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.

[romanesq]

No problem, just wait to hear what Arena says. I'm sure it will come up.

[Michael81Dus]

EWWWW Can you listen to Spanish radio??? Not for two minutes!! Worst case: Ask a friend to send SMS on your cell!

[thehumanlynx]

they functionally are turnovers. Maybe I just think that you saying Italy blew it with turnovers demeans what type of game the US played.

[freedumb2003]

So, let's see...if ITA beats CZE, and USA beats GHA, ITA and USA advance...If CZE beats ITA, then USA must make up a 5 goal differential with ITA (and 2 in the GF column) to tie, 6 to win....If CZE and ITA tie then USA need only make up a 4 goal differential (2 in the GF column) with CZE to tie, 5 to win (but they'd have to do it all themselves)...

That sounds like Week 14 in the NFL... ;)

[Jameison]

"Why would FIFA put a ref who has been suspended for irregularities by his peers to ref in the World Cup? "

Beats me.
Is FIFA brain dead?

[Eurotwit]

BTW: All the experts on the Norwegian post game show, are saying that the US dominated the game for large parts, and deserved victory tonight.

[dfwgator]

I don't want to take away the US effort one bit, but the Italians still have the far better finishers. As we saw in 2002 against Germany, you can dominate a better team, but still come up empty because the other just flat out has better finishers.

[Incorrigible]

[Michael81Dus]

Yep, the only likely possibility to reach the next round is when Italy beats the Czechs and you beat Ghana.

[Jameison]

"Nick Webster is spot-on with his commentary"

You are right.
He is exactly spot on.

[Incorrigible]

Italians still have the far better finishers.

Agreed but the US team basically went all-defense at the end and managed to keep Italy out!

 

[Incorrigible]

BTW: All the experts on the Norwegian post game show, are saying that the US dominated the game for large parts, and deserved victory tonight.

It's nice when the expert agree with me!

 

[Jameison]

"...if ITA beats CZE, and USA beats GHA"

That would be the best result, and its very doable.

[thehumanlynx]

maybe so. but you have brain dead finishers if they cant remember to stay infront of the last defender. Anyway, thats your opinion and thats fine. Staying onside is simple and I think they tried to get a missed call to have a clean strike on goal... but regardless.. well done USA despite the Ref

[Jameison]

YUM YUM!!

[dfwgator]

I like Italy's chances, the only problem is that they only need a tie to advance, whereas the Czechs need a win to assure themselves of advancing.

[Eurotwit]

[notfornothing]

For a while there it looked like the US finally had a bona fide goal scorer in Clint Mathis. Then it looked like it was going to be Josh Wolff....I still think Eddie Johnson can be a major star if they just give him some playing time.

I sure hope all the talk about Klinsmann being the next national team coach turns out to be true. He'd be a perfect fit for this team.

[dfwgator]

Yep, they were brain dead today, but on the other hand, the US executed the offside trap perfectly, and for that, they deserve a lot of credit.

[thehumanlynx]

well, i have to take a test. it was fun. see ya next game