Article on American soccer versus the 'Old World'

[Sempre]

I found this interesting:

http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/485auznd.asp

[SuperTrooper]

I found this interesting:

http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/485auznd.asp

LOL, Ghana ("the Brazil of Africa")! In their dreams! :p

[tomwilhelm]

Best quote from the article: "We're happy to have Heidi Klum controlling our balls."

[Sempre]

LOL, Ghana ("the Brazil of Africa")! In their dreams! :p

I think this is in fact Ghana's nickname. IIRC, they've won the
African Cup of Nations four times . . . .

[superdave]

I think this is in fact Ghana's nickname. IIRC, they've won the
African Cup of Nations four times . . . .
And as I pointed out to you on another thread, none in the last 20 years. :mad: Might as well call them the Uruguay of Africa.

What the hell is up with your obsession with Ghana? Are you of Ghanaian origin?

[The Bergamister]

American fans, perhaps with the overconfidence that comes from growing up in a land of such plenty, are already predicting victory over Italy and easy passage to the second round. Comparing the talent of the two sides, one American poster gushed, "Talent-wise I think [Landon] Donovan is as good [Francesco] Totti." For the uninitiated: Landon Donovan, a star of the U.S. team, tried to make it in Europe, but flopped badly and was sent home. He now plays in the MLS for the Los Angeles Galaxy; Totti can play anywhere.

That has got to be the best line in there

[tomwilhelm]

Ghana have been dubbed the "Brazil of Africa", not because of their success, but their playing style. They play a beautiful, passing-oriented, "brazil-like" game in a region known for strong, direct teams.

It's the same reason that Japan was dubbed the "Brazil of Asia" some time back...

[The Bergamister]

Ghana have been dubbed the "Brazil of Africa", not because of their success, but their playing style. They play a beautiful, passing-oriented, "brazil-like" game in a region known for strong, direct teams.

It's the same reason that Japan was dubbed the "Brazil of Asia" some time back...

.... and the same reason why USA will be dubbed 'pushover of group E" in this tournament

[tomwilhelm]

.... and the same reason why USA will be dubbed 'pushover of group E" in this tournament
Maybe I'm just a stupid (American) newbie, but can you explain the complex logic that connects my post and your statement?

[Chicago1871]

American fans, perhaps with the overconfidence that comes from growing up in a land of such plenty, are already predicting victory over Italy and easy passage to the second round.
I challenge you to quote one sane American fan who has claimed easy passage or a guaranteed victory over Italy.
Comparing the talent of the two sides, one American poster gushed, "Talent-wise I think [Landon] Donovan is as good [Francesco] Totti."
I said "sane."
For the uninitiated: Landon Donovan, a star of the U.S. team, tried to make it in Europe, but flopped badly and was sent home. He now plays in the MLS for the Los Angeles Galaxy; Totti can play anywhere.
Actually, Donovan missed his mommy and chose to go home. Totti can play anywhere, until he throws a hissy fit, then he can play in the corner by himself during his timeout.
Maybe I'm just a stupid (American) newbie, but can you explain the complex logic that connects my post and your statement?
He could, but it would require a puppet show, a straight jacket, and a eleven tubes of KY.

[The Bergamister]

Maybe I'm just a stupid (American) newbie, but can you explain the complex logic that connects my post and your statement?

Just a bit of frustration on my part that I had to go into namecalling like some of the US peeps on here did to my compratiots.. no logic whatsoever... just a bit of banter

[The Bergamister]

I challenge you to quote one sane American fan who has claimed easy passage or a guaranteed victory over Italy.

I said "sane."

Actually, Donovan missed his mommy and chose to go home. Totti can play anywhere, until he throws a hissy fit, then he can play in the corner by himself during his timeout.

He could, but it would require a puppet show, a straight jacket, and a eleven tubes of KY.

Just quoting from this article ... my english is not that good

[tomwilhelm]

Fair enough. And a little banter back:

There are a lot of American idiots on this board.
There are European idiots on this board.
Let's not add to the list, ok?

As a long-time American soccer fan, I have NO delusions of grandeur regarding the MNT. They are a thousand times better than the eurosnobs give credit for and a thosand times worse than the neanderthal cheerleaders here "think". Personally, I think surviving the group and losing to Brazil in the round of 16 is a reasonable goal for the US: Play hard, don't have a let-down match, earn respect in Europe.

To put it simply: This is a vicious, vicious group (without a doubt the real group of death) in which any of the 4 teams have a legitimate shot at finishing in the top 2. Having read a thousand posts and not a reasonable argument to the contrary, I have to conclude that anyone who thinks otherwise is just talking trash.

[The Bergamister]

Fair enough. And a little banter back:

There are a lot of American idiots on this board.
There are European idiots on this board.
Let's not add to the list, ok?

As a long-time American soccer fan, I have NO delusions of grandeur regarding the MNT. They are a thousand times better than the eurosnobs give credit for and a thosand times worse than the neanderthal cheerleaders here "think". Personally, I think surviving the group and losing to Brazil in the round of 16 is a reasonable goal for the US: Play hard, don't have a let-down match, earn respect in Europe.

To put it simply: This is a vicious, vicious group (without a doubt the real group of death) in which any of the 4 teams have a legitimate shot at finishing in the top 2. Having read a thousand posts and not a reasonable argument to the contrary, I have to conclude that anyone who thinks otherwise is just talking trash.

Damn if I wasn't so full of hope for this year team I had to actually agree to that, but don't tell anybody....

[Sempre]

And as I pointed out to you on another thread, none in the last 20 years. :mad: Might as well call them the Uruguay of Africa.

What the hell is up with your obsession with Ghana? Are you of Ghanaian origin?

Surely I am not 'obsessed' with Ghana. It has just been
disappointing to see people who know little about the team
making light of them. If they have players based in Western
Europe--and they have lots of them--then they will be very
competitive, as Senegal was. I also have noted on occasion
that they buck one of the trends of African soccer; they can
defend well and are fairly disciplined.

[Sempre]

I challenge you to quote one sane American
fan who has claimed easy passage or a guaranteed victory over Italy.

I can give you a list if you like. It would be tellingly
long. Here's a start, at any rate.

apOOonu: predicted USA would win the group

Sean_Irish_Galaxy: enthusiastically agreed with above
poster; there is in fact a whole THREAD devoted to the
idea that the USMNT will win Group E.

Simon_bnyc: Predicted USA to win the group and Italy
to finish last.

Etc. etc. Want more names?

On the Italian boards you cannot find a thread boasting
that Italy will win the group; and many, knowing Italy as
slow starters, have been predicted a second-placed finish.

The writer of that article was understating the case, if
anything . . . .

[Chicago1871]

I can give you a list if you like. It would be tellingly
long. Here's a start, at any rate.

apOOonu: predicted USA would win the group

Sean_Irish_Galaxy: enthusiastically agreed with above
poster; there is in fact a whole THREAD devoted to the
idea that the USMNT will win Group E.

Simon_bnyc: Predicted USA to win the group and Italy
to finish last.

Etc. etc. Want more names?
Predictions are one thing, guarantees and easy passage are another. I mean, heaven forbid some US fans believe that their team could knock off a better team, right?

[Sempre]

Here's the thread:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278004&page=1

Funny thing is, why the hell not be optimistic and brave
in the face of tough opposition? I think that sort of bright
spirit is classically American . . . .

(And that sort of spirit may be reflected in the title, 'The
Yanks are Coming!')

[Sempre]

I mean, heaven forbid some US fans believe
that their team could knock off a better team, right?

I agree 100% with that. Why be dour and pessimistic?

[MarioKempes]

And as I pointed out to you on another thread, none in the last 20 years. :mad: Might as well call them the Uruguay of Africa.

What the hell is up with your obsession with Ghana? Are you of Ghanaian origin?

What's wrong, Dave? Ghana is obviously in our group, as is Italy. We all should be interested in Ghana. I think Ghana plays the best soccer in Africa, but have been unlucky not to advance to the WC. Well they finally have made it, and are no pushovers. They do play a lot like Brazil, and could definitely be the darkhorse of the group. They are, in fact, nicknamed "the Brazil of Africa".

I work with 2 people from Ghana, but I've known about Ghana for a long time, as I've been an admirer of their team for the past decade. They've had a lot of success at the youth level, and this is starting to translate more to the senior level. That's something I hope the US will emulate.