FIFA World Cup

satfrat · « **Reply #160 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:22 pm »

USA's next game will be this saturday afternoon at 2:30pm est on ABC against the 2nd place team from Group D. Anyone know who that might be?

Cheers,
Robin

chadh · « **Reply #161 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:24 pm »

You know, after Australia scores its 8-0 victory over Serbia today, they'll be facing the US in the second round!

I can see that game already. Australia scores early, and then has a player sent off...the US has three or four goals disallowed...Australia gives up a penalty with a few minutes left, and the US scores...the US bombards the Australian goal for the last couple of minutes looking for the winner, but misses a bunch of easy shots...they play extra time, and another Australian is sent off...US has some more goals disallowed...US misses some more easy shots...and...and...I don't know how it ends. But it will be very exciting.

Just in case Australia doesn't muster the requisite 8 goals, I'm hoping for a Ghana victory to put the Germans out of contention.

Chad

JoshK · « **Reply #162 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:24 pm »

Most likely it will be Ghana, barring some crazy upset. England will most likely play Germany in that scenario.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #163 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:27 pm »

Woo hoo, the US beats the referee's to advance to the next round.

satfrat · « **Reply #164 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:27 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 23 Jun 2010, 04:24 pm

Most likely it will be Ghana, barring some crazy upset. England will most likely play Germany in that scenario.

Ahh, this afternoons games will dictate the matchup. Good reason to stay tuned.

Cheers,
Robin

chadh · « **Reply #165 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:39 pm »

Quote from: satfrat on 23 Jun 2010, 04:22 pm

USA's next game will be this saturday afternoon at 2:30pm est on ABC against the 2nd place team from Group D. Anyone know who that might be?

Cheers,
Robin

Currently, Ghana is atop group D on 4 points, followed by Germany and Serbia with 3 and Australia with 1.

If Germany and Serbia win, then Germany will (probably) be the top team and Serbia the second.
If Ghana and Serbia win, then Ghana will be the top team and Serbia the second.
If Ghana and Australia win, then Ghana is the top team and Australia the second.
If Germany and Australia win, then Germany is the top team and Ghana is likely to be second on goal difference.
A draw in the Germany v. Ghana and an Australian win puts Ghana through as the #1 team, and (probably) Germany through as the second team.
A draw in Germany v Ghana and a Serbian win puts Serbia through as #1 and Ghana through as #2.
A draw in both games has Ghana #1, Germany #2.
A Ghana win and a draw in Aus v Serbia has Ghana #1 and Serbia #2.
A German win and a draw in Aus v Serbia has Germany #1 and either Ghana or Serbia #2.

I don't really think any crazy upset is required for someone other than Ghana to secure second spot.
The Germans didn't look that good against Serbia. And even if Germany wins, either Australia (unlikely) or Serbia can take the second spot.

Chad

JoshK · « **Reply #166 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 04:43 pm »

Your right chad. I miscalculated the current points. Looks like Serbia is the more likely contender for the US, but we won't know until this afternoon.

Cacophonix · « **Reply #167 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 05:03 pm »

Awesome game!!!!!!

US started badly (almost conceding a goal within the opening few mins), but came back great. This has become almost their mode of operation through out this world cup

chadh · « **Reply #168 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 08:25 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 23 Jun 2010, 04:43 pm

Your right chad. I miscalculated the current points. Looks like Serbia is the more likely contender for the US, but we won't know until this afternoon.

Josh, who cares about calculations? Your first statement was right. Germany goes through #1 in group D and Ghana #2.

I just can't believe that the Australians couldn't manage an 8-0 victory. Not even 4-0 (which would have been sufficient). Oh well...England v Germany in the second round. And USA v Ghana.

Chad

Mariusz · « **Reply #169 on:** 23 Jun 2010, 10:51 pm »

Oh my....... USA scored in overtime!!!!
It was a tough game...... and I am glad Donovan came through in the last possible moment since everyone expected him to step up a notch and carry the USA team on his own two shoulders... ( imagine if he didn't score....press would eat him alive)
Next game with Ghana is going to be very difficult, but that scenario is still very favorable and team USA got the chance to win it,..... if:
* they can keep up with extremely fast and tireless offence
* avoid 1on1 confrontations. Instead, side to side, back to front passes.
* strong defence. Ghana's attack is locking execution, precision and technique. They will get frustrated and try to stretch out USA formation as far as possible, giving them enough room to use their speed.
* goalkeeper is a bit shaky, distance shots might be just the ticket?

Germany - they got a bit lucky and it shows you how fragile they can become if even one gear/player (Klosse) from their mechanical approach is eliminated. Also, if they continue to attack from the right wing 8 out of 10 times ........ well, it won't take long to figure it out.
England plays like s.... , that can build up their shaken confidence going into the next game but it won't save them from world class teams like Portugal, Spain, Brazil or Argentina ( I am not counting out Italy just yet). Not sure if this young team can play under so much pressure????
I guess, we will find out soon enough.

Great games coming up this Friday!!!!

jqp · « **Reply #170 on:** 24 Jun 2010, 02:28 am »

and 3000!

satfrat · « **Reply #171 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 06:31 pm »

Are you ready for some football?

USA, USA, USA

Mag · « **Reply #172 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 07:22 pm »

The US is too cute with the ball, like many other teams. If you have a chance to shoot, then shoot!

satfrat · « **Reply #173 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 07:49 pm »

Here we go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1-1

chadh · « **Reply #174 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 10:06 pm »

The US played a great second half after they went missing in the first. But then they lost their heads in extra time. They certainly played well enough in the second half for me to believe they'd be able to win it in extra time. But they played with no poise whatsoever in the final 30 minutes.

At the same time, Ghana played far better than I imagined they would, and showed real composure at the end. Even though they only generated about three chances in the whole game, they converted twice - two really good goals, too. I don't think they'll get anywhere near scoring against Uruguay, though.

Chad

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #175 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 10:21 pm »

That idea of coming from behind is a loser's proposition. Look what happened to South Korea and their catch up strategy.

The issue with chances of scoring is one thing but really scoring is another. That is the maddening difficulty of soccer, you can shotgun the goalie but that does not guarantee a hit.

We were sloppy and we paid for it.

Ghana will overcome the sluggish Uruguayans, at least that is what it looks like to me while comparing both teams on today's game.

macrojack · « **Reply #176 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 11:03 pm »

U.S. soccer is not ready for prime time. They had about 5 times as many chances as Ghana and lacked the composure to finish. In fairness though, I have to say that Ghana was permitted to grab and foul relentlessly.

satfrat · « **Reply #177 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 11:32 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 26 Jun 2010, 11:03 pm

U.S. soccer is not ready for prime time. They had about 5 times as many chances as Ghana and lacked the composure to finish. In fairness though, I have to say that Ghana was permitted to grab and foul relentlessly.

I'm afraid I'll be disagreeing with that assessment of USA Soccer. They are more than ready for primetime soccer,,,, 4 comeback games in a row says so.

They just need to learn how to start a game cuz they sure as hell know how to respond after being down a score or 2. Team USA did themselves proud in this World Cup to this American.

Cheers,
Robin

Cacophonix · « **Reply #178 on:** 26 Jun 2010, 11:52 pm »

US had so many damn chances!

I dunno what went wrong in that final second in front of the net! They should've won this game!!

It should not have gone till extra time!
I hated that they started so damn slow and were disorganised in the first half, and then played great in the second. Why can't they play in a sustained manner through out?? They got lucky against algeria, but to expect the same every game is

Look at what happened to italy. Through out the tournament, they played only about 20 mins of great soccer, and that too in their last match. That stupid goal they gave away to slovakia made sure that they were knocked out!

This is the world cup knock out stage ... play every minute like your life depended on it! Do not wait and play catch up.

macrojack · « **Reply #179 on:** 27 Jun 2010, 12:17 am »

Robin - Teams that perpetually need to play catch up are not ready for prime time. They may get there by accident but they haven't got what it takes to carry the day. If the U.S. had scored on their chances the way Ghana did, there wouldn't have been any over time period. They would have won it about 6-1.

Several times during these World Cup games I've heard the announcers refer to composure. Ghana showed that better than we did. The U.S. might just lead all other teams in missed opportunities.