Running, all-purpose World Cup thread

did Rob Stone call this game...Im glad I had the sound turned down.

 

Bruce, you shouldn't have been watching. You should have been crafting your best Knute Rockne meets Rocky Balboa "We're the underdogs so let's go show the world the U.S. doesn't suck at soccer" speech for the Italia match.

 

His goals-against average is 0.50. I wouldn't mind having that kind of stat for Kasey Keller in this tournament.

 

I wouldn't mind the US facing off against the teams they faced of against, either.

 

Portugal, Mexico and Iran isn't exactly a walk in the park. I know Portugal underachieves, but they're still good. And I know we own Mexico away from Estadio Azteca, but again, Mexico is a top seed for a reason. And Iran kinda beat us the last time we played them.

 

While that is sort of correct, NOTHING Mexico has done in this World Cup has impressed me. They do not beat the US outside of the Azteca. It just doesn't happen anymore.

Portugal lost to the US the last time out and I think the US would give them a hell of a fight based on the confidence factor.

Then you have Iran, who wouldn't be facing the same US team they faced last time.

Yes, it is all pure guess work, but it doesn't matter. Mexico has a much easier group and they have done nothing so far.


Now, the US has Italy on the way. Fantastic.

I'm looking forward to the game. It will definitely be interesting to see.

 

A Knute Rockne meets Marcelo Balboa speech wouldn't be bad, either.

 

Does anybody know why Edgar Davids isn't playing for the Netherlands?

 

My understanding is that the coach decided he wanted fresh blood. Same reason Seedorf ain't on the team.

 

Question:

Hypothetical situation here. The US defeats Italy and the Czech Republic defeats Ghana. On match day 3, Italy defeats the Czech and the US defeats Ghana. This puts a three-way tie for first place between the US, Czech Republic and Italy. Does this not mean that the US needs two wins, plus a Czech Republic win over Italy on match day 3?

 

What the hell. Fresh blood? Anytime you got Davids on a team, you have a better chance at winning. And his goggles are great!

 

The refs are apparently very sensitive about calling PKs at all. The one Villa converted for Spain was the only one so far, IMMSMR.