FIFA World Cup 2014

[Darkstrike]

Return of the king indeed. Don't think it went unnoticed

 

[jrthebassguy]

Luis Montes, one of Mexico's better midfielders just fractured his fibula & tibula during a friendly and is out for the World Cup. Mexico has had a terrible luck with injuries the past few days.

If Germany doesn't make it to the semi-final, Löw should better not come back ... but I guess it will be Spain or Brazil this year.

I have money on Germany winning it all. Don't let me down!

 

[Tituscrow]

Luis Montes, one of Mexico's better midfielders just fractured his fibula & tibula during a friendly and is out for the World Cup.




I have money on Germany winning it all. Don't let me down!

My boys from Belgium all the way!

Is there an emoticon for 'fat chance' ?

I may even throw a tenner on England.

 

[jrthebassguy]

I used to be fairly confident in the US's chances to get past the group stages*, but I have more doubt than ever right now.

Brand new formation unveiled (4-4-2 diamond), both of our starting strikers have had awful 2013-2014 seasons (Dempsey and Altidore), and a mostly untested midfield. Michael Bradley might be used as a false 9 to make up for the lack of striking capabilities. I like our defensive guys a lot, and Howard is absolutely a world class keeper, but our lack of scoring ability will be this team's downfall.



*Yes, I realize that was already a bold prediction being in a group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana (who eliminated us from the last two World Cups in the knockout stages), but they had such a strong qualifying run I had a lot of confidence in them.

 

[cheezewiz]

I used to be fairly confident in the US's chances to get past the group stages*, but I have more doubt than ever right now.

Brand new formation unveiled (4-4-2 diamond), both of our starting strikers have had awful 2013-2014 seasons (Dempsey and Altidore), and a mostly untested midfield. Michael Bradley might be used as a false 9 to make up for the lack of striking capabilities. I like our defensive guys a lot, and Howard is absolutely a world class keeper, but our lack of scoring ability will be this team's downfall.



*Yes, I realize that was already a bold prediction being in a group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana (who eliminated us from the last two World Cups in the knockout stages), but they had such a strong qualifying run I had a lot of confidence in them.

I will be surprised if the US doesn't finish last in that group.

 

[matante]

I used to be fairly confident in the US's chances to get past the group stages*, but I have more doubt than ever right now.

Brand new formation unveiled (4-4-2 diamond), both of our starting strikers have had awful 2013-2014 seasons (Dempsey and Altidore), and a mostly untested midfield. Michael Bradley might be used as a false 9 to make up for the lack of striking capabilities. I like our defensive guys a lot, and Howard is absolutely a world class keeper, but our lack of scoring ability will be this team's downfall.



*Yes, I realize that was already a bold prediction being in a group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana (who eliminated us from the last two World Cups in the knockout stages), but they had such a strong qualifying run I had a lot of confidence in them.

I wouldn't assume to know who the starters will be just yet. Aaron Johannsson and Mix Diskerud have every chance of taking those spots if they play well between now and the first match of the World Cup. I hope they do.

Game about to start...

 

[Darkstrike]

I used to be fairly confident in the US's chances to get past the group stages*, but I have more doubt than ever right now.

Brand new formation unveiled (4-4-2 diamond), both of our starting strikers have had awful 2013-2014 seasons (Dempsey and Altidore), and a mostly untested midfield. Michael Bradley might be used as a false 9 to make up for the lack of striking capabilities. I like our defensive guys a lot, and Howard is absolutely a world class keeper, but our lack of scoring ability will be this team's downfall.



*Yes, I realize that was already a bold prediction being in a group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana (who eliminated us from the last two World Cups in the knockout stages), but they had such a strong qualifying run I had a lot of confidence in them.

The diamond? A regular 4-4-2 diamond, or a wide one?

Who are your wingbacks?

I'd prefer to see Wondo up top either way, with (ugh..) Dempsey as support/link, and Zusi just behind.

 

[Tituscrow]

Altidore probably did the worst impression of a centre forward since the halcyon days of Tomas Brolin.

 

[Darkstrike]

I thought he'd be good this time around, yeesh.....

 

[matante]

The diamond? A regular 4-4-2 diamond, or a wide one?

Who are your wingbacks?

I'd prefer to see Wondo up top either way, with (ugh..) Dempsey as support/link, and Zusi just behind.

Wingbacks are a couple of Germans. One of them just scored.

 

[Tituscrow]

So if the US fail to progress from their group, will there be a mass losing of interest?

 

[jrthebassguy]

So if the US fail to progress from their group, will there be a mass losing of interest?

The average American treats the World Cup the way they do the Olympics - they pretend to care about the sport for a month, and then go back to not caring for another three years and 11 months. Each WC does see more people get into the sport though. MLS will see a boost in ticket sales, and youth leagues across the country will see high numbers.

 

[cheezewiz]

I dont know about any other Americans, but I'm in no danger of losing interest.

 

[Tituscrow]

I know you guys will follow it to the final, regardless of whether the US get out of the group or not.

The general impression I get is that initially there will be a lot of public interest, but if you end up going out after 3 games, folk won't really be interested.

It's almost as if it's a case of "we aren't interested unless we are going to win it" for most if the viewing public.

Over here most fans will end up watching the final whoever ends up in it, and it will still be headline back-page news.

I've already planned on how I'm going to watch every group game.

 

[cheezewiz]

I know you guys will follow it to the final, regardless of whether the US get out of the group or not.

The general impression I get is that initially there will be a lot of public interest, but if you end up going out after 3 games, folk won't really be interested.

It's almost as if it's a case of "we aren't interested unless we are going to win it" for most if the viewing public.

Over here most fans will end up watching the final whoever ends up in it, and it will still be headline back-page news.

I've already planned on how I'm going to watch every group game.

I agree thats most likely for most Americans. My love of football makes me a local weirdo. I will watch every game I can this world cup, especially the Italy, England, Germany, and Argentina games. They hold the most interest for me. Maybe it is unpatriotic, but the US usually play fairly boring soccer.

 

[matante]

So if the US fail to progress from their group, will there be a mass losing of interest?

The average American won't be watching the tournament at all, regardless of what happens. Those who do will be rooting for Germany, Brazil, or whoever else they think is going to win, because, you know, "the U.S. sucks."

 

[matante]

I know you guys will follow it to the final, regardless of whether the US get out of the group or not.

The general impression I get is that initially there will be a lot of public interest, but if you end up going out after 3 games, folk won't really be interested.

It's almost as if it's a case of "we aren't interested unless we are going to win it" for most if the viewing public.

Over here most fans will end up watching the final whoever ends up in it, and it will still be headline back-page news.

I've already planned on how I'm going to watch every group game.

It's a generational thing here. There is still a lot of animosity and resentment toward the sport from people of a certain age. The younger people who are more into it accept that we don't have a good team and will enjoy watching whoever plays. Like in many things, there are two Americas.

 

[matante]

I like our defensive guys a lot, and Howard is absolutely a world class keeper, but our lack of scoring ability will be this team's downfall.

Based on their play today, the defense is just as shaky as the attack. Maybe more so.

 

[jrthebassguy]

Based on their play today, the defense is just as shaky as the attack. Maybe more so.

Agreed, they were quite shaky today. But regular starter DaMarcus Beasley didn't play either. Not sure why Timmy Chandler got the start today, he hasn't put on a US kit for nearly two years.

 

[TheBass]

I have money on Germany winning it all. Don't let me down!

I'm so glad the guys don't need me to win. But 2:2 vs. Cameroun - c'mon, man. This should have been a clear win for Germany. I hope our team realizes that training is finished now.