SOCCER NATION!

[Cheiron]

Well Howard was up, nothing he could do. U.S. defense is the worst I've seen in the world cup so far (other than perhaps Australia's). They do not know how to mark men. You get on somebody. You don't let somebody sit on the outside of you. You don't allow somebody to spot up unchallenged at the top of box. Ridiculous. The U.S. defense, as they are playing now, is useless. So disappointing.

As for offensive attack, a few opportunities, but not enough. I don't know if they can score 2 goals in this second half. I just don't believe that the team has it in them. I still don't see why Donovan is so well loved. I don't see him performing. He's the type of guy that seems to score well against moderate competition, but cannot get it done against really good players. Findley is a waste.

U.S. soccer looks pitiful. The only way they make it to the second round is if they somehow close the gap here to at least one goal, and then go on and win the 3rd match and hope that England ties or loses, and then goes on to tie or lose. Sure they could go on even if England wins today and then loses the next game, but not only is that unlikely to happen its hoping for way too much. The U.S. really needs to tie this one up, and hope that England ties or loses.

 

[Force10]

Ghana will take 1st place in group D. Serbia has a good chance to qualify second and send Germany home early.

EDIT: What a goal, this first Slovenian one. Howard is still looking for that ball in the back of his net...

Howard didn't move - I wonder if he's more hurt than he lets on. Not that he had a chance at that one.

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. USA comes so close to the equalizer, then gives another one up on the counter attack. We are not playing well (duh). Slovenia is a solid team. We need some breaks or we'll be coming home early.

 

[Force10]

OMG what a 2nd half of the USA. I've had heart failure. A bit unlucky to have the 3rd goal called back. I may calm down just in time for our 3rd match.

 

[AngraRULES]

Slovenia was the much better team during the first half.

However, the US came back to second half playing with so much heart, they deserved to win the match. In fact, they should've, since that third goal was completely legal. What a pity that the ref. disallowed it.

Oh well.. US still alive. Glad to see that, though if they play again like this game's first half, I will root for Algeria.

 

[Cheiron]

I was made to eat my words. Awesome.

The announcers say the best possible result for England-Algeria is a draw. Not true. Much rather see Algeria win, since then a U.S. win against Algeria puts them into the second round. Maybe they were trying to be realistic.

I can't imagine that ref reffing again this tourney. Probably a linesman.

Second half the U.S. seemed to start understanding how to play. Still some lax defense, and I don't think we'll be seeing much more of Maurice Edu unless somebody gets hurt. Really, he just looked nervous. So maybe he'll be okay. I don't know if I want more from Onyewu, in the two games he hasn't done well. Fitness wise he looks okay, but no smoothness to his playing and often doesn't seem to be where he needs to be, but perhaps in the third game he'll pick it up.

 

[Force10]

I
Second half the U.S. seemed to start understanding how to play. Still some lax defense, and I don't think we'll be seeing much more of Maurice Edu unless somebody gets hurt. Really, he just looked nervous. So maybe he'll be okay. I don't know if I want more from Onyewu, in the two games he hasn't done well. Fitness wise he looks okay, but no smoothness to his playing and often doesn't seem to be where he needs to be, but perhaps in the third game he'll pick it up.

Edu probably was nervous.

Gooch always seems to have 1 or 2 positioning lapses, but we need him in there for his size and strength. And throw-ins deep he's strong enough to get the ball into a dangerous spot in front of the goal.

 

[Stingray11214]

What is shocking is that ref also reffed the African Nations Cup Final. He just really lost the plaot. Is it an excuse? No. Pretty Boy Landon should have slid to tuck that ball in earlier. And, Edu was robbed. But, the US is going to need help to avoid Germany. The Germans will take their frustration out on Ghana, while Serbia goes Socceroo hunting. Now, if Ghana beats Australia, things will get very interesting. Can the Black Stars send the Nationalmannschaft home? Very possible.

 

[No-Mercy]

what a game by my boys!! haha...unreasonably dramatic and a comeback- thats how we like it in the states.

but im glad i asked for you all to clarify penalties and fouls for me...so that i can say with confidence that the call on our 3rd goal was bogus. if anything, slovenia shouldve been called for a penalty on bradley, who was being completely held.

ah well. glad to see were fighting

 

[Cheiron]

Well thing is the ref was looking directly at Edu. He saw Edu put his hands on the guy's back and went to call it right away. Ridiculous. You call that, you can call a penalty on every single corner kick.

England needs to start playing like they are at the school ground. Right now they are being too cute and not aggressive enough. Reminds me of Brazilian teams that are better man for man, but want to impress more than win. That or as the announcers said, they are playing like they are scared to make a mistake. That's no way to play football.

 

[Force10]

Wow England Algeria end 0-0. I didn't see any - how did that happen?

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

England played bad (I mean Greece bad or maybe even first half US bad)

As far as the US, most exciting match so far. The US was robbed of the winning goal, but if we could have played better defense in the beginning we would not have had that problem. This will be remembered as one of the greatest US matches, and one of the stupidest calls. However we now have to prove that we can win and not just that we refuse to lose.

 

[AngraRULES]

To think England couldn't even score a goal against Algeria says a lot about their team. England does not deserve to advance to the group stage. I want to see USA and Slovenia make it.

My predictions after two rounds (on who advances):

A - Uruguay and Mexico
B - Argentina and South Korea
C - USA and Slovenia
D - Ghana and Serbia

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

To think England couldn't even score a goal against Algeria says a lot about their team. England does not deserve to advance to the group stage. I want to see USA and Slovenia make it.

My predictions after two rounds (on who advances):

A - Uruguay and Mexico
B - Argentina and South Korea
C - USA and Slovenia
D - Ghana and Serbia

I agree with everything but I feel Germany will find someway back in it.

 

[Saladbar]

To think England couldn't even score a goal against Algeria says a lot about their team. England does not deserve to advance to the group stage. I want to see USA and Slovenia make it.

My predictions after two rounds (on who advances):

A - Uruguay and Mexico
B - Argentina and South Korea
C - USA and Slovenia
D - Ghana and Serbia

That Mexico - Uruguay game should be interesting, they both qualify if they draw but I don't think either team wants to finish 2nd and face Argentina.

If anything I'm glad some underdogs are looking very good, maybe I'll get my wish and we will have a first time World Cup winner.

 

[AngraRULES]

That Mexico - Uruguay game should be interesting, they both qualify if they draw but I don't think either team wants to finish 2nd and face Argentina.

If anything I'm glad some underdogs are looking very good, maybe I'll get my wish and we will have a first time World Cup winner.

I think it'll be a 1-1 match. You'll see. Mexico has a good enough team to surprise Argentina, I think (they would qualify 2nd with a draw). If Mexico can play solid defense, they can pull it off.

 

[Saladbar]

I think it'll be a 1-1 match. You'll see. Mexico has a good enough team to surprise Argentina, I think (they would qualify 2nd with a draw). If Mexico can play solid defense, they can pull it off.

Haunting memories of '06 are present though....

 

[AngraRULES]

Haunting memories of '06 are present though....

My haunting memories of 06 will be erased when South Africa wins on Tuesday.

 

[AngraRULES]

Looks like Ivory Coast may need a hand or two now...

Brazil is starting to shine again. Very good game today. The Ivorians weren't bad, but they were fucking dirty! What a violent team that proved to be. They almost fractured Elano's leg during the second half. Brazil dominated them most of the game and deserved the win. Sure, the ball did hit L. Fabiano's arm during the second goal, but involuntarily. It wasn't like he did it on purpose. Then again, the dirty scum Argentine Maradona did that in a WC final (86) and that was ok...

Kaka's red card was absolutely ridiculous. I am so disgusted by the referee allowing the Ivorians to beat the shit out of some Brazilian players, and then give only Kaka a second yellow. How about that Ivorian player's dirty play right before it? Or his dive, faking a facial hit? What a piece of shit he is...

Anyway, we're qualified. Portugal, you're next.

 

[Saladbar]

What a dirty dirty game by the Ivory team. Yeah Kaka's second yellow was a shameful display of bad reffin'. I hope Brazil kills Portugal and the Cote d'Ivoire kills North Korea so they both advance. Drogba has been rather a sleep the first 2 games, I mean he came in halfway through the second half against Portugal but he didn't really shine too much on this one either, at least he got a goal.

 

[Taliwakker]

That Kaka second yellow was pretty damn funny (except that he's on my fantasy team and cost me points). Brazil looked pretty decent....Fab's second goal should have been disallowed but it doesn't matter in the wash-up. Brazil are peaking too early though....always dangerous....England still looking good to take the WC home (as long as they drop Lampard, Rooney and Lennon for the next game)