Clark and Findley against Ghana I'll grant you, but if whoever our left back is plays as well as Bornstein did 4 years ago, I'll be thrilled.
I'd actually have to disagree. Our squad right now, as a whole, is more solid than that one was. Also, Ronaldo is significantly more of a threat than any player on that team could dream of being, even Figo.
I'm not sure the US is well thought of in most parts of the world. Portugal I think would have some support in the whiter parts of the country. Probably the opposite in the Amazon. I have a brazilian friend. I'll see if I can dig some politics out of him. He's pretty neutral though.
I think since Obama has been elected the US' image has improved worldwide. Not judging that, just observing. I don't think there will be a big "anti-US" contingent at these games. (Except for maybe Glenn Greenwald - who lives in Brazil.)
I don't want to come in here and start spouting offensive things but one thing that tends to really irk me is when people seem to think Portugal is Ronaldo + 10. Aside from him, we still have players like Pepe, Coentrao, Nani, Moutinho. etc. Frankly, there are not many teams that boast that type of individual quality.
Highly doubt Beasley starts Wouldn't be surprised to see someone in camp cupcake make their stake for LB Gonzo, on his good days can be very very good...he just needs to stop the brain farts in the latter stages of games...sort of like a Hummels or Boateng
Moutinho is the only one of that group that's really concerning, moreso in that he's CR7's supply line. Shutting him down is key to a result, and I said as much. Nani, in particular, though...really? This isn't 1997 anymore; we can handle Nani. Nobody should be losing sleep about that. It's like playing 2006 England and worrying about marking Joe Cole out of the game.
Listen boys I understand the concern for this group. The odds are stacked against us. The thing is though I believe. I believe because I know that we will play with emotion, energy, and hard work.... just what the US has shown every time we go against the best.
Nani plays well for Portugal, unlike Man. U. where he's very inconsistent. There's a reason they were able to qualify for the semis of the Euro with Ronaldo playing poorly the first two games in the group (which happened to be a pretty absurd Group of Death).
We'll see. My concerns about Portugal center around Ronaldo, Ronaldo again, and then Moutinho. Nani isn't even on the radar.
Yes, but in fairness, most neutrals wouldn't consider Dempsey or Donovan or Altidore any more difficult to neutralize than Nani, and they don't have a CR7 on the other side. We're talking the Portuguese down a little too much if you ask me.
Not really. But as I can tell you B or D are the GODs from a German perspective. Our group is commented as tough but manageable. The group of "meeting old friends". First Klinsi and we played Ghana and Portugal quite often recently.
I was initially very, very disappointed in the draw, but I am starting to warm up to our chances. This is a great opportunity, and we can very well advance from this group. I can't wait until June.
nah it might be offensive to some, but the words you speak are true. I think besides our game with the Ghanaians, the Ger /Por match be very critical for us. If portugal gets a result against Germany, I think that is bad for us. If Germany takes all three points from Portugal then we need to beat Ghana and tie Portugal to be in if we win GD. Either way we have to beat Ghana and nick a point off the winner of Ger/Por to get through on GD. Seems kind of disrespectful to Portugal to hope it is them we need a point off instead of Germany. We may to take some classes and get a certificate from the Spectors mom's school of mojo and voodoo and learn to how to slay some goats and chickens. We got a might tough row to hoe.
I agree. It's tough but we have the talent to beat Ghana & Portugal (on a good day maybe). Months to prepare and build great team chemistry. I believe in this team!
See, I think CR7 inflates neutral's perception of Portugal. Take him away and you have a generally decent to good side, but nothing terribly frightening. Of course, you can't play the "take him away" game, since barring injury he'll be there and he's awesome, but still. I'll reiterate the stance that the three non-German teams aren't all that more or less talented than each other.