Posted on 07/01/2014 10:02:58 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
SALVADOR, Brazil — Every four years, soccer cleans its slate and allows nations to reinvent themselves. Forgotten teams resurface. Small programs make big strides. Champions uphold their legacy or, in the case of Spain this summer, show their age.
For the second consecutive World Cup, the United States is in position for a breakthrough, a fresh narrative, a defining moment.
[From Fancy Stats: How the United States can beat Belgium | What to expect from U.S.-Belgium (not much scoring) ]
Four years ago in South Africa, the Americans won their first-round group in a heroic manner but lost to Ghana on an extra-time goal in the knockout stage. It wasn’t an upset; rather, it was a missed opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the second time in three tournaments and set the tone for the next World Cup cycle.
On Tuesday, the U.S. squad enters a round-of-16 match against Belgium with another chance to nudge the program along a little further. The Belgians are a more formidable foe than Ghana was in 2010, having arrived in Brazil with a stable of top-flight talent and a deserved label as dark-horse candidates to hit the semifinals or beyond.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Won't be good enough. We have to score to get back into it.
Just go fold your laundry. And quit whining . . . it’s un-American.
Then get out of here, you're bad luck.
You’ve missed an absolutely riveting 90 minutes of ebb and flow and crushing tension. Your loss. It’s been a great game.
What team does Howard play for in the Primer League?
They can learn from this for next time.
Better skill, especially in the midfield.
Better tactics, in holding possession.
Losing Michael Bradley in a hole someplace.
They have nothing to complain about, they have been completely outplayed and the better team is going through.
Everton, the much less pompous and annoying team in Liverpool.
So, Obama tweets “Go USA” or similar just before OT starts, and look what happens.
Everton.
2 -0 Belgium on a shot by Lokaku at 104:28.
They may go all the way.
Bad luck chaps. 11:15pm here, up for work in precious few hours. I hope I wake up to an astounding World Cup shock!
Belgium just has too much talent.
I think they beat the Argies.
Yea, but spot on..........
Belgium 1 US 0 I mean Nil
Oops!
Belgium 2 US 0.....I mean nil
What's with that "nil" stuff" anyway? Why can't those Euroweenies and our own sportscasters say "0"?
Everton. You’ll see him on NBC.
The Obama curse, damn him.
First you tell me to go fold my laundry then you tell me it's un-American.........I'm confused.
This. Is. AMERICA!!!
GOAL!!!!!!!
Bed can wait!
Just wondering why you are acting like such a woman.
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