Soccer thread 08/09 (will have spoilers!)

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:52 pm

Should be 2-2. Howard got the luckiest call of his life.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:52 pm

Wow the US got a lucky call. That last one by Kaka looked like it crossed the line. Good thing Fletch isn't the ref or he would have called it in.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:05 pm

It would be 3-2 Brazil if you don't count Fletch's goal.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:05 pm

Justice is served, 2-2.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:14 pm

Brazil's quality is shining through this half. Wow!

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:15 pm

toonarmy wrote:Brazil's quality is shining through this half. Wow!

Our guys look real tired, not making any excuses. Hey at least Fletch is happy now.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:23 pm

Fun match. Shame the US couldn't pull off the upset.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:26 pm

Wow, that early goal killed the US team. They threw everything they had been doing successfully out the window after that goal and became unimaginative in their attack and lazy on their defense. How disappointing. At least that horribly blown non-goal wasn't a factor in the outcome of this match. Just when you think our country may be making strides in the sport they piss down their leg with a 2-0 lead.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:31 pm

They just couldn't string together enough passes to maintain possession when they got to the other half. Some of the passes, especially to the right wing, killed momentum. It's almost like the winger there wasn't ready or didn't want the ball.

So Brazil kept getting chances after chances and it was a matter of time.

They didn't threaten at all in the second half. Other top teams are more aggressive going for balls on defense, especially the headers, they will go to the ball, even sometimes through opponents, while the US players seem to wait for the ball.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:32 pm

Man, unfortunate for the US.

I think if they hadn't of conceded that first goal so early in the second half they would have stood a better chance.

Regardless, a hell of an achievement to get to the final and be 2-0 up on Brazil.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:36 pm

Macca00 wrote:Regardless, a hell of an achievement to get to the final and be 2-0 up on Brazil.

Agreed !

Who would have thought they would make the finals and be 2-0 on one of the best football clubs in the world. As Scoop alluded to it appears they sat on their lead and allowed Brazil to take it them hoping they would survive.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:58 pm

A disappointing loss that was tough to watch, but I really think there is no shame in the way the US lost today.

What ultimately cost them the game was a lack of depth. After Brazil's first goal (which was definitely a bad break, 9 times out of 10 that shot doesn't even get off his foot as he was well marked by Demerit), the US did very well to settle down the game and even had some chances on the counter.

At the 60 minute mark however, the US team clearly hit a wall and ran out of gas. While Brazil could bring on $61 million worth of fresh legs in Alves and Elano, Bradley looked down his bench and had very few options. He ultimately brought in Kljestan, who was again poor, and Bornstien, who could best be described as 'serviceable,' and Brazil had already equalized by that point anyway.

Had it not been for Bradley's joke of a red card, Bradley and Clark would have started in the middle, and Fielhaber could've come off the bench in the 2nd half today. Fielhaber actually played very well in the first half IMO, really doing a good job of getting in passing lanes, but showed little in the second half.

Regardless, at the 60 minute mark the US just looked gassed and stopped competing for 50/50s in the midfield. With no threat of losing possession, Brazil threw everyone into the box and the USA simply couldn't hold on any longer.

Still it was a great achievement for the United States to thrash Egypt, upset Spain, and push Brazil to the limit. The USA surely exceeded expectations and in the process likely found their starting lineup for next year in the WC. No, they aren't realistic competitors for the WC title even with this year's strides, but anyone who really thought the US team could expect to match Brazil and Spain in possession and shots isn't being realistic.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:03 pm

My hat is off to the US team. They were lucky to even advance, much less get 2nd. Brazil helped them out with that 3-0 win against Italy. Maybe this is payback. It was a fun game to watch, especially since I don't care who wins I just like to watch some good soccer. That play that Howard stopped by hitting it straight up into the crossbar was very close. It would have been kinda funny had the Us won. People would definitely look back on that. I didn't catch a replay, but it looked too close to call in real time. Anyone see the free kick that South Africa scored on at the end of the game today? Awesome!

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:55 pm

Clearly the US will not threaten for the World Cup title. The promising thing is that the talent level is at least capable of putting together several good matches together in a row now. This tournament has raised the expectations of US fans for a good showing at the WC, and more importantly given the players a good dose of confidence. Naples did a good job of analyzing today's match. I agree about Bradley's red. It proved to be costly. The US is still several players away from reaching the next level of play.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:05 pm

Who wants to come to Mexico for the game in August?

Post by **Jared** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:12 pm

Zeppo wrote:Who wants to come to Mexico for the game in August?

Are you going? So tempting.............

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:26 pm

A very good effort by the Americans. I thought Brazil looked rather nervous and insecure in their D-zone especially in the 1st half. USA did well to maintain a tight distance between the midfield and backfield where Kaka and Robinho do their magic as they were drifting away from each other.

The very early goal for Brazil in the second half seemed to shock team USA and they sat back. With a team like Brazil, no matter which lead you have, you have to continue to play a patient game and counterattack them.

Brazil's wingers were more active in the second half and with the D-men in Maicon and Alves coming up midfield, Brazil took control over the game.

Kaka's goal should have counted, it doens't really matter now, but a good effort by the underdogs.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:39 am

Jared wrote:
Zeppo wrote:Who wants to come to Mexico for the game in August?
Are you going? So tempting.............

Are you guys serious especially with the drug war that raging in Mexico? That should require a rethink.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:57 am

Jared wrote: Are you going? So tempting.............

Yes Jared, I am planning on it. I still need to get my hotel squared away (should be plenty of room left where the rest of the gang is staying), and I don't have plane tickets yet, but I'm planning on going.

You should come!

This could be the year. . . .

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:58 am

I have no problems with that effort. A learning experience that hopefully will payoff somewhere down the line.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:05 am

Germany wins the UEFA U-21 title with a bunch of players that will probably use that new FIFA rule to go play somewhere else.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:09 am

fsquid wrote:Germany wins the UEFA U-21 title with a bunch of players that will probably use that new FIFA rule to go play somewhere else.

Germany should've loaned a keeper to England just to make it sporting. Shooting at an empty goal really must've grown tiresome at some point.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:16 am

Was a bit shocking.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:56 am

Yes, Watford's back up keeper didn't exactly shine, although England being out of strikers didn't really help matters any.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:59 am

davet010 wrote:Yes, Watford's back up keeper didn't exactly shine, although England being out of strikers didn't really help matters any.

So a normal English side you say.