Germany 1, U.S.A 0, Final [Great Effort, USA] WORLD CUP SOCCER Live Thread

None | 6-21-02 | Me...JFK

[July 4th]

MLS has a long way to go to be as good as the European domestic leagues, so many of our best players will always go over there to play. Of course, that's not the worst thing...the competition is tough, and our guys get to play with people they'll later be playing against. But you're right - change the damn names.

[Cool Guy]

Exactly.Maybe these are just PC names.

[Cool Guy]

Good thing would be if the USA team players, all end up playing in the European leagues. Gives them good experience.

[Incorrigible]

It took a while but I have finally gotten used to it!

[Cool Guy]

Not going to happen for me :) The names need to change.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I'd like to see how they do playing REAL football against the best players the USA has to offer...

They did, and they won 1-0. :)

[arm958]

But seriously, I think the US put the world on notice

That they did. The European-South American Axis is facing unexpected threats from North America and Asia. I was astounded that the U.S. Team dominated ball possession in this game. It would have been unthinkable a few years ago. It's true, the Germans were a little more skilled and disciplined, and they earned their victory, but I saw a psychological breakthrough in the U.S. team in this World Cup. They cannot be intimidated anymore; they know they can beat the best teams in the world. Maybe that 2010 plan will come to fruition after all.

[newgeezer]

Thank God it's over. Until they get rid of goal keepers in Hockey and Soccer, I won't follow it. To me, that's the same as putting a net in front of the uprights in Football, or allowing Shaq to stand in front of the rim and swat the ball away anytime anyone shoots.

I also couldn't care less about soccer or hockey. However, I'd only agree with your analogy if the "net" was 6'x6' and moveable, and if Shaq was on rollerskates and the basketball goal was 16' wide.

[KC_Conspirator]

Do you know the rules for hockey offsides? Its where the player crosses the line before the puck. In soccer its the same concept except that the offsides line is where the last defender is standing.

[dfwgator]

Most of the Brazilian players play in Europe too.

[smith288]

even the Crews logo is bad. Three guys with their arms folded in hardhats. Looks like Village People triplets which doesnt help soccers image, at least the image that it had at my high school: Soccer is a girls sport and football is for the men. Soccer is gaining, but still has a long way to go.

[arm958]

Soccer is a girls sport and football is for the men

Sure. Soccer players have the last laugh though. Chicks would MUCH rather go out with a well proportioned, handsome soccer player than some illiterate, steroid-popping, thick-necked football freak.

[Aeronaut]

but I'd like to see how they do playing REAL football against the best players the USA has to offer...

"Soccer" is REAL football. The American game is not. It should be called "passball."

[SkyRat]

Nice game!
USA has become strong. Gonna set my money on them in 2006.
But Oliver Kahn is just the best keeper on the world

Go Kahn, Go!

[Ted]

Awesome game by our guys! We dominated the tempo/style of this game, and barely lost. We can play with anybody.

That was CLEARLY a hand ball in the box; we got robbed of a PK. I wish soccer would use replays on critical calls. Flame away, it'd be better than the multiple referee screwups like what we've seen throughout this world cup (ask Italy).

Ty Keough at ESPN should be deported. What a whiner, making excuses for Germany's hand ball and then going on ad nauseum about our hand ball AGAIN from the previous game. He's a typical PC idiot who made an incredible effort by our team almost sound boring. Spanish TV coverage was WAY better than ESPN, not even close. We may have beaten them on the field, but American TV networks have a lot to learn from UniVision (sp?).

I am so proud of our team.

[smith288]

Dude, you can get all pi$$y with me but im telling you the truth. Sure soccer players are tough and athletic, but the truth is the truth, we thought it was a boring, low scoring sport and had to be on weed to participate.... If you dont like it, then boo hoo, but the soccer players werent good ambassadors of the sport back in high school.

[Texaggie79]

Even the word soccer originated over in Europe.....

[j_accuse]

Defintely the Play of the Day in Korea ...

Large size picture

[NewCenturions]

England's goalie was great too - the guy who looks like a pirate - a shame they didn't go on. I wanted to see Germany vs. England for the final game.