Soccer/Futbol ⚽

49erFan1 · June 11, 2014, 4:12pm

I think the last friendly revealed a bit. I think Klinsman didn’t put Donovan there because he knew that he was going to move Jones to the wing at the position Donovan would likely play. However having Donovan on the bench would draw too much attention and risk splintering the team if things didn’t go well. I think he likes Julian Green coming in as a sub if we need a goal because of his pace and dribbling.

I do believe him however when he says that Donovan is number 24 if any of the guys get hurt. I can almost agree with the decision. But time will tell if it’s the right one.

J_Felt · June 11, 2014, 5:33pm

[quote=“49er1, post:140, topic:27433”]Without going through this thread to see if the answer is there, can someone tell me the real reason that Donovan is not on the USA team?[/quote]Donovan was not viewed by Klinsmann to be one of the 23 best players to take to the World Cup.

AlexNiner11 · June 11, 2014, 7:27pm

[quote=“9erken, post:128, topic:27433”]So the WC starts in 3 days. Any predictions at this point?

There’s been interesting injury developments in our group. Reus missing hurts Germany a little bit, but they have so much awesome talent, they can probably just plug someone else in there. Bender is also injured, but less of an issue probably. The bigger issue is probably whether Ronaldo is going to be fit for Portugal. He would probably tear apart our back line fully healthy. Hobbled, he’ll probably still do damage, not sure as much though.

I still think the US fails to get out of this murderous group. We might get 3 points versus Ghana, but I doubt we take points from Germany and Portugal, and I think both those teams will put more goals in against their opponents, so even if we do take a point, goal difference probably sinks us.

Overall both Argentina and Brazil seem like teams to beat, Brazil primarily due to home field advantage, which I think will be huge given the number of divers they have. I’d say Spain is the favorite, but I’m not sure how their aging stars handle the Brazilian heat and humidity, and I still think their group might be the toughest in the competition (because I think Australia is better than their rankings indicate and think Chile is very good). I think Belgium and Ivory Coast probably go on longer runs than expected.

I don’t know if any concacaf teams make it out of their groups, all 4 got put into tough groups, especially the two strongest teams USA and Costa Rica which really got screwed. Mexico’s group is easier, but they still seem weak to me. I’d say Honduras has the best shot, but it depends on whether Switzerland is really one of the better teams in Europe or not.[/quote]

Honduras is awful. They will dive, time waste and defend with 10 men behind the ball the entire time. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose all three matches without scoring a goal. I anticipate they’ll be one of the worst team at this World Cup.

Of the CONCACAF teams I think Mexico has the best chance to advance. It would be typical too, struggle through qualifying then make the biggest splash in the tournament proper. I hope it doesn’t happen but they always seem to play Brazil tough and Croatia and Cameroon, while decent, are not world beaters.

I think if we come out against Ghana and get all 3 points we have a real chance of advancing. We have to hope for Germany to beat Portugal in their match. Germany would be favored against Ghana and 6 points in two matches would put them through which would leave us with an already qualified Germany in our last match. You never know…

I think the favorites are Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany in that order. No European team had ever won a World Cup outside of Europe until Spain did it in 2010 (South Africa). I agree with J Felt though, it’s Brazil’s cup to lose but I don’t think they are the most talented team there. Argentina’s midfield and attack is second to none: Messi, di Maria, Aguero, Lavezzi, Higuain and then throw in Maxi Rodriguez for good measure oh and that’s right they have Mascherano in behind. Stupid good.

I cannot wait! One day!!!

Happy World Cup Eve!

AlexNiner11 · June 11, 2014, 7:36pm

By the way, the last warm-up results of our group foes:

Germany-Armenia 6-1
Ghana-South Korea 4-0
Portugal-Ireland 5-1

ninermike · June 11, 2014, 8:52pm

[quote=“SteauA, post:144, topic:27433”]By the way, the last warm-up results of our group foes:

Germany-Armenia 6-1
Ghana-South Korea 4-0
Portugal-Ireland 5-1[/quote]

The Ghana score is especially impressive considering South Korea is a World Cup team. We had our best send off series ever but none of our games were as impressive as these scores.

9erken · June 12, 2014, 11:53pm

(Deleting double post)

9erken · June 12, 2014, 11:53pm

Brazil got the home cooking I expected. I didn’t see the whole game, but I did see that third goal off a breakaway in which the Brazil player committed a blatant foul to get the ball. I also saw the replay of the “foul” on Fred that led to the penalty. That might be the worst penalty I’ve seen given at a World Cup, but maybe I’m forgetting some other awful ones.

It’s too bad, because it’d be fun to see how Brazil would’ve responded to a fair result. I’d say they didn’t look good enough to make it very far this year (if they keep playing like this), but I’m wondering how far the refs will carry them.

Also, I’d love to see FIFA actually bring back the post-game suspensions for diving. It’d help to put a damper on Brazil’s (and other teams’) theatrics. But then Neymar probably wouldn’t get to play many games, so there’s no way they’ll do it.

system · June 14, 2014, 12:16am

I am glad someone else also saw the takedown that sprung the 3rd goal. And yes Brazil was gifted that game.

How about the Dutch today? Everyone is commenting on Spain’s uninspired play, but the orange arent getting enough credit. They looked like a team that can make a serious run at the championship.

Bummer for the socceroos today too. Chile looked like crap. I wish they were in the USA’s group. We would feast on counterattack goals.

AlexNiner11 · June 14, 2014, 2:06am

The Netherlands was incredible today. What a complete decapitation of the greatest national team in the last six years (and probably ever). I am very curious to see how Spain will bounce back in a tough match against Chile.

Speaking of Chile; they took their foot off the gas when they went up 2-0 and it cost them. Had they continued at the same rate they started the match at they would have finished off the Socceroos in the first half. It goes to show you that there are no easy wins anymore in world football.

By the way, the streak of fun and entertaining games will come to a screeching halt when we have to sit through Colombia vs. Greece tomorrow. I hope you enjoy 10 men behind the ball defending for 90 minutes because Greece is REALLY good at that (I’m not bitter at all that they knocked Romania out in the UEFA qualification play-off round…not at all…).

9erken · June 14, 2014, 3:02pm

The Dutch did play well. They’ve always had the talent to be a top tier team, just have never seemed to play together and avoid injuries too. I noticed they started the game off playing really physical, but they seemed to dial it back a bit after a few cards.

Casillas had an awful game. He seems to be making some bad decisions now, something he almost never did in the past. I wonder if it’s time to go to De Gea in goal.

Australia looked ok to me, too bad they ended up in an impossible group. I think Chile is good, they will give up some goals but will probably score a bunch too.

How about the goal scoring so far? 15 goals in four games. In past cups, there were usually a bunch of 0-0 draws already at this point. I’m looking forward to the Uruguay-Costa Rica and England-Italy games. If Costa Rica had gotten an easier group, I think they might’ve been able to sneak out of the first round. But this group is probably too tough. I’m also interested to see if the Ivory Coast is going to take care of business this time around and advance. They’ve got enough talent to do it. Japan is often fun to watch too. Very excited the WC is finally underway.

AlexNiner11 · June 14, 2014, 9:55pm

How about Costa Rica! That was incredible and fully deserved! Uruguay were pathetic.

casstommy · June 17, 2014, 1:53pm

I guess any discussion of the US game was eaten by the internet?

Fantastic result even if it was less than inspiring throughout. Absolutely hate it for Jozy as it seemed in those first 15 minutes we were soon to break through again but the complexion totally changed once he went down. I think Dempsey will be fine given a few days off to allow him to breath again.

I’m kinda shocked at how poor Bradley played. I dont think we will see that again. Beasley looked really overmatched which isnt surprising but still. I thought the center backs played well. Jones was great and although Beckerman always looks to move the ball into negative space, I have to admit he did a great job defending.

I didnt like the Johannsson sub. I havent seen him play enough on the club side to really know his game but i just thought his age would get the better of him and i think it did. The moment seemed to big for him. I think Wondo would be better moving forward.

Nice to see Brooks do well after some really terrible games in a US jersey.

I really think Fabian Johnson may be the second best player on this team. I know he was tracking the run on Ghanas goal but i dont fault him as much as just a great piece of soccer from Ghana. This team looks amazingly different when he can run out and attack. He’s really talented.

J_Felt · June 17, 2014, 2:05pm

[quote=“casstommy, post:152, topic:27433”]I guess any discussion of the US game was eaten by the internet?

Fantastic result even if it was less than inspiring throughout. Absolutely hate it for Jozy as it seemed in those first 15 minutes we were soon to break through again but the complexion totally changed once he went down. I think Dempsey will be fine given a few days off to allow him to breath again.

I’m kinda shocked at how poor Bradley played. I dont think we will see that again. Beasley looked really overmatched which isnt surprising but still. I thought the center backs played well. Jones was great and although Beckerman always looks to move the ball into negative space, I have to admit he did a great job defending.

I didnt like the Johannsson sub. I havent seen him play enough on the club side to really know his game but i just thought his age would get the better of him and i think it did. The moment seemed to big for him. I think Wondo would be better moving forward.

Nice to see Brooks do well after some really terrible games in a US jersey.

I really think Fabian Johnson may be the second best player on this team. I know he was tracking the run on Ghanas goal but i dont fault him as much as just a great piece of soccer from Ghana. This team looks amazingly different when he can run out and attack. He’s really talented.[/quote]I hope Jozy can recover, we’ll see the results of the MRI later today.

Johannsson did look nervous, but he also was paired with a less-then-100% Dempsey. I think he’ll be fine, but wouldn’t mind seeing Wondo get a chance.

Worst game I’ve seen from Bradley in years. Maybe he was nervous too?

Agreed on Fabian, he’s talented and fast enough to be a winger, but he’s too important to the defense right now.

Ghana was more athletic and we appeared to be hobbling all over the field. Maybe too much yoga. Either way, a gutsy performance and three points is three points.

Jimmyhat49er · June 17, 2014, 2:18pm

[quote=“J Felt, post:153, topic:27433”][quote=“casstommy, post:152, topic:27433”]I guess any discussion of the US game was eaten by the internet?