i mean that's all we have to look at. to be fair, the only team that really showed up so far was South Korea. and south africa and US got good results, but still need work -- slovenia more so, but the chance is there. i don't put too much weight on the first game even since no one has really looked good -- but the fact is that 3 points in any WC, especially if it's your first game, is big. i mean, i still think the US will make it in 2nd place, but that stat that ESPN had up isnt the most reassuring. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...ortant-winning-your-first-game&cc=5901?ver=us
Leo, Slovenia's three is really not that valuable considering the US gets to the next round with just ONE against them... they're lack or creativity will leave them proper f#cked if we play like we did for the last 90 min vs england. Sure I'm assuming we're going to beat an Eliminated Algeria and they're going to lose to the Ungles.... but that IS exactly whats going to happen!
I can't see us getting worse than 5 points from this group. If I've done the math correctly, even a draw vs Slovenia and a win over Algeria puts us in the next round regardless of the other teams' outcomes. Though, I'm hoping we win out and advance 1st in the group with 7, followed by Slovenia who gets through on goal differential after throttling England 6-0
Wow. That's exactly what I was thinking. Torres for more offensive strategy, and Buddle because, although speed does kill, a goal is more deadly.
Please no Feilhaber, he just is not in form right now. We are much better off starting Torres, Holden or Edu at CM.
[LINEUP-4-5-1]Altidore,Beasley,Dempsey,Torres,Donovan,Bradley,Bornstein,Bocanegra,Onyweu,Spector,Howard[/LINEUP-4-5-1] Thats it right there we have Beasley and Dempsey tearing up the wings,Donovan,Bradley,and Torres controling the mid, Bornstein left back but he also helps out the wings attacking, same for Spector except on the right side, we need to control our mid-field!!! CONTROL THE MID-FIELD BOB!!! WE NEED TO CREATE PLAYS!! Beasley is back and faster than ever use him!!! he's BEASTLEY on that wing!!Bocanegra is getting old and slow i'd rather have Edu in there but Bocanegra just has more experience, s***!
This should be a different thread but just wanted to ask: Does anyone know why Altidore does not put his right hand over his chest when the US national anthem plays?. Just curious... Thanks!.
I have no basis for this opinion of mine, but I've always felt he thinks he's "too cool for that shit" or maybe he's Josh Howard-ing it or something
I don't think that's right. If we draw Slovenia and beat Algeria by 1 goal, it could still come down to goals for. Assume the following results: ENG 1-0 ALG USA 1-1 SLV ENG 2-2 SLV USA 1-0 ALG We are out of the tournament in this circumstance. The group is: ENG 5 pts. GD +1. GF 4. SLV 5 pts. GD + 1. GF 4. USA 5 pts. GD +1. GF 3. If instead of the above, the ENG v. SLV draw and the USA v. SLV draw were by the same score, then the 2 teams that advance out of the group would be drawn by lot. (Again, assuming tht ENG and USA beat ALG by the same margin. If one of those teams wins by a greater margin against ALG than the other it is through and SLV or ENG/USA would be drawn by lot.) A draw v. SLV and a win v. ALG puts us through for sure if: (1) We beat ALG by 2 or more goals. (2) There is a winner in the SLV-ENG match. (3) ALG beats or ties ENG. (4) The number of goals we score in drawing SLV is more than the number of goals that ENG and SLV score in drawing each other. Bottom line -- if we are to draw SLV, I would like some goals to be scored.
Works for me! Actually, a win versus Slovenia and you have to get pretty creative to come up with scenarios where we miss out.
They didn't play this way against algeria. I would say algeria had more chances than slovenia, but in the end slovenia capitalized on their chance. They relied on the long ball way more than what saw from them in the russian match. As a US fan I think they will be a good match-up, but we can put up 3 goals on the team I saw last night.
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Who cares? Either you agree with his team selction or you don't. Have an opinion if you want, or just cheer the team on.
Haha you are correct. I figured that while my brain was still very much flooded with toxins. I don't see England vs Slovenia ending in a high scoring draw based on what we've seen so far. maybe a 1-0 to England or a 1-1 as Slovenia seem even less potent offensively than we are.
Hmm. Then I would have to disagree with you (and pretty strongly). They play nothing like us. They don't score a lot and they don't give up a lot. We score in bunches and concede in (somewhat smaller) bunches.
First, the pedant comment: SLV is El Salvador. SVN is Slovenia. Second, the serious comment: If we're worried about the goals scored tiebreak, I think it's going to be against Slovenia, and thus this game is irrelevant as the goals scored (in the event of a draw) will be neutral.
Regardless of your feelings towards Lalas he is correct in saying that we should beat Slovenia. It's not that they're a bad team. It's simply that we've shown that we have the means to win. So it's a matter of execution on that day. If the U.S. plays like we know they can, then they can get the win. Why we should win: 1. We've played a lot of big games against good teams this cycle. 2. Team chemistry/mentality is good. 3. We have a few game changers. 4. We have good organization and execution on set pieces. 5. Slovenia is not in a position of absolutely needing a result. The 3 points they gained puts them in control of the group. Contrast that to Algeria who will be playing balls out knowing that they absolutely need a result to stay alive. Why we might not win: 1. We start flat. 2. We have trouble breaking down a bunker defense. 3. We are inconsistant with our play. 4. Any red card before say the 75th minute. 5. Bad luck.
Anyone have a thought on this: Why does Bradley insist on wearing warm-up track-suits on the sidelines?? He looks like a clown. The biggest stage in soccer - you would think he could act/look professional and wear a suit like every other coach! Even Maradona had his fat ass in a suit!!!
Why should he change the way he's operated up to this point? Maybe he feels that by dressing down he's "one of the lads" and they'll respect him better or something. I could care less as long as they continue to get the results they need.
He should change the way he operates because this is the World Cup. Up to this point he has never been to one - he looks like a high-school coach on the sideline. Whatever works is fine with me - just think he looks like a clown that's all. Big coaches on big teams wear suits / is part of being professional.