Posted on 06/21/2006 10:33:27 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlsnet.com ...
Bruce should be fired if we lose this game and he had EJ on the bench for 90 minutes.
He's playing for the next World Cup at the moment. I'm so angry...
I think FIFA REALLY wants an African team to advanvce.
Korea again.
Several US players are warming up. They didn't say who.
Yeah, we're doing a lot better. I think.
The ESPN announcers take pleasure in announcing the US losing record in INTL play. In contrast the UK announcers on Sun love the England and make no bones about it!
Another thing re: penalty kicks I don't like is that you can commit a foul 25 yards away from goal at the outmost corner of the penalty area and still get a free 12-yd blast at goal (at the whim of the referee, of course).
Why don't they let them take an unobstructed shot from the spot of the foul instead, and at the penalty spot if it occurs closer to the goal?
US waiting on a silver platter? That was nice service, but nobody there to finish the place kick.
The online commentary on Sky Sports states that the Ghana players should all go and shake Merk's hand after getting the penalty, and that Merk is having a nightmare out there.
No matter.
Beat them anyways!!!
Hey I wouldn't mind seeing an African team advance either, but it sure would mean a lot more if they could do it without the help of the ref.
I know.
Eddie Johnson is coming in! (Please please please!)
The guy could be moving in on a break-away, or he could have a teamate wide open in front of the net. I played in HS and college and never saw that rule as a problem. High school refs were better than these guys.
JOHNSON IN!!!!
Johnson on.
Finally. Go Eddie!
EJ!!!
Rahoo doray! Now if Beasley will get his act together...
Indeed!
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