The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Big C]

spain wont lose tomorrow, they are a far better team than france or italy. looking at the talent on the french and italian teams, they were not near favorites to win this tournament. big name countries in soccer, but neither had the squad to back it up. spain on the other hand does, this is their golden generation for sure. id be very surprised if they are knocked out.

that said, im absolutely thrilled that italy are gone. i cant stand them or their fans. they are the biggest bunch of divers and play actors around. thank God they are gone.

[Redskins_P]

All I'm going to say is...don't sleep on Chile!

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

All I'm going to say is...don't sleep on Chile!

I agree, there's a reason they haven't lost yet and that Espana has. My friend told me he read an article basically saying the big footballing nations weren't taking their groups seriously, I think the Group stage has proven that theory so far.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I agree, there's a reason they haven't lost yet and that Espana has. My friend told me he read an article basically saying the big footballing nations weren't taking their groups seriously, I think the Group stage has proven that theory so far.

It is obvious that Italy did not take their group seriously, much to their peril.

[jdlea]

For your viewing pleasure:

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by jdlea

For your viewing pleasure:

That made me very happy. Thanks for posting that.

USA!!!

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by jdlea

For your viewing pleasure:

Screw all of you who trash soccer. Watching the last minute of this video, clearly its bringing a lot of Americans together to support our nation. Dont know what is more patriotic than that.

Also good run by our guys, just cant play comeback kids all the time. It was gonna eventually catch up.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Lotus

It is obvious that Italy did not take their group seriously, much to their peril.

Nice to see them and France lose. Next out is England hopefully.

I don't even care about the soccer matches, but seeing overconfident, arrogant, elitist Europeans lose is entertaining....like watching the Canadians cry when we beat them in hockey.

[SmootSmack]

Jon Stewart Debates the USA's World Cup Win with John Oliver

[BDBohnzie]

The referee has issued 7 yellows in the 1st half of the Portugal/Brazil match. If he keeps it up, he could near the World Cup record for most to both teams in a match (16).

[BDBohnzie]

The US had a nice run, and could still be barreling forward if it weren't for their defensive blunders.

I caught the highlights and commentary after Germany blitzed England, as the braintrust on TV were talking about what's next for the US. Aside from the defensive errors, the biggest lack the US had was a big time goal scorer. Altidore has the potential of being that, and at 21, has time to develop, but guys like Dempsey, Donovan, who were so heavily depended on this tournament will be role players next time. It'll be interesting to see who emerges over the next 4 years.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

The US had a nice run, and could still be barreling forward if it weren't for their defensive blunders.

I caught the highlights and commentary after Germany blitzed England, as the braintrust on TV were talking about what's next for the US. Aside from the defensive errors, the biggest lack the US had was a big time goal scorer. Altidore has the potential of being that, and at 21, has time to develop, but guys like Dempsey, Donovan, who were so heavily depended on this tournament will be role players next time. It'll be interesting to see who emerges over the next 4 years.

^Yes. Although the young Altidore flashed, no goals were scored by forwards. If we could grow defenders and forwards like we grow goalies, we'd be awesome.

I'm glad that our current defenders are all long in the tooth. We'll be forced to make changes whether we want to or not, and we need to make changes.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by Lotus

^Yes. Although the young Altidore flashed, no goals were scored by forwards. If we could grow defenders and forwards like we grow goalies, we'd be awesome.

I'm glad that our current defenders are all long in the tooth. We'll be forced to make changes whether we want to or not, and we need to make changes.

Our defenders and mid fielders were not the reason we lost. IMO the reason we were not better if for lack of a great striker. Buddle and Gomez just don't have the mentality and Altidore may be good down the road but definitely underwhelmed after the qualifiers. The US just does not have a track record of producing good hard-nosed strikers like you need to be a great team. Look at home many shots we took on goal and many many of them were badly misplayed but could have been turned into goals if we had strikers like some of the good European and South American teams have.

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Our defenders and mid fielders were not the reason we lost. IMO the reason we were not better if for lack of a great striker. Buddle and Gomez just don't have the mentality and Altidore may be good down the road but definitely underwhelmed after the qualifiers. The US just does not have a track record of producing good hard-nosed strikers like you need to be a great team. Look at home many shots we took on goal and many many of them were badly misplayed but could have been turned into goals if we had strikers like some of the good European and South American teams have.

In hindsight, Dempsey should have played up front with Altidore, with Beasley and Donovan on the wings. Just to give Altidore a veteran presence up front to help set him up.

The defense made too many crucial mistakes, and as Bradley said after the fact, there was no way Gooch would be 100% after his long layoff. He had no business starting the England or Slovenia matches.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

In hindsight, Dempsey should have played up front with Altidore, with Beasley and Donovan on the wings. Just to give Altidore a veteran presence up front to help set him up.

The defense made too many crucial mistakes, and as Bradley said after the fact, there was no way Gooch would be 100% after his long layoff. He had no business starting the England or Slovenia matches.

I agree completely.

Going forward, though, we need to homegrow some strikers so that someone like Dempsey can stay in the midfield. Then we might have an attack worthy of the World Cup.