The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

Ope, sorry, I even looked for db's beforehand and goofed, unless I was looking at a pre-game post or something. No harm intended.

 

Gonna have to get a win over an opponent that will almost certainly be fine with a tie.

 

Didn't ESPN/ABC go to commercial during match play in the World Cup as recently as the 1990s? Even commentary from matches in 2002 (Jack Edwards!) and 2006 (Dave O'Brien!), it's funny how amateur they sounded at times.

But an own goal on today's broadcast. Several times, the commentators said the U.S. will control its own destiny against Iran to get out of the group regardless of the result against England. Which was untrue.

 

I am sure there are many here more informed about the USMNT than I, but the second half was as good as any we have ever played against a quality side.

Only five total minutes of stoppage time is a credit to the players. There wasn't any of the so-typical stalling, flopping, bitching at the ref, etc. The lads just played football.

Why England keeps Grealish on the bench is beyond me. He is their most creative offensive player, I was nervous almost every time he touched the ball.

Lelas can be annoying and overbearing but he pulls no punches. He's absolutely correct to lament our lameness at striker. Nobody on our team can score.

And if we can't beat Iran, or get more than two points from matches with Iran and Wales, we don't deserve to be in the Sweet 16.

Death to Iran!

 

If I remember correctly, Turner was taking commercial breaks in the US's first Cup back in 1990. I don't think ESPN was doing it from 1994 on, though I think they had designated ad reads for each portion of the game, "This portion of the game is brought to you commercial free by Budweiser." I'm trying to remember what Cup it was when FIFA took over doing all the graphics. Maybe 2010. But they can't sell ads in-game against it anymore like they did.

 

It was our top song, mate!

But seriously, pretty funny that all we have to do is beat Iran.

 

That penalty against Wales really has fucked us.

 

Sort of? But if Zimmerman doesn't do that, we're still on four points (with England) and Iran on three. We'd have been in with a draw there, but would have still been out with a loss.

 

Zimmerman has been just ok. Ream has really surprised me in how well he’s played.

Adams was everywhere today. What a performance.

 

It could have been played better but it was the overall result of the US not coming out worth a damn at half. It was either going to be something like that or a straight goal. At least it wasn't more than one.

 

Tying Iran and beating Iran are two totally different difficulty levels, right?

 

After a four-hour drive back home, I finally get to say that while I was glad we didn’t lose I think we left points on the table - again. Tuesday is going to be a tense, tense match.