World Cup watch thread

[MadaboutWu]

I'm not worried at all about keeping the game against Germany closer than 4 (plus at present we own the total goals tie-break so losing by 4 we could still advance). It will be a lot closer than 4.

But I don't feel very good about the game against Portugal with the trouble we had in the midfield. IMO Ghana dominated a lot of aspects of the game and we were very lucky to escape with a win. The big question is which Portuguese team shows up--the one ranked 4th in the world or the team that got humiliated by Germany. I'm guessing the former.

OTOH only needing a draw is huge and certainly tips the overall odds in our favor.

[MadaboutWu]

Bradley needs to do better. We can't lose the posession battle by 20 percent and expect these 2 teams to not finish their chances.

+1. He was largely absent for long stretches.

[Kung Wu]

Brooks finishes the one header chance we have and Ghana puts 4-5 just over the crossbar. Very fortunate Ghana didn't equalize much sooner.
After 3 players had hamstring problems last game I'm a little concerned with our next game being in the humidity of the Amazon.
Bradley needs to do better. We can't lose the posession battle by 20 percent and expect these 2 teams to not finish their chances.

Agree. Bradley was awful last game. Awful may be too harsh.

[Kung Wu]

I'm not worried at all about keeping the game against Germany closer than 4 (plus at present we own the total goals tie-break so losing by 4 we could still advance). It will be a lot closer than 4.

I am if our midfield sucks as bad as they did the second half against Ghana. Germany has serious fire power. The game against Portugal was not a fluke.

[MadaboutWu]

I am if our midfield sucks as bad as they did the second half against Ghana. Germany has serious fire power. The game against Portugal was not a fluke.

A 4 goal differential is a statistical outlier in any case (though we have already seen it twice this tourney), but dynamics of the group really help in terms of the margin. Germany will likely have clinched and will be playing conservatively and resting starters, especially if they get up by a goal or two.

[WuDrWu]

For being a borderline uneducated soccer fan, I'm probably looking way too deep but here I go anyway.

While I disagree vehemently with the decision to leave Landon Donovan at home, I am a huge fan of Coach Klinsmann and what he's done so far as the leader of the National Team. To me, it feels like he's embraced the best of the European tactics with the best of what the American game has to offer. I see a passion and flare not often seen in soccer here from a United States team, and I like it.

Now, maybe I'm waaaaaay off base, but I'm not really concerned about Bradley and our midfield. I love those guys and I think they've been superb of late. I just think they had an off day against Ghana. And not because the other team was better, per se, they just had a bad day. I think the early goal screwed them up mentally a little bit which I know sounds odd. I watched the game again, I didn't think they were as bad as a lot of people say they were and I have no doubt they will step up and be fantastic against Portugal.

@Kung Wu:, I will answer your Deutschland question by addressing this weekend's much more important Portugal game. Renaldo is going to play. Don't even concern yourself about that. If the US plays defensive, they'll get beat, maybe trounced. I think they need to play a forward game because that's their strength. They are not a particularly good defensive team. Howard is excellent in goal, maybe the best in the world. But in front of him is average at best. Certainly made better by Timmy's presence, but still average. This team, however, CAN score goals. Put Wondo in front of the net let him work. Yes, he can't create like Jozy, but the kid can put the ball in the back of the net. Go forward young men....I think that's the key to success against Portugal, and I think that's how Jurgen will play it. At least that's how I hope he'll play it. Then it doesn't matter what happens against Almania.

[Shox1979]

You mention Howard maybe being the best keeper in the world. Just a few years ago Casillas was there. What the heck happened to that guy?
Maybe it was first game jitters for some of the newbies on te big stage. Bradley's a guy I would have expected to step up and didn't. Zusi played a great ball for the winner, maybe we see him in extended minutes this game.
Their seemed to be a lot of room In the middle. Whether the mids didn't mark back or the defense was just giving space to avoid getting beat idk. Ronaldo will crack shots from 40 out without blinking. Too many of those chances and we could get beat.
I will totally agree on Klinsmanm though. If anyone can get the boys to play their best it's him. If his passion doesn't raise your pulse a little then you should be riding pine.

[LuskingforGuttin]

Portugal has already lost Pepe to the red, and Christiano Ronaldo's status is up in the air bc of injury. I've read he left training early. If Portugal's bags are packed already the US should very well be able to atleast get a point.
Germany won't need to beat the US after they handle Ghana. If all the US needs to do is avoid giving up 4 goals Klinnsman will start a defensive lineup and park the bus. I like our chances of advancing at this point.

I also noticed in the Portugal/Germany match that the Portuguese physio was a fat man. That doesn't speak well to their conditioning.

[Kung Wu]

A 4 goal differential is a statistical outlier in any case (though we have already seen it twice this tourney), but dynamics of the group really help in terms of the margin. Germany will likely have clinched and will be playing conservatively and resting starters, especially if they get up by a goal or two.

Totally agree with it being an outlier. That's how much I respect Germany's attack against teams that play flat. I imagine the US men will get hyped and play their best though, just like the Shox did 35 times last year.

[MadaboutWu]

The game on right now from the other group of death promises to be a good one.

[Shock Top]

Suarez is a stud. Today's game should silence the haters.

[WuDrWu]

Suarez is a stud. Today's game should silence the haters.

I don't think the 2 necessarily go hand in hand. Suarez is a phenomenal talent, but he's a complete ass. I can say he's a stud and hate him at the same time.

[Shock Top]

I don't think the 2 necessarily go hand in hand. Suarez is a phenomenal talent, but he's a complete ass. I can say he's a stud and hate him at the same time.

Fair enough. I happen to like him.

I know he gets backlash for the handball at the Cup four years ago, but I see ZERO wrong with it. He sacrificed himself (for the rest of that game and the next) and traded a goal for the chance that Ghana would miss the penalty (we all know what happens next). He did not cheat and he wasn't celebrating it either. He was excited his country still had the chance to advance through, with or without him.

I would expect anyone on the USMNT to do the exact same thing in that situation. It's like wrapping around a shooter in basketball, knowing you are trading the basket for FTs. It's not cheating, it's part of the rules.

This is what I believe fueled the Suarez situation. Had someone from their country did it, they would look at his as a hero, but Suarez was cast as a villain. That would be tough on anyone.

[Shox1979]

I don't even consider the handball issue when I think about why Saurez is an ass. The Patrice Evra issue is all the reason I need. He may be a great talent, but I will always cheer against him.

[Shock Top]

I don't even consider the handball issue when I think about why Saurez is an ass. The Patrice Evra issue is all the reason I need. He may be a great talent, but I will always cheer against him.

I nearly forgot about that. He seems to get along with his black teammates, so I don't know what that was all about with Evra. I am a Man U fan, and I still find it hard to totally hate the guy; biting and all.

Maybe I'm the crazy one! haha