England scoring 3? I think you see this team be extremely aggressive, and score goals, we just need to hope the back line can hold their own and Tim Howard plays the role of Superman again.
I am comparing the hype of that 06 team to they hype that this 10 team is getting. Again what has the USA done for anyone to think they will get out of the group stage? You want me to explain my position and that is fine but most people around the world would agree with me. You guys should explain why this team will do anything at all in the WC.....................
because besides England our group is shit... In 06 we had Czech, Italy, and Ghana. Anyone expected to make it out of that group is a moron
Expectations from who? Anyone that has half a clue about soccer knows that the US has been devistated by injuries and consistantly sucks at D. American soccer fans know where this country stands in the world. The only expectations the majority have is to get out of the group stage. If some clown that never watches soccer has more expectations than that then who cares.
Listen in a few weeks we will see. And if I am proven right I would hope you are man enough to apologize for calling me a idiot. Its going to be fun watching you all meltdown after the USA gets there ass handed to them once again in the WC. Like I said give me some reason why I am wrong? What has the USA done that makes feel like they will do anything?
wow I stand corrected. USA will advance because England is the only good team in the group. All the USA has to do is show up. Its not like the USA has lost to lesser teams then what they have in there group. The USA dominates all the shit teams i forgot. They never lost to Honduras, Costa Rica or El Salvador
This WC is more important to the common fan (who has high expectations due to the Confederations Cup and media) than it is true soccer fans. Obviously everyone who posts here is pretty realistic. But the sport has a huge chance to grow in the U.S. with a solid showing, and losing in group play would turn a lot of possible/would be fans away and lose the interest that was growing.
I don't like our chances even in this relatively easy group. I will feel just a little bit better if we can beat Turkey and Australia though.
We have far more creative midfielders now than we had in 2006. Our players are playing in a lot better leagues compared to the 2006 team. I just went and did a scan of the 23 man from 06 GK Tim Howard - Manchester United DF Chris Albright - LA Galaxy DF Carlos Bocanegra - Fulham MF Pablo Mastroeni - Colorado Rapids MF John O'Brien - Chivas USA DF Steve Cherundolo - Hannover 96 MF Eddie Lewis - Leeds United MF Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution FW Eddie Johnson - Kansas City Wizards MF Claudio Reyna - Manchester City FW Brian Ching - Houston Dynamo DF Gregg Berhalter - Energie Cottbus DF Jimmy Conrad - Kansas City Wizards MF Ben Olsen - D.C. United MF Bobby Convey - Reading FW Josh Wolff - Kansas City Wizards MF DaMarcus Beasley - PSV GK Kasey Keller - Borussia Mönchengladbach GK Marcus Hahnemann - Reading FW Brian McBride - Fulham FW Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy DF Oguchi Onyewu - Standard Liège DF Eddie Pope - Real Salt Lake There is no way that roster is near this one talent wise. That team has 8/23 of the same, with 4 of them expecting to start. That team has 11 MLS players compared to 3.5 now. Our style of play is vastly improved compared to where it was in 2006. We have an easier group now than we did in 2006. I think everyone that follows US soccer will agree that the "big time" team this year is more beatable than Italy was in 2006. I'm not saying we're going to make a huge run, and I'm not guaranteeing that we make it out of group play. But Bankz, you claiming we will get 3 points max is absolutely ludicrous. The Algerian and Slovenian teams, while unknown, don't have near the talent that Czech had in 06, and don't have the athleticism of Ghana. Another positive we have currently is our ability to score on set pieces. We did it all through qualifying and proved it again last night on both goals. We have more creativity touching the ball in the midfield and on set pieces. Edu, Bradley, Benny, Holden, Landon, Dempsey can all play with the ball at their feet, something we've struggled with in the past that we have now. I see what you're saying Watson about breaking them down, but I think we are far more suited to do it now than we were at any other point in US Soccer history.
I am not hating. I gave my opinion. Someone asked me to defend it and I did. I guess if I am critical of this team I am a "self-hating American"?
i never said we will advance, just saying there is a better chance to advance this year compared to '06. One of the main reasons for optimism is because of the group we are in though. Im worried about the backline holding up, and i have said on multiple occassions where I could see us getting a draw with England, beating Algeria, and then laying an egg against Slovenia and missing the round of 16 based on goal differential.
I'm just kidding with the "self-hating", but you do seem really angry. I don't think this team is that great either, but they are what they are and I'm going to stay behind them until they get knocked out. I just don't get the benefit in predicting such a failure. You sound like you want them to fail.
That would also require Slovenia or Algeria getting at least a point from England, and the one we tie beating the one we beat.
It's not about last night anymore, but would you seriously still like our chances if we lose to the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Australia? Relatively easy friendlies when you look at the teams Mexico is playing (England and Holland).
tbqh I hope you are right. I would love to see the USA advance far. But when I watch them play I see the improvement but its still not enough imo. We will see. Again I really hope I am wrong.
speaking of Mexico ( a team I think is comparable to the USA) they got there ass handed to them again today. Holland won 2-1 but it was not that close.
Who in the media has actually said they expect the US to go far? Espn has mentioned as mentioned the confed cup results but we still blew it against Brazil and the common fan doesn't know enough to have expectations that high. There are some that have high expectations for the USA because they have those expectations for everything USA. I have heard plenty of people talk about the World cup as of recently from, friends, bars, work and have not heard one person say anything to the fact of the USA has a really good team, or anything to the fact of them winning the thing. The USA nees a good performance every touney like that they play in. You act like they should not try to win except for the WC because they will have expectations to maybe have success in it.
Nothing would make me happier then to see the USA advance bro. Like it was pointed out this could be big for US soccer in general with a good showing. But I call a spade a spade and I don't like our chances. I didn't think my original post would turn into this tbqh.
What games when our top group was playing did we not look improved? We won CONCACAF, I think that says a lot. We took our first lead ever at Azteca. Yea we had some hiccups, but it's soccer, it happens. When we have our top team out there, we can play with(not saying beat) any one in the world. Do you really see our top team losing at home to Turkey? Especially after watching the Czech tear their backups apart?
I always felt you don't get better playing shit teams. That you need to challenge your self. Yet the USA never schedules tough opponents. Turkey, Australia, Czech? Give me a fucking break. Mexico is playing England, Holland, and Italy. I wounder what team is getting more out of there friendly's
We played Holland like a month ago. Turkey isn't a chump, and Australia is in the WC. I think Mexico are being idiots going over to Europe and playing 3 WC teams right before. Also, how many other WC teams decided to go through that? Argentina played Canada the other day...
I think it was important for the US to play on their home field in order to try to continue to drum up interest leading up to the WC. Obviously they could have played tougher teams if they went to them, but I bet the Czechs and Turkey were the best they could get to come here. Honestly, Turkey as a final tuneup isn't a bad opponent. Not sure what type of squad they will field though.
Almost every person ESPN has interviewed has said the U.S. has no excuse not to advance. Lalas even said the U.S. will beat England. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to win. I'm saying how we did it distorted views. We sucked in group play, had a miracle win vs Spain, and then lost vs Brazil. All people will remember is beating the #1 team and nearly upsetting the most well known soccer country.
This team has a history of losing. Till they do something on the field to give me the confidence to think otherwise I am going to say this team will be lucky to get out of group and I don't think it will happen. They won CONCACAF yet didn't look impressive. They Lost in Azteca. They looked like shit in the Conf. Cup. I have history on my side. I am just defending my opinion. If I didn't 100% believe it would happen I wouldn't post about it. Normally if I don't feel strong about something I don't post about it.
you don't think Buddle, Gomez, edu, Goodsen didn't challenge themselves? Do you think no good can come from this? I'm pretty sure Oguchi learned he better be ready to jump on his knee or he is gonna look foolish and not be playing much. I'm sure the D is embarrased and knows if they look anything close to that they will give up 6 to England. I know that the US squad might have more decide to win if they were playing Brazil but with recent injuries to this squad why would you want them playing an opponent they are more like to go harder for balls or get more physical and risk an injury.
You act like the USA is on par with teams like Italy, England, and Spain. why does the USA need to drum up interest? It's the WC. ESPN/ABC are promoting it to the high heavens. That is just stupid. You play the best to get better. That is what Mexico is doing. They are playing teams that will be in the round of 16. So they know how much it will take to beat these teams. But again I would go the route Mexico is going not the USA way. But it doesn't matter much because its done.
The U.S. should advance!!! Is there a chance they don't?.... Yes there is for sure, but feeling the U.S. should adance is not to high of expectations. If they were saying the U.S. should make the semi's quarters even then fine I can see an argument, but I the high percent of "anaylst/experts brackets" I have seen don't have the U.S. doing more than advancing out of the group. And seriously, You are using Lalas as part of your point? Not only is he a clown but a former national team member saying we will beat England is not surprising or an indication of this nations expectations
Because you get used to the pace of the game, the challenge they will be giving you, because players on Brazil are better then Turkey? Injury's can happen anytime you step on the pitch. I don't buy that.
I'm done debating. If its all history why are we even going to South Africa. You seem unwilling to admit that our roster is better than its been at any other point in history
I agreed with this point two pages back. It's still not a good enough roster. 2014 this team with a good coach will be what some want them to be this year
And mexico can try all they want going your play the best to be the best route. Regardless, the farthest they go is 2nd round, just like they do every time
yes I didn't say that, I said it is more likely to happen in a more physical and harder played game For the record, I have nooooo problem at all with you or anyone not having there own opinion on what the U.S. will do and I know you are rooting for them and not any less of a fan than others that are being more positive but I just don't see some of your points. I don't think this team is great and I wouldn't be surprised if they dont make it to the quarters but I think they are better than you give you them credit for.
Cool, you agreed with me, but then you go on to say that we will still be lucky to get 3pts. No roster is ever good enough, to be honest, and any sports fan of any sport should agree to that. That's impossible to know for sure.
since 2007 the US has played the following teams. Denmark Slovakia Spain x2 (1-0 loss & 2-0 win) Brazil England Italy Argentina (0-0 draw) Switzerland South Africa Netherlands all of those being World Cup teams. the US has played a bunch of quality teams over the past few years. and no one is saying the US is on the level of Italy, England, Brazil, etc. we are just saying that this team has shown that its able to compete with any team in the world, and even beat them. ive probably watched 95% or more of the games we've played over the past few years and this is a really talented team. this team isnt ranked in the top 15 in the world out of pity.
and if we're talking history, how about we talk about the 2002 team. you know, the team that was coming off finishing dead last in the 1998 world cup and raped a top 5 Portugal team, advanced to the quarterfinals, and likely should have made it to the semis (fuck you Frings).
I got to add my this is definitely the best US roster ever in terms of individual talent. We are bigger, faster, stronger and most importantly more skilled than ever before. The downside is we don't have a lot of world cup experience. Yes my expectations are for this team to advance to the the 2nd round we should expect them to, but you do almost get the sense that they may have peaked at the Confederations Cup they've been up and down ever since, a lot more down than up imo, I haven't really been impressed with the way the team has played since CC final. Also, I believe people are underrating Slovenia and Algeria a little too much replace them with the two teams they beat in the playoffs Egypt and Russia and we would be talking about how tough this group is. Even though we beat up on Egypt(they were missing key players to be fair) The US has notoriously struggled with African teams in particular Northern African teams, Algeria on their day can beat a lot of top sides. Slovenia is a very tough minded defensive team, the US is going to have a hard time breaking them down especially if Bradely continues to insist on playing two DMs, their star striker Dedic is better than any striker we have and their GK is just as good if not better than Timmy Howard. I have faith that we will advance because I believe in our core players, Landon, Dempsey,etc but its going to be a lot tougher than some folks think. Knowing our team I wouldn't be surprised if they beat/tie England and then bottle it against Slovenia and Algeria.