Posted on 06/22/2014 1:05:04 PM PDT by Perdogg
United States V Portugal thread - 6pm EDT (3pm PDT) ESPN
Will it be ABC? I can’t find the listing. Thanks. yes! 3 PM
“Portugal is a one-man show, but that’s often enough for them. Hopefully the drubbing against Germany has affected them for the worse.”
The one-man shows never do well in the World Cup; double or triple coverage neutralizes them, and then the rest of the team (in Portugal’s case, not much) has to fend for itself.
Germany showed what the Portuguese team together was capable of...
“A 50% Ronaldo is dangerous.”
Guess the Germans never got the message; Ronaldo is dangerous in league play because he is surrounded by top talent, and now he isn’t.
And Thomas Muller took a dive in that game. Something not to forget as well.
“And Thomas Muller took a dive in that game. Something not to forget as well.”
Granted; Germany just embarrassed them 3-0 then.
Portugal is not a top-tier team; the US isn’t either.
Germany sure didn’t beat Ghana did they?
Don’t forget about Nani.
The Ballon D’Or awarded only started in 2010. Iniesta was a runner-up and a third. Xavi was third twice. Stikers have an advantage.
How about ‘dem apples.... early on, long game. Portugal has looked good but 5 minutes gone only.
1-0 portugal
THAT sucked. USA looks slow.
Cameron’s clearance was pathetic. Ridiculous defending.
Portugal is the number 4 team in the world according to FIFA rankings.
My Friend, I think you are correct that all the players you mentioned are great, I only said what the announcers on TV repeated, Ronaldo was World Player of the Year, Gareth Bale may well get one in the future.
http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/players/a/Ballon-D-Wouldor-Winners.htm
Looks like from this webpage, they have given out the Ballon D’or for many years. Maybe they changed the name or something.
2000
1st Luis Figo (Portuguese, Real Madrid)
2nd Zinedine Zidane (French, Real Madrid)
3rd Andriy Shevchenko (Ukrainian, AC Milan)
2001
1st Michael Owen (English, Liverpool)
2nd Raul (Spanish, Real Madrid)
3rd Oliver Kahn (German, Bayern Munich)
2002
1st Ronaldo (Brazilian, Real Madrid)
2nd Roberto Carlos (Brazilian, Real Madrid)
3rd Oliver Kahn (German, Bayern Munich)
2003
1st Pavel Nedved (Czech, Juventus)
2nd Thierry Henry (French, Arsenal)
3rd Paolo Maldini (Italian, AC Milan)
2004
1st Andriy Shevchenko (Ukrainian, AC Milan)
2nd Deco (Portuguese, Barcelona)
3rd Ronaldinho (Brazilian, Barcelona)
2005
1st Ronaldinho (Brazilian, Barcelona)
2nd Frank Lampard (English, Chelsea)
3rd Steven Gerrard (English, Liverpool)
2006
1st Fabio Cannavaro (Italian, Real Madrid)
2nd Gianluigi Buffon (Italian, Juventus)
3rd Thierry Henry (French, Arsenal)
2007
1st Kaka (Brazilian, AC Milan)
2nd Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Manchester United)
3rd Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
2008
1st Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Manchester United)
2nd Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
3rd Fernando Torres (Spanish, Liverpool)
2009
1st Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
2nd Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Real Madrid)
3rd Xavi Hernandez (Spanish, Barcelona)
FIFA Ballon d’Or
2010
1st Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
2nd Andres Iniesta (Spanish, Barcelona)
3rd Xavi Hernandez (Spanish, Barcelona)
2011
1st Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
2nd Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Real Madrid)
3rd Xavi Hernandez (Spanish, Barcelona)
2012
1st Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
2nd Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Real Madrid)
3rd Andres Iniesta (Spanish, Barcelona)
2013:
1st Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, Real Madrid)
2nd Lionel Messi (Argentinean, Barcelona)
3rd Franck Ribery (French, Bayern Munich)
Defensive mistake.
US is more fit. We will see what happens as the game progresses.
In my mind Bradley’s problem wasn’t Altidore, it was playing too high in a style of play that was too direct. He is better centrally in my view.
And we need him helping the defense now that Cameron has gifted Portugal the lead.
Postiga out, I think he is one of the better players for Portugal.
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