they should have won against Portugal...A last heave brought a tie...They also survived the Group of Death.
This "I believe that we will win!" chant's been making the rounds during the World Cup (written by a Middie and first used in an Army-Navy game). On ESPN I just saw Obama, our Commander-in-Chief leading a chant that went: "I believe that we can win!" Boss: never hedge your bets.
We've got one on the way, waiting on the dad to get citizenship because he is only a permanent resident. Has already played in the FA Cup for Arsenal and is only 17
I don't know, fuck him anyway. The kid moved to Italy when he was 12, the dad probably wanted him no where near the US team at the time. I would be willing to bet though that if Jurgen was the coach and not Arena we would have gotten him.
Dream may be hyperbole, but it was a good run. USA had the worst odds to advance out of the group and succeeded. Then it faced a better Belgium team and lost in OT. It happens.
We can't pass or score but other than that we did fine. Donovan should have been there for a sub in games around the 60' mark.
Consider this...Jurgen made the bold decision to bring the kids...Brooks, Yedlin, Green to the tournament and each of them had their shining moment. That is what I am talking about. Kids with talent that can make a difference. Alexei Lalas who clearly is full mode MURICA does not like Jurgen and eve though he admitted this team was better then 2010...He wants to see more guys like Brad Davis, Wondo out there who just are not World Cup quality or potential
The advanced out of a group that 99% of pundits said they would never be able to do against teams that for the most part, were better than them. Even ardent fans like me had little to no hope. They got to the knockout stage in consecutive World Cups for the first time (Further than Italy, Spain, England, & Portugal to name a few).......not to mention played, as always gutty & dramatic games. I take it your one of those "I hate soccer and gotta dump on it" at any opportunity folks? seems so funny that some Americans can't find success in anything but winning the World Cup, obviously showing they know little or nothing of the game from a global standpoint. How many teams swept through the group stage with all W's? a handful, and teams that we are far from on the level with.....but we're getting there. oh and I still feel there was a place for LD on this squad
Landon might have deserved a spot, but he's not making a difference. Julian Green, his most debated roster choice, scored one of the most beautiful World Cup goals in US history on his first touch. Can't complain. Maybe Landon over Wondo, but Wondo was more effective in the leadup to the Cup.
I'm not really a dump on soccer guy, I'm just saying that the bar determining success should be set a little higher at least. I mean they really did only win 1 game... out of 4. Maybe I don't understand the game - sure, but if that should be considered successful, then maybe I don't want to understand it... The difference between the U.S. and those countries you mentioned, who also won 1 game, is that people in their countries probably aren't singing the praises of their team and calling it a successful tournament, unlike here. Maybe thats why they usually have better teams in the 1st place - they have higher standards.
Hi BN I know for a fact you don't dump on soccer. No worries there. When you look at it only from a number of wins perspective, you are right. But on the other hand futbol dynamics are a little bit different. "Tie" concept doesn't sit well US sports. But in soccer, it is considered a success when it is against a better opponent. And let's face it, USA was a clear underdog in their group. Germany was a powerhouse. Portugal is the 4th in FIFA soccer index and Ghana has important players that play for European giants like Milan and Chelsea. On the other hand, USA team was a moderate team. They overachieved by much. They defeated Ghana. They dominated a Portugal team with one of the two best soccer players in the world(Cristian Ronaldo) and as expected lost to Germany. Up until they were down 2-0 USA didn't play a good game but after 2-0, they dominated a ver very good Belgium team. I liked what I saw and as a Futbol guy, I am totally satisified with their performance and don't think ESPN or any other outlet is exaggerating it.
they have higher standards because for the most part they are (exception of Portugal) of the few countries that have actually won the World Cup, not to mention the sport is Number 1 by a large margin in their respective country's as well. As you are well aware I'm sure it's a nitche sport at best that continues to gain more and more a foothold in our country. It wasn't too long ago we went through a 40 year stretch without even qualifying to play in the World Cup. Perspective. Contrary to popular belief, we just don't get invited to participate. I'll give you this though, calling it a "dream run" might be much, but it was a good run.
So where do the rest of our US fans fall on Bradley? I'm a big fan of his play generally, and realize that he certainly did not play up to what we expect from him. I feel he's taken a little too much criticism and still feel he's one of the most important players on the team when he's playing the right position. I keep reading everyone ripping him for his lack of effort, lackadaisical play, yet stats had it that he covered more ground than anyone in the tourney during Group play, I felt he was actually trying to do too much and then proceeded to be dead by the lat 30 minutes of each game............I think Jurgen ough to come out and defend his decision to play MB out of position.
I'll be honest although maybe a bit unfair but I think Bradley's game took a big step back when he left Rome for Toronto.
The Spanish referee in Brazil - Colombia makes me appreciate the NFL refs. Almost every decision he makes is the wrong one.
agreed, absolutely horrible he wouldn't pull out cards even for a bunch of bad challenges. On one, Neymar had it, and was basically tackled (no, not the soccer tackle, the American football tackle). No attempt to play the ball, the guy just ran Neymar over deliberately. No card. Rodriguez has also taken a beating, no cards. Rodriguez got a yellow on a challenge that wasn't even so bad. David Luiz then took the free kick. Spectacular shot, goal, 2-0 Brazil. Brazil's captain, Thiago Silva, will miss the next match if they advance, due to a yellow card (he already had one from a previous match). The ref has also been brutal when it comes to whether to award a corner.
