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WC - Round of 16, USA vs Ghana (Sat 2:30 ET, ABC)

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This match was lost when Bob Bradley turned in his starting lineup. That was a questionable lineup for a qualifier vs. Costa Rica, let alone the Round of 16 in a World Cup. It's more difficult than necessary when you're closely matched and you have to waste two of your three subs replacing players who should not have been in the lineup in the first place. It's even worse when one of those bad starters makes a mistake that directly leads to a go-ahead goal.

The US were whipped by the time extra time arrived. That's a result of having to use substitutions on players who aren't good enough to pull their weight as opposed players who are good enough but have given all they have.

Kudos to Jeremy Schaap for asking Bradley about his starting eleven without being a dick about it. Bradley's response: "It is what it is". I hope he has a better answer than that in the presser as opposed to speaking off-the-cuff in a sideline interview.
 
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All the ESPN guys are acting like this World Cup was a great performance, maybe its just me but I don't think it was anything special. We got a fluke goal to tie England, we tied A Slovenian team that we were better than, then we tied Algeria in the last minute. And we lost to Ghana who is not that great. We also lost to Ghana last time 2-1, which shows how much we have improved in 4 years.
 
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OhioState001;1723294; said:
All the ESPN guys are acting like this World Cup was a great performance, maybe its just me but I don't think it was anything special. We got a fluke goal to tie England, we tied A Slovenian team that we were better than, then we tied Algeria in the last minute. And we lost to Ghana who is not that great. We also lost to Ghana last time 2-1, which shows how much we have improved in 4 years.
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First of all, the was the second-best World Cup performance ever for the US. I think that needs to be recognized.

vs. England: Yes, there was a fluke goal. Should it not count? I think that's an advantage you enjoy when your team has a quality keeper and your opponent fields an inferior one.

vs. Slovenia: People who were following this team through qualifying and tune-ups knew that the US backline was suspect, and it showed here. The question was whether the team would be good enough in the attack to make up for it. Once Bradley got his best eleven on the pitch for the second half they were able to answer that question positively.

vs. Algeria: They did not draw, they won that game. They played will thoughout that game, clearly played well enough to deserve to be ahead earlier than they were. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way.

vs. Ghana: See my post above. The performance was night-and-day different from the match vs. Ghana four years ago. 2006 was a sad-sack effort by the US. Today, the players gave everything they had, but they lacked a bit in execution and were put at a disadvantage by their manager.
 
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jlb1705;1723299; said:
First of all, the was the second-best World Cup performance ever for the US. I think that needs to be recognized.

vs. England: Yes, there was a fluke goal. Should it not count? I think that's an advantage you enjoy when your team has a quality keeper and your opponent fields an inferior one.

vs. Slovenia: People who were following this team through qualifying and tune-ups knew that the US backline was suspect, and it showed here. The question was whether the team would be good enough in the attack to make up for it. Once Bradley got his best eleven on the pitch for the second half they were able to answer that question positively.

vs. Algeria: They did not draw, they won that game. They played will thoughout that game, clearly played well enough to deserve to be ahead earlier than they were. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way.

vs. Ghana: See my post above. The performance was night-and-day different from the match vs. Ghana four years ago. 2006 was a sad-sack effort by the US. Today, the players gave everything they had, but they lacked a bit in execution and were put at a disadvantage by their manager.
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The performance was different the result was the same if we lose to Purdue next year who cares if we play better.
 
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OhioState001;1723300; said:
The performance was different the result was the same if we lose to Purdue next year who cares if we play better.
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Different level of disparity in the matchup, different level of expectations. Not a good comparison.

In international soccer, the US is closer to being a Purdue than an Ohio State.
 
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TRON 2.0;1723298; said:
Sorry, but it's fucking soccer. 98% of us could give a shit less and I am glad it is over for America.

I know some you like and play soccer, so rip into my post all you want. :biggrin:

GOOOAAAAALLLLL!
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Ok, I'll have a go at it. How about fucking rooting for your country? Seriously, you're post does get under my skin. Whether you like soccer or not, this is the world's sport and our guys--who are not the best athletes this country produces--went out there and fought against the best athletes in the world, overcame adversity, and lost to a team that, in reality, was probably just about as good as ours, if not better. We can differ on politics, religion, etc., etc., etc. But at least have a little tact and don't openly gloat about a loss suffered on such a great stage by your fellow countrymen. Your post makes me sick.
 
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