The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[aygov]

So Portugal with no Pepe, Coentrao highly unlikely, and Ronaldo not looking as dangerous.... I like our odds on Sunday a bit more!

Now to do the business against Ghana!

 

[Memorex88]

Game on!

 

[BrewKnurd]

So Portugal with no Pepe, Coentrao highly unlikely, and Ronaldo not looking as dangerous.... I like our odds on Sunday a bit more!

Now to do the business against Ghana!

Saw a funny opinion on twitter that the Pepe red was actually bad for the US, because now he can't get sent off in the US game.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

The crowd for the Iran-Nigeria match is impressive considering the distance of each country from Brazil. Nigeria is a bit closer but the crowd seems more Iran-favored.

 

[botigol]

I can't decide if Nigeria played just poorly enough to not win or if Iran played just well enough to not lose. Either way, makes it seem more likely that Bosnia-Herzegovina will go through with Argentina.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

At the pub. They have Jolly Pumpkin and 90 Minute IPA so I'm set.

An hour before kickoff there are around 25 people already. This tiny place is going to be packed

 

[Memorex88]

I can't decide if Nigeria played just poorly enough to not win or if Iran played just well enough to not lose. Either way, makes it seem more likely that Bosnia-Herzegovina will go through with Argentina.

It was an excellent game nonetheless!

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

America!!!!!!

 

[Memorex88]

At the pub. They have Jolly Pumpkin and 90 Minute IPA so I'm set.

An hour before kickoff there are around 25 people already. This tiny place is going to be packed

NICE!! Cheers enjoy the game

 

[Memorex88]

Game on!!!

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Dempsey!!!!

 

[HoppyDaze]

What is up with American hamstrings?

 

[Punity]

Creating the illusion of a challenge

 

[Reno_eNVy]

The pub is so f**king packed. This is awesome

 

[aygov]

The pub just exploded!

 

[Memorex88]

Usa win!!!

 

[hopstupid]

merica!!

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I think that Brooks header is almost better than the Donovan goal against Algeria. Not quite because that goal got us officially through but this was a total monkey off the back goal. We effectively eliminated the team who eliminated us from the WC the last 2 seasons. A draw Ghana still ahs hope. Now we're one win and we're in. Assuming the Germans don't **** up next week.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Holy holy bejeezus. That is all I can say at the moment.


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[boydster]

America! F*(k yeah!

 

[BrewKnurd]

Now for a few higher level thoughts....

The last 75 minutes showed why jozy is so important to this team, even when not scoring. I thought johannson (and I'm a big fan of johannson) showed he is not the type of player you can play in jozy's place, at least not with the system the US is playing. Still boggles my mind that kinsman didn't bring another hold up forward like Boyd or Johnson given the criticality of that role to haw the US plays.

Bradley looked poor. Fortunately, beckerman was good and jones went into beast mode to cover at least part of the deficit.

Beasley was very good at left back other than once when he fell over. That wasn't so good.

Clint's goal was obviously insane, wish he hadn't had to deal with a broken nose for much of the game, I imagine that hampered him significantly given how crucial breathing is to athletic endeavors.

Kind of amazed at a couple of the chances Ghana squandered, but that's their problem and I'll take it.


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[BadDeacon]

Alrighty!!! Pick time:

Belgium 3-1 Algeria
Brazil 2-2 Mexico
Russia 1-2 Korea

I know I am reaching w Mexico, but I got a feeling!!!

'Merica...

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Awesome meeting with the AO Reno president and getting our names in there. I got to lead a couple "I believes" and "We Love Ya's." Amazing win... my heart absolutely dropped at the equalizer but the pub freaking exploded at the winner.

GO YANKS!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Alrighty!!! Pick time:

Belgium 3-1 Algeria
Brazil 2-2 Mexico
Russia 1-2 Korea

I know I am reaching w Mexico, but I got a feeling!!!

'Merica...

Actually, that's a pretty damn reasonable prediction. I wouldn't been shocked if that's the exact scoreline.

EDIT: I don't know if you're reaching with Mexico. I wouldn't be shocked it they won it.

 

[BadDeacon]

I scared my wife when yelling with the header. She was eating a salad and almost threw the bowl up to the ceiling.

 

[passedpawn]

Now for a few higher level thoughts....

The last 75 minutes showed why jozy is so important to this team, even when not scoring. I thought johannson (and I'm a big fan of johannson) showed he is not the type of player you can play in jozy's place, at least not with the system the US is playing. Still boggles my mind that kinsman didn't bring another hold up forward like Boyd or Johnson given the criticality of that role to haw the US plays.

Bradley looked poor. Fortunately, beckerman was good and jones went into beast mode to cover at least part of the deficit.

Beasley was very good at left back other than once when he fell over. That wasn't so good.

Clint's goal was obviously insane, wish he hadn't had to deal with a broken nose for much of the game, I imagine that hampered him significantly given how crucial breathing is to athletic endeavors.

Kind of amazed at a couple of the chances Ghana squandered, but that's their problem and I'll take it.

Good analysis, and I'll second what you said about Bradley. WTH? Jones was outstanding the entire game, thank goodness for him.

I hope the US comes up with a strategy for better ball possession. They need to hold the ball through the midfield. They kept giving it away all night and ended up playing on their heels much of the game.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I totally disagree with Beasley. He was out of position all too often. And he fell like 5 times on the pitch. That happens but not 5 times in one game. And they consistently put it in from their right side abusing Beasley.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Good analysis, and I'll second what you said about Bradley. WTH? Jones was outstanding the entire game, thank goodness for him.

I hope the US comes up with a strategy for better ball possession. They need to hold the ball through the midfield. They kept giving it away all night and ended up playing on their heels much of the game.

Have the real Michael Bradley show up is step one to better possession, I think it's unfortunate that we are so reliant on one guy for that, but Bradley is absolutely the engine that makes this team go. To have won without him on his game is an amazing testament to resiliency and grit, but I'd prefer to not have to try it that way again.

On a positive note, he followed his last poor performance (Azerbaijan) with that insane assist to Johnson in the turkey game.


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[BrewKnurd]

I totally disagree with Beasley. He was out of position all too often. And he fell like 5 times on the pitch. That happens but not 5 times in one game. And they consistently put it in from their right side abusing Beasley.

I don't view consistently forcing crosses when a defender is as frequently isolated as Beasley was as a bad thing. He didn't let the attackers get past him and make dangerous runs at goal, he always forced the cross which is what our center backs are best at defending. As an outside back, you can't win the ball every time, you make sure they can't do something dangerous with it. Beasley did that for the most part. Ghana consistently attacked via Beasley's side and ended up with nothing to show for it. Meanwhile FJ, who I love, fell asleep on defense on the right side and lost his man for the goal.