Spoiler post for those taping on Univision.

[Dan Loney]

If you're taping on ABC, well, you might not be the happiest camper who ever camped. I wonder if there will be any posts on that subject.

[Dan Loney]

I owe Mexico an apology, and not just for burning their flag in front of their embassy on Mexican Independence Day. That was a very brave performance from The Enemy. As I write this, they have just over fifteen minutes to claw back, but they haven't controlled this game whatsoever since halftime.

Tevez and Messi were disappointing, and I'm talking Donovan disappointing. Tevez should have won the game in regulation - he's not dangerous if he doesn't shoot, John Harkes. Mexico can put four defenders on Messi all they want if he's not going to pass. They're young, they'll learn, and Rodriguez makes sure they can do it in this tournament.

I've seen better goals than the winning shot, though. Er, wait, maybe I haven't.

As far as Germany v. Sweden - thanks, Sweden. Klinsmann's price keeps going up, the USSF won't be able to afford him. You know, Trinidad could have had their asses kicked just as well, if that was all you were going to do. Maybe I'm just bitter because I thought Ibrahimovic would win the Golden Boot. (A desperate Juventus player in a group with defenses as shaky as Trinidad's, Paraguay's, and England's? I'd make that pick again now. No I wouldn't.)

Well, I hope Lavolpe's flight home connects through Buenos Aires, so he can defect. The sad thing is that the anti-naturalization forces will have his scalp, when I thought Zinha Naelson was one of the few guys keeping Mexico in the game. I'm probably being misled by a fresh-legged sub doing well against tired players, but he just now nearly forced me to rewrite this entire post.

I'm sorta rooting for Mexico now- I know, blasphemy - but who didn't love Ayala cheap-shotting Rafa Marquez on that free kick.

Tevez is wearing the wrong cleats tonight. Why are so many players slipping in this tournament?

Probably the same reason that Harkes felt the need to name check Giuseppe Galderisi. Harkes HAS had a good tournament, but wow, that was random. At least Tab Ramos played in the World Cup.

Germany v. Argentina in the quarterfinals. Can't think of any matches those teams have played in the past.

Well, congratulations, Mexico.

[lotharis1]

i thought mexico were robbed...

that free kick at the end of the first half... was the result of a clear red card tackle that was only given a yellow...

a defensive blunder led to a reckless tackle to stop someone who had a clear and golden scoring opportunity... thats a red... last man back...

instead they get a yellow, and a free kick from 35 yards out... thats not nearly an even trade off...

then there were 3-4 other cardable offenses against Argentina which were never awarded... one for a vicious ody tackle from behind, one for a late two footed tackle, another for a clear counter attack stopping foul... and im sure there were others...

yet the Mexicans got cards for breathing... whereas argies were allowed to play however they chose...

those diving argies did it again...

[Labdarugo]

If you're taping on ABC, well, you might not be the happiest camper who ever camped. I wonder if there will be any posts on that subject.

Eh?

I was watching on Univision. What happenned (or didn't) on ABC? Did they switch over to Heidi or something?

[n4100]

Germany v. Argentina in the quarterfinals. Can't think of any matches those teams have played in the past.

Well, congratulations, Mexico.
Surely you jest, right? July 8, 1990, Estadio Olimpico, Rome:
West Germany 1 v 0 Argentina

[Crimen y Castigo]

I couldn't stop laughing after that Rafa bitchslap. Totally gratuitous violence against Marquez will always be funny. 85 year old Rafa Marquez pushed down the stairs and impaled on his walker? Heee-larious.

I've always greatly disliked both Germany and Argentina, but that quarterfinal match should be the final. They're both playing the best ball in the tourney, full stop. Spain can get all caliente and bothered if they want to, but they're still imposters. The Dutch are still contenders, but they have to stop hating each other... oh, wait: we can rule out the Dutch.

But the assassins and divers in the Argentine player pool seem to have missed their flight (again: hacks against Marquez don't count). And Klinnsy has turned Kraftwerk in Kleats into Teutonic excitement of a Hasselhovian degree.

I'm just as shocked as anybody.

And Dan -- thanks for this: "I love France, I love good soccer, but I love comedy more." I kept trying to explain to my wife why I was rooting for Togo.
"I thought you liked that Henry guy"
"It would just be funny."
"Funny?"
"Nevermind....."

[lotharis1]

Surely you jest, right? July 8, 1990, Estadio Olimpico, Rome:
West Germany 1 v 0 ArgentinaHa... is that the only one you can remember?

[chapulin]

Germany v. Argentina in the quarterfinals. Can't think of any matches those teams have played in the past.
Well, congratulations, Mexico.


WOW... u seriously cannot remeember any past matches between argentina and germany? :eek: :D

[MiguelARodriguez]

Unlucky for La Volpe having Pardo and Guardado out so soon. That got his tactical plan out. Still, I am very proud of the Mexican Squad, they out played stellarly an Argentinian squad full of star. The ref was a hack! Borgetti almost lost his adam's apple in an arm fling and the ref does not see it. Guardado gets hes ankles ripped off and the ref only calls a yellow. Borgetti gets taken down inside the box in plane sight of the man in black and nothing.
If it wasn't for that own goal by Borgetti, cus' it was an own goal! Mexico would be in quarters. Still Viva Mexico you played gallantly. Good luck Argentina with Germany.

[zonametro]

If the ref was one sided and all for Argentina what about the goal disallowed in the 90th minute that was clearly onside

[grapedog]

If the ref was one sided and all for Argentina what about the goal disallowed in the 90th minute that was clearly onside

called by the linesman...not the main ref.

[Chesco United]

Probably the same reason that Harkes felt the need to name check Giuseppe Galderisi. Harkes HAS had a good tournament, but wow, that was random. At least Tab Ramos played in the World Cup.



I believe Galderisi played for Italy in the '86 World Cup.

[solidarity]

All analysis aside - that was the single best goal I have ever seen live, just amazing. I don't care for either team and I was screaming after that... that's why its the beautiful game, huh?

[Chiquitibum]

If the ref was one sided and all for Argentina what about the goal disallowed in the 90th minute that was clearly onside


you talkin about the one to Tevez, then Messi for gol?

the pass to tevez was called offsides, but wasnt, then he passed it to messi who was offsides. so either way, good call.

the ref sucked though overall

[TerremotoFan]

you talkin about the one to Tevez, then Messi for gol?

the pass to tevez was called offsides, but wasnt, then he passed it to messi who was offsides. so either way, good call.

the ref sucked though overall
Nope. He was onside.

[locoxriver]

you talkin about the one to Tevez, then Messi for gol?

the pass to tevez was called offsides, but wasnt, then he passed it to messi who was offsides. so either way, good call.

the ref sucked though overall
Messi was behind the ball when the pass was given.. It is not offsides if you are behind it..

[Thomas A Fina]

I owe Mexico an apology, and not just for burning their flag in front of their embassy on Mexican Independence Day. That was a very brave performance from The Enemy. As I write this, they have just over fifteen minutes to claw back, but they haven't controlled this game whatsoever since halftime.

Thing is, they always show up real well against the good teams. They'd rather see Brazil than the U.S.

I've seen better goals than the winning shot, though. Er, wait, maybe I haven't.

On a flight back home - missed the game will have to see it later

As far as Germany v. Sweden - thanks, Sweden. Klinsmann's price keeps going up, the USSF won't be able to afford him.

:confused: I always thought they were going to make it to the eights at least - and getting KOd in the quarters will get him fired posthaste. (qand yes, we are in agreeance here re : Klinnsmann next US coach.

Probably the same reason that Harkes felt the need to name check Giuseppe Galderisi. Harkes HAS had a good tournament, but wow, that was random.


Wouldn't they have had played together on the Revs?

[a_guy]

If you're taping on ABC, well, you might not be the happiest camper who ever camped. I wonder if there will be any posts on that subject.

hey, what happened with ABC? was it somethinga heidi-bowl-esque?

[karlmarx]

you talkin about the one to Tevez, then Messi for gol?

the pass to tevez was called offsides, but wasnt, then he passed it to messi who was offsides. so either way, good call.

the ref sucked though overall


Horrible call, Messi was definitely behind Tevez.

That may have been the best performance by a ref yet, he actually let them play. Given the reputation of both teams (as Harkes pointed out on more than one occasion), I thought he was smart enough not to stop play for all the falling down.

[2-0 Baby]

Much less diving than you would've expected. Heinze, the way the WC was called for the US, deserved a red. Problem for Mexico is he plays for Argentina. I'm glad a red wasn't called, mainly because I wanted Argentina to win. Oh yeah, Argentina's goal at the end of regulation was onside. Whoever said it was off needs to go back and read the rules.