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The Soccer Thread

USSoccer

By USSoccer,
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brinoch ACL Cubs

brinoch

Verified Member
Posted
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Yeah, we were far, far better than Australia. Findley missed an absolute sitter -- seriously, anyone could have put that in. He also blew that 2 on zero breakaway. Plus the disallowed Dempsey goal was awful officiating (and Findley should have buried that, too). It really is no exaggeration to say that the US should have had 6. Because really and truly, they should have.

 

Australia held possession sometimes, but to no real purpose. The defensive marking was tough and needs work. I think both sides had a hard time tracking the flight of the ball, and the sun made things tough for both sides. Cahill did what he does best. He buried his chance. Full credit to him.

 

Just a quick comment about the Midfield: Bradley looked fantastic today. Clark was ... not good. The narrow field limited Donovan and Dempsey somewhat, but they still were dangerous and effective.

 

Gomez and Buddle finished. Findley didn't. He's also not that confident on the ball -- he's much slower when he's dribbling than just running. Still, we ran a couple of nice counters that were very precise, with excellent vision and passing. Very pleasing to watch.

 

Watching this game, I don't see Australia advancing. And I am much less worried about Slovenia and Algeria. They will be tough games, sure, but we should beat them.

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bukie All-Star

bukie

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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Yeah, we were far, far better than Australia. Findley missed an absolute sitter -- seriously, anyone could have put that in. He also blew that 2 on zero breakaway. Plus the disallowed Dempsey goal was awful officiating (and Findley should have buried that, too). It really is no exaggeration to say that the US should have had 6. Because really and truly, they should have.

 

Australia held possession sometimes, but to no real purpose. The defensive marking was tough and needs work. I think both sides had a hard time tracking the flight of the ball, and the sun made things tough for both sides. Cahill did what he does best. He buried his chance. Full credit to him.

 

Just a quick comment about the Midfield: Bradley looked fantastic today. Clark was ... not good. The narrow field limited Donovan and Dempsey somewhat, but they still were dangerous and effective.

 

Gomez and Buddle finished. Findley didn't. He's also not that confident on the ball -- he's much slower when he's dribbling than just running. Still, we ran a couple of nice counters that were very precise, with excellent vision and passing. Very pleasing to watch.

 

Watching this game, I don't see Australia advancing. And I am much less worried about Slovenia and Algeria. They will be tough games, sure, but we should beat them.

My biggest concern about Slovenia would be them bunkering in and managing a draw against both England and the US.

bukie All-Star

bukie

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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With Essien out and this Australian team looking not very talented, Germany and Serbia shouldn't have much to worry about.

 

I think Serbia really could win that group, which could potentially mean a lot should the US clear the group stage.

shnsajax Iowa Cubs

shnsajax

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With Essien out and this Australian team looking not very talented, Germany and Serbia shouldn't have much to worry about.

 

I think Serbia really could win that group, which could potentially mean a lot should the US clear the group stage.

 

Grant Whal has them in the semi's which I think is stretch, but stranger things have happened.

Jon Chicago Cubs

Jon

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
ESPN.com[/url]"]United States forward Jozy Altidore trained with the team on Sunday as he continues his return from a sprained ankle suffered in training last week.

 

Altidore's right ankle was not taped or wrapped and he moved without much limitation or hesitation.

 

Altidore finished training by running half-field sprints for a few minutes for the U.S. medical staff.

 

Also, Clark wasn't injured yesterday. They're saying it was just cramps.

USSoccer Chicago Cubs

USSoccer

Old-Timey Member
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Word on the street is that Gooch is just not going to be ready to play against England. Apparently he's not anywhere close to 100%. If this is the case, do you keep working with him in the hope he can play a role against Slovenia and Algeria, or do you replace him with Gonzalez or *shudders* Marshall?
USSoccer Chicago Cubs

USSoccer

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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We have enough cover at CB, we don't need to replace him. If we do though, I'd prefer Gonzalez to Marshall.

 

The failure to use/develop Gonzalez is one of the only player decisions from Bob that disappointed me. He at least gave looks to everyone else that might have been useful.

 

I like Goodison as a backup, but I'm wondering if he's physical enough to match up against Rooney.

bukie All-Star

bukie

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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Nani out of the WC now with a broken coller bone. I don't ever remember this many injuries just weeks before the start.

Yeah, that's a lot of injuries to many of the teams expected to do well.

Mark Priors Calves Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Mark Priors Calves

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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With all the big names going down that hopefully levels the playing field and gives second tier times (U.S.) an opportunity to make a bigger impact. But I am disappointed in not seeing the best play the game on the biggest stage.
wolf stansson Knoxville Smokies

wolf stansson

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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I've gotta say, just from watching all the video on USSoccer.com and reading his interviews and stuff, Jay DeMerit is the coolest dude ever. Not only is his story unbelievable, he's just a cool guy. Lives in Camden, captains a great club with great fans and is super loyal to them. Works his ass off, plays with an edge but is into some really cool, unique stuff off the field in the arts musically and what not.

 

I love these posters:

http://worldcup.afootballreport.com/post/633720032/32nations-32worksofart

shnsajax Iowa Cubs

shnsajax

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I caught glimpses of Spain's warm-up game against Poland yesterday, and they looked really good.

 

Their 23 man roster is best there is.

TruffleShuffle Cooperstown

TruffleShuffle

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Nielsen poll on who'll win the WC:

 

34% Brasil

9% Argentine, Germany, England, USA

8% Spain

6% Italy

5% France

 

More people pick USA over Spain? Seriously? :shock:

 

The one global region that didn’t pick Brazil? North America. Instead, 46% of the region – including 50% of U.S.-based respondents – displayed patriotic optimism by saying that the Stars and Stripes will win its first-ever World Cup. Only four percent of the rest of the world said they liked USA’s chances of winning.

 

a lot of americans don't know anything about soccer and are unabashed homers.

TruffleShuffle Cooperstown

TruffleShuffle

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

anyone want to make bold predictions for the outcomes? i'm not going to pick every game, but i'll throw out who i think will advance from the various groups and then how things will go from there.

 

group a: 1. uruguay, 2. france (really think south africa might make it instead of one of those two; really don't think mexico has much of a shot here)

group b: 1. argentina, 2. nigeria

group c: 1. england, 2. slovenia (we lose to england, slovenia bores them into a scoreless draw)

group d: 1. germany, 2. ghana

group e: 1. netherlands, 2. cameroon

group f: 1. paraguay, 2. italy

group g: 1. brazil, 2. cote d'ivoire or ivory coast, whatever the hell they are

group h: 1. spain, 2. chile

 

second round: nigeria over uruguay, argentina over france, england over ghana, germany over slovenia, netherlands over italy, paraguay over cameroon, brazil over chile, spain over ivory coast

quarters: nigeria over england, brazil over netherlands, germany over argentina, spain over paraguay

semis: brazil over nigeria, spain over germany

finals: brazil over spain

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