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World Cup 2014: U.S. braces for Belgium in knockout stage clash [4pm EDT]
WP ^ | June 30, 2014 | Steven Goff

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 ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: soccer; worldcup2014
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To: Mitch86

Julian Green. Wow.


141 posted on 07/01/2014 3:17:00 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("Compromise" means you've already decided you lost.)
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To: 1rudeboy

Game on again. 13 minutes to go. Go USA.


142 posted on 07/01/2014 3:17:22 PM PDT by MadMitch (nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: 1rudeboy
First you tell me to go fold my laundry then you tell me it's un-American.........I'm confused.

Use smaller words.

143 posted on 07/01/2014 3:17:29 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: 1rudeboy

Goal for the US.


144 posted on 07/01/2014 3:17:58 PM PDT by mware
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To: Colonel_Flagg

Jesus nearly 2-2


145 posted on 07/01/2014 3:18:22 PM PDT by MadMitch (nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: 1rudeboy
US finally scored, I'm happy for them......yea, I'm still watching!

Hope they do it again............

146 posted on 07/01/2014 3:18:34 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (By now, everyone should know that you shoot a zombie in the head. Don't try to reason with them...)
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To: MadMitch

Damn, I’m proud of these guys!


147 posted on 07/01/2014 3:18:54 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: IronJack

Tim Howard having a great game


148 posted on 07/01/2014 3:20:27 PM PDT by MadMitch (nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: MadMitch

Howard undoubtedly MOTM


149 posted on 07/01/2014 3:20:50 PM PDT by Mitch86
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To: MadMitch

Howard has been wonderful. Just a little bit of luck and this would be 2-2.


150 posted on 07/01/2014 3:21:08 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("Compromise" means you've already decided you lost.)
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To: Colonel_Flagg

Oh my Goodness.


151 posted on 07/01/2014 3:23:58 PM PDT by mware
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To: Colonel_Flagg
Plenty of time. The guys are totally exhausted, but their grit won't let 'em quit.

They are USA!!! Foul on Chadli.

152 posted on 07/01/2014 3:23:58 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: mware

Courtois saves it.


153 posted on 07/01/2014 3:24:54 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: mware

What a great set piece and Dempsey is robbed


154 posted on 07/01/2014 3:25:03 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("Compromise" means you've already decided you lost.)
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To: mware

Wish we could get an Edward Woodward.


155 posted on 07/01/2014 3:25:27 PM PDT by mware
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To: Colonel_Flagg

That was one of the more creative set pieces I’d seen on that near-goal by the U.S.


156 posted on 07/01/2014 3:26:34 PM PDT by mikrofon (Go USA! Bump)
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To: IronJack

Think you will get at least one more good chance need to take it.


157 posted on 07/01/2014 3:26:41 PM PDT by MadMitch (nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: mikrofon

Very creative set piece, yes. Deserved better.


158 posted on 07/01/2014 3:27:42 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("Compromise" means you've already decided you lost.)
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To: dfwgator

THE DRAMA!!!! OMG, soccer at its best.


159 posted on 07/01/2014 3:27:46 PM PDT by LuvFreeRepublic
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To: MadMitch

Green just had the shot.


160 posted on 07/01/2014 3:27:54 PM PDT by IronJack
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