U20 World Cup

[Zeno]

Its down to Costa Rica or Uruguay for us now--N. Korea and Scotland are eliminated.

We'll know tomorrow for sure who we play.

 

[Zeno]

Its now official US Vs Uruguay on Wednesday. Winner of that match plays winner of Austria V Gambia.

2 toughest teams on our side of the bracket are Spain and Brazil and they play each other in the first round. Soonest we could play any of those teams is the Semi's.

Of course first things first the US has to win whats in front of them.

 

[Zeno]

US wins 2 - 1 in Extra Time, a goal by Michael Bradley is the winner. Uruguay played dirty soccer, diving and hacking for the portion of the match I watched, I lost my internet feed when extra time started so I had to follow it on the match tracker. US players received like 6 yellow cards during the match, Spanish commentators even commented that the ref was calling 2 different games based on the teams (the ref was from Uzebkistan--not a Latin American country)--I hear during the Chinese broadcast they actually referred to the ref as a "cheating douchebag" but I don't know Chinese so I can't confirm that . Altidore was hacked down by Uruguayan player and no card was shown, Altidore had to leave the match with an injury and he didn't look good on the sideline, I'd guess he is out for the next match.

US regular goalkeeper Chris Seitz was out with the injury he picked up versus Brazil.

US Vs Austria in the quarterfinals this weekend.

 

[Stout]

US wins 2 - 1 in Extra Time, a goal by Michael Bradley is the winner. Uruguay played dirty soccer, diving and hacking for the portion of the match I watched, I lost my internet feed when extra time started so I had to follow it on the match tracker. US players received like 6 yellow cards during the match, Spanish commentators even commented that the ref was calling 2 different games based on the teams (the ref was from Uzebkistan--not a Latin American country)--I hear during the Chinese broadcast they actually referred to the ref as a "cheating douchebag" but I don't know Chinese so I can't confirm that . Altidore was hacked down by Uruguayan player and no card was shown, Altidore had to leave the match with an injury and he didn't look good on the sideline, I'd guess he is out for the next match.

US regular goalkeeper Chris Seitz was out with the injury he picked up versus Brazil.

US Vs Austria in the quarterfinals this weekend.

All told, from what I hear, we should be glad to advance. Screw it, at this level (WC), advancing is the ONLY thing that matters, no matter what form gets you there. Way to go, US!!!

 

[hafey]

Not to mention, the almost fight following the game in which Micheal Bradley was front and center. Tough game, but the US gutted through and out lasted Uruguay.

 

[Zeno]

Not to mention, the almost fight following the game in which Micheal Bradley was front and center. Tough game, but the US gutted through and out lasted Uruguay.

I guess Bradley was spit on and then the Uruguayan player attempted to slap him. Rongen actually restrained Bradley by the face!

Uruguay actually had the nerve to say the ref took the game from them. What a bunch of BS...the ref's calls favored Uruguay by far, he totally bought their diving garbage. Isn't it a funny coincidence that there is a fight after Uruguays mens team loses to Brazil (started by Uruguay) and the following night there is a fight after their U20's lose--I guess their reputation of being dirty and poor sports is well deserved.

3 out of 4 of yesterdays knock out games went to extra time. Brazil lost to Spain and Japan to the Czechs(on PKs). Next round on our side of the bracket is US Vs Austria and Spain Vs Czechs.

 

[Mulli]

Good to see. Has the U.S. advanced this far in the U20 WC?

 

[Zeno]

Good to see. Has the U.S. advanced this far in the U20 WC?

In 2003 the team with players like Dempsey, Mapp, Convey, Clark, Eddie Johnson and Moor lost in the quarterfinals to Argentina 2-1.

And I think they finished in 4th place in 1989.

In 2005 they lost in the round of 16 to Italy and looked like garbage in the process. So this is going much better than that.

 

[slinslin]

U20 cups really dont mean a thing, I mean I can't remember when a german U team ever had success, seems like we never even qualify for these cups anyway and we still seem to have the best national team at any time along with Brazil.

 

[Mulli]

U20 cups really dont mean a thing, I mean I can't remember when a german U team ever had success, seems like we never even qualify for these cups anyway and we still seem to have the best national team at any time along with Brazil.

I was wondering about that when I didn't see Italy's team.

 

[Zeno]

U20 cups really dont mean a thing, I mean I can't remember when a german U team ever had success, seems like we never even qualify for these cups anyway and we still seem to have the best national team at any time along with Brazil.

They don't mean much to Europeans, they worry much more about the Euro U21 than the U20 WC, not sure their reasoning behind it. Ask Brazil and Argentina if it means anything though. They both put a lot of effort in to the competition and always offer up their best young players for the competition.

To be honest I could care less what the Euros think.

 

[Zeno]

Quarterfinal match-ups...

US Vs Austria
Spain Vs Czech Republic

Argentina Vs Mexico
Chile Vs Nigeria

The 2 best match-ups are Arg/Mex and Chile/Nigeria. Mexico and Argentina are both playing really well, maybe the 2 most consistent teams in the tournament. The game between Chile and Nigeria should be real interesting as Chile has surrendered ZERO goals so far and Nigeria only 1.

 

[Zeno]

2-1 Austria with 15 minutes left in extra time. US down to 10 men after Wallace is sent off...the Cup run may be ending

 

[hafey]

Tough game. The US did not play well for large stretches, but had some chances in extra time.

 

[Compa]

Although the US was lucky that Austria squandered some opportunities late, I was impressed with how many legitimate chances they created in the second half of ET with only 10 men. The US was very close to send the game to a shootout.

 

[Zeno]

A disappointing end, the US was the more talented team but didn't play well enough to win.

Rongen bringing on Ward was a head-scratcher, he didn't play well at all.

Overall the US played a good tournament and gave us a glimpse of the future of the National team.

 

[Zeno]

Chile beats Nigeria 4-0 and still hasn't surrendered a goal all tournament long.

Spain lost to the Czechs on PKs (a bigger upset than the US losing to Austria).

 

[Zeno]

A little update on the U20's....Adu to Benfica in Portugal, Zizzo to Hannover 96, and rumor is Szetela to Roma or Lazio in the next transfer season (his contract with the Crew expires at the end of the MLS season--he'd be a free transfer).

Wallace and Altidore will probably join them during the MLS offseason.

 

[Stout]

A little update on the U20's....Adu to Benfica in Portugal, Zizzo to Hannover 96, and rumor is Szetela to Roma or Lazio in the next transfer season (his contract with the Crew expires at the end of the MLS season--he'd be a free transfer).

Wallace and Altidore will probably join them during the MLS offseason.

Eeeexcellent.