Official World Cup Spoiler Thread

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:46 pm

I think credit needs to be given to Ghana's coaching staff for its scouting.

Yeah, the U.S. offense was pretty easy to scout and defend because it was so limited. But it seemed that a Ghana player was there for every attempted U.S. through pass and cross, even before Ghana was afforded the luxury of sitting back in the second half after the horrid PK call in the last moments of the first half.

Still, Arena and the players showed a distinct inability to either change strategies or function in anything other than a 4-5-1.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:49 pm

Great point by Balboa: Why give O'Brien a roster spot if he isn't going to play a minute, especially when Ching and Twellman are sitting at home?

John O'Brien and Theo Walcott have a lot in common so far -- wasted selections. The U.S. could have used Twellman or Ching, and England could use Jermain Defoe right now.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:54 pm

Read that Wynalda went off on the US team--anyone see/hear that and if so, what did he say?

Not sure why, but I really like Wynalda's commentary.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:01 pm

Dave wrote:Read that Wynalda went off on the US team--anyone see/hear that and if so, what did he say?

Not sure why, but I really like Wynalda's commentary.

He just ripped on Arena throughout the broadcast. Saying the Coaching was poor and the players are to blame for 50 percent of this world cup when the coaches are to blame the other 50 percent. Why are they playing a 4-5-1 instead of an attacking formation?

My comment earlier about the Ghana goals were BS was directed towards the lack of creativity needed for the goals. The USA team just gave up the goals without Ghana making a play to score. It is just frustarting.

Dempsey showed to me that he belongs on a bigger stage then the Revolution and LandyCakes needs to take a seat on the bench and never step on the field for a national team until he goes to Europe and plays in a decent league. This guy is an absolute travesty and is finally being called out for it.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:07 pm

wco81 wrote:Didn't see the second half but they were saying maybe the team was worn out after the Italy game?

As for Donovan, I'm sure he drew more attention from opposing teams for what he did in 2002. He was no longer an unknown 20-year old (and maybe no longer had a 20-year old's motor).

Their fate was sealed by that CR game but it didn't help to get those questionable red cards in the Italy game, which hobbled them for this game.

Bottom line though, only one goal in 3 games.

I think fatigue was a factor, but not a huge one.

I don't think Donovan's performance was a result of defenses keying on him as much as it was the fact the US played from behind in every game. In 2002 they were able to beat teams on the counter. They lack the individual skill and creativity needed to break good teams down when there are 11 men behind the ball, and can't create the space for Donovan to use his pace.

That said, he didn't run at anyone at all (Beasley was only marginally better at this) and didn't come deep to get the ball as he should've against the more compact teams.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:08 pm

pk500 wrote:Great point by Balboa: Why give O'Brien a roster spot if he isn't going to play a minute, especially when Ching and Twellman are sitting at home?

John O'Brien and Theo Walcott have a lot in common so far -- wasted selections. The U.S. could have used Twellman or Ching, and England could use Jermain Defoe right now.

Take care,
PK

I think O'Brien's selection was an admission of the lack of world class US players. He was a gamble, but the coaches hoped he could get fit...particularly for the later stages. In that respect he's more like Rooney than Wolcott. That's the only respect, obviously

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:08 pm

pk500 wrote:Great point by Balboa: Why give O'Brien a roster spot if he isn't going to play a minute, especially when Ching and Twellman are sitting at home?

John O'Brien and Theo Walcott have a lot in common so far -- wasted selections. The U.S. could have used Twellman or Ching, and England could use Jermain Defoe right now.

Take care,
PK

That would be the same Jermaine Defoe with 1 goal in 16 international appearances, who wasn't first choice for the mighty Tottenham for most of the season ?

That Jermaine Defoe ?

Just checking

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:08 pm

The annoucers were talking about fatigue in the 10th minute...Come on...It is the 10th minute...Fitness comes in at the end of the game!!!

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:09 pm

pk500 wrote:Great point by Balboa: Why give O'Brien a roster spot if he isn't going to play a minute, especially when Ching and Twellman are sitting at home?

John O'Brien and Theo Walcott have a lot in common so far -- wasted selections. The U.S. could have used Twellman or Ching, and England could use Jermain Defoe right now.

Take care,
PK

PS...Ching was on the team!!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:13 pm

If you watch the Italian game on repeat later on or just highlights of the game, one scene that caught my eye and my dearly Italian buddies while sipping thorugh our capuccinos, was the way Carusso celebrated the second goal; going all the way to the bench and slapping his coach Lippi. Well, I call it a slap, but my buddies were saying "Hey that's how we celebrate a goal"

but coach Lippi sure didn't show any appreciation for that.

Most likely nothing will come out of it ( the papparazzi will make something out of it though) but it sure was an awkward moment.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:28 pm

Ching was actually selected over Twellman. I don't want to sound like a St. Louis homer but Twellman should have been on this team. He earned it during the tuneup matches. He's an MLS MVP and can't make his own country's national team. What about Freddy Adu? Seems he's got a little of the explosiveness that the USA was lacking. Leaving Twellman off the roster and the USA only scoring 1 goal should be enough reason to fire Arena.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:31 pm

davet010 wrote:That would be the same Jermaine Defoe with 1 goal in 16 international appearances, who wasn't first choice for the mighty Tottenham for most of the season ?

That Jermaine Defoe ?

Just checking

As opposed to Theo Walcott, who's never played a minute of Premiership football and has how much senior team international experience? The same Theo Walcott who can't even come on against Sweden when one striker has ripped up a knee and another striker is carrying a yellow card?

Just checking.

Seriously, Dave, if you were Sven and kept Walcott home, what striker would you have selected? It's obvious so far that Walcott was a wasted selection.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:32 pm

Zlax45 wrote:
pk500 wrote:Great point by Balboa: Why give O'Brien a roster spot if he isn't going to play a minute, especially when Ching and Twellman are sitting at home?

John O'Brien and Theo Walcott have a lot in common so far -- wasted selections. The U.S. could have used Twellman or Ching, and England could use Jermain Defoe right now.

Take care,
PK
PS...Ching was on the team!!

My blunder!

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:51 pm

Klinnsman for US manager!

snate · Post by **snate** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:55 pm

Seriously, Dave, if you were Sven and kept Walcott home, what striker would you have selected?

What about Darren Bent (18 goals), Andrew Johnson (21/15 goals last 2 years), or James Beattie?

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:57 pm

what changes will be made? wholesale or tweaks?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:09 pm

snate wrote:
Seriously, Dave, if you were Sven and kept Walcott home, what striker would you have selected?
What about Darren Bent (18 goals), Andrew Johnson (21/15 goals last 2 years), or James Beattie?

Bent - one season wonder.

Johnson - Not international quality...his goals last season were in the Championship.

Beattie - fat pie-eater...makes Ronaldo look like Twiggy. 10 goals last season.

If it were up to me, I'd have taken Dean Ashton (W Ham) - was great against City in the Cup.

Just unlucky that Owen and Shrek picked up injuries.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:14 pm

I was just reading the liveblog comments from Deadspin. Lots of funny stuff, including over 300 creative variations on the "Ghanarean" theme. But my personal favorite is this zen-like composition:

BODE AND LANDON - a one-act play

BODE - Well, s***, that kinda sucked.

LANDON - Yeah.

fin

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:14 pm

By the way Twellman said on local radio yesterday that he's 100% positive Arena didn't select him for the team because of a grudge held against Twellman. Twellman was recruited by Arena out of highschool and chose to play at Maryland instead of Virginia. It might sound like sour grapes but it sounded like Twellman is pretty convinced of it.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:16 pm

Croatia up a goal early.

Seems like an odd move to drop Schwarzer for the third game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:50 pm

tjung0831 wrote:By the way Twellman said on local radio yesterday that he's 100% positive Arena didn't select him for the team because of a grudge held against Twellman. Twellman was recruited by Arena out of highschool and chose to play at Maryland instead of Virginia. It might sound like sour grapes but it sounded like Twellman is pretty convinced of it.

You must have heard the same interview I heard. Actually, the one I heard was on 590 the other day.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:02 pm

Good soccer in both of the late games. It makes that steaming pile we endured this morning look that much worse. C'mon you Croats!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:21 pm

Rob:

Are you taking the entire month of June off? How can you watch this much footie while working?

Yes, I'm a jealous bastard.

Take care,
PK

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:38 pm

pk500 wrote:Rob:

Are you taking the entire month of June off? How can you watch this much footie while working?

Yes, I'm a jealous bastard.

Take care,
PK

It's called a TV in the office.

Who's calling the ESPN2 Croatia v Aussie game. I like these two guys.

jimd · Post by **jimd** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:54 pm

10spro wrote:If you watch the Italian game on repeat later on or just highlights of the game, one scene that caught my eye and my dearly Italian buddies while sipping thorugh our capuccinos, was the way Carusso celebrated the second goal; going all the way to the bench and slapping his coach Lippi. Well, I call it a slap, but my buddies were saying "Hey that's how we celebrate a goal" but coach Lippi sure didn't show any appreciation for that.

Most likely nothing will come out of it ( the papparazzi will make something out of it though) but it sure was an awkward moment.

I'm pretty sure you mean Gattuso. Unless David Carusso has left CSI for a footie career.

And yes, it was akward.

I agree with Dave, Asthon should have been the pick over Walcott.