I know that was just a wind-up. It didn't work. Here's my counter wind-up.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rascal
Like the USA are going to even score past us. You guys suck ass at Football. And it will be proved in a few months. Watch how a real country plays.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lyle....what is it with you guys??? Ooooh look at England cut the mighty USA soccer team down to size. I mean if England wins (IF they win) it's not going to be an upset.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rascal
If the US wins.....well then it's going to be all out shit talking on our behalf.
A lot of teams were going to show us how real "football" is played - Columbia in 1994, Portugal in 2002, Spain in 2009. Even Italy, in 2006, only managed to show us how to take a dive get a cheap draw. Don't forget, while the US didn't advance in 2006, but it was the group of death that year. A quality Czech team also went home, and the US were the only team to take a point off the Italians. Also, don't forget that the US dominated future champions Germany in the 2002 Quarter final. If not for one great play by Ballack and a few bad calls, we might have been in the Semis that year.
England are better, for sure, but that is no promise they will win. Keep this in mind:
Mighty Chelsea lost to Wigan early this year. The talent difference between Chelsea and Wigan is greater than the talent difference between England and the USA. Chelsea also had draws with West Ham, Birmingham, and Blackburn, all of whom are have a bigger talent gap with Chelsea than the US does with England. Chelsea have lost to Spurs and Villa. This is a similar talent gap. Usually Chelsea wins these games, but upsets happen if the underdog has reasonable talent. Burnley have beaten Man U this year and Sunderland came away with a draw at Old Trafford. Blackburn and Birmingham drew at home with evil ones. Fulham and Everton both beat them. Sure, Algeria or Slovenia could pull off some magic, but it's much more likely that if it happens, it happens because of an emotional letdown after taking 3 points from England.
The US is a very good counterattacking team. They will pack it in and play for a 1-1 draw against England. That isn't unrealistic. If the US scores first, it could be very ugly for England. England will panic, and that's exactly when the US can make it 2-0. Maybe you can do what Brazil did, but maybe it ends up like US vs Spain or US vs Portugal. If England scores first, there is a good chance they get overconfident leave themselves exposed trying to put the game away, and end up settling for a draw.
Keep talking trash. If we lose to England, it's expected. We'll go out beat Algeria and Slovenia. Unlike previous years, the US first team does not lose to those types of team. During qualifying, Bradley sent weaker squads to the road games against all the CONCACAF teams except Mexico. The only game the USA first team lost in qualifying was to Mexico in Mexico City.
If we draw with England, you will panic while we rejoice. If you lose, you will meltdown while we ride the momentum. We'll be OK with a 2nd round exit and pleasantly surprised with anything better. Shit happens in sports. Mexico could win Group A, and Serbia and Australia could come out ahead of Germany. The US could end up beat Serbia or Australia and facing Mexico in the Quarters. If that happens, I'd put my money on the US to end up in the Semis. I'll be happy if it happens, but it won't kill me if it doesn't.
If the US makes a run to the Quarters (possible) or the Semis (highly unlikely and requiring luck) we still won't get credit. If England wins the group and gets picked off by Serbia or Australia in round 2, there will be mass suicides in England.
