<< <i>At the college and pro level, Soccer has a niche following, which seems to be growing steadily, but not immensly. As long as everyone realizes its niche status in the US and does not have unrealistic expectations, it will continue on.
Look at arena football -- I think it is somewhat goofy and can't stand to watch it -- but it certainly had a niche following that has allowed it to survive for 20 years -- they even have minor league arena teams!! Arena Bowl XX is this next weekend -- hell, I still remember Super Bowl XX!! >>
Arena football is very much a niche sport and primarily a spectator thing and not ready for prime time.
TV ratings this year have averaged around 1%, some games less than that. NBC is considering dropping the league even though they have a sweetheart deal that really costs them nothing to carry it but brings in ratings that are so dismal they are making very little if any money.
There are a bunch of people on this thread who are happy to talk about the World Cup, its progress, games currently ongoing, etc. - without getting into a philosophical battle of wits on whether or not soccer is going to succeed as a sport in this country. You have made your points - we have all read them. Can you please now leave us alone to continue talking about the World Cup and what we enjoy about it?
~ms
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
Could the France / Switzerland game have been any more evenly matched?
0-0 final. The two teams had draws twice with one another in the qualifying. Time of possession was a nearly-even 49%/51%.
Great match. I would love to see Switzerland advance from their group and have France take another early exit!
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
edited to remove profanities.. mikeschmidt said it much better anyway.. plus it doesn't seem like this particular idiot wants anything other than an argument.
michigan, i will just say this: the more you post, the more of a giant ass you look like. keep it up, you're embarassing yourself much better than i ever could.
mike - i missed that france/switzerland game.. i agree though that i would love to see france exit.. my hopes for the USA are still alive.. but it will be a tough road for them now..it's a pity they can't get more support from people at home but oh well.. everyone around the world seemed to think they were overrated at #4 which sounded like sour grapes until they got stomped by the czechs... no pun intended.. i also enjoyed the story about budweiser being the only beer available inside the stadium and how the german fans are not happy about it.. DG - do you live in germany? Going to attend any games?
Hats off to Croatia in a super game...Brazil keeper Dida was the story of the match as his mates hung him out to dry and went off to the races.........could've easily been Croatia by 3-1 or 4-1 if not for Brazil's star keeper.
Today's games will complete the first circuit for all 32 teams........Ukraine is my dark-horse to win it all opening up against chronic under-achieving Spain. The one thing I don't get is why the entire Ukranian team insists on wearing those shapeless polyester suits......even Shevchenko and he just signed that stupid money mega-deal! Hey And....how about trying Joseph A. Bank for a change? I just can't get past those suits.....let's call it a 1-1 tie in the first game.
Saudi Arabia can never lose badly enough to suit me and the pick here is 2-0 Tunisia in the second game.
Finally, how long before the first WWII Germany-Poland analogy in the late game?......it won't wash as it's blitzkreig time once again in a 4-0 drubbing - Deutschland over Poland.
<< <i>Finally, how long before the first WWII Germany-Poland analogy in the late game?......it won't wash as it's blitzkreig time once again in a 4-0 drubbing - Deutschland over Poland. >>
I already heard "1938" mentioned on the radio today.
The tournament opener was the most exciting game for me so far, and I expect more of the same from Germany. Poland was a disappointment in their first game against Ecuador, but I don't expect them to be shutout either. 3-1 Deutschland.
All things being equal, Spain should handle Ukraine easily, but as you say they have a bad habit of not showing up when it counts. Ukraine, on the other hand, is pretty much a one-player team. 2-1 España.
The Saudis are in their fourth straight WC tournament, but haven't really shown any signs of life during their appearances. Tunisia has an equally poor World Cup history, never making it past the first round, though they did win the 2004 African Nations Cup as hosts. 2-1 Tunisie.
I don't live in Germany right now, but I was there for the 2002 World Cup. I liked watching the game on the big screen with the locals at a pub. I would have liked to be there this year, not necessarily to see the games live, but to soak in the atmosphere. Tickets are too much of a hassle to get and way overpriced, but just being there would be awesome enough.
Germany may not be the best team, but they have a way to get things done. Poland is not going to be a push over all the time. Last year, Poland was easily beaten in its first two games. Their third game against the USA was explosive--the tough Polish team showed up.
Germany can beat Poland, but you cannot take them lightly. It can easily be a tie game too.
I hate that these games are in the morning. Most of use are at work. I am in the classroom teaching, so that does not help either.
"So many of our DREAMS at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we SUMMON THE WILL they soon become INEVITABLE "- Christopher Reeve
<< <i>edited to remove profanities.. mikeschmidt said it much better anyway.. plus it doesn't seem like this particular idiot wants anything other than an argument.
michigan, i will just say this: the more you post, the more of a giant ass you look like. keep it up, you're embarassing yourself much better than i ever could.
this is why the term "ugly american" exists.... >>
The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. The subject comes up during every world cup and is discussed in many different forums including newspapers etc. I brought out a lot of legit points but you simply don't like dwelling on the subject but would rather talk about individual teams. That is perfectly fine but don't put down people for wanting to discuss the game from a different perspective than yours.
<< <i>The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. >>
Millions of Americans love soccer and the World Cup. Many more don't have the attention span to appreciate the game and feel compelled to ridicule those who do. A lot of people have begun to feel the same way about baseball as well.
<< <i>The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. >>
The subject of this thread is "The Official World Cup Thread". Proclaiming that "soccer sucks" has no business in a discussion of the World Cup, any more than a "baseball sucks" post would have in a World Series thread.
I suggest you start your own "Soccer Sucks!" thread so you can comiserate with your fellow haters of the Beautiful Game.
Incidentally, WC television ratings in the US are up 33% over 2002
Seems ESPN announcers don't want to hurt the USA team's feelings, taking the players' side in the wake of Coach Arena's tirades...........had to laugh at resident expert Julie Foudy's take on the situation.....sure, she was over on the girl's side for years in what amounted to soccer's version of The Oprah Club.......The men's team stunk out the joint and Arena was right with the 40-gun broadside. Can you imagine if the US guys played for pro clubs in Europe with the constant scrutiny in the press?....Grow up already!
What a nice win by Germany. They remained patient, the other team got sloppy, a Polish player gets sent off, then Germany uses the 5 minutes they have playing a man up to score a goal.
For much of the second half, Germany had so many nice shots on goal that did not go in. Kind of reminded me of the USA-Iran game in 1998.
Germany faces Equador next. That team should test Germany's defense some as the final tune up for the second round.
"So many of our DREAMS at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we SUMMON THE WILL they soon become INEVITABLE "- Christopher Reeve
It's great to see some discussion of the World Cup in here. I've been a big soccer fan since around the time of the 1984 Olympics in LA, though I remember watching some of the PBS broadcasts of German and English soccer when I was a kid. I'm a big fan of the London club Chelsea and have been over to England several times to see matches at various grounds - there's nothing that compares to a match day atmosphere in England, from the drinks and songs in pubs prior to the match to the tension of the match itself. In any case, I won't try to argue with the soccer haters, who seem to almost revel in the fact that they hate the game and cannot seem to fathom the concept of a tie or the fact that there is a major sport that the US doesn't dominate. Nothing's gonna convert them, so I'll leave them to their endless commercials, hype, painstaking draft analysis, time-outs and useless sideline reporters.
This World Cup has been very entertaining so far, though I felt very let down by the US performance. Hopefully Arena has given them a good kick up the backside and they can at least put in a creditable performance in the two remaining group stage matches.
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<< <i>What a nice win by Germany. They remained patient, the other team got sloppy, a Polish player gets sent off, then Germany uses the 5 minutes they have playing a man up to score a goal. >>
I agree.......for my money, the most dramatic, enjoyable game of the WC so far.....certainly the most dramatic goal!
As for today's match-ups, Ecuador seems to have made it thru to the round of 16, but I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to England vs. T&T in the second match of the day.......I'm hoping the Soca Warriors will shock England and the world!
I am not a big soccer fan, but should I not be busy, I will watch the USA/Italy game this Saturday. I have Italian heritage, my girlfriend is Italian, and in her early years she lived there. So it makes for some good old fashioned bragging rights. It is weird, how soccer is one of the top sports played by children, yet, it does not catch on later in life. If the US team can perform well, it will catch on some here, at least for the time being, as many people started watching the women a few years back. I know it is perhaps a long shot, but let's say hypothetically, the US wins the whole thing, I bet soccer would get more press and media coverage in the future following a win, and many people would give soccer a chance to grow on them!!!!
What an awesome display by Argentina! If you're not entertained by that, you are probably dead. Second goal was simply breathtaking!
Building sets: 1888 N18 Parasol Drill, 1888 N19 Pirates of the Spanish Main, 1911 T68 Heroes/Men of History (PSA 4+), 1952 Bowman Baseball (PSA 6+), Pre-war British soccer sets
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
That USA-Italy game was an entertaining game to watch. Both teams fought tooth and nail to try and win. Players were yellow carded, red carded, bleeding and being carried off by stretchers. This game had a little of everything. Italy is in the top three of world power soccer nations, so for the USA to go out there and almost pull off a win with a man short says something about this team.
Ghana is not a pushover, but the USA has an excellent shot at winning.
"So many of our DREAMS at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we SUMMON THE WILL they soon become INEVITABLE "- Christopher Reeve
Perhaps I am being a bit cynical, but on those U.S. redcards, do you think there was any bias in that? Both were minor fouls if anything. The Italy redcard was from a flagrant elbow, and there was blood to prove it. It seems in the world's eyes, we are hated, in fact, we are hated, and in international competition, seems as if we have to battle a team and the refs! We shall see how it plays out, but I would not doubt that we lose to Ghana in controversial fashion!!!!
Even if the USA beats Ghana, there still maybe a goal differential situation such as if Italy loses against the Czech Repulblic. In that scenario, USA and Italy will both have 4 points and Italy will most likely advance because of the goal differential (the Czechs will finish first in their group if they win against Italy).
Anyway, best thing that can happen is USA beats Ghana and Italy beats Czech Republic. Italy will then finish first in the group and USA second. USA will most likely play Brazil in the second round. That is OK, this USA team has the tools to beat Brazil. Of course, the USA has to have a good day with all their players on the field, no red cards and most players on top of their game. Mastroeni (sp?) was the best player on the field on the USA side in that match against Italy. If he has a good game like that again, we can see some nice things. Keller must also replicate his performance. Claudio Reyna must also have his best game. Reyna is not playing a glamorous position. His job is to help the defense get the ball to the forwards. His role is crucial, but no one will notice how great he does.
Conspiracy against the USA? No doubt the ref made some bad calls and everyone knows it. I heard he will no longer be a ref. Wait till more reports come out. Was the ref paid off? I doubt it since he was messing things up for both Italy and USA. I never seen an Italian team lose their rythmn like that, so I doubt any team was really favored. The whole match was a mess.
Sure, people around the world hate the USA. But its mostly against the government policies, not individual Americans. Yes, I know politics and nationalism are tied together, but its not an absolute and does not explain every phenomenon.
"So many of our DREAMS at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we SUMMON THE WILL they soon become INEVITABLE "- Christopher Reeve
I know for a fact that the world hates our governmental policies, my girlfriend's mother lives in Italy (my girlfriend lived there in her younger days), and her mom is upset that she is dating an American, and also HATES America. Her father lives in the Seattle area, and one reason they divorced, is because her dad moved here in the late 70s, and she wanted no part of living here. Her mother does not like me, before she ever knew me, just because of where I am from, even though I have Italian roots. Her mother cannot even believe that there is an "illegal immigrant" issue in this country, and thinks that anyone who wants to live here, should be able to, regardless of whether they enter this country under the proper route. Thing is, should I want to move to another country, I cannot just walk past the border! My girlfriend's father even sticks up for me against her mother, because they still remained friends, and he is living proof, if you get here, work your arse off, you can make something of yourself. He sings nothing but high praises for this country, although he is not exactly one for the politics here at all.
All you have to do is look at the international double standards, politically and in competition. Anyone see that Gatorade commercial? I saw a banner saying, "YANKEES GO HOME." I know soccer is THE sport of the world to most, not so much in the U.S., but if any American held up signs with a slang word used for the people of one country, or showing any sort of disrespect, there would be international outcry, about how citizens here are arrogant and rude, and how we all are as "dumb" as our leader. As far as the World Cup and the ref, I have heard about his shady deals of the past, and I would not doubt his calls were of a biased nature. I basically quit watching what was otherwise, a good game. I utterly hate watching a game, in which a ref is the deciding factor in the win, loss, or tie. I quit watching the Super Bowl this year because as ANYone with a clear eye can see, many BIG calls were horrible calls. I would say bias calls, because the NFL was better off seeing the beloved Jerome Bettis go out a winner in his home city, over Seattle taking the title, but who am I to say. All I can say is watch, should the U.S. team advance further in the tourney, there will be a few suspect calls that would make many think a little about what I am saying!!!
<< <i>Maybe the Cubs should sign Michael Owen. He'd fight right in the rotation between Wood and Prior.
Seriously, though, what a blow to England. >>
The analysts over at Sky Sports don't seem to think that it's all too serious....my jaw dropped while listening to Sky Sports' report tonight on the impact of Owens' loss....according to Sky, the lads from England won't get the situation with their strikers sorted out until AFTER the Ecuador game........guess that Sky figures the England team will be around for a while........one more reason for me to root for Los Tricolores.
Just out of curiosity, is anyone else pulling for Ghana tomorrow? I figure it would mean more to them than it does to us, and it's always kind of a thrill when the US gets beaten by a third world country at anything-- but especially soccer.
<< <i>And, yes, go Ghana! I'd just assume see the U.S. lose than have the match turn into a good ol' fashioned display of American jingoism. >>
I'm sticking to my original prediction for the USA squad...theyr'e way overrated, but I must admit, I'm a sucker for jingoism.....especially in overblown venues like the World Cup. Ghana is the superior squad on paper, but I'm planning to root my heart out for USA and have a generally fun-filled breakfast.
Michael Essian scares the daylights out of me......world-class scorer for Chelsea in the EPL....USA squad has nobody to match Essian's skills even when at full-strength and now USA is crippled due to card violations. Still, stranger things have happened! So picking with my heart, it's the USA.....iif I go into Mr. Spock mode, the choice is Ghana......is that wishy-washy enuf for ya?
Even with a USA win, Italy is gonna have to beat Czech Republic in order for Arena's boys to advance.....I think Azzurri will come thru on that one too. Elsewhere I'm looking for Brazil to beat Japan and Australia vs. Croatia to wind up in a gritty 1-1 tie.
<< <i>I agree the penalty kick was a bad call, but let's be honest, if you only have 4 shots on goal in three games them you do not deserve to win anything. >>
Exactly. Arena has to go and the team needs to find somebody besides Landon Donovan to hang its hopes on. Maybe Freddy Adu will be ready by 2010.
Comments
<< <i>At the college and pro level, Soccer has a niche following, which seems to be growing steadily, but not immensly. As long as everyone realizes its niche status in the US and does not have unrealistic expectations, it will continue on.
Look at arena football -- I think it is somewhat goofy and can't stand to watch it -- but it certainly had a niche following that has allowed it to survive for 20 years -- they even have minor league arena teams!! Arena Bowl XX is this next weekend -- hell, I still remember Super Bowl XX!! >>
Arena football is very much a niche sport and primarily a spectator thing and not ready for prime time.
TV ratings this year have averaged around 1%, some games less than that. NBC is considering dropping
the league even though they have a sweetheart deal that really costs them nothing to carry it but
brings in ratings that are so dismal they are making very little if any money.
<< <i>ok michigan, let me try a simpler approach - nobody gives a crap what you think.... >>
Apparently you cared enough to respond even if in a negative way so you just contradicted yourself.
There are a bunch of people on this thread who are happy to talk about the World Cup, its progress, games currently ongoing, etc. - without getting into a philosophical battle of wits on whether or not soccer is going to succeed as a sport in this country. You have made your points - we have all read them. Can you please now leave us alone to continue talking about the World Cup and what we enjoy about it?
~ms
0-0 final. The two teams had draws twice with one another in the qualifying. Time of possession was a nearly-even 49%/51%.
Great match. I would love to see Switzerland advance from their group and have France take another early exit!
michigan, i will just say this: the more you post, the more of a giant ass you look like. keep it up, you're embarassing yourself much better than i ever could.
this is why the term "ugly american" exists....
Saudi Arabia can never lose badly enough to suit me and the pick here is 2-0 Tunisia in the second game.
Finally, how long before the first WWII Germany-Poland analogy in the late game?......it won't wash as it's blitzkreig time once again in a 4-0 drubbing - Deutschland over Poland.
<< <i>Finally, how long before the first WWII Germany-Poland analogy in the late game?......it won't wash as it's blitzkreig time once again in a 4-0 drubbing - Deutschland over Poland. >>
I already heard "1938" mentioned on the radio today.
The tournament opener was the most exciting game for me so far, and I expect more of the same from Germany. Poland was a disappointment in their first game against Ecuador, but I don't expect them to be shutout either. 3-1 Deutschland.
All things being equal, Spain should handle Ukraine easily, but as you say they have a bad habit of not showing up when it counts. Ukraine, on the other hand, is pretty much a one-player team. 2-1 España.
The Saudis are in their fourth straight WC tournament, but haven't really shown any signs of life during their appearances. Tunisia has an equally poor World Cup history, never making it past the first round, though they did win the 2004 African Nations Cup as hosts. 2-1 Tunisie.
I don't live in Germany right now, but I was there for the 2002 World Cup. I liked watching the game on the big screen with the locals at a pub. I would have liked to be there this year, not necessarily to see the games live, but to soak in the atmosphere. Tickets are too much of a hassle to get and way overpriced, but just being there would be awesome enough.
Germany may not be the best team, but they have a way to get things done. Poland is not going to be a push over all the time. Last year, Poland was easily beaten in its first two games. Their third game against the USA was explosive--the tough Polish team showed up.
Germany can beat Poland, but you cannot take them lightly. It can easily be a tie game too.
I hate that these games are in the morning. Most of use are at work. I am in the classroom teaching, so that does not help either.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
<< <i>edited to remove profanities.. mikeschmidt said it much better anyway.. plus it doesn't seem like this particular idiot wants anything other than an argument.
michigan, i will just say this: the more you post, the more of a giant ass you look like. keep it up, you're embarassing yourself much better than i ever could.
this is why the term "ugly american" exists.... >>
The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. The subject comes up during every
world cup and is discussed in many different forums including newspapers etc. I brought out a lot of legit points but you simply
don't like dwelling on the subject but would rather talk about individual teams. That is perfectly fine but don't put down people
for wanting to discuss the game from a different perspective than yours.
<< <i>The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. >>
Millions of Americans love soccer and the World Cup. Many more don't have the attention span to appreciate the game and feel compelled to ridicule those who do. A lot of people have begun to feel the same way about baseball as well.
<< <i>The fact Americans don't like soccer and the reasons why are perfectly OK for this thread. >>
The subject of this thread is "The Official World Cup Thread". Proclaiming that "soccer sucks" has no business in a discussion of the World Cup, any more than a "baseball sucks" post would have in a World Series thread.
I suggest you start your own "Soccer Sucks!" thread so you can comiserate with your fellow haters of the Beautiful Game.
Incidentally, WC television ratings in the US are up 33% over 2002
Seems ESPN announcers don't want to hurt the USA team's feelings, taking the players' side in the wake of Coach Arena's tirades...........had to laugh at resident expert Julie Foudy's take on the situation.....sure, she was over on the girl's side for years in what amounted to soccer's version of The Oprah Club.......The men's team stunk out the joint and Arena was right with the 40-gun broadside. Can you imagine if the US guys played for pro clubs in Europe with the constant scrutiny in the press?....Grow up already!
the coach would have been negligent not to scream at them at least a little bit after that last showing....
also, good to hear that ratings are up significantly..
For much of the second half, Germany had so many nice shots on goal that did not go in. Kind of reminded me of the USA-Iran game in 1998.
Germany faces Equador next. That team should test Germany's defense some as the final tune up for the second round.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
This World Cup has been very entertaining so far, though I felt very let down by the US performance. Hopefully Arena has given them a good kick up the backside and they can at least put in a creditable performance in the two remaining group stage matches.
<< <i>What a nice win by Germany. They remained patient, the other team got sloppy, a Polish player gets sent off, then Germany uses the 5 minutes they have playing a man up to score a goal. >>
I agree.......for my money, the most dramatic, enjoyable game of the WC so far.....certainly the most dramatic goal!
As for today's match-ups, Ecuador seems to have made it thru to the round of 16, but I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to England vs. T&T in the second match of the day.......I'm hoping the Soca Warriors will shock England and the world!
<< <i>...or the fact that there is a major international sport that the US doesn't dominate... >>
Funny I was wondering if there was a major sport that we were adequate in?
wasn't even a game! it was a slaughter!
Coolest billboard ever!
Players were yellow carded, red carded, bleeding and being carried off by stretchers. This game had a little of everything. Italy is in the top three of world power soccer nations, so for the USA to go out there and almost pull off a win with a man short says something about this team.
Ghana is not a pushover, but the USA has an excellent shot at winning.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
Our two red card ejectees will be sitting the final match out, but anything can happen....Let's Go USA!
Anyway, best thing that can happen is USA beats Ghana and Italy beats Czech Republic. Italy will then finish first in the group and USA second. USA will most likely play Brazil in the second round. That is OK, this USA team has the tools to beat Brazil. Of course, the USA has to have a good day with all their players on the field, no red cards and most players on top of their game. Mastroeni (sp?) was the best player on the field on the USA side in that match against Italy. If he has a good game like that again, we can see some nice things. Keller must also replicate his performance. Claudio Reyna must also have his best game. Reyna is not playing a glamorous position. His job is to help the defense get the ball to the forwards. His role is crucial, but no one will notice how great he does.
Conspiracy against the USA? No doubt the ref made some bad calls and everyone knows it. I heard he will no longer be a ref. Wait till more reports come out. Was the ref paid off? I doubt it since he was messing things up for both Italy and USA. I never seen an Italian team lose their rythmn like that, so I doubt any team was really favored. The whole match was a mess.
Sure, people around the world hate the USA. But its mostly against the government policies, not individual Americans. Yes, I know politics and nationalism are tied together, but its not an absolute and does not explain every phenomenon.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
All you have to do is look at the international double standards, politically and in competition. Anyone see that Gatorade commercial? I saw a banner saying, "YANKEES GO HOME." I know soccer is THE sport of the world to most, not so much in the U.S., but if any American held up signs with a slang word used for the people of one country, or showing any sort of disrespect, there would be international outcry, about how citizens here are arrogant and rude, and how we all are as "dumb" as our leader. As far as the World Cup and the ref, I have heard about his shady deals of the past, and I would not doubt his calls were of a biased nature. I basically quit watching what was otherwise, a good game. I utterly hate watching a game, in which a ref is the deciding factor in the win, loss, or tie. I quit watching the Super Bowl this year because as ANYone with a clear eye can see, many BIG calls were horrible calls. I would say bias calls, because the NFL was better off seeing the beloved Jerome Bettis go out a winner in his home city, over Seattle taking the title, but who am I to say. All I can say is watch, should the U.S. team advance further in the tourney, there will be a few suspect calls that would make many think a little about what I am saying!!!
Togo 1, Switzerland 1
Saudi Arabia 2, Ukraine 2
Spain 3, Tunisia 2
Spain gets thru, 2nd place in Group H remains up for grabs......The Spain-Tunisia game should be the match of the day.
Portugal 2, Mexico 0
Angola 2, Iran 0
Netherlands 1, Argentina 1
Ivory Coast 1, Serbia-Mont. 0
Portugal, Mexico, Netherlands and Argentina advance to Round 2.
Seriously, though, what a blow to England.
<< <i>Maybe the Cubs should sign Michael Owen. He'd fight right in the rotation between Wood and Prior.
Seriously, though, what a blow to England. >>
The analysts over at Sky Sports don't seem to think that it's all too serious....my jaw dropped while listening to Sky Sports' report tonight on the impact of Owens' loss....according to Sky, the lads from England won't get the situation with their strikers sorted out until AFTER the Ecuador game........guess that Sky figures the England team will be around for a while........one more reason for me to root for Los Tricolores.
Could someone please explain to me why the abreviation for Serbia and Montenegro is "SCG"?
<< <i>Maybe the Cubs should sign Michael Owen. He'd fight right in the rotation between Wood and Prior.
Seriously, though, what a blow to England. >>
Didn't Owen blow out his ACL? Still I see your point; if Owen had strained 6 ligiments in his elbow while using a can opener I'd completely agree.
And, yes, go Ghana! I'd just assume see the U.S. lose than have the match turn into a good ol' fashioned display of American jingoism.
They hate us for our freedom, ya know.
But we're turning the corner.
<< <i>And, yes, go Ghana! I'd just assume see the U.S. lose than have the match turn into a good ol' fashioned display of American jingoism.
>>
I'm sticking to my original prediction for the USA squad...theyr'e way overrated, but I must admit, I'm a sucker for jingoism.....especially in overblown venues like the World Cup. Ghana is the superior squad on paper, but I'm planning to root my heart out for USA and have a generally fun-filled breakfast.
Michael Essian scares the daylights out of me......world-class scorer for Chelsea in the EPL....USA squad has nobody to match Essian's skills even when at full-strength and now USA is crippled due to card violations. Still, stranger things have happened! So picking with my heart, it's the USA.....iif I go into Mr. Spock mode, the choice is Ghana......is that wishy-washy enuf for ya?
Even with a USA win, Italy is gonna have to beat Czech Republic in order for Arena's boys to advance.....I think Azzurri will come thru on that one too. Elsewhere I'm looking for Brazil to beat Japan and Australia vs. Croatia to wind up in a gritty 1-1 tie.
Nobody is going to be able to get a coffee, have their house cleaned, or their yard landscaped this afternoon
I just hated the soccer players at my high school, so maybe that's why I like seeing the US lose in the World Cup. But in any case it's over now!
<< <i>I agree the penalty kick was a bad call, but let's be honest, if you only have 4 shots on goal in three games them you do not deserve to win anything. >>
Exactly. Arena has to go and the team needs to find somebody besides Landon Donovan to hang its hopes on. Maybe Freddy Adu will be ready by 2010.