World Cup 2014

• vball10set

  like_that;1630442 wrote:Can we all take the time to lol at ytowngirlfail for QQing up a storm when Donovan was left off the roster. Pretty sure sure bitched and hoped klinnsman would fail. What a joke.

  Ytowngirlinfla;1630405 wrote:I'll eat my words about Klinsman he knows what he's doing!

  
• SportsAndLady

  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1630440 wrote:He said reaction to Donovan being left of was way to high and I responded to that.

  But you responded with "most Americans don't follow soccer and can only name 3 players on the team and Donovan was one of them so leaving him off pissed us off". Lol.
• Laley23

  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1630430 wrote:So is bradley just having a shaky WC?

  Yeah, he is really playing like shit. But he was pretty much awesome leading up to this tournament, WC Qualifying included. Our best player, one of the best MFers in Italy...Arsenal wanted him for their team (top team in the English Premier League, if you dont know)...Dont know what has happened, other than just playing poorly. But he was touted aroudn the globe as a top MFer in the world...and not just by American media.
  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1630433 wrote:Because the majority of Americans, myself included, can name about 3 soccer players, and he's the face of mens soccer. Truth is America only cares about soccer every 4 years, like the olympics.

  I get the reaction from a neutral standpoint, but it should NOT have been so much attacking directed at him. There was no reason for people to attack him if they admittedly dont know and follow the game.
  

  Automatik;1630441 wrote:I know one thing. He absolutely shits on Bob Bradley.

  Jesus. I cant believe how bad that guy was. Just a disgrace how much he DIDNT believe in his players. So much parking of the bus and no real adjustments or tactics.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  SportsAndLady;1630446 wrote:But you responded with "most Americans don't follow soccer and can only name 3 players on the team and Donovan was one of them so leaving him off pissed us off". Lol.

  Don't think it'd be any different than say if Alex Morgan or Abby Wambach was left off of USA. Even if they were washed up, they're the house hold names. Doesn't it go to show that a lot of people in the country don't follow soccer for there to be that much outrage over it?
• Automatik

  

  Spot on with the adjustment problem. He would NEVER change anything at halftime. You knew what you were gonna get ever. single. game. His demeanor always pissed me off too, much like son's lol
• wildcats20

  

  So Beckerman misses the next match. How big of a loss is that?
• Laley23

  

  So, we advance out of the GoD (even though I contend it was a tie with Italy/England/Uruguay/Costa Rica). We look really freaking good doing it. CONCACAF (which we dominated) has 3/4 teams in the knockout rounds. We played and beat (though not best XI) some damn good teams over the last year (Bosnia, Germany, Nigeria, Turkey). How good are they? How good can they be in the coming years?
  
  I havent been this excited about a squad and coach ever for the USMNT. I actually have faith we can beat Belgium (or whoever) and compete with a chance vs Argentina. They just look capable of actually scoring goals that arent a fluke. Its a nice change.
• gorocks99

  

  wildcats20;1630455 wrote:So Beckerman misses the next match. How big of a loss is that?

  Pretty sure that's wrong. No one has two yellows in the group stage for the US.
• wildcats20

  

  gorocks99;1630457 wrote:Pretty sure that's wrong. No one has two yellows in the group stage for the US.

  Thought I read it on twitter earlier. Could have been a typo or I misread.
• wildcats20

  

  You would be correct. Must have misread what I saw
• Laley23

  

  wildcats20;1630455 wrote:So Beckerman misses the next match. How big of a loss is that?

  If you were correct, it would be huge. But you are not, so we are fine.
  
  No one will be suspended from the USA. Jones, Gonzalez and Beckerman all have a YC in group play, but it will reset to 0 for the knockout stages.
• vball10set

  Laley23;1630462 wrote: ...but it will reset to 0 for the knockout stages.

  Didn't know that, thanks!
• Laley23

  

  I was wrong, actually. Forgot they changed it and have extended it through the QF. So, its 5 matches now, not just group stage.
• wildcats20

  

  Laley23;1630465 wrote:I was wrong, actually. Forgot they changed it and have extended it through the QF. So, its 5 matches now, not just group stage.

  It's a dumb rule as it is but to extend it, that makes it even worse.
• gorocks99

  

  Belgium will be without Defour for their next match. Red carded against Korea. Need Algeria to come back in the 2nd half against Russia and take the lead, and this could get really interesting as far as 1st place in that group ...
• OSH

  

  wildcats20;1630483 wrote:It's a dumb rule as it is but to extend it, that makes it even worse.

  Why is it a dumb rule? Every professional (and college) soccer association has a yellow card accumulation rule.
• Laley23

  

  Its a good rule, I dont like it being extended though. I get it (no player can miss the Finals, unless they get a RC in Semis). But that makes it too likely a player will miss another 1 and done game. It should have stayed 2 in the group = miss a game and 2 in the knockout = miss a game.
  
  But, it need to exist in some capacity. Cant have reckless players get 5 YC and not face any consequences.
• Laley23

  

  And we get Belgium, Tuesday at 4. I really like our chances in this game. I think their midfield and defense can really be exposed by our guys.
• like_that

  

  Laley23;1630505 wrote:And we get Belgium, Tuesday at 4. I really like our chances in this game. I think their midfield and defense can really be exposed by our guys.

  They definitely will play better than they did last summer IMO. I also don't think Belgium has looked as good as they were last summer.
• Laley23

  

  Not to jinx anything, but their defense has been picked apart at times and offensively they have struggled to find that final pass and convert. If we are as solid defensively as we were vs Ghana and Portugal, I like the chances.
  
  Bradley will have to make a difference though.
• gorocks99

  

  FiveThirtyEight giving us a 42% chance to win on Tuesday: http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-u-s-s-odds-of-beating-belgium-and-every-other-world-cup-opponent/
• Pick6

  

  Yedlin needs to start IMO.
• gorocks99

  

  Pick6;1630511 wrote:Yedlin needs to start IMO.

  Part of me says he's super athletic and should be out there from the start, but I also think there's tremendous value in having someone with his speed coming on the field fresh when a bunch of guys on the other team are starting to get pretty heavy legs. It can take his speed and make it a HUGE advantage, not just a regular one.
• SportsAndLady

  

  gorocks99;1630516 wrote:Part of me says he's super athletic and should be out there from the start, but I also think there's tremendous value in having someone with his speed coming on the field fresh when a bunch of guys on the other team are starting to get pretty heavy legs. It can take his speed and make it a HUGE advantage, not just a regular one.

  Not to mention if he creeps up all game our defense becomes vulnerable.
• gorocks99

  

  SportsAndLady;1630518 wrote:Not to mention if he creeps up all game our defense becomes vulnerable.

  They've been bringing him on late for wingers though, I think the last couple games he's come on for Zusi. Then he just gets free reign to move forward and back.