signifigant minutes yet. I even heard the name Ben Olson mentioned as a replacement for Mastro. Which makes me sick to my stomach.

[soccer10k]

"Czech Republic, go cry on Slovakia's shoulder. Oh wait, they're not part of your country anymore."

 

"Go get one of those body waxes that your country has down there because the only person you should be playing with is yourself." - to Ronaldo

 

Hilarious.

 

Also hilarious were the old pictures of Alexi Lalas.

 

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_footballworldcup/LALAS_Alexi_19940220_GH_R.jpg

[Balsa]

Stand UP for the USA....Stand UP for the USA...Stand UP for the USA

 

This is it lads, do or die!

[lowest]

starters courtesy of fifaworldcup.com

 

Keller

Bocanegra

Cherundolo

Lewis

Dempsey

Reyna

Conrad

Beasley

McBride

Donovan

Onyewu

 

edit: matchtracker has lewis as a midfielder

 

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

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

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

dempsey-----donovan---dmb-----lewis

-----------------mcbride-----------------

[UMFan83]

Wow did that sign just say "Quakes fans believe in you" presumably referring to the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS? Good stuff

[goonys evil twin]

These intros are very lame.

[Andy]

The fans were sure loud singing the anthem!

 

This is the earliest I have gotten up all summer - so you guys better win!!!

 

GO USA!

[Jazz]

Here we go, GO USA!

[Andy]

US looking good offensively with a couple of scoring chances already.

[Andy]

Reyna draws a yellow card!

[Jon]

A live shot of 20,000 Korean fans in the Staples Center vs. about 30 people strolling around in Times Square.

[Andy]

Why on earth does Lewis get carded for an accidental hand-ball????

[Jon]

Two pretty weak yellow cards already.

[Milli1306]

wow, that shot was sure off the mark

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The yellow cards are flying early and often thus far. :?

[Garwilly]

I love you guys and all, but do you know a message board that will have a good amount of play by play?

[Banedon]

I love you guys and all, but do you know a message board that will have a good amount of play by play?

 

ESPN has a working gamecast of this one...and it's got live commentary.

[Andy]

Good defensive stand by the US!

[Garwilly]

I love you guys and all, but do you know a message board that will have a good amount of play by play?

 

ESPN has a working gamecast of this one...and it's got live commentary.

 

Yeah, but for whatever reason it wont load for. So I'm watching on CBS's 1980's version.

[Jazz]

crap....

[Banedon]

I love you guys and all, but do you know a message board that will have a good amount of play by play?

 

ESPN has a working gamecast of this one...and it's got live commentary.

 

Yeah, but for whatever reason it wont load for. So I'm watching on CBS's 1980's version.

 

Ahhh...sorry then man...that's the best I got.

[Andy]

Reyna gets it stolen and Ghana runs in and scores. 1-0.

[Jon]

crap, indeed.

 

That was bad.

Edited June 22, 2006 by Jon