We've got the thread about how you felt after JOB's goal, but how about after we lost to Germany? I was pissed. That handball had me fuming for days. I was sad. We outplayed them and even up until the final whistle I was sure we'd find the back of the net if we kept creating chances. I was happy. We didn't get outclassed, and we left with dignity. I had to get up and work, and the entire time I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing I was so disappointed. How did you feel?
I felt like I'd been on the best date of my life w/ a really hot chick that's into the same stuff I am and just when I thought the deal was closed, she shook my hand and said, "well good night, I had fun." To add insult to injury she dropped, "I'll call you later." I took off my blue '97 nike kit(the lucky blues we wore when we tied Mexico @ azteca despite Agoof getting tossed early & the 1:0 upset of Brazil) and went to work. I had mixed feelings all day. I knew we'd played some of the best ball in team history on the biggest stage in the world. & that suddenly guys at work who had said soccer was for flamers were themselves dissapointed by the match outcome and even followed the last couple of games. I knew that we'd come a long way baby since Sampson botched things so badly w/ that rag tag bunch that the bradenton camps opened and pro-40 became a true feeder. We could hold our heads high but we still got ripped for a couple of bad calls & a rare friedel screw up. But the biggest thing was the desire to hit the fast forward button 4yrs to the next WC2k6 in germany to see how our boys followed up on their brilliant run.
Same like when we lost to Brasil on 1994 We need to get better REFEREES, on the semi finals 1994 USA/BRASIL, Alexi Lalas was not OUTSIDE BUT THE REFEREE SAID SO, on the same hand LANDON DONOVAN OUTSIDE CALLS NEVER EXIST but that was the last weapon of the PLANET SOCCER AGAINST USA, they still can SWALLOW USA beating a world powerhouse
No crying, just glad we showed how competitive we can be. If you're going to lose, it's better to lose how we lost than get blown out. I thought our finishing sucked, of course having Ollie Kahn the Hun contributes greatly to that.
Not quite tears But I was incredibly disappointed to have come so far, to have acquited themselves so well, and to lose a game that to all appearances they dominated. The bar where I watched the game exploded when Sanneh headed the ball into the side net, only to lapse into glum silence again, a silence that endured until the game ended. Then, there was sporadic clapping, and suddenly, as one, the crwos started chanting 2006! 2006! 2006! It was quite a cocktail of emotion to be sure.
From after the Mexico game until the morning of the Germany game, a friend and I kept telling each other that we would lose, even though we really thought we wouldn't. We just didn't want to be disappointed. I sat there and cried for a while after we lost b/c I really DIDN'T think we could lose. I watched the game again the next day. It was awesome that we did so well against such a team. I can't wait til 06. Only 3 1/2 more years to go.
I cried as well. Part of it was sadness, part of it was a feeling of incredible pride. I still remember reactions from the group of people I was watching the match with. I don't think I'll ever forget that.
After the Germany match I was glowing with pride for the job the boys did out there. No one could wipe the smile off my face as I knew the incredible feat they accomplished. As time passed though, I've become a little...I don't know...bitter at that handball non-call and what could've been. We were within the realm of possibility of disputing a WC final!
I was a bit disappointed because the game was soooo close, but I was really proud of what we accomplished and it showed that our domestic league is capable of producing world beaters. I mean there is no shame in losing to a side like Germany, but at the same time, it was like, wow, look how close we came. Its a real shame that the wc only comes every four years, considering it blows away the super bowl, world series, stanley cup, olympics all combined. I suppose that why its so prestigious though... I can't wait to see our boys at 2k6, i mean the sky is the limit for the US team...
I had a very mixed reaction at the final whistle. First off I was pissed at Hugh Dallas and ready to disown all my German and Scottish ancestors. Then when I was watching the highlight clips of the whole WC run I started to tear up just from sheer pride. The whole rest of the day there were several times I teared up from realising what we had accomplished. It felt good and somewhat satisfying that we went out and outplayed the soon-to-be runner-up and lost with class and pride. It was amazing to see Voller and Kahn shaking our boys' hands while they (the Germans) had a look of relief on their face. You could tell that the German players felt that they were lucky to get out with the win and had a great deal of respect for our boys. Now, I just can't wait til qualifying for 2006. I still have some moments where I get a bit emotional, especially when seeing the Reyna pic with the American flag. Can't wait til 2006. C14
I was pretty disappointed, especially after the close calls that the US had. I was at US-Germany '98 and after the ribbing I took from German fans there (before and after the match), and after having a German guy in Seoul ask me if the USMNT was made up of college players, I REALLY wanted to see the US beat them. But at the final whistle, when I saw about 7 German players collapse on the ground in exhaustion, I knew what the USMNT had accomplished. Maybe we didn't beat them on the scoreboard, but we beat them in terms of effort and desire, and we were the better team that day.
My first reaction was one of being extremely pissed off. My second reaction was to re-run what if scenarios. What if Kahn had not got a hand on Donovan's shot in the first half? What if Sanneh had been able to get to the cross? And yes, what if Dallas had called for a penalty kick after the Frings handball. My third reaction was one of pride as to how the US played. This all took place within 2 to 3 minutes after the final whistle.
I was upset that the Germans had goten away yet again from a CONCACAF team... (they pulled the same stunt in 98) I couldn't help but get a smile on my face at the Irony of the handball though
Huge difference between not getting a call in a game dominated by the US versus Mexico not getting a call in game where they were abused.......
I felt disbelief. After pitting so many weeks' emotions into 90 minutes and then losing in such a close match, it was difficult to realize that USA was out of the WC (until 2006). Then I felt pride. It was almost like watching history and knowing that looking back, I'll always be proud of them no matter what the future holds.
I didn't (and don't) feel we "dominated" the game at all, I thought it was a very close run thing with lots of opportunities from both teams, somewhat sloppily played in the end, but with both sides giving everyhing they had, the evidence of which came at the final whistle when everyone collapsed. I also felt (and still feel) that while the handball on the line was dramatic, I don't believe it should have been called as a penalty. Wolverine (sorry, Frings) did not play the ball, it played him, and the ball clearly did not cross the line; close to a goal, yes, but so was Klose's header that hit the post. Overall though I felt this was the US' best game at the World Cup, and it's the one I've watched more than any other since the cup.
I was in a bar run by a German friend. At the end of the match, we both were on the floor, him in relief and me in sadness. We then had a beer as friends congratulated him and consoled me. We were both proud of the American team. For me, the indelible moment was Donovan angry and upset with Stewart consoling him. At the moment, the torch was passed. I still watch that match, and I still get nervous as Sanneh takes the open header. Then I had to go to work, a 45 minute drive. About 15 seconds into the drive, I started worrying about qualification for 2006. Sachin
Please try to get a copy of the game and use your SLOW MOTION, and by the way GERMANY IS A POWER HOUSE USA start to play soccer in 1994!!
Abused??? what game where you watching?... Anyways you guys had a good game Vs Germany, those punks just always find a way to win, hats of to them and we'll try to get them next time.
Rule #3 of BigSoccer: All threads involving the USMNT or MLS will in some way turn into a, however small, U.S. vs Mexico debate.
LOL I have noticed this... I have also seen a couple of Mexican League threads turn into this also... I simply noted an Irony in the whole thing, however I do share the frustration of seeing your team dominate a game and for whatever reason not coming out on top... It hurts the heart to see something like this hapen especially when you are sure that had you made it past said team you had a good shot at the damn cup. However all you can hope is that your players learned from the experience and will know not to squander their opportunities next time, because these oportunities dont come very often.
My reactions Disappointed that the boys didn't advance to Semi-Finals but at the same time damn proud they represented the USA very well in this fashion. Should have been a Donovan Hat Trick to take down Germany. I also felt very good when Beckenbauer praised our boys and he admited that Hugh Dallas screwed up on not calling a hand ball. I'm still damn proud of the performence, and I want a bloody encore in Germany but this time we win the damned thing.