2006 WORLD CUP - Day 14 Thread - U.S. needs win in group E finale

MLSnet.com ^ | 6-22-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The U.S. national team goes into Thursday's Group E finale against Ghana (9:55 a.m. ET, ESPN) knowing that it must come up with a win to have any chance of moving to the Round of 16.

All four teams in Group E, including the USA, still have a chance to advance. The U.S. must beat a tough Ghana side to have any chance of moving to the knockout phase. Should Bruce Arena's team be able to secure three points against the Africans, whom they meet at 9:55 a.m. ET on ESPN, they will need Italy to beat the Czech Republic in a simultaneous match, which can be seen live on ESPN2. The U.S. is not mathematically eliminated with a Czech draw or win, but will need a big victory over Ghana to avoid being eliminated on goal difference.

[Eurotwit]

I almost panicked earlier today when I saw that the main game on both Swedish and Norwegian TV was the Italy game.

Thankfully, I found a smaller channel that will show the US game.

I guess I will be doing some channel flipping though :-)

Enjoy the afternoon :-)

[Eurotwit]

Soccer probably has got the best medics in the world of sports :-)

[Michael81Dus]

Will do, you too!

[12B]

The problem I have with Soccer (football) is all the flopping and acting. I've never seen a sport where guys get carried off the field on a stretcher, and two minutes later they are ready to go back in the game. You get carried off the field on a stretcher in American football, and chances you are done for the season.

Once they leave the game, they can't re-enter. You're right in general though, the Italian league is the worst IMO. English Premier League is a lot tougher.

[CheyennePress]

The Italians have to fluff their hair, you know. ;)

[AntiGuv]

I'm not gonna hold my breath for the U.S., but on the bright side Sweden advanced!

[burzum]

Thanks for that summary. I was also trying to do the math for the possibilities. It's going to be a tough day!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Both strikers that scored for Ghana against the Czechs are out of the game today because of yellow cards.

USA has a great opportunity. We start scoring goals and Ghana can't answer back, panics and falls to pieces.

4-0 for USA is not unrealistic because we have the talent and are due.

Two goals in the first half. Two goals in the second.

GO USA GO GO GO BABY GO!!!

[burzum]

Two goals in the first half. Two goals in the second.

Only two? I say we should score 10 goals in the first half and 20 in the second! And then *we* should wave the Israeli flag! Won't that anger the Dhimmis?

[Berlin_Freeper]

The dam will burst and we will flood the valley with goals.

Are you happy now?

Now excuse me while I enjoy my apple pie. :)

[MinorityRepublican]

What time is the US-Ghana game today?

[burzum]

7:00 AM Pacific, 10:00 AM Eastern. It should be on ESPN and ESPN2 (for the other match). Additionally, Univision will also cover the US-Ghana match (you can't miss their little show during the break!).

[MinorityRepublican]

Wow that's early. Why couldn't World Cup schedule it at a better time like they did on last Saturday?

[burzum]

They could schedule it later by a couple of hours, but the second set of matches occurs at 12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern. Of course Germany is UTC+2 (I believe), so the times of these matches are in the afternoon and evening (and spread apart enough so that people can get drunk between matches--like they should!).

[GregH]

Thats a nice analysis.. it is amazing that this world cup is so open when it comes to qualifying for the next round.

[Eurotwit]

Go Australia!

Go USA!

Cheers.

[goldstategop]

Checking out babes is nearly as entertaining as watching the game.

[Eurotwit]

Soccer, babes and beer, what more can a man ask for :-)

That said, tonights games should be something ekstra.

All four previous group that have been concluded were basically decided already before the last round.

Tonight, we will have teams fighting for their World Cup survival.

Looking forward to the spectacle.

GO USA!

[wolf78]

The problem I have with Soccer (football) is all the flopping and acting. I've never seen a sport where guys get carried off the field on a stretcher, and two minutes later they are ready to go back in the game. You get carried off the field on a stretcher in American football, and chances you are done for the season.

Well, Micheal Owen got carried off the field on a stretcher and he's done for the season (torn cruciate ligament). The thing is: Without all the protective gear it's a thin line between walking away unharmed and actually getting hurt, and because the players know that they resort to acting.

That said: I dearly hope the US are able to win their game and advance to the next round. I'm gonna have to watch it in a nearby cinema (yes, even the cinemas show the soccer games, talk about German soccer madness), though, as German TV only carries the Italy-Czech Republic game, which they consider higher profile.

@ Michael81Dus: Shame on you! ;-)

[MaDeuce]

Soccer?!?!

Please ... who cares?