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I haven't even kept up with them, how do you struggle to qualify with that bunch? Struggling or not I'm glad we don't have to bother with them.
Although the last time the US played Argentina it was a pretty exciting 0-0 draw (this is what friends that don't care about soccer can never understand but goals or no goals it was exciting IMO). To be fair Tim Howard was phenomenal, he stoned Cruz about 8 times in the first half.
The teams I want to do poorly: Mexico and Portugal...Mexico play like thugs and Portugal take dives. I hope Cristiano Ronaldo gets destroyed!
I think South Africa may be the first team to host a WC that doesn't advance.
The US need to get off to a good start, win or lose we NEED to score goals, if we score then we'll be ok. We can't play timid, we can't play defense first, we can't hope another team makes a mistake, we have to attack! Our backs are good and we have the best depth at goalkeeper in the world, so let's go for the kill from the get go! When we had a bad World Cup last time it was because we didn't create, take, or even have any chances....we have to be more assertive on the pitch to have a chance and vs England, hell why not try to drop 4 goals on them??? Sure they could easily try and do the same to us but we beat Spain not too long ago, it's time to play with some guts!!!!
I say all that because every World Cup we seem to tighten up, play scared, make mistakes, and ONLY focus on defense and as a fan I am sick of that...I want us to play like we did in the (the last half) Confederations Cup
Yeah, we used to have a good team like 20 years ago, now it's rubbish but when I go back home, I always see some new installations, I am pretty confident that we're developing very good and with all our immigration and our 35 millions citizens pool, I can't believe we won't do something meaningful within let's say 15 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
Well Canadas played well the times I've seen them...Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
Certainly a country that's developing.
This is gonna be an epic tournament !!!!
Got all of big nations and thats like what 9 teams that have a realistic chance of actually winning.
Got your traditional underdogs who always spring a suprise or two; Mexico, USA, South Korea, ect.....
Then youve got the African Nations on home soil who could well spring an upset or two although Ivory Coast got shafted in the draw and there the pick of the bunch for me.
Then youve got all those teams there who have probably inspired almost religious devotion among the people just for qualifying ........ Algeria ......... and youve got an awesome tournament.
Cant fucking wait.
However if we lose to the USA i might kill myself.
Mexico are crap travellers shame really they have a decent team I wouldnt be to bothered about S.Africa, yes they are the hosts but there the worst ranked team in the event wouldnt be suprised if they are the first ever host nation to be knocked out at the first stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
your wish has been granted
cant ever remember england having an easier group stage ever;D
To someone like myself who knows very little about football why is that a group of death?Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983
Obviously Brazil are the perrenial favourites and Portugal are a decent side but Ivory Coast and North Korea?? When did they become good? I bet there are some English non league teams that could give those sides a good game surely? :confused:
I would expect Brazil and Portugal to breeze through this group.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragoQuote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
your wish has been granted
cant ever remember england having an easier group stage ever;D
We got a blinder there
Saying that best time to play our lot is 1st up, wouldnt be surprised to see US nick a draw off of us with a last minute goal
Would say its between us, brazil, holland, spain and italy
The Ivory Coast have a lot of good players. I don't know anything about N. Korea, I assume they're the whipping boy but I don't know, anyway even with just Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast its a tough group.Quote:
Originally Posted by BilboTo someone like myself who knows very little about football why is that a group of death?Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983
Obviously Brazil are the perrenial favourites and Portugal are a decent side but Ivory Coast and North Korea?? When did they become good? I bet there are some English non league teams that could give those sides a good game surely? :confused:
I would expect Brazil and Portugal to breeze through this group.
Ivory Coast are the best team in Africa for me, add to that they are playing in Africa they are a good team they drew in a freindly against Germany in Germany 2-2 and that was without Drogba probably best striker in the world rite now, Ivory have a chance.
i will take that draw
can see us getting 7 points there and progressing as winners
I think Ivory Coast may be the surprise package and I can see Brazil or Portugal going out there.
Roll on 6 months !
It's a decent enough group, we should get through relatively unscathed.
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Originally Posted by skel1983
Definitely good enough to be the 1st ever african side to make the semi finals.
Dont know about winning it. Cant see exactly how theyre gonna cope with a spain or brazil.
If they get a favourable enough draw, and have the odd bit of fortune on the way i cant see no reason why they cant sneak quarter finals. Inevitably its the same old problems with sides from africa. Good going forward but absoloutely hopeless when it comes to defence!!
OK so now the question is who does the US pair Altidore with?
1. Landon Donovan - our leader, but one of our better box-to-box players. He'd pair well with Jozy but you'd have to fill the CAM role with someone else and that would be difficult.
2. Clint Dempsey - I think the BEST option, we used him every second half in the Confederation Cup as a striker and he did wonderfully and it's easy to replace him as Fielhaber did that in the Confed Cup with much success as well.
3. Freddy Adu - He's fast, he has lots of experience with Jozy and seemingly has the most potential of all the guys who aren't already starting.
4. Robbie Findley - He's similar to Davies but isn't tested on the international level.
5. Eddie Johnson - He's experienced but VERY streaky and I don't think he's ever played or had success playing with Altidore.
6. Someone else.
I have this fear that Brian Ching or Conor Casey is going to be Bob Bradley's solution...I'm a Kenny Cooper fan and I think he deserves a shot over those guys but I know he changes our style a bit too much to give him the outright starting job he'd be a very solid sub though.
I also would like to know what late additions to the US team would help us out: Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Marvell Wynn, DeMarcus Beasley, Jose Fransisco Torres, Edgar Castillo, etc.....who else can help us out?