http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...egas-USA-can-reach-World-Cup-semi-finals.html Fabregas said: "The best moment for me at the World Cup so far was that nail biting end when the USA scored in the last minute against Algeria. It was an incredible finale and was the most memorable one for me. "Everybody is talking about it. That was a great moment and they are a great team. "We found that out when they beat us in the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup last year. "So I wasn't surprised at all they finished top of the group. They are fit and strong and dangerous on the counter-attack. "They have spirit too - they came from two goals down against Slovenia to get a draw and scored in injury time against Algeria to go through. The USA never give up. That's why I believe they can go much further because they fight to the end and work so hard. "They are in a good side of the draw now - they have Ghana next, then maybe Uruguay in the quarter-finals. "So I can see them reaching the semi-finals and then who knows what might happen." Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...each-World-Cup-semi-finals.html#ixzz0rpNM0fBy
That's great, and like him I like our draw, but I ain't making any predictions. We've got a date with Ghana, and we remember what happened the last time. Got to got to got to beat them, and it ain't going to be easy...
To reach the Semis, "all" we have to do is beat Ghana and winner of South Korea/Uruguay; Anyone think this is not doable ? THis may be our best opportunity for a generation to get to the WC semifinals. We probably will have better teams in the foreseeable future, but I doubt we get such an "inviting" draw anytime soon ever again.
Nice of Cesc to acknowledge the USA team relative to the Confederations Cup. A classy move. I had the impression that the Spanish side was a bit dismissive of the USA last year, even after they lost. Hat tip to Fabregas.
So he can read and compare that the US is capable of beating Ghana and Uruguay/SK...I guess thats better than most Euro players who probably don't pay much attention to other teams, let alone a team full of players who aren't big names. We'll put him in the 'good guy' list for now
also to the nice guys like Xavi and Iniesta, but ya the Spanish players didn't seem to be the most respectful after we beat them
I think it was Xavi that had alot of nice things to say about the USMNT and Donovan last year after their loss. Classy quote from Fab, cool that some of the big stars are paying attention to the US. I think he's spot on too... there's something special about this team. It's a battle-tested, veteran team with a world-class talent and some other real stars. I think it will take a special effort from a very good team to beat the US, because I think they are the mentally toughest team in the tournament.
its not impossible at all the US can beat Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea... doesnt mean they will mind you
Actually it is impossible for the US to beat Uruguay, Ghana, AND South Korea, at least all in this World Cup
I really don't see how a neutral observer wouldn't think we have a good chance of making it out of our bracket to the semi's. Not saying it will be easy or that it a foregone conclusion, but measured against the teams we will face, I really don't see that there is anyone clearly superior. Yes, we have a couple very, very tough games and I would not be shocked to see us loose Saturday. But, looking at the draw and hoping for the semi's at this point is not at all unreasonable.
I remember the Spanish side being respectful. I was in Spain at the time. The interviews afterwards basically begged the Spanish players to offer excuses on why they lost. What I saw were comments along the lines of, "the US is a good team, played well, and were better that day." The closest comment I saw to disrespect was Xavi saying something to the effect "that is a game we win 9 out of 10 times, but it was not the case today." I agreed with him. There may have been outlier derogatory comments, but overall Spain was respectful and even complimentary then. Fabregas' comments are not surprising now.
It's amazing that, for all of the drama and hard luck calls of the group stage, we ended up in best possible situation: topping the group, with the easiest quadrant in the knock-out stages, with Cesc Fabregas realistically talking about the US in the semifinals. Unbelievable. Remember the goal before the tournament started was to get out of the group stage, and presumably claw like hell against Germany in the R16.
it's certainly great to hear, and i agree with susaeta that the spanish have said nice things about us and our players. but let's focus on ghana first, k?
i just hope our team isn't buying into any of this nonsense about how good they are and are focusing on the ghana game. this is how you get beat.
The players are the ones that need to focus on Ghana. The beauty of being fans is that we get to look ahead and, as Cesc rightfully notes, it's a very favorable path to the semis. As everyone said it is going to be difficult and we're going to have to fight like hell. The good thing is that is what seems to be this teams identity--fighting like hell. I wouldn't put a semifinal run past them.
Times have changed since the Spanish Olympic coach dismissed the U.S. team as "barbarians" before the 2000 semis, and then proved that was so. We've come a long ways, baby.
Ghana, South Korea, and especially Uruguay have all had their moments in this tournament. If any US player is thinking this will be a cake walk, they will get punched in the mouth. The US should go into the knock out rounds with confidence. They should play with an edge. I do not worry about this team being cocky.
"Great moments are borne from great [earned] opportunity..." Can't wait for the match Saturday. Ghana will be tough, no question. Bring it.