2014 FIFA World Cup

[kingfc22]

Great run for the US overall. The loss of Jozy with no real backup proved to be large. Hopefully, we can have two to three real threats up top.

[tarcone]

Im a Columbia fan now.

[Abe Sargent]

Sad for USA.

Teams I am rooting for:


Belgium vs Argentina
Costa Rica vs Netherlands
France vs Germany
Colombia vs Brazil

[Abe Sargent]

Now having said that, I only expect France to have a shot there, with an outside chance of Belgium stepping on a slow Argentina if they catch fire. Holland can win 33-0 and Costa Rica have had the tournament of their lives, so how hard are they playing? Colombia have looked better than Braizl, but I don't think that happens.

[tucker rocky]

I'll just say that this edition of the WC made me purchase FM14, at the very reduced rate of 75% off, about a week ago.

My first upgrade since the 2010 version.

With that saying, I've gone from the colored circles, to 1st gen, and now
2nd gen, match day screens.

This version has alot more in depth, and whatnot from what I've seen so far.

[Coffee Warlord]

Go Dutch, go Krauts.

[rowech]

Many of you owe Tim Howard an apology for thinking this should have been Guzan's cup.

Just no goal scorers. USA just doesn't have a guy who can take on defenders and Bradley had a cup I never would have expected for him to have.

Easy to say we will be better next time -- and we should -- but I get sick of haying that.

[DaddyTorgo]

Well considering that we got the US team that couldn't keep possession away from a HS team they're lucky they only lost 2-1. Well...luck and Tim Howard.

That being said - fucking Wondo. Anyone in the Wondo fan-club going to man-up?

Brian McBride would have scored that goal. Eric Wynalda would have scored that goal. Ben fucking Olsen would have scored that goal. Claudio Reyna on one leg would have scored that goal. TOM FUCKING DOOLEY WOULD HAVE SCORED THAT GOAL.

Fucking Wondo.

And Bradley played pretty shit aside from the ball to Green.

Why'd Klinsy wait so long to make his third substitution? After going down in extra time that attacking sub has to be in RIGHT AWAY. Not fucking...20 minutes later.

[rowech]

Another comment -- I think Beasley did a fairly good job at transforming to a defender. He had bad moments but I'm not sure how many guys could transform themselves that well.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yedlin looked great. When he came on and made a couple good plays in the first few minutes I said "looks good, but too early to proclaim him solid yet." By the end of regulation I was firmly in his camp. Guy's got what it takes - very good game for him.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by rowech

Another comment -- I think Beasley did a fairly good job at transforming to a defender. He had bad moments but I'm not sure how many guys could transform themselves that well.

Beas looked fine to me. Not perfect, but pretty damn good.

[gstelmack]

For a team that had trouble finishing, completing passes consistently, and defending, I think the US has to be very happy with the finish.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by rowech

Another comment -- I think Beasley did a fairly good job at transforming to a defender. He had bad moments but I'm not sure how many guys could transform themselves that well.

This. He got outmuscled every now and then but also made quite a few critical tackles.

Lalas was talking before the game (or at halftime?) that Bradley is much better at defensive mid rather than the offensive mid he was asked to play on this team.

[DaddyTorgo]

Pains me to say it as a fellow BC graduate, but Bedoya offered zero for the entire tournament. Hard to believe we don't have a better option there.

[Easy Mac]

Bradley was out best field player today by a mile. One Green came on and pushed him back really opened Bradley up.

[Dutch]

Well, I am glad the USA made it to the sweet 16 and I'm glad we got a goal in the end. A respectable showing, particularly our goalkeeper, Howard.

I had a lot of fun watching this world cup and everybody seemed to be into it, the bars in Tampa were at capacity so that's a good sign.

Good luck to Germany and the Netherlands from here on out. Hopefully they can keep it going, if not, I got nothing other than...may the best team win!

[Vince, Pt. II]

Re: DT's rant: wasn't Wondo offside anyway?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Re: DT's rant: wasn't Wondo offside anyway?

Was he? I was watching with family and we were all so aggrivated that I didn't notice if the flag was actually up.

Still all that means is that he made 2 errors on the play.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I wasn't watching, but following the thread, it sounded like he was actually on side but the flag was up anyway.

[tarcone]

The flag was indicating a goal kick, not off side.

[digamma]

I know it's pretty cool to talk about how awful Bradley is, and I'll admit that I am very limited in my tactical soccer knowledge, but that guy was everywhere today. Seems like we asked him to do an awful lot.

Bummed at the loss, but it was a fun ride. The Americas tournament in two years sounds awesome.

I'll now be cheering for the Ticos, Brazil and Belgium.

[bhlloy]

Not offside, Darke got it wrong. The linesman flagged for the goal kick

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by digamma

I know it's pretty cool to talk about how awful Bradley is, and I'll admit that I am very limited in my tactical soccer knowledge, but that guy was everywhere today. Seems like we asked him to do an awful lot.

Bummed at the loss, but it was a fun ride. The Americas tournament in two years sounds awesome.

I'll now be cheering for the Ticos, Brazil and Belgium.

Bradley is definitely more comfortable playing deeper, but unfortunately there was nobody else that Klinsy felt comfortable playing further up the field/no way he could conceive of to tweak the tactics to enable Bradley to drop deeper.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Great run for the US overall. The loss of Jozy with no real backup proved to be large. Hopefully, we can have two to three real threats up top.

Is it really a great run? I mean making it to the round of 16 is nice, but they were thoroughly outplayed in 3 of the 4 matches and only won one (which they probably should have lost or drawn).

I mean I don't expect a ton but I thought Klinsmann was supposed to re-shape how this team played (especially offensively).

[rowech]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Is it really a great run? I mean making it to the round of 16 is nice, but they were thoroughly outplayed in 3 of the 4 matches and only won one (which they probably should have lost or drawn).

I mean I don't expect a ton but I thought Klinsmann was supposed to re-shape how this team played (especially offensively).

Why do you even watch? They could win the whole thing and you find something to complain about. We have reached the point where we area fairly consistent team to make the knockout stages. That's top 16 in the world. We need to take the next step and it's disappointing but you seriously question anything and everything. The fact they made it this far with one real striker and he gets hurt 20 minutes into the first game, had some great battle to them, some very memorable moments is worth keeping it positive. At least for 24 hours.

[gstelmack]

Bradley is great at being all over the place, feeding the occasional ball up the middle, and regularly handing the ball back over to the other side with a bad pass or dribble.

He's like our entire defense: capable of making spectacular plays at times that help us forget all the boneheaded ones that got us in trouble in the first place.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by rowech

Why do you even watch? They could win the whole thing and you find something to complain about. We have reached the point where we area fairly consistent team to make the knockout stages. That's top 16 in the world. We need to take the next step and it's disappointing but you seriously question anything and everything. The fact they made it this far with one real striker and he gets hurt 20 minutes into the first game, had some great battle to them, some very memorable moments is worth keeping it positive. At least for 24 hours.

Because it's fun and it was exciting to watch. But I think it's fair to point out that the team was thoroughly outplayed most of the tournament and looked worse than they did 4 years ago.

[PilotMan]

This team, in no way, on any planet, was worse than it was 4 years ago. Not a chance.

[sterlingice]

Can we give the coach some credit on this one? The gameplan was as good as I could think of, given the players, opponent, and restraints (i.e. Altidore). Basically, we spent all day giving max effort and played a pretty technical side to basically even possession. We gave up a lot of good chances because we were pressing harder for possession rather than trying to play solid d but with Howard back there, we almost pulled it off.

SI

[stevew]

Loved it when the coach dropped F bombs on live TV.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

This team, in no way, on any planet, was worse than it was 4 years ago. Not a chance.

I thought they played well 4 years ago. Outplayed Slovenia and Algeria. Was actually even against Ghana.

The only team they looked like they belonged on the same pitch as in this tournament was Portugal. I know they're at a talent disadvantage but I really think that team from 4 years ago doesn't get enough credit.

[PilotMan]

It's the style of play that is thoroughly changed. No other US team has looked like they have belonged on the pitch. The quick passes, the massive teamwork, the fluid attacks. None of that has even been a part of US Soccer until now. I agree that each of the last 3 world cups have gotten progressively better, but this team played the best soccer that any US team ever had.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The only team they looked like they belonged on the same pitch as in this tournament was Portugal.

That's just shitty analysis. Sorry.

[RainMaker]

Probably. There was a point where Belgium had a shot difference of 24-3. They had more shots than any team in this WC and more touches in the attacking third. It seemed like Belgium was vastly superior to them but if that's not the case, I'm happy to be wrong.

[bhlloy]

As good as Howard was there was some shocking finishing from the Belgians. I actually think they have put themselves back in the conversation of teams that could win the tournament with that performance. They look scary close to putting it all together

Still proud of the way the US played but it should have been a comfortable 3 or 4 goal win in regular time to be honest.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I thought they played well 4 years ago. Outplayed Slovenia and Algeria. Was actually even against Ghana.

The only team they looked like they belonged on the same pitch as in this tournament was Portugal. I know they're at a talent disadvantage but I really think that team from 4 years ago doesn't get enough credit.

Are Slovenia and Algeria in the same class as Portugal, Germany, and Belgium?

[Warhammer]

We have come a long way. Even just watching how we played in this tournament, we showed immense growth from game to game. We were the favorites in one game? I think Portugal was supposed to be a draw and we were supposed to lose to Germany and Belgium.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

We have come a long way. Even just watching how we played in this tournament, we showed immense growth from game to game. We were the favorites in one game? I think Portugal was supposed to be a draw and we were supposed to lose to Germany and Belgium.

The key is hopefully we can continue to:

1) Grow interest in the game and sport as a country.

2) Increase the number of kids playing at a higher level. Expand the quality and number of youth academies across the country. More importantly, get our top talent over to Europe to play against the best.

[RainMaker]

I like the idea of sending the best young talent over to Europe to play against the best and then bringing them back at 28-30 to play in MLS. I know people shit on the Dempsey move but I think it's important to have people care about the domestic league if you want to grow the sport in the states.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I like the idea of sending the best young talent over to Europe to play against the best and then bringing them back at 28-30 to play in MLS. I know people shit on the Dempsey move but I think it's important to have people care about the domestic league if you want to grow the sport in the states.

I think post 30 is when you bring them back. The MLS is never going to compete with the elite leagues in the world. The MLS is like triple A baseball to me.

[Desnudo]

Could've stolen it with wondo. In no way deserved to win it. Great run. If yedlin and green are the future then I'm excited.

[PilotMan]

Yeah, Wondo is going to have to relive that one over and over again. That and the free kick that had Dempsey free at the 6.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Well considering that we got the US team that couldn't keep possession away from a HS team they're lucky they only lost 2-1. Well...luck and Tim Howard.

That being said - fucking Wondo. Anyone in the Wondo fan-club going to man-up?

Brian McBride would have scored that goal. Eric Wynalda would have scored that goal. Ben fucking Olsen would have scored that goal. Claudio Reyna on one leg would have scored that goal. TOM FUCKING DOOLEY WOULD HAVE SCORED THAT GOAL.

Fucking Wondo.

And Bradley played pretty shit aside from the ball to Green.

Why'd Klinsy wait so long to make his third substitution? After going down in extra time that attacking sub has to be in RIGHT AWAY. Not fucking...20 minutes later.

No one would've scored that goal.. it was given offsides :P

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

No one would've scored that goal.. it was given offsides :P

Actually it wasn't. The line judge was pointing for the goal kick. It wasn't anywhere near offside.

[GoldenEagle]

Grant Wahl reported that the flag was up for offside. The AR is thinking his lucky stars.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Probably. There was a point where Belgium had a shot difference of 24-3. They had more shots than any team in this WC and more touches in the attacking third. It seemed like Belgium was vastly superior to them but if that's not the case, I'm happy to be wrong.

The US strategy in general seemed to be once the other team got the ball, collapse on the goal area. They were willing to concede shots, knowing that they'd make many of them difficult, and Howard would cover up most of the handful of mistakes the backline would make. Then, once they did get possession, charge up the field with a numbers advantage and make some magic.

That strategy came very, very, very close to making the quarterfinals from the group of death. As much as Belgium had chances to win this game 4-0 in regulation, I think the US came pretty darn close to winning it 3-0 in regulation.

I agree with the sentiment that Klinsmann has to be given enormous credit for his decisions and strategy with this team, I think he has definitely set up US Soccer nicely for 2018. Looking forward to the core of young players as they gain four more years of experience.

Howard is the MVP - without him in goal, that strategy cannot work, but because he was there we could play to the other strengths on the team.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

No one would've scored that goal.. it was given offsides :P

You're such a Wondo-lover. It baffles me.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Actually it wasn't. The line judge was pointing for the goal kick. It wasn't anywhere near offside.

Sure didn't seem like offsides - I'd have to go back and watch the whole thing freeze-frame, but I'm inclined to think Wahl is wrong.

[Coffee Warlord]

He was totally on sides. Hell, if I recall, there were at least 2 Belgian defenders behind him. Wahl corrected himself after the fact. The linesman was indeed flagging for a goal kick, not for offsides.

[Alan T]