World Cup 2006

[Bucklion]

Well, obviously they don't look at their win as a fluke like a lot of the rest of the world does...and I would expect that they wouldn't. Talking about the next round before you advance is probably not smart, but as for being confdent they will beat the US...why not? We haven't scored a single goal (ourselves) yet, and they team they beat lit us up. So I don't see where what they said is all that controversial...it's just another chance for the US team to prove themselves...obviously the rest of the world doesn't believe in us yet.

 

[sandgk]

Bucklion - I agree with the relativistic analysis you apply, perhaps this is Ghana's underlying "math":

Ghana took out the Czechs and thus look at the Czechs' 3-0 drubbing of the US team and go 0-3 + 2-0 = 5-0.

However, I do not see their win over the Czechs as a fluke. It happened as much as for any reason because of the absence of Koller. Something which I think they are not taking into account.

 

[Bucklion]

Bucklion - I agree with the relativistic analysis you apply, perhaps this is Ghana's underlying "math":

Ghana took out the Czechs and thus look at the Czechs' 3-0 drubbing of the US team and go 0-3 + 2-0 = 5-0.

However, I do not see their win over the Czechs as a fluke. It happened as much as for any reason because of the absence of Koller. Something which I think they are not taking into account.

Good point about Koller...I think we are saying the same thing in terms of the "fluke" aspect in that I am basically saying that if the Czechs and Ghana played full strength 5 times on a neutral field, my guess is that the Czechs would win at least 4 of them. Ghana is a decent team, but I thought the run of play was basically dictated after that early goal, which surprisingly seemed to frazzle the Czechs. I don't think Ghana realizes they are playing a desperate team this time, so they will not be able to dictate play like they did unless they pounce early again, which I don't see happening.

If we can stop Essien (and knock him down a few times) we have a good chance.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

knock a soccer player down? i find that highly unlikely

 

[jlb1705]

It's possible. You have to hit him before he thinks to fall down on his own.

 

[sandgk]

Well I finished my viewing (from DVR) of todays games and by far the most entertaining play was in the Ivory Coast - Serbia and Montenegro game.

The ref was an out and out clown - too much with the cards, and what was he doing with that glistening hair-do?

Another attention whore.

But, the players on both teams really wanted to win this one. All in all, Ivory Coast came out as deserving winners.

The other game in the same group, Argentina & Holland, didn't live up to promise I held out for the game.

 

[jlb1705]

Well, that figures. I left my house this afternoon, and beforehand I cleared enough space on my DVR to record tomorrow morning's games, since I won't be back until about 9PM tomorrow. I decided before I left to keep recording the Argentina - Netherlands match, and got rid of the Ivory Coast - Serbia & Montenegro match. :(
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[sandgk]

Yeah -well actually the worst part about the Orange vs Azuri were the commentators. But, there is plenty of action - just none of it leading to goals, which Argentina was getting in bushel-loads before.
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Example of commentators being bad - they are talking about England's plight with losing Owne and out comes this:

"Only four strikers weere brought - and one of those Theo Walcott has never played for England"

Which is untrue, as he got his first full cap vs Hungary in May, and had played in a "B" international vs Belarus five days earlier.

It's not hard to check facts, but the ESPN commentators for the most part blather too much and check too little.

 

[BB73]

Yeah -well actually the worst part about the Orange vs Azuri were the commentators. But, there is plenty of action - just none of it leading to goals, which Argentina was getting in bushel-loads before.
===========================================
Example of commentators being bad - they are talking about England's plight with losing Owne and out comes this:

"Only four strikers weere brought - and one of those Theo Walcott has never played for England"

Which is untrue, as he got his first full cap vs Hungary in May, and had played in a "B" international vs Belarus five days earlier.

It's not hard to check facts, but the ESPN commentators for the most part blather too much and check too little.

I spend more time watching Univision, even though I understand almost nothing except 'Gol' and 'Falta'. The excitement in the announcers' voices makes the games better to watch.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

 

[Ohio Steeler]

go Brazil

 

[methomps]

We need to establish the running game early against Ghana. This will open up the passing game downfield. We need long, sustained drives to keep our defense off the field and wear Ghana's defense down. And no more of these weak tackles I've been seeing. Run through them, and wrap up.

I spend more time watching Univision, even though I understand almost nothing except 'Gol' and 'Falta'. The excitement in the announcers' voices makes the games better to watch.

Unless you hate America, you need to watch our team play in ENGLISH!

 

[bkochmc]

We need to establish the running game early against Ghana. This will open up the passing game downfield. We need long, sustained drives to keep our defense off the field and wear Ghana's defense down. And no more of these weak tackles I've been seeing. Run through them, and wrap up.

Chris Spielman would have been very disappointed with the tackling effort in the Czech match but would have been pleased with the aggressiveness in the Italy match as evidenced by the two red cards. Since the US doesn't have a strong offense compared to other countries it's all about playing solid, aggressive defense and a conservative offense... defense wins championships!

Go Bucks!!! oh wait, wrong thread...

On a more serious note the US does need to be very aggressive in this match. If they play with the same intensity as they did against Italy I think they will win 2-0 or 3-1. McBride will score a header and Donovan will finally live up to some of his hype.

Go US! Go Italy!

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

go Brazil

while I was unaware that sdk was born in england, I'm having serious doubts you were born in brazil.

 

[BB73]

Unless you hate America, you need to watch our team play in ENGLISH!

Before the games start, I sing the National Anthem in English, that's all that matters.