USAF_run wrote:
click on
http://www.si.comand tell me that soccer hasnt arrived...
was also a big deal on sportscenter!
USAF_run wrote:
click on
http://www.si.comand tell me that soccer hasnt arrived...
was also a big deal on sportscenter!
Jefe in the CO wrote:
This game probably mattered more to Spain than it did to us (and it matters a great deal to US soccer to win this game) because that little smidgen of doubt that the Spaniards thought they erased with the European Championship is now back. Espana still has the monkey on its back - abundantly talented but highly suspect when it matters most.
As for the US this win, while coming at an inconsequential tournament, still is very important to building confidence in our remaining qualifiers and lead up to the WC.
Of course all that being said, I still doubt we get out of group play next year - but if we do it will be because of this victory today where it all started to turn around...
Great job by the US today...wow!
The only thing Spain will be disappointed with is losing their unbeaten record.
The actual competition is a glorified pre-season friendly tournament. This wasn't a situation 'where it matters most' for Spain, it matters much more to the USA bearing in mind the minimal competitive matches they have.
trollism wrote:
The only thing Spain will be disappointed with is losing their unbeaten record.
And perhaps not playing for gold in a tournament which also features brazil and italy?
It matters very much for the US for the World Cup. The better the US does against teams like Spain, the greater the likelihood that they will be in an easier group, unlike 2006, where they were in the "Group of Death."
Montesquieu wrote:
It matters very much for the US for the World Cup. The better the US does against teams like Spain, the greater the likelihood that they will be in an easier group, unlike 2006, where they were in the "Group of Death."
How do they choose the groups?
slekt my stuff wrote:
How do they choose the groups?
Of the 32 teams that make the World Cup, the best eight (well, best 7 plus host) are put in "Pot" A, 9-16 are Pot B, 17-24 are Pot C, and 25-32 are Pot D.
Then they do a random draw to fill the 8 Groups, which all feature one team from each Pot.
Although with certain other considerations, like, not putting more than 2 Euro teams in one group, and not putting more than one of any other continent's teams in the same group, etc.
This is making for a great sports weekend with USATF Championships and now the Confed Cup final. Although I was expecting to be able to watch the bronze medal soccer game with USA earlier sunday and then switching to track, but it looks like I'll have to dvr track and then catch up later. A problem I'll gladly take.
Bloody fantastic win by the USA over Spain.Congrats from Oz and look forward to seeing you play Oz in the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.Go USA.
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you usa buffoons are now becoming cocky and arrogant. No wonder why the rest of the world hates your arses. btw, it doesn't matter until next year. and im sure you idiots will lose to brazil in the finals.
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I agree with you Britt
brittt wrote:
you usa buffoons are now becoming cocky and arrogant. No wonder why the rest of the world hates your arses. btw, it doesn't matter until next year. and im sure you idiots will lose to brazil in the finals.
Before you criticize, look in the mirror. You sound English. Why isn't England in the Confederations Cup? Because you didn't win the Euro Championships...oh hang on. You DIDN'T EVEN QUALIFY!!!! It must suck to have, well, you know, sucked!
You do look like you're gonna make the WC though. Congrats. Would you like to borrow a good goalie from us? We're overstocked compared to the crap you have. Or will Calamity James carry you to the World Cup final? Unlikely.
craziest shit i ever did see
Boyscoutt wrote:
He's one player, if a cross doesn't go near him he's not a 'monster'. But he is a center back, and apparently our only solid one. So if they go after him, which every opposing team will, his height won't matter. His lack of shutdown defensive tactics will. Now, he brings positive things to the table, and he is our top defender at this moment, but until he gets someone to help him in the middle (which in a flatback is the most important thing) he will not succeed.
3-1 3-0, 6 goals in two games. I don't care what we want to say about the goals, teams with great defenses don't lose two games by that much in an important tournament.
I could see if Italy's third goal was on transition from the US bringing 10 guys forward for one last ditch effort, but it wasn't. I can't remember who, but someone got burnt BADLY on the sideline with a little flick, and then a man was able to jog unmarked towards the penalty spot and have an uncontested half volley 18 yards out? That's piss poor defense.
US coach Bruce Arena said: "We are very disappointed by the judgment of the referee. I would like to have come out after halftime even. The call was the big call of the game."
A real coach would've said ''F*** it, a ref is part of the game like the weather, can't control it, everyone's dealing with it.'' Towards the end, Bruce Arena was riding the coat tails of 2002.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOCLXoSyqPUOnly thing positive was that goal by Dempsey.
First goal - they let Reyna dribble out of the 18 with noone supporting him? Brilliant!
Second Highlight - a through ball in a flatback 4 should be nearly impossible if the formation is done correctly
Penalty - the Ghana guy stopped running, planted his feet, and was ready to jump. Onyewu put his arms out like a pansy (which is the first sign he fouls him. Arms out = I'm fouling, always and forever). He does not stop running, and he uses his body to knock him down. If a man goes from standing still to on the ground, and someones body forces him to the ground, it is a foul, regardless of where it is.
Care to reconsider? Spain had tons of corners in the second half and started to play all of them short b/c they knew Gooch would clear anything they sent in the middle.
Was there seriously an English guy on here criticizing national arrogance?
letsrunscrewedmeoveronce wrote:
Was there seriously an English guy on here criticizing national arrogance?
Weird huh? What a f**ker.
So, I was amazed at what happened on Sunday.. That simply blew my mind. But now, today was even more impressive. I'm a believer in Miracles now!!
Craziest shit I done ever seen!!
No kidding, this game has me amped! If we don't at least make the knockout round next summer, I'll be wayyyyyy disappointed. Get there and you never know what can happen (for evidence, go back to 4:30 ET this afternoon....)
Brad ONeil - SR - Coe College wrote:
slekt my stuff wrote:How do they choose the groups?
Of the 32 teams that make the World Cup, the best eight (well, best 7 plus host) are put in "Pot" A, 9-16 are Pot B, 17-24 are Pot C, and 25-32 are Pot D.
Then they do a random draw to fill the 8 Groups, which all feature one team from each Pot.
This is not right. Pot A will be South Africa and seven seeded teams, likely something like Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy, England? (or some other Euro like Portugal or France if they qualify).
Pot B will be the other eight European teams
Pots C and D--teams are potted by confederation. These pots are pairs of confederations. Conmebol (South America) will be paired w/ either CAF (Africa) or Asia. CONCACAF (North America) will be paired /w the other one. They have not announced who will be paired w/ who, it partly depends which teams win the play-ins. We would like to be paired w/ CAF if possible and have an Asian team drawn into our group and avoid the African teams if possible.
Also, we would really, really like to be in south Africa's group if possible.
Mr. Obvious wrote:
Brad ONeil - SR - Coe College wrote:Of the 32 teams that make the World Cup, the best eight (well, best 7 plus host) are put in "Pot" A, 9-16 are Pot B, 17-24 are Pot C, and 25-32 are Pot D.
Then they do a random draw to fill the 8 Groups, which all feature one team from each Pot.
This is not right. Pot A will be South Africa and seven seeded teams, likely something like Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy, England? (or some other Euro like Portugal or France if they qualify).
Pot B will be the other eight European teams
Pots C and D--teams are potted by confederation. These pots are pairs of confederations. Conmebol (South America) will be paired w/ either CAF (Africa) or Asia. CONCACAF (North America) will be paired /w the other one. They have not announced who will be paired w/ who, it partly depends which teams win the play-ins. We would like to be paired w/ CAF if possible and have an Asian team drawn into our group and avoid the African teams if possible.
Also, we would really, really like to be in south Africa's group if possible.
Ah.... nevermind!
So I went and educated myself on the seeding etc. It looks like the seeding will be decided (if it's done the same as for the last Cup) that it takes 5 things into consideration:
Half of it is:
placing at 2002 WC (33 percent of this half)
placing at 2006 WC (67 percent of this half)
Other half:
FIFA rankings as of:
end of 2007
end of 2008
end of (really, at time time of draw) 2009
each of those counting for a third.
So simpler terms, 2002 WC placing is worth 1/6, WC 06 is worth 1/3, and the rankings are worth 1/6 each.
So most of our variables that could get us seeded are already decided, the only thing left to decide is rank at time of draw. We'll do good on the WC 02 part, but not so much the WC 06 part, which counts more.