This thread is dumb from the logic aspect of it. However, pro-Klinsmann posters have two actual reasons to be pleased about this outcome: 1. Klinsmann is German. Thus, whatever keeps him happy is good for the US. 2. It vindicates the rather obvious decision to focus the dual national attention on the German-Americans and not the Mexican-Americans. It was rather obvious, but there were many obvious decisions that were made incorrectly...
No, based on the fact that Germany is the best team in the world right now. I thought they might have been before the Cup started, but their play this World Cup has convinced me. There is no one better.
Memo to the Pentagon: Please cancel all plans to build air bases in Brazil. Put them in Belgium instead. Sincerely, Sunil Gulati
Sometimes the bus just needs to be parked. You can complain that we don't play attractive soccer, that we don't take the game to the opponent, that we play not to lose, etc. But the truth is that bunkering gives us the best chance to win when we face a vastly superior opponent.
We are a developing "football nation," albeit developing quickly. Momentum continues to build, but the next steps are the most difficult...to be a consistent Top 8 nation. We got out of the "Group of Death" while two teams picked ahead of us by all the London punters did not do such. We had the chance to make the Quarterfinal, get a result against a better team, but Wondo blew the golden chance. Sometimes, such is what it takes to win tournaments...ala the Italia method. This is a mental development/maturation moment for US Soccer. All of this is needed learning experience for US Soccer. Young players developed from this experience, and we look to have a deeper pool for the next World Cup cycle. It is also to be expected that our expectations as a nation should notch up one level. On top of that there were record television audiences (more than either the World Series or NBA Playoffs)! Again, momentum continues to build, but the next steps are the most difficult...to be a consistent Top 8 nation. It starts now with our preparation for the Olympic tournament and the U-20/21/23 World Cups. Player development, player development, player development.
Horrible thread. Different scenarios. I'm fine with his tactics for Germany. Belgium game was a disaster. Tab Ramos as head coach would have lost to Germany 5-0. OP was waiting to make this thread while watching the game. Trying to be a smartass.
Germany essentially played with 3 defensive midfielders. Not a single person is accusing Low of bunkering. It's just that all across their line-up their players are better from top to bottom. You can see what Jurgen was talking about, when he mentioned that US plays opponents with "too much respect" and "they wanted it badly" This my friend was a PRIME example. The Germans simply didn't respect the Brazil team, they ruthlessly hammered 5 goals in the half... and you can see that the Brazil wasn't mentally in the game. How do you leave that much space for Germany? Brazil essentially gave up after the 1st goal. Germany doesn't care about your home team advantage, doesn't care about your joga bonito, they play to ruthlessly and efficiently finish off their opponents. This is what Jurgen wants his teams to play like, no respect, no mercy, and with motivation.
Agreed. You can see what he was alluding to regarding players feeling the heat if they make the mistake that Wondo did. Germany was up and if somebody didn't do something right they were still getting on each other. Neuer was pissed after the goal was scored. It's crazy they were talking about how poor of a cup Ozil has had and how some people were calling for him to be sat. The amount of great balls I've seen him play since this WC started left me baffled at those comments. I've definitely seen some mistakes, but I would easily take his overall play over any of our midfielders (though he doesn't defend as well). It kind of shows the difference in expectation when you're at Germany's level. If it isn't near perfection it isn't good enough. I think the expectations have continued to increase in the US, so as long as we keep going in the right direction eventually we'll be fine. Who knows how long that will actually take though.
Oscar's goal was all Özil's fault. He should have stopped the clock by scoring the 8th. The quick gk caught Germany's defense way up, leaving a 1-v-1. Sometimes scoring is the best defense #GermanWorldProblems