2006 SOCCER WORLD CUP - Day 9 Thread - USA v Italy, Czech v Ghana

MLSnet.com ^ | 6-17-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The U.S. national team faces a must-win situation Saturday against Italy (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The U.S. lineup could see some changes, including adding Eddie Johnson. Czech Republic and Ghana play earlier in the day (11:30 a.m., ABC), while Portugal advanced by beating Iran 2-0.

[soccer_maniac]

Be sure to take a few seconds to rate this game on ESPN.com

http://proxy.espn.go.com/soccernet/match/rate?id=191942&cc=%

[soccer_maniac]

FIFA posted the match highlight videos:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/match/template.html?id=25#

[notfornothing]

Ah. Cool.

Well that does it for me guys. See you all back here in about nine for Croatia - Japan. And of course after that O Selecao Brasileiro will be in action.

Later..........

[Alberta's Child]

The odd thing about Meola is that he was never truly a good goalkeeper. A great athlete for sure, but his remarkable athleticism allowed him to perform well even though he was not really a technically sound player.

[Youngblood]

One can disagree on a close call but IMHO no ref should give a direct red card on a play where the player gets to the ball on the play. If there was no contact with the ball, no complaints. But if you get the ball and tackle from the side, no red card is defensible.

I agree. If the player wins the ball first and hits the player second, its a fair tackle, unless some other rule like tackle height is broken. That's not how I saw the first US player's straight red though. He caught the Italian player above the ankle in a two-footed, studs-showing tackle. You're not allowed to dive in with two feet and with studs up. I also don't remember him making contact with the ball, but maybe I missed that.

[thehumanlynx]

If there was no contact with the ball, no complaints. But if you get the ball and tackle from the side, no red card is defensible.

you are correct sir

[thehumanlynx]

cool story, congrats to your son/team

[thehumanlynx]

I wigged out when Beasley hit that shot. We had a house full of kids and they were scared to death... I had an outburst every 20 seconds for the last 1/3 of the game.. it was great fun. Beasley scored, I jumped up, screamed with joy.. then malice b/c I knew Beasley wasn't offsides.. then the replay.

what a rollercoaster that 15 secs was..

[11th_VA]

I was doing the same thing - only I'm alone in a hotel. I wondering what the other guests down the hall we're thinking about what was going on in my room ...

[soccer_maniac]

I'm going to bed as well.

WAY TO GO, USA!!!

We truly left it all out on the field today!!

GREAT passion, determination, fight & heart!!

[adiaireton8]

Here's what I've calculated. Someone correct me if this is mistaken. The following scenarios assure the US advance:

(1) US win AND Italy win.
(2) US win by 4 or more AND the Czechs win 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2.
(3) US win by 3 or more AND the Czechs win 2-0, 3-0, or 4-1.
(4) US win by 2 or more AND the Czechs win 4-0, or 5-1.
(5) US win by 1 or more AND the Czechs win 5-0.

In the following scenarios the US would have to draw lots to advance:

(1) US wins 2-1 AND the Czechs win 4-0.
(2) US wins 2-0 AND the Czechs win 3-0.
(3) US wins 3-0 AND the Czechs win 3-1.
(4) US wins 4-0 AND the Czechs win 3-2.

If either of the following two occur, the US is definitely out:

(1) The US loses.
(2) ITA-CZE draw.

-A8

[soccer_maniac]

Jorge Larrionda, the Uruguayan referee who handed out three red cards in Saturday's game between the United States and Italy, was suspended for six months in 2002 by his country's soccer authorities.

Larrionda was one of five referees to be suspended for "irregularities," a decision that prevented them from officiating in local or international matches.

The suspensions reportedly were connected with accusations of corruption between members of rival unions that represent Uruguay's match officials.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=371526&cc=5901

[soccer_maniac]

For the Americans to advance, they must defeat Ghana. In addition to beating Ghana, the U.S. team needs one of these scenarios to take place:

1. Italy defeats the Czech Republic.

2. Italy ties the Czech Republic 0-0 or 1-1 AND the United States beats Ghana by at least four goals.

3. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by five or more goals.

4. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by four goals AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Czechs do in their tie.

5. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is six or more.

6. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Italians do in their loss.

7. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores exactly two more goals than the Italians do in their loss AND the Americans win a drawing of lots by FIFA.

[11th_VA]

Wow - he's got a track record - Alexi was all over him today.

[soccer_maniac]

Yanks gain vital point vs. Italy
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2006-06-17-usa-italy-notes2_x.htm

True Grit: U.S. Withstands Ejections and Italy to Stay Alive
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/sports/soccer/18soccer.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=6bed000eQ2F)Q7DwE)6Q60Q51-,Q60Q60sZ)ZNNv)Nv)Q22U)-Q3CQ60,s-)-Q60Q51Q51w,)Q22U-Q60Q51Q51w,Q2BQ3Asjb

[11th_VA]

I need to find a way to take off work Thursday - I thought it would be all over by now.

The team really controlled the midfield today - I was not embarassed after this one ...

[adiaireton8]

Thanks. I messed up the draw scenarios. My revision is below:

The following scenarios assure the US advance:

(1) US win AND Italy win.
(2) US win by 5 or more AND the Czechs draw 2-2, or 3-3.
(3) US win by 4 or more AND the Czechs draw 1-1 or win 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2.
(4) US win by 3 or more AND the Czechs win 2-0, 3-0, or 4-1.
(5) US win by 2 or more AND the Czechs win 4-0, or 5-1.
(6) US win by 1 or more AND the Czechs win 5-0.

In the following scenarios the US would have to draw lots to advance:

(1) US wins 2-1 AND the Czechs win 4-0.
(2) US wins 2-0 AND the Czechs win 3-0.
(3) US wins 3-0 AND the Czechs win 3-1.
(4) US wins 4-0 AND the Czechs win 3-2.

-A8

[randomlurker]

By the same token, in game theory, Italy and the Czechs are both motivated to win in order to ensure first place, thus avoiding meeting Brazil in the second round. I don't think either will settle for a tie.

[11th_VA]

I think it's fair to say, we only have to consider (1) from your analysis above.

[randomlurker]

Rubbish. I enjoy watching two soccer teams that I have no rooting interest in. Two skilled teams going at it is a joy to watch; no other sport can equal soccer when played at its best. The fact is if you notice the flags, plenty of rabid soccer fans go to World Cup games where their national team is not playing, simply to be able to see a game. You'd realize this is you understood the game: you don't have to have a rooting interest to enjoy watching soccer. A quality match is a quality match. Of course if you have no idea what you are watching, it might as well be a game of cards. Pearls before swine, and all that.