AI

They will, in my opinion, regret not taking Brandon Roy. Roy will be the ROY and an excellent player. This happens every year. Happened with Wade (no I am not saying Roy is Wade), Chris Paul, etc. Teams are afraid to pass on a potential star instead of taking the guy that can be a consistent threat. Keep drafting on pure potential Bulls. I thought we stopped that crap after the HS kids and all the Euros didn't pan out. Guess we're at it again.

I think Beckham puked from sheer exhaustion. I mean, it must be tough to run around for 90 minutes with Marcelo Balboa riding you the whole way.

In all my displeasure with the US players and coaches, I forgot to hate on a lot of the players in the World Cup. You diving, faking, flopping fakers are the reason that Americans hate soccer. Instead of calling a foul on the player in the vicinity and handing out yellow cards to the "foulers", how about penalize all the diving. The Italians and the Ghanans were by far the worst offenders I watched, but it was an epidemic. It made me not want to watch. That's not athletics, its theatre. If I wanted that garbage I'd watch professional wrestling.

I echo most of your sentiments, but want to add a few things. First of all, can anyone defend the coaching decisions of Bruce Arena? I have always been a suporter, but the lineups, the in game decisions and the strategies were all wrong. One forward setups are terrible. You neutralize the skills of McBride by leaving him up there alone. When I look at the good teams in the cup, I notice one thing, they all have one or two very creative, attacking midfielder. We don't have that. Additionally, could we be any less of a threat on set pieces and conversely, could we be any worse at defending them? Not likely. I would love to see Juergen Klinsmann coach this team to South Africa. This will all be for naught, however, if we cannot come up with a more creative attack and get better on set plays. I still have faith in the future of US Soccer (the team and the NSBB poster :) ), but this was embarrassing. Arena was definetly exposed during this tournament as a somewhat lacking tactician. His managing of the Czech game was just awful, and his formations today were baffling. RynoRules, I think, asked if this was the most dissapointing performance ever. I'd have to say no. 1998 was far, far worse than this. I'm still upset at the US play, but the facts are that we lost to the best African team and a very strong Czech team, and outplayed Italy. Should we have advanced? On paper, yeah, but this is international soccer. We got hosed by some calls, hit a couple posts, and that's that. We played much better in the final two games, and it's just a bummer that another very questionable call and poor service cost us a win today. Arena has taken the team as far as he could, but when building a sport, you plateau on the way to the next step. Clearly with the next generation of US players like Adu, Lee Nguyen and Jonathon Spector on the radar, we need a coach that's more in line with European styles of play. Klinsmann, IMO, would make an excellent choice. Offensive minded, lives in CA, and could probably impart a great deal of wisdom to Eddie Johnson and Donovan. 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 echo most of your sentiments, but want to add a few things. First of all, can anyone defend the coaching decisions of Bruce Arena? I have always been a suporter, but the lineups, the in game decisions and the strategies were all wrong. One forward setups are terrible. You neutralize the skills of McBride by leaving him up there alone. When I look at the good teams in the cup, I notice one thing, they all have one or two very creative, attacking midfielder. We don't have that. Additionally, could we be any less of a threat on set pieces and conversely, could we be any worse at defending them? Not likely. I would love to see Juergen Klinsmann coach this team to South Africa. This will all be for naught, however, if we cannot come up with a more creative attack and get better on set plays. I still have faith in the future of US Soccer (the team and the NSBB poster :) ), but this was embarrassing.

Could Dirk play with any less heart or a bigger lump in his throat. Great players take over and don't, in the words of Bill Walton, "run away from the ball"

theoretically, probably. but i dont think anyone outside of the camp is really sure if hes 100% yet. he hasnt played 90 minutes in almost forever, and against a fast, physical team like ghana, fitness will be key. and really, it comes down to the fact that pablo was one of the best players on the field last night before he got himself sent off- we could have used that performance vs ghana matching up against appiah and essien. I'd not be shocked to see O'Brien in for Mastro, but I'd prefer to see Reyna play in Masro's spot, Landon play in the attacking midfield spot and Eddie Johnson start up front. Keep in mind we have to win the game, and if possible, win by multiple goals. That means we need our goalscorers on the field, and our best offensive lineup possible. This is a late response, but I agree and don't know why I didn't think of that at the time. I agree with you and lowest that a formation with Donovan in the attacking mid and Reyna withdrawn was actually the lineup I was hoping for in the previous two games, with EJ up front with McBride. I think we are going to see a goal scoring barage by the US team against Ghana. Losing Mastro hurts a bit, but I think losing Pope just might be to our advantage.

The two Ghana players who scored goals yesterday will not be playing due to yellow cards? I think that's the case, yes. (I've just checked - yes, it is) By the same token, USA will be missing Pope and Mastroeni. i think we can deal without pope. conrad stepped in and filled his shoes well enough (although i did have a fit with the shirt pulling at the end of the game). on the other hand, mastro being out really changes things. Maybe I'm not as familiar with the US formations and lineup as I profess to be, but wouldn't O'Brien slide in admirably to Mastroeni's spot in the lineup?

Dempsey was looking a little spent. That is the only thing I can think of. Did Buffon get a piece of that? Nope.

Not that I held them in high esteem before this, but this is nonsense Does this ref work Serie A? This is why a lot of people hate soccer. What an embarassing effort by the Italians. It makes me ill.

It never would have been if Sarge Jr. would have stuck around. Jr. openly credits his recent success to the teachings of Rudy Jamarillo. If he had stayed, he'd simply be another braindead Cub hitter hacking at slop nightly.

I am also done investing my day to day energies in the Cubs. I don't read the papers everyday and I don't spend near as much time. The ownership, management and coaching staff are all so terrible that it makes supporting this team very difficult. I am now following the Rangers day to day in order to still enjoy baseball.

Brenly made Johnson go seven innings in Game 6 when he knew there was a darn good chance he'd want to bring him out of the pen in Game 7. I know what you're saying though, seven innings doesn't sound so bad... Until you realize the DBacks were up 1-0 in the first inning, 4-0 in the second inning, 12-0 in the third inning, and 15-0 by the end of the 4th. Quoted for truth. Seriously, Brenly did everything he could to lose that series. The Randy Johnson thing was absurd. The fact that he was pitchng after the fifth was nuts. It was a miracle those guys did what they did. I can't think of a worse manager with a WS ring. I really can't.

Righttttt. Like we'd want a guy with a career .276 winning percentage. what are we doing with a manager with a winning percetage over 500? Brenley has this, a World Series ring, Baker dosent http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/7748/acfef68ch.jpg I never saw a manager try harder NOT to get one of those than he did in the 2001 playoffs. It helps to have Schilling and Johnson. I'd rather keep the "Brenly face" out of our dugout.

It is well documented that I hate Sammy Sosa with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns, but this is a decent idea.

How many great colormen are there in baseball? It seems like most of them blow. Both our radio and TV color guys are awful. Brenly is like sominex and when you actually pay attention to what he is saying, you realize just why he was a terrible manager (and the luckiest manager ever to win a WS). Len is solid and improving and Pat Hughes is one of the best, but we definitely need some serious help in the "colorman" department, but so do many other broadcast teams.

I never bought those rumors. lenDale White has too many character issues to be a Steelers pick This response is way late, but I don't think LenDale has character issues. He had an injury and was struggling to deal with it. Whoever gets him now is getting a steal, IMO. I like the move by the Steelers since they had picks to burn, but I would have loved LenDale at 32.

And when he gets caught, Ronnie will provide this insight... "Gah...jeeez...oh boy...sheeeeeez" That's are brilliant color man.

I was concerned about Marshall, particularly his lack of control early on. However, when he has command of his breaking pitches, he can pitch with anyone. He did an excellent job of keeping the ball down and throwing the breaking pitches for strikes. Being a rookie, we probably won't see that every time, but if he can do those things consistently, he will be able to go 6-7 innings a start and get us to the new Nasty Boys (Eyre, Howry and Dempster).

how can the astros, a team that went to the world series last year and are off to a great start in 2006, not be considered a threat? and the brewers finished ahead of a cubs team that had an entire (not to mention ridiculous) season from derrek lee. i think some people forget that the cubs finished in fourth place in 2005. I think a lot of positive energy comes from winning already winning 3 games when we were down after the 7th. I think this team has a different attitude than last year's and while its may not be statistically significant, I do think it counts for something. Its a long season and if guys feel like late in the game when they're down that the game is over, its going to have an affect. We, as fans, focus much more critically on the team's shortcomings than the players do. I guarantee you that the guys in the clubhouse think that Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre are good players who will round into form, while we can look at competent statistical analysis that tells us that is highly unlikely. Basically, from a player's perspective, what I am saying is don't discount the power of positive thinking. Now that I reread this, it pretty much has nothing to do with your post, abuck. I hope a point is made anyway. Good luck on your exams.

Realistically, I think the Cubs should be pretty happy to be at .600 with no Prior, no Wood, and Lee missing 30% of the games. This topped by the fact that we have had some utterly craptacular performances from Rusch and Williams. Not to mention the fact that Z hasn't notched a win (though he certainly seems to be rounding into form). We are also hitting well with runners in scoring position and seem to be drawing some walks. Now, we have also managed to accomplish this record with Pierre and Jones stinking it up, among other issues, like a brutal bench. Also, we haven't played the world's best teams (though 4-2 vs. St. Louis is nice). We are going to need Prior and Wood to help cross the bridge to getting Derrek Lee back. The sunshine pumpers and the nervous nellies both need to chill a little. If this team can stay at .500/.550 until we get all the men back, we'll be in it. The division won't stay this strong.

He's struck out NINE!!!!!!! It's not about the strikeout. He's pitched poorly overall. I don't buy that this was a "quality start." He made some poor decisions on the mound and allowed himself to be beaten by their few good hitters (namely Cabrera). Like Meat&Potatoes with Ronnie, I call out your anti-Z bias! It's a quality start. 6 innings, 3 earned runs. I'll take it everytime. You'll take a 4.50 ERA out of your supposed #1 every time. You have low expectations for a guy that is supposed to be our stud. GET THAT MAN OUT OF YOUR SIG!!!! :D Can't wait to see him wearing Garnet and Black at the Swamp next fall.

He's struck out NINE!!!!!!! It's not about the strikeout. He's pitched poorly overall. I don't buy that this was a "quality start." He made some poor decisions on the mound and allowed himself to be beaten by their few good hitters (namely Cabrera). Like Meat&Potatoes with Ronnie, I call out your anti-Z bias! It's a quality start. 6 innings, 3 earned runs. I'll take it everytime. You'll take a 4.50 ERA out of your supposed #1 every time. You have low expectations for a guy that is supposed to be our stud.

That was decidedly unawesome. He needs to check himself. Seriously. He needs to be the ace of this staff, not some showoff cry baby. You want to play like the big boys and get paid like them? Pitch like one and act like one.

I don't think there was a 3-0 count on Luna. I just looked at Gameday again. You are correct. 2-1 count. My fault.