06-12-2006, 12:41 PM | #551 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Quote:
Is that the best scenario? To be honest, if this the quality of play to expect then it won't matter because they'll come nowhere near Italy. If they can't unlock the Czech defense, they have no chance against Italy. It seems like Johnson is the only one doing anything on the attack. |
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06-12-2006, 12:41 PM | #552 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
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A few things. Twellman should have been selected for the team. And it is timefor Arena to go. He has been in that positon for quite some time and has become to cautious in his lineups as well as strategy. The US has got to do better than this or all the hardwork and success from last WC will go to waste. I mean by that is people were just starting to care about soccer in the USA thansk in part to the last cup success.
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06-12-2006, 12:41 PM | #553 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Well, he was certainly our best player. Kinda funny considering some of the BigSoccer posters wanted Pablo M. to start over him. Landon Donovan certainly doesn't look like he's improved from 02. Maybe you should've stayed in Europe, Landon. |
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06-12-2006, 12:42 PM | #554 |
High School JV
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Eddie Johnson gets US man of match 7/10, everyone else gets 5/10 at best.
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06-12-2006, 12:43 PM | #555 |
H.S. Freshman Team
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Hey I was watching a replay of the 94 Cup on ESPN Classic - oh no, wait - its today's game.
Boys vs men. Beasely should not start the rest of the tournament. But no surprise, he hasn't looked good for months. |
06-12-2006, 12:46 PM | #556 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Their guys are so much stronger than ours - weight program,
Bruce Arena? |
06-12-2006, 12:46 PM | #557 |
High School JV
Join Date: Sep 2004
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anyway...i have the Czech's as my runner up but now they have both strikers, Koller and Baros, injuried. if you finish second in the group you get Brazil so that game v Italy should mean alot for the two
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06-12-2006, 12:47 PM | #558 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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This is a horrible result for the US soccer program. Now we have to hear the media bash soccer and make fun of the US until at least Saturday.
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Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal |
06-12-2006, 12:49 PM | #559 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Onyewu
Anticipation: 4 |
06-12-2006, 12:49 PM | #560 |
Death Herald
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas
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Our only hope now is about 20 injuries per team in the Italy-Ghana match.
__________________
Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint |
06-12-2006, 12:50 PM | #561 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Lets not go handing Italy a win over us right away either. Everyone from coaches, players and announcers/analysts have agreed that Italy is not a real quality team right now, far below the average in this world cup event.
Ghana we can beat, I think we can take Italy if we show up and play with some energy. With a 3-0 today though we have to win, draws will not help us due to point differential. |
06-12-2006, 12:50 PM | #562 | |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Quote:
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06-12-2006, 12:51 PM | #563 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Quote:
Yeah, no kidding if the US loses soccer sucks and if we win, it is mildly amusing to the media in the US. |
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06-12-2006, 12:51 PM | #564 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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The worst thing I saw out there is a total and complete lack of heart from anyone but Johnson and Reyna.
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06-12-2006, 12:52 PM | #565 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Beasley was awful, but I wouldn't be as downhearted as many of you are - offensively, the Czech's are one of the 5 best teams in the world, up there with the Brazilians (well, not quite) and the Argentinians. Being taken apart by two world class players (Nedved, Rosicky) isn't a failure requiring a teardown. Yes, they need to tighten up, but all 3 of those goals involved a little bit of magic from someone. I'm more inclined to credit the Czech's as opposed to bashing the US team.
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06-12-2006, 12:53 PM | #566 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Quote:
They deserve it. Like Lalas just said, if you want the hype, you take the criticism. Worst defeat so far in the tournament, so what else can be said? |
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06-12-2006, 12:55 PM | #567 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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No matter what magic happened, when you play at this level you have to be able to stand up and play the elite teams close, we didn't today and our players need to seriously make a gut check and come out firing in the next match.
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06-12-2006, 12:55 PM | #568 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Yes, those guys are world class players, but the first goal was not a World Class goal, and the third goal was just a complete breakdown in our own end. Rosicky was completely unchecked. The second goal was a beauty, and I'll give them that, but that also was just a dumb clear. The team came out flat and uninspired. Beasley shouldn't play next game, and Donovan should be dropped back to the Mid.. |
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06-12-2006, 12:56 PM | #569 | |||
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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A couple of quotes from the hattrick conferences:
Some guy from Isreal: Quote:
From Austria: Quote:
Again from Austria Quote:
Would be nice to have a gotten a win a told these guys to STFU
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Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal Last edited by kingfc22 : 06-12-2006 at 12:56 PM. |
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06-12-2006, 12:56 PM | #570 |
College Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: A negative place
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Blah, I hope Gooch signed w/ 'boro already, otherwise he's staying in Belgium for a while (assuming they want him).
Good to see EJ put in a strong performance. Perhaps a bit selfish at times, but hell someone needed to at least get a shot on goal. Donovan, DMB, Convey ... supposedly the strengths of our team pretty much shut down. |
06-12-2006, 12:56 PM | #571 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Yup. If T&T and Angola can come out and stand toe-to-toe with teams - what the hell is wrong with our guys? |
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06-12-2006, 12:57 PM | #572 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Yeh, funny. I saw Landon bickering with EJ after EJ took a shot. Stop it Landon. |
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06-12-2006, 12:57 PM | #573 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2004
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The US just had no ideas or creativity going forward whatsoever. Donovan was completley anonoymus, maybe it's the food in Germany?
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06-12-2006, 12:59 PM | #574 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: A negative place
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Quote:
Problem is, who do you replace Beasley with? Dempsey? If so, Dempsey better score b/c he can't cover back on the right side. Same with Eddie Lewis and Gooch (can't believe he'll play that bad again .. I really think he cost us at least two of the goals) - if you yank them out, who are you going to replace them with. We need depth ... desparately. Maybe 2010. |
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06-12-2006, 12:59 PM | #575 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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So what is our record playing in South Africa? Can we win there?
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Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal |
06-12-2006, 01:00 PM | #576 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Quote:
Today? laziness. They stood around as if they expected someone to hand them the ballsand the goals on a platter. No energy, no heart today. Whats it take to get our players to play with some passion? |
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06-12-2006, 01:00 PM | #577 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: A negative place
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Quote:
Not sure, but my kid will by 5 by then. If I train him he ought to be able to start at left back for us based on that show I saw out there. |
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06-12-2006, 01:00 PM | #578 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Appleton, WI
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I think we'll have to wait for another match or two to really pass judgement on the US team. They were completely outmatched today, so it isn't a surprise that they looked bad. The next 2 matches will show whether we are a mid-tier WC team, or worse.
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06-12-2006, 01:01 PM | #579 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dayton, OH
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France '98!
Beasley Dribbling: 4 First Touch: 2
__________________
My listening habits |
06-12-2006, 01:02 PM | #580 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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I bet Lalas and Wynalda feel like they got slapped in the face watching us fall all over ourselves today.
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Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal |
06-12-2006, 01:03 PM | #581 | |
High School JV
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Quote:
best scenario might be Ghana upsetting Italy, but a draw is also good, it will give US hope |
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06-12-2006, 01:03 PM | #582 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Newbury, England
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Don't get over downhearted yet: while the FIFA rankings are not necessarily 100% accurate, they are not miles out. Teams will take points off each other in this group - if the next game is a draw even four points might be enough for 2nd, although I tend to agree the goal difference may mean you need 6.
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'A song is a beautiful lie', Idlewild, Self Healer. When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Sports! |
06-12-2006, 01:03 PM | #583 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Quote:
Johnson on for Beasley and move to a 4-4-2. They lost 3-0 w/Beasley, surely they can lose 3-0 with Dempsey. |
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06-12-2006, 01:03 PM | #584 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: A negative place
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Quote:
If they were outclassed today, it's a pretty fair assumption they'll be outclassed by Italy as well. I think the real question is how we compare against the African team ... Ghana bets anyone? |
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06-12-2006, 01:05 PM | #585 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: A negative place
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Quote:
That's a good point. |
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06-12-2006, 01:06 PM | #586 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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I think our best chance is to have Italy and Ghana tie. (1 pt. each)
Have them both lose the the CR. And then it is up to us to get a tie and a win in our last two games. CR - 9 pts. US - 4 pts. Ghana or Italy - 2 pts. Ghana or Italy - 1 pt. Not sure how realistic this is, but it's the only way I see us advancing to the round of 16.
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Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal |
06-12-2006, 01:07 PM | #587 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Lalas is pissed. He's the only guy who seems to know what he's talking about.
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06-12-2006, 01:07 PM | #588 |
The boy who cried Trout
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: TX
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so much for the rise of pro soccer in the US. we don't like losers much.
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06-12-2006, 01:08 PM | #589 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Definitely. Lalas is going off. |
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06-12-2006, 01:09 PM | #590 |
High School JV
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Renya
"first goal un-nerved us" "put us on our heels" "second half we made tactical changes, it didn't work out, we didn't get the width" "alot of guys nervous" "at times all over the field we were hesitant" |
06-12-2006, 01:09 PM | #591 | |
Death Herald
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas
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Quote:
1998 didn't seem to affect the MLS too much.
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Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint |
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06-12-2006, 01:11 PM | #592 | |
The boy who cried Trout
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: TX
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Quote:
i would say that the difference is that many of the us fringe fans who heard about this probably heard that the US was "#5 in the world". Then they decide to watch a game or two and get a little excited. A loss like this, and probable elimination from any chance to make a dent in the games, will kill any extra boost MLS might have seen from this, as far as fringe fans are concerned. If the US had played like the 5th best team in teh world, and done something in the tournament, they might have gained quite a few fans. now they just have to hope they get fans who fall in love with the game, not the team. Last edited by sachmo71 : 06-12-2006 at 01:13 PM. |
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06-12-2006, 01:11 PM | #593 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Quote:
Or Ghana beats Italy, Czech beats Ghana, US beats Italy and Ghana, Czech ties Italy. |
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06-12-2006, 01:12 PM | #594 | |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Quote:
Again, putting myself into the strange position of defending the US team: 1. The Czech's are better than the Portugeuse. 2. Angola did not even attempt to tie the game - they were happy to lose 1-0, given the long history. The US, to their credit, attempted to play football. I think losing 3-0 playing like the US did (and remember, 2 inches to the left and Reyna scores) is better than losing 1-0 the way Angola did - if anything, it was a sign of a competitive nature, and I appreciate that. |
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06-12-2006, 01:15 PM | #595 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Colorado Springs
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Quote:
Uh, like what? Continually sloppy passing all over the field and sluggish play is not competitive. It's just ugly. |
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06-12-2006, 01:18 PM | #596 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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So, how much would people be willing to pay for a DVD copy of this game?
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06-12-2006, 01:18 PM | #597 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Quote:
And that falls on ESPN. Nobody takes the FIFA rankings seriously. Nobody. The USA is a Top 20 squad.
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06-12-2006, 01:21 PM | #598 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dayton, OH
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Quote:
Forgot one: Favored foot: Left Only
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My listening habits |
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06-12-2006, 01:23 PM | #599 |
lolzcat
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Herndon, VA
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Men versuses boys out there. Without Reyna's workrate in midfield, and the Czechs settling, it could have been worse. Too many of the younger US players seem to have believed the hype.
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06-12-2006, 01:24 PM | #600 | |
The boy who cried Trout
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: TX
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Quote:
I don't know if it really matters in the end. US fans are ignorant of almost everything, but they know rankings. We love lists! |
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