US vs Spain soccer (spoilers) - Now BRA vs RSA live

[BrianD]

Anybody else watching this match? The US is looking surprisingly decent so far.

[DaddyTorgo]

must...avoid...thread.

have game dvr-ing at home. thought about skipping out of work and hitting a bar, but decided against that.

[ISiddiqui]

Thanks fellas! Being stuck behind a desk, and then seeing a Braves game tonight, I need this (along with ESPN Gamecast and Twitter).

[gstelmack]

I can't watch (I'm at work) but will follow along as you guys post updates.

[BrianD]

The US is pressing a bit and trying to force too many balls. Oddly Donovan seems to be losing possession way too cheaply. Still, the sides look even at the moment.

[Big Fo]

The US is off to a good start, Dempsey came close a few minutes ago.

[BrianD]

The US is off to a good start, Dempsey came close a few minutes ago.

He's had a couple of decent touches so far.

[3ric]

Nice counter attack by Donovan.

[BrianD]

That was a fantastic goal by the US.

[MJ4H]

woot?

[cartman]

WOO!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!

[3ric]

Wow.

[Big Fo]

Jozy <3

[Coffee Warlord]

Please please please don't let up and play defensive now.

[Axxon]

What a start by our team. Considering Spains defense that goal should give us something truly positive to build on from this tournament.

[cartman]

Spain almost leveled the match right there

[MJ4H]

Spain almost leveled the match right there

off of a ridiculous no-call

[ISiddiqui]

Holy crap... USA is up?! WOW!

[cartman]

Damn, almost 2-0! So close!

[Big Fo]

Spain forgot what it was like to play a decent team after their pathetically easy group.

[MikeVic]

I'm just following a bit on ESPN's website... Would be funny if Spain lost to the U.S. so I'm kinda rooting for that. :)

[BrianD]

Did Donovan really get an elbow to the face?

[BrianD]

I'm just following a bit on ESPN's website... Would be funny if Spain lost to the U.S. so I'm kinda rooting for that. :)

It would be one hell of an upset.

[3ric]

Bocanegra got lucky there.

[BrianD]

Halftime. Surprising result so far. Altidore has been looking pretty good all tournament.

[SirFozzie]

The hot rumor is that Fulham is looking at loaning Altidore for the year, because he might have trouble breaking into the first team this year.. would be really nice. (Don't think Altidore will get a warm welcome in Spain after that goal ;))

[Karlifornia]

Spain is always in your face, on every inch of the pitch. Gonna have to make some better passes out of their own end. Besides that, great match to watch! It's been a while since I've watched a game that didn't result in severe nausea, so this has been a pleasant surprise. 45 and change to go. Do it!

[Big Fo]

Good stuff in the first half, after the break we need to be more calm in possession and quit hitting so many long balls out of defense.

Altidore is beasting his Villarreal teammate Capdevilla.

[BrianD]

Good stuff in the first half, after the break we need to be more calm in possession and quit hitting so many long balls out of defense.

Altidore is beasting his Villarreal teammate Capdevilla.

What you advocate is exactly NOT what the US is doing. They really need to gain some confidence and patience.

[cartman]

Playing to not lose almost never works.

[Cringer]

% beg you guys to point me towards an online recording of this game later if anyone sees one. I am not home to watch the game, so sad about this.

[Coffee Warlord]

What you advocate is exactly NOT what the US is doing. They really need to gain some confidence and patience.

USA can't, and shouldn't, play a patient game. They aren't technically skilled enough to do that against top national squads. Much better suited to a high energy, physical game.

[mckerney]

% beg you guys to point me towards an online recording of this game later if anyone sees one. I am not home to watch the game, so sad about this.

If you have ESPN 360 you should be able to replay it there. If not your best bet may be looking for a torrent of it.

[Big Fo]

We play a lot better with two strikers. 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 hadn't worked out and I'm glad Bradley made the switch against Egypt and kept it for today.

Some key blocks from our defenders are helping Howard, who's still had to make some key saves.

[cartman]

% beg you guys to point me towards an online recording of this game later if anyone sees one. I am not home to watch the game, so sad about this.

If you have ESPN 360 you should be able to replay it there. If not your best bet may be looking for a torrent of it.

If the US ends up winning, it will be on ESPN Classic multiple times in the coming days.

[BrianD]

USA can't, and shouldn't, play a patient game. They aren't technically skilled enough to do that against top national squads. Much better suited to a high energy, physical game.

Except now they are just playing long balls and giving up possession. They need to be patient enough to keep possession and not just keep letting Spain tee up the shots.

[Coffee Warlord]

Except now they are just playing long balls and giving up possession. They need to be patient enough to keep possession and not just keep letting Spain tee up the shots.

And exile Donavon while they're at it.

[Big Fo]

Dempsey 2-0 fuck yeah

[Karlifornia]

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL DEMPSEYYYYYY HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[MJ4H]

omfg f the haters

[cartman]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!! 2-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chesapeake]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

[BrianD]

Is that game?

[RomaGoth]

Holy crap we scored again...:popcorn:

[Coffee Warlord]

Unbelievable!

[Celeval]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

[cartman]

Somebody check on Icy, I'm worried

[Karlifornia]

Damn I'm so glad I woke up for this. I almost just went back to sleep.

[BrianD]

I'm very surprised Donovan didn't take the shot on the second goal. That extra pass through traffic really doesn't help. Spain misplayed the ball which is the reason we scored.

[Karlifornia]

The vuvuzelas are still terrible, though.

[Arles]

To quote the immortal Jack Buck - "I don't believe what I just saw!"

[Ryan S]

Is that game?

Not by a long shot.

Still 10 minutes plus stoppage time, Spain still have time to tie or win the game, and they are probably good enough to do it. USA have to be very careful in the last 10 minutes.

[Crapshoot]

I am impressed as hell by the Americans here. Major props.

[BrianD]

That seemed like a harsh card.

Edit: Bradly sent off.

[Karlifornia]

Red card? WTF? That is so weak!

[chesapeake]

Is there some new FIFA rule that says that Americans must get a red card in every match?

[Celeval]

Me too - I really thought that any shot we had at going through would involve an early red on Spain, and/or them really not playing well - but this has seemed more the USA playing well than Spain playing poorly.

[Celeval]

wtf was that?

[Karlifornia]

Onyewu has come up big in some spots today.

[ISiddiqui]

2-0!!! WOW!!

[BrianD]

Onyewu has come up big in some spots today.

He has been very solid all tournament.

[MJ4H]

Donovan really pisses me off.

[BrianD]

Because of his flop? He's been willing the team to victory after his early bad passes.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Wow. Been in a meeting all afternoon. Kudos to the boys, beating the #1 team like this.

[ISiddiqui]

Do you believe in miracles?!

[sterlingice]

Awesome :)

SI

[BrianD]

Amazing result. Way to go USA.

[cartman]

WOOT!

[sterlingice]

So, does South Africa have any chance against Brazil?

SI

[MJ4H]

No, not because of his flop. Because of how he acts every second.

[SirFozzie]

Bradley would have missed the final anyway, a yellow would have ruled him out for card accumulation

[Flasch186]

espn360....nice

[Karlifornia]

Suck on that, Spanish pretty boys!

[Big Fo]

USA USA USA

I can't wait for the first one of our retard fans to say this was another bad result because it means Bradley won't be fired :rolleyes:

Shocking red card for Bradley, that will be a big loss in the final.

We've beaten the champions of Europe and Africa, bring on South America!

(Actually I'll be rooting for South Africa tomorrow...)

[ISiddiqui]

I simply cannot believe it. Absolutely amazing.

[chesapeake]

Bradley would have missed the final anyway, a yellow would have ruled him out for card accumulation

Actually, they tossed out the yellows accumulated in the earlier rounds according the the Wash Post's soccer guy. That was a costly red.

[rowech]

I'm not even sure if Bradley's red was a foul...let alone a red.

Onyeou played probably the best I've seen him although I thought DeMerrit was outstanding.

[Ryan S]

So, does South Africa have any chance against Brazil?

No.

[BrianD]

I would not have complained about a yellow for Bradley, but a red seemed too harsh.

[RomaGoth]

nice job USA!!

[Ksyrup]

I was wondering why the same picture of Wayne Brady in a soccer uniform is on both ESPN.com and SI.com right now.

That is Wayne Brady, right?

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

nice job USA!!

yes, football, not that crap called soccer that people in Europe call football

You aren't allowed to celebrate, sorry.

[DaddyTorgo]

so i avoided this thread like a good boy (covered the screen to hit "post reply" so i could post this even) and then my dad calls and leaves me a message. i pulled my phone away from my ear before i heard more than "just thought you might want to know...US beat"

so the surprise of it is spoiled, but i will be interested to go home and watch and see by what score and what the circumstances were and how the team performed.

this doesn't help the "get rid of bob bradley" chorus, that's for certain :(

[ColtCrazy]

All is right in the world...Spain are back to their underachieving selves. Nice result...SI has a nice big headline on it!

[MIJB#19]

nice!

[Big Fo]

The last two games should confirm that we'll be playing two strikers from now on, that's almost as big as the wins themselves.

I'd rather see the US beat Mexico in the Azteca than Brazil in South Africa. Anyone else?

[Icy]

Just got back from watching it with some friends. I'm really really disappointed as you can imagine, Spain has again underperformed in an important game, always the same story. We thought that things would change after the Euro Championship, but did not.

About the game itself:

USA played a PERFECT defensive game. In FM terms, they played a narrow 4-4-2 with very high closing down and direct/long passing with counter-attack checked.

USA started really well since minute 1, putting really high pressure against our creative guys, and killing us with speedy counter attacks. In the mean time, Spain started so slow, like sleeping and probably full of overconfidence.

Then the first goal came after a big mistake from our left wingback Capdevilla, that was marking Altidore from the front, that is against the rule number one for a defenseman, you must be always between the forward and your keeper. Capdevilla should be really ashamed today, he is the starting wingback in the Euro champion team, and a 19 years old kid that is a backup in the Spanish 2nd division, schooled him in that play.

After that goal and seing the first 20 minutes, i knew the game was lost. The only hope was that USA players would get exhausted in the second half and wouldn't be able to keep the pressure and the compact 4-4-2 lines, but they didn't. USA players showed great stamina, of course the huge motivation boost of the first goal helped a lot. They played PERFECT defense, PERFECT team work and totally deserved the win.

On the other hand, Spanish players lost the ideas too early. Our usually creative midfield played really bad today (Xavi, Fabregas and Xavi Alonso).

Then our team decided to play to the wings and crossing the ball instead of our usual slow and creative play building. That was a huge mistake, Torres and Villa were totally lost in the battle vs the tall and strong defenders, and to make things worse, our defense was sleeping and having more newbie mistakes, that with a touch of good luck and a couple of rebounds, gave the second goal.

On the top of that, our coach was too conservative, not recognicing what the problem was, and doing a couple of conservative lineup changes instead of going for the game taking more risks with an extra forward like Guiza or Llorente, that are both tall and excellent headers. He also removed Fabregas just when he was getting hot and creating good chances.

But that is why our current coach is known for since his R.Madrid days, he just puts the best players there and hopes for the win, but has zero tactical iniciative. He has inherited the Euro Championship team and both the fans and the Spanish press are afraid of him ruining this incredible generation of players with his poor, conservative and slow reaction coaching.

I really hope this loss will move things here. This has been terrible for us. Soccer is our sport, this is like if we won USA in baseball.

Anyway, congrats for the really deserved win and i'll root for USA vs Brazil. I'm sure tomorrow Brazil will show that they are BIG when needed, while Spain has a huge problem under high pressure.

I go to bed now, have a terrible headache.

[kingfc22]

Hell of an effort today. 2nd half was totally controlled by Spain.

[RainMaker]

The last two games should confirm that we'll be playing two strikers from now on, that's almost as big as the wins themselves.

I'd rather see the US beat Mexico in the Azteca than Brazil in South Africa. Anyone else?

While a win in Mexico would be great, I still think winning the Cup here is a huge boost for U.S. Soccer. Will get them a lot of press and some much needed hype before the World Cup. I think for the program as a whole, the win over Brazil would mean much more. But I can see as a fan how a win in Mexico would be better feeling.

[RainMaker]

I really hope this loss will move things here. This has been terrible for us. Soccer is our sport, this is like if we won USA in baseball.
I'd actually use football as our national sport these days. I believe our best athletes are playing that sport. I've always wondered what would happen if football didn't exist here and those athletes were shifted into soccer. We'd have a few World Cups under our belt.

[Eaglesfan27]

I can't wait to watch a replay of this game, amazing upset.

[Cringer]

USA USA USA

I can't wait for the first one of our retard fans to say this was another bad result because it means Bradley won't be fired :rolleyes:

Shocking red card for Bradley, that will be a big loss in the final.

We've beaten the champions of Europe and Africa, bring on South America!

(Actually I'll be rooting for South Africa tomorrow...)

I will take this as a second comment towards me (and one other person on this board), the first from the other day which I brushed off. If you want to call me (or actually bitch out by just refering to me) names because I want Bradley gone as coach, then grow the fuck up. I never said a U.S. win was bad, I said it is disappointing to know Bradley will stick around longer and added he probably will not change his ways as a result of that one win. There is a difference, sorry you are unable to see that. The team has looked like crap until these last two games, if you don't agree with my take on Bradley then fine, but the name calling is childish.

As for the game, I am very happy to see the U.S.A. win, and yes I still want Bradley fired. Thank goodness the guy decided to stick with a 4-4-2. I even give him some credit for trying Bocanegra at DL, even though from what I hear he didn't play so hot today. The guy has shown he is no soccer version of Rich Kotite, doesn't make him good in my eyes though. Otherwise I will comment on the game more later, I haven't seen it and will be glued to my seat when ESPN2 replays it tonight at 11 EST.

[MrBug708]

Just because Bradley wins the game, doesnt mean he is a great coach

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm very surprised Donovan didn't take the shot on the second goal. That extra pass through traffic really doesn't help. Spain misplayed the ball which is the reason we scored.

finally finished the game.

Yes, Sergio Ramos BADLY bungled on that second goal. He deserves to be roasted for that.

[gstelmack]

I'd actually use football as our national sport these days. I believe our best athletes are playing that sport. I've always wondered what would happen if football didn't exist here and those athletes were shifted into soccer. We'd have a few World Cups under our belt.

Agreed. We're not beating anyone in baseball these days...

[DaddyTorgo]

Then the first goal came after a big mistake from our left wingback Capdevilla, that was marking Altidore from the front, that is against the rule number one for a defenseman, you must be always between the forward and your keeper. Capdevilla should be really ashamed today, he is the starting wingback in the Euro champion team, and a 19 years old kid that is a backup in the Spanish 2nd division, schooled him in that play.


Yeah. That's how I explained it to my dad...Capdevilla made a really really fundamentally poor play on that goal. NEVER let your man turn inside you in the centre of the pitch like that. And still Casillas almost managed to save it. It just barely nicked in off the post.


On the other hand, Spanish players lost the ideas too early. Our usually creative midfield played really bad today (Xavi, Fabregas and Xavi Alonso).



As a fan of the Spanish team's play, I was frankly surprised by the dissapearance of Xavi and Fabregas today. It almost seemed that Xavi Alonso had more of the ball than Xavi did.


our defense was sleeping and having more newbie mistakes, that with a touch of good luck and a couple of rebounds, gave the second goal.


That second goal was a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE fundamental mistake by Sergio Ramos. Pathetic really (says a guy who is a huge fan of his). My 14 year old brother knows better than to do that for god's sake! He was already thinking ahead to starting the counterattack instead of clearing the ball out safely.



Anyway, congrats for the really deserved win and i'll root for USA vs Brazil. I'm sure tomorrow Brazil will show that they are BIG when needed, while Spain has a huge problem under high pressure.



Be nice if we could avoid a 3-0 drubbing by Brazil this time around. I'd settle for a 1-0 loss or even a 2-1 loss.

I'm sorry Icy. Classy classy post by you by the bay. I have been very impressed with Spain since 06 really, they seem to have finally put it together and I really enjoy their style of play and the passion that they show. I'm sure they will bounce back and be okay - although I know that doesn't help right now.

[Big Fo]

I will take this as a second comment towards me (and one other person on this board), the first from the other day which I brushed off. If you want to call me (or actually bitch out by just refering to me) names because I want Bradley gone as coach, then grow the fuck up. I never said a U.S. win was bad, I said it is disappointing to know Bradley will stick around longer and added he probably will not change his ways as a result of that one win. There is a difference, sorry you are unable to see that. The team has looked like crap until these last two games, if you don't agree with my take on Bradley then fine, but the name calling is childish.

As for the game, I am very happy to see the U.S.A. win, and yes I still want Bradley fired. Thank goodness the guy decided to stick with a 4-4-2. I even give him some credit for trying Bocanegra at DL, even though from what I hear he didn't play so hot today. The guy has shown he is no soccer version of Rich Kotite, doesn't make him good in my eyes though. Otherwise I will comment on the game more later, I haven't seen it and will be glued to my seat when ESPN2 replays it tonight at 11 EST.

It was a comment directed towards US fans across the Interwebs, not just on here, who said that they wished the US had not beaten the Egyptians on Sunday because it meant that Bradley would keep his job for longer. The US could have lost 5-0 in every match at the Confederations Cup and as far as I can tell Bradley would have kept his job for winning the 2007 Gold Cup and being on track to qualify for the World Cup. It was the national team's best result since the 2007 Gold Cup final and reading that some fans wished it hadn't happened really rubbed me the wrong way, even if the manager's job were on the line which I do not think was true at all.

I don't agree with all of Bradley's decisions either. Every time he has picked Beasley over Adu I've been seething and believe me I was no happy camper watching that dreadful performance in Costa Rica a few weeks ago. I want to see Torres play more. I don't rate Conor Casey. Mastroeni shouldn't be called up anymore. Bradley's tactical experiments have not paid off and I'm happy to see that a switch back to 4-4-2 has seen results improve in the last two games.

Even with those issues, bad performances by the players had more to do with the Costa Rica loss and the rough start against Honduras than anything Bradley did or didn't do imo. I thought the US actually did pretty well against Italy but that awful red card doomed them in the second half. Brazil just outclassed the US and given the talent on the two teams I don't find that to be unreasonable. Frankly, the US just doesn't have that many good players and bossing CONCACAF/possibly making it out of the group in World Cups is the most we can expect at this point.

[henry296]

Game is being replayed at 11 PM EST on ESPN2 if you missed it this afternoon.

[RainMaker]

Are they going to ban those fucking horns for the World Cup? It's the most annoying thing I've ever heard. Completely drowns out the crowd and makes me want to hit mute.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I blame Angels fans.

[DaddyTorgo]

Are they going to ban those fucking horns for the World Cup? It's the most annoying thing I've ever heard. Completely drowns out the crowd and makes me want to hit mute.

they're apparently debating it. the tv stations want no, and since they have a lot of sway i'd guess that's the way it will go

[Big Fo]

Are they going to ban those fucking horns for the World Cup? It's the most annoying thing I've ever heard. Completely drowns out the crowd and makes me want to hit mute.

Despite many complaints by European broadcasters the vuvuzelas are here to stay.


“Yes, the vuvuzelas are different,” the FIFA president said. “And honestly I don't hear them any more. We have brought the World Cup to Africa where the atmosphere and the culture are different. What message would we be sending out if we said, ‘We are going to prohibit the instrument you use to express your joy'? That would be discrimination, pure and simple.”

[Big Fo]

Altidore scores, it's just as good watching it a second time :)

[RainMaker]

I guess we can just mute it. Takes away a lot of the fun but as long as some dipshits get to blow their plastic horn, oh well.

[FBPro]

Just outstanding, tivoed it and will watch it tomorrow night sa-weet!!

[Big Fo]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NCqZsFM7Sg8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NCqZsFM7Sg8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

I want this commercial with scenes from the last two games added.

[Chief Rum]

I blame Angels fans.

Naw, blame us for the sticks, not the horns. ;)

[BishopMVP]

I want this commercial with scenes from the last two games added.Does anyone have a link to the commercial that opens in Central America with the locker room shaking?

[DaddyTorgo]

classy postgame quotes from the spaniards - translated courtesy of bigsoccer

Quotes from the Españoles team - USA Men: News & Analysis - Soccer forum - BigSoccer (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1078356&page=1)

[RomaGoth]

classy postgame quotes from the spaniards - translated courtesy of bigsoccer

Quotes from the Españoles team - USA Men: News & Analysis - Soccer forum - BigSoccer (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1078356&page=1)

Very classy by the Spanish. Too bad more athletes around the world and here in the U.S. can't emulate that. :thumbsup:

[DaddyTorgo]

yep. Spain is far and away my #2 favorite team, and I guess Brazil #3 (it's hard not to find their individual talent fun to watch), so it was very nice to see the players displaying a lot of class after what really had to be a devestating defeat.

[chesapeake]

I think Bradley gets treated unfairly by many because they expect him to consistently compete in first class matches with second class talent. I also think there is a false belief that the Bigger Better Deal (BBD) is right around the corner with regard to coaching any team, and that certainly applies here. There is a reason that the "interrim" was dropped from Bradley's name after our global search for a coach. No BBD wanted the job.

US fans are going to have to be content with continuing to be a big fish in our small pond, laying the occasional egg and putting together a big match every now and then. More teams are being added to MLS every season and the sport is growing domestically. Moving up the global ranks will take time, but we are moving in the right direction. Lest we forget, it was less than 20 years ago that the US finally returned to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

[DaddyTorgo]

I think Bradley gets treated unfairly by many because they expect him to consistently compete in first class matches with second class talent. I also think there is a false belief that the Bigger Better Deal (BBD) is right around the corner with regard to coaching any team, and that certainly applies here. There is a reason that the "interrim" was dropped from Bradley's name after our global search for a coach. No BBD wanted the job.

US fans are going to have to be content with continuing to be a big fish in our small pond, laying the occasional egg and putting together a big match every now and then. More teams are being added to MLS every season and the sport is growing domestically. Moving up the global ranks will take time, but we are moving in the right direction. Lest we forget, it was less than 20 years ago that the US finally returned to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

good points.

i never thought 2010 was realistic for any type of competitiveness by our guys. IMHO it's more like...2022 or 2026 before we'll be in a World Cup final.

[RomaGoth]

I watched the replay of the game last night (instant classic). Both goals by the U.S. were due to hard work, deflections, and some luck.

A great win for us.

[DaddyTorgo]

good points.

i never thought 2010 was realistic for any type of competitiveness by our guys. IMHO it's more like...2022 or 2026 before we'll be in a World Cup final.

fyi - initially i had posted 2030 or 2034 but then i revised that because that seems a hell of a long way away

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Since only two teams make a World Cup Final, it is very possible (probable?) that we won't see it in our lifetimes.

England, with much better talent that the US, has made it once in the last 80 years.

[DaddyTorgo]

Since only two teams make a World Cup Final, it is very possible (probable?) that we won't see it in our lifetimes.

England, with much better talent that the US, has made it once in the last 80 years.

you do make a good point. perhaps i should use a different metric for my "end goal" then...just not sure what that would be.

[DaddyTorgo]

i guess...pick whatever "end goal" you want...i think it'll be 2030 before the USA is able to compete night-in and night-out with the top european nations, before we start seeing US players fully integrated into the global transfer market, etc.

basically i think we have another 15-20 years

[ISiddiqui]

England, with much better talent that the US, has made it once in the last 80 years.

Hell, look at Spain. Never finished in the Final 2 (were in the last 4 in 1950, which was a strange setup).

[Desnudo]

I think Bradley gets treated unfairly by many because they expect him to consistently compete in first class matches with second class talent. I also think there is a false belief that the Bigger Better Deal (BBD) is right around the corner with regard to coaching any team, and that certainly applies here. There is a reason that the "interrim" was dropped from Bradley's name after our global search for a coach. No BBD wanted the job.

US fans are going to have to be content with continuing to be a big fish in our small pond, laying the occasional egg and putting together a big match every now and then. More teams are being added to MLS every season and the sport is growing domestically. Moving up the global ranks will take time, but we are moving in the right direction. Lest we forget, it was less than 20 years ago that the US finally returned to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

Interesting article that asserts the same idea. I agree, that our talent just isn't there yet to expect consistent competitive results.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=656068&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901

[BrianD]

South Africa has started with much the same strategy as the US. Total defense with counter attacks. I think RSA is playing a 4-4-2, but they are playing it like a 4-1-4-1. Brazil is clearly the better team, but if RSA can avoid any stupid mistakes, their defense might be hard to break.

[ISiddiqui]

Perhaps, but I did read an interesting article a few days back that Brazil doesn't play as it used to in the past, stringing along beautiful passes to break through the defense. Spain actually tends to plays that way now and while it is beautiful, it is also susceptible to being shut down as the US showed us. Brazil tends to play a more "European" tactical game, which has been described as boring... and may have better luck.

BBC - BBC Sport: Tim Vickery: Brazil - youth, power, and a distaste for the passing game (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2009/06/brazil.html)

[DaddyTorgo]

nobody's gonna spoil this one for me

as if the outcome is in doubt.

[BrianD]

I don't know how much their current play is different from the past, but they still get a lot of action off of strings of beautiful passes. If nothing else, they still show flashes of their old style. The big difference I see right now is that South Africa wants it more. This could be an exciting match.

[Big Fo]

There is no reason for Brazil to keep running Gilberto Silva out there, even a few years ago he wasn't what he used to be.

Very close shot from Kaka after some smooth dribbling.

[BrianD]

Fantastic save there by the South African keeper.

[BrianD]

How much was that last fall overemphasized? That didn't look like that bad a foul?

[BrianD]

Even at the half. RSA should be much more tired than BRA in the second half. We'll see if they have the legs to stay in this.

[BrianD]

Heartbreak for South Africa. Brazil scores in the 88th minute off of a free kick just outside of the penalty area.

[ISiddiqui]

Held tough though...

[BrianD]

South Africa should feel proud of their performance. They were the equal of Brazil today.

[BishopMVP]

Oof. Dani Alves with the best Brazilian FK since Roberto Carlos' wonder-strike against France.

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[kingfc22]

I guess that was a good substitution...

[Passacaglia]

Wasn't sure whether to put this in this thread, or the Where's My Governor? thread, so I put it here:


Oh you shouldn’t have kissed me and got me so excited
And when you asked me out I really was delighted
So we went to a pub in belsize park
And we cheered on england as the sky grew dark
Oh you shouldn’t have kissed me cause you started a fire
But then I found out that you’re a serial liar

You lied about your status
You lied about your life
You never mentioned your three children
And the fact you have a wife
Now it’s england 2 colombia 0
And I know just how those colombians feel

If you hadn’t passed out while I was talking to your friend
It could have really ended badly cause you very nearly had me
If he hadn’t taken pity on my heart full of desire
I might never have found out you’re a serial liar

You lied about your status
You lied about your life
You forgot you have three children
You forgot you have a wife
Now it’s england 2 colombia 0
And I know just how those colombians feel

It is not in my nature to ever pick the winning team
Sometimes I think I’m happy then I remember it’s a dream
Now it isn’t in my nature to ever pick a winner
I always pick a bastard who would have me for his dinner

I can never possess the object of my desire
Cause he’s bound to turn out to be a serial liar
Ok I didn’t mention my kids, I thought I’d wait a bit
But I am free and single and he’s a lying git

Cause he lied about his status
He lied about his life
He forgot he had three children
He forgot he had a wife
And it’s england 2 colombia 0
I know just how those colombians feel

So I got into a taxi and sobbed all the way home
Called my friend up in sao paulo and cried down the phone
I played some tragic music and I lay down to die
But later I woke and I hadn’t stopped crying

You should never have kissed me, you tasted of deceit
Your perfume was adultery but I’m not a piece of meat
So I’ll be the one that you couldn’t acquire
I found out in time you’re a serial liar

You lied about your status
You lied about your life
And I pity your three children
And I pity your poor wife
Now you can go to hell
I’m going to brazil
Still it’s england 2 colombia 0