2010 World Cup Thread

[CubInOK]

I'd rather watch grass grow than watch that Uruguay/France game again. It's pretty clear to me why no one likes Raymond Domenech.

[Jon]

Geez. That 2nd Greek defender completely whiffed on that "corner." Seems like the keeper still could have gone out to get it.

 

I believe the studio said that gametime temps will be in the 40s for the match this afternoon.

[USSoccer]

Keys to the game:

 

-Michael Bradley + whoever has to have a good game. If not, we lose 3-0. England have trouble against teams that possess the ball and knock it around. I hope we see Torres, but if it's not him, it best be Edu. I want no part of Rico Clark in a World Cup against England.

 

-Findley *shudders* has to start and stretch out that defense. If Landon and Clint don't have any space, it's going to be a long, stupid day. They simply must take advantage of Glen Johnson and the space he and Cole vacate when they bomb upfield. Jozy has to be smartly physical against Terry and King. When we draw fouls, we have to take advantage of the set pieces.

 

-The back four have to communicate effectively and close down correctly. Gooch, if he plays, has to not pick up any stupid, cheap fouls within 35 yards. Ditto for Blind Jay.

 

-The longer the game stays level, or if the US can take and hold a lead for any length of time, the more frustrated England (read, Rooney) will get.

 

-My head says 3-1 England. My heart says 2-2 draw. I have too many concerns about our defense, and some of our guys having an "Oh crap, its the World Cup" moment.

[shnsajax]

Keys to the game:

 

-Michael Bradley + whoever has to have a good game. If not, we lose 3-0. England have trouble against teams that possess the ball and knock it around. I hope we see Torres, but if it's not him, it best be Edu. I want no part of Rico Clark in a World Cup against England.

 

-Findley *shudders* has to start and stretch out that defense. If Landon and Clint don't have any space, it's going to be a long, stupid day. They simply must take advantage of Glen Johnson and the space he and Cole vacate when they bomb upfield. Jozy has to be smartly physical against Terry and King. When we draw fouls, we have to take advantage of the set pieces.

 

-The back four have to communicate effectively and close down correctly. Gooch, if he plays, has to not pick up any stupid, cheap fouls within 35 yards. Ditto for Blind Jay.

 

-The longer the game stays level, or if the US can take and hold a lead for any length of time, the more frustrated England (read, Rooney) will get.

 

-My head says 3-1 England. My heart says 2-2 draw. I have too many concerns about our defense, and some of our guys having an "Oh crap, its the World Cup" moment.

 

My gut says its Clark, don't know why. The 1st 20 minutes are critical. I think if Demerit has a good game the defense will hold up.

 

100% agreed on Torres. No red's today please.

[Exile on Waveland]

I'm sure it will be Clark too. Which is going to annoy me -- especially considering two players should be favored for that spot. I'm hoping it's Torres, but something tells me Bradley/US believe that's too big of a gamble.

[Jon]

Nigeria has had a fair number of chances so far, but zero finishing ability.

[Jon]

Messi may want to check out the back of the net after this match just to see what it feels like.

[Guest]

Messi has had about four or five quality chances saved by Nigeria's goalkeeper, who is definitely keeping his team in the game.

[Jon]

Nigeria is like a team full of Messi's today, except Messi has had some chances where he's actually put it on goal.

[Magnetic Curses]

aren't professional soccer players supposed to be able to put the ball on goal? this has been a carnival of errors. nigeria can't get out of their own way. point blank in front of the goal and the guy pops it up.

[Jon]

Two waves of thunderstorms headed through Chicago late this morning and early/mid afternoon, meaning I might be without HD and/or TV altogether during the match. Wonderful.

[USSoccer]

aren't professional soccer players supposed to be able to put the ball on goal? this has been a carnival of errors. nigeria can't get out of their own way. point blank in front of the goal and the guy pops it up.

 

I promise, it's harder than it looks to be.

[USSoccer]

Early word on the street is Clark and Gooch are starting, and Findley is not.

 

If that's the case, we're going to be under siege and LD and CD will have no space. I smell 4-5-1.

 

*Unless Torres is starting in place of Findley. Then I'm mildly intrigued.

[Magnetic Curses]

aren't professional soccer players supposed to be able to put the ball on goal? this has been a carnival of errors. nigeria can't get out of their own way. point blank in front of the goal and the guy pops it up.

 

I promise, it's harder than it looks to be.

 

if dave bolland can methodically knock a tiny puck off the skate of a goalie into the back of a tiny tiny goal with a stick in the time it takes one to blink while skating on a sheet of ice behind the goal and wearing bulky and awkward padding, some dude not wearing ice skates should be able to settle a ball RIGHT IN FRONT and put it into the back of a goal the size of a short bus without falling all over himself and totally screwing it up.

 

maybe soccer players in general aren't good enough at their sport and need to practice more. maybe they should postpone the world cup until players can do that.

[ScrubMD]

aren't professional soccer players supposed to be able to put the ball on goal? this has been a carnival of errors. nigeria can't get out of their own way. point blank in front of the goal and the guy pops it up.

 

I promise, it's harder than it looks to be.

 

if dave bolland can methodically knock a tiny puck off the skate of a goalie into the back of a tiny tiny goal with a stick in the time it takes one to blink while skating on a sheet of ice behind the goal and wearing bulky and awkward padding, some dude not wearing ice skates should be able to settle a ball RIGHT IN FRONT and put it into the back of a goal the size of a short bus without falling all over himself and totally screwing it up.

 

maybe soccer players in general aren't good enough at their sport and need to practice more. maybe they should postpone the world cup until players can do that.

 

:roll: You've obviously never kicked anything.

[USSoccer]

The vuvuzela remains awful, btw. It's ruining the atmosphere in the stadia.

[Magnetic Curses]

aren't professional soccer players supposed to be able to put the ball on goal? this has been a carnival of errors. nigeria can't get out of their own way. point blank in front of the goal and the guy pops it up.

 

I promise, it's harder than it looks to be.

 

if dave bolland can methodically knock a tiny puck off the skate of a goalie into the back of a tiny tiny goal with a stick in the time it takes one to blink while skating on a sheet of ice behind the goal and wearing bulky and awkward padding, some dude not wearing ice skates should be able to settle a ball RIGHT IN FRONT and put it into the back of a goal the size of a short bus without falling all over himself and totally screwing it up.

 

maybe soccer players in general aren't good enough at their sport and need to practice more. maybe they should postpone the world cup until players can do that.

 

:roll: You've obviously never kicked anything.

 

is ass considered anything?

[USSoccer]

I love Sulley

 

Lineup for:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/static/profile/avatars/avatar154411_8.gif

 

----------Green

Johnson--King--Terry--A.Cole

-------Lampard--Gerrard

Lennon---Rooney---Milner

--------Heskey

 

I guess England don't care much about leaving Terry and King without cover.

[Magnetic Curses]

I love Sulley

 

Lineup for:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/static/profile/avatars/avatar154411_8.gif

 

----------Green

Johnson--King--Terry--A.Cole

-------Lampard--Gerrard

Lennon---Rooney---Milner

--------Heskey

 

I guess England don't care much about leaving Terry and King without cover.

 

i will be watching the game. they just better [expletive] SCORE, MAN!

 

USA USA USA!

[shnsajax]

I love Sulley

 

Lineup for:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/static/profile/avatars/avatar154411_8.gif

 

----------Green

Johnson--King--Terry--A.Cole

-------Lampard--Gerrard

Lennon---Rooney---Milner

--------Heskey

 

I guess England don't care much about leaving Terry and King without cover.

 

Makes me miss Davies even more.

[Guest]

Early word on the street is Clark and Gooch are starting, and Findley is not.

 

If that's the case, we're going to be under siege and LD and CD will have no space. I smell 4-5-1.

 

*Unless Torres is starting in place of Findley. Then I'm mildly intrigued.

 

Any chance Buddle starts? At least that would leave us with two up top.

 

I agree with your thoughts, though, in that it's likely to be a 4-5-1.

[USSoccer]

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jun/Week2/15648040.jpg

 

This is what England's press thinks of us.

 

F them.

[Banedon]

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jun/Week2/15648040.jpg

 

This is what England's press thinks of us.

 

F them.

 

Heh...did John Oliver write that?

 

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-10-2010/world-cup-2010--into-africa---two-teams--one-cup

[USSoccer]

Bob was effing with us on the lineup:

 

http://jaybmoore.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/obama_superman_awesome.jpg

 

-------------------Howard------------------

 

Cherundolo---DeMerit---Onyewu---Bocanegra

 

Donovan------Bradley-----Clark------Dempsey

 

-------------Altidore-----Findley-------------

 

I don't like that we started the 3rd best option next to Mikey, but oh well. Here's hoping he doesn't do something stupid today.

[Magnetic Curses]

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jun/Week2/15648040.jpg

 

This is what England's press thinks of us.

 

F them.

 

they could have made that more subtle. "strikes", "soccerball"? come on, that doesn't take much imagination. where's that impeccably dry british wit?

 

now let's get some runs!