Posted on 07/01/2014 2:40:34 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
SALVADOR, Brazil – The eyes of two nations will be glued to it no matter what happens, but statistical history from this World Cup suggests that the United States' round-of-16 showdown with Belgium on Tuesday could turn into a high-scoring classic.
Because if you want to see goals galore, you'll see them in Salvador.
The previous line was more than a terrible attempt at rhyming. A genuine trend has seen 21 goals rattled in over the course of just four games at Arena Fonte Nova. Forwards such as U.S. captain Clint Dempsey, who has already struck twice in the tournament, and Belgium's Eden Hazard, who has yet to score, will be licking their lips.
Not since 1958 has a World Cup venue averaged so many goals per game, leaving soccer experts baffled. Scoring has been up in general at this tournament, but Salvador has been the epicenter of the goal glut.
"It is quite unprecedented in modern times," said John Ley, a soccer statistics expert for the Daily Telegraph in London. "Football was very different going back half a century or more and there was a higher number of goals in general. For there to be so many in Salvador is remarkable."
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
Vincent Kompany is the most vital name on the team-sheet. He has such an influence. Hazard might stamp his authority on the tournament tonight, but if Belgium reach, say, the semi-finals, it will be built on the rock of Kompany.
Good luck all!
Yes, Kompany plays for Manchester City. He plays annoyingly well for Manchester City.
Fellaini is a fine player, I’m sorry he was transferred from Everton.
Jermaine Jones, JJ just fired it, that was a great goal, a great strike vs. Portugal. Sort of like Sneijder’s fine strike the other day.
US needs that one moment of brilliance.
If indeed Kompany isn’t 100% the US needs to go at him hard, to see if they can get a second yellow on him.
Native Pride-Ski
Howard is doing a good job against the sprouts.
Wow.
That last opportunity, wow, and they were onsides but would have been ruled offside I guess from the announcers.
Ugh, not extra time again!
Prince Harry
The Belgian threw up.... Hmmn
30 minutes of added time folks, just if you wonder....
Red Devils Score.
Has to be a nice strike considering how often Howard saved tonight. Have to be a perfect kick.
Belgium 1 0 USA 25 minutes left
Very bad call and if we had scored, would have been hiway robbery to nullify it.
Isn’t overtime sudden death?
I had a soccer ball hit me at point blank range once playing keeper, the guy kicked it from about 5 yards away, I don’t mean to “tell a war story here”, I think it knocked my nose crooked but I didn’t bleed or bruise and didn’t feel much the next day. Did not get any treatment.
No sudden death or as in soccer it is called “the golden goal”, that has been a rule before but is not currently.
I’ve seen Howard yell to his defenders and teammates before but it seems he is much more active tonight. That’s what a goalkeeper has to do, half the work should be done by the defenders.
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