Posted on 06/17/2006 8:05:31 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
Spain looked really impressive. They manhandled Ukraine and scored what I think is the goal of the tournament with Puyol doing some incredible work to get the ball to Torres (?) for the finish.
France looks like they aren't going to be able to score again this world cup. Cheer for South Korea tomorrow. :)
Yeah I saw them. France played like a nation of people who don't like each other. Spain got off to a quick start and benefited from a ref who destroyed half the game just like the ref today.
If you haven't noticed, we're in Team USA party mode.
The Koreans will take care of the French tomorrow.
There's one important thing to be gleaned from that play though, and this is something that I had my coach drill into me when I was playing way back when: Good things happen when you shoot. I think in the CZE game Beasley would have layed a square ball off to his right and another scoring chance would have gone a begging. I'm sure Arena hammered that point home to the lads before this match.
Just curious, where'd you get that screen shot? What network is it from?
Just saw Tony Meola on the post game MLS Red Bulls game. He said that Arena is absolutely great before a game and at halftime.
I have no idea what he said but now we're all wondering what would have happened if McBride wasn't in an interference offside area on the shot.
Damn.
Tony "Near Post" Meola huh? I hear he's making a comeback. What a shame he picked the end of his career to get a work ethic. Such a likeable guy too. Wasn't there some talk that he might actually make the 23 man roster for this world cup or am I imagining things?
Here is the list of players suspended for the final group matches, either for receiving yellow cards in both of the first two matches or for receiving a straight red in the second match.
USA: Pope, Mastroeni
Ghana: Muntari, Gyan
Italy: De Rossi
Czech Republic: Ujfalusi, Lokvenc
I found it on a soccer forum. Not sure what network it is. Probably some European TV channel.
Be sure to take a few seconds to rate this game on ESPN.com
http://proxy.espn.go.com/soccernet/match/rate?id=191942&cc=%
FIFA posted the match highlight videos:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/match/template.html?id=25#
Ah. Cool.
Well that does it for me guys. See you all back here in about nine for Croatia - Japan. And of course after that O Selecao Brasileiro will be in action.
Later..........
The odd thing about Meola is that he was never truly a good goalkeeper. A great athlete for sure, but his remarkable athleticism allowed him to perform well even though he was not really a technically sound player.
I agree. If the player wins the ball first and hits the player second, its a fair tackle, unless some other rule like tackle height is broken. That's not how I saw the first US player's straight red though. He caught the Italian player above the ankle in a two-footed, studs-showing tackle. You're not allowed to dive in with two feet and with studs up. I also don't remember him making contact with the ball, but maybe I missed that.
you are correct sir
cool story, congrats to your son/team
what a rollercoaster that 15 secs was..
I was doing the same thing - only I'm alone in a hotel. I wondering what the other guests down the hall we're thinking about what was going on in my room ...
I'm going to bed as well.
WAY TO GO, USA!!!
We truly left it all out on the field today!!
GREAT passion, determination, fight & heart!!
(1) US win AND Italy win.
(2) US win by 4 or more AND the Czechs win 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2.
(3) US win by 3 or more AND the Czechs win 2-0, 3-0, or 4-1.
(4) US win by 2 or more AND the Czechs win 4-0, or 5-1.
(5) US win by 1 or more AND the Czechs win 5-0.
In the following scenarios the US would have to draw lots to advance:
(1) US wins 2-1 AND the Czechs win 4-0.
(2) US wins 2-0 AND the Czechs win 3-0.
(3) US wins 3-0 AND the Czechs win 3-1.
(4) US wins 4-0 AND the Czechs win 3-2.
If either of the following two occur, the US is definitely out:
(1) The US loses.
(2) ITA-CZE draw.
-A8
Jorge Larrionda, the Uruguayan referee who handed out three red cards in Saturday's game between the United States and Italy, was suspended for six months in 2002 by his country's soccer authorities.
Larrionda was one of five referees to be suspended for "irregularities," a decision that prevented them from officiating in local or international matches.
The suspensions reportedly were connected with accusations of corruption between members of rival unions that represent Uruguay's match officials.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=371526&cc=5901
For the Americans to advance, they must defeat Ghana. In addition to beating Ghana, the U.S. team needs one of these scenarios to take place:
1. Italy defeats the Czech Republic.
2. Italy ties the Czech Republic 0-0 or 1-1 AND the United States beats Ghana by at least four goals.
3. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by five or more goals.
4. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by four goals AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Czechs do in their tie.
5. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is six or more.
6. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Italians do in their loss.
7. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores exactly two more goals than the Italians do in their loss AND the Americans win a drawing of lots by FIFA.
Yanks gain vital point vs. Italy
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2006-06-17-usa-italy-notes2_x.htm
True Grit: U.S. Withstands Ejections and Italy to Stay Alive
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/sports/soccer/18soccer.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=6bed000eQ2F)Q7DwE)6Q60Q51-,Q60Q60sZ)ZNNv)Nv)Q22U)-Q3CQ60,s-)-Q60Q51Q51w,)Q22U-Q60Q51Q51w,Q2BQ3Asjb
The team really controlled the midfield today - I was not embarassed after this one ...
The following scenarios assure the US advance:
(1) US win AND Italy win.
(2) US win by 5 or more AND the Czechs draw 2-2, or 3-3.
(3) US win by 4 or more AND the Czechs draw 1-1 or win 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2.
(4) US win by 3 or more AND the Czechs win 2-0, 3-0, or 4-1.
(5) US win by 2 or more AND the Czechs win 4-0, or 5-1.
(6) US win by 1 or more AND the Czechs win 5-0.
In the following scenarios the US would have to draw lots to advance:
(1) US wins 2-1 AND the Czechs win 4-0.
(2) US wins 2-0 AND the Czechs win 3-0.
(3) US wins 3-0 AND the Czechs win 3-1.
(4) US wins 4-0 AND the Czechs win 3-2.
-A8
By the same token, in game theory, Italy and the Czechs are both motivated to win in order to ensure first place, thus avoiding meeting Brazil in the second round. I don't think either will settle for a tie.
I think it's fair to say, we only have to consider (1) from your analysis above.
Rubbish. I enjoy watching two soccer teams that I have no rooting interest in. Two skilled teams going at it is a joy to watch; no other sport can equal soccer when played at its best. The fact is if you notice the flags, plenty of rabid soccer fans go to World Cup games where their national team is not playing, simply to be able to see a game. You'd realize this is you understood the game: you don't have to have a rooting interest to enjoy watching soccer. A quality match is a quality match. Of course if you have no idea what you are watching, it might as well be a game of cards. Pearls before swine, and all that.
Likeable? No, he's is and has been a tool since I first met him at age 16. I'll agree with the point about his athleticism, but there have usually been at least a dozen more capable GK's available to replace him at any time since he first got a spot on the MNT.
IMHO, he's just one more piece of evidence that politics have almost always trumped performance for the national team selection.
Hey what are you complaining about? Tony is from Kearny, NJ the soccer capital of the US. That's not a bastion of political power either.
He had a good run made the team. He's not even on the team now. And I think he's more of an icon from when he had a good run.
He got the W yesterday in a 2-1 Red Bulls win.
Why are you so harsh on the guy?
Yes you're right, I don't think either game is going to be won by more than two points. We need to beat Ghana and then hope the Italians really want to win the group.
Italy will want to avoid Brazil and gain form. We should see an effort to win.
I have seen every azzurri match since 1994, and I have to say that the high hopes I had for them in this WC have now been destroyed. The US game was a return to the bad old days of Trapattoni: no movement through the midfield, back passes to the defenders, then long balls to the forwards who are then caught offsides. Bruttissimo.
I was hoping for bell' Calcio from them. For that I will watch Argentina.
"So will Ghanaians."
True.
For that matter so will the USA.
All in all its going to be a super competitive Thursday and an exciting day of football.
Can't wait.
One of my friends/co-workers is for Ghana. He's from Sierra Leone but was raised in Britain so is more British than Sierra Leonean. However, he HATES the England team.
We just made plans to watch the game together Thursday evening in the bar. We think it'll be fun to be on opposite sides - all in friendly fun.
Don't tell him I said this, but the USA's going to kick Ghana's a$$. ;-)
Does a Yankee fan ever root for the Red Sox, or vice-versa?
That was an unbelievable game! Great spirit and fire!
If only we had a bit more skill... But it will come
I think Italy can defeat Czechs (they definitely have a motivation not to see Brazilians too soon) and US can defeat Ghana. All 4 teams fighting for a win: that I call a group of death!
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