I wanted to see how many of you have this on your radar. Having lived overseas in Europe for 7 years (moved back 6 years ago), I find soccer to be truly a global game and the World Cup the premiere competition on the planet. (sorry, "World" Series fans). Anyway, the US has a favorable group matchup: England, Algeria, and Slovenia. They have to finish first or second to advance to the "round of sixteen", where elimination play will determine the champion. Here is some analysis from ESPN on the US and some of the other matchups. Feel free to chime in with questions, comments, and wisecracks (the latter goes without saying, I know). World Cup: Reflecting on the World Cup draw - ESPN Soccernet U.S. has a clear path out of the World Cup group stage - ESPN Soccernet
Real Madrid fan (I believe I mention it before) and a supporter of the USA National and Spain Nation team. France I guess too, now I think about it. Brazil as well, but EVERYONE likes Brazil...so I believe it's a given.
I'd love to see the Ivory Coast do well. They play an exciting game. They're like the Phoenix Suns of international soccer. You might beat them, but you will get RUN. I'm disappointed that they drew such a tough group.
Group A seems to be the toughest one. I think US does have a chance to get out of the groups. This is going to be one exciting summer. I am really looking forward to it. PS: The title should read SOCCER - the *real* football
Arsenal all the way as you may have all guessed. In terms of the WC, USA will qualify in second out of the group, no problems whatsoever.
My GF is Brazilian and she was quite pissed at their Group draw in comparison to ours. The funny thing about her is she has really no knowledge of any sports, but her "futbol" IQ is on par with at least the "average" PF forumite, which is quite astonishing to me. Goes to show you how cultural soccer is in other countries where even with our big time sports like the NFL it is a niche cultural event. (except maybe the Superbowl).
- I pick up fares at the Crown and Anchor, an English pub. They go there to watch the games. So I picked a team, Arsenal. They're doing good, I hear. So I got to talking to a bunch of lit guys in my cab and they said Arsenal was a bunch of Frenchies. Gutless of course.
actually Arsenal under financial constraints is doing pretty well - developing their own players and picking up unnknown players and also selling them high later. At least their owners are paying team debts unlike to Manu - debt is skyrocketing. Speaking of debt and Manchester United - Roscoe, google and you'll get an amazing story...hint - it is not usual soccer debt story - team buys team players at ridiculous price and investment don't pay off...
He's so been worth the £80 million or €94m or US$132m Real Madrid paid for him! Best player ON and OFF the pitch!
Wrong. Correct. Overrated and didn't deserve to go through in the CL. Arsenal are just a bunch of young soft guys who hate it when teams get physical. Put Didier Drogba against them and he has a field day.
Interesting friendly for the US Men's National Team tomorrow night on ESPN. Lots of exciting young players fighting for a few final places on the team. If the coach can put the right combination on the field, we can be a pretty solid team.....
Opening day is a draw. Mexico - South Africa 1-1 France - Uruguay 0-0 I think it hurts more for Mexico to draw against South Africa. SA is supposed to be the bottom feeder in this group. Mexico needed a win in this game for a good chance to advance. France and Uruguay played it safe. Mexico will have an uphill battle now. USA-England tomorrow, 2:30 ET!!!!!
Mexico-South Africa was a good game. Mexico was robbed as the refs nulled a totally legitimate goal in the 1st half. France-Uruguay game was terrible. The ref was really bad and the game got out of control. There were a total of 7 yellow cards and a red one (double-yellow). France forward Anelka was a waste of oxygen as he kept pulling off one boneheaded play after another. He needs to shake it off fast or he'll lose his spot to Henry. With two ties to kick it off, this group becomes a really tough one. I still think Mexico and France will advance, but Uruguay looked really good too. South Africa has enough firepower but their defensive lapses are so bad that they won't survive. GO USA!
