Posted on 06/09/2014 2:20:08 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The U.S. headed to Brazil with boosted faith Sunday after going undefeated in its sendoff series for the first time.
Playing only its third match in nine months against a World Cup team, the U.S. defense appeared firmer in a 2-1 win over Nigeria after the decision to start both Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman in midfield. And Jozy Altidore broke a six-month scoreless streak for club and country with a pair of goals, including a flashy effort when he cut inside Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo and slotted in a right-footed shot from 12 yards.
“This game gives us confidence, but the whole send-off series should give us confidence,” defender Matt Besler said Saturday night.
(Excerpt) Read more at journalgazette.net ...
Maybe there is a method to Klinsmann’s madness, or perhaps he is just mad.Well, it really isn’t possible. On the other hand, Greece won the European Championship in 2004. That wasn’t possible, either.
It’s possible but not probable, is a better way to sum it up, imo.
Roy Hodgson says there is no reason why England cannot win World Cup
"We all believe in a final against Germany. They will definitely reach the final."
In a sign that the authors of the report might have stopped watching the English Premier League a few weeks from its conclusion (the Reds were swept aside by Manchester City) they have opted for England where other institutions give the Three Lions no chance.
“We adopt a quantitative model for predicting the 2014 football World Cup winner, and then apply some well reasoned arguments to find the likely winner.
I saw most of the US match against Nigeria. The Eagles pressed our guys pretty hard early, but the center of the defense held pretty solid with the central midfielders really forcing Nigeria to the wings. A much better defensive performance than against Turkey, despite the identical scoreline. Things broke down a bit after about 70 minutes, with the wholesale substitutions, so I wouldn’t read too much into it, but holding on for those last 20-25 minutes in each game is going to be critical.
And thank goodness Jozy Altidore finally put one (and then two!) into the net. If there was ever a time for someone to break out of a slum, it would deb right about now.
lol
I was stationed in West Berlin in 1974 when West Germany hosted the World Cup. It was exciting when West Germany beat Netherlands in the final. I’ve followed every tournament since, and always root for Germany.
World Cup 2014: Wayne Rooney ready to lead England - Del Piero
World Cup 2014: Wayne Rooney scares rivals - David Beckham
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Good for Maradona criticizing possible FIFA corruption
Pele wants to banish the ghost of 1950, wants Uruguay Brazil final
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Chile might be another dark horse to win the whole thing.
Australia Socceroos Wilkinson: We'll keep it cool against Chile
In context: P. ¿El estilo sigue siendo el mismo? R. Una cosa primero: al fútbol se juega bien de muchas maneras, no hay una forma única. Nosotros no tenemos una fórmula mágica, tenemos una idea a partir de los jugadores con los que contamos. Eso no quiere decir que no haya otras que sean igual de buenas y que puedan dar grandes resultados. No somos talibanes de una forma de jugar. La posesión sin profundidad no tiene sentido. Por eso trabajamos para ser un equipo agresivo en la recuperación, compacto, que presione...
Leer mas: Mundial 2014: Vicente del Bosque: "No somos talibanes de un estilo" - MARCA.com
Does little to clarify, translation or not. If "Taliban" were some sort of unique Spanish word it might make sense but apparently it is not a unique word, same as in English. What if our manager said "We are not the Taliban of a certain style." Does not make much sense to me. Perhaps someone else gets it, I don't.
If Portugal fall flat then that leaves the door open and, having spent a bit of time with US manager Jurgen Klinsmann, I am backing them to make it out of the group.
The US will be so well prepared and their team spirit is second to none. I think they will see off Ghana and reach the last 16.
World Cup 2014: BBC pundits predict what will happen in Brazil
The US is going to have to get at least 4 points from Ghana and Portugal.
I think the US has a better shot at getting 3 points against Portugal, then perhaps a tie with Ghana would be good enough to get them through.
The US beat Portugal the last time they met in the WC, when Portugal was heavily favored, and Ghana has sent the US out the last two WCs.
If not for a soggy field in the semis, Poland should have won it.
Portugal is a one trick pony.
"Therefore, I have a small concern, but there is no envy, since he's playing and I'm not. We both have our own stories, mine has already been written but he is writing his now. It is what it is."
One might be able to say that about Eusebio but here we are from 1966, he's one of the legends of the game, that's one more reason to be wary of Portugal, they may well dedicate their World Cup to him.
Speaking of Portugal, a few of these countries, I'm sure actually all have their own fan websites. So one can look for them,
Portugal: PortuGoal
Ghana whips S. Korea, 4-0, bad news for the Taeguk Tigers (they are called something like that at least).
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