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 ...
Why would you "settle" for Bora?
Bora took 5 nations into the WC and took 3 or 4 of them into the 2nd round. Everyone talks about how well we did in '02, but they forget the great performance in '94 when we had multiple attacks on goal against Brazil and only lost 1-0 after a Brazilian defender literally cracked Ramos' skull. Ramos was leading the attack and our offense wobbled without him.
Last I heard of Bora was in '02 when he coached China. Don't know how he's doing now, but I believe in his prime, he'd have outdone Arena for sure.
Very touching interview with McBride. Right at the end he said "I've enjoyed it" and then started to break down, realizing no doubt that it's near the end of his career, and this is almost certainly his last world cup.
I remember when he was substituted into his first game for the national team...wondering how success in the MLS would translate to performance on the international stage. He's been a great asset to the team and it's going to be sad to see him go.
Yeah, they usually annoy me as well.
But, in the US case tonight, I noticed several corners (most of them, as far as I can recall), with two man out there, but never a short kick.
I guess the intention must have been to not let the defence know whether it was an in-swinger or an out-swinger coming?
They certainly didn't draw a man from the defence out. Ghana just let them stand there...
It's just silly tactics any time. The ball is going to come from the corner and go in the direction of the goal. Any other possibilities aren't going to hurt the defense. I don't know what the hell they were thinking on that one.
Wynalda is an arrogant putz, just like when he was playing. Balboa, Foudy, and Lalas do a much better job.
Time to elevate Napoli to Serie A !
Maybe Fabio Cannavaro can come home and play with his brother.
I am very impressed at the soccer knowledge on these threads here at FR. Sure beats the idiots at my local Pub which I am going to now. But it will take more time to calm down. Yea, I'm still Pi$$ed. To some people soccer is just a game. To me, it's been a way of life.
Looking at the stats, I also notice that the US didn't shoot from distance all that much. Ghana outshot the USA 9-7
Balboa was really impressive, I agree. Foudy seems okay.. Lalas, I didn't care for. (where has he been? he disappeared after USA v. Czech?) But I'm 100% with you on Wynalda.
Foudy was the best of those you mentioned though. Lalas was too busy defending Arena, IMO. But I only saw a little of his commentary (thankfully).
Maybe O'Brien just made Balboa look good!
Good point, thanks Tolik
Bring up the taller defenders from the back, which they did, and put that extra shorter man back on D.
I would think that demotion from Serie A alone would be bad enough, much less criminal charges and a trial. I'm not very familiar with the Italian system.
Thanks for the link. Very interesting.
But the best ratings are those from bookies ... :^)
Absolutely. That penalty-kick call for Ghana was inexplicable. (and it's certainly not the first time we've seen inexplicable calls this Cup..)
US was not getting the "rub ob the ball", ie: lucky bounces.
US was horrable on 50/50 balls that they should have won.
Wynalda seems to sarcastic at times for a California guy.
But I still like him over a person who doesn't speak his mind.
I prefer to hear him speak his mind.
That could be. :) At least Balboa stood up to Wynalda a little bit, in the postgame commentary that I saw. During the actual game, Balboa and O'Brien kept repeating that it's a must-win for USA, stupid DUH stuff like that. But Balboa didn't offend me with silliness or arrogance, at least.
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