Posted on 07/01/2014 10:02:58 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
SALVADOR, Brazil — Every four years, soccer cleans its slate and allows nations to reinvent themselves. Forgotten teams resurface. Small programs make big strides. Champions uphold their legacy or, in the case of Spain this summer, show their age.
For the second consecutive World Cup, the United States is in position for a breakthrough, a fresh narrative, a defining moment.
[From Fancy Stats: How the United States can beat Belgium | What to expect from U.S.-Belgium (not much scoring) ]
Four years ago in South Africa, the Americans won their first-round group in a heroic manner but lost to Ghana on an extra-time goal in the knockout stage. It wasn’t an upset; rather, it was a missed opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the second time in three tournaments and set the tone for the next World Cup cycle.
On Tuesday, the U.S. squad enters a round-of-16 match against Belgium with another chance to nudge the program along a little further. The Belgians are a more formidable foe than Ghana was in 2010, having arrived in Brazil with a stable of top-flight talent and a deserved label as dark-horse candidates to hit the semifinals or beyond.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
USA: Howard, Gonzalez, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey (c), Bedoya, Jones, Zusi, Cameron, Johnson
BEL: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany (c), Vertonghen, Witsel, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Hazard, Mertens, Van Buyten, Origi
Obviously not in formation order.
Note: no Beckerman or Altidore for USA.
How do they figure odds in soccer? 0-0 score 1:1, any tied score 2:1, any score at all 3:1, over 0, under 1
I’m cracking myself up. More scoring would mean more fans. Sorry but I just can’t get in to the whole hype but I still want USA to win
And just let the networks hype, it's their job. Go USA!
The first match was proof you don’t need a lot of scoring to have an exciting match. Switzerland played very well and could have easily won.
Is the match underway?
Starts in about 7-8 minutes.
Enjoy the game, soccer fans.
LOL you must really be old.
I’m 66 and played club soccer in college.
I put it in the category of “fun to play but deadly boring to watch”
All rise. Let’s get it done!
Bradley need to cut the crap and get it together!!
Col, do you know the explanation for the two small blue flags handed over following the coin toss?
Bradley is certainly due to have a good game. If he can play like he did in the second half against Portugal we’ll do alright
FIFA pennants. It is a tradition for captains to exchange gifts before full international matches.
Hmmm. Sound only here. Color bars on the screen. Local problem? ESPN via TimeWarnerCable.
Americans testing both flanks early in the game. Good for them. Belgium is playing four natural center-halves and may be vulnerable there.
Same here. In 1976, we purchased our first home and drove to NJ to see Pele play a game. Our neighbor's son was in elementary school and played soccer. Apparently, in the mid 70s, there was a major push in the US to introduce the sport, beginning with youth. It has taken 40 years to develop a solid US fan base.
I can understand total apathy toward soccer (like I have) but don’t understand the hate.
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