I agree with you.......anyone that thinks there will be an easy game or group for the US is unrealistic....... It only matters if you win......win, win, win.......nothing else matters! Our U-20 team won the Group of death and found death in the next round......lots of good winning the GOD did for us......
Hey, england66 .....so next winner would be from Europe? I know your opinion already from other threads. What will happen if USA will in their group both: Germany and England. What will happen? Just curious to hear your opinion. your bltleo from Germany
I never stated that any team is "unbeatable". I am simply replying to your original, ridiculous assertion that you would welcome Italy in the USA group because they would have trouble scoring vs US defense, that all they play for is PK's, etc. I do believe that on any day, any team can beat any other team. The soccer world has definitely gotten much tighter. But please, vs any of the traditional powers, the USA would be a tremendous underdog. Your example of Germany '02 is telling. We played the best game we've ever played and still lost! These teams know how to win (and yes, this does have something to do with their history).
...you must have watched a different game....I recall France battering Brazil for 90 mins...winning 3-0...and Barthez having to make one save...
right now and assuming all the top players are available I believe England would be too strong for both the USA and Germany.
typical answer of arrogant englishman.... just joking around.....so better we both USA and Germany don´t have England in our groups.....otherwise it will be very interesting communication here.....you will "bombard" me with your english post then actually England-Germany were always my favorite games... because German have respect of England..and England used to have and maybe still have respect of "Krauts" soccer.. Who is strongest english player?...from your point view of course your bltleo germany
yes, superdave you are right... english men have sometime special humor...so england66 use sometimes his typical english humor..which make any thread interesting... we can also learn form england66 experiences with soccer... your bltleo germany
We match up nicely with Italy (If Arena realizes who his players are.) I don't want to see the Ukraine or Klinsmann's Germany.
are Americans really so afraid from Klinsmann´s Germany? I thought Americans was saying that germany is not so strong team anymore I also don´t want to have USA in our group. It is because I want both countries meet later in semi-finale at least. your bltleo
Fair enough...I just love making fun of Italy. It's one of my favorite past times. They're a great soccer country. But I really do believe this current Italy squad is lacking. I just don't think Totti can lead a team. His skills are simply amazing, but he just hasn't proven he can lead a team such as Zidane (WC 1998) or Gerard (05 Champions League). He's similar to Figo for Portugal. The US is still a huge underdog...but Italy is a team I want to see the US play so bad. You have a solid point about Germany downing the US...but we were two finger tips away from the semi-finals. As for England and Germany, I think we can play with anybody, anywhere. I think England will be one of the strongest teams at the 06 WC simply because of Steven Gerard and Frank Lampard. They should leave Beckham on the bench and get Keiron Dyer out there. Lampard and Gerard could lead England to glory next summer. If the US does not make it to the 06 World Cup Final (insert one of those ridiculous smiley faces here), I want to see England v. Brazil in the 2006 World Cup final.
Hello Palmetto, hm you just love making fun of Italy. Italy is great soccer nation. Yes you are right, you were really close before semi-finale in 2002. But then this Germany and Ballack. Hm Sorry. You played better, but we won. It is life. But you can try it next year. Of course USA can play against anybody, anywhere. I already told it several times. I really think USA manage to go to quarter-finale and I would not underestimate US team. My dream Finale: USA-GERMANY is really not unrealistic. Well you would like to see England - Brazil in Final. This is your opinion and I accept it. I would like to see Germany against USA or England. England is strong team and if Germany plays against England, we will have to fight very hard. You are right. So Palmetto, we just can surprise us. Everything is possible. your bltleo
This is a completely pointless discussion. In 2002 Argentina, Portugal and France went out at the group stage. If it wasn't for David Seaman, Argentina could have beaten England 6-2. They didn't. They lost. Yet England was completely outplayed. Portugal underestimated the US. If it wasn't for Friedel the US would have lost against Korea. Teams are more equal now. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day. It's up for grabs. All teams should be VERY afraid in the group stage. ALL TEAMS! If you're not afraid or prepared, then you're probably going to get knocked out. Simple as that. It doesn't matter who you are. Unless you're Brazil. The only true world power left.
Everyone can win this Cup. I think I already told it several times on many boards. Not just Brazil. Every country has a chance to win this Cup, even USA. We European stopped to underestimate the US. I think we had good lesson in 2002. And we should not underestimate other "newcomer" country now. Who knows maybe it will be Czech team who will be in Finale, maybe a country about that we all think that this country has no chance. Think back. Who knew that Greece will win European Cup 2004? No one. Everything is possible. There are my words. your bltleo
I agree entirely. But look how difficult Greece is finding WC qualification for 2006. I'm not saying that their European win was a fluke but I just think that every team is difficult to play these days. This is good for the game. A Czech-Spain final would be brilliant! Or USA-Japan! The old Germany/Italy/ Brazil/ Argentina monopoly was very unhealthy for the game. Those days are over and anyone has the ability to win the World Cup. Fantastic! After 70+ years football is finally a WORLD game!
Hello NYC-friend! I total agree with you on this point. I´m happy that soccer became more WORLD game now. It makes this sport more interesting and excited. In the history we had few soccer "old countries" like England, Germany, Brazil, Italy - they were supposed to be favorites. Now we have many "newcomer" like Czech Republic or other small countries. We became competition from the US about that I´m very happy. Ach, Greece. I saw the game Greece-Czech, Czech definitely played better in 2004 and they were already supposed to be winner. But see they had bad luck and Greece made it. However Czech played better. So everyone have a chance to win this cup, even with GOOD LUCK. thank you for your post here. and good luck for your team Metrostars! P.S I have an american friend who has given me the t-shirt from Metrostars. It looks great. So I make promotion for Metrostars in Germany your bltleo
Thanks! Remember when Lothar Matthaeus was in the Metrostars? I'm a Welsh expat so living in NY I have no choice but to support thr Metrostars. I wish they would win more often! As for England...the Premiership is the best league in the world but the national team...ouch!
Since you're new to the site I'll point you in the right direction: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199199&page=1 The above threads shows how teams fit into the current seeding formula. Unless FIFA changes this formula which has been constant and transparent for the last two World Cups, Mexico will be seeded.
???? you need to go back and watch that game again (if you need a tape I'll send you mine) Seaman made ONE save the entire game, late on, a reaction save from a header from a corner. that was it...the Argie gk was much the busier and if not for a couple of decent saves from him (from Scholes and Sherringham) as well as Owen hitting the post with the GK a spectator..England would have won handily...you are either argentinian, clueless or blind....and maybe all three.... ....a blind, clueless,argentinian....I'd shoot meself in the head....
i dont't give a ********... let them put us with any ********end team, We will prove to everyone how we run this ******** here in the USA
I was just thinking that I'd rather face Italy than any of the other first seeds. We played them tough in Italy before J/K and only lost 1-0 on a Regis screwup. Donovan spun Canavarro like a top in that one. They did provide us with a lesson in hard tackling and physical play though. I think we could take them, even in Europe.