World Cup

[CrazyCajun]

i may be talking out my ___ here, because im not a soccer guy. But it seems most teams wouldve used a similar strategy against Ghana because of their style of play...because they are the fastest team in the Cup. Just saying that they played that way more out of strategy rather than because they were "outclassed". Maybe....i dont know.

Exactly what I'm saying, if you attack them and leave your back line vulnerable, you better win because if not they will. Similar to basketball a half court team not trying to run with a run and gun.

[jllanclos]

For us, a victory over Germany means not losing by more than 3 goals.

The last time we played Germany we won, chief. It's just that real American soccer fans think the game is only played 3 weeks out of every 4 years.

[cajunhawk]

lol, just stop.

I gave an example of World Class...it was a good move...but world class...that's homer talk.

[cajunhawk]

The last time we played Germany we won, chief. It's just that real American soccer fans think the game is only played 3 weeks out of every 4 years.

This isn't the same Germany.

[jllanclos]

Germany will go through us like a hot knife through butter. They have one of the better rosters filled to the brim with International experience at the highest level. Let's be honest...the US team has one of the weakest skill sets in the tournament. It's painfully obvious to anyone who has been watching soccer for an extended period of time. We don't have the caliber of athlete that Germany and Portugal possess...and the athletes we do have do not possess adequate International experience or even Club level experience.

The US defense was getting spread out and exposed last night...if it wasn't for Tim Howard and Jon Brooks head...we would be at 1 point and staring at a daunting task...or worse. Also...we will need a better game from Michael Bradley. He routinely missed pass after pass. Losing Jozy Altidore hurts badly...especially without Landon Donovan.

Thankfully...we lucked out against Ghana...Portugal seems to be in France 2010 mode...and Germany might play their 8th string against us when they have the group locked up.

"If it wasn't for the parts that were good, we'd really suck."

Uhhhhhh....

If it wasn't for Ronaldo, Portugal would really suck, too. Hell, they suck with him. Let's rehash this conversation on Sunday evening, m'kay? When "one of the worst skill sets in the tournament" has already advanced. Iran? Cameroon?

You're right, though. We have one of the worst 32 skill sets in the whole tournament.

[cajunhawk]

"If it wasn't for the parts that were good, we'd really suck."

Uhhhhhh....

If it wasn't for Ronaldo, Portugal would really suck, too. Hell, they suck with him. Let's rehash this conversation on Sunday evening, m'kay? When "one of the worst skill sets in the tournament" has already advanced. Iran? Cameroon?

You're right, though. We have one of the worst 32 skill sets in the whole tournament.

Playing blind man is fun...apparently.

[sportsfanatic21]

Exactly what I'm saying, if you attack them and leave your back line vulnerable, you better win because if not they will. Similar to basketball a half court team not trying to run with a run and gun.

The strategy was sound. My issue was that we continually lost control of the ball when we did have possession. I don't think we should have sent everyone on an offensive blitzkrieg, but when we did have control of the ball, we were sloppy with it. And because of that, we were in a vulnerable defensive position for way too much of the game.

It's ok though. It worked. We won. But we will have to be much better to not get blown out the rest of the way. IMO.

[CrazyCajun]

The strategy was sound. My issue was that we continually lost control of the ball when we did have possession. I don't think we should have sent everyone on an offensive blitzkrieg, but when we did have control of the ball, we were sloppy with it. And because of that, we were in a vulnerable defensive position for way too much of the game.

It's ok though. It worked. We won. But we will have to be much better to not get blown out the rest of the way. IMO.

I agree with that

[jllanclos]

Football analogy.

Ghana out gained the US 545 to 202

Ghana was 1-6 in the redzone, missing multiple FGs after being unable to punch it in.

The US returned the opening kickoff for a TD, then had a late drive and were able to punch it in from the one yard line. Americans win 10-7.

Football analogy that's a lot more accurate: USA stuffed the run and short passing game, so Ghana was left to throw bombs that weren't even close to the blanketed receivers.

The few chances they did get into the red zone, our defense stiffened.

If you see it any other way, you don't know soccer, period.

There's more to it than "they had the ball more, so we suck."

[cajunhawk]

Football analogy that's a lot more accurate: USA stuffed the run and short passing game, so Ghana was left to throw bombs that weren't even close to the blanketed receivers.

The few chances they did get into the red zone, our defense stiffened.

If you see it any other way, you don't know soccer, period.

There's more to it than "they had the ball more, so we suck."

If we had a lesser goalie we would have lost by 2-3 goals. Tim Howard is our most experienced player and the guy has been a mainstay at Everton in the English Premiere League. He and maybe Dempsey could start on most International teams.