The Official World Cup Thread

[wolf stansson]

I don't know enough to opine, so I am soliciting others:

 

Is this the greatest disappointment in US soccer history? Will it set the game back in this country?

 

I cant decide if 98 or 06 was worse. In 98, we were just terrible, in 06, we were terrible AND we had expectations going in. I dont know.

 

After 98 everyone said it would set american soccer back, but look at 02. Who knows what will happen.

They definitely underperformed my expectations, but the sting is eased by the fact that I fully expected Italy and the Czechs to advance. It's just that the first game was unbelievably bad, especially in hindsight of the Czechs sucking. Italy was a moral victory, yet frustrating because of officiating and the non-goal. Ghana was a huge disappointment because it was win and get in. The PK call was a flat out joke, LD was visible only when beefing two good chances (the free kick and the overshot), and Arena's stubbornness to change a formula that clearly was not creating scoring chances.

 

WE HAD ONE GOAL THIS ENTIRE WORLD CUP.

[soccer10k]

I don't know enough to opine, so I am soliciting others:

 

Is this the greatest disappointment in US soccer history? Will it set the game back in this country?

 

1998 was definately worse. We were in an easier group and finished dead last. At least this year we were in the Group of Death and managed a point against a very good Italy team. All that the team could take out of 1998 was that they sucked. This year we played extremely well against Italy. I mean, we were down a man for the whole second half and not only didn't concede a goal, but had a couple chances to score ourselves. We also played well, although not great, against Ghana. The thing that needs to be worked on is the finishing. Too many times did we have a chance to get a good shot on goal but couldn't even force the goalie to make a save.

[soccer10k]

Time to watch Brazil.

[sweetpeteman]

Hopefully this is it for Arena.

 

I think it's gotta be.

 

Who do you want replacing him?

 

The dancing bear.

[Jon]

Is it just me or every time they cut to Arena is he either shaking his head or tossing his arm(s) in the air. He sure seems like an idiot to me.

 

You're not the only one that thinks he's an idiot.

 

Wynalda is laying into Arena pretty good.

 

What a terrible showing.

 

I don't know anything about soccer strategy, but I don't know how anybody can be inspired by that guy. His body language is awful during the game and he just mopes around like he's waiting for his wife to finish trying on outfits.

 

As a fellow non-soccer person, I think that's an excellent description.

I prefer to think of it as him being disappointed with the fish not biting.

 

Great save by Japan.

 

And another one.

 

And another one.

[soccer10k]

I am really liking the ref for the Brazil-Japan game. He's letting both teams play and is not calling every little bump and shove and hasn't given out a yellow card yet. Amazing, a ref keeping the cards in his pockets until they are absolutely necessary.

[soccer10k]

1-0 Japan. Tamada did very will to stay onsides on that play. I don't think this game will end 1-0 though.

[Jon]

What a shot! This has been a very entertaining game so far.

 

And yeah, the ref hasn't been a factor. Refreshing. If was impressed that he didn't blow the whistle when Ronaldinho went down in the box after some nice footwork.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Great goal by Japan.

 

Great saves by their keeper too.

 

Go Japan!

[Jon]

Nobody could see Ronaldo sneak back there for the equalizer.

[soccer10k]

Ronaldo finally strikes and gets his 13th total World Cup goal. 1-1 now.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nobody could see Ronaldo sneak back there for the equalizer.

 

He's really fleet of foot and nimble.

[Jon]

Nobody could see Ronaldo sneak back there for the equalizer.

 

He's really fleet of foot and nimble.

The last time the country of Japan was hurt by something of that size, they needed Gamera to save them.

[soccer10k]

Nobody could see Ronaldo sneak back there for the equalizer.

 

He's really fleet of foot and nimble.

The last time the country of Japan was hurt by something of that size, they needed Gamera to save them.

 

HAHAHA.

 

Ronaldo almost tied Gerd Muller as that shot went just wide.

[E.J.]

Wow, nice stop by the Japan goalie there. :lol:

 

40 foot goal for Brazil.

[soccer10k]

Juninho puts Brazil up 2-1 as the Japanese keeper should have made that save. Edited June 22, 2006 by soccer10k

[soccer10k]

Horrible play by the Australian goalie there. He easily should have saved that. That's just horrid goalkeeping.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

C'mon, Australia. All you need is a tie!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

C'mon, Australia. All you need is a tie!

 

Wow, they scored a second after I posted that! :D

[Jon]

And there it is.

[soccer10k]

And another "bulge in the old onion bag" from Tommy Smyth.

[sweetpeteman]

Ronaldo has finally shown up.

[soccer10k]

Figures, I drop Ronaldo from my fantasy team and he gets two goals. Either way he's now tied for total career goals in the World Cup.

[Jon]

Croatia really blew a great chance there. Just kick the ball.

[soccer10k]

Red card for Croatia followed a couple minutes later by a red card for Australia. Both were second yellow cards and both were deserved.

 

Croatia nearly became the first team to score with 10 men on the field in this year's World Cup.