Curse

AhuraMazda · Jun 10, 2006, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Does that striker who plays for Fulham still play international football?

US guy, I have forgotten his name. He is quite good in the air and strong, which is something I have always thought the US teams have lacked in their games.

Well apart from Eddie Pope, lol. He was a giant.

Czech Republic are good. Not perhaps as technically strong throughout the entire team as some others, but they are strong physically and have enough skillfull players to be a real problem. They will give anyone a real hard game.

If the USA beats the Czechs, then they have as good a chance as any of going far, and it all depends on how the guys play on the day. I agree though, the US players will have to step up to the challenge, but its the World Cup! and anything can happen.

One thing I have noticed watching the MLS is that US players at home seem to be trained in exactly what to do in every conceivable position, and the football played there seems to lack a lot of 'natural play'. I watch alot of MLS players and they are technically good in midfield etc. nice passes, but they seem to be unable to strike a ball, no hitting of half chances etc. and alot of poor control of the ball outside of midfield.

Im not trying to be racist or anything so dont take this the wrong way, but it appears in my opinion like football doesnt come naturally to Americans, and seems to perhaps be over tacticised and controlled by the training staff in areas where natural ability overrides any kind of tactical orders.

Thats just the home league though, there are alot of decent US players, and some really hot players actually, it will be good to see them play.

That Donavan guy is supposed to be pretty special, and I have yet to see him play.

Oh and Larsson is on fire at the moment

he's looking like he might get a goal soon.

Argentina game will be good, Gabriel Heinze is playing after his cruciate, crunching tackles and diving headers FTW! lol

England ref was lame.

yesitsrob · Jun 10, 2006, 05:14 PM // 17:14

Quote:

England ref was lame.

he was a fricking joke, correct

0siris · Jun 10, 2006, 05:34 PM // 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by I pwnd U

Poland lost to Ecuador, 2-0. I am not sure if i should be shocked or if i should realize that in the back of my mind i knew they were going to lose. Poland looks like they are going to choke again.

Being Polish myself, naturally I have been rooting for Poland. Yet after seeing the serious lack of effort on their defense in the game against Equador I became disheartened. You have to realise though...that Janas' (coach) team selection was criticized throughout Poland. I knew that Poland would not get far as soon as the bastard cut Dudek and Frankowski out of the squad

Either way I think they could have put in a bit more effort than what they did. 2 of the shots they made both hit the woodwork - what kind of bad luck is that

The Real Roy Keane · Jun 10, 2006, 06:27 PM // 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by AhuraMazda

Does that striker who plays for Fulham still play international football?

US guy, I have forgotten his name. He is quite good in the air and strong, which is something I have always thought the US teams have lacked in their games.

Brian McBride I believe?

By the way, was anyone else as moved as I was by Trinidad and Tobago's performance today? Seeing this largely semi-pro squad hold off a team of full time professionals, including some of europe's best, had me close to (but not in

) tears. TnT to lift the cup...?

Edge Martinez · Jun 10, 2006, 08:04 PM // 20:04

I wish we could lift the cup Roy. Who knows? I don't buy into slogans much, but the current one in America for the World Cup is "One game can change everything!" I believe it! Maybe the Soca Warriors can draw on their match against Sweden to appear respectable against England. Either way, I'm definitely backing Trinidad. My uncle actually got to go to Germany for the whole cup, and my mom has her yearly trip back home to Trinidad next Friday. I told her if we can somehow get a tie with England, or even a win, she's probably in for the party of her life. What made it all the more impressive was playing a man down from the 46th minute.

I'm also, of course, backing the USA. People really like to underestimate that team. Just because the shirt says USA, people automatically hate them, and they thrive off of that.

The Real Roy Keane · Jun 10, 2006, 09:14 PM // 21:14

Forget the U.S. haters, I'd like to see them do well this year. Perhaps then football would get the coverage it deserves in America. And yeah, judging by what I saw of the fans today, it'd be some party if Trinadad and Tobago beat the brits..

Ultimate Warrior · Jun 11, 2006, 06:42 AM // 06:42

Just a few soccer clips you guys might enjoy

http://worldcup2006.break.com/worldc...inggoal10.html
http://www.break.com/worldcup2006/soccersave8.html
http://www.break.com/movies/goalface.html
http://www.break.com/movies/celebrateearly.html

Please do not freak out on me for posting nothing useful. Please don't.

Elrond Afil · Jun 11, 2006, 07:41 AM // 07:41

im going for argentina, or portugal

LordDeArnise · Jun 11, 2006, 08:19 AM // 08:19

I won't know how the teams will fare until all 32 of them have played at least 1 match. So far, I'm most impressed with Germany's play.

I'm not very positive on Major League Soccer in the U.S. getting the recognition it deserves if the U.S. National Team does well in this World Cup; they did solidly well in 2002 but didn't provide the lift MLS really needs. Soccer is a world sport, but here in America, the National Football League will always come first.

I pwnd U · Jun 11, 2006, 01:14 PM // 13:14

TnT wont lift the cup but they might yet escape their pool and advance. If they play like that the whole way they could possibly get out. Highly doubt it but its a small possibility. Englands game was just wow... i dont even know how that guy must feel. Captain of his squad putting in an own goal. Ya it just grazed off his head and made it slightly change direction but still. Hes in for heck when he gets back. Unless he does something to redem himself he might be in a bit of trouble. The Argentina IVC game was a good one as well. Argentina dominated almost the whole game before IVC got a goal and started taking the momentum away. Great game to watch. Still i think Argentina underachieved in that victory. Sloppy play led to the goals and the almost goals. They need to be better then they were to get to the Semis and do halfway decent.

AhuraMazda · Jun 11, 2006, 02:12 PM // 14:12

Hey im not 'America Hating'.

I have watched the MLS for the past few seasons, and the style of football is completely different to any football anywhere in Europe.

They are fast and fit, keep good shape, and have good short range passing in and around the midfield.

However you will rarely if ever see a player dribbling in the MLS, left and right midfielders, 'wingers' never attack the fullbacks man for man, and the attempt is to either work a passing move through the centre, or work the ball out into crossing positions.

However because the style of football is so structured and training ground influenced, players will pass and pass and pass the ball and rarely get into those ideal positions, because they are anticipated.

Most of the goal mouth action comes from mistakes at crosses, inability to deal with airiel power, or a mixup 30-40 yards out.

Compare this to say European wingers attacking and beating fullbacks, or the more South American one touch style of defence ripping play.

US style of football seems to be less dependant on natural ability to craft goal scoring opportunities, and perhaps excessivly regimented.

I often see MLS strikers who dont seem to know how to strike a ball in random positions. Bouncing half volleys, strikes with power from the edge of the box, or even some on-the-turn-and-finish play seems to be something MLS players are not used to.

It may well stem from the fact the National Sport is the NFL, which is a highly regimented and tactical affair, down to the most minute of details, and this kind of approach does not work so well with Football as people might think.

I was making observations, if critisicm is 'bashing' then grow some stones, or stay away from places where people can state their opinions.

I'm going for Brazil. I think they have the firepower to outscore anyone, and their defence is not as completely hopeless as it has been in the past.

Lucio, Carlos and Cafu is a strong combination, even though Carlos and Cafu will be upfront most of the time, they have the pace to deal with alot.

Central midfield would be my biggest concern for Brazil, but aside from that they have a massivly dangerous, fast, and outrageously talented front four.

Brazil - Argentina for the final, all South American affair.

Pompeyfan · Jun 11, 2006, 03:03 PM // 15:03

I'll be cheering on England (and as half-German Germany, but I don't honestly think either of them will win it - Germany are too weak defensively, and England are carrying too many injuries/wrong players picked etc and have a manager who hasn't a clue.

As for the FIFA World Rankings they are a joke - The USA and Mexico are in the top 10 because of earning points against weak opposition in the CONCACAF Qualifiers and Gold Cup rather than playing truely decent opposition.

Apart from Brazil in 1958, the World Cup when held in Europe has been won by a European side and while Brazil and Argentina look good, I have a feeling that Holland or Italy could be this years winners.

Sol_Vie · Jun 11, 2006, 03:46 PM // 15:46

I haven't been able to see a single match yet! I've been too busy.

! Hopefully tonight I will.

Edge Martinez · Jun 11, 2006, 04:34 PM // 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pompeyfan

As for the FIFA World Rankings they are a joke - The USA and Mexico are in the top 10 because of earning points against weak opposition in the CONCACAF Qualifiers and Gold Cup rather than playing truely decent opposition.

That's a true, but dangerous statement to make. Mexico and the USA, more than almost anyone, play up to their competition. And times are changing. Of the two, I think Mexico will honestly shock some folks at this World Cup.

Symeon · Jun 11, 2006, 05:28 PM // 17:28

I think the ones with the most chance of winning are:

- Brazil, with several great up-front players
- Germany, seeing how well they did last time, and now they have the great advantage of home support and preparation - just look at South Korea last time, too... and why did England ever win it in 1966? Guess? And France 1998... the list goes on
- Holland, an overall good team with some very good strikers
- England, because people like me are behind them all the way *cough*
- Czech Republic - statistically 2nd best team in the world- good...

I think the USA could do well again this time, and the appearance of several... unexpected teams like Trinidad and Tobacc-I mean Tobago is quite promising. And then you see that team holding off against Sweden. Now there goes any more underestimating.

LordMahal · Jun 13, 2006, 07:12 AM // 07:12

Australia really put on a show those last 8 minutes... That was the most goals Ive ever seen scored in a few minutes. Totally amazing. The US coach ripped his own team on TV, wrong answer. Its partly his fault, he is the coach. Sure they didnt play worth a damn, and took what one german commentator said was, "the worst beating so far in the tournament". But its just 1 game, there are more to be played. Wrong thing for the coach to do though, thats not going to motivate me. France plays today, wanna see if they flop like they did in 2002.

master_of_puppets · Jun 13, 2006, 05:47 PM // 17:47

Aussie vs. japan game was nuts. U.S.A got pwned by czech republic 3-0, not to mention the czechs were playing without probably their best player the whole game and another good player like half the game. And to think, all those americans in the crowd dressed up like uncle sam for nothing

France isnt gonna get too far, they're simply too old and not good enough.

I pwnd U · Jun 13, 2006, 09:18 PM // 21:18

US was horrible. I caught part of that game and ended up not even watching the end. That was the worst i have ever seen them play in a long long time. They had no pressure or anything. Ya Czechs is a great team but 3-0 is a huge loss. US should of done better then that, ya they had chances but their passes and crosses were sloppy as heck leading to interceptions of the pass and a quick counterattack. I am taking nothing away from the Czechs, they played an outstanding game, i just think that the US was not even near playing up to their potential, not even near playing 50% as well as they can. It was pathetic...

I agree the rankings are a joke. The US is not a top 10 team. I dont care how well they did in Korea, theres just no way. Yes i love the US team and i want them to do well, but a top 10 team? No sorry.

LordMahal · Jun 14, 2006, 11:47 AM // 11:47

Germany VS Poland today... Got some polish players on the german team. A little disappointed with the Brazil game. Only 1 goal. All the hype and they put me to sleep.

CorstedPirate · Jun 14, 2006, 12:29 PM // 12:29

Well...I almost want to say anyone but Germany, France, and Italy. I have read some insane stuff about some of the games in those countries. Namely some of the extremely racist actions of some fans towards black players. I was just floored when I heard about some of the stuff! Since when is it sportsman like to spit on someone or throw things at them because they are black? Some of the trainers have even participated calling black players monkeys. It makes me so angry!