World Cup Thread

[originalhandy]

A top 4 would be pushing it, in reality we are just not that good. Its going to take a while for the youth system that MLS is bringing to kick in and Klinsmann needs to quit looking for any foreigner that'll has a grandmother to play. Stick to what is here unless its great. The US has to grind out results because simply, they're not that good and the competition they face to qualify is lackluster. Because its the world cup, results can be ground out. But skill and quality wise the US are 3rd in the group, probably joint with Ghana.

Brasil, Croatia, Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Uruguay, France, Argentina, Nigeria and Belgium (I am just picking likely qualifiers) are all better than us. Any of these on a normal day would beat the us. But, with this being the WC and the results we have seen anything is possible.

[mnemenoi]

I hated to see it as well, but we are in a tough group. We are currently just behind Germany in GD. I myself prefer Klinsmann, I hated Bradley last cup. What I would like to see is a change in mindset to our team, avoid focusing on eeking by to next round. If we want to be taken seriously and contend we are going to have to face the powerhouses and get results. Going into a competition like this and hoping for 7th place is playing to lose. We need to bring it to Germany and compete, do the best we can and if we continue on great, if we don't we learn from mistakes. This parking the bus tactic ends in disappointment. If we have been successful in midfield and long distance shots keep up the pressure, pass and maintain possession of the ball. We have holes and when we get a lead we fall back and bunker down and lo and behold let in goals. I myself want to see us start racking up higher scores and stop settling for the minimum needed. I am hopeful that if we can get out of the group I can honestly see us getting into the top 4 this cup. We have the people, the leadership, and the skills. We are a lot better then we have looked and need to find that again.

[originalhandy]

That last kick goal was like a swift kick to the nads for me. I was furious to see it go in, we paid for the Bradley miss. Portugal are better than the US but the US is not as strong as people and the media make us think. The WC is a different story though where rankings and form can go out the window, we should have been able to punish Portugal as they where like wounded dogs and even I could play better than Nani and he scored a goal for em.

The fresh legs where brought on kind of late, sometimes its hard to get into a game the first 10 minutes youve been subbed on but even harder when Portugal have to go balls out for an equaliser or they are out of the tournament.

We have to play for a win on Thursday. Both us and Germany need a point but Germany will play for the win, Portugal will beat Ghana. Klinsmann screwed us by taking a lot of inexperienced players to the tournament, I never thought he was the right man for the job that that rant is for after thew WC!

I am taking Thursday off to go to a bar to see the game. Cant wait for this!

[morpheus]

that was just a kick in the gut to watch that final goal. literally the latest WC goal in history. i just dont see how they let that happen...you see midfield giveaways often, but when portugal has the ball on the side, and only one freaking attacker going to the box it obviously has to go on a cross to him. usa had 4 defenders back, you cant get out hustled (when you just subbed in a new man 4 minutes earlier who is supposed to have fresh legs against all their attackers)...just disappointing

still in good shape. i guess we hope for portugal to draw, or portugal beat ghana by 1 so that goal diff comes into play.

ideally usa wins but wouldnt mind germany taking it easy knowing a draw advances both teams

[LooksLater]

I've never been a fan of Altidore either, but it's going to put us in a tight spot if Klinsman doesn't have a solid plan B. Glad to see Zusi come in, too- I like him in the mix. I agree we're playing too defensive in general...we need to own that field.

But either way, yeah- we're not beating Germany. Just don't see that happening. Best we can hope for is to play a better game against Portugal and make it out of this group.

Also looking forward to Mexico vs Brazil, that'll be an interesting game!

[TangoMIke]

I think where we went wrong was we went defensive to early (inexperience). Notice after Ghana score we picked up the pace considerably. The team I believe is better than most people give it credit. I think we play a better game against Portugal and walk out with 3 pts. Unfortunately, I don't think we have a chance against Germany . They are the best team in the tournament by far IMHO.
GO USA

[mnemenoi]

No doubt I agree completely. Wondo would have been my first choice as well. We need to show we can compete realistically these next two games. If we can't beat either team we will eventually have to face hard opponents if we can make it out of group. I have always thought Altidore was talked up and rarely brought much to the US game. Donovan was a bit odd, but I'll give Kinsman a bit of latitude on selection if he can get results...

[originalhandy]

It was a fantastic result, but man where the US bad. Germany would have knocked in 4 or 5 last night. If we hadnt of rocked teh boat after 30 seconds or if they had of started with Boateng it would have been a different result. Defensively we where OK, goalkeeper was solid. We had no midfield and our strike force with Altidore is suspect anyway imho and playing with his backup we may suffer. They shouldve brought Donavon and not the Green kid or whatever his name is. I think Jurgen will regret that.

I think Altidore is toast for the tournament but id LOVE to be wrong. Ive never seen a guy pull up like he did and be back a week or two later, at least not fit. I am not a big fan of his, at club level he was worthless this year. Johanssen isnt a big name player, Wondo would be my choice but I am not a huge fan of his but he can get down and dirty if needed.

[morpheus]

was a nerve wracking game against ghana but win is a win! that whole second half i was waiting for the worst haha the were all over the usa

hopefully altidore isnt lost for the tournament...and the rest of the team can get healthy. never seen so many injuries in a single game for one team.

[peter]

Can'te wayt for tomorrows games ,Brazil is going to destroy Mexico for sure.¡¡¡¡GO BRAZIL!!!!

[LooksLater]

Yeaaaah! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, but we pulled it off. It cost us, but man- we needed that so bad.

Phew!

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[originalhandy]

Holy crap USA where bad but pulled off a magnificent result!

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[LooksLater]

Agreed... Germany can make a good team look bad, but Portugal made some very poor decisions and it's going to haunt them.

Now to see how the US does against Ghana...my heart is in my throat, I want a win so bad!!!


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[morpheus]

that was an all out a$$-kicking. good for the goal differential....but either germany is THAT good or portugal is THAT bad

i am more leaning to germany is that good

[LooksLater]

Well, it's definitely looking better for us vs. Portugal! Lmao.
Germany is TIGHT, though...they're going to be tough.

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