US National Team Blows Options

[Coolboarders540]

That was a pathetic display of soccer today. Italy surpsingly won allowing the US to advance with a win. However, they all played like chickens without heads...except for maybe McBride (he's sooooo much fun to watch). This performance has left a sour taste in my mouth and makes me question the urge and determination of almost every player on the team.

[HarryCaray]

Meh who cares, football season starts soon.

[pezking]

I thought they played pretty well, especially the first half. They had a lot of control and chances. The ref made a horrible call in the box resulting in Ghana's 2nd goal which changed the entire game. US was forced to play a different game. Plus their captain Reyna went out w/an injury, he usually quarterbacks the play down the field. I think they'll rebound well. We would've had to play Brazil next week if we had won... no big loss.

[CommanderChoth]

Agreed pex, what a stupid call. And then we missed like 3 great shots in the 60th minute.

[Cross of Iron]

At least you scored 1 goal....

[pezking]

Hey now, England isn't looking like the sharpest knife in the kitchen either. Plus they had a much easier grouping. They didn't score their first goal till the 2nd game vs who? Trinidad/Tabago. No excuses for why US wasn't scoring. I think the ref in the Italy game might have contributed though.

Anybody watch the Brazil/Japan game today? It was great, the ref just let them play. It also helped that the players weren't falling down from the fans cheering and acting like their lives were flashing in front of their eyes. I hate diving. There is a FIFA proposition that is in the works that will make any player that is injured or fakes an injury sit out of the game for 10 minutes, no substitutes either. I think this new rule could bring back the honor and dignity of the game. Too many frencn, italian, insert country here, player that, even if they are fouled, totally act it up. It should be about the sport, not about acting.

[HarryCaray]

Nah, it's good that they are acting. Cause in soccer offseason they can come be a football kicked. So when they get touched they can fall down and act like they were tackled. So the soccer players have to practice their acting during soccer seaon.

[pezking]

Cause in soccer offseason they can come be a football kicked.

Totally confused, english please.

[Cross of Iron]

Hey now, England isn't looking like the sharpest knife in the kitchen either. Plus they had a much easier grouping. They didn't score their first goal till the 2nd game vs who? Trinidad/Tabago. No excuses for why US wasn't scoring. I think the ref in the Italy game might have contributed though.

Not an England surpporter Pez ,I may live there ,but I`m half Italian.............

[pezking]

Don't get me started on Italy!!! LMAO. j/k

I'm actually supporting England... I doubt they'll go far, but I'm hoping.

BTW, what's up with Italian soccer players... it's like they get knocked down to the pitch if someone runs past them too fast?

[Hellfighter]

.......
BTW, what's up with Italian soccer players... it's like they get knocked down to the pitch if someone runs past them too fast?

Sorry Cross seeing as you're 'alf an Eye-tie... But Pez has a point> they should give awards at the end for best dives, and another for best overblown post dive agony drama- I admit, they do look good in slow motion replays


This post has been edited by Hellfighter: 06/27/06 7:00am

[flatliner]

americans will never ever understand the worlds game.

Soccer only allows 6 subs per game, so yes the acting comes into it. I am a stocky defender and usually the damn wingers slam into me and fall down, getting the call. So to combat it, you MUST make it look like you get hit so it is even. It is all in the subtleties, like the entire game. I read a great column on soccer, and they compared it to making love, lots and lots of build up and teasing, until that awesome moment of climax..... GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAZZZZOOOOOOOO (which is what I yell right after I finish as well.)

i have played for 26 years and love it. Half WOP here as well, so viva italia.

It looks like the best game could be Brasil and Argentina.

BTW if I see wayne rooney throw another fit I am going to poop (I will watch the game on the toilet).

[pezking]

Argentina is good. I think their best chance would be to take an early 2-0 lead vs Brazil. Otherwise, Brazil just plays so relaxed... I love it. They play like they've been there everyday. There are definately a few other teams that have good chances to make it in, unfortunately it really depends on which referee they are getting that day.

I've been playing soccer off/on for 30 years and I love it. I think there is more honor and dignity in house league soccer as people aren't always trying to dive. I grew up going to NASL Washington Diplomats games where I got to see Pele, Beckenbauer, Cryuff, etc. Got to play with my travel team during a few half times at RFK which was one of the coolest things... the grass was so green.

[pezking]

BTW, you can watch the game live on ESPN.com. Look on the right side column, should see a red banner for watching the game using ESPN 360. Very nice, I've been watching the game from work this morning.

[HarryCaray]

How can you watch soccer!? It's sooooo boring! They kick the ball to one side then someone kicks it to the other side and back and forth back and forth. And the time clock count's up? Now I have to do math to figure out how much time is left. It's like an hour and a half of men running around in short pants scoring 1-3 points a game. I'd rather watch Tennis.