SOCCER NATION!

[Taliwakker]

Its a pity Sweden didn't qualify this time round...a damn shame

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

With it kicking off Friday I thought it was time to remind everyone about the reason we all love this event so much

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF4iWIE77Ts&feature=related[/ame]

 

[Stingray11214]

I got El Tri vs South Africa going and the beers flowing. Mexico had some great looks so far.

 

[RagePSV]

Just finished watching both Friday games. The South Africa goal was beautiful.

 

[Stingray11214]

Just finished watching both Friday games. The South Africa goal was beautiful.

Very true. Tschabalala's goal was one for the ages.

The FRA-URG match was a real stinkeroo. Both showed why they needed playoffs to advance. France will fall to Mexico.

 

[AngraRULES]

South Africa deserved to win the match. I was hoping Uruguay would beat France, but no. I think France won't get past the group stage.

Now, how ironic and pathetic was Henry complaining about a possible hand ball by one the Uruguayan defenders?

Edit: South Korea is playing like Greece is their little bitch right this second.

 

[AngraRULES]

Ok, so...Argentina deserved to win. Nice football they played (though I can't stand them).

England x USA deserved to stay tied. The was a bit boring. I don't know, I expected more...

As for England, so much anticipation for so little...

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

I would rather the match have been boring than it be full of English goals. the draw will be a huge motivator for the US and hopefully we can build off of it.

And did anyone sees Park's goal, very nice.

 

[AngraRULES]

I would rather the match have been boring than it be full of English goals. the draw will be a huge motivator for the US and hopefully we can build off of it.

And did anyone sees Park's goal, very nice.

South Korea played such a nice game... I'm so glad I got up early to see it.

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

I was going to skip it, but i just happened to wake up so i decided to watch it. great play, looking forward to seeing them play Argentina.

 

[AngraRULES]

I was going to skip it, but i just happened to wake up so i decided to watch it. great play, looking forward to seeing them play Argentina.

Same here... as a fanatic Brazilian, I hope South Korea wins that match!!

 

[Force10]

Well I'm certainly pleased with a 1-1 draw for the USA. It was a weird game - both sides played very well at times and both sides played poorly at times.
Most promising for the US was Howard in goal and, despite a few lapses, the central defense played well - Rooney had few chances.
Going in I was pretty sure England would have been happier with any of our 3 keepers on their team. They still probably feel that way.
I'm glad the USA finally has some speed up front. They need some speed in back though.

 

[Stingray11214]

South Korea played a listless Greek side. The sad part is, Korea left so many gaps in the defense, that a quality side would have punished them.

Enyeama is the only reason Argentina did not beat Nigeria 5/6-0.

Howard played out of his mind, and Green is going to get lynched in the British press.

 

[rms]

Really sad that the USA game aired at like 3 am, but have watched a majority of the game and was in the city when South Korea won

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

You know I was thinking after the game yesterday "maybe after this World Cup the US soccer team will finally get some respect". I mean I know that the English team had moments that they played bad, but this is a team that is stacked with talent and the US played them to a draw. This US team has now beat Spain, gave Brazil one hell of a match, and drew with England. In the game against Brazil we shut down Kaka and in the game against England we shut down Rooney. but still most people act as if most of that was a fluke. Just maybe if we can make it to the quaterfinals in this World Cup(which I believe we can) we will final start getting some respect.

and did anyone see steve mcmannaman after the game he looked like he was going to cry.

 

[AngraRULES]

You know I was thinking after the game yesterday "maybe after this World Cup the US soccer team will finally get some respect". I mean I know that the English team had moments that they played bad, but this is a team that is stacked with talent and the US played them to a draw. This US team has now beat Spain, gave Brazil one hell of a match, and drew with England. In the game against Brazil we shut down Kaka and in the game against England we shut down Rooney. but still most people act as if most of that was a fluke. Just maybe if we can make it to the quaterfinals in this World Cup(which I believe we can) we will final start getting some respect.

and did anyone see steve mcmannaman after the game he looked like he was going to cry.

Unfortunately, "shutting down" this or that player, tying a game against a better team and "giving another team a hell of a match" is not enough to earn respect in international football. As far as the Spain match goes, Spain played poorly that game. They're still a much better team, and I would bet on them 9 out of 10 times against the USA (no offense to anyone). I think the USA will start earning respect from the opponents and be feared once it starts consistently winning games against strong opponents (not freaking Central America crap, for god's sake) at international tournaments and friendly matches. I hope the USA does well in this world cup and eventually becomes one of the powerhouses of this sport. However, it needs to develop its game a little more in my opinion.

I will say though, that this is the best generation of US football in a long time.

And yes, McMannaman was almost in tears...

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

So who is everyones predictions as who will play in the final?

I have got Brazil over Argentina.

 

[AngraRULES]

So who is everyones predictions as who will play in the final?

That'd be a hell of a final. Especially if we beat our hermanos...

Realistically, the four best candidates to reach the semis would be Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands and Spain. I will predict Brazil and Spain (I know, playing safe). I'd love to see an African team go far (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, South Africa).


Ghana x Serbia just started. This actually looks like it may be a hell of a game.

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

I was thinking Spain, but if Argentina can get Tevez, Messi, and Milto working together that would be a goal scoring machine that would be hard to stop.

 

[Cheiron]

Realistically, the four best candidates to reach the semis would be Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands and Spain.

I don't know about Argentina. Don't ignore Portugal. I think that it will be interesting to see who among Argentina, Portugal, Italy and Germany make it.