Well, lbb likes it. What more confirmation do we need? (Not dripping in sarcasm...this time.)
I thought this was terrible game to watch From the disinterested observer's standpoint, I'll concede that it was not a thing of beauty. From my standpoint (and others of those on this community blog) however, as someone who has followed the progression of the US international football squad since 1984 ( I played youth and high school soccer with and against John Harkes in NJ), I found it to be gripping. Time was when the US team was easily intimidated by very strong teams from Englad, (then) Yugoslavia, Brazil, Germany and even Mexico for a long time. To see a US team stand up to the physcial pounding exerted upon them by a larger and more talented Italian side, and moreover, give back better than they got was a revelation. Clearly, the US has at least another decade to go before they are truly considered an elite side, but yesterday demonstrated to a lot of us that they are at least physically positioned to get there. Ugly it may have been, but I'll take it. Maybe we can't yet play the beautiful game over here, but after yesterday, we are one step closer.
Well said, psmealy, IMHO.
Excellent assessment, psmealey.
Spot on Smealey. I thought it was a very interesting game to watch and I was impressed at the way nine Americans outplayed ten Italians for large periods of the second half. It'll be interesting on Thursday now, as the US will be without Pope and Mastroeni and the Ghanians will be without both players who scored against the Czechs.
Soccer makes golf on tv look exciting. At least the US Open didn't end in a tie. Soccer is a great sport to play, I used to play in a fairly competitive league, but on tv a 1-1 tie is boooooriing. The red card issue doesn't bother me much, that happens in any sport with an official, look at the last NBA game. Glad to se that on the home and garden channel they have a special on paint drying...should be exciting!
psmealey: "I was really disappointed when NCAA football moved to the circus-trick shootouts to settle draws. " You have got to be joking. The NCAA's football OT, is way more thrilling than the NFL's OT. Typically, whoever gets the ball first in the NFL's OT, ends up winning the game. Who can forget that classic 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl? Yeah, Miami did get screwed with that Phantom pass interference call, but it was tremendously exciting. Mr Bismarck: "I was impressed at the way nine Americans outplayed ten Italians for large periods of the second half." Was I watching the same game? How exactly did the 9 U.S. players outplay Italy's 10? Italy dominated most, if not all, of the second half. But anyways, I was very impressed how the U.S. played being one man down. They looked nothing like that way they did in their first game. Even though there were some stupid mistakes, cough**Pope**cough, it was a good game. dviking: "Soccer makes golf on tv look exciting." Soccer is in no way that bad.
but on tv a 1-1 tie is boooooriing. NOT! I was jumping out of my seat almost every couple of minutes each time any of the teams approached the other goal! The only time I did so while watching golf, was when Phil Mickelson's went for double bogey on the final hole..... Now that's Boooring!
Cisse everyone! I agree with Salmacis. The calls were good, but perhaps a few good talking tos would have helped ease things a bit. The ref really let the lads play after the Pope red though. Still a LOT of work to be done by the US team (without 2 starters), but they also need help from Italy. And the reward? They get to play Brazil! Good luck on all counts.
Who is the fellow with the Scottish or Irish accent who's doing the games on ABC -- every time I hear him get excited, I think of the cartoon guys in the Guinness ads -- brilliant! Good match yesterday. Not a thing of beauty, but competitive and it kept me watching. I look at World Cup the way I view college basketball -- I don't pay much attention most of the time, but get the tournament going and I'm there -- all the excitement without the slog of the season...
Not a thing of beauty, but a barnstormer. The last 20 minutes fell off in intensity, probably because everyone was knackered from going in studs up all the time. The US changed their line up and tactics, but unfortunately you run the risk of red cards if you keep going in like that. As said above, all cards were deserved - and Pope was lucky to stay on after the first yellow - wasn't he the last defender at the time? The US team showed they can muscle up, in complete contrast to the Czech game. The draw and the Ghana result puts the pool wide open. Game on!
Agreed psmealey..considering past years' performances (especially '90 and '98) a 1-1 tie with a squad the caliber of Italy seems beautifully ugly to me. Now I hope the U.S. can make Ghana a goner--even if it means a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the 2nd round. (Maybe such a match would be closer..say 1-0 like '94. Too bad that potential match can't be played in Palo Alto. NO JINX! NO JINX!
I am on the ajaffe bandwagon, but with one difference I do pay attention. We need more true allaround sports fans who just care about sports in general especially soccer. Isnt that what this thread is all about ? so all you haters need to go somewhere else.
Re: "Ties suck". I will never understand how someone can honestly watch something, or experience something for the first time (or first few times), and then turn to all the people who have been watching and experiencing it for their entire lives - and proceed to tell them what is bad about it, or what needs changing. Honestly - do you think that you've discovered some deep revalation that has escaped the attention of actual soccer fans and experts for hundreds of years? You? Bob Q. Puntpants from Pecyaune County? You think people are going to slap themselves in the head and proclaim "My God, you're right! Ties suck so bad - I never thought of it before!". Give it a chance. It's different. Different isn't bad. Try it on for a while, it works. It just works.
ajaffe - He's Tommy Smyth.
what i think is funny is how defensive and sarcastic most soccer fans get about their sport when threatened with a different opinion. just because soccer is so popular worldwide, doesn't mean you can stare down your noses at the rest of us who aren't as interested. lighten up....
Mcbride and the COACH needs to be sent back home. THEY BOTH SUCK!!!!!! Put in Eddie Johnson . He is the only scorer on the team...... Mcbride plays weak and was never a threat. The coach puts to much stock in the players that play in Europe. He needs to play Dempsey and Johnson at the same time.
what i think is funny is how defensive and sarcastic most soccer fans get about their sport when threatened with a different opinion. Yeah, but what I think is funny is the idea that any of these opinions have any redeeming value. They don't. They're based on casual observation by people who obviously don't grasp the game and haven't given it much thought outside of a simple one or two-game reaction. From TV. You know, I've been in a couple planes before, should I start telling them how to run an airport? (I really can't think of a better evaluation right now)
Way to go Weedy!!!
what i think is funny is how defensive and sarcastic most soccer fans get about their sport when threatened with a different opinion. I don't think they're threatened, they're just tired of dumbasses shitting all over soccer threads with "Your sport sucks" comments. If you offer a well-thought, coherent viewpoint, I think you'll find them receptive.
after some frantic trimming of tree limbs during a thunderstorm - now that is dedication. oh yeah. Go Ties!
Just because we may not be a fan of a particular sport we do not need to down it. That is the beauty of sports, there is something out there for everyone to enjoy. It would suck If we only had one sport to watch. Its kind of like women. If you don't like a tall one pick a short one. If you don't like skinney ones get a fat one.......all that matters is that you enjoy it. Like the commercial says " Life without sport is BORING"......As for me, I love having a variety of different sports to watch.
Good point Dallas, I don't come on here slating Basketball, Baseball or American Football ;-)
