SFlonghorngirl
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World Cup
- Thread starter SFlonghorngirl
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MikeV73
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Just curious, who is really that good looking on Brazil? Most of these dudes have the worst shaggy and/or butchered haircuts. Do have to give the thumbs up on the female Brazilian fans though, of course the camera seems to seek and find the attractive female fans in the crowd exclusively!
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extremely abysmal approach as per the USA. terrible defense! players seemed non conditioned throughout. belgium, outclassed us big time. belgium, seemed as if they were ready for this game.. or at least they wanted it more. oh well, as always.. better luck next time. adios brazil!
JimR
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We were in as good of physical shape as anyone. This was evidenced by how much we were on defense (maj of every game). This wears you out more physically because you have to chase the ball all over the field. Yet in it til the end of every match -- nearly stealing it from Belgium to advance, right at the end (poor Wondo will never forget that miss). Translation = we were in great shape.
Our problem is that we are just not as good on the ball -- they call it "technical" or "quality on the ball." Our passes are not as sharp. We give the ball away too easily. We panic in the back, and usually just blast the ball to get it out -- while other teams take care of it to keep possession.
On the other hand, we are athletic, tough, physical and play hard. This is always enough to get us out of CONCACAF and into the field. But, it is not enough to get us beyond the Sweet 16.
This is the job going forward, finding those players with ball skillz. It explains one reason why Klinns dipped into Germany so hard for players. They do it differently there. The kids come up learning these things, the hard way. But, IMO, once this primary weakness of ours is dealt with (at the youth level), we are a regular fixture in the late rounds of the WC going forward. And at some point will win it all. Which they will hate us for. Haha. Can't wait.
Our problem is that we are just not as good on the ball -- they call it "technical" or "quality on the ball." Our passes are not as sharp. We give the ball away too easily. We panic in the back, and usually just blast the ball to get it out -- while other teams take care of it to keep possession.
On the other hand, we are athletic, tough, physical and play hard. This is always enough to get us out of CONCACAF and into the field. But, it is not enough to get us beyond the Sweet 16.
This is the job going forward, finding those players with ball skillz. It explains one reason why Klinns dipped into Germany so hard for players. They do it differently there. The kids come up learning these things, the hard way. But, IMO, once this primary weakness of ours is dealt with (at the youth level), we are a regular fixture in the late rounds of the WC going forward. And at some point will win it all. Which they will hate us for. Haha. Can't wait.
Kylie Hopkins
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streettopeschel
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i'm the furthest thing from a soccer expert, but didn't the terrible defense pitch a shutout through the first 90 minutes? i do agree we were outclassed. we're just not as good as the top-tier teams. maybe the gap is closing...i'm not the guy to ask. but we were 1-2-1 in this tournament and scored one goal combined against germany and belgium. nevertheless, the last couple of weeks were entertaining.
PeteA422
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Yeah, last few weeks were entertaining. I wish I could say it will be another 4 years until I watch soccer again, but Paraguay has only one sport that is ever on the TV, SOCCER or FUTBOL!!! Luckily I have the internet and the ability to stream during the real football season!
Chris Flanagan
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I agree 100% which frustrated the heck out of me with Bill Bradley. Kicking the ball down field and having Altidore chase it down isn't gonna beat France, Germany, Brazil or Spain.
However our talent isn't world class yet. I know the MLS has been raving about all the players in their league playing in the World Cup like Julio Cesar, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi and many others. That's great in building the popularity of the league in the US. I really like the MLS and I can get into that easier than the EPL. But I am not naive in believing that the MLS can compete with the EPL and it doesn't help our players get the top class experience they need to get to the Round of 8 and the Semi-Finals.
Some of that is on the players, I get that. Altidore needs to find a way on the pitch and Bradley needs to get his head in the game and be a strong midfielder. He can get away with it with Toronto FC but not in the World Cup. We need our players to start and contribute in those great leagues or we'll never get past the Sweet 16.
Now the talk for the 2018 World Cup is who will be in net? Brad Guzan who starts for Aston Villa or Tim Howard. We are great in net for the future so I have to believe this was Howard's last World Cup. Klinsmann will want to get Guzan more International experience to try to win it all in 2022. Hopefully Qatar loses their bid
Chris Flanagan
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You could watch the MLS or do what most Americans do, pick a team in the EPL and root for them. I picked Arsenal but I am not a rabid fan but like to watch in the mornings in the fall before Football starts.
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