World Cup 2010

[Cannon Shell]

Dont you think the WC would be a whole lot better if it was a single elimination tourney with the refs having the replay option to check offsides, mysterious penalties and faking?
Or am I just being the ugly American?

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Dont you think the WC would be a whole lot better if it was a single elimination tourney with the refs having the replay option to check offsides, mysterious penalties and faking?
Or am I just being the ugly American?

Very ugly. The only reason for replay to be instituted would be to check for balls going across the goal line.

I thought that todays ref actually did a pretty good job. The thing i don't understand is with the field being as large as it is, why not use a 2 referee system? That coupled with the linesman should cut down and catch many of the fouls. Hell, a hockey rink is what 1/4 of the size of a soccer field? And they use 2 refs.

As far as the game went they just can't afford to always play from behind. It's unbelieveable how their defense always seems to have a lapse every game. But, the difference today seemed to be the goaltenders. Although Howard is one of the best in the world, he was outplayed today. The other guy made the key saves. They should be disappointed, they lost to an inferior team today that seemd to have about 4 shots on net the whole game and 2 of them found the back of it.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Very ugly. The only reason for replay to be instituted would be to check for balls going across the goal line.

I thought that todays ref actually did a pretty good job. The thing i don't understand is with the field being as large as it is, why not use a 2 referee system? That coupled with the linesman should cut down and catch many of the fouls. Hell, a hockey rink is what 1/4 of the size of a soccer field? And they use 2 refs.

As far as the game went they just can't afford to always play from behind. It's unbelieveable how their defense always seems to have a lapse every game. But, the difference today seemed to be the goaltenders. Although Howard is one of the best in the world, he was outplayed today. The other guy made the key saves. They should be disappointed, they lost to an inferior team today that seemd to have about 4 shots on net the whole game and 2 of them found the back of it.

2 refs=too much bribe money needed

[JerseyJ]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Very ugly. The only reason for replay to be instituted would be to check for balls going across the goal line.

I thought that todays ref actually did a pretty good job. The thing i don't understand is with the field being as large as it is, why not use a 2 referee system? That coupled with the linesman should cut down and catch many of the fouls. Hell, a hockey rink is what 1/4 of the size of a soccer field? And they use 2 refs.

As far as the game went they just can't afford to always play from behind. It's unbelieveable how their defense always seems to have a lapse every game. But, the difference today seemed to be the goaltenders. Although Howard is one of the best in the world, he was outplayed today. The other guy made the key saves. They should be disappointed, they lost to an inferior team today that seemd to have about 4 shots on net the whole game and 2 of them found the back of it.

I would disagree with you about Ghana being an inferior team. Ghana is very good, people just don't know much about them because they are so young and most of their top talent save for Essien, Gyan, Muntari, Appiah, and Kingson are all from their 2009 U20 World Cup Winning team. Ghana didn't really need to push forward once Boateng put the early marker on the board especially with Rajovic's tactical tendencies. If Ghana had not put the early goal on the board, you likely would have seen a different plan of attack. I mean, Ghana was missing their leader and best player Michael Essien for the entire Cup, as well as bringing established Top Level veterans like Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah off the bench this year, for younger players. Ghana will be a thorn in many team's sides for the next couple of years and it wouldn't suprise me in the least if they are one of the 2014 World Cup favorites with the talent on that squad.

Personally, regarding the game, I thought they lost to a better team today. It was pretty simple, Ghana was better with the ball, better tactically, better in the back, disciplined, and physical with pace. The US Soccer team is good, but Ghana outplayed them today and absolutely deserved to move on. Now, if Edu is in from the start, yeah, decent chance they don't give up the first one, but then, chances are, they don't play the same style coming out of the halftime break if it's 0-0 compared to 1-0, especially against a good defensive side in Ghana with Kingson, who has been outstanding at the World Cup.

The US will always be competitive with most of the world, but you will always have your top teams like Brazil, Argentina, etc., that the US will struggle to beat on a consistent basis. It's not like this was any lock that the US would win today.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

As far as the game went they just can't afford to always play from behind. It's unbelieveable how their defense always seems to have a lapse every game. But, the difference today seemed to be the goaltenders. Although Howard is one of the best in the world, he was outplayed today. The other guy made the key saves. They should be disappointed, they lost to an inferior team today that seemd to have about 4 shots on net the whole game and 2 of them found the back of it.

I think Howard being one of the best in the world is a figment of the US media's imagination. They are the only one's repeating this ad nauseum. He's nowhere near top five and would struggle make the top ten.

Howard is a very average keeper on a very average team.

[golfer]

Luckily for all of us, within in a week, we can all go back to not giving a **** about soccer. For some of us, it won't take that long, but I'm generalizing.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

I would disagree with you about Ghana being an inferior team. Ghana is very good, people just don't know much about them because they are so young and most of their top talent save for Essien, Gyan, Muntari, Appiah, and Kingson are all from their 2009 U20 World Cup Winning team. Ghana didn't really need to push forward once Boateng put the early marker on the board especially with Rajovic's tactical tendencies. If Ghana had not put the early goal on the board, you likely would have seen a different plan of attack. I mean, Ghana was missing their leader and best player Michael Essien for the entire Cup, as well as bringing established Top Level veterans like Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah off the bench this year, for younger players. Ghana will be a thorn in many team's sides for the next couple of years and it wouldn't suprise me in the least if they are one of the 2014 World Cup favorites with the talent on that squad.

Personally, regarding the game, I thought they lost to a better team today. It was pretty simple, Ghana was better with the ball, better tactically, better in the back, disciplined, and physical with pace. The US Soccer team is good, but Ghana outplayed them today and absolutely deserved to move on. Now, if Edu is in from the start, yeah, decent chance they don't give up the first one, but then, chances are, they don't play the same style coming out of the halftime break if it's 0-0 compared to 1-0, especially against a good defensive side in Ghana with Kingson, who has been outstanding at the World Cup.

The US will always be competitive with most of the world, but you will always have your top teams like Brazil, Argentina, etc., that the US will struggle to beat on a consistent basis. It's not like this was any lock that the US would win today.

I understand that Ghana is far from chopped liver, but I really do think that the US is the better team. I just find it amazing how they constantly come out on their heels each and every game and end up having to play from behind. Even with Ghana playing back a bit with the lead, the US still had a boatload of opportunities that they just couldn't capitialize on. That's the difference between being a good team and being an elite team. You would think Argentina or Brazil would have finished on a few of those chances. I think Bigs said it and he was right. That even if they would have won today, the next game would have been probably the end of the road. It was a good showing, but they aren't in the class of some of the teams that they would being looking at in the coming rounds.

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I think Howard being one of the best in the world is a figment of the US media's imagination. They are the only one's repeating this ad nauseum. He's nowhere near top five and would struggle make the top ten.

Howard is a very average keeper on a very average team.

That's a fair point and I'm not saying it's wrong. Maybe I bought into the hype and it's just my perception that he's a top goaltender. But deep down I do believe that he's in the top 5, then again I'm not sure I could name another 4 to fill out the list.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I think Howard being one of the best in the world is a figment of the US media's imagination. They are the only one's repeating this ad nauseum. He's nowhere near top five and would struggle make the top ten.

Howard is a very average keeper on a very average team.

Apparently you don't pay much attention to the EPL media then, or other World Soccer outlets...

Heck, even Hahnemann is very highly thought of on the world scene and he didn't sniff a minute in the World Cup.

I agree he is not top 5, but he has a legit shot at cracking the top 10, easily in the top 15.

He may not be Neville Southall, but I don't think he is that far behind...

[ARyan]

To me, the US failure falls squarely on Bradley's shoulders.

His constant ability to not field the proper starting 11 and horrible usage of substitutes constantly has the US behind the eight-ball. As well with his lack of ability to get his players ready for the first 15-20 mins.

When I saw his starting lineup yesterday, I knew we might be in some trouble early. The fact that Edson Buddle didn't see time when he was the hottest player coming in is ridiculous.

Bradley's affinity for Clark and Findley is absurd. Clark, in my mind was the worst midfielder on the squad. Findley's speed is amazing, but using him to start makes no sense. He is best off the bench in the second half when defenders have slowed down. His ability to be so quick at that point is a huge strength to the US squad, having him start the game neutralizes his ability some.

DeMerit yesterday was a bad choice too. I would have taken Gooch at 75% over the way DeMerit walked around yesterday.

I just feel we were out managed quite a bit in this World Cup. Bradley does some things very well, unfortunately he does many things EXTREMELY poor.

I hope come Brazil, Bradley is an afterthought as far as coaching goes.

Ze Germans.

[brockguy]

Game on now - 2-1 Germany against England!!! was that over the line!!

Ridiculous. Need replay.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by ARyan

Apparently you don't pay much attention to the EPL media then, or other World Soccer outlets...

Heck, even Hahnemann is very highly thought of on the world scene and he didn't sniff a minute in the World Cup.

I agree he is not top 5, but he has a legit shot at cracking the top 10, easily in the top 15.

He may not be Neville Southall, but I don't think he is that far behind...

I do pay attention.

The English media is more paritsan and delusional than the US media. I'm not saying the EPL isn't a good league, but if you read their media, you'd think it is the only league in the world playing at a top level.

First you tell me I don't pay attention, then you agree with my assessment of Howard. Possibly late top 10, for sure top 15.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I do pay attention.

The English media is more paritsan and delusional than the US media. I'm not saying the EPL isn't a good league, but if you read their media, you'd think it is the only league in the world playing at a top level.

First you tell me I don't pay attention, then you agree with my assessment of Howard. Possibly late top 10, for sure top 15.

You made it sound like he was lucky to be in the top 20, thats what got me up. I don't think the US Media overplayed Howard's ability. In fact if you look at US players overall, the goalkeeper position is about the only place where we have had players that matter. Perhaps I overreacted, maybe...