The Official World Cup Thread

[1908]

It's impossible to card though. The problem is players embellishing actual fouls worse than they actually are. How can you card someone and basically send a "I know for sure you aren't that hurt" message?

When they come sprinting back on the field two minutes after they were rolling around on the ground for two minutes, give them a card.

[USSoccer]

 

US, is there any doubt that Arena is gone? Additionally, while I know its early, would we have a shot at Klinsmann? Will the Germans bring him back.

 

As an aside, I am studying for the bar in July and so I have been limited in the amount of Cup I have been able to watch, but has anyone gotten more of the shaft from the officials than us? Granted, we don't deserve to advance, but from the red cards in the Italy game to the worst PK call ever, it was infuriating. I know the rest of the world hates us and in know way wants us to take the one game at which they can beat us consistently, but it was ridiculous.

 

I don't doubt that Arena is gone. I think he was going to take a leave after the Cup anyway, but his crap-the-bed coach job will simply formalize what was going to happen. And quite frankly, it's not a bad thing. He was the right coach to follow Sampson, but he's not the right coach now that we have a much deeper talent pool. Now we need the kind of coach that can take an EJ, of Adu, or Nguyen or Donovan and make them into a Nedved or a Totti. The kind of coach that doesn't misuse our most creative player (Dempsey) and our fastest wing player (Beasley).

 

Whether or not Klinsi is available will depend largely on Germany's ability to win the Cup. If they win, he won't be. If they tank out in the next 2 rounds, he probably will be, and the USSF needs to be all over that. The worst thing the USSF could do is bring in some crap coach that came up in the US system, who's too used to playing not to lose, or bring in an overrated hack like Sven Goran Eriksson, who makes Dusty look like Bobby Cox when it comes to young players vs vets.

 

As far as the refs go, I think it's a learning process. We need to earn that respect on the field. If you had an alien reffing the ITA game, we likely win. Ditto for today, although we deserved a win today far less than on Saturday. We have to earn the respect of officials before we will stop getting hosed on borderline calls.

Edited June 22, 2006 by USSoccer

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's impossible to card though. The problem is players embellishing actual fouls worse than they actually are. How can you card someone and basically send a "I know for sure you aren't that hurt" message?

When they come sprinting back on the field two minutes are they were rolling around on the ground for two minutes, give them a card.

 

You don't see how impossible that is to enforce? You can't determine how hurt a player is and then do something as serious as card them for it.

[1908]

It's impossible to card though. The problem is players embellishing actual fouls worse than they actually are. How can you card someone and basically send a "I know for sure you aren't that hurt" message?

When they come sprinting back on the field two minutes are they were rolling around on the ground for two minutes, give them a card.

You don't see how impossible that is to enforce? You can't determine how hurt a player is and then do something as serious as card them for it.

I was being facetious, but the embellishment seems obvious to me. And if players weren't rewarded for acting hurt, they wouldn't act hurt.

[Balsa]

It's impossible to card though. The problem is players embellishing actual fouls worse than they actually are. How can you card someone and basically send a "I know for sure you aren't that hurt" message?

When they come sprinting back on the field two minutes are they were rolling around on the ground for two minutes, give them a card.

 

You don't see how impossible that is to enforce? You can't determine how hurt a player is and then do something as serious as card them for it.

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

[Marco4]

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

What happens if you take a boot to a delicate region? You're going to be damaged enough to possibly leave the field, but 15 minutes?

[soccer10k]

It's impossible to card though. The problem is players embellishing actual fouls worse than they actually are. How can you card someone and basically send a "I know for sure you aren't that hurt" message?

When they come sprinting back on the field two minutes are they were rolling around on the ground for two minutes, give them a card.

 

You don't see how impossible that is to enforce? You can't determine how hurt a player is and then do something as serious as card them for it.

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

15 minutes is a little steep for me. I would suggest 5 minutes because that is enough time to give the opposing team the advantage for a little while. I definately wouldn't be opposed to a rule like this though.

[Balsa]

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

What happens if you take a boot to a delicate region? You're going to be damaged enough to possibly leave the field, but 15 minutes?

True true...I like the suggestion above me though. 5 mintues should be a more reasonable time I think. 15 minutes is a bit too harsh, that's a third of the half.

[Marco4]

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

What happens if you take a boot to a delicate region? You're going to be damaged enough to possibly leave the field, but 15 minutes?

True true...I like the suggestion above me though. 5 mintues should be a more reasonable time I think. 15 minutes is a bit too harsh, that's a third of the half.

 

I don't know if you saw Grimsby much this year, but there's not a lot of rolling about at that level - the players aren't agile enough to get away with diving. Its just at the top level and internationally that the International House of Feathers become a potent weapon.

 

Its something that needs to be addressed, and I've no doubt FIFA will introduce a baffling rule at some point.

 

What are you doing up at this time anyway?

[Balsa]

Hell as long as I'm suggesting changes, I think soccer should be more like ice hockey where the players can sub at any time and return at any time. I think it would make the game much more interesting.

 

Although then you'd have to do something different about the dives.

[Marco4]

Hell as long as I'm suggesting changes, I think soccer should be more like ice hockey where the players can sub at any time and return at any time. I think it would make the game much more interesting.

 

That would have extended Alan Shearer's career to taking penalties next season - it would certainly result in free-kick special teams (Hey, maybe David Beckham is worth a place on the team :lol:). Its common in five-a-side and six-a-side, and I see no reason why there shouldn't be rolling substitutes, but maybe a limit of 10 per team.

[Balsa]

I don't know if you saw Grimsby much this year, but there's not a lot of rolling about at that level - the players aren't agile enough to get away with diving. Its just at the top level and internationally that the International House of Feathers become a potent weapon.

 

Its something that needs to be addressed, and I've no doubt FIFA will introduce a baffling rule at some point.

 

What are you doing up at this time anyway?

 

I was privileged to go to THREE Grimsby Town games last year (record in attendance 1-1-1), and the quality of play is quite a bit rougher and there is much less diving.

 

As for me being up, I'm doing the essay that's due tomorrow. :D What's your excuse?

[Marco4]

I was privileged to go to THREE Grimsby Town games last year (record in attendance 1-1-1), and the quality of play is quite a bit rougher and there is much less diving.

 

As for me being up, I'm doing the essay that's due tomorrow. :D What's your excuse?

 

I've lost count of the amount of Huddersfield games I've been to (about 600-700, I've seen about 12 away victories out of those :() and both the play, and the play-acting are frequently so bad as to be funny.

 

My excuse is the more traditional bottle of scotch and Field of Dreams. But I am at work tomorrow.... yikes.

[Guest]

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

What happens if you take a boot to a delicate region? You're going to be damaged enough to possibly leave the field, but 15 minutes?

True true...I like the suggestion above me though. 5 mintues should be a more reasonable time I think. 15 minutes is a bit too harsh, that's a third of the half.

I was about to suggest something similar, only instead of the 5/15 minute penalty I was going to suggest the player be removed for the rest of the game, kind of a forced substitution. (Though I don't think that a sub due to injury should count against a team's total for the game.)

 

This world cup is the first soccer I've ever watched, and I must say I find the number of players who spend 25% of the game writhing around in the grass quite annoying. Right now it sits somewhere between pro (American) football and hockey on the list of sports I enjoy watching.

[Balsa]

I've lost count of the amount of Huddersfield games I've been to (about 600-700, I've seen about 12 away victories out of those :() and both the play, and the play-acting are frequently so bad as to be funny.

 

My excuse is the more traditional bottle of scotch and Field of Dreams. But I am at work tomorrow.... yikes.

Hey just be glad you're in league one. Which, coincidentally is where Grimsby should be. *curses playoffs*

 

Gonna have to find a way to watch Grimsby games somehow next year. Somehow I think WGN won't carry them....

 

Nice with the scotch and Field of Dreams. Is that on ITV? I don't have a TV here :(

Edited June 23, 2006 by Balsa

[sethuel1]

How about the player cannot come back onto the field for 15 minutes? That would discourage the diving and stretchers.

 

What happens if you take a boot to a delicate region? You're going to be damaged enough to possibly leave the field, but 15 minutes?

True true...I like the suggestion above me though. 5 mintues should be a more reasonable time I think. 15 minutes is a bit too harsh, that's a third of the half.

I was about to suggest something similar, only instead of the 5/15 minute penalty I was going to suggest the player be removed for the rest of the game, kind of a forced substitution. (Though I don't think that a sub due to injury should count against a team's total for the game.)

 

This world cup is the first soccer I've ever watched, and I must say I find the number of players who spend 25% of the game writhing around in the grass quite annoying. Right now it sits somewhere between pro (American) football and hockey on the list of sports I enjoy watching.

 

Did you watch the Brazil-Japan game today?

[Marco4]

Gonna have to find a way to watch Grimsby games somehow next year. Somehow I think WGN won't carry them....

 

Nice with the scotch and Field of Dreams. Is that on ITV? I don't have a TV here :(

 

You can listen to them with the World package (£3.99 a month (I think).... but you can hear every Football League - i.e. not Premier League - game for that) which is decent. Pay a bit more and you can get highlights online.

 

Field of Dreams was a DVD. One of the best £5 I ever spent.

 

I'd curse the playoffs too, but Barnsley were better than us, so they deserved it.

[Guest]

Did you watch the Brazil-Japan game today?

Nope. What happened?

[Balsa]

You can listen to them with the World package (£3.99 a month (I think).... but you can hear every Football League - i.e. not Premier League - game for that) which is decent. Pay a bit more and you can get highlights online.

Not too shabby. Looks like it's the radio for me.

 

I'd curse the playoffs too, but Barnsley were better than us, so they deserved it.

I was gonna say 'I was there when Grismby beat them 3-0 at home!' until I realized that it was Barnet, not Barnsley. :lol:

 

You gotta love Division one and two football though. One of our players quit football to become a boxer! In addition, I guess you were loaning us Junior Mendes?

[sweetpeteman]

In honor of all the teams that have flopped:

 

 

 

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/c/f/a/cfaac5aecb61112839b627a44c501738.gif

[ConstableRabbit]

In honor of all the teams that have flopped:

 

 

 

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/c/f/a/cfaac5aecb61112839b627a44c501738.gif

 

Lemme guess, he was on the turf for 5 minutes and the other team's captain was given a red card...

[sethuel1]

Did you watch the Brazil-Japan game today?

Nope. What happened?

 

it's a good example of how incredible soccer can be. And I only saw highlights.

[brinoch]

 

US, is there any doubt that Arena is gone? Additionally, while I know its early, would we have a shot at Klinsmann? Will the Germans bring him back.

 

As an aside, I am studying for the bar in July and so I have been limited in the amount of Cup I have been able to watch, but has anyone gotten more of the shaft from the officials than us? Granted, we don't deserve to advance, but from the red cards in the Italy game to the worst PK call ever, it was infuriating. I know the rest of the world hates us and in know way wants us to take the one game at which they can beat us consistently, but it was ridiculous.

 

I don't doubt that Arena is gone. I think he was going to take a leave after the Cup anyway, but his crap-the-bed coach job will simply formalize what was going to happen. And quite frankly, it's not a bad thing. He was the right coach to follow Sampson, but he's not the right coach now that we have a much deeper talent pool. Now we need the kind of coach that can take an EJ, of Adu, or Nguyen or Donovan and make them into a Nedved or a Totti. The kind of coach that doesn't misuse our most creative player (Dempsey) and our fastest wing player (Beasley).

 

Whether or not Klinsi is available will depend largely on Germany's ability to win the Cup. If they win, he won't be. If they tank out in the next 2 rounds, he probably will be, and the USSF needs to be all over that. The worst thing the USSF could do is bring in some crap coach that came up in the US system, who's too used to playing not to lose, or bring in an overrated hack like Sven Goran Eriksson, who makes Dusty look like Bobby Cox when it comes to young players vs vets.

 

As far as the refs go, I think it's a learning process. We need to earn that respect on the field. If you had an alien reffing the ITA game, we likely win. Ditto for today, although we deserved a win today far less than on Saturday. We have to earn the respect of officials before we will stop getting hosed on borderline calls.

 

It's too bad that Hiddink is going to Russia. He'd be a good choice. If the Dutch get rid of Marco van Basten, I wouldn't mind seeing him. Bruckner's a good choice if the Czech's fire him. Klinsmann would be a great choice, and I rather think he'll be available. Personally, I'd like to see either van Basten or Klinsmann (with my finger strongly on the scale for Klinsmann). They have both demonstrated a true commitment to playing the best players, rather than their favorite or the most experienced players. That's exactly what we need. What we don't need another US college coach.

 

Some thoughts:

 

1. Personally, I think that Arena's shown too much love for Reyna (and others) since he coached him (and them -- I'm looking at you Agoos) at Virginia. I also think he has too much of a commitment to players like Donovan and Beasley, and not to playing guys who are on fire, like Dempsey. I understand loyalty, but only to a certain point.

 

2. Frankly, I thought that Reyna was too slow and showed poor distribution skills in '02. He was worse this go-round in both the 1st and 3rd games. Thankfully, Reyna is done.

 

3. Unfortunately, Reyna gave the captain's band to Donovan. Lovely. If he couldn't handle the pressure of Europe, how will he handle captaining the squad?

 

4. As we suspected, the defense was less than stellar. We need some solid defenders. Losing Gibbs hurt. I would have given Spector the opportunity instead of Berhalter. And I'd have played him, too.

 

5. Striking. Needs some serious work. As maligned as guys like Eric Wynalda and Joe Max Moore are, they could find the back of the net. I'm hoping we can develop some guys who can strike against top defenses.

 

6. Positions... the US need to get their guys into the positions where they most make sense. The positions in this tournament were a huge kludge.

 

7. The lead-up games are not the try-out for who will play, but rather for getting everyone comfortable in their roles, making things click, and developing chemistry. Unlike baseball, in soccer, knowing your teammates and getting used to them is very important. Arena blew this opportunity.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3. Unfortunately, Reyna gave the captain's band to Donovan. Lovely. If he couldn't handle the pressure of Europe, how will he handle captaining the squad?

 

To play devil's advocate, who else would/should take that band?

 

 

Also, for a fun exercise, how about separating who we can pretty much guarantee will not be around for South Africa.

 

Keller

Reyna

McBride

Hahnemann

Pope?

Lewis?

Berhalter?

 

Would that make Howard the only keeper with any Caps? Does Thornton(who will be 37 in 2010) have any?

[soccer10k]

Did you watch the Brazil-Japan game today?

Nope. What happened?

 

it's a good example of how incredible soccer can be. And I only saw highlights.

 

It was an excellent game. Brazil finally looked like the team everybody expected them to be. And don't be fooled by Japan's goal, it was their first shot of the game and it came after Brazil had already made the Japanese keeper make a couple good saves. I knew it was all a matter of time before Brazil put a couple in. I didn't expect 4 though.

 

EDIT: Oh yeah, and there were only 2 yellow cards handed out in the entire match. It's amazing what happens when a referee let's the teams play. And believe me, there were a couple hard fouls that other referees would have given cards for but this referee didn't.