The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Walcott and the Ox coming on. Time to stretch the field. Hope the Italians can find the lungs to keep up.

[Guest]

I don't get all the complaining by Darke and company about Germany getting extra days off. Its the nature of the tournaments that somebody is going to have to play with less rest.

[shnsajax]

England looks more dangerous that before. Any time Carroll has the ball on his feet for more than 3 seconds nothing good happens.

[wvcbxl]

I don't get all the complaining by Darke and company about Germany getting extra days off. Its the nature of the tournaments that somebody is going to have to play with less rest.

 

The one day difference was unavoidable, but two days was unnecessary; they should have flipped the Friday and Saturday quarterfinal games.

[Guest]

I don't get all the complaining by Darke and company about Germany getting extra days off. Its the nature of the tournaments that somebody is going to have to play with less rest.

 

The one day difference was unavoidable, but two days was unnecessary; they should have flipped the Friday and Saturday quarterfinal games.

 

But then you get potential rematches from the group stage in the semis. Germany would play Portugal and Italy might have faced Spain. I'd rather avoid that until the final.

 

EDIT: Unless you mean switch the days of the games (Spain on Friday and Germany on Saturday) in which case, nevermind.

[wvcbxl]

Yes; I was talking about the days. :wink:

[SpongeWorthy]

Pretty feeble by England here in extra time

[wvcbxl]

I love shootouts when I'm indifferent about the result. :D

[bukie]

2-1 England after two rounds with Gerrard and Rooney converting for England, Balotelli for Italy, Italy's second kick was wide.

[bukie]

Ashley Young off the crossbar, 2-2 after three rounds.

[Guest]

lol was Hart screaming at the guy before that 3rd PK?

[bukie]

Buffon saves Cole's attempt in the 4th, Italy can win it here.

[SpongeWorthy]

I would't want to be a black guy in England right now

[Guest]

So this is what it's like to root for England.

[shnsajax]

Ashley Cole and Young over Walcott?

[wvcbxl]

Probably a fair result.

 

Loved the Pirlo penalty. 8-)

[USSoccer]

Nice PKs, Young/Cole.

 

Just horrible. Italy were miles better on the day, though. Full credit to England's defense, but Jesus. What is with that country and PKs?

[Guest]

How cheeky!

[CubInOK]

How many teams are in MLS now? I've completely missed the boom MLS has made into Canada.

[Guest]

19 teams in MLS

[Guest]

England recent history in penalties:

 

Euro 2012: Lost in quarters to Italy.

World Cup 2006: Lost in quarters to Portugal.

Euro 2004: Lost in quarters to Portugal.

World Cup 1998: Lost in R16 to Argentina.

Euro 1996: Lost in semis to Germany.

Euro 1996: Won in quarters vs. Spain.

World Cup 1990: Lost in semis to Germany.

 

England has made the knockout stage four times at the Euros. Three times they've been knocked out on penalties.

 

Starting with the 1990 WC, they've participated in 10 of the 12 tournaments. They've qualified for the knockout stage in eight of those tournaments, including all five World Cups. Six of the eight times they've qualified for the knockout stage, they've been eliminated on penalties, three times in each tournament.

 

If I was an England fan, at this point I'd rather have my team go all out on the attack in extra time and give up a goal rather than lose in penalties again.

[shnsajax]

Andy Carroll or Altidore?

[wolf stansson]

Andy Carroll or Altidore?

Oh geez. I can't pick. Carroll's record isn't close to justifying his reputation and selection to the England team and he's a notorious boozer. Jozy is younger, but has a hard time breaking into foreign squads and has had struggles with petulance in the past. Really tough to pick.

[USSoccer]

Jozy. He's far more athletic than Carrol, far better with the ball at his feet and younger.

[Exile on Waveland]

Carroll. Only an American would think this is even close. Carroll has already been pretty successful in the Premiership at a young age. Though he has struggled with Liverpool, certainly, he scored 14 goals in 37 Premier League appearances for Newcastle (which includes his time as an 18-year-old). Altidore had scored six total goals in Europe before scoring 19 last year in the Eredivisie (which is not exactly the hardest league to score in). When Altidore played in England, he managed one goal in 29 games for Hull. Even at his worst last year, Carroll scored nine goals in 47 games for an awful, goal-allergic Liverpool team.