USA Soccer

[JLEW1818]

wow we choked

[Collier11]

no bueno

[silverwheels]

Epic choke. Congrats, Japan.

[JLEW1818]

did not deserve to win.. let them hang too long and we choked.

[silverwheels]

Japan did not deserve the win but got it anyway. That's a penalty shootout for you.

[Collier11]

we need 2 straight saves

[Collier11]

best team doesnt always win

[silverwheels]

Lebron level choke.

[cccasooner2]

Ahhhhhhhh Sooooooo!!!!!!

[agoo758]

Wow. That must have been the worst ****ing exhibition of penalty kicks I have ever seen.

[Scott D]

England men's team in I believe it was the late 80s or early 90s was the worst exhibition of penalty kicks ever.

[silverwheels]

England men's team was the worst exhibition of penalty kicks ever.

Fixed.

[yankee]

****.

[JLEW1818]

good for Japan

[Scott D]

Fixed.

yeah but what year was it where they missed every penalty kick they had except one.

[silverwheels]

yeah but what year was it where they missed every penalty kick they had except one.

06 against Portugal.

[BlackwellSooner]

OK, I have been watching the last three matches (Brazil, France and now Japan), and while I have learned some of the rules, i am still abysmally ignorant, so bear with me.

1. what, if anything, was the effect of the yellow card on Japan earlier?
2. other than the free kick, there was no other penalty assessed for the red card?
3, when the US had the lead, and a little time to kill, what is the rule regarding stalling or delay of game? must an offensive move be made in a certain time frame?

BTW, I totally agree. the best team did not win today, Japan was lucky not to have been down 3-1 or 4-1 at halftime, we had at least two maybe 3 shots hit the bar of the cage!

Congrats to Japan, they hung in there and that (letting an opponent hang in there) will get you beat, - - and did.

[JLEW1818]

OK, I have been watching the last three matches (Brazil, France and now Japan), and while I have learned some of the rules, i am still abysmally ignorant, so bear with me.

1. what, if anything, was the effect of the yellow card on Japan earlier?
2. other than the free kick, there was no other penalty assessed for the red card?
3, when the US had the lead, and a little time to kill, what is the rule regarding stalling or delay of game? must an offensive move be made in a certain time frame?

BTW, I totally agree. the best team did not win today, Japan was lucky not to have been down 3-1 or 4-1 at halftime, we had at least two maybe 3 shots hit the bar of the cage!

Congrats to Japan, they hung in there and that (letting an opponent hang in there) will get you beat, - - and did.

the red card on Japan was big. say that happend in the middle of the game, Japan would have to play 1 man down the rest of the way.

[BlackwellSooner]

1. what, if anything, was the effect of the yellow card on Japan earlier?

In an earlier game, a yellow card (? resulted in that team having to play one short the rest of the match? Why not today?

[silverwheels]

OK, I have been watching the last three matches (Brazil, France and now Japan), and while I have learned some of the rules, i am still abysmally ignorant, so bear with me.

1. what, if anything, was the effect of the yellow card on Japan earlier?
2. other than the free kick, there was no other penalty assessed for the red card?
3, when the US had the lead, and a little time to kill, what is the rule regarding stalling or delay of game? must an offensive move be made in a certain time frame?

BTW, I totally agree. the best team did not win today, Japan was lucky not to have been down 3-1 or 4-1 at halftime, we had at least two maybe 3 shots hit the bar of the cage!

Congrats to Japan, they hung in there and that (letting an opponent hang in there) will get you beat, - - and did.

1. A yellow is a caution. One more equals a red and you're done.
2. Jlew answered.
3. Yellow cards can be handed out for intentional and egregious time wasting, but only for bringing the ball back into play. If it's in play, you can stall as long as you want.

[tulsaoilerfan]

good for Japan

**** Japan; i will never forgive them for Pearl Harbor

[tulsaoilerfan]

You could say the US choked on the PK's, but honestly they were by far the better team today and the match should have never even went to extra time

[tulsaoilerfan]

Even though we would have lost against Brazil i don't understand why there is no golden goal any more; why was it changed?

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

keep playing USA soccer. Our offense is our best defense. don't get conservativeWe DID get conservative, after each point in regulation time, instead of pouring on the adrenaline, and putting them away. The PREVENT offense/defense will usually lead to a loss, just as it did this time.

[silverwheels]

Even though we would have lost against Brazil i don't understand why there is no golden goal any more; why was it changed?

I don't know for sure, but I bet it was changed because losing teams didn't think it was fair. Kinda like the NFL overtime rule.

[tulsaoilerfan]

We DID get conservative, after each point in regulation time, instead of pouring on the adrenaline, and putting them away. The PREVENT offense/defense will usually lead to a loss, just as it did this time.

A **** poor clearing attempt cost us the first goal and the second one was just a damn good(or lucky) shot by the Japanese player

[BlackwellSooner]

I wonder just how many goals that we missed that were BARELY off?

[tulsaoilerfan]

I don't know for sure, but I bet it was changed because losing teams didn't think it was fair. Kinda like the NFL overtime rule.

IMO much more fair than Penalty Kicks; what a horrible way to decide a game after 120 plus minutes

[BlackwellSooner]

Even though we would have lost against Brazil i don't understand why there is no golden goal any more; why was it changed?

I've already confessed my ignorance: what is a golden goal?

[silverwheels]

Yeah, I hate penalties, but you can't keep playing forever. Most of the players are already worn out at the end of 120 minutes.

[BlackwellSooner]

golden goal = sudden death?

[tulsaoilerfan]

It's what they used to do in extra time; first goal wins hence the term golden goal

[tulsaoilerfan]

Yeah, I hate penalties, but you can't keep playing forever. Most of the players are already worn out at the end of 120 minutes.

I hear ya just such a crappy way to decide who wins

[JLEW1818]

lots of luck in PK's

we lost this game in each half

[silverwheels]

golden goal = sudden death?

Yep. They had Silver Goal for a while, too, which meant that if you scored in the first 15 minutes of extra time, the rest of that half would be played and if the score stood, that was the end of the game.

[JLEW1818]

Varsity Blues is on TNT right now

[BlackwellSooner]

We just flat missed that one PK (over the top of the net); but Solo's injury didn't help us any when it went to PKs.

[silverwheels]

Okay, America, you can go back to not caring about soccer or women's sports for a while.

[BlackwellSooner]

A great run by the women, too bad that they came up short.

I don't know where they keep the stats (like a box score in football), but it would be interesting to know how many shots-on-goal each team took in the match.

We dominated the entire match, but didn't put it away...

[tommieharris91]

A great run by the women, too bad that they came up short.

I don't know where they keep the stats (like a box score in football), but it would be interesting to know how many shots-on-goal each team took in the match.

We dominated the entire match, but didn't put it away...

31 shots, only 6 on target. That's terrible for just about any team.

[BlackwellSooner]

Okay, America, you can go back to not caring about soccer or women's sports for a while.

Actually, I only watched because the US was playing.

And NOT because we lost, but I found watching what the rest of the world calls football and what we call soccer, incredibly frustrating to watch.

I will say one thing, the conditioning of those players is top-notch.

[BlackwellSooner]

31 shots, only 6 on target. That's terrible for just about any team.

Do you have a link to the stats?

[silverwheels]

Actually, I only watched because the US was playing.

And NOT because we lost, but I found watching what the rest of the world calls football and what we call soccer, incredibly frustrating to watch.

I will say one thing, the conditioning of those players is top-notch.

I'd say that's the main (only?) reason the majority people who watched the World Cup were tuned in. Americans love America.

And sports are frustrating in general.

[tommieharris91]

Do you have a link to the stats?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=325480&cc=5901

Hmm... They say 27 shots with only 5 on target. Still pretty pathetic.

EDIT: It's probably because they stopped taking stats after regulation. Don't know why.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

It's what they used to do in extra time; first goal wins hence the term golden goalEw, I LIKE that. Sounds like the best way to establish a weiner.

[ouboomer1]

soccer can drive one crazy to watch because USA had better flow, creativity, and skilled players, but could not finish plays. Japan just needed 2 breaks and got them while the USA missed more chances than you could count....

[AlboSooner]

can't say the better team won

[JLEW1818]

:(

[cccasooner2]

06 against Portugal.

I was about to say that. :rolleyes:

[Scott D]

In an earlier game, a yellow card (? resulted in that team having to play one short the rest of the match? Why not today?

The only time a yellow card will affect the game where it is given is if it was a second yellow to that player. In the round robin if a player received two yellow cards they were banned from the next match. Those reset at the single elimination stage (quarterfinals), and only if a player got a yellow in the Quarterfinal and again in the Semifinal would they have been banned for the Final.

The only dismissals of the single elimination rounds were due to straight red cards.

[Scott D]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=325480&cc=5901

Hmm... They say 27 shots with only 5 on target. Still pretty pathetic.

EDIT: It's probably because they stopped taking stats after regulation. Don't know why.

yeah, but remember that shots that hit a post are not counted as on target.

[soonerloyal]

If we'd gotten goals from just two of those early shots, we would probably have put them away. Crap. We were communicating better, pushing up better and covering our (wo)men better too.

Oh well, if we couldn't win the World Cup, I'm proud that we could lose to such a heartstrong winner like Japan. I'm SO proud of both teams - and thrilled that the U.S. is so blessed with women like we have on Team USA. God bless the new Champions of Women's Soccer - JAPAN! We'll see you - and win our third - in four years!

THANKS, USA WOMEN!! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!!

[SoonerofAlabama]

Also pretty good story, the floods and nuclear disaster and all. Then their team beats the favored team that they have never beaten before.

[SoonerHoops]

Don't forget, Morgan hit the post right after halftime as well. Two unlucky posts in one game.

[FtwTxSooner]

Fire Bob Bradley!

[GrapevineSooner]

Fire Bob Bradley!

As you wish (http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Bradleys-Tenure-Ends.aspx).


CHICAGO (July 28, 2011) — U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced today that Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

“We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years,” said Gulati. “During his time as the head coach of our Men’s National Team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now was the right time for us to make a change. It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”


This announcement comes after a meeting at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., between Gulati, Bradley and U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn.

[TUSooner]

As you wish (http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Bradleys-Tenure-Ends.aspx).

Does this mean we finally get Klinsmann?????! (please please please please please).

Why sack Bob NOW, though? I guess the Gold Cup was a test he failed. If so, maybe we should thank the Mexicans for getting us a new coach (depending on who it is).

[silverwheels]

Better now than during 2014 qualifying.

[SoonerofAlabama]

USA Soccer rules. :D

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt112/MrWookie47/HOPESOLOKISSgifpagespeedceGYMc4l2n6f.gif

[badger]

Fire Bob Bradley!

Now time to find out if it was really Bradley who was the problem

[silverwheels]

Bradley was not the problem. He was a problem. The main problem is our entire system is not built to have an elite national team. Gulati set it up to grow slowly and make money.

[sappstuf]

Does this mean we finally get Klinsmann?????! (please please please please please).

Why sack Bob NOW, though? I guess the Gold Cup was a test he failed. If so, maybe we should thank the Mexicans for getting us a new coach (depending on who it is).

This.

[JLEW1818]

FIRE VENABLES !!!!

[Scott D]

one down, one to go

[Soonerus]

It was time for a new direction...

[Collier11]

It was def time, Bradley was never going to get us over the hump

[mgsooner]

Your wishes have been answered

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/soccerblog/jurgen_klismann_named_us_soccer_XdQiSGh6i87Vi6Ak9I AB5O

[Curly Bill]

I guess we're now the favorites to win the next World Cup? :D

[JLEW1818]

yep :D

[silverwheels]

Definitely excited to see who he'll bring into camp and hopefully he'll ditch the bucket formation. It will be nice not having to see Bornstein or Kljestan out there anymore.

[TUSooner]

Obviously, Klinsmann could be a flop, but at least he's getting his turn at bat (to mix sports analogies), and we won't have to watch a string of mediocrities takes the team nowhere while we wonder "what if ?"

His top three priorities should be:
1. Beat Mexico
2. Beat Mexico
3. Beat Mexico

[Scott D]

I'd like to say that Gulati finally came to his senses in giving full control over the squad to someone else, but we'll see. I'm excited for Klinsmann to take over, but I'd be happier if Gulati had stepped down as well.

[Craighead15]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/937940/world-cup-2014-qualifying-concacaf-preliminary-draw?cc=5901

Here's our qualification for the next world cup in 2014. The good thing about CONCACAF is that qualification is almost guaranteed for the major countries.

[GottaHavePride]

Any thoughts on the announced roster?

http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/US-Men/2011-Rosters/110804-MNT-vs-MEX.aspx

[silverwheels]

Any thoughts on the announced roster?

http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/US-Men/2011-Rosters/110804-MNT-vs-MEX.aspx

Was hoping to see some more new faces, but then again, Klinsmann has only been coach for a week. Brek Shea FTW, though.

[yankee]

Was hoping to see some more new faces, but then again, Klinsmann has only been coach for a week. Brek Shea FTW, though.

Hell yeah. Happy for Brek.

[JLEW1818]

err

[TUSooner]

Hell yeah. Happy for Brek.

Yep. He done good.
Overall, it was pretty positive that we showed some spark in the 2d half.

[badger]

So I briefly woke up in the second half after the first half put me to sleep to see the goal. I then told NP that I wanted to fix my hair like Brek's and he said "overruled." I guess this means no crazy awesome goal scoring hair for badger :(

[JLEW1818]

World Cup this summer. Group of death.
Germany
Portugal
Ghana
US

[Curly Bill]

World Cup this summer. Group of death.
Germany
Portugal
Ghana
US

Looks like the ol: soccer is really about to take off in this country thing will have to wait another 4 years. LOL

[JLEW1818]

I got into the women's more than the men's. Hahaha

[Curly Bill]

I got into the women's more than the men's. Hahaha

I'm probably the same way - they're of course better to look at, and in women's soccer I can buy that these are some of the best female athletes we can produce. In men's soccer I can't help but think that's not the case, that if they were some of our better athletes they'd be playing football or basketball.

[Curly Bill]

Plus, compared to some of the countries that really can play soccer we look like trash comparatively.

[JLEW1818]

Yup, I'm the same way.

Soccer is simply a bonus sport for me. I want our best athletes to continue to want to play Football, Basketball, and Baseball.

But... It's still fun to know we could be the best at soccer if we wanted to.
Could you imagine Lebron and Kobe growing up only playing soccer?

[Curly Bill]

Yup, I'm the same way.

Soccer is simply a bonus sport for me. I want our best athletes to continue to want to play Football, Basketball, and Baseball.

But... It's still fun to know we could be the best at soccer if we wanted to.
Could you imagine Lebron and Kobe growing up only playing soccer?

I only like watching soccer when it's the very top-level stuff. Give me the Brazils, Germanys, Portugal, Spain on the world stage, or at the club level Barcelona & Real Madrid. One of the reasons I don't like watching USA soccer or any lower level stuff is it too much resembles little kids just kicking the ball all over the damn place and then chasing it.

[Curly Bill]

Yeah, how about Lebron as a goaltender?

People like Chris Paul & Russell Westbrook flying up & down the field or pitch or whatever the hell they call it?

[Curly Bill]

But here's what's crazy! While I mock the: soccer is about to really take off in this country crowd. If I had young boys, I'd damn sure let em play soccer before I'd let em play football!

I've very much joined the camp that playing football just isn't worth the real likelihood of lifelong bothersome injuries, and in many many case injuries that are considerably more than just bothersome.

[JLEW1818]

If you have a girl, make her play golf. Guaranteed scholarship if start at young age.

[Eielson]

If you have a girl, make her play golf. Guaranteed scholarship if start at young age.

Golf is an expensive sport. You can just invest the money and pay for her college, and let her do stuff she enjoys as a college student.

[Eielson]

But here's what's crazy! While I mock the: soccer is about to really take off in this country crowd. If I had young boys, I'd damn sure let em play soccer before I'd let em play football!

I've very much joined the camp that playing football just isn't worth the real likelihood of lifelong bothersome injuries, and in many many case injuries that are considerably more than just bothersome.

I have a family member that has dementia that was at least partly due to a couple concussions he suffered playing D2 ball. I can only really bring myself to watch OU and St. Louis (my NFL team) anymore, and for a while I struggled to even do that. If I had a kid, I probably wouldn't tell him he couldn't play, but I definitely wouldn't encourage it.

[JLEW1818]

If you have a girl, make her play golf. Guaranteed scholarship if start at young age.

Golf is an expensive sport. You can just invest the money and pay for her college, and let her do stuff she enjoys as a college student.

So is select volleyball. Just StFU dude. Years later and you are still a dbag.

[JLEW1818]

Wish all starters were playing. Lame

[JLEW1818]

No LD.
Arguably still the best soccer player in America

[birddog]

We've got more depth and speed than we've ever had but I still dont know how we will get out of our group. If Germany wins their first two and then rests their starters when we play em it could come down to that game if we can FINALLY beat Ghana and get a tie out of Portugal. Whatever 4 years have passed and its time for some ball. The wc has always been a great way to get through the summer and bring college football little closer to kickoff. Times are good.

[birddog]

So far so good. No slow play. Not a lot of knocking the ball around the midfield for 40 mins just to play it safe. As far as the US, not real pleased with Jones saying he wouldn't celebrate a goal if he scored against Germany. He is one of 5 US-German players on the squad but dang dude, you are playing for OUR country. Scoring in the wc at all is enough reason to lose your mind and I'm sure if he does manage to score he'll lose it and hopefully it equals a win for US. But lets pls Ghana tomorrow and go from there

[birddog]

10 mins to kickoff. Anyone watchin this little sportin contest?

[birddog]

Goal USA in 36 secs.

[reflector]

That was a really good game that the US just had with Ghana.

[birddog]

Best win since 2002. So proud of this team. Goal in under a minute, give up the lead late in the game, then get the game winner. I get that I'm the only one that cares besides jlew but he's disappeared

[birddog]

My apologies, reflector. That was fun to watch.

[Curly Bill]

I can watch good soccer, say: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands. I'm not gonna watch bad soccer, such as USA soccer, because quite frankly it too closely resembles kids out there just kicking the ball around and chasing the damn thing. Not enough quality, precision, or skill for me.

And the other thing is you realize the soccer dudes we put out there aren't near the upper echelon of athletes this country has. In those other countries soccer is what most of their best athletes are drawn to.


edit...and what I said is the truth: I did watch those other teams play. I did not watch the USA. I may watch them when they play Portugal (they looked like crap), and Germany because I want to see those teams play.

[yermom]

i might be able to watch some of the games if someone promises me no vulvazuelas

[birddog]

Vuvus are not allowed. This US team has the best work ethic of any US team I've ever seen. They had the Portugal game won after giving up an early goal. We were up 2-1 and Portugal, the number 4 team in the world, scored with no time left. We are tied with Germany in first place and need a tie against Germany or a tie between Porto and Ghana to advance to the final 16. Very proud of this team.

[8timechamps]

Watching the game today, we all got a good view of just how much ground is left to make up (for the US to an elite world program).

Germany is a machine. Even near the end, when we had a chance to score, I felt like Germany had taken their foot off of the gas (much earlier in the half).

I've enjoyed this World Cup, and of course watching the US, but I'm not a soccer person normally. So, for those of you that keep up with things, is getting out of the group round into the knockout round considered a successful World Cup for the US? I know we aren't going to win the whole thing, but what were the die-hard fans wanting (advance out of the group? win a game in the next round? Semi-final?)?

[Wishboned]

The US wasn't even expected to make it out of the group stage. Ghana had beaten them in consecutive World Cup group stage matches, and Germany and Portugal were expected to advance.

And this is the first time that the US has made it to the knockout round in consecutive World Cups.

I'm happy with the results. I'd love to see them beat Belgium and advance. They've never made it past the quarterfinals.

They made it to the semifinals in 1930, but the semifinals were immediately after group play. There were only 15 participating countries.

[birddog]

Is it possible that Belgium will be a step down from the group play for the US? We have a few injuries but Belgium is really hobbled coming into Tuesday's game.

[Eielson]

Any news on Jozy?

[birddog]

Jurgen is resting him for the finals. :)

[Eielson]

Dang. :( I'll be back in 4 years to pretend like we're becoming a soccer country again.

[birddog]

With all the young uns we had out there we will actually build on this cup. International competitions are much more compelling than mls, so that's understandable, eilson. But we can look forward to watching this team in the copa america, the confederations cup,and the gold cup, all of which will help our boys get prepared for 2018.

[8timechamps]

I'm a lazy American fan. I really don't plan to get into soccer, but I really want our program to continue to get better so that we can beat the world's best.

I'm proud of our team, I thought they did well, and I really like our coach.

[Eielson]

With all the young uns we had out there we will actually build on this cup. International competitions are much more compelling than mls, so that's understandable, eilson. But we can look forward to watching this team in the copa america, the confederations cup,and the gold cup, all of which will help our boys get prepared for 2018.

Yeah, I'm not really a soccer guy myself, but I'll watch just about any sport if you give me a team to cheer for. One thing I really like about the world cup is that we're sending our best players, and it's competitive. Football barely exists outside of the US, basketball isn't competitive, and we don't send our good pitchers for baseball. I'm super excited for Rugby 7's getting added to the Olympics in 2 years, though. That will be a blast if we have any success.

I'll probably watch the CONCACAF or whatever it's called. I can't get myself to watch exhibition matches, but if we're playing in a tournament I can. I hardly know anything about soccer, but that Yedlin kid was fun to watch. I'm excited to see where he's at in 4 years.

[Curly Bill]

We won one out of four games we played in the World Cup. I get the World Cup buzz and all that, but if anyone thinks the good ol USofA is ready to be a real player on the world stage they be wrong.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Dang. :( I'll be back in 4 years to pretend like we're becoming a soccer country again.I will too, for what, a week?...DGAS about "futbol". If they would change the game to outlaw headers and provide for lots more scoring, I could warm up to it.

[8timechamps]

We won one out of four games we played in the World Cup. I get the World Cup buzz and all that, but if anyone thinks the good ol USofA is ready to be a real player on the world stage they be wrong.

Yeah, knowing little about the program, I thought we were pretty good going into the WC. The real wake up was the Germany game. We're still pretty far away from being as good as the elite. Of course soccer is a much bigger deal in those countries, and I just don't ever see it being that big here. Hell, hockey (which I do really like) barely competes with the other big 3.

[Curly Bill]

Yeah, knowing little about the program, I thought we were pretty good going into the WC. The real wake up was the Germany game. We're still pretty far away from being as good as the elite. Of course soccer is a much bigger deal in those countries, and I just don't ever see it being that big here. Hell, hockey (which I do really like) barely competes with the other big 3.

Soccer will never be really big here unless some of our elite athletes start choosing soccer from a very young age and focus almost exclusively on it, because that's what happens in the countries that are good at it. That's not likely to happen because we well know that our best athletes are from a young age funneled into basketball and football, and I just don't see that changing.

[Curly Bill]

Yeah, knowing little about the program, I thought we were pretty good going into the WC. The real wake up was the Germany game. We're still pretty far away from being as good as the elite. Of course soccer is a much bigger deal in those countries, and I just don't ever see it being that big here. Hell, hockey (which I do really like) barely competes with the other big 3.

The Belgium game was sort of telling for me, because even though Tim Howard did everything short of standing on his head to keep the USA in the game, Belgium TOTALLY dominated play, and even though this Belgium squad is pretty good - they're not to be confused with a world power.

[birddog]

Curly, host Brazil lost 7-1 v Germany. We lost 1-0 to Germany a week ago. Brazil has won more cups than any other country. In the other semi Argentina will play the Netherlands for the right to meet Germany for the cup. A German v Holland final would be the best matchup we could as for. Tomorrow at 3 I think we'll see the Dutch pour it on pretty good. 7-1 is crazy. Worst loss for Brazil since 1920?

[Eielson]

We won one out of four games we played in the World Cup.

That kind of amused me, too, but we came out of "group death" with a goal differential of 0. By American standards it's nothing to write home about, but we held our ground against the big boys. I'm not a soccer guy, but I think we'd have done better if Altidore hadn't gotten hurt or if our coach hadn't cut Donovan just to act like a bada**. I also think we might have beaten Belgium if we hadn't been held down by Jones' earlier heroics. The dude was so banged up and should not have been in that game.

[Eielson]

Question for soccer guys:

Where we playing really conservatively? I don't know much of the tactical stuff, but it seemed like we were playing not to lose the whole time, and only got aggressive when we absolutely had to. I may be way off, though. I just felt like we were playing for a 0-0 tie against Germany and Belgium (and win during shoot-out).

[birddog]

I'll fill ya in Manana

[Curly Bill]

Curly, host Brazil lost 7-1 v Germany. We lost 1-0 to Germany a week ago. Brazil has won more cups than any other country. In the other semi Argentina will play the Netherlands for the right to meet Germany for the cup. A German v Holland final would be the best matchup we could as for. Tomorrow at 3 I think we'll see the Dutch pour it on pretty good. 7-1 is crazy. Worst loss for Brazil since 1920?

The Brazil - Germany game was an aberration. To try and take anything away from the US only losing to Germany by one goal is a big stretch, other than the fact the USA muddled the game up to try to get into PKs.

I watched the US soccer games and everyone we played largely dominated play against us with the exception of Portugal, who is way overrated and a one-man team if ever there was one, and damned if they didn't get a tie against the US. Even Ghana who is the only team the US beat largely dominated play in the game.

Anyway, I know the soccer nerds are gonna take from this World Cup whatever they want to. Admitting I'm no soccer expert I see light years difference between USA soccer and the real world powers, and boys...that ain't changing until some of our best athletes start playing soccer almost exclusively, and from a very young age, and I don't see that happening soon.

[Curly Bill]

Question for soccer guys:

Where we playing really conservatively? I don't know much of the tactical stuff, but it seemed like we were playing not to lose the whole time, and only got aggressive when we absolutely had to. I may be way off, though. I just felt like we were playing for a 0-0 tie against Germany and Belgium (and win during shoot-out).

That's what all the not very good teams do. Play very conservatively and hope to get into penalty kicks where it's as much about luck as anything.

That's why a team like Germany only beats the USA by one goal - because Germany was the only team really trying to win, and quite frankly they didn't try too hard against the US.

[Eielson]

Germany just won the World Cup, and the only team who played them closer than us was Ghana...who we beat. Portugal was top 5 coming in, and we tied them (even outplayed them). In the end, our worst game of the tournament was losing in extra time to Belgium. I'll take it.