I don't think any of our national teams have a nickname, maybe the Rugby team? Outside of that I don't think the baseball team is called the 'Homering Hanchos' or the basketball teams called the 'Dunkin Dandies'. Just not part of our culture.
I'm pretty sure that the basketball team has a nickname. I know it doesn't always live up to it, but "the Dream Team" always is associated with the men's basketball team. But, you are right. Almost all of our sports teams already have nicknames. New York Yankees don't need a nickname (other than "Yanks") because there is already a nickname attached. It's not like most other countries where "Manchester United FC" need a shorter name to call the team.
Rugby is the Eagles Basketball has been "Dream Team" since the end of the use of fully amateur teams by the US
There's a debate about the 'Dream Team' names. Some people say it should only really apply to the 1992 team, I don't think it was used for the last team with Lebron and Kobe.
Clark is going to be facing Kaka. As for nicknames, US teams don't need them. Teams in the US have very informal names already: Jets, Bulls, (Mighty) Ducks, etc. If the names were like "Professional Sporting Association of Tulsa" you'd need nicknames.
Was watching Sky Sports today and they brought on Landon and BB to discuss the Brazil game. Great, right? We're gonna get some interesting insights on strategy, tactics, line-up, match ups, whatever. What was the one and only question? How was Michael Jackson's passing going to affect the team? I thought it might be satire -- Was this Onion TV? Well, both answered seriously with the expected cliches about focus, but Landon seemed to be having a hard time not laughing.
According to Wahl's twitter, there was quite a few questions about Michael Jackson to the team. I know MJ is much more popular internationally than in the US but its funny that the international journalists wouldn't quite 'get it' that the US team probably isn't grieving or even thinking too much about it.
On the name thing, it seems like a lot of people on this board call them the Nats. The Selecao just means the selection, and a lot of countries call their team the same thing, except in Spanish. Brazil has a streak of their own going. Is it 19 games that they're undefeated with Robinho and Kaka both playing?
In general conversation, more often only the country is used: "hey, did you know England won over Sweden?" People in most of the world automatically assume the men's national football team is meant.
Betting options, from TAB Sportsbet in Victoria That's the local angle here... Sure, the USA is still rated as decided underdogs, but nearly as huge underdogs as we were prior to kickoff against Spain. Brazil -- $1.35 Draw -- 4.75 USA -- $7.50 And some other interesting props in there as well, especially with regard to goal-scorers.
We would assume it was an armed conflict or - following your usage - something along the lines of "Bush/Cheney won over the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people." We like to say that one team beat the other, defeated it, crushed it, edged it, etc. Why aren't we talking about tomorrow's game?
A kid who hasn't played a minute since a late sub appearance in the first group stage match is the second most favored player to score first on that site. I'm referring to Pato by the way.
They've also got Damarcus Beasley and Freddy Adu scoring as well, so take it for what it's worth. But there are some smart options there. Just read through it. And if we're going to dream big... $26.00, for each dollar bet, for us to win 2-nil? I might have to ask for a piece of that action.
Hey guys I was born in Iraq .. I have loved and followed Brazil's national team since I was 6 and I'm a Canadian citizen. But I don't know why my heart wants you to win tomorrow I think it's mostly because I know how much it would mean for the sport in the US and in North America in general. And it's also because I have followed your national team for the past 7 years and love their style and they have become my second favorite national team. Whatever happens tomorrow, I will be happy but I know that I will only feel this once with Brasil being in a final of a tournament, and that is I hope you win
Benny is likely to start, thats a given. But is he 90 minutes fit?? I think he may be close to it. That said, he is probably the first sub regardless. Does that mean Torres will actually get minutes? Or (....shivers) Kljestan... I think we're going to see the game of Benny's life tomorrow performance-wise.
I just saw a long segment on Skysports news on the USMT heading into the game tomorrow. I would never have imagined the USMT would be the lead story for a segment on Skynews. Bob did himself proud with his presence on the press conference and his determination to stay focused on putting together an American performance. They showed Landon's comments as well. Seeing our NT on SKY just made it sink in that the USMNT is playing in the final of one of the most important tournaments in the world against the world's team WITH EVERYONE WATCHING worldwide. This is the biggest game in the history of US Men's soccer. Bob is growing on me for his pure nationalism, although I think tactically, he has some room to go on elite international coaching.
That's pretty much the idea. As for tomorrow's game, good luck. This is, perhaps, your toughest challenge.
As fate, or my not being Tiresias, would have it; during the game tomorrow I'm going to be trapped in the first, ugly, propeller driven deathtrap phase of a miserable longwinding passage out to Asia.......through Newark . It's gonna make missing the most memorable match, perhaps, ever, in USA history, that more miserable. Do you think that, if it turns out to be worthy, I could git one of 'em hard to find pirated dvds of the match in Hong Kong or Taipei? Go USA, win or lose do us all proud!
This is the final we have been waiting for, and the fact that it comes with two less rounds than a World Cup to plow through is immaterial. It's going to be a learning experience. But win or lose, this tournament is a qualified success. I am proud of my boys, and I think that although we aren't a step better talent and skill-wise than we were after the last Brazil game, I see a change that should be much easier to maintain and use to reap more immediate dividends: a tactical maturity and a belief in our ability to beat any team on any day (Azteca?). Like Bob said, this maturity process occurs in steps, and I am glad to see the long evolution of this country in the game we love. A combination of luck and industry gets us to Bloemfontein and then we rise to the challenge. I'm very proud. Brazil can be had, and I will be screaming at the tube tomorrow with all of you (Sorry TheLostUniversity). Go Nats
So you're used to following and supporting Brazil and you love OUR style? Man, I really am starting to feel like I entered Bizarro World a few days ago...
Most games are uploaded (as torrents) on the web within minutes after the game is over. Download, record as DVD and you're set to go.