Soccer thread 09/10 (contains spoilers)

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:16 am

davet010 wrote:Can I make an observation after watching a couple of the WC warmup games in SA ?

Whoever decided not to ban those stupid plastic trumpets needs to be shot. Now.

No kidding. I want to kiss the EA employee who put in the option to turn them off in the WC game. LOL

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:12 pm

Anyone here have hope of the US team even getting out of their bracket? I am looking for England to come out flying and beat them like a red headed step-child. 4-1 or something like that. Is there a clear cut favorite this year? The last World Cups I really got into were 94,98 and 02. I tuned out in 06. Looking forward to a nice tournament. World Cups always make me think of Ronaldo from Brazil. That was a helllllla tournament he had that year.

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:21 pm

US should have no problem getting out of their group.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:27 pm

miget33 wrote:US should have no problem getting out of their group.

really? Are we world beaters now?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:27 pm

miget33 wrote:US should have no problem getting out of their group.

Wow, you're far more sanguine than I. I'm desperately nervous about the defense. Everyone is saying that the England game is irrelevant as long as the US takes care of Slovenia and Algeria. I don't think handling those two is nearly as simple a task as some seem to think. The Algerians in particular will present some difficulties, I think.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:51 pm

Amusing guide to choosing a WC team to root for based on likability.

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/10/15090 ... o-root-for

My favorite:

Omitted:

PORTUGAL. No data found for "likability."

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:10 pm

LOL

Great link, Rob.

I liked;

28. MEXICO: Mexico may not be pulled for at any time unless you are actually Mexican. If they play Italy somehow, root for a meteor to strike the stadium. There are no exceptions to this rule.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:47 pm

RobVarak wrote:
miget33 wrote:US should have no problem getting out of their group.
Wow, you're far more sanguine than I. I'm desperately nervous about the defense. Everyone is saying that the England game is irrelevant as long as the US takes care of Slovenia and Algeria. I don't think handling those two is nearly as simple a task as some seem to think. The Algerians in particular will present some difficulties, I think.

Completely agree. I'll be more shocked if we get out our group then if we don't. I can see England putting 4 past us and that may demoralize the team leading to poor outings in the final two group games.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:22 am

JRod wrote: I can see England putting 4 past us and that may demoralize the team leading to poor outings in the final two group games.

Demoralize the team? If there's one thing you can say for sure about this Bob Bradley led team is that they never, never get demoralized. Fall behind at Honduras? No problem; just score more goals there than they had given up in all of qualifying. Lose the first two group games in the Confederations Cup, embarraaing defeats to Italy and Brazil? No worries; just beat Egypt by 3 goals and hope for help, and then go on and survive a barrage from Spain to knock them out of the tournament.

These guys don't quit; they don't give up and thy don't hang their heads for more than a couple of minutes after giving up a goal and they don't care what the situation in the tournament is, they keep on working and playing for each other.

Sure, they might give up four to England and lose badly, it could happen, but they won't let that deter them from continuing to compete in the next two games and doing their best to get out of the group.

And Rob, I'm actually more worried about the Slovenian keeper and thier monster striker than the speed of Algeria. But we will see!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:26 am

To me Slovenia could surprise a few and raise some eyebrows in this WC. Coach Kek's side is strong in the back noted for stout defending and don't forget they upset the Russians to get here. Watch out for striker M. Novakovic.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:28 am

davet010 wrote:Can I make an observation after watching a couple of the WC warmup games in SA ?

Whoever decided not to ban those stupid plastic trumpets needs to be shot. Now.

It's their culture thing. when you guys host it in 2018, you can beat up the visitors in the streets and miss penalties to put your spin on it.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:28 am

Mexico!! Mexico!!!

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:50 am

Great, we get to hear Sepp Blatter talk.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:02 am

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Mexico!! Mexico!!!

Watch out for 'Chicarito' Hernandez. Should be a 2-0 game.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:28 am

Those damn horns are going to drive me into a rubber room by July 11. Sounds like the match is being played in a giant swarm of flies.

P.S. to ESPN Radio: Thank you, thank you, thank you for broadcasting all games live online. Let's me follow the matches while still being productive at work. Well, semi-productive.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:13 am

pk500 wrote:Those damn horns are going to drive me into a rubber room by July 11. Sounds like the match is being played in a giant swarm of flies.

P.S. to ESPN Radio: Thank you, thank you, thank you for broadcasting all games live online. Let's me follow the matches while still being productive at work. Well, semi-productive.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:14 am

Say it 10 times fast: VUVUZELA!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:37 am

All that possession with the ball for the Mexicans but lack total creativity. The hosts missed two clear chances to expand their lead. Franco finally gets substituted for Hernandez, time is running out.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:42 am

The air horns got awfully quiet after that Mexico score.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:36 pm

The thing with the vuvuzuelas is that you don't ever the hear the crowd gasp or celebrate, it's all drown out by the constant din and drone of the horns. Terrible atmosphere if you ask me.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:00 pm

Naples39 wrote:The thing with the vuvuzuelas is that you don't ever the hear the crowd gasp or celebrate, it's all drown out by the constant din and drone of the horns. Terrible atmosphere if you ask me.

Good point. I'd much rather hear chants/songs than those horns.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:05 pm

Naples39 wrote:The thing with the vuvuzuelas is that you don't ever the hear the crowd gasp or celebrate, it's all drown out by the constant din and drone of the horns. Terrible atmosphere if you ask me.

Word.

Anyway, after seeing Blanco, I wonder does anyone know who the fattest player to ever play at a World Cup is?

Super finish by the South African player.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:07 pm

I find it amazing that the commentator didn't know the offsides rule.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:52 pm

That goal by Mexico was just beautiful. What a great lead pass to the wing and then he puts it in running at top speed. Just perfect.

Can't wait for US vs England tommorow. Hope the US puts in a solid showing.