World Cup Draw Today at 2:30 PM EST

[bob]

I haven't seen a post about this yet, but the draw for the World Cup happens today - for those of you who don't know, that means we will find out who is in our group for the '06 World Cup. The top 2 teams from each group advance.

I feel we got screwed in the seeding process - we should have been seeded instead of Mexico. My fear is that we end up in a Group of Death, like this:

Brazil, US, Czech Republic, Ukraine.

That would suck.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Mexico earned the seed fair and square. Aside from our pwnership of them, they've got a better record in both the last two WCs (in aggregate) and over the last four years, IMO.

[MrBug708]

Mexico deserved to be seeded ahead of us, but the process that they have is rather dumb.

[bob]

What is your arguement that they should be ahead of us, given that we won the CONCACAF and knocked them out of the last WC?

[Mr. Wednesday]

They advanced in 1998 and have a better FIFA ranking than we do over the entire period from 2002 to 2006 -- the foundation of which is better results against good teams outside of the confederation than we've obtained, most notably against Brazil, Mexico has gotten a lot of mileage out of being able to beat Brazil. We basically won CONCACAF on a technicality (beating them 2 - 0 at home when they only beat us 2 - 1 at Azteca), we don't have a real edge there.

[bob]

Ok, didn't realize that the seedings took into account games from that long ago ('98).

[PineTar]

Is this being carried live on any of the US cable outlets?

[FrogMan]

you can follow it online here:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/fd/index.html

FM

[Chubby]

ESPN News I think

[bob]

Is this being carried live on any of the US cable outlets?

I believe that ESPN 2 is starting coverage at 3 PM EST.

[MacroGuru]

soccernet has a flash app that you can see the draw

[MikeVick7]

soccernet has a flash app that you can see the drawI've got that up here at work. Hopefully it works better than their Gamecast. That's so terrible.

I'm also listening to TalkSport, so I'll hear it live anyway.

[kingfc22]

Give us a good draw *crosses fingers*

[Critch]

Bah, we've got a tv in the next room at work, but it's high up and somebody has turned it back to stupid stupid cnn after I got our resident gangly tall person to turn it to ESPN2 a couple of days ago.

Life sucks, I knew is should have claimed to be snowed in this morning.

edit to avoid dola - can't get that "group of death" as Ukraine and Czech Republic are in the same pot. Could get Serbia in place of Ukraine though.

[bob]

I wonder if actual picks aren't going to happen until 3PM, when ESPN 2 picks it up. Not that they are waiting for ESPN 2, but that ESPN 2 is waiting for them.

[MikeVick7]

I wonder if actual picks aren't going to happen until 3PM, when ESPN 2 picks it up. Not that they are waiting for ESPN 2, but that ESPN 2 is waiting for them.
Yeah, they're going though a bunch of preliminary crap right now. The radio broadcast that I'm listening too are still talking amongst themselves with the proceedings going on in the backround.

[bob]

I wonder how quickly the draw will go once they start going - anyone remember the last time?

[FrogMan]

I don't remember ever paying any attention to the World Cup draw, EVER. I mean I've played some soccer, was a referee for many years, used to WATCH the World Cup, or at least part of games in it, but I've never paid any attention to the draw. And now I'm being sucked into it, knowing some countries, caring about it...

DAMN YOU SI GAMES!!!

:D

FM

[dacman]

I wonder how quickly the draw will go once they start going - anyone remember the last time?
It dragged on for quite a while last time -- maybe 30-40 minutes?

[kingfc22]

So what seed are we hoping to get a draw with? England, Italy, Spain...

[bob]

as long as it is done by 4, when i head home from work.

[kingfc22]

I can't believe I'm so pumped up to watch a draw for the WC.

I must not be an American.

[MikeVick7]

Good lord, I just heard 2:20 central time.

[MrBug708]

I think Spain is the draw we want (Sorry Icy)

[bob]

I wouldn't want England... Maybe France or Germany (assuming they don't play over their head b/c they are at home). Spain would be good too.

Edit to say: France is over dependent on a player that is hurt, and Germany is not as strong as they were in '02.

[Easy Mac]

Draw actually starts around 3:20. If you can't watch it, there's a live tracker on ussoccer.com. Seems like its getting hammered though.

[Coffee Warlord]

Give us Spain or England. Don't give us Germany, I don't wanna us to be playing in the same group as the home crowd.

[kingfc22]

Woot! Crossing my fingers for a good draw... come on... give us Mexico (or Spain) from Pool 1!
I don't think we can have Mexico because we are both in CONCACAF

[ISiddiqui]

Woot! Crossing my fingers for a good draw... come on... give us Mexico (or Spain) from Pool 1!

[FrogMan]

I don't think we can have Mexico because we are both in CONCACAF
that is what I read too.

FM

[kingfc22]

time stamp bug is all over this threadhttp://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/mad.gif

[bob]

I'm pretty sure we can't get Mexico.

[dacman]

I'm pretty sure we can't get Mexico.
Correct.

England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil and Argentina -- we'll wind up with 1 of these.

[kingfc22]

US v. Portugal highlights. *shivers*

[ISiddiqui]

Damn... it would have been nice to beat those bastards again... stupid FIFA rules (grumble)

[kingfc22]

Anyone post the pot groupings?
DRAW POTS: Pot One: Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Spain Pot Two: Australia, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Tunisia, Ecuador, Paraguay Pot Three: Croatia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine Pot Four: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, United States Special pot: Serbia & Montenegro

[Galaxy]

Anyone post the pot groupings?

[Critch]

Just make the damned thing start! Blah blah blah, team spirit, blah blah blah blah blah blah demarcus beasley blah blah blah. Just shutup and make the draw!

I can't stand around at work staring at the tv all afternoon, you know.

[colt45]

yeah - so about this draw actually taking place.... lots and lots of not drawing thus far

[kingfc22]

HOW THE DRAW WILL WORK:
• The eight seeded teams will be drawn into eight different groups. Germany have already been allocated Group A and Brazil Group F.
• The eight unseeded European sides, in pot three, will be drawn.
• The lowest-ranked European side, Serbia and Montenegro, will be allocated to one of the groups containing either Brazil, Argentina or Mexico to ensure there is no more than two European sides in any group.
• The pot containing the five African countries, Australia and the two remaining South American sides, pot two, will be drawn.
• The pot containing the four Asian countries, the USA, Costa Rica and Trinidad, pot four, will be drawn.


So it looks like we have to wait the longest. :(

[Critch]

Anyone post the pot groupings?


POT ONE
Germany (hosts)
Brazil (holders)
Argentina
England
France
Italy
Mexico
Spain

POT TWO
Australia
Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia
Ecuador
Paraguay

POT THREE
Croatia
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

POT FOUR
Iran
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Costa Rica
Trinidad & Tobago
US
Special pot: Serbia & Montenegro

[bob]

No. 1 seeds: Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Italy, England, Mexico, France.

No. 2 seeds: Netherlands, USA, South Korea, Sweden, Croatia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Japan.

No. 3 seeds: Portugal, Czech Republic, Iran, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, Tunisia, Ecuador.

No. 4 seeds: Switzerland, Ivory Coast, Ukraine, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, Ghana, Angola, Togo.

[kingfc22]

How does it draw?
post #40

[Galaxy]

What do the seedings mean?

How does it draw?

[colt45]

but we did miss the official mascot, GOALEO, preform a special song... that's nice.

[Galaxy]

post #40
Color me stupid.

[SirFozzie]

Galaxy: The top 6 teams, the host and the defending champions get thrown into a special pot.. they can't draw each other in the first round. Germany automatically gets put in Group A, Brazil in Group F.

Then they draw out each pot in turn (Serbia and Montenegro are in a special pot, they have to go into a group with either Mexico, Argentina or Brazil).

There can be no more then two european teams in one group, and no more then 1 team from any other region in one group.

So for example, Ecuador can't be drawn into brazil's group, since they are both in COMNEBOL, the South American group.

[terpkristin]

Ok Eric and Marcelo need to stop agreeing on things.
Makes it so boring.

/tk

[MikeVick7]

Ok Eric and Marcelo need to stop agreeing on things.
Makes it so boring.

/tkAs long as they're being real about it. Nothing makes me powerdown more than two analysts taking two sides of an argument strictly for TV purposes. Ugghhh.

[terpkristin]

If anybody wants to talk about it real-time, I'm going to head over to #fofc on the UNDERNET on IRC.

/tk

[SirFozzie]

am I the only one who noticed how heavy they're trying to shill Jackass on the WC Draw. They trying to tell us something?

[kingfc22]

Ugh, get to the draw already

[terpkristin]

No you're not the only one who noticed that...

/tk

[Galaxy]

Just draw damn it!

[Ryan S]

World Cup and Champions League draws are always complicated, drawn out affairs. I would be happy if they made the draw beforehand and just told us the damn groups.

[sterlingice]

C'mon, more people join us in chat :D

SI

[Northwood_DK]

Finally it looks like they are ready to go

[FrogMan]

World Cup and Champions League draws are always complicated, drawn out affairs. I would be happy if they made the draw beforehand and just told us the damn groups.
or if we could simply click the "draw next team" button :D

FM

[kingfc22]

Geesh, we have time for a a roster breakdown of every team!!

[cartman]

"Have you seen the new balls?"

"Yep, we have two of them right here"

Jeebus, get to the draw already...

[bob]

I'm surprised these sites with the online draw things don't have a simulate button that would simulate the draw to give people an idea of what they could expect (or to give them something to do) during this crap.

[Galaxy]

Why the time delay?

[colt45]

Hey guys, don't diminish the importance of ball chit-chat.

[kingfc22]

Woot! Finally the Germans get things rolling

[dacman]

Woot! Finally the Germans get things rolling
Not really, that was pre-determined as was Brazil in F.

[Galaxy]

Finally

[kingfc22]

Not really, that was pre-determined as was Brazil in F.
Heh, No I meant that the Germans finally started the show. Only had to wait an extra 20 minutes or so.

[Desnudo]

Common Togo v. US

[kingfc22]

we want Group G (France) or H (Spain)
Unless, one of the other groups gets two really crap teams.

[Dunleavy]

we want Group G (France) or H (Spain)

[Desnudo]

Try the Yahoo one.

[MikeVick7]

I'm glad the ESPN Tracker thing is working as good as their GameTracker does. Good lord guys, it's 2005, why don't you make something that actually works?

[kingfc22]

From what I hear, I think C would be a good group to miss

[fantastic flying froggies]

France hit the G-spot.... :D

[Desnudo]

Angola v. Mexico. Catch the fever!

[Dunleavy]

Argentina v Irovy Coast

[kingfc22]

Brazil and the Aussies!

[kingfc22]

Please no group F for the US

[fantastic flying froggies]

England got Paraguay.

[Desnudo]

France, Togo, that's the dream group for the US so far.

[ISiddiqui]

Wee... now its moving pretty good.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Togo - possibly one of the weakest teams of that pot in group G with France, so far so good...

[kingfc22]

G and H still seem to be the best groups for the US

[Dunleavy]

Brazil Aussie and hopefully not us

[Desnudo]

Czech w/Mexico please

[fantastic flying froggies]

Now, onto the toughest pot, the Euros...

[Dunleavy]

France, Togo, Pleaseeeeee Group G, or H

[kingfc22]

C is bad

[Desnudo]

C = death group

[sterlingice]

Yeah, that Brazil, Australia group is murder

SI

[Galaxy]

Group B could be tough.

[kingfc22]

I guess Mexico can stamp their ticket to the 2nd round

[fantastic flying froggies]

The Fifaworldcup.com site just screwed up, put Togo together in group C with Argentina and Cote d'Ivoire. Togo should be in group G...

Fifaworldcup.com, the official site of screw-ups... :rolleyes:

[kingfc22]

G and H still the best spot for the US

[Dunleavy]

Group C very tough

[Desnudo]

C or E look tough

[Northwood_DK]

Anyone feel for C

[fantastic flying froggies]

Anyone feel for C
Yup...

[kingfc22]

Oh please, please give us G or H

[fantastic flying froggies]

Heh, Switzerland with France again, just like the qualifying stages... :)

[Desnudo]

Please, please, please US to group G

[Dunleavy]

Group G or H for sure

[Northwood_DK]

G looks like an easy group

[fantastic flying froggies]

Serbia can only go in C, D or F

[kingfc22]

phew! We can't get C

[Desnudo]

Wow, C is a killer group

[sterlingice]

G is a giant cream puff.

(from chat)
[14:57] <SirFozzie> If France gets the Swiss, they bribed someone ;)
[14:58] <SirFozzie> Yup.. Called it!

SI

[Karlifornia]

Togo, France, Switzerland? That's the ticket.

[fantastic flying froggies]

C is probably the toughest so far... but could still be 'beaten' by B

[kingfc22]

don't do it man!

[Blade6119]

Glad we miss netherlands and argentina group

[kingfc22]

Woot!

[FrogMan]

anybody got all the groups so far? a simple copy/paste, I can't access the live thingie...

FM

[Desnudo]

Not looking good for US.

[Dunleavy]

Group A is cake walk for Germany

[kingfc22]

Doh! so close

[Northwood_DK]

anybody got all the groups so far? a simple copy/paste, I can't access the live thingie...

FM

Try BBC

[Desnudo]

Shit. US is screwed.

[kingfc22]

Italy, Ghana and the Czechs

[Celeval]

Ugh.

[Desnudo]

Oh well.

[kingfc22]

G and H was the golden ticket

[Desnudo]

France with a cakewalk now.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow... C is really tough now. Argentina and Netherlands is enough, but Serbia and Ivory Coast aren't pushovers!

[FrogMan]

Try BBC
THANK YOU!!! :D

FM

[Blade6119]

...not good at all...very bad

[Karlifornia]

Iiiiiiinteresting..Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic as the first game

[MacroGuru]

Forget what I said

[Blade6119]

italy and czech were not who i wanted to face

[fantastic flying froggies]

The hardest group IMHO!
Which one?

[kingfc22]

Spain gets a bye.

[3ric]

The hardest group IMHO

Edit: 44 people viewing the thread at the moment!

[sterlingice]

Japan gets 3 games and goes home.

SI

[Dunleavy]

dam, could have been much much easier, USA to group E

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, it'll be tough for the US. They'll have to pull off an upset against the Czechs.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Serbs really got screwed, methinks...They had no business being in that particular pot IMHO...

[Dunleavy]

G & H are so weak

[kingfc22]

I think it is fair to say that we are in the strongest group. :(

[ISiddiqui]

A Germany, Ecuador, Poland, Costa Rica
B England, Paraguay, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago
C Argentina, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro
D Mexico, Angola, Portugal, Iran
E Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic, United States
F Brazil, Australia, Croatia, Japan
G France, Togo, Switzerland, South Korea
H Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia

And that's all she wrote. Sucks for the US... would have loved to get Mexico's seed now!

[fantastic flying froggies]

G & H are so weak
True, but I'd say D is the weakest...

[cartman]

The US just needs to make sure Byron Moreno is the ref during their game with Italy... :D

[SirFozzie]

G is a giant cream puff.

(from chat)
[14:57] SirFozzie: If France gets the Swiss, they bribed someone ;)
[14:58] SirFozzie: Yup.. Called it!

SI

just making sure I got the proper credit!

[SirFozzie]

hey Froggy.. I see you're reading this one.. poor Cote D'Ivorie.. :)

[fantastic flying froggies]

hey Froggy.. I see you're reading this one.. poor Cote D'Ivorie.. :)
It will be tough for them, but as the strongest African nation IMHO, they may turn some heads...

[Desnudo]

I think it is fair to say that we are in the strongest group. :(

While definitely not the ideal draw, if the US can manage a draw against Italy or Czech then they would stand a decent chance of going through.

[SirFozzie]

Wow, Talksport just said "England are through to the quarterfinals already".

Not far from the truth, but CHEEEEKY!

[Dunleavy]

True, but I'd say D is the weakest...

yeah your right, but we cant go to D and i was really hoping for G or H

[FrogMan]

hey Froggy.. I see you're reading this one.. poor Cote D'Ivorie.. :)
yeah, kept hearing "group C is group of death" and I knew they were in C :(

FM

[Blade6119]

yeah your right, but we cant go to D and i was really hoping for G or H

While spots were still open in G and H they said before our ball was even pulled it would be us, presumably becuase they drew concacaf then asia(which i saw). Why was this, other then to make sure non of the concacaf played mexico? Seems like it wasnt as random as we could have only gone in the first few

[SirFozzie]

It was just the way it turned out, Blade.. Iran went before us.. they were just predicting.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I thought the draw was going great for us (between Portugal landing with Mexico and S&M landing with the Netherlands and Argentina)... right up until our name came out of the snifter into that group. Hello, "group of death".

It could be worse, though... I'd rather face Czech Republic than Holland, and Italy was among the group of seeds I was hoping to run into if we were going to see one of the more dangerous Euros.

Overall, it looks like a very uneven draw. Several groups that are very soft, several others that are very nasty, and few that are in-between. It's a good draw for Mexico and Costa Rica, I think, and a bad one for T&T.

[kingfc22]

Based on November FIFA rankings:

72 - E Italy (12), Ghana (50), Czech Republic (2), United States (8)
85 - F Brazil (1), Australia (49), Croatia (20), Japan (15)
95 - C Argentina (4), Ivory Coast (41), Netherlands (3), Serbia & Montenegro (47)
97 - A Germany (16), Ecuador (37), Poland (23), Costa Rica (21)
98 - D Mexico (7), Angola (62), Portugal (10), Iran (19)
104 - B England (9), Paraguay (30), Sweden (14), Trinidad & Tobago (51)
106 - H Spain (6), Tunisia (28), Ukraine (40), Saudi Arabia (32)
126 - G France (5), Togo (56), Switzerland (36), South Korea (29)

avg - 97.875

[sovereignstar]

I obviously know very little about world soccer, cause I had no idea the Czech Republic were that good.

[Crapshoot]

I dunno - I could well the US finishing last in that Group. In Essien, and Appiah, the Ghanian's have 2 top level talents - as good as anything the Czechs (with Nedved) have, and significantly better than the US. Essien is one of the 10-20 best players in the world IMO.

[B & B]

Wow, G and H really are weak.

[MIJB#19]

Okay, MIJB's early prediction:

A1 Germany (who did they bribe to get this draw?)
A2 Ecuador (watch them beat Poland 1-0 to get through)
A3 Poland (the draw against Germany won't be enough)
A4 Costa Rica (over under of goals scored is at 1)

B1 Sweden (the game 1 win will help them clinch)
B2 Paraguay (playing T&T last is huge for them)
B3 England (they will go out on a late equaliser in game 3)
B4 Trinidad & Tobago (it'll be fun to be there, but scoring will be like winning)

C1 Argentina (no way to see this not happen after winning game 1 and 2)
C2 Netherlands (wishful thinking, I hope it will help to play Argentina last)
C3 Serbia & Montenegro (tough team, I put their over under at goals against on 2)
C4 Cote d'Ivore (expect to see them win one or draw two games)

D1 Portugal (if they can't win this group, they should be excluded from 2010)
D2 Mexico (if they can't finish second here, they should be excluded from 2010)
D3 Angola (the draw in game 1 versus Portugal will help them into third)
D4 Iran (Another fillers role for them, despite having an easy group this time)

E1 Czech Republic (this is a no-brainer)
E2 Italy (no-brainer umber two)
E3 Ghana (that last game versus the USA they'll fight to stay alive)
E4 USA (better luck in 2010)

F1 Brazil (it won't be easy, but they will win this group)
F2 Japan (this is my darkhorse team for the World Cup)
F3 Australia (they go out on te game 1 loss to Japan)
F4 Croatia (I see two draws and a 1-0 loss for them)

G1 France (duh)
G2 Switzerland (a tricky win over the Koreans will help them survive)
G3 Togo (beating the French backups won't be enough)
G4 Korean Republic (they don't play at home, you know)

H1 Ukraine (the win over Spain will be crucial)
H2 Tunisia (the win over Ukraine in game 3 will be crucial)
H3 Spain (once again they go out, despite a 6-1 win in game 3)
H4 Saudi Arabia (ready to be slaughtered once again)

Knock-out stages:
Germany beats Paraguay by 1-0
Mexico upsets Argentina on penalty kicks
Czech Republic beats Japan in overtime
France steamrolls over Tunisia
Ecuador takes advantage of Sweden's penalty kicks syndrome
Netherlands avenges Portugal for Euro2004 and World Cup 2002
Italy upsets the world by beating favorites Brazil
Ukraine goes on by beating the Swiss

Germany wins on two late goal versus Mexico
France takes out the Czech Republic on penalty kicks
Netherlands takes out Ecuador
Italy knocks out the Ukraine

France humiliates Germany
Netherlands plays Italian style to beat the catenacchio inventors

Germany beats uninspired Italy for third place

Netherlands finally wins it all by beating France with a late 1-0

[MrBug708]

Well, if the US cant win, Im rooting for Holland

[RPI-Fan]

At this point, I'm almost happy with our draw.

Had we gotten into an easy group, I think the talk of a cakewalk would have been VERY bad for our team. With everyone assuming we're playing for 3rd place I think we have the potential to get some positive results!

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'd recommend revising the Group A prediction -- Ecuador sucks at sea level. I'd bet on Poland taking second place, with Costa Rica 3rd and Ecuador last. It wouldn't be a huge shock to me if the Ticos went through.

Mexico should be favored to win their group over Portugal, but I agree on your picks to advance there.

In the final round of group E, we could see a for-pride-only match, as Ghana and the U.S. might both be sitting on 0 points. At that point, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a reprise of the final match of the '03 Confed Cup for the U.S. That said, neither Italy nor CR advancing is a foregone conclusion. The last time the U.S. played Italy, the difference was a single play where Regis got run over by an Italian player; the U.S. carried the play in the first half and were unlucky not to get a result -- and that match was played in Italy.

I'd be shocked if Spain doesn't advance out of group H. That's a cupcake group for the seed.

While France has a great draw to advance (which is outstanding luck for them because it may keep them in a seed for the next time around), I'd be surprised if they made it as far as the semifinals.

[MIJB#19]

I'd recommend revising the Group A prediction -- Ecuador sucks at sea level. I'd bet on Poland taking second place, with Costa Rica 3rd and Ecuador last. It wouldn't be a huge shock to me if the Ticos went through.Ecuador did well in the South American zone. Poland should obviosuly be the favorites to be the group winner (Germany sucks) but the home field advantage, 'ey? Somehow I see Ecuador do some defensive miracle.

Mexico should be favored to win their group over Portugal, but I agree on your picks to advance there.Mexico favored? I kindly disagree there.

In the final round of group E, we could see a for-pride-only match, as Ghana and the U.S. might both be sitting on 0 points. At that point, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a reprise of the final match of the '03 Confed Cup for the U.S. That said, neither Italy nor CR advancing is a foregone conclusion. The last time the U.S. played Italy, the difference was a single play where Regis got run over by an Italian player; the U.S. carried the play in the first half and were unlucky not to get a result -- and that match was played in Italy.Exactly, nothing to add to that.

I'd be shocked if Spain doesn't advance out of group H. That's a cupcake group for the seed.But Spain has a reputation to disappoint. Especially when they are favored to win. This is basically a worst-case scenario for them. Not to mention that the Ukraine are the strongest team to play their first World Cup since a couple of decades.

While France has a great draw to advance (which is outstanding luck for them because it may keep them in a seed for the next time around), I'd be surprised if they made it as far as the semifinals.Good point, but in my prediction the French had the luck of the draw, except for the Czechs, who are just destined to go out in the quarter or semi finals.

[MikeVic]

I like Brazil, Poland, and Croatia... can't wait for Brazil vs Croatia. :D

[ISiddiqui]

Poor US :(. If we can get out of that group, maybe the furriners will give us some respect ;). But I don't think we shall. Maybe if Italy is caught napping.

[Crapshoot]

Poor US :(. If we can get out of that group, maybe the furriners will give us some respect ;). But I don't think we shall. Maybe if Italy is caught napping.

doubtful - very doubtful. The Italians are pretty good when it comes down to it.
I see it finishing Italy, Czech, Ghana, and the US.

[MacroGuru]

doubtful - very doubtful. The Italians are pretty good when it comes down to it.
I see it finishing Italy, Czech, Ghana, and the US.
Honestly, the US team has been so up and down lately, that if the team is on a positive upswing in momentum, I can actually see them take second on GD.

[Crapshoot]

Honestly, the US team has been so up and down lately, that if the team is on a positive upswing in momentum, I can actually see them take second on GD.

See, I don't know - they don't have the defensive ability to stonewall the Czech's IMO, and the Italian's are the masters at this. How would your scenario play out ?

[Celeval]

Interesting draw... aside from being tough.

We draw Ghana... and have a good shot at Adu coming with us to Germany.
We draw Italy... and are still (I think) trying to talk Rossi into capping with us.

...anyone know if we have good young Czech-American players?

[RPI-Fan]

See, I don't know - they don't have the defensive ability to stonewall the Czech's IMO, and the Italian's are the masters at this. How would your scenario play out ?

We, of course, would have to get the benefit of the doubt and a win over Ghana. I can see us sneaking out a nil-nil or 1-1 with Italy, and then a 1-1/2-2 (or more!) draw with the Czechs.

I think that the U.S.A. vs. Czech game would be very fun to watch and could be one of the best of the World Cup!

What is the order of games in Group E?

[sovereignstar]

1. Czech
2. Italy
3. Ghana

[Galaxy]

Is Czech that good? I know they are solid, but not a power?

[MIJB#19]

Honestly, the US team has been so up and down lately, that if the team is on a positive upswing in momentum, I can actually see them take second on GD.GD? Goal Difference? In case you don't know, head-to-head goes first in case of equal number of points.

For the USA, I really think beating Italy or the Czech Republic is required to have a shot at the sweet sixteen. A draw versus Ghana would suffice in a scenario where Ghana also draws the team the USA beat. That's the best bet right now, I'd say. Back in 2002 I was right on for the USA's requirements scenario to reach the second round. Of course copying 2002 would require even more upsets, for the second round Brazil is a-waiting...

[MacroGuru]

See, I don't know - they don't have the defensive ability to stonewall the Czech's IMO, and the Italian's are the masters at this. How would your scenario play out ?
Based upon the matches, we tie Czech, both of us lose to Italy by a goal and Both of us win Ghana.

However, we beat Ghana by 1 goal more than the Czechs

That Shows Italy collecting 9 points, with The US and Czech Picking up 4, and Ghana getting 0

Leaves it to Goal Differential, and I see us taking it by a Goal.

[MIJB#19]

Is Czech that good? I know they are solid, but not a power?A top5 team in Europe and top 8 in the World. I'd even dare to say top3 in Europe, top5 in the World. And stronger than Italy.

[MacroGuru]

GD? Goal Difference? In case you don't know, head-to-head goes first in case of equal number of points.

For the USA, I really think beating Italy or the Czech Republic is required to have a shot at the sweet sixteen. A draw versus Ghana would suffice in a scenario where Ghana also draws the team the USA beat. That's the best bet right now, I'd say. Back in 2002 I was right on for the USA's requirements scenario to reach the second round. Of course copying 2002 would require even more upsets, for the second round Brazil is a-waiting...
Shows you how much I know....I thought it was GD....

[Mr. Wednesday]

Ecuador did well in the South American zone. Poland should obviosuly be the favorites to be the group winner (Germany sucks) but the home field advantage, 'ey? Somehow I see Ecuador do some defensive miracle. Ecuador did well when they played at elevation, and did not do well when they played elsewhere. Poland should be favored over them. Germany may be down, but they're still a better side than Poland, who are very much a middle-of-the-pack Euro side. Heck, the U.S. beat Poland in Poland within the last couple of years, and I recall it being pretty close to a full strength Polish side too.

Mexico favored? I kindly disagree there. Portugal is pretty good, Mexico has earned their ranking. I could see the group going either way, but the confed cup results from '05 have me giving el Tri the benefit of the doubt. Don't be fooled by our pwnership of them, they're really good against everyone else.

But Spain has a reputation to disappoint. Especially when they are favored to win. This is basically a worst-case scenario for them. Not to mention that the Ukraine are the strongest team to play their first World Cup since a couple of decades.Spain's reputation for disappointment didn't keep them from advancing to the quarterfinals in '02. If they were facing a tough group (say, swap them with Italy), I could see it, but with that sweetheart draw I'll be really surprised if they don't go through.

[Mr. Wednesday]

In our group, the only result for the U.S. that would surprise me would be seven or nine points. I could see anywhere from winning the group on six to bombing out on zero. If pressed to pick a most likely outcome, I'd probably pick a repeat of Confed Cup '03, with narrow defeats (probably by a goal each time) to Italy and CR and then a lackluster draw in a meaningless match with Ghana.

[Mac Howard]

As a Brit I'm delighted with the draw for England. As an Aussie I'm horrified about the draw for the socceroos.

Have to disagree with many of your predictions MIJB#19 - I'm looking forward to England playing the Netherlands in the semis ;)

[MIJB#19]

Spain's reputation for disappointment didn't keep them from advancing to the quarterfinals in '02. If they were facing a tough group (say, swap them with Italy), I could see it, but with that sweetheart draw I'll be really surprised if they don't go through.Spain is on a 2004 hangover, they missed the quarterfinals of the European Championships while being favorites to reach the semis. I really see them losing to the Ukraine, struggling into a draw versus Tunisia and then seeing a big win over Saudi Arabia not being good enough to survive the first round.

Portugal is pretty good, Mexico has earned their ranking. I could see the group going either way, but the confed cup results from '05 have me giving el Tri the benefit of the doubt. Don't be fooled by our pwnership of them, they're really good against everyone else.Of course Mexico has a rebuilt team, like the Netherlands does, but I still remember where 'we' underestimated Mexico and got lucky to draw 2-2 in 1998. I have a hard time figuring them out, though, especially after the recent Confederations Cup. But I still rate Portugal higher, plus Portugal couldn't have drawn any easier. Of course, the same could be said about 2002, where they got upset by the USA and South Korea.

[MIJB#19]

Have to disagree with many of your predictions MIJB#19 - I'm looking forward to England playing the Netherlands in the semis ;)If I'm not mistaken, the playoff-bracket will put England and the Netherlands into a scenario for either the quarterfinals ot the final. But it'll be tough enough to survive the first round. We may have had the best qualification stage ever, I'm not convinced this team is good enough to get through. (Yeah, in my optimistic prediction above I let them win it all, because I think it's a 1 in 25 chance or so.)

[Mac Howard]

If I'm not mistaken, the playoff-bracket will put England and the Netherlands into a scenario for either the quarterfinals ot the final. But it'll be tough enough to survive the first round. We may have had the best qualification stage ever, I'm not convinced this team is good enough to get through. (Yeah, in my optimistic prediction above I let them win it all, because I think it's a 1 in 25 chance or so.)

That's disappointing, I would hate either team to go out earlier than the semis (have just seen the draw - 8.30 on Saturday morning here). From what little I've seen so far the draw does seem to throw up some interesting clashes and seems to keep the big guys away from each other early on. It's a mouth watering prospect.

[GoldenEagle]

We got a tough draw but advancement is not out of the question. Like Beasley said, you have to beat them at one point or another. The Italians are good, but they have a recent history of self-destructing. If we can draw with the Czechs in the first game, I think we will be in good shape. Bruce is excellent at tactical adjustments. We are going to have a good roster and an injury or two will not hurt us. The key though is going to be the defense and Keller in good form. We will create chances, folks.

[Crapshoot]

Should be a good Cup. MIJB - I take it you're going to run a prediction contest ? ;)

[Ryan S]

My prediction for the groups.

I think the Dutch will blow it in a very tough group, USA will beat the overrated Czechs (thought it will be tight) and no Asian or African team will get close to the second round.

Group A
Germany
Poland
Ecuador
Costa Rica

Group B
England
Sweden
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago

Group C
Argentina
Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands
Ivory Coast

Group D
Portugal
Mexico
Iran
Angola

Group E
Italy
USA
Czech Republic
Ghana

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Japan
Australia

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H
Ukraine
Spain
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

[MikeVic]

Should be a good Cup. MIJB - I take it you're going to run a prediction contest ? ;)

Yes!! Someone do this!

[Havok]

man.... not alot of love on this thread for the USA. We've got a group of big/nasty/athletic defenders, a goalie who is red hot and we're pretty solid very where else. Actually.... our entire team is very athletic imo, thats one reason why we pwn mexico so hard. Beasly is an absolute burner on the wing and i like that new striker we added aswell (Josh Wolf i think?). He's fast as hell.

I guess making it to the quarterfinals last time and losing on a bullshit call wasn't enough to convice some people that we can actually play. All this last place in our group and zero points talk is crap, not gonna happen.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Wolff isn't a guy I favor at forward... he doesn't have breakaway speed any more, doesn't pass all that well in the box and makes up for by not shooting all that well either. Hopefully, Eddie Johnson will be healthy and ready to play.

[Havok]

Wolff isn't a guy I favor at forward... he doesn't have breakaway speed any more, doesn't pass all that well in the box and makes up for by not shooting all that well either. Hopefully, Eddie Johnson will be healthy and ready to play.

well then maybe its not wolf... i forget the guys name. Some young guy that played vs Scotland and played very well. Apparently he is extremely fast.

[RPI-Fan]

well then maybe its not wolf... i forget the guys name. Some young guy that played vs Scotland and played very well. Apparently he is extremely fast.

Only forwards in that game were Brian Ching (target man, we know what we're getting with him), Josh Wolff (been around forever, never really turned the corner), and Chris Rolfe (young guy, solid rookie campaign for the Chicago Fire). 'Tino Quaranta also played in that game (though he's looked at less and less as a forward and more of a winger).

So I guess it's either Wolff, or Rolfe that you're talking about? Wolff is fast, but injury-prone and not really all that spectacular. Rolfe is simply not there yet.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Wolff started against Scotland and apparently played fairly well, albeit not really rising above his known weaknesses (my recollection of postmatch reports, I forgot to Tivo the game). He was subbed out for Chris Rolfe of the Fire.

[DaddyTorgo]

we'll beat Ghana. And I think we CAN beat the Czechs, if we bring our best game. Italy...well a 0-0 draw isn't the end of the world. The thing that will determine if we go through I think is how well Italy does against Ghana. The Italians have never played that well against African teams IIRC, with African-speed being a problem for them, so if Ghana can pull off a favorable result for us against Italy I think we stand a 50/50 chance of going through. (i can't find any data to back this up however)

I mean who are we afraid of on the Czech team?? Marek Jankulovski? Milan Baros??

and does anyone else find it amusing that I just pulled up FM to check who the Czech's highlight players are? They're loaded with strikers, but the midfield talent just isn't there yet with the exception of Nedved, who can't do it all himself. They have a TON of talented U-21 players, but I doubt that they are ready for the WC just yet. Look for them in 2010 to make a serious run though. Honestly, somehow the Czechs are ranked #2 in the FIFA rankings, but they don't scare me. And maybe that's just been me not having watched enough internationally lately...if so go ahead and tell me that. But I'm reading that the Czechs should make the quarterfinals...and I just don't understand HOW.

doesn't matter anyways. This one is a relative cakewalk for Brazil I'd think. They just have too much talent all over the pitch.

[Havok]

i shouldn't have been drinking when i watched that match with my brother... anyway, we still have a solid team. We're gonna shock someone dammit, and i hope its Italy. So that Rossi's dumass will see the light and come play for his home country.

Who the hell wants to play for boring ass All-defensive Italy anyway :)

On another note... what do you guys think of Twellman?? He's a Maryland boy for one thing so he has my support, he's also lighting up the MLS.

[Blade6119]

i shouldn't have been drinking when i watched that match with my brother... anyway, we still have a solid team. We're gonna shock someone dammit, and i hope its Italy. So that Rossi's dumass will see the light and come play for his home country.

Who the hell wants to play for boring ass All-defensive Italy anyway :)

On another note... what do you guys think of Twellman?? He's a Maryland boy for one thing so he has my support, he's also lighting up the MLS.

I think if they put him on the pitch with our A team(which hasnt happened...he always plays in the test games) he do well...hes not johnson of old or today, but i think hes our #3 guy right now behind johnson and mcbride. But its a distant third.

[Critch]

The Czechs have got a strong defence, with Cech behind it (one of the best in the world, maybe the best), then Nedved and Rosicky in midfield, Baros does better up front at international level than at club, and Kohler gives them one of the most powerful oldstyle centerforwards in the world, complete contrast to Baros. I'd fancy them to go through.

I think the US will have a good chance of taking a point or three from Italy though, they never seem to put anybody away, they arent the team they used to be. Plus there's always the chance that Totti will get sent off at any moment.

[Katon]

The Czechs have one of the best keepers in the world (I'd rank him #2 behind Buffon), one of the best midfielders in the world, and at least decent players everywhere else. Teams have reached the final with less (eg Germany in 2002).

[DaddyTorgo]

The Czechs have got a strong defence, with Cech behind it (one of the best in the world, maybe the best), then Nedved and Rosicky in midfield, Baros does better up front at international level than at club, and Kohler gives them one of the most powerful oldstyle centerforwards in the world, complete contrast to Baros. I'd fancy them to go through.

I think the US will have a good chance of taking a point or three from Italy though, they never seem to put anybody away, they arent the team they used to be. Plus there's always the chance that Totti will get sent off at any moment.
Cech is great, no question about it. Nedved+Rosicky is only 1/2 a midfield, and the USA I think if it has strength anywhere it's in defense and in Keller, so I'm honestly not all that afraid of Kohler and Baros. Honestly, for all their failings internationally, I'm more afraid of Totti and whoever else Italy decides to play up top (Gilardino? Toni?).

Nedved and Rosicky are both fine players no doubt, but I would submit (and again maybe it's just me and the games I havn't watched lately) that neither of them have the ability to take over a game and dominate it. Especially with Armas/Mastroeni in midfield laying a body to them everytime they get the ball. Eddie Pope versus Kohler? I'll take Pope. Keller vs. Baros...I'll take Keller.

I'll say it again. I like our chances against the Czechs. I would agree it promises to be an exciting game, but I don't see the Czechs being able to put us away (although I think we're only slightly more likely to put them away... a tight 2-1 comes to mind as a score).

I certainly like our chances against the Czechs more than against the Italians. I don't think our young guys have the patience yet to break down the Italian defense on a consistent enough basis to give us a win.

[RPI-Fan]

Cech is great, no question about it. Nedved+Rosicky is only 1/2 a midfield, and the USA I think if it has strength anywhere it's in defense and in Keller, so I'm honestly not all that afraid of Kohler and Baros. Honestly, for all their failings internationally, I'm more afraid of Totti and whoever else Italy decides to play up top (Gilardino? Toni?).

Nedved and Rosicky are both fine players no doubt, but I would submit (and again maybe it's just me and the games I havn't watched lately) that neither of them have the ability to take over a game and dominate it. Especially with Armas/Mastroeni in midfield laying a body to them everytime they get the ball. Eddie Pope versus Kohler? I'll take Pope. Keller vs. Baros...I'll take Keller.

I'll say it again. I like our chances against the Czechs. I would agree it promises to be an exciting game, but I don't see the Czechs being able to put us away (although I think we're only slightly more likely to put them away... a tight 2-1 comes to mind as a score).

I certainly like our chances against the Czechs more than against the Italians. I don't think our young guys have the patience yet to break down the Italian defense on a consistent enough basis to give us a win.

I would certainly hope that we won't be relying on Pope in Germany!

[Northwood_DK]

I don’t know if it has been mentioned before but if the US manage to finish second in their group the will most likely meet Brazil (winner group F) in the first knockout match.

England must win the group unless they want a showdown with Germany in the first round.

[DaddyTorgo]

I would certainly hope that we won't be relying on Pope in Germany!
oh no? I was under the impression that we would be. but again, I havn't gotten to watch much this year...I was under the impression that his place on the team was pretty much a given and they were auditioning for a partner for him...maybe my bad?

[RPI-Fan]

oh no? I was under the impression that we would be. but again, I havn't gotten to watch much this year...I was under the impression that his place on the team was pretty much a given and they were auditioning for a partner for him...maybe my bad?

I haven't followed it all that closely since Spring/Summer '05, but as far as I could tell Onyewu was the stud in the stable, and Bocanegra is what Pople used to be?

[Vince]

So it looks like we face the Czech Republic first, then Italy and finally Ghana. We play Italy on June 17th, which is my birthday. Hopefully the US Team can give me as nice a birthday present as they did 4 years ago...

I turned 21 on June 17th, 2002. It was a Monday. So Sunday night, my friends and I went to the bars, and at midnight, we celebrated. Meanwhile, the United States was playing against Mexico in the World Cup...and winning. It was an amazing experience, being 21 and in a bar for the first time, while cheering on the national team as they beat a team many expected them to lose to. Tremendous fun :)

[Blade6119]

I haven't followed it all that closely since Spring/Summer '05, but as far as I could tell Onyewu was the stud in the stable, and Bocanegra is what Pople used to be?
By far the best report on who should be going. Updated often by the most reliable US Soccer site, yanks-abroad.

23 Tickets to Germany (http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&id=001264)

[DaddyTorgo]

so we either win the group so we can beat Croatia in the next round, or we go out against brazil if we struggle to second place. so basically it's win the group or take the next plane home.

[MIJB#19]

Silly people, talking about the USA winning the group. Sorry guys, I don't want to spoil your fun, but underestimating the Czech Republic is the stupidest thing to do. You should really feel lucky with a scoring a goal against them and not cenceading more than one. Sure, the USA have proven they're no fillers like Iran, Trinidad&Tobago and Australia will be (sorry people of those countries), but it'll take three amazing performances to get through this group.

I think the Dutch will blow it in a very tough group, USA will beat the overrated Czechs (thought it will be tight) and no Asian or African team will get close to the second round.Oh, I have not much confidence in the current Dutch team, to be honest. But anything can happen with this team. We cake walked through the qualifying rounds and we're no Scotland in finals tournaments :P, we've always gone through the group stages. Remeber the group of death in Euro2000 with France, Denmakr and the Czechs.

Which brings me to the Czehcs. Overrated? Overrated would be calling them the best team in the world. But they've proven to be a top5 team the past, like, four years.

I agree on the Asian and African teams falling back to earth, though. Except that I have Japan as a dark horse to surprise. The best bets to do something surprising should have been Ivory Coast and Ghana, but we all know both have tough draws.

[RPI-Fan]

Silly people, talking about the USA winning the group. Sorry guys, I don't want to spoil your fun, but underestimating the Czech Republic is the stupidest thing to do. You should really feel lucky with a scoring a goal against them and not cenceading more than one. Sure, the USA have proven they're no fillers like Iran, Trinidad&Tobago and Australia will be (sorry people of those countries), but it'll take three amazing performances to get through this group.

Oh, I have not much confidence in the current Dutch team, to be honest. But anything can happen with this team. We cake walked through the qualifying rounds and we're no Scotland in finals tournaments :P, we've always gone through the group stages. Remeber the group of death in Euro2000 with France, Denmakr and the Czechs.

Which brings me to the Czehcs. Overrated? Overrated would be calling them the best team in the world. But they've proven to be a top5 team the past, like, four years.

I agree on the Asian and African teams falling back to earth, though. Except that I have Japan as a dark horse to surprise. The best bets to do something surprising should have been Ivory Coast and Ghana, but we all know both have tough draws.

Haha, I agree that it will be tough to get through, but Euro-centric views like this will make it so sweet if our performance allows me to call up posts like this in a few months!

[Vince]

MIJB -- I think even mentioning us in the same sentence as Iran, T&T and Australia is a bit much. We DID make the Quarters last time, and should have beaten Germany. We played a much better match than they did, and just couldn't close it out.

I'm not saying we're a shoe-in to do anything...but I think that we have a shot to make some waves.

[MIJB#19]

Hey, you know I'm not someone with a Euro-centric bias, I even openly rooted for the USA in 2002, but right now some comment about how beatable the Czechs are sound really silly.

[MIJB#19]

MIJB -- I think even mentioning us in the same sentence as Iran, T&T and Australia is a bit much. We DID make the Quarters last time, and should have beaten Germany. We played a much better match than they did, and just couldn't close it out.

I'm not saying we're a shoe-in to do anything...but I think that we have a shot to make some waves.Vince, I actually said the USA is NOT like those three.

[Vince]

Good point. I need to read more. Playing BBCF, talking IHOF Draft trades and trying to figure out who I'm drafting at the same time makes reading comprehension tough :)

[DaddyTorgo]

FIFA rankings are notoriously inaccurate. people tend to cite them only when they prove their points. and the fact of the matter is that the US matches up favorably with at least the Czechs.

I think a draw would be a good result against the Czechs. Hoping for a win might be optomistic, but I wouldn't expect us to concede more than a goal.

We won't be able to advance without help, but if the chips fall right I could see us advancing. Unfortunately I don't see us winning the group, which should mean we'll have the dubious privelege of getting spanked by Brazil.

[MIJB#19]

FIFA rankings are notoriously inaccurate. people tend to cite them only when they prove their points. and the fact of the matter is that the US matches up favorably with at least the Czechs.I will never take the FIFA Rankings serious. Search for post of me and I'll never give credits to it. But the Czech Republic really are a top team.

We won't be able to advance without help, but if the chips fall right I could see us advancing. Unfortunately I don't see us winning the group, which should mean we'll have the dubious privelege of getting spanked by Brazil.I hope the USA and Ghana can knock the Czechs and Italians. Italy plays unwatchable football and the Czechs are a team to avoid for the semi finals.

Did I mention I'm pretty high on the Czech Republic? :rolleyes:

[Ryan S]

FIFA rankings are notoriously inaccurate. people tend to cite them only when they prove their points. and the fact of the matter is that the US matches up favorably with at least the Czechs.
The great thing about this draw is that we will see just how good the USA actually are.

[kingfc22]

US vs. Czech Republic will be at noon (EST) on June 12th
US vs. Italy will be at 3 pm (EST) on June 17th
US vs. Ghana will be at 10 am (EST) on June 22nd

[Crapshoot]

Haha, I agree that it will be tough to get through, but Euro-centric views like this will make it so sweet if our performance allows me to call up posts like this in a few months!

Dude, as opposed to the Americans who think the Czech's (whose 5 best players are better than anything the US has (Baros, Koller, Cech, Rosicky, Nedved, Januk ) - which has a guy who player of the year a couple of years ago ?) are overrated ? Its possible, but instead of Euro-centric, perhaps its someone who's actually seen them play.. ?

[RPI-Fan]

Dude, as opposed to the Americans who think the Czech's (whose 5 best players are better than anything the US has (Baros, Koller, Cech, Rosicky, Nedved, Januk ) - which has a guy who player of the year a couple of years ago ?) are overrated ? Its possible, but instead of Euro-centric, perhaps its someone who's actually seen them play.. ?

Sure, but saying the "U.S. will be lucky" to keep the game close is ridiculous. The U.S.A. has a good football team and we can be competitive with anyone, save Brazil.

That said, the Czechs are also very good and will provide a very tough challenge for us.

[Katon]

Lucky to keep the game close? Not really. The US has reached the level where it's not going to get blown out by anyone except the world's best in top form (and yeah, Nedved at his best could do that, but at his age there's not THAT much luck in him being off his game). The US would need a lot of luck to beat them, though. Draw to two-goal loss is the likely range.

[Crapshoot]

Sure, but saying the "U.S. will be lucky" to keep the game close is ridiculous. The U.S.A. has a good football team and we can be competitive with anyone, save Brazil.

That said, the Czechs are also very good and will provide a very tough challenge for us.

Yeah - but the Czech's are significantly better, and have the best goalie in the world right now - the US will be lucky to draw, as would the vast majority of teams in the world. And anyone can be competitive with anyone on their day - we're simply taking odds here. I think the US is a solid team, but there's no star in the team - no guy who can elevate the team, so to speak. Donovan is not that guy. Beasley is talented, and could be in a couple of years - but he's a winger. Adu maybe - or he could be the next Lampey. Keller is good enough that he could make it interesting - but its not likely. I think you're taking it personally when its not meant as such.

[oykib]

I agree on the Asian and African teams falling back to earth, though. Except that I have Japan as a dark horse to surprise. The best bets to do something surprising should have been Ivory Coast and Ghana, but we all know both have tough draws.

Gotta disagree about Japan. Zico has been an awful manager. I can't see Japan doing anything in the WC. You take teams that have both more physically gifted and skilled players and combine that with better management and it doesn't look too good for the three-legged crow.

Japan's FIFA ranking is even more smoke and mirrors than the US's.

[Celeval]

US vs. Czech Republic will be at noon (EST) on June 12th Sunday
US vs. Italy will be at 3 pm (EST) on June 17th Friday
US vs. Ghana will be at 10 am (EST) on June 22nd Wednesday
Added days of the week to the above.

[RPI-Fan]

Yeah - but the Czech's are significantly better, and have the best goalie in the world right now - the US will be lucky to draw, as would the vast majority of teams in the world. And anyone can be competitive with anyone on their day - we're simply taking odds here. I think the US is a solid team, but there's no star in the team - no guy who can elevate the team, so to speak. Donovan is not that guy. Beasley is talented, and could be in a couple of years - but he's a winger. Adu maybe - or he could be the next Lampey. Keller is good enough that he could make it interesting - but its not likely. I think you're taking it personally when its not meant as such.

I'm not taking anything personally... just calling out these silly, unwarranted backhanded comments that people are trying to sneak in unnoticed.

I'd argue that, in international play, Keller has been in as good form as any keeper in the world over the past 18 months. And, although Donovan certainly hasn't stepped up on a game-in, game-out basis, if he plays like he did verse Germany, or verse Mexico in the friendly last year, he is the guy who will carry the team, win, lose, or draw.

[MIJB#19]

The great thing about this draw is that we will see just how good the USA actually are.Excellent point.

Lucky to keep the game close? Not really. The US has reached the level where it's not going to get blown out by anyone except the world's best in top form (and yeah, Nedved at his best could do that, but at his age there's not THAT much luck in him being off his game). The US would need a lot of luck to beat them, though. Draw to two-goal loss is the likely range.Well said. (Basically what I said, but in a different context and better worded.) a 0-1 or 1-2 loss will be the most likely outcomes, with 0-2 loss and 1-1 draw coming next. Without Pavel Nedved the Czechs are one of the 16 teams in the win one, lose one range. With Pavel Nedved, they're twice as good.

Everybody who watched the WC2002 knows that USA got so far because they were (still are?) a good team. Team. As in everybody working hard for the same goal and not 3 or 4 star players who fight in the locker room and shred the team into seperate groups. The 2002 accomplishment was nice, but it smells like the whole team peaked at the right time, not to mention a lot can happen in four years. Take a look at Senegal. Quick, give me five names of the Senegal squad who in 2005 play at the world's top level week in week out. You can't. That's basically where the USA will be in danger. And friendlies are nice, but harldy meaningful. Games versus Mexico are so special and played so often, they don't compare well to other games and Germany has been crappy for German standards since the WC2002 final.

Anyway, I'll root for the USA again, providing John O'Brien makes the 23-men team.

[RPI-Fan]

2002 accomplishment was nice, but it smells like the whole team peaked at the right time, not to mention a lot can happen in four years.

That's most certainly true. However, the four years thing is also true, but not in the way you're implying. The U.S. is improving dramatically every single year, unlike pretty much every other country in the world, who kind of bounces up and down.

But I concur that Friedel, O'Brien, McBride, and (especially) Sanneh were in top form for that one month in 2002. However, many other players did not play exceptionally well (Donovan and Beasley were good, but are much better now).

So, if we play average football, it seems a win over Ghana would be fair, and a point against each of Czech and Italy would be considered a good result. If we have the same peak of form we did in '02, two wins should be no surprise. If we don't show up, see: France '98.

~rpi-fan

[Desnudo]

I think the US will have to a have a top game to get a point from either Italy or CR. I don't see how the US matches up favorably with the CR since no one else in the world does. Unless they have a basketball center in the d-line who can also tackle well. I watched the Czechs play in a few of their EC matches and they were definitely impressive. I remember them seeming to play the best as a team in that competition and thinking they were unlucky not to have gotten farther. The most fun matches I watched.

What I would like to see revisited is the seeding process that puts the US in a low tier category that almost automatically guarantees a tough, tough group. Looking at the other teams in the seed group compared to the US and you see how silly it is. Great, they don't want Euro teams playing each other, but I think seeding needs to extend past the top 8.

[RPI-Fan]

That's the thing... if there is a type of player who matches up well with Koller, it's Onyewu.

[Blade6119]

That's the thing... if there is a type of player who matches up well with Koller, it's Onyewu.

Id have to echo this...2 years ago we didnt have that player...Onyewu is just the right guy to shut down the czechs if we could...

[AlexB]

Cech is great, no question about it. Nedved+Rosicky is only 1/2 a midfield, and the USA I think if it has strength anywhere it's in defense and in Keller, so I'm honestly not all that afraid of Kohler and Baros. Honestly, for all their failings internationally, I'm more afraid of Totti and whoever else Italy decides to play up top (Gilardino? Toni?).

Nedved and Rosicky are both fine players no doubt, but I would submit (and again maybe it's just me and the games I havn't watched lately) that neither of them have the ability to take over a game and dominate it. Especially with Armas/Mastroeni in midfield laying a body to them everytime they get the ball. Eddie Pope versus Kohler? I'll take Pope. Keller vs. Baros...I'll take Keller.

I'll say it again. I like our chances against the Czechs. I would agree it promises to be an exciting game, but I don't see the Czechs being able to put us away (although I think we're only slightly more likely to put them away... a tight 2-1 comes to mind as a score).

I certainly like our chances against the Czechs more than against the Italians. I don't think our young guys have the patience yet to break down the Italian defense on a consistent enough basis to give us a win.

The Czechs are better than you're suggesting, but I agree they're not a team that you'd be shit-scared of. But Nedved is a player who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and boss it - he was European Footballer of the year 3 (?) years ago - quality. If USA can take him out of the game, you will stand a chance, but you will be underdogs.

And I'm surprised people aren;t commenting on Ghana: this is a group where any of the four could qualify.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Totti doesn't worry me all that much -- the U.S. was able to smother him four years ago. I worry more about the rest of the Italian team, especially considering that their style of play is not a good matchup for us.

From what I've read, Czechia is a very good matchup for the U.S., with their weaknesses corresponding to our strengths.

[MIJB#19]

What I would like to see revisited is the seeding process that puts the US in a low tier category that almost automatically guarantees a tough, tough group. Looking at the other teams in the seed group compared to the US and you see how silly it is. Great, they don't want Euro teams playing each other, but I think seeding needs to extend past the top 8.I'll sign that petition. Teams should be devided over the pots on strenght. The continent difference issue can still be worked around with.


From what I've read, Czechia is a very good matchup for the U.S., with their weaknesses corresponding to our strengths.They have a weakness? ;)

[AlexB]

I agree with the principle, but the potential problem is what do you base these seedings on? We all know the FIFA rankings are not 100% accurate, and any major attempt to rank and seed teams will likely create more controversy than the current system

IMHO the only country that can rightfully be peeved about not being seeded in the top 8 is Holland (undefeated in qualifying I think?).

I would probably group the teams as follows, but I'm sure thirty other people would have thirty other arrangements. (Edit: the teams within my groups are not in any order, just where I happened to drag and drop them)

A - Germany (hosts), Brazil (holders), England, Argentina, Italy, France, Netherlands, Spain

B - Mexico, Japan, South Korea, USA, Czech Republic, Portugal, Ghana, Sweden

C - Ivory Coast, Ukraine, Poland, Ecuador, Paraguay, Croatia, Australia, Costa Rica/Switzerland

D - Costa Rica/Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Serbia & Montenegro, Angola, Iran, Togo, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

I was going to make the point: 'OK, you got a tough draw, suck it up...', but now I've broken it down for myself looks like you do have a fair a point about seedings, and it actually wasn't that hard to differentiate into four groups (at least bar a couple of choices).

I guess the reason it is done as it is, is to make sure there are no claims of bias towards/against a region, but it would seem to be fairer to base it on some seedings after all

[MIJB#19]

IMHO the only country that can rightfully be peeved about not being seeded in the top 8 is Holland (undefeated in qualifying I think?).Two draws versus Macedonia and ten victories, including twice over the Czechs, Romania and Finland.

Actually, I think Croatia deserves more credit than our team, They finished higher in 1998 (won the bronze medal game) and did qualify for 2002. I also think the 2002 semifinalists South Korea should have gotten a seedes position over Spain, home field advantage or not.

My pots would probably be, based on recent wordl cup performance:

1 (7 teams) Germany, Brazil, France, Korea, England, Italy, Croatia, ***

2 (9 teams) Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, USA, Spain, Sweden, Paraguay, Japan, Serbia & Montenegro

3 (8 teams) Iran, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Costa Rica, Portugal, Poland, Ecuador

4 (8 teams) Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, Togo, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Czech Republic, Australia

I tossed all the first-time teams and the long-time non-qualifiers Australia into the last pot. The Czechs are technically new.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Tunisia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Poland and Portugal were recently (2002) present, but did squat. Switzerland hasn't been around since 1994.

The real pain is deciding the last seeded teams after Brazil, Germany, France, Korea, England, Croatia and Italy. Argentina was nowhere in 2002 and 'just' a quarterfinalist in 1998. Spain and the USA made the last8 in 2002, but were hopeless in 1998. Netherlands was not there in 2002, but was 4th in 1998. And Mexico has stranded in the sweet16 both cups, as was Paraguay. S&M and Japan made the last16 once, but didn't do much else to even be worth considering. If the 1994 cup or (hold your breath) FIFA Rankings (that wasn't easy to say) should break the tie, the Netherlands should get the 8th seed. But 1994 is way too long ago to even take it into concideration, I think.

[Mac Howard]

Everybody who watched the WC2002 knows that USA got so far because they were (still are?) a good team. Team.

It's not difficult to understand, even sympathise with, Americans over the attitude of Europeans to the USA team but that sums it up - it is the lack of any individual brilliance in the squad that causes us to see the 2002 performances as over-achieving. It came from teamwork only and there was always the feeling that an opposition with significantly better individuals would eventually take the team apart. It certainly didn't happen in 2002 and may not this time but I can't help but feel it might.

I have exactly the same feeling about the socceroos whose games, though they have relatively recently beaten Brazil, France and England, I shall still watch with some trepidation and will not be surprised if someone hammers six past them. In Kewell and Viduka they do have two players who can occasionally give you the individual touch of magic that can win a match but, in the end, it will be the teamwork that determines how well they perform in Germany and if someone undoes that teamwork then it could be very embarrassing.

[Mr. Wednesday]

They have a weakness? ;)Reportedly vulnerable to a fast transition attack, which is really the way the U.S. is most comfortable attacking.

[Crapshoot]

Totti doesn't worry me all that much -- the U.S. was able to smother him four years ago. I worry more about the rest of the Italian team, especially considering that their style of play is not a good matchup for us.

From what I've read, Czechia is a very good matchup for the U.S., with their weaknesses corresponding to our strengths.

And he's gotten better. These are rose-tinted glasses you're wearing- you're expecting the US to perform to their very best and the others to perform to their worst. Look, there is a chance that the US could go somewhere in the WC - its just not a very good one. The Ghanians, with Essien and Appiah in particular, probably have a better shot.

[MIJB#19]

And he's gotten better. These are rose-tinted glasses you're wearing- you're expecting the US to perform to their very best and the others to perform to their worst. Look, there is a chance that the US could go somewhere in the WC - its just not a very good one. The Ghanians, with Essien and Appiah in particular, probably have a better shot.I'm not convinced Ghana will be better or worse than the USA right now. It helps that most of the USA's squad has been there before in 2002. Of the entire group E, the USA squad has as much World Cup experience as Italy and more than the Czechs and Ghana. Especially compared to Ghana, I think that's a big plus. It can be that little factor which determines which team can keep their heads together and which team can't.

[Mr. Wednesday]

And he's gotten better. These are rose-tinted glasses you're wearing- you're expecting the US to perform to their very best and the others to perform to their worst.I said nothing of the sort. I said that I thought the U.S. could control Totti, but the rest of their team worried me a lot, especially because I don't think it's a good matchup for us in terms of style of play.