Official World Cup 2010 thread

[Lorenzo]

mexico/argentina


interesting matchup. on paper argentina is a much better team. On paper argentina is probably the 2nd best team in this WC outside of spain. although arguements could be made for brazil or holland. However, the mexicans have traditionally given the south american teams trouble. just not in the world cup....the mexicans have a poor track record in games like these on the international stage. therefore I expect them to lose.

I read a quote, don't know if it is true. marodona said he hates everything that comes from the USA? can anyone validate that? it was wikipedia so I don't know if it is legit.

anyway I don't like the argentina coach nevertheless and hope they lose. I would love nothing more than to see his face after a USA upset. wishful thinking i know.

 

[Zeno]

And you SAW the game today, Buddle made an instant impact on the game. His technical skills match Jozy's brute force, and since we know Jozy will be starting, Buddle must start next to him. It makes the most sense. Agree with Findley, the guy has done nothing in the tournament and Gomez was nonexistant today--but he's still a good player and has a future in the side.

Gomez was hardly non existent, he had a great shot that forced a save from the keeper and had the asst ref called it correctly he would have been responsible for Dempsey's goal in the first half with a great ball played across.

I do want to see Buddle start next to Altidore though. Altidore got great marks in the UK press for the game against Algeria perhaps he is getting stronger as the tournament continues.

 

[Zeno]

He played well today, and has been invisible in the other 2 games. Buddle caused Algeria some problems, but he was only in there for a short time. Gomez didn't do anything today. Benny Feilhaber was better than Gomez today for chrissakes.

Altidore surely wasn't invisible in the England game, he had the best chance of the match for the US(better than Dempsey's even though Dempseys ended up in the net)--Green made a good save on his near post shot. Altidore has forced 5 Yellow Cards in this tournament--obviously he is a handful for defenders to deal with.

He wasn't very strong against Slovenia and blew a couple of chances he should have put away against them.

I am not a Jozy apologist but you are the other extreme, you aren't seeing the whole picture with the kid. He has to mature and needs more polish but the kid is making a positive impact MOST of the time...it just hasn't resulted in goals.

 

[Chaplin]

Gomez was hardly non existent, he had a great shot that forced a save from the keeper and had the asst ref called it correctly he would have been responsible for Dempsey's goal in the first half with a great ball played across.

What else? Nothing. That's the problem. Don't get me wrong, I still like Gomez, I'm just upset at Bradley's decision-making as far as lineups go. In theory, Gomez should have been a lot better paired with Jozy. Charlie Davies would be nice right about now.

I do want to see Buddle start next to Altidore though. Altidore got great marks in the UK press for the game against Algeria perhaps he is getting stronger as the tournament continues.

I've said it before, today's game was definitely Jozy's best of the tournament. But a striker needs to score goals, especially now that we're in the do-or-die part of the tournament. He better wake up, because if he wants to be known as a great striker, this will be the best opportunity he'll have. This will undoubtedly determine how his club career goes for the next 4 years.

 

[Chaplin]

I am not a Jozy apologist but you are the other extreme, you aren't seeing the whole picture with the kid. He has to mature and needs more polish but the kid is making a positive impact MOST of the time...it just hasn't resulted in goals.

That is simply not true. He rarely makes any impact. That's the whole problem.

 

[Chaplin]

mexico/argentina


interesting matchup. on paper argentina is a much better team. On paper argentina is probably the 2nd best team in this WC outside of spain. although arguements could be made for brazil or holland. However, the mexicans have traditionally given the south american teams trouble. just not in the world cup....the mexicans have a poor track record in games like these on the international stage. therefore I expect them to lose.

I read a quote, don't know if it is true. marodona said he hates everything that comes from the USA? can anyone validate that? it was wikipedia so I don't know if it is legit.

anyway I don't like the argentina coach nevertheless and hope they lose. I would love nothing more than to see his face after a USA upset. wishful thinking i know.

It's legit. He said it in 2007 on a tv show with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Now, whether he meant it or just said it to go along with the anti-America rhetoric Chavez was throwing around back then, I don't know.

 

[Zeno]

That is simply not true. He rarely makes any impact. That's the whole problem.

You aren't paying attention then. He is making an impact with just his physical play alone--which 5 yellow card worthy fouls in 3 matches against him prove. Defenders are forced to account for him and he is getting the US free kicks in advantageous positions, it isn't exactly his fault that we aren't scoring off those set plays. Impact doesn't always equal goals. The goals will come with him, it is just a matter of time.

 

[Zeno]

What else? Nothing. That's the problem. Don't get me wrong, I still like Gomez, I'm just upset at Bradley's decision-making as far as lineups go. In theory, Gomez should have been a lot better paired with Jozy. Charlie Davies would be nice right about now.

45 minutes and 2 great goal scoring opportunities...thats hardly non-existent. In fairness too one of those chances should have resulted in a goal if not for a bad call.

 

[Milgod]

That is simply not true. He rarely makes any impact. That's the whole problem.

You have to have been watching three different games to me then. He might not have scored any goals and he certainly needs to polish his skills but he has been a constant danger in all three games.

He has gone on at least one good run per game and wins headers well. He is getting some good love here in the UK press and they don't hand it out easily.

 

[CaptTurbo]

I don't see why there is so much critique on altidore. the dude was the player of the game. dempsey a close second. altidore dropped into the midfield and was creating for his teammates all game long....almost like what rooney does for his teams. BTW how is rooney looking in the box? he missed a point blank chip shot today no?

buddle, findley, and gomez haven't done much at all. gomez had two good strikes today, but hit them right at the keeper. buddle's header went right to the keeper. Bradley has done well to push dempsey up and add a midfielder. dempsey and altidore are the best strikers on this team. the goals will come for them eventually, today they just couldn't get the damn ball in the net. but this is the world cup. everyone is struggling to score goals at this level...even the GREAT internationals aren't killing it. so keeping things in perspective.... young jozy and the rest of the boys are doing ok.

Buddle had the most impact of any of the subs. Guy should start with Altidore imo.

 

[Stout]

Hey Swd, I'm sorry for you that Serbia didn't advance. I'm not sorry for us--I'd rather play Ghana--but I know you wanted them to move on.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Hey Swd, I'm sorry for you that Serbia didn't advance. I'm not sorry for us--I'd rather play Ghana--but I know you wanted them to move on.

I actually think the US had a better chance against Serbia. Serbia is much slower and much less of an attack oriented team. Granted they have a great defense but the US can break down defenses if there is no forward pressure from the other team.

I always felt the US had trouble wiht fast teams and Ghana is way faster than anyone we have played.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Buddle had the most impact of any of the subs. Guy should start with Altidore imo.

Bornstein then Buddle. This coming from a Buddle homer.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Bornstein then Buddle. This coming from a Buddle homer.

Yeah I can get on board with that. Its close though!

 

[CaptTurbo]

Slovakia rocks Italy 1-0 25th minute!

 

[Mulli]

Slovakia rocks Italy 1-0 25th minute!

Ugh.

 

[Chaplin]

You aren't paying attention then. He is making an impact with just his physical play alone--which 5 yellow card worthy fouls in 3 matches against him prove. Defenders are forced to account for him and he is getting the US free kicks in advantageous positions, it isn't exactly his fault that we aren't scoring off those set plays. Impact doesn't always equal goals. The goals will come with him, it is just a matter of time.

This argument is over since you are willing to get personal. Agree to disagree.

 

[Evil Ash]

The Italians look absolutely dreadful. There is no real sign of life for them at all.

For the most part the European teams have been a big disappointment.

 

[Shzm13]

It's legit. He said it in 2007 on a tv show with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Now, whether he meant it or just said it to go along with the anti-America rhetoric Chavez was throwing around back then, I don't know.

Let this clear up any doubts:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Chaplin]

The Italians look absolutely dreadful. There is no real sign of life for them at all.

For the most part the European teams have been a big disappointment.

Agree, although the Netherlands have looked ok and Spain looked A LOT better in their second game. But France, England, Italy and even to a lesser extent Germany have looked pretty average.

 

[rode kardinaal]

The Italians look absolutely dreadful. There is no real sign of life for them at all.

For the most part the European teams have been a big disappointment.

Not just the European teams, the African teams disappoint as well. Can't get overly excited about the Asian play either.

Only the South-Americans have all performed relatively well. Maybe it's because they're halfway in their competition in stead of at the end of a long season like most Euros. Then again, almost every player of importance plays in Europe.

Strange, but the tourney is just starting. Still a lot of football to be played.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Only 1 goal on free kicks thus far. Europeans thrive on free kicks. Its gotta be the elevation. Look at the confed cup.

 

[CaptTurbo]

GOAL!!!

Italy gone. Slovakia 2 - 0

 

[Shzm13]

addio Italia

 

[CaptTurbo]

I love it. Couldnt happen to a better team. Well it did...France! But both those teams I love to see gone!