World Cup watch thread

[Kung Wu]

Wow if you aren't watching Germany vs Algeria you should be! Germany is getting peppered at the moment, but both sides are getting tons of opportunities. Good game!

[Shox1979]

Muller with a couple of really good chances. Really good game.

[Shox1979]

I've seen free kicks where players fell on purpose as a distraction... Not sure if that was supposed to be one of those or not...
Algeria almost breaks away and scores right after. I'd love to see 30 more minutes.

[WuDrWu]

I look for the France to beat Nigeria by more than 1 point. Probably 2-0 or even 3-0. Perhaps Nigeria can muster up the courage to make it a game though. Nigeria has very little firepower so their only hope is to play extremely defensive. I hate to admit it, but France has looked solid so far.

Now the Algeria/Germany match up is interesting. Normally you'd think .. "Germany. Algeria. Game over, how many does Germany win by?" This is going to be an interesting game with the potential for lots of goals. Algeria can score, but they weren't really tested in group play. I believe they'll get a goal or two against Germany, but their defense is unorganized and ... well ... bad. I suppose on paper this will be a multi-goal win by Germany but at least it should be entertaining.

Um, if at all possible @Kung Wu:, if you could see your way through to telling me again the exact score of tomorrow's games, I would greatly appreciate it. I know you've called like the last 10 games spot on, but 2 more would be great. Many thanks.

[Kung Wu]

Um, if at all possible @Kung Wu:, if you could see your way through to telling me again the exact score of tomorrow's games, I would greatly appreciate it. I know you've called like the last 10 games spot on, but 2 more would be great. Many thanks.

:)

Tomorrow's matchups are difficult to analyze. The gap between both teams in both games is very thin. Both games are going to be good.

But ... I remember only being impressed with Switzerland in one match while Argentina dominated their weaker group. I say Switzerland's weaker defense results in a loss for them. Switzerland can score though so I don't see Argentina getting a shutout. Initially I was thinking Switzerland might get the first upset of the Round of 16, but now I think Argentina will hold up.

Now the next game I have too much built in bias to call it worth a darn. Belgium is good but their weak group makes them look shinier than they really are. The USA is playing without Altidore and if our center midfield (BRADLEY!!) doesn't value the ball as they should in the nuetral third then we lose. If Bradley finds his touch then we can win this. If Klinsmann would swap Bradley for Dempsey, we'd win it. Dempsey can control the ball. Bradley's first touch is not world class but he does have a nose for the goal, and would make a decent forward. I actually do think the USA will make quality adjustments and pull off the upset.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Belgium cannot score on US. With Altidore available, Belgium will be required to respect the counter attack.

The question is can US scoreif so, we willmove on. If we go to penalties, we go home.

[Kung Wu]

Belgium cannot score on US. With Altidore available, Belgium will be required to respect the counter attack.

The question is can US scoreif so, we willmove on. If we go to penalties, we go home.

Good point. This will be a low scoring affair. Thinking 0-0 or 1-1 and going to penalty kicks.

I like our chances if it goes to penalty kicks. Both sides have excellent keepers, but Klinsmann is disciplined and I think Dempsey, Bradley and Jóhannsson (or Wondo) will be solid PK takers (assuming he can get one of the latter two worked in). Don't know if Beasley or Besler would also take a kick but Beasley has serious experience and Besler seems very disciplined. I wouldn't be nervous (LIE!!) with Zusi or Jones taking them either. So I say if we go to PKs we win, and going to PKs is a very real possibility.

[Kung Wu]

Oooh, I just saw Messi walk out. He's gonna shred Switzerland up. MESSI! MESSI! MESSI!

[Kung Wu]

I don't know how Switzerland held on so long. They were getting rocked over and over and over during the game. The overtime tamed down a bit and the Swiss started getting some chances, but that game easily could have been 3 to 1 (Switzerland missed a "gimme" in the first half that was embarrassing to watch).

[Shock Top]

2-1 USA!!!

LET'S GO!!!

[Shock Top]

HELL OF A RIDE! HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS!

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USA as a TEAM, maybe Top 5.

USA as INDIVIDUALS, not Top 10.

When the talent catches up with the team play; watch out world.

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VIEW POINTS:

- Tim Howard is obviously as STUD ("You the real MVP" as Durant would say)

- Our young talent looks promising (Brooks, Yedin, Green, etc.). Jurgen was critizied for some of his moves, but he did the exact same thing with Germany (Mertesacker, Podolski, Schweinsteiger) and it has paid off both times.

- I loved the effort the last 15 minutes in extra time, but was frustrated with the play the rest of the match. Perhaps they were tired from having the most travel and playing in hotter stadiums (which is another issue entirely).

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BONUS: I FREAKING LOVED the F'bomb from Jurgen (one minute was absolute BFS). The man has fire and passion. I am glad knowing he is our leader for at least another four years.

Posted this in the USA game thred.

Figured I would open the disscussion over here.

[Kung Wu]

Tim Howard. Legend.
Klinsmann. Legend.
2018 with Klinsmann at the helm will be amazing.

And yes the f bomb was epic.

[Shox1979]

Who do you see as the US keeper in 2018? Howard will be 39. Not to say some keepers don't have long careers but at some point he loses a step.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Who do you see as the US keeper in 2018? Howard will be 39. Not to say some keepers don't have long careers but at some point he loses a step.

Bill Hamid.

[The Mad Hatter]

Bill Hamid.

For the next world cup I think Brad Guzan is more likely. He will be 33 in 2018 (younger than Howard is this World Cup) and has been playing in the Premiership for a number of years already with Aston Villa.