US N+A World Cup General Discussion Thread

Those outcomes would certainly turn some heads!

 

FWIW I picked Spain and Chile.

 

Not strictly WC related, but interesting to think about new and old teammates he'll be facing:

Cesc Signs 5-year Deal with Chelsea

 

Yo tambien.

 

I think most people did. I think the Netherlands may be a little underrated at this point, even if I didn't pick them to go through. Bad value in the betting market, but maybe underrated by the bracketeers on this board.

One of the most overrated players in soccer.

Yeah, I said it.

 

I would like to see Iran make the next round as I think Carlos Quiroz got the boot undeservedly even thought Portugal played really good his sacking was bs despite Paulo Bento doing really really good..... You can say Quiroz got the Bradley treatment.... That Bosnia team is not that great and Argentina always have hiccups I see them going throught but Iran will sneak in

Imagine if the USA did get throught and met Iran in the latter stages as much as I want the USA to finish second behind my Portugal it's gonna be tought almost unrealistic but I would love to see Germany fall apart lol

The reason I think the USA are not going through it's not player pedigree at clubs but that defense the USA has in not convincing to me someone like Hugo Almeida. Asamoah Gyan , Miroslav Klose in the air will be too much for Beialer m against Nigeria he let he inexpeirence show but this cycle will be what the usa need for the next

 

same. i'd love to see croatia pull this one out, but then, i guess it can be kind of a chill when the home team loses the opener (as unlikely as it might be).

i'll wager 2-1 brazil

 

I think is going to be 3-1 Brazil.

 

2 to 2

Neymar and David Luiz
Rakitic with 2

 

Brazil big, they will come out strong for the home crowd

 

Now that is going out on a limb!

 

In the New Era (1998-present) of the World Cup Finals, with 32 teams, 3 points per win (I know, it started in 1994, but didn't sink in until 1998 IMO), and stricter red/yellow card rules, the opening matches have been:

Reigning Champions Play First:
1998 - Brazil 2x1 Scotland
2002 - France 0x1 Senegal

Hosts Play First
2006 - Germany 4x2 Costa Rica
2010 - South Africa 1x1 Mexico

Three out of four games won by one goal. I think it'll be the same. Either way.

 

And very little else, it should be stated, especially since Mandzukic is out for this game. If Pranjic is still injured they won't even have a natural left-back.

Croatia will be a tricky side though, and you can't count them out with their top players. All the pressure is on Brazil too. If Croatia is disciplined defensively, I could see this being a tie, otherwise probably a two goal victory for Brazil, 3-1.

 

Which raises an interesting question...if Brazil fails to get out of the group and the country sinks into a deep, collective malaise, what sorts of logistical problems might we expect for the round of 16 and beyond?

 

Sticky ones.

 

I'm guessing the country basically shuts down and they call the whole thing off.

 

I'm thinking that the main logistic problem for the USMNT will be choosing between Delta Force or Seal Team 6 to help them leave the country.

All kidding aside, the pain is really big. People feel cheated already. If the Selecao fail at group stage it will be ugly, ugly, ugly.

 

All I know is that if this game ends up 2-0 or 3-0 Brazil, I get a free Kebab from the local place down the street.

 

Well obviously if they win tomorrow (and they very well could), then the whole picture changes drastically.

I just strongly suspect that one of those two teams is going to have issues, and if I have to choose between them, I'm choosing Spain.

 

Are we supposed to disclose? Ok, here is one of my hastily thrown together entries which is devoid of much thought and the product of snap judgments and sentimental hopes.

Group A: Brazil, Mexico
Group B: Spain, Chile
Group C: Colombia, Ivory Coast
Group D: England Dan*, Italy
Group E: France, Ecuador
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria
Group G: Germany, USA
Group H: Belgium, Algeria

Round of 16:
Brazil over Chile
Italy over Colombia
Spain over Mexico
England over Ivory Coast
France over Nigeria
Germany over Algeria
Argentina over Ecuador
Belgium over USA

Brazil over Italy
Germany over France
England over Spain
Argentina over Belgium

Argentina over England
Brazil over Germany

Argentina over Brazil


*don't want to change my mind

 

okay here's what I got... USA to beat Mexico dos a cero in the semi final and then meet Algeria in the world cup final... after an intense 120 goalless miuutes and just seconds away from a penalty shootout... suddenly the US scores with a goal from Lan..... oh nevermind, I forgot, I guess that can't happen.... so I guess that particular scenario is not technically possible so I think I'll go with this...

Group A
Brazil
Croatia

Group B
Spain
Holland

Group C
Ivory Coast
Japan

Group D
Italy
England

Group E
France
Ecuador

Group F
Argentina
Bosnia

Group G
Germany
Portugal :-(

Group H
Belguim
Russia

2nd round (winners first)
Brazil - Holland
Spain - Croatia
Ivory Coast - England
Italy - Japan
Bosnia - France
Argentina - Ecuador
Germany - Russia
Portugal - Belgium

Quarter finals (winners first):
Brazil - Ivorty Coast
Spain - Italy
Germany - Bosnia
Argentina - Portugal

SFs:
Brazil - Germany
Argentina - spain

3rd:
Germany - Spain

Final:
Argentina - Brazil

yep that's may predictions... bad tournament for Concacaf but history will repeat itself with Brazil losing at home to a neighboring rival 2-1 after blowing the lead...

 

England meet Argentina in the semi finals we will bribe them by offering to give them the Falklands if they let us win.

 

They wouldn't take that bribe, or they'd gladly accept the Falklands back then beat you anyway.

 

They would seriously think about it.

 

Group A:
Brazil
Mexico

Group B:
Netherlands
Spain

Group C:
Colombia
Ivory Coast

Group D:
Uruguay
England

Group E:
France
Ecuador

Group F:
Argentina
Nigeria

Group G:
Germany
USA (damn straight)

Group H:
Belgium
Russia

Let er rip!