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 ...
Thank you for that report. I’ll surf a few channels here before settling for the sound-only experience.
“Headers Head & Haters Hate”
Perhaps it is a poor analogy but scoring in soccer is very much like in hockey. This is an intellectual game, IMHO. If anything, soccer truly fits the definition of football whereas American 'football' rarely involves use of the foot.
Some people don’t like games where scoring means something. Oh, well.
Can you access ESPN GO via web browser?
Just what I was afraid of. More ineffective midfield play coupled with getting carved open far too easily. Belgium could be ahead 3-0 already if they had simply taken the chances open to them.
That Euro announcer is irritating. He sounds like the US is 20 points behind.
Ian Darke is as good as they get. He calls a good game. We have been playing defense for the last 10 minutes, he’s got it right.
Johnson leaves with injury, Cameron on a yellow. USA is getting manhandled at the moment and is forced into a first half substitution. Not good.
Not sure who the Brit announcer is on the CBC (BBC) coverage, but he’s quite good, concise & unobtrusive.
The sub was because of an injury, and Yedlin may be an improvement because of his speed.
I’m aware of the injury. Yedlin is very quick but Johnson is one of the few US midfielders to play well throughout the tournament.
If he’s healthy, the substitution I would have made at halftime is Altidore for Zusi, who has been a defensive liability, with Dempsey dropping back to midfield. But with one sub already used and (hopefully) a goalless draw at halftime and possible extra time to consider, Klinsmann probably won’t entertain that option.
Never good to have to burn a first half substitution in potentially a 120-minute game.
Your guys are playing well. An absorbing game to watch so far. I have resisted putting any money on this one because it’s too close to call!
I agree about Darke. People love him or hate him, but in my opinion he calls it like he sees it.
Darke is excellent, as is Jon Champion. My favorite though, remains Martin Tyler.
Just thank God this is not on Fox where we’d have to put up with Gus Johnson.
Stick to basketball, Gus.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.
No doubt. Gus Johnson is in my opinion the most overrated announcer in sports. Any sport. I don’t care which one.
Screaming is no substitute for good broadcasting.
So what do we do about this midfield in the second half? We’ve had moments but are definitely on the bottom looking up in my view. Lucky to be goalless.
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