2014 FIFA World Cup

[Ryan S]

What a shocking bit of goalkeeping. Ronaldo is never going to miss an opportunity like that.

[Eaglesfan27]

Always a fan of Ronaldo scoring!

[cartman]

CR7 giveth, CR7 taketh away

[cthomer5000]

We can all breathe again.

[Desnudo]

Time to pack the box

[flere-imsaho]

I was just about to say that the main thing the U.S. has going for it is that Germany are somewhat genetically predisposed to protect 1-0 leads.

[Arles]

Let's just play D and wait this out.

[kingfc22]

Thank you Ronaldo. Never thought I'd say that.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Thank you Ronaldo. Never thought I'd say that.

It's the least he could do after that cross

[Arles]

I feel like there's a chance on both ends every 20 sec in this Ghana-Port game. I just want this clock to end!

[Desnudo]

Man that German coach clearly wants to blow the doors off the US

[ColtCrazy]

Yeah, it's just going back and forth in that game. Makes you nervous. You could see either team scoring a couple of late goals here. Both a pretty damn sloppy really.

[flere-imsaho]

I think it's time for "Strategy: Contain; Shout: Play Even Safer" right about now.

[Arles]

Portugal's goalie got hurt and was just replaced. Ick

[ColtCrazy]

Almost another from Ronaldo.

[ColtCrazy]

Things looking good now for the US. So, Belgium's next?

[Desnudo]

lol US would have been a great moral victory to tie

[Galaxy]

U.S. gets four days off...that will be a big plus.

[cartman]

Made it out of the group stage. That is what you have to set as your first goal.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by cartman

Made it out of the group stage. That is what you have to set as your first goal.

The USA have already exceeded what most expected of them given their group.

[flere-imsaho]

I'll admit it, I didn't see the U.S. making it out of the group stage. Even if they had a couple of things go their way they still did it. At this point, the rest is gravy, IMO.

[cthomer5000]

The upside of finishing second:

We get 1 more day of rest then we would have had otherwise, and we BADLY need it.

If we have any hope of making a deep run, I think we're on the weaker side of the bracket.

[ColtCrazy]

Germany looks for for the semis in their bracket. Belgium is solid, but they aren't Germany and other than Messi, I don't think Argentina has been overly impressive. Anything can happen, and the US have a chance. The brackets are top heavy.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

Things looking good now for the US. So, Belgium's next?

Probably. We'll know when the other games end at 6PM.

Only possibilities for us are Belgium or Algeria.

Only way it is NOT Belgium is a Belgium loss and Algeria win, by any margins.

[BYU 14]

Gutty effort, now some rest and try and get that groove we had against Portugal.

[BYU 14]

And Tim Howard is a fucking stud!!!! That is all.

[Arles]

If Algeria beats Russia and Belgium loses to Korea - Algeria gets #1, Belgium #2.

[Easy Mac]

Was it just me, or did the US look completely unprepared for Germany to press our every touch this game? Even on back passes near Howard's box, Germany were pressing. They seemed to know that most of our players lack any first touch. It seemed odd that it took Arlo and Taylor until the 65th minute to pick up on the German press. I'd venture to say the US played more back passes than forward passes in this game, probably 65/35.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Arles

If Algeria beats Russia and Belgium loses to Korea - Algeria gets #1, Belgium #2.

Is there a goal difference needed?

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Is there a goal difference needed?

It is +1 for Belgium right now, so the losses would tilt that to Algeria's favor.

[DaddyTorgo]

So my dad calls at halftime and I'm thinking it's to talk about the game, so I answer all upbeat, and he's like "I've got some bad news."

Close family friend passed away last night. Kind of takes the wind out of the sails of the win a bit.

[cartman]

Gonna have to pick up a shortwave radio. I'm going to be off-roading in Big Bend National Park next Tuesday. Don't think there will be any cell signal or AM broadcasts out there.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Was it just me, or did the US look completely unprepared for Germany to press our every touch this game? Even on back passes near Howard's box, Germany were pressing. They seemed to know that most of our players lack any first touch. It seemed odd that it took Arlo and Taylor until the 65th minute to pick up on the German press. I'd venture to say the US played more back passes than forward passes in this game, probably 65/35.

They had some issues with Ghana against this too, the midfield seems rushed when faced with more intense pressure.

[Solecismic]

The best thing about the USA match was the finish. Just getting a chance in the box after 90 minutes of running around. As Klinsmann said, it was a very tough schedule in hot and humid conditions.

But most of the match... meh. Germany was in complete control and only a few really good clears, good positioning and decisions on Howard's part and a little luck kept it from being 2-0 or much worse. If the US just had better ball control in the middle... this is a pretty good back line and a very good goaltender.

USA deserves advancement because of an excellent performance against Portugal and a performance very much like today's (only against a lesser squad) against Ghana. That's how the cup works, and I'm looking forward to Belgium - I think the US has more than a decent chance to go out against Argentina on the 5th. This is a very different team than we've seen in the past with the US.

Germany/France will be fun.

Sorry for your news, DT.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

The best thing about the USA match was the finish. Just getting a chance in the box after 90 minutes of running around. As Klinsmann said, it was a very tough schedule in hot and humid conditions.

But most of the match... meh. Germany was in complete control and only a few really good clears, good positioning and decisions on Howard's part and a little luck kept it from being 2-0 or much worse. If the US just had better ball control in the middle... this is a pretty good back line and a very good goaltender.

USA deserves advancement because of an excellent performance against Portugal and a performance very much like today's (only against a lesser squad) against Ghana. That's how the cup works, and I'm looking forward to Belgium - I think the US has more than a decent chance to go out against Argentina on the 5th. This is a very different team than we've seen in the past with the US.

Germany/France will be fun.

Sorry for your news, DT.

That Jim.

Yeah - I think we have a good shot against Belgium. They're a talented young team, but they haven't looked overpowering.

[Logan]

Also sorry DT.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

posting while drunk?

Nah, just sometimes I forget to edit my posts after I type them and before I send post. My typing skills have atrophied in the last few years.

[Abe Sargent]

Let's go Algeria!!!

[MIJB#19]

Belgium will be playing with mostly backups vs. South Korea.

[Abe Sargent]

I think you have to hand it to FIFA for a great, quick response on the Suarez deal that is more than a lot of folks were suspecting, but still is right on.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Was it just me, or did the US look completely unprepared for Germany to press our every touch this game? Even on back passes near Howard's box, Germany were pressing. They seemed to know that most of our players lack any first touch. It seemed odd that it took Arlo and Taylor until the 65th minute to pick up on the German press. I'd venture to say the US played more back passes than forward passes in this game, probably 65/35.

I would bet this game played out exactly as they expected. That's the problem with not having a hold-up striker. Bringing no backup to Jozy was insane. We can't withstand that type of press because we have no outlet. It seemed like that's why Jermaine Jones was practically playing striker at times.

Honestly, i thought aside from the first 15 minutes we played pretty well. At halftime I was very happy with how we were playing.

Plus, we've been riding the same core of guys, and we've logged more travel miles than anyone at the WC. THat stuff catches up with you. Klinsmann botched the roster selection. No backup to Jozy, no backup defensive midfielder (because we now use all 3 as starters every game). It's amazing that alone didn't cost us. It might still next game, but at least we can catch our breath.

[DaddyTorgo]

C'mon Algeria!

I really like their game to be honest, would love to see them make a lil run.

[Critch]

I'm cheering for Russia. Some good players, but Capello has them well organized defensively so they're the only team that could come second in that group and actually challenge Germany in the next round.

The fact I have Russia in the World Cup Calcutta thing may have something to do with my choice too.

[ISiddiqui]

Glad we made it through to the knockout rounds, but I think the US looked like complete crap against Germany. Michael Bradley is NOT the player he was in qualifying. He's looked horrible in all 3 matches.

I don't feel good about playing Belgium next round (it seems likely that is what it will end up being) due to our lack of first touch ability and our midfield issues.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Klinsmann botched the roster selection. No backup to Jozy, no backup defensive midfielder (because we now use all 3 as starters every game). It's amazing that alone didn't cost us. It might still next game, but at least we can catch our breath.

Given that we just got out of the Group of Death, I'm not second-guessing Klinsmann on anything.

[Kodos]

Not a soccer guy, but happy to see the U.S. enjoying a bit of success. I always have a soft spot for underdogs.

[DaddyTorgo]

Bad news everyone (and please let's not have a political conversation here, I just thought it was worth a laugh).

Ann Coulter: 'Growing interest in soccer a sign of nation's moral decay' - Extra Mustard - SI.com

[Arles]

Yeah, posted my reply on facebook. To summarize, it's just sheer ignorance and "shock jock" reporting.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Bad news everyone (and please let's not have a political conversation here, I just thought it was worth a laugh).

Ann Coulter: 'Growing interest in soccer a sign of nation's moral decay' - Extra Mustard - SI.com

I just posted on FB that she is the #1 troll in America. She is the WrongWay or Wignasty or psucolonel or IMetTrentGreen of the American cultural/political scene.

She is VERY good at trolling.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Bad news everyone (and please let's not have a political conversation here, I just thought it was worth a laugh).

Ann Coulter: 'Growing interest in soccer a sign of nation's moral decay' - Extra Mustard - SI.com

So now she's anti-Israel?

Football (soccer, כדורגל, Kaduregel) is the most popular sport in Israel.