U.S. enters World Cup with newfound swagger

Journal Gazette ^ | 6/4/06 | Ronald Blum

[You Dirty Rats]

The USA has a very difficult group. In addition, whoever finishes second will almost certainly face Brazil. Not being one of the eight seeded teams really hurt our chances, but that's because we were terrible in 1998.

[Jameison]

"Soccer is our only chance to avoid total embarassment on a world sports level."

Naaaah.
America is the strongest sporting nation overall on the planet.
Look at the Olympic medal tables.
We won over twice as many golds in swimming for example, as the next country Australia did.
W have dominated track and field for decades.


"Puerto Rico beat the USA by 21 points in basketball."

And Puerto Rico never qualified for the second round. We did.
Plus very few of our top b'ball players even bothered to turn up.
We had Stefan Marbury of the Kiicks as one of our top players at the Olympics for crying out loud!

No Kobe. No Shaq. Not even Jason Kidd.

[04-Bravo]

I don't think the U.S. team will advance out of Group E. It will probably be Italy and the Czech Republic who advance to the elimination round.

[his sidekick]

What is all the fuss I've been hearing about the "World Cup" lately in Germany? Is this something new? Did the United States and Germany make the finals or something? And if so, why is this "World Cup" in Germany? In most professional sports, it is custom to play some games at home and some games away. So maybe the first two games can be held in Germany, the next three in America and then the next two (if necessary) over in Germany. I suppose the German's get home field advantage for some sort of valid reason. I think some are confused about the "World Cup." It's not a game that will be played just once (i.e. Germany vs USA), but games that will be played over approximately 2 1/2 - 3 weeks and will consist of 32 countries participating, split into eight groups of four. The teams will play in matches against each other, narrowing down to four quarter-finals and then two semi-finals, and then finally the final game where there will be a winner of the 2006 World Cup.

[1rudeboy]

How many World Cups has the US won? Don't you think we should win a couple before the "soccer is ghey" stuff begins?

[MNlurker]

Don't be too sure. Smicer (midfield) is already out for the Czechs and they do have some injury issues up front. The Italians have made failing to meet expectations at the World Cup the one thing you can count on at the World Cup. Never mind the fact that the entire team is dealing with the Italian Soccer Fed. scandal and the media coverage that's come with it. Ghana is the best out of Africa right now, but I think the US can handle them.

It would be huge if the US advanced and it seems like a few doors are opening just a little bit for them. We'll find out next Monday. :)

[1rudeboy]

And because I am a largely benevolent soccer hooligan, click below for one of the funniest sport videos ever.

Ghey Referee

[Joe Boucher]

I have and enjoy the heck out of it and they still do when trying to get a game in. Usually only an inning or so,

[1rudeboy]

Good soccer blooper video here, as well.

[Joe Boucher]

That is the way it should be but in international competition everyone works their asses off to beat the U.S.
It don't matter what sport it is, everyone hates the U.S.
You help your team from Ghana beat the U.S. and you are a hero for ever.

[JamesWilson]

Soccer is to sports as Harry Conic Jr. is to Jazz.

Either way, you only whisper their name?

[austinTparty]

Well then, we'll have the perfect opportunity to prove it. If we make it out of the Group of Death and play Brazil in the 2nd round, we'd be playing against one of the most awesomely talented teams ever. We could beat them... but if Ronaldinho is playing at the top of his form and the rest of the guys act like a team, it would only be by a miracle. Not that I'm not hoping for one!!!

[Joe Boucher]

I won't bet the farm on us getting out of the 1st round but will watch and hope.
Wonder if they will play our games at about 2 a.m. e.s.t.

[Jameison]

"but in international competition everyone works their asses off to beat the U.S"

In the World Cup, everyone works their asses off to beat everyone else, doesn't matter who they are.

Just ask that Columbian player that was shot dead, when he missed a penalty for Columbia in the Word Cup, few years back.

[austinTparty]

You *could* TiVo... but you know you won't. Just don't plan on sleep for the next month... :-)

[Jameison]

"I won't bet the farm on us getting out of the 1st round but will watch and hope."

Same here.
Good news is, in sports anything can happen. Been following sports to long to think anything is a given for anyone, even if they are Italy in the World Cup.
Who ever thought Senegal was going to beat then World Champions, France, in the World Cup opener In Seoul, four years ago?

[SmoothTalker]

"Soccer is very demanding and a great sport but don't think catchers or pitchers aren't out there working.
Try it."

They are working. Just nowhere near as hard as elite soccer players, basketball players, and football players.

[billbears]

Alright, let's say by some miracle they do advance (2nd place, they cannot win the division). The runner up in their group plays the winner of Group F, which will 99.94% be the Brazilians. By miracle of miracles they beat the Brazilians. Next up, either the French, Spanish, or Swiss in the quarters. If they win that one (which would mean the sun has stopped in the sky, cats can speak fluent English, and I've won the lottery), they will face the English in the semis. At which point they have no chance at all. No level of miracle would help them against the English.

[Jameison]

"No level of miracle would help them against the English."

Ze Engleesh?
Hey, how's that Rooney fella coming along then?
BTW, we have beaten the English before.

[andrew2527]

Gotta love a sport where you can bet on a tie.