OT: *** 2014 FIFA World Cup ~ Brazil ~ 6/12-7/13 [ESPN] ***
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Yea they were a "dark horse" but people are writing them off because of their performance in the group. They haven't looked anything like a top 3 team whatsoever thus far. Their group was a joke.
Not trying to look ahead here but if (big if) USA was somehow able to beat Belgium, imagine the game in the next round? USA - Argentina..USA vs Messi, qtr finals of the World Cup..July 4th weekend. Would destroy soccer ratings in the US.
I really think the US has a chance against Belgium. They have quite a few talented players, but so far they have been underwhelming. I hope you guys get through!
They certainly have a chance. I just want to see an Argentina-USA matchup. Any US Soccer fan knows that getting out of the group is a successful world cup, anything from here on out is cream.
A win against belgium would be huge.
The one thing you guys have in your favour, is low expectations.
As previously pointed out, if we're being brutally honest, these games now are bonus games for USA, Belgium will be expected to run out comfortable winners, a title they haven't worn well in this tournament thus far.
Having lower expectations should mean you can relax a little, without totally switching off, as your boys will have already exceeded all expectations.
As previously pointed out, if we're being brutally honest, these games now are bonus games for USA, Belgium will be expected to run out comfortable winners, a title they haven't worn well in this tournament thus far.
Having lower expectations should mean you can relax a little, without totally switching off, as your boys will have already exceeded all expectations.
Dr. Ogrodnick
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Look, US has a chance against anybody, in a slightly better than 1980 US olympic hockey kind of way. They are all professionals, at any point Howard could have a statement game, and they are certainly capable of putting away chances, especially if Altidore can make it back.
And Belgium hasn't impressed me. They'll be tough, and it will take a tremendous effort, but its not a once in a lifetime prayer type situation.
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Machinehead
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It was a nice run by USA but I will be completely flabbergasted if they beat this Belgium side.
Amazing Kreiderman
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ChaosLord
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USA pretty much dominated Portugal and went toe to toe with one of the favorites to win it all, Germany. Plus Belgium lost a starter today from a red card. They can take "les Belges".
I think USA will win against Belgium. It's the following round that worries me if they end up advancing and playing Argentina.
Let's just wait and see if they beat Switzerland first
They won't! We will beat Argentina!
Why? The "Messi of the Alpes" will outplay Messi! Shaq-Attack!
Yeah, that's what I meant. Obviously anything can happen (heard that one before
) especially in a one game knockout, but some matchups would be pretty lopsided, while against Belgium I'd probably put the odds at 60:40 or something like that...
Chimpradamus
Registered User
The World Cup ranking of floppings. Top teams: Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Nigeria and Mexico. No surprises there. The least flopping teams: Bosnia, Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, Ghana(!) and Argentina(!).
Bosnia had two floppings during the entire tournament for a total of 24 seconds, while Honduras players lied in extreme "pain" for almost 8 minutes in round robin at 15 occasions. Brazil had the biggest number of floppings with 17.
Actual playing time: 55,5 minutes. Last WC it was 69,8 min. Almost an entire quarter of playing time was gone. Something has to be done about all the diving and acting. Although some of it was surely tactical to get some water and rest in the extreme heat, many teams were allowed to milk it for infinity when they protected a favoured result. Balls kicked away during free kicks, taking an eternity to make the throw in or freekick... sometimes it was just ridiculous.
Bosnia had two floppings during the entire tournament for a total of 24 seconds, while Honduras players lied in extreme "pain" for almost 8 minutes in round robin at 15 occasions. Brazil had the biggest number of floppings with 17.
Actual playing time: 55,5 minutes. Last WC it was 69,8 min. Almost an entire quarter of playing time was gone. Something has to be done about all the diving and acting. Although some of it was surely tactical to get some water and rest in the extreme heat, many teams were allowed to milk it for infinity when they protected a favoured result. Balls kicked away during free kicks, taking an eternity to make the throw in or freekick... sometimes it was just ridiculous.
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The World Cup ranking of floppings. Top teams: Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Nigeria and Mexico. No surprises there. The least flopping teams: Bosnia, Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, Ghana(!) and Argentina(!).
Bosnia had two floppings during the entire tournament for a total of 24 seconds, while Honduras players lied in extreme "pain" for almost 8 minutes in round robin at 15 occasions. Brazil had the biggest number of floppings with 17.
Actual playing time: 55,5 minutes. Last WC it was 69,8 min. Almost an entire quarter of playing time was gone. Something has to be done about all the diving and acting. Although some of it was surely tactical to get some water and rest in the extreme heat, many teams were allowed to milk it for infinity when they protected a favoured result. Balls kicked away during free kicks, taking an eternity to make the throw in or freekick... sometimes it was just ridiculous.
It would be interesting to have that list ranked as writhing time per injury...
Also the playing time number is flawed, as the numbers from 2010 obviously include games with extra time during the knockout stages. Actual playing time probably is less this year, but it's not that big.
The US has not been diving. This chart is interesting but in no means an indication of anything more than a few repeat offenders and a few teams that are unlucky.
Haven't seen one US player fake injury yet in this world cup.
There was the time that I thought Dempsey faked being injured when he was trying to ice the ball in the Ghana corner but upon a close up review on TV, you can clearly see a Ghana guy kicking him in the ankle.
Beasler had a pulled hammy that he left the game for, he also had that cramp in menous. The Jones/Bedoya head clash is probably in that accrued time frame.
I hate diving, and i'd be the first to call the US out for it if I thought it was happening, but we're fortunate that we're not watching it happen on a consistent basis, if any basis, at all.
Hardly any of these inuries are true dives, most are embellishment and many simply were real injuries. And the US isn't the worst, but let's not act like they never do it. Beasley for instance had to be carried off the field against Portugal, only to return like 10 seconds later - coincidentally just after the US team scored to make it 2:1...
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