View Full Version : **World Cup Thread**
Jeopardude
6/16/2006, 11:37 PM
There's a World Cup Thread?
Why?:confused:
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 500th post!
Portugal/Iran not too bad of a game so far.
Portugal's had the most scoring opportunities, but only 3 or 4. Iranian goalie's made a couple of nice saves and a defender cleared one off the line. Iran is really packing it in the box on the defensive side. Looks like they're getting 9 back on Portugal corners and set plays.
Figo take a boot to the face and there's no yellow card. There have been yellows in other games for much much much less.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 08:50 AM
the mexico-angola tie has surely given iran some hope...
Porto/Iran 0-0 @ the half.
Cristiano Ronaldo got very close with a blistering left footed shot. Hit just outside the post.
There's lots of diving going on this game, from both sides. Oddly enough, Iran is getting most of the cheap calls.
The excessive carding of African players seems to 'scream' of a Eurocentric point of view on the side of the referees.
Unfortunately, I think you're spot on. The amount of open racisim I witnessed in Europe is alarming.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 09:21 AM
Deco finally scores in the 63rd minute....it may open the floodgates, although I have to agree with the color analyst...Portugal has been playing too much 1 on 1 or in the case of Cristano Ronaldo 1 on 2 or 1 on 3.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal Portugal in the 63rd minute. Great upper 90 by Deco from about 22 yards out. Not a damn thing the goalie could've done about that.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 09:26 AM
Nice dive by Ronaldo. He had gotten clean away after the contact and then decided he'd be better off with a free kick, so he crumpled like a cheap suit after a couple of free steps. :rolleyes:
Iranians should've tied it up there.
Neither of you are surprised by Ronaldo's tendency to take on 3-4 defenders and diving with the least amount of contact are you?
He's gotten better about the diving, but still does it too much.
Unfortunately, I think you're spot on. The amount of open racisim I witnessed in Europe is alarming.
I've seen nothing like that and I've been there a lot.
birddog
6/17/2006, 09:34 AM
portugal is just as bad as they were in 2002. no imagination. it still looks like the team that made a run in the european championships (which GREECE won) but i don't see how they are going to get any results from here on out.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 09:34 AM
Iranians should've tied it up there.
Neither of you are surprised by Ronaldo's tendency to take on 3-4 defenders and diving with the least amount of contact are you?
He's gotten better about the diving, but still does it too much.
and that's why I say that Zlatan wins that 'skills' commercial ;)
Scott D
6/17/2006, 09:36 AM
I've seen nothing like that and I've been there a lot.
seems to depend on where....it's gotten bad enough in Spain, England and Italy that FIFA has felt the need put new rules in place to punish teams for crowd behavior.
I've seen nothing like that and I've been there a lot.
When I moved to England in 96, one of the first things the driver that picked me up said was "With a name like that, I thought you were a caffer(sp)". Trust me, it's very much there. I found that in London it was more of the English vs Indian than black vs white though. When you get farther North, it seems to turn to black/white.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 09:47 AM
Iranians should've tied it up there.
Neither of you are surprised by Ronaldo's tendency to take on 3-4 defenders and diving with the least amount of contact are you?
He's gotten better about the diving, but still does it too much.
Actually, Ronald has been taking a lot of shots today, and he has not gone down a coupla times when he could have. That particular dive was just very late and obvious; maybe he figured they owed him one.
Ronaldo's selfish play in the 1st half hurt Portugal. He was flashy, but he took 2 shots from an impossible angle. EVen though he came close on one, those were not the kind of shots you'd recommend.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 09:57 AM
I'm glad Port didn't tack on that extra cheapie
birddog
6/17/2006, 10:05 AM
I've seen nothing like that and I've been there a lot.
it's funny you say you've been "there" alot and then say nobody cares. i've been all over europe and i could see the passion for soccer right away. and there is alot of racism, particularly in the bundesliga now against african-american players.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 10:30 AM
You are clogging zis Fussball tread mit zociolochy! Shtop it!
:-/
birddog
6/17/2006, 10:35 AM
so, i guess we need ghana to win today. we need to win our next 2 games no matter what. i kinda figured we could have czech run the table and finish second behind them. i think that's the most realistic option.
Actually, Ronald has been taking a lot of shots today, and he has not gone down a coupla times when he could have. That particular dive was just very late and obvious; maybe he figured they owed him one.
Very true. Four years ago he would've flopped like a flounder on quite a few of the challenges he fought thru today.
Ronaldo's selfish play in the 1st half hurt Portugal.
Agreed.
He was flashy, but he took 2 shots from an impossible angle. EVen though he came close on one, those were not the kind of shots you'd recommend.
I would've and have taken those shots as well, so I'm not going to fault him for those. I don't see a prolem with taking the shot when you've got it. Then again, I played forward most of my life so why would I. :D
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 10:44 AM
...I would've and have taken those shots as well, so I'm not going to fault him for those. I don't see a prolem with taking the shot when you've got it. Then again, I played forward most of my life so why would I. :D
Kazactly! :D
Whether it's a 13yo girl or a 23yo man, those forwards can't seem to pass up the near post. :twinkies:
Wow, Ghana takes it to the Czechs and scores in the 2nd minute of the game.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 11:02 AM
wo.
birddog
6/17/2006, 11:13 AM
beautiful.
dolemitesooner
6/17/2006, 11:33 AM
Ghana looks good
Scott D
6/17/2006, 11:42 AM
Gee, in a challenge that looked like Nedved should have gotten carded, the ref carded Essien...I can't imagine why :rolleyes:
Ruuuuuufus
6/17/2006, 11:56 AM
Addo's card was not warranted either.
The "kaffir" thing in England sounds about right to par as well.
Dr.Quack
6/17/2006, 12:04 PM
I wish our ABC commentators would stop talking about Ghanna's lead on the Czech Republic as some monumental surprise. The Ghanese looked fine against Italy in a spirited loss. They blistered through qualification. They are definitely part of why those same commentators before the tournament called this group so tough for the US. Ghana was real before this match. Is real during it. And will be real when the US faces them later.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 12:05 PM
but that would mean that commentators do research, and we know they don't do that.
it's funny you say you've been "there" alot and then say nobody cares. i've been all over europe and i could see the passion for soccer right away. and there is alot of racism, particularly in the bundesliga now against african-american players.
I know they like soccer, I was talking about the racism.
Ghana gets a PK and a Czech player gets a red card.
PK hits the post, still 1-0 Ghana.
The big difference with the Czech's today and Monday is their spacing. Against the US, their whole squad moved as one up and down the pitch. Today, there are huge gaps between the midfield, forwards, and defenders. This space is allowing Ghana to run at will and they're making the right runs off the ball to the open spaces.
Gee, in a challenge that looked like Nedved should have gotten carded, the ref carded Essien...I can't imagine why :rolleyes:
Yeah, that was BS. The amount of fouls being called on 50/50 challenges this tournament is just stupid.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:27 PM
Alomst another Ghana goal there.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:28 PM
What woulda Ghana win do to the US chances? Assuming we mix in a win soon. :D
If Ghana and the US win today, then all 4 teams will have 3 points. It would be door die for the 3rd game for each team.
Petr Cech is putting on a goal keeping clinic. He should get a free swing at each of his defenders with a baseball bat after this game. Ghana's getting way too many looks.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:37 PM
If Ghana and the US win today, then all 4 teams will have 3 points. It would be door die for the 3rd game for each team.
Thanks. Don't watch soccer much, but this game is keeping my attention easily. Guess it's all the shots on goal. :D
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:38 PM
Petr Cech is putting on a goal keeping clinic. He should get a free swing at each of his defenders with a baseball bat after this game. Ghana's getting way too many looks.
Is that cause they're a man up?
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:39 PM
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Ghana 2-0.
Is that cause they're a man up?
No, it's cause they're slow and flat footed today and Ghana has wheels and ambition.
Another goal by Ghana. Dude is left wide open 10 yards out. Nobody crashes on him and he puts it in the upper corner.
The funny thing is that every team I've ever played on has played better with 10 men than with 11.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:42 PM
Hopefully this will light the fire under the US.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 12:45 PM
Ghana gets a PK and a Czech player gets a red card.
PK hits the post, still 1-0 Ghana.
The big difference with the Czech's today and Monday is their spacing. Against the US, their whole squad moved as one up and down the pitch. Today, there are huge gaps between the midfield, forwards, and defenders. This space is allowing Ghana to run at will and they're making the right runs off the ball to the open spaces.
I think another factor is that this match shows us how important Jan Koller is to the Czech team...with him in, they looked invincible against a US team that played poorly. Today they are playing without him, and that lowers their ability up front.
I believe this would be the first win by an African nation in the first round too, no?
I think another factor is that this match shows us how important Jan Koller is to the Czech team...with him in, they looked invincible against a US team that played poorly. Today they are playing without him, and that lowers their ability up front.
I believe this would be the first win by an African nation in the first round too, no?
Yep, no target up front makes a HUGE difference.
Isn't Senegal considered an African nation? Didn't they beat france in 2002?
What a save by the Ghana goalie.
Damn, there's another one. He's working hard for the clean sheet.
It's a final, Ghana 2-0 over Czech.
Iran/Portugal: Portugal can take a strangle hold on this group with a win. 2-0 Portugal.
Czech/Ghana: Czech's work them over 3-0.
USA/Italy: A better showing by the yanks, but not good enough. Italy 2-1.
I'm 1-1 so far.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 12:52 PM
Could those announcers make a bigger deal about Ghana winning. I bet they said "biggest upset in the World Cup so far" 15 times in the last 10 mins.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 12:54 PM
so much for the Czech juggernaut....
Could those announcers make a bigger deal about Ghana winning. I bet they said "biggest upset in the World Cup so far" 15 times in the last 10 mins.
Even thought he rankings are somewhat suspect, here they are:
Ghana: 48
Czech: 2
the only people that thought Ghana would beat the Czechs were the Ghana team members and families.
Ruuuuuufus
6/17/2006, 01:01 PM
I think he meant first win by an African nation this year?
Nigeria won their group in 98 and 94, and Cameroon in 90.
I think he meant first win by an African nation this year?
Nigeria won their group in 98 and 94, and Cameroon in 90.
I'm pretty brain dead today, so you're probably right.
Soonerus
6/17/2006, 01:22 PM
Czech were billed as one of the older teams...looks like they used it all up against US.....Congratulations Ghana and thanks for the help !!!!!!
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 01:34 PM
here we go....the future begins now.
got some brats and beer and chips.
(BTW, since when did U2 become the offical soundtrack for everything?)
There's a fine line between being focused an being scared ****less.
Which did our boys look to you?
Nice to see USA is on track to foul Italy 190 times.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 02:04 PM
not sure if I like this referee from Uruguay.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 02:05 PM
and right after I say that...Italy gets the first yellow card on Totti.
I don't like most of the refs we've had over the years in soccer.
We may bitch about objective reffing in CFB, but international soccer blows it away. Lots of refs have a major bias vs us.
We're gonna see 6-7 yellow cards this game.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 02:08 PM
I don't like most of the refs we've had over the years in soccer.
We may bitch about objective reffing in CFB, but international soccer blows it away. Lots of refs have a major bias vs non continential european and non south american teams.
fixed.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 02:10 PM
so far looking more aggressive offensively this match.
Landon needs to shoot that ball from 20.
fixed.
That too.
Man I hate these weather graphics. My big screen is out of comission so I've been relegated to a 15 inch TV, and with that gigantic picture of Oklahoma and the damn storm warnings in SW Oklahoma, it's like a 10 inch.
WE GET IT, OKLAHOMA HAS BAD WEATHER. THIS IS NOT NEWS GET IT OFF MY SCREEN
Convey taking it at the D.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:15 PM
we sure seem to stand around in bunches on the attacking end.
and rarely get anyone free in space. though, we're a lot more agressive than the Czech game thus far.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 02:16 PM
Good look there.
Nice crack at it Convey. Keep it lower next time.
Damn DamnDamnDamnDamnDamnDamnDamn
What the hell was that Reyna
Thank you Clintfor taking the shot.
Clint's looking good so far.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:22 PM
damn.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 02:24 PM
Ouch
Take it any way you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahahaha suck on that Italy. That's what you get for taking dives.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 02:28 PM
http://www.planetnintendo.com/thewarpzone/boxes/goal.JPG
and a red card to boot!
Good call on the red card. That was an intentional elbow.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:30 PM
nice elbow #4. if that's not a red card...i don't know what is. that makes Joself Szendrei's late game take down of Carmelo Anthony look like child's play.
Up by 1 man, there is zero excuse for any Azzuri player to be open on set plays.
I hope we press the hell out of them. They will make mistakes.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 02:31 PM
That was close.
Thank goodness Toni shanked that...
We need to hire Roy Williams for the US team. Next time they cheap shot us, send in Roy to wipe out half their team and probably about a 1/3 of the stadium.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:32 PM
OH YEAH!
Boys are playing a hell of a lot better than they did Monday.
Boca heads the corner high.
birddog
6/17/2006, 02:33 PM
we're in good shape now fellas.
I'd really like to see more movement into space when we have the ball. It's kind of like we're playing a zone offense or something.
colleyvillesooner
6/17/2006, 02:34 PM
We need to hire Roy Williams for the US team. Next time they cheap shot us, send in Roy to wipe out half their team and probably about a 1/3 of the stadium.
Only 1/3?? Does he have the flu or something? :D
Totti coming out tells me Italy's happy to play for a tie.
Hell of a shot there. Good thing it didn't count.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:37 PM
Only 1/3?? Does he have the flu or something? :D
he's wearing a blindfold and handcuffs.
And he gets bored.
Really, how hard is it to take out a bunch of those nancy's? ;)
Nice shot by Pablo. Keep taking the long shots fellas.
Did you know?
The University of Texas is actively pursuing the recruitment of most of the Italian soccer team. It will surely help their already stacked Diving team.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 02:43 PM
nice dump off for Reyna there...
Red card for Pablo. What the hell was that for?
As we were saying about the bad reffing
That is not a red card foul, not even close.
It wasn't a foul a second ago either. This is just garbage reffing.
birddog
6/17/2006, 02:49 PM
bull**** call!!!
birddog
6/17/2006, 02:52 PM
this fukking sucks but atleast we came to play today.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 02:53 PM
bull**** call!!!
"Make up call " indeed, except there was nothing to make up for.
De Rossi's elbow earned red; Mastroeni's slide was a chicken sh!t foul but not red-worthy.
At least we still seemed to attack after losing the man advantage.
birddog
6/17/2006, 02:56 PM
shoulda been a yellow at the most. this guy shouldn't be allowed on a pitch again unless it's for my 6 year old nephews match. completely ruining the flow of the game. the foul count is something like 14-3, against us. ridiculous.
birddog
6/17/2006, 02:57 PM
i'm sure he'll be getting an earful at halftime.
Now Pope's gone. This is nuts.
Ref is out of his freaking mind.
What in the **** pope/ref
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:06 PM
this is so stupid.another red card.
Was that a called foul?
Has this ref ever played the game before??????
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:08 PM
cough/bull****/cough
Italian stretchers should come with quick release straps.
ETA Gooch gets his next yellow - 20 minutes
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 03:10 PM
Italy is meeting my expectation of them as the most falling-down cry-baby wusses of the world
Boca just about gave back an own goal there.
Del Piero scares me. Dude can finish.
Jeopardude
6/17/2006, 03:16 PM
If you turn it to Univision (Cox 21), you'll get to see the game without a giant Oklahoma in the corner warning you of water falling from the sky.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:17 PM
these are the worst Italian unis i can remember. black trim with gold lettering...both weak *and* tacky. so much for the Azzuri.
I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'd like to see Beasley put in for McBride for the last 30. With only 9 guys, Beasley has the spead that he can help at both sides of the field. He can also hold onto the ball better than McBride IMO.
He's coming on, but he's coming on for Dempsey. That's the wrong person to take out Bruce...
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:20 PM
awwwwrrghhghh.
FINISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:23 PM
NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a good call. I didnt' see McBride standing there.
Still plenty of time to get that one back.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:26 PM
i disagree. it's passive offsides. they've been calling it all tournament.
Who do you disagree with? It was the right call.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:28 PM
nice push.
i disagree. it's passive offsides. they've been calling it all tournament.
If he wasn't standing between the goalie and Beasley, I's say it shouldn't be called. But he was, and shielded the ball from the goalies view so he was involved in the play.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:31 PM
there were alot of people shielding the keeper.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:31 PM
nice play by Keller.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:32 PM
it's called passive offsides pirate. he was off but he didn't touch the ball.
it's called passive offsides pirate. he was off but he didn't touch the ball.
But he was involved in the play by being directly between the goalie and Beasley. Watch the replay and you'll see him lift his foot so the ball doesn't hit him. If he's in another position and doesn't have to move for the ball to miss him, it's not called.
Wow, no foul from behind? Last time I checked, that's an automatic yellow on a tackle like that.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:36 PM
ah, fukk all that. i know, i'm just not happy.
Nice freaking move by Cherundelo(sp).
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:37 PM
i wish we could have put out this kind of effort against the czechs. we wouldn't be in this position.
ah, fukk all that. i know, i'm just not happy.
I'm not either man.
Man of the match needs to be Keller. He's made some pretty darn good saves to keep the game alive.
Balboa's spot on. Beasley needs to take the ball at the D. Their legs are shot.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:42 PM
for the love of God, get eddie johnson on.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:44 PM
man, we give these guys a lot of space just outside the box..
Please don't give up a cheap one here...
Now Italy's trying to win and we're playing for the tie. :mad:
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:47 PM
Man of the match needs to be Keller. He's made some pretty darn good saves to keep the game alive.
agree....but i'm sweating these last 5 minutes plus the hour stoppage time we're likely to see...
:D :eek:
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:48 PM
nothing left in the tank, cam.
Only 3 minutes of stoppage time? I was guessing at least 5.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:49 PM
we really shouda got johnson in at 75 mins.
nothing left in the tank, cam.
Yeah I know, still succs though.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:51 PM
at least the Italians are ****ed.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:52 PM
we still have a slim chance if we beat ghana. good effort by the boys.
And it ends 1-1.
Getting 1 point out of it is better than none and we're still alive.
The good thing is that each team has something to play for in the final games of this group. That should make for good games.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 03:54 PM
so what's the scenario re: advancing. i guess Italy has to beat or draw the Czechs? and we beat Ghana?
Italy 2-0-1 (1-0-2)
Czech 1-2-0 (1-1-1)
US 1-1-1
Ghana 1-2-0
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:55 PM
hey, we just tied italy. desrved every bit of it today.
birddog
6/17/2006, 03:56 PM
are you hearing this post-game?
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 03:57 PM
And it ends 1-1.
Getting 1 point out of it is better than none and we're still alive.
The good thing is that each team has something to play for in the final games of this group. That should make for good games.
True dat. Plus we've got to be pleased withy the shows of guts by 9 guys in a tough match. Nobody backed down, even thouh we wore out at the end.
I wish Bruce would have put Eddie in for the last 15 minutes or so just because McBride seemed spent.
Donovan had a much better game going forward today, and Bruce can't say he got nothing from Beasley. And Gooch & Keller were on, as well.
Dr.Quack
6/17/2006, 03:57 PM
Bad as we looked Monday, that's how good we looked in adversity today. Italy can eat this draw. Stick it in their cry-baby mouths and eat it.
Isn't it odd that in the midst of the worst match-fixing, ref paying scandal in soccer history, Italy gets some REMARKABLY helpful calls? That Urugayan ref has been a source of controversy in the past. He missed 2002 for it. I'm bitter, but pleased with our team's beautiful effort. This is surely one of the ten greatest results in US soccer. The ref spoiled it in part, but no one can take this result away.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 03:59 PM
KC, basically yeah.
The only red card that was deserved was the one by the Italian player...I'd argue that Mastro's card shouldn't have even been a yellow, Pope's should have been a yellow though.
Being down a man for the entire second half in a 10 on 9 situation a draw is as good as a win for us. The call on the Beasley goal was the right call, McBride was alone behind the D and in the path obstructing the view of the keeper.
On the other hand, I think I would have brought Johnson in for McBride around the 70 minute mark.
As far as I'm concerned however, the jury is still out on Arena...certainly the team played a lot better, but now the 'goat' of that is did he screw with chemistry for the Czech game by screwing with the lineup.
Oh, and I think upon review, this is the last game in this cup for this ref once FIFA looks at the film.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 04:00 PM
are you hearing this post-game?
NO, I'm in here by the computer, wasssup?
I want to see how the brits on Sky Sports saw the game.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:01 PM
I love how we get the full sky news instead of sky sports only now.
are you hearing this post-game?
Nope, we got the weather guy.
I'm guessing they were teeing off on the ref.
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 04:02 PM
I thought the lineup was ok, my question is why the hell didn't we use our other two substitution at somewhere around 75-80 minutes? Everyone on the entire field (except for Beasley) was gassed. I think two fresh players with 10 minutes left and we could have won that game.
Jeopardude
6/17/2006, 04:02 PM
Italy's MVP= Jorge Larrionda
So two complete games and we have one goal, scored by a guy from the other freaking team, boo-yah!
I thought the lineup was ok, my question is why the hell didn't we use our other two substitution at somewhere around 75-80 minutes? Everyone on the entire field (except for Beasley) was gassed. I think two fresh players with 10 minutes left and we could have won that game.
We only had one sub left, and I agree that we should have used it with Johnson. Leaving a sub on the bench when you're down to 9 men is pretty stupid IMO.
Conrad for Convey 51st minute
Beasley for Dempsey 62nd minute
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 04:05 PM
So two complete games and we have one goal, scored by a guy from the other freaking team, boo-yah!
That's the way it goes! :D
But the result was "earned" in the karma of the game. And the own goal came as the result of serious pressure - so I'll take it !
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 04:06 PM
We only had one sub left, and I agree that we should have used it with Johnson. Leaving a sub on the bench when you're down to 9 men is pretty stupid IMO.
Conrad for Convey 51st minute
Beasley for Dempsey 62nd minute
I must have missed the first one somehow. Maybe I got up to make another margarita.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:06 PM
Nope, we got the weather guy.
I'm guessing they were teeing off on the ref.
ref was suspended by FIFA prior to the 2002 WC for 'irregularities' in his reffing of games...ironically he was turned in by other referees.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:07 PM
So two complete games and we have one goal, scored by a guy from the other freaking team, boo-yah!
Well considering we played basically the entire second half of the game down a man, it hampered our ability to attack.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 04:07 PM
All I can figure is that, down a man, Arena thought McBride would defend better. Just my guess.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 04:08 PM
And spek (or ymssra...) for all three of you who hung in there. :D
I have to admit at the gym earlier someone had the game on and I felt a slight stirring of patriotic pride but the game itself mystifies me, as does hockey and NBA.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:11 PM
interesting....he reffed 3 matchs in the 2001 Copa America....and he sent a player off in EVERY match he reffed.
Dr.Quack
6/17/2006, 04:11 PM
Arena has a great deal to explain for his management of our team during the tournament, but nothing so shocking as his failure to use a substitute when down to nine men. Oy.
Also, I agree that the second US goal had to erased. There's never anything passive about a man standing in front of the keeper. What could McBride have been thinking? Where he stood, he could have only one effect, and he had it. Oh well, we still have life going into the third match.
Arena did not make good substitutions during that game.
1) Pope was pretty bad in the first half - Would've been a good sub
2) Get SOMEONE ELSE IN THERE. McBride was spent, Johnson or Wolf were ready
Donovan disapears for way too long. You're suppose to carry this team, start doing it. He looks like the best guy on the field at times, and gets shut down. He had some flashes of brilliance, and then lots of lead feet. He needs to step it up and we should roll Ghana.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:14 PM
I think this explains the suspension
Jorge Larrionda
From Uruguay
Games refereed by Jorge Larrionda in 2001/2002 Yellows Reds
World Cup Qual. CONMEBOL Colombia 1 - 3 Argentina 29-06-2000 4 0
World Cup Qual. CONMEBOL Paraguay 2 - 1 Brazil 18-07-2000 5 2
World Cup Qual. CONMEBOL Brazil 1 - 0 Colombia 15-11-2000 6 1
World Cup Qual. CONCACAF USA 1 - 0 Costa Rica 25-04-2001 0 0
Copa America Brazil 2 - 0 Peru 15-07-2001 1 1
Copa America Colombia 2 - 0 Chile 17-07-2001 4 2
World Cup Qual. CONMEBOL Argentina 2 - 0 Peru 08-11-2001 4 1
Games: 7 Yellow Cards: 24 Red Cards: 7
Ironically the USA was involved in the only game where he didn't card anyone.
What was the foul count?
And what the attendance for the game?
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 04:16 PM
Holy carp! You could play poker with that many cards.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:18 PM
Match Stats
Italy United States
Shots (on Goal) 11(4) 10(3)
Fouls 13 22
Corner Kicks 7 3
Offsides 11 1
Time of Possession 54% 46%
Yellow Cards 2 1
Red Cards 1 2
Saves 2 3
Attendance of 46k
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 04:19 PM
BBC gives props to gutty USA performance:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853182.stm
USA held on for most of the second half with nine men to earn a gutsy draw with 10-man Italy in an enthralling match.
***
A point was the least USA deserved after a display full of spirit and determination in Kaiserslautern.
If Ghana's brilliant win over Czech Republic earlier in the day opened up the group, USA looked in the mood to create the second real shock of the day.
They set about their more illustrious opponents with vigour in the early stages, pinning Italy back, with Bobby Convey and Clinton Dempsey both just missing the target.
***
Any neutrals in the crowd would have been sympathetic to USA's plight and they will have celebrated as Kasey Keller pulled off a wonder save to claw away Alessandro Del Piero's close-range toe-poke.
Italy pressed but they could not break USA's resolve and the Americans claimed an extraordinary point to kick-start their World Cup campaign.
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 04:20 PM
Those Brits are good people. ;)
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:21 PM
yeah the Brits are generally sympathetic to our team so long as it isn't playing the Three Lions ;)
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 04:22 PM
That must be like an earhole poke.
Attendance of 46k
That's it? I thought Germany built some monster stadiums for this. Hell, that's just slightly bigger then what osu could do.
For the United States to reach the round of 16, it must win, coupled with an Italian victory over the Czechs, or there would have to be an Italy-Czech tie coupled with a U.S. victory by several goals.
So what is the likelihood of either of these scenarios?
Scott D
6/17/2006, 04:33 PM
I think the first scenario is the more likely one...as listless as the Czechs looked this morning.
With this group, who knows.
If Czech plays like they did vs us, they'll destroy Italy. If they play like they did vs Ghana, Italy should handle them.
We can take Ghana if we play like we did today.
So to answer your question, I have no idea.
birddog
6/17/2006, 05:32 PM
will someone let me know if they find out why johnson didn't see the pitch today. we could have pressed forward and given the italian defenders some nervous moments back there.
Dr.Quack
6/17/2006, 05:58 PM
I don't know why Johnson was held out. Can't answer that.
A long while ago ScottD wondered if Ghana's win was the first by an African side in the first round.
1978 Tunisia 3 West Germany 1 was the first
Then came
1982 Algeria 2 West Germany 1, Algeria 3 Chile 2
1986 Morocco 3 Portugal 1
1990 Cameroon 1 Argentina 0, Cameroon 2 Romania 1 (Cameroon also won their second round match against Colombia)
1994 Nigeria 3 Bulgaria 0, Nigeria 2 Greece 1
1998 Morocco 3 Scotland 0, Nigeria 1 Bulgaria 0, Nigeria 3 Spain 2
2002 Senegal 1 France 0, South Africa 1 Slovenia 0, Cameroon 1 Saudi Arabia 0 (Senegal advanced to the quarter finals)
African soccer is beautiful, but it has a disadvantage in that the continent is heavily divided into small nations as part of the colonial legacy. Almost every nation fields a competetive team making it nearly impossible to build continuity tournament to tournament. Just when a nation appears on the verge of establishing something like an African dynasty, an upstart with atheletic players bursting with passion rises up to take their place. I think the US will have a difficult challenge with Ghana.
King Crimson
6/17/2006, 06:02 PM
Cameroon was a blast in 90. Roger Mila et al.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 06:18 PM
The team were fantastic tonight, playing with nine men against ten. It's the first time in my career that I've had two players sent off in one match. I don't want to talk about the red cards as I need to see the replays. (Kasey) Keller was our hero tonight, he made some outstanding saves.
Bobby Convey also had an excellent game. We've made a lot of progress since the match the other day (against the Czech Republic). After tonight I know I've got a fantastic bunch of players.
.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 06:19 PM
We struggled tonight. We were off-colour and didn't play nearly as well as we did against Ghana the other night. I suspect we hadn't fully recovered. I had an inkling that might be the case and unfortunately my worst fears were confirmed. As so often happens, our mentality was different going into the game. We were nervous and it showed in our performance.
We made mistakes and didn't keep the ball. The equaliser that deflected off (Christian) Zaccardo was bad luck, but we weren't good enough to take advantage of the two sendings-off. Am I angry with (Daniele) De Rossi? He made a serious mistake, but that's something we'll deal with in-house. I don't want to discuss it in public. He will be suspended and we’ll pay the price. There's still everything to play for in Group E.
.
Scott D
6/17/2006, 06:30 PM
I don't know why Johnson was held out. Can't answer that.
A long while ago ScottD wondered if Ghana's win was the first by an African side in the first round.
1978 Tunisia 3 West Germany 1 was the first
Then came
1982 Algeria 2 West Germany 1, Algeria 3 Chile 2
1986 Morocco 3 Portugal 1
1990 Cameroon 1 Argentina 0, Cameroon 2 Romania 1 (Cameroon also won their second round match against Colombia)
1994 Nigeria 3 Bulgaria 0, Nigeria 2 Greece 1
1998 Morocco 3 Scotland 0, Nigeria 1 Bulgaria 0, Nigeria 3 Spain 2
2002 Senegal 1 France 0, South Africa 1 Slovenia 0, Cameroon 1 Saudi Arabia 0 (Senegal advanced to the quarter finals)
African soccer is beautiful, but it has a disadvantage in that the continent is heavily divided into small nations as part of the colonial legacy. Almost every nation fields a competetive team making it nearly impossible to build continuity tournament to tournament. Just when a nation appears on the verge of establishing something like an African dynasty, an upstart with atheletic players bursting with passion rises up to take their place. I think the US will have a difficult challenge with Ghana.
I think my confusion was related to the way the announcers were phrasing the matter. They were pretty ambiguous about it and I was pretty sure African nations had gone further than just 3 losses and out in the past.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 07:44 PM
****So to answer your question, I have no idea.
That's well thought out, and I agree.
:D
soonerscuba
6/17/2006, 07:56 PM
So they were nervous about the team that they couldn't name any players off of? **** Italy, and they should thank the Virgin Mary extra hard tonight that they weren't on the tail end of a broken curse.
GottaHavePride
6/17/2006, 08:18 PM
For the United States to reach the round of 16, it must win, coupled with an Italian victory over the Czechs, or there would have to be an Italy-Czech tie coupled with a U.S. victory by several goals.
EDIT: I had to go look stuff up, thought I had better correct myself in here:
I found the regulations for the World Cup Finals: You'll want pages 40-41. (http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/regen.pdf)
The ranking of each team in each group will be determined as follows:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria,
their rankings will be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between
the teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the
teams concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the
teams concerned;
g) drawing of lots by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World
Cup™.
OK, so an Italy-Czech draw would not totally screw us, but since a draw wouldn't change Czech's goal differential (which is +1 right now after losing to Ghana) we'd still have to beat Ghana by a margin of about 5-0 to pass the Czechs in that situation. So we'd still basically be screwed. ;)
If Czechs beat Italy it's the same situation - we'd be tied with Italy and would need a big enough win (and big enough loss for Italy) to make up the ground on goal differential.
Italy beats the Czechs, and all we have to do is, er, Just win, baby!
**Am I the only one that finds it strange that head-to-head result is actually not a tiebreaker in the World cup finals? I mean, if it came down to a tie between us and the Czech Republic, the fact that they beat us when we played has absolutely no bearing on who wins the tie. Bizarre.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 08:46 PM
Actually I did a bit of math. An Italy-Czech tie would screw us - we'd be left tied with Czech in points assuming a win against Ghana, but first tiebreaker is head-to-head. they'd go on.
If Czech beats Italy we would be tied with Italy on points, but the second tiebreaker is goal differential - Czech would need to really thump them, along with us giving Ghana a large thumping.
If Italy beats Czech, all we have to do is win.
And our game is at the same time as Italy / Czech, according to my schedule. I was afradi that if we played earlier, and won, Ita & CzR could deliberately play for a tie (which I have seen, and its disgusting.) Now they have to play for win to stay ahead of Ghana if Ghana beats us. I think.
My big concern is Essien; he'll be a handful for our mids.
TUSooner
6/17/2006, 08:51 PM
So they were nervous about the team that they couldn't name any players off of? **** Italy, and they should thank the Virgin Mary extra hard tonight that they weren't on the tail end of a broken curse.
My lingering impression of the match today was that we were the men, and they were the wussies. Everytime you looked up, one of the blues was getting carted off the field (to recover quickly :rolleyes: ) while we have a guy cooling walking of the pitch to get his bleeding face stitched up. Just an impression, but still...
My lingering impression of the match today was that we were the men, and they were the wussies. Everytime you looked up, one of the blues was getting carted off the field (to recover quickly :rolleyes: ) while we have a guy cooling walking of the pitch to get his bleeding face stitched up. Just an impression, but still...
From a few pages ago
Italian stretchers should come with quick release straps.
We're lucky that we were tied. If they had the lead, the diving competition would have been insane.
GrapevineSooner
6/17/2006, 09:19 PM
Heh (http://www.deadspin.com/sports/world-cup/i-suspect-mafia-involvement-181511.php) (from the guys at Deadspin).
The Italian team got a red for elbowing Brian McBride in the face and busting him open like Ric Flair. Fair enough. The American team got two, count them two, red cards for... well, I don't know what the hell for. For attempting to play soccer, evidently. Jerry Stackhouse was sitting at home thinking, "Hey, I can relate."
birddog
6/17/2006, 10:50 PM
anyone heard why johnson didn't play yet?
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 12:17 AM
anyone heard why johnson didn't play yet?
Um, Arena is a stubborn f***tard? I'm just not sold on his in-game management.
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 01:03 AM
Maybe Arena wanted more defensive players in there. We were down a man, after all.
I wanted to see Eddie in there, but Italy could have mounted a quick counterattack on us, and without McBride to help on defense, we might have been screwed.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:06 AM
so far as I've read, nobody has printed anything in regards to that question being asked of Arena. I doubt it's going to be questioned much because of being down a man, plus McBride has more size.
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 01:09 AM
so far as I've read, nobody has printed anything in regards to that question being asked of Arena.
I think it should have been asked by the press, just so I could see what answer he would have given. I think he did the right thing by not putting Johnson in.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:17 AM
oh and for the record...I dislike Brian McBride greatly, and would rather see Brian Ching and/or Eddie Johnson and/or Josh Wolff playing instead :)
TUSooner
6/18/2006, 10:06 AM
Maybe Arena wanted more defensive players in there. We were down a man, after all.
I wanted to see Eddie in there, but Italy could have mounted a quick counterattack on us, and without McBride to help on defense, we might have been screwed.
That's what I was thinking:
All I can figure is that, down a man, Arena thought McBride would defend better. Just my guess.
birddog
6/18/2006, 10:10 AM
did you see mcbride "getting back"? he was tanked. ej could have covered alot more ground than mcbride at that point. mcbride pulled a carlos valderrama at the end and planted himself in the center circle.
King Crimson
6/18/2006, 10:16 AM
Japan's keeper played a helluva game against Croatia. kind of a sloppy game, but a lot of chances both ways.....for a 0-0 draw.
BillyBall
6/18/2006, 10:21 AM
And our game is at the same time as Italy / Czech, according to my schedule. I was afradi that if we played earlier, and won, Ita & CzR could deliberately play for a tie (which I have seen, and its disgusting.)
I believe this was changed in 94 or the 98 cup to avoid this from happening. Playing the final group games at the same time negates the "collusion".
Next step, getting refs that actually interpret the rules, not influence games.
Not just the US game, but the refs in this tournament have been inconsistent at best.
And our game is at the same time as Italy / Czech, according to my schedule. I was afradi that if we played earlier, and won, Ita & CzR could deliberately play for a tie (which I have seen, and its disgusting.)
This used to happen a lot, which is why the last game of each group are not played at the same time. FIFA got ****ed that teams that were already thru based on the previous game would absolutely tank their 3rd game cause the could.
Brazil is being quite pedestrian so far in the tournament. A lot of 1v1 action with very little movement off the ball. Quite un-Brazillian like play from them.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 11:58 AM
Yeah. I'm kind of torn on this game - I tend to like Australia just because I've met a lot of Australians and they're all awesome people. At the same time, though, I'd really like to see Brazil turn it on just to watch them at top form.
Ronaldinho just looks better than anyone else out there handling the ball, but he's tripped himself up a couple of times. Ronaldo whiffed an easy point - just totally missed the ball. They need to pull him out and put Robinho back in - that was the point they started looking good in their first game.
Goal Brazil in the 49th minute. Megs the defender and slots it inside the near post.
King Crimson
6/18/2006, 12:51 PM
i wish the network would quit showing highlight packages and such while the game is being played/clock running.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:08 PM
I think the scary thought with Brasil is that toward the end of that game their passes were looking crisper and more on target...if they are starting to catch their legs Japan is going to be in for a difficult time on Friday.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:11 PM
I believe this was changed in 94 or the 98 cup to avoid this from happening. Playing the final group games at the same time negates the "collusion".
Next step, getting refs that actually interpret the rules, not influence games.
Not just the US game, but the refs in this tournament have been inconsistent at best.
I thought the German ref for the Australia/Brasil game today did the best job of refereeing...he kept control of the game, he only carded when necessary, and he was much more apt to blow the whistle, call a foul, and warn players than to card them.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 01:14 PM
Yeah, this ref seemed really good.
dolemitesooner
6/18/2006, 01:24 PM
Who is the check in your pick Scot D? Some random Brazilain Beoncye?
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:33 PM
Who is the check in your pick Scot D? Some random Brazilain Beoncye?
yes (http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5691914_7_1.jpg) and yes again (http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5691928_7_1.jpg)
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 01:38 PM
Pfff. I know a Brazilian chick WAY hotter than that. She's taken, though. Really taken.
I hear the sex industry is thriving in Brazil.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 01:40 PM
oh there were some with bigger assets....but this was a nice total package :)
dolemitesooner
6/18/2006, 01:49 PM
I'd hit it
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 02:09 PM
Vive la France!!! 1-0 in the 9th; goal by Henry.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 02:15 PM
France definitely starting out with more creativity in this game.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 04:04 PM
Heck of a finish to that one - the Korean fans may be the craziest I've seen so far. Well, maybe tied with the Croatians.
France should have won, though - the refs blew a call on one goal they scored and didn't count it.
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 04:06 PM
Yeah, it should have been 2-1 France. Still, props to my distant cousins for remaining in first in their group.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 04:11 PM
Oh, man - I'll hide this in here:
Why soccer isn't doing that well in the US. (http://www.tcnj.edu/~hofmann/Humor/Misc/Soccer/soccer.htm)
Moderately NSFW.
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 04:13 PM
:D
We could use some more...eye candy...in the stands.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 04:14 PM
Personally, I prefer the German fan. Yowr.
EDIT: and fyi, if you Google image search fo "brazilian soccer fan" one of the top results is a rather attractive girl attempting to distract the other team in the most effective way she can think of.
silverwheels
6/18/2006, 04:18 PM
EDIT: and fyi, if you Google image search fo "brazilian soccer fan" one of the top results is a rather attractive girl attempting to distract the other team in the most effective way she can think of.
Good call. :)
TUSooner
6/18/2006, 06:29 PM
EDIT: and fyi, if you Google image search fo "brazilian soccer fan" one of the top results is a rather attractive girl attempting to distract the other team in the most effective way she can think of.
Achiwawa!
Scott D
6/18/2006, 07:11 PM
a little nipply there... ;)
Yea, not only are our best athletes not playing soccer, our best looking girls aren't supporting them either!
The few chicks I've seen in the stands for US were like the C Team.
But my god do I love Brasil too!
Soonerus
6/18/2006, 08:10 PM
Ghana missing its two leading scorers for US game that will help us...we should win...
BillyBall
6/18/2006, 08:11 PM
Michael Essien.....
Michael Essien.....
I don't know that we have anybody who's got the total package to contain him for 90 minutes. Gooch has the size, but I'm not so sure he's got the speed.
I think the scary thought with Brasil is that toward the end of that game their passes were looking crisper and more on target...if they are starting to catch their legs Japan is going to be in for a difficult time on Friday.
I was thinking that as well. If they continue to build on their 2nd half performance, and we beat Ghana coupled with an Itallian win, we'll be meeting Brazil at possibly the worst possible time.
Soonerus
6/18/2006, 09:09 PM
Bring on Brazil/Brasil !!!!
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 09:10 PM
Michael Essien.....
We dealt with the Italian squad fairly well, and they weren't slouches either. I'm not sure how Luca Toni compares to Essien as far as a threat, but if he's all we have to worry about I think we'll be ok.
I worry that - if we make it through and have to play Brazil - Brazil will have figured out to start Robinho instead of Ronaldo.
Soonerus
6/18/2006, 09:13 PM
Ronaldo and his coach will share 3-4 pizza's together and conclude Ronaldo should play...
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 09:21 PM
Pff - he better be trying to get the coach ****faced. Time to break out the bottle of cachasa he's been saving.
Scott D
6/18/2006, 09:36 PM
We dealt with the Italian squad fairly well, and they weren't slouches either. I'm not sure how Luca Toni compares to Essien as far as a threat, but if he's all we have to worry about I think we'll be ok.
I worry that - if we make it through and have to play Brazil - Brazil will have figured out to start Robinho instead of Ronaldo.
Toni is more a size/strength aka powerful striker...Essien is a smaller faster midfielder..basically Demarcus Beasley with more refined skill and capable of using his right foot better.
GottaHavePride
6/18/2006, 11:57 PM
Toni is more a size/strength aka powerful striker...Essien is a smaller faster midfielder..basically Demarcus Beasley with more refined skill and capable of using his right foot better.
Ah. So Essien is basically going to wind up being Donovan's job.
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