Kilmer17 Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 I am not suggesting that "we should just fold." What I am suggesting is that we should have realistic expectations when it comes to the national team. The media and so called soccer experts need to stop giving the team undue credit in situations where they haven't earned a damn thing. I am tired of hearing people talk about how good the U.S. team is when they haven't proved anything. The guys who call the games are so quick to praise everything the players do . . . and most of the fans now are starting to think they are some of the best in the world . . . those two things are just laughable. I can't even watch a U.S. game on ESPN or another American broadcast channel because the commentary is so biased and uneducated. Give me an example. I read damn near EVERY article written about the US, and for the most part, they all say the same thing "sure they can dominate Concacaf, but....." And TV is limited to who we play (again Concacaf) so what are you expecting them to talk about? We ARE superior to the teams we play. The last WC run up, all I heard was how the US wasnt going to be able to stop Baros and Koller, or get one past Cech. And we didnt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunClintonRun26 Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 You know as well as me, that the U.S. had the talent to win the WC in 2002, thoroughly outplaying Germany in a quarters loss. That team lacked only confidence and experience, not skill. That of course was sandwiched between 2 horrible showings in France and Germany. What I learned from watching the US in the last 20 years in the WC is that they have not been able to maintain a consistent team. But that 2002 team taught me they can rise up and steal one, under the right circumstances. I would not rule them out on rote. The thing is this - I would rather field a consistently good team than one who can "steal one." Because a team who can steal one very rarely wins a major competition . . . especially one as grand and difficult as the WC. Sure . . . under the right circumstances the U.S. can make a substantial run at the WC S.A. next summer (assuming all goes well in these crucial two games in a few nights and they even get there) . . . but to play at a consistent level worthy of winning the cup is another thing. And the U.S. has yet to show me anything like that. The odd thing that I have always noticed playing and watching soccer is this - the U.S. is the home to the best athletes in the world . . . yet on the pitch, we look far from it. We constantly field guys who can easily get turned around or simply out-classed through speed and agility. I consider this aspect of soccer under the heading of "talent." So in response to your claim that we had the talent to win it, I have to respectfully disagree. I think we had a legitimate shot IF the right circumstances came along. But I still do not think we have the speed on the flanks or the creativity in the mid-field to win a damn thing. Give me an example.I read damn near EVERY article written about the US, and for the most part, they all say the same thing "sure they can dominate Concacaf, but....." And TV is limited to who we play (again Concacaf) so what are you expecting them to talk about? We ARE superior to the teams we play. The last WC run up, all I heard was how the US wasnt going to be able to stop Baros and Koller, or get one past Cech. And we didnt. Come on . . . of course we are going to be favorites against the CONCACAF teams that we play . . . but you can admit that even during the last WC, the commentary was absolutely horrid. Everything was "Landon Donovan this . . . Gooch Onyewu that . . ." Wynalda and Dellacamera are awful. And this is my point - if we continue telling people (and let's both admit that many people who now claim to be soccer fans are only fans during the WC and do not follow soccer on a daily basis) that the U.S. is the best thing since sliced bread and that we have the best individual talent, then we are doing a huge disservice to the team. By doing so, the team gets a large ego and wants to try to show off than get the result. I have been a huge advocate for the U.S. to schedule more international friendlies . . . and legitimate friendlies at that, where the teams do not send their B squads or U-21 teams. Through competition we get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elessar78 Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 The thing is this - I would rather field a consistently good team than one who can "steal one." Because a team who can steal one very rarely wins a major competition . . . especially one as grand and difficult as the WC. Really? Greece in the 2004 Euro. Turkey in the 2008 Euro. Korea in 2002. It can be done, just get out of the group stage and almost anything can happen. The odd thing that I have always noticed playing and watching soccer is this - the U.S. is the home to the best athletes in the world . . . yet on the pitch, we look far from it. We constantly field guys who can easily get turned around or simply out-classed through speed and agility. I consider this aspect of soccer under the heading of "talent." So in response to your claim that we had the talent to win it, I have to respectfully disagree. I think we had a legitimate shot IF the right circumstances came along. But I still do not think we have the speed on the flanks or the creativity in the mid-field to win a damn thing. You don't need the best athletes to field a good soccer team. Spain, Italy, Brasil, Argentina are arguably the best teams in the world right now and I can't think of very few (if any players) who arguably be considered elite athletes by American standards. You don't need athletes you need good soccer players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 That reminds me of a joke-What do you call a football player who is too stupid to read a playbook? I keed I keed Any of the Redskins 2008 2nd round draft picks? I keed I keed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunClintonRun26 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Really? Greece in the 2004 Euro. Turkey in the 2008 Euro. Korea in 2002. It can be done, just get out of the group stage and almost anything can happen. You do realize that out of the group you just listed, only one of those actually won? Turkey finished 3rd and Korea finished 4th I believe. And the original argument we were discussing was whether or not the U.S. can WIN. Not merely finish in the top 4. I stated earlier in previous posts that soccer is a funny game because anything can happen. But you do need some skill to win those games if you are lucky enough to have lady luck on your side and advance. You don't need the best athletes to field a good soccer team. Spain, Italy, Brasil, Argentina are arguably the best teams in the world right now and I can't think of very few (if any players) who arguably be considered elite athletes by American standards. You don't need athletes you need good soccer players. I realize this . . . trust me. I mentioned the whole "lack of great athletes" simply to present an interesting observation about U.S. sports. Having said that though, I still do not think we have the athletic qualities of elite speed and strength on the wings to legitimately compete for the WC. That coupled with the creative skill in a true mid-fielder, and you have us knocked out in the first stage. I have been making the case that we do not have as "good soccer players" as the media or fans may claim . . . which is the reason why we haven't won anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royallypwned Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalSkins Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 You do realize that out of the group you just listed, only one of those actually won? Turkey finished 3rd and Korea finished 4th I believe. And the original argument we were discussing was whether or not the U.S. can WIN. Not merely finish in the top 4. I stated earlier in previous posts that soccer is a funny game because anything can happen. But you do need some skill to win those games if you are lucky enough to have lady luck on your side and advance. I realize this . . . trust me. I mentioned the whole "lack of great athletes" simply to present an interesting observation about U.S. sports. Having said that though, I still do not think we have the athletic qualities of elite speed and strength on the wings to legitimately compete for the WC. That coupled with the creative skill in a true mid-fielder, and you have us knocked out in the first stage. I have been making the case that we do not have as "good soccer players" as the media or fans may claim . . . which is the reason why we haven't won anything. Accept it as the female sport that it is and all of these arguments go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bay Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I think the team was overhyped in the last World Cup, but I think they were under the radar in 2002. I think they had a bit of an ego last one, and thought they were being disrespected but it didn't look like they went out and worked to prove people wrong. Was the talent that much better in 2002 than in 2006? I think the 2002 squad was more complete, personally. The expectations were there from a lot of people, and then it didn't translate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renaissance Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Thanks Kilmer. Ren fails at time differences. Game at 1030 on ESPN2 tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 730 COSTA RICA TIME!!! That's 1030 kickoff on the east coast. Coverage starts at 10pm. Run- I just dont see it the same way. I dont think we are overhyped at all. In fact, I think most of the press actually ignores our strenghts. Maybe that is the problem. They DO focus on Donovan, or Gooch, or Heyduks ever running motor and heart. But what they ignore is our strengths. We DO have world class goal keepers. In fact, our best GK hasnt played for the national team since 02 (by his own choice). But Tim Howard would start for all but MAYBE 3 nations in the WC this coming year. We do have strength in the middle back. Gooch, Boca and whomever is playing Dmid (Mastro, Edu, Clark) all are big, strong, and do not get pushed around on set pieces. Im not sure what you want. For every kid that we develop here in Bradenton, that can play International level soccer, Brazil can head to the beach and find 5 guys that are already better. That is NEVER going to change. That doesnt mean though that we cant build a TEAM that is better than their TEAM. Also, Freddy Adu turned 20 yesterday. Jozy Altidore is 19. Jose Torres is 21. Michael Bradley is 21. Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Gooch are all under 30. We're still a VERY young team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elessar78 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Just found out via Wash. Post that the game tonight will be played on artificial turf. Crazy. At least American players should be accustomed to that, although from personal experience each artificial surface has it's own "personality" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 IMPORTANT TIME AND CHANNEL CHANGE!!!!!! Game is now set to kickoff at 10:06 ET. Pregame will start at 930. Game has been moved to ESPN2. ESPNs site has not updated this yet, but ussoccer has confirmed it. Good news for those without classic, because if the baseball game had run long, the game would have started on classic. Now since softball is done, they had the slot on the Deuce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebowski Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Almost game time! Hoping for another good showing. US 2 CR 0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouBrave86 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Big game from Altidore tonight. Maybe we can FINALLY WIN at Saprissa. Midfield NEEDS to show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouBrave86 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Ching isn't starting, woo hoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renaissance Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 omg, that field looks like that green fake plastic grass **** that people put on their front porches in the ghetto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boysetsfire Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 HONDURAS!! HONDURAS!! HONDURAS!! wait not until Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renaissance Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 HONDURAS!! HONDURAS!! HONDURAS!! go back to mexico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boysetsfire Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 go back to mexico that hurts me soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikbug Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Going to be a long night for USA... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinned Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Not a great start....grrr :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boysetsfire Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I really hate that surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikbug Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 After watching the ManU/Barca game this is hard to watch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haithman Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 After watching the ManU/Barca game this is hard to watch... just a bit of a notch below... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haithman Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 cant believe we're losing to a team with **** uniforms like that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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