Nedved - The USA is Very Strong, World Cup Dark Horses

[OCKlinsmann]

Here's a new article on Nedved with the following interesting comments:

1. "The Americans may be the dark horses of the whole World Cup - I have seen them play five times and I have to say that their team is very strong."

2. "The journalists are only talking about Italy, and that is a great mistake," he said.

3. "I spoke with Cannavaro and Zambrotta, and they consider themselves the main favourites," he added.

4. "I am glad it went well and we qualified but I do not think our opponents will be afraid of us.
"We are ranked second in the world but this will win us nothing.
"We have to go there with meekness and respect our opponents - a lot of hard work is in front of us.

Good stuff. Good to see healthy respect from arguably the best player in the Group. Also interesting to see that Italy has penciled themselves in as the favorites.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5621120

[maddog36]

I wonder if they told him that before or AFTER the Juve scandal? lol

[Hed7181]

Good stuff. Good to see healthy respect from arguably the best player in the Group. Also interesting to see that Italy has penciled themselves in as the favorites.

I would expect nothing less from the Italians. They have some of the greatest national pride in the world, in soccer and everything else.

[OCKlinsmann]

I would expect nothing less from the Italians. They have some of the greatest national pride in the world, in soccer and everything else.

If you are talking about the Italians in general, that does not appear to be the case today given the general countrywide feelings about the three scandals and their ongoing investigations.

As for the team...how proud can they be when their National Team Coach is dragged in for questioning, and their National Team Captain has his home raided by Tax Police on the same day.....

Anyway, this thread is more about Nedved and his thoughts on Team USA.....the Italian issue is ancillary at best as there are several dozen other threads devoted to Italy, their arrogance, their talent and their scandals.

[sidefootsitter]

I would expect nothing less from the Italians. They have some of the greatest national pride in the world, in soccer and everything else. Which depends on their last match ... compared that to the Germans, who are perpetually depressed.

[RichardL]

Here's a new article on Nedved with the following interesting comments:

1. "The Americans may be the dark horses of the whole World Cup

Noooooooo! Don't get yourselves saddled with the "dark horses" tag. World cup dark horses = horse put down after falling at the first fence. It's about as big a curse as being tipped by Pele.

[Nermalthecat]

"I have seen them play five times ..."

That was the most surprising part of the quotes to me. I wonder how he has seen the US play five times and which games he's seen. We haven't had an A-squad game really since Mexico last Labor Day, so I wonder how he draws the conclusion that we are strong, also.

Juve just wrapped up their league play last week -- could he possibly have been watching video of the US already after he told the media he was basically exhausted after a long season? I find that hard to believe, but who knows...nice praise, though.

[judodono]

Noooooooo! Don't get yourselves saddled with the "dark horses" tag. World cup dark horses = horse put down after falling at the first fence. It's about as big a curse as being tipped by Pele.

Sweden were tagged dark horses going into the '94 World Cup

[Gints86]

That was the most surprising part of the quotes to me. I wonder how he has seen the US play five times and which games he's seen. We haven't had an A-squad game really since Mexico last Labor Day, so I wonder how he draws the conclusion that we are strong, also.

Funny but I was thinking the same exact thing. Really we havent had our full team together in quite some time to draw that conclusion. This could make some sense tied with another thread about his overall confidence. He doesnt seem to think that it is a real possibility that the Czech's could win the cup. Maybe he wants to let everyone know that Italy is strong and so are the American's just in case the Czech's dont make it out of the group. Or he could have just been being politically correct but either way interesting comments.

[BigKris]

Sure, he's seen the US play five times and thinks we're strong:

1 WC '02 vs Portugual
2 WC '02 vs S Korea
3 WC '02 vs Poland
4 WC '02 vs Mexico
5 WC '02 vs Germany

[OCKlinsmann]

Sure, he's seen the US play five times and thinks we're strong:

1 WC '02 vs Portugual
2 WC '02 vs S Korea
3 WC '02 vs Poland
4 WC '02 vs Mexico
5 WC '02 vs Germany

there was nothing strong about the Poland match...and in the match against SOuth Korea we were simply outplayed.

As for his 5 viewings...odds are Bruckner has been loaning out his Team USA DVD's.

[MightyMouse]

Were the dark horses,
were the dark horses!

Well, thats as far as my chant goes... can't think of anything else to add to that.

[OCKlinsmann]

Were the dark horses,
were the dark horses!

Well, thats as far as my chant goes... can't think of anything else to add to that.

Anything's gotta be better than
USA!
USA!

[RichardL]

Anything's gotta be better than
USA!
USA!
depends. Is he singing it to the tune of the Osmonds' similarly titled song from the early 70s?

[Galaxian]

I can really see the Italians overlooking us , but from everything I have read about the Czechs , including this article , they are a very smart team that will come to play .I still think this is probably our best chance to come out and take points tho that can get us to the second round .

[OCKlinsmann]

depends. Is he singing it to the tune of the Osmonds' similarly titled song from the early 70s?

I'm a little concerned that anyone actually admits to knowing any Osmands' songs from the early 70's, or from any era for that matter.

Also Richard it's hard to pay attention to your posts...when my eyes keep getting drawn to your damned avatar.

[Ludahai]

I am not surprised he is taking the U.S. seriously. I have always felt he is a smart footballer.


Also Richard it's hard to pay attention to your posts...when my eyes keep getting drawn to your damned avatar.

Put Hsu Chi or Zhang Ziyi in a swimsuit, and he would DEFINATELY get MY attention. :)

[RichardL]

Put Hsu Chi or Zhang Ziyi in a swimsuit, and he would DEFINATELY get MY attention. :)
I just did a search for Hsu Chi, and she doesn't appear to own a swimsuit, or any clothing at all for that matter.

[DBrannfors]

Were the dark horses,
were the dark horses!

Well, thats as far as my chant goes... can't think of anything else to add to that.

Sounds like something from Mr. Ed.