Posted on 07/01/2014 10:02:58 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
SALVADOR, Brazil — Every four years, soccer cleans its slate and allows nations to reinvent themselves. Forgotten teams resurface. Small programs make big strides. Champions uphold their legacy or, in the case of Spain this summer, show their age.
For the second consecutive World Cup, the United States is in position for a breakthrough, a fresh narrative, a defining moment.
[From Fancy Stats: How the United States can beat Belgium | What to expect from U.S.-Belgium (not much scoring) ]
Four years ago in South Africa, the Americans won their first-round group in a heroic manner but lost to Ghana on an extra-time goal in the knockout stage. It wasn’t an upset; rather, it was a missed opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the second time in three tournaments and set the tone for the next World Cup cycle.
On Tuesday, the U.S. squad enters a round-of-16 match against Belgium with another chance to nudge the program along a little further. The Belgians are a more formidable foe than Ghana was in 2010, having arrived in Brazil with a stable of top-flight talent and a deserved label as dark-horse candidates to hit the semifinals or beyond.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I’m not sure on this one. Doesn’t Belgium have a couple of its top players on the injured list? That may help us. And we have been playing strong defense. But this could be as much of a challenge for us as Germany was.
Belgium is fashionable this time. Gonna be a tough match.
It’s all about possession. Dempsey and Bradley (shudder) will make or break us in midfield.
Any word on Altidore? Playing? Subbing?
Coverage starts at 3:30 ET2:30 CT on ESPN.
Sorry....I'm rooting for Belgium.
Belgium is the JV version of Portugal - some great individual players, not so much of a team. I think we can take ‘em. Neither Argentina nor Switzerland are looking impressive either... possible semifinal matchup with Costa Rica brewing?
Klinsman says Altidore is ready to go. Could be a bit of gamesmanship though. Question is does he start or is he a sub. If he’s a sub and then can’t go then you’ve burned 2 subs...
Word is that he’s available. But if he is, I wouldn’t expect him to play the entire match (or he might come in as a sub, especially if we are down).
Belgium is 11-0-2 in their last 13 international matches...
I don’t think CRC gets past the Dutch. Would be fun to see though.
That’s what I’m thinking, a bit of gamesmanship. As bad as that looked, I simply cannot imagine any athlete coming back earlier than at least 4-6 weeks. They never indicated the severity of the pull/rip, but it sure looked bad.
<-——Waiting for August when REAL football starts.
I take it you mean Rugby?
I say dump the pussified NFL and make rugby the sport of sports for us. Soccer, baseball, and NFL are all crap over the last 20 years. NBA still has a little fun in there, but not enough to match a real field game like rugby.
Yep. Pink gloves, and gay players. Have fun.
Crush the Miserable Fat Belgian Bastards!
I assumed he was talking the start of the Premiere League season.
Looks like Argentina just scored at 119. Nice shot on goal by Switzerland — missed.
Yep, things got Messi in the 119th minute.
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