Posted on 06/22/2014 1:05:04 PM PDT by Perdogg
United States V Portugal thread - 6pm EDT (3pm PDT) ESPN
“A big problem is that Germany will have had an extra day of rest, and the US will still be recovering from playing this match in the heat of Manaus. Also Ghana will have that same advantage over Portugal.”
Right on both points; I’m much more concerned about Ghana than Portugal (mostly due to goal differential), and can only hope that the US can defend as Ghana did - a tie puts both Germany and the US through.
Ironic if Ghana loses to the USA, yet still “knocks us out” of the WC - again.
“An exciting game to watch, but I thought the US would win. Portugal isn’t Germany or Italy; they have some stars but not enough. After their game against Germany, the pundits pointed out that Ronaldo should really appreciate how much his club teammates (all stars) contribute to his game (in comparison to his so-so performance on the national team). This game confirmed that.”
The pundits can say whatever they want. Soccer writers the world over made him the player of the year, 2nd time at least he has won that.
Real Madrid wins Champions League with Ronaldo.
Manchester United win Champions League with Ronaldo.
Manchester United hasn’t won it since without Ronaldo.
It took Real Madrid a long time to get back to win the Champions League, in fact, they won the last one and they won it in 2001 probably with the likes of the Brazilian Ronaldo or Zidane.
Explain that one then.
If Ronaldo is so brought up by his teammates performances, why aren’t Manchester United still up there?
Haha, that’s great.
The Bungle in the Jungle.
The game between Germany and the USA will end in a 0-0 tie and both teams will advance. Shades of 1982.
USA definitely was the better team.
Look at it this way, we beat Ghana with a goal in the 86th minute, Portugal tied in the 95th minute. Those late goals.
http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/06/17/world/world-cup/ghana/united-states-of-america/1220106/
“The pundits can say whatever they want. Soccer writers the world over made him the player of the year, 2nd time at least he has won that. Real Madrid wins Champions League with Ronaldo. Manchester United win Champions League with Ronaldo. Manchester United hasn’t won it since without Ronaldo. It took Real Madrid a long time to get back to win the Champions League, in fact, they won the last one and they won it in 2001 probably with the likes of the Brazilian Ronaldo or Zidane. Explain that one then.”
Sure; why isn’t Portugal at the head of their group if “god” is on their team. In your heart you know tonight they were outplayed, and almost eliminated, by a very average US team.
You have a bias that prevents impartiality; enjoy the rest of the World Cup.
Nobody called him God. I don’t know how this even got started, he’s won the Ballon D’Or two times.
Yes, Real Madrid like Barcelona try to have the best teams out there, signing from all over, the same goes for Messi.
But he’s been voted best player in the World.
2 different clubs one in England and one in Spain have won the Champions League, guess what, they both had Cristiano Ronaldo. But without him, they didn’t.
And if one talks about the supporting cast at Real Madrid, if people notice, Spain has not exactly set this World Cup on fire. Some of those players are from Spain.
You just want to have it your way, Italy didn’t get out of the group stage in 2010, they may not get out of the group stage in 2014.
“I suppose it might be a bit scandalous for Klinsmann and Loew to drink beer and eat wurst together while their teams aimlessly pass the ball around between the 40 yard lines.”
Brazil and Portugal did it in 2010.
Posted at Drudge, the Ghana FA may have been involved with some match-fixing characters. When Ghana takes the pitch, this kind of news can not be good for them though might not directly affect their play. It is hard to say.
The whole point was that a player’s performance on a club has little bearing on the same player’s performance in the World Cup; this is Ronaldo’s second World Cup, and he had little impact in either so far. He isn’t playing with the most expensive in the world supporting him, and it is showing.
Spain’s performance this year is no different than France in 2002 (when as defending champion they were eliminated without scoring a goal) or Italy in 2010 (when as defending champion they were eliminated in the first round); coaches are tempted to go with what works, ignoring the intervening four years. There seems to be a professional courtesy that champs should be allowed an opportunity to repeat if possible.
Brazil 0 0 Portugal
Brazil, time of possession, 61%
Portugal, time of possession, 39%
4 YELLOW CARDS handed out to Portugal, 3 YELLOW CARDS to Brazil.
Yes, sounds like they just kicked the ball around doesn’t it.
Portugal, 4 corner kicks, Brazil 7
Shots on Target, 3 for Portugal, 5 for Brazil
Portugal, 9 shots wide, 11 for Brazil
FOULS, 11 for Portugal, 18 for Brazil.
These stats hardly sound like playing for a draw was a plan. Look at the data and decide for yourself.
http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2010/06/25/world/world-cup/portugal/brazil/878812/?ICID=PL_MS_08
It’s his 3rd World Cup, in his first World Cup, they indeed were semi-finalists, 4th place. Not too bad. 2006, 2010, still advanced to the round of 16. Some say defeated on an offside goal by Spain, I’ve seen the video and I think you can probably say it was. Country of 11 million.
“Some say defeated on an offside goal by Spain, I’ve seen the video and I think you can probably say it was.”
They have an excuse for everything - they think that they have to match countries of 50 million. Before this World Cup started they were already rolling out the excuses (they seemed sure they weren’t going far, and certainly weren’t going to win it). As a national team they’ve never won much; they are Spain’s envious little brother.
“They have an excuse for everything - they think that they have to match countries of 50 million. Before this World Cup started they were already rolling out the excuses (they seemed sure they weren’t going far, and certainly weren’t going to win it). As a national team they’ve never won much; they are Spain’s envious little brother.”
So USA, Republic of Ireland, Mexico don’t role out excuses? You just must not like Portugal. In 1950, a country with a small population won the World Cup, it hasn’t happened since and may not again. If all you are about is badmouthing Portugal. So be it. I’m sure a season in one of the best leagues on earth won’t put any strains on any babies who are going to be playing in it.
Ireland can never really forgive France for that handball in 2009. Oh lookie here, it’s an excuse, oh dear.
Uruguay won it’s SECOND World Cup in 1950; that little country won the first one in 1930 (and came in 4th in 2010). I never hear them act cheated when they lose; they are adults who understand what a long shot they are to begin with.
The US and Mexico know they are second-rate; nobody expects much of them (including their own countrymen). Ireland is a small country that hasn’t qualified since 2002; they also know that is their lot as a small country.
Portugal should be content that as a province of Spain they do pretty well...
You are the one making excuses with the failure of your logic shown to be shot down.
Oh Uruguay don’t make excuses. Show me where Portugal complained in 2006??
Okay, we will go through there, if you can’t then just like saying this was Ronaldo’s 2nd World Cup, you are wrong.
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