World Cup Fever?

[CooleyAsCanBe]

I'm a U.S. fan first and an Argentina fan second since I used to live there. I also lived in Mexico, and I love the people and country, but I am enough of a U.S. fan not to like their soccer team...

To whoever was talking about UEFA Cup, most of the last few rounds have been broadcast live on ESPN2.

[NY_Skinsfan]

Anyone else suprised with the pick of Brian Ching over Taylor Twellman? Ching wasn't playing all that well with the National team when he was called up compared to Twellman, and Bruce Arena even said that it was due to his play in the MLS this year. I'd rather have a player who is playing better on the national level than on the club level. But then again, Bruce Arena is the best coach this country has ever had at that level so who am I to argue....

[saden1]

I'm not a big soccer guy but the world cup almost always excites me...well, once it gets to the do or die stage anyways.

I'll be cheering for the US, Sweden, Netherlands, and all the African teams.

[CooleyAsCanBe]

Originally Posted by NY_Skinsfan

Anyone else suprised with the pick of Brian Ching over Taylor Twellman? Ching wasn't playing all that well with the National team when he was called up compared to Twellman, and Bruce Arena even said that it was due to his play in the MLS this year. I'd rather have a player who is playing better on the national level than on the club level. But then again, Bruce Arena is the best coach this country has ever had at that level so who am I to argue....

I was surprised as well. The more I thought about it, though, the more logical it became. Two of our first round opponents (italy & Ghana) have really physical back lines, and Ching is much bigger and athletic than Twellman. Better in the air and able to fight off defenders. Twellman is a better pure scorer, but he relies more on being crafty and quick. Like you said, I'll leave it up to Bruce.

I was really excited to see Benny Olsen get chosen. Sucks for DC United that he'll miss a huge part of the MLS season, but I was happy for him. Great guy.

[JWsleep]

Originally Posted by NY_Skinsfan

Anyone else suprised with the pick of Brian Ching over Taylor Twellman? Ching wasn't playing all that well with the National team when he was called up compared to Twellman, and Bruce Arena even said that it was due to his play in the MLS this year. I'd rather have a player who is playing better on the national level than on the club level. But then again, Bruce Arena is the best coach this country has ever had at that level so who am I to argue....

Well, in the last couple of friendlies, Taylor missed some pretty easy chances. But I agree that Ching is touhger, and he's hitting his stride right now, whereas Taylor has been up and down. We'll see. God knows we need a striker to help McBride out. I was also psyched for Olsen. Man, that must have been a good feeling to get that call.

I figure it all turns on Reyna's health, as usual. We are a different team when he can hold the ball in midfield and feed our speed guys like Beasly and Donovan. Plus it frees up Landon to roam up on offense, where he is dangerous. I think our D will be strong. Guch, Pope, Gibbs, etc. And it's nice to have Eddie Lewis available--his service from the left is world class. If they can stay organized and not give up cheap goals, they'll be good. But man, it's a tough friggin group!

USA! USA! USA!

[D'BOYZ]

Originally Posted by mcalderone10

the problem with the US not being into soccer is the media. ESPN broadcasts very little soccer due to the lack of commercial time. One of the biggest tournaments besides the World cup is going on right now the UEFA champions league tournament and very few games are being shown. They are being televised on espn deportes which i'm guessing is in spanish. DC united is undefeated, the best MLS team over the years winning 4 of 5 mls championships that they've been to in 10-12 years that MLS has been around. The last MLS cup game DC united was in was aired the same time as the skins game and i was forced to PIP cuz i couldn't miss either game. United has been forced to share fields with the nats which is a disgrace to such a franchise. As a soccer player for 15 of my 20 years alive soccer and baseball field combo doesn't work. i'm glad to c that US is getting better on an international level where more and more players are getting to europe to make the big bucks and we will be a real contender in like 2 or 3 more WCs. we won't be getting anywhere if the media doesn't support interest by showing more highlights on SC.

watch the scrolling scores on SC next time for soccer scores they won't show any stats of any MLS games, but in baseball frickin every stat possible.

F baseball

not only the media the other things is that the MLS sucks thats the reallity the level of play, the competition the cups really is to young to catch up how it may start to get more fans if it play in cups like libertadores (Latin America verison of the UFC Champions league) and play vs Mexican Argentian and Brasialiam teams like Chivas, America, River, Boca, Corinthias, if they play those teams in regualr certified matches not exhibicion they'll start to get more recognition.

I'm not fan of soccer but I like to see the spanish league, UFA Champions, and world cup I allways get pumped up with the World Cup its 1,000 times better than the Olympics

[BigSKINBauer]

Ole Ole Ole Olaaaaa Ooole Ole Ole.

[BigSKINBauer]

1.5 billion people around the world are watching the opening game. YOu all should join in. I cheer for everyone on this side of the world. GO costa rica.

[mheisig]

Fortunately I haven't based my sports fandom on the number of other people watching. A billion people have STDs?! I want one too!

Football > Soccer
Soccer > Golf
Massively invasive, non-anesthetised surgery > Baseball

[ArtMonkDrillz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oguchi_Onyewu

I graduated from high school with him back in 2000. He's a monster in terms of sixe for a soccer player. I hope to watch him dominate some Europeans.

[JWsleep]

Germany 4, CR 2. Thought CR put up a good fight, all things considered. Germany's offsides trap needs work! But they look good and man are they big. And without Balack.

[JWsleep]

Oh, and Guch is a great palyer for the USA! WE're gonna need him to shut down some of those big European forwards.

Rumor is he's going to be in England next year. Sweet.

USA USA USA!!!!

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

I hope to watch him dominate some Europeans.

Dude...German Schizer films are totally out of the question. That job's been left to Cartman's mom...

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Oh, and Guch is a great palyer for the USA! WE're gonna need him to shut down some of those big European forwards.

Rumor is he's going to be in England next year. Sweet.

USA USA USA!!!!

I've heard that too. Yesterday I was trying to find the bobblehead from his team in Belgium (I can't spell) on eBay, but I had no luck. I need to keep looking.

[CooleyAsCanBe]

Great opening game. That is exactly what ESPN and ABC was hoping for. HIgh scoring, great goals, host team won. I also root for any Conmebol team when they play.