World Cup and European leagues

[Mr. Ypsi]

There is no longer any scenario where USA can win group (the ref saw to that!), so even if they go through their 'reward' would presumably be facing Brazil - ouch!

A loss or tie with Ghana means USA finishes last in the group, so let's presume a win (though that is FAR from certain).  Here are the scenarios:

If Italy beats CR, Italy wins group, and ANY win by USA is sufficient to go through.

If Italy and CR tie, Italy wins group, CR is second UNLESS USA wins by 5+ goals (yeah, right!).

If CR beats Italy, CR wins group, Italy is second UNLESS combined margin of victory for CR and USA is 6+; if combined margin is 5, USA and Italy are even on first two tie-breaks and I'm unclear where things would stand.

Simplest solution: Go USA!!  Go Azzurri!!  (We'll worry about Brazil if we get there!)

[Mr. Ypsi]

Before this Cup, Beasley was one of my favorite players.  Laziness MAY be a problem, but I think the even more basic problem is that he just doesn't seem to be very soccer-smart.  Case in point:

c. 77th minute he runs down the left side (just left of the box).  He and his defender are ahead of anyone else.  He runs all the way to the endline, then crosses (unsuccessfully) to a non-existent teammate.

If he had frozen the ball at about the 18, then gone right, his defender is presumably past him, and he is one-on-one with the keeper.  I teach that to my 8-9 year-olds.  Why didn't he think of it?

I agree that a benching would be justified, but hope that a thorough reaming might make him dangerous off the bench.

[cawcdad]

I remember that play Mr. Ypsi. As I thought about it more, I'm not sure it was laziness, it almost seemed like stage fright. Frozen with doubt. Two other times a US player had the ball along the sideline about 25 - 30 yards out. Beasley was about 10 yards in from the ball. That was perfect time to make a run toward the corner. It pulls the defender and gives the ball handler room to move toward the middle. Or if the defender stays put (which he would have the time it was Donovan with the ball), the ball gets pushed to Beasley and he is open to make a cross. Both times he just stood there and the ball wound up being played back. KEEP MOVING!!, I emphasized that play to my high schoolers when I was coaching.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Beasley 'scored' what seemed to be the probable winning goal only a minute after entering.  I think he collapsed after that disappointment.  I question the mental toughness of anyone who can't deal with such a setback.

Especially since that seems to have been one of the rare calls the ref got right - McBride WAS offside and guilty of interference (blocking the keeper's view).

Beasley CANNOT let such a call get into his mind if he is to be a worthy World Cup player.

[ScotsFan]

One of my favorite quotes came after the match when Eric Wynalda was describing how he felt about officials when he was playing.  He said that there were two types of officials, "bad and worse."   That was classic!  He went on to describe the officiating in the USA match as the worst he has seen in some time!  Personally, I didn't understand when the commentators in the game were describing Pope's 2nd yellow and subsequent red card as being a make-up call.  Make up for what???   The red card that the Italians received in the 1st half was totally warranted as evidenced by the blood running down McBride's face!  Why was there need to call a make-up red card and if that was the case, how come we never got a make-up red card for the bogus call on Mastroeni?!

Officiating aside, all in all, the US put forth far and away a better effort in their match with Italy.  After conceding the first goal, the US just continued attacking and it payed off shortly after with a little help from the Italians.  Then the US went up a man and it looked as though we might actually be able to get a favorable result.  And then the official decided he was bigger than the game.  Still, salvaging a tie after playing nearly the entire 2nd half with just 9 men is a very good result.  Hopefully, the Czechs have folded up the tents and the Italians can take them out.  I'm also hopeful that Ghana will wake up and realize that they weren't supposed to be contending in this group.  One key is that the US isn't the only squad in that match that will be playing without 2 key players.  Ghana will be missing 2 key players as well including one of the goal scorers in their win over CR.  Personally, I feel that Ghana will feel the losses more than the US as the US bench seems to be deeper talent-wise.  We shall see on the 22nd!

Lastly, how about the US contingent that showed up to support the boys in K-Town!  Honestly, I think the US supporters were louder than the Italians!  I got chills hearing the crowd singing the Star Spangled Banner before the match.  Can't wait for Thursday!

[Greek Tragedy]

I think Coach Arena must share some blame for USA playing most of the second half a man down. Once it became obvious that the ref was, to put it mildly, a bit card-happy, the Italian coach removed Totti before he could get a second yellow. Leaving Pope in was really tempting fate.

You don't take a player out simply because of that, unless the outcome is already determined (blowout ect) to "save" the player.  Taking Totti out was tactical, not because he was afraid of him getting a yellow card.  If Italy wins that game, they're through and it doesn't matter if Totti sits out the last game.  It had nothing to do with "yellow card suspensions".  With that said the Australian coach was talking about sitting several of his players against Brazil, basically conceding that game and saving his players for Croatia.  But that's a bunch of bull and shows disrespect to Croatia.  Look for the Aussies to be at full strength.


Beasley has had a terrible tourney.  I don't think he lacks soccer knowledge at all.  He's timid and a lot of fans/commentators were happy to see him come on for fresh legs and speed.  But he didn't use that to his advantage.  He was LAZY coming back on defense while it was obvious everyone else was tired as heck.  He was pissing me off! lol. 

You're being a little harsh on Beasley, a lot of players will react that way when a goal is disallowed.  I sure would playing on the biggest stage and of course it would mean a little more to him considering the criticizism he's been under.

And what's up with not bringing on Eddie Johnson for Brian McBride?  McBride did a great job, but getting some speed in there and not losing on in height would've been nice.  Arena had an extra sub left and should've used him.  You can't carry over unused subs for the next game! 

I used my Lakeland College math on my post that included the goal differential.  Not sure how I came up with Ghana's goal differential.  You're right, I just didn't add correctly.

If the US goes through, I don't care who they play!  Brazil has hardly looked unbeatable and we can only hope that fat out of shape guy Ronaldo plays!

I think Pope's leadership and experience will be missed, but he looked horrible yesterday.  He was totally at fault for the Italian goal and just looked stupid standing there with is hand up by executing a one man offside trap!  What a joke. 

Arena did a great job of flooding the midfield and preventing service to the forwards.  I can't see how the US would've ever fired Arena (because of a horrible 1st game and the possibility of not getting out of the first round).  He is by far the best coach for the US and for Wynalda to throw him under the bus by saying, "just remember, 20 years ago he threw down the la crosse stick to do soccer.  He's not even a soccer player/coach to begin with" or something like that, was just out of line.

[Greek Tragedy]

To answer my own question, it would've been more beneficial for Ghana to put the hammer down on the Czechs, thus hurting their goal differential.  If it was 3 or 4 to zero, it would've put the Czech's GD at zero or even negative and if we both are level on points (if the Czechs tie and we win), there would be less goals needed for us to score!  Now, as it stands, we need to beat Ghana by 3 or more goals.  3 goals and a tie for the Czechs puts us level on points and GD and I have no idea what the next tie breaker is.

If the Czechs beat the Italians, the total goals the Italians get beat by and the total goals the US needs to win by has to equal 5 or more, I believe.

So, if the Czechs win, it's gotta be by a blowout!  Hoping Ghana is tired so we can win.  Plus, both of Ghana's scorers are out the next match.

[mybleedinghands]

I think Coach Arena must share some blame for USA playing most of the second half a man down. Once it became obvious that the ref was, to put it mildly, a bit card-happy, the Italian coach removed Totti before he could get a second yellow. Leaving Pope in was really tempting fate.

You don't take a player out simply because of that, unless the outcome is already determined (blowout ect) to "save" the player.  Taking Totti out was tactical, not because he was afraid of him getting a yellow card.  If Italy wins that game, they're through and it doesn't matter if Totti sits out the last game.  It had nothing to do with "yellow card suspensions".  With that said the Australian coach was talking about sitting several of his players against Brazil, basically conceding that game and saving his players for Croatia.  But that's a bunch of bull and shows disrespect to Croatia.  Look for the Aussies to be at full strength.


Beasley has had a terrible tourney.  I don't think he lacks soccer knowledge at all.  He's timid and a lot of fans/commentators were happy to see him come on for fresh legs and speed.  But he didn't use that to his advantage.  He was LAZY coming back on defense while it was obvious everyone else was tired as heck.  He was pissing me off! lol. 

You're being a little harsh on Beasley, a lot of players will react that way when a goal is disallowed.  I sure would playing on the biggest stage and of course it would mean a little more to him considering the criticizism he's been under.

And what's up with not bringing on Eddie Johnson for Brian McBride?  McBride did a great job, but getting some speed in there and not losing on in height would've been nice.  Arena had an extra sub left and should've used him.  You can't carry over unused subs for the next game! 

I used my Lakeland College math on my post that included the goal differential.  Not sure how I came up with Ghana's goal differential.  You're right, I just didn't add correctly.

If the US goes through, I don't care who they play!  Brazil has hardly looked unbeatable and we can only hope that fat out of shape guy Ronaldo plays!

I think Pope's leadership and experience will be missed, but he looked horrible yesterday.  He was totally at fault for the Italian goal and just looked stupid standing there with is hand up by executing a one man offside trap!  What a joke. 

Arena did a great job of flooding the midfield and preventing service to the forwards.  I can't see how the US would've ever fired Arena (because of a horrible 1st game and the possibility of not getting out of the first round).  He is by far the best coach for the US and for Wynalda to throw him under the bus by saying, "just remember, 20 years ago he threw down the la crosse stick to do soccer.  He's not even a soccer player/coach to begin with" or something like that, was just out of line.

i don't care what sport a person payed, if they can coach i'll take em! Hell, Lawrence Frank of the New Jersey Nets couldnt even make his high school basketball team and he isnt all that shabby of a coach!

[cawcdad]

Brazil moves on, but a valiant effort by the Aussies. Australia should beat Croatia to move on to the next round. Once again, Ronaldo just seemed to stand around and wasn't much of a factor.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In the 9th minute against South Korea, Henry scored the first French Cup goal since 1998!

(Is France scoring listed as a Sign of the Apocalypse? )

[mybleedinghands]

In the 9th minute against South Korea, Henry scored the first French Cup goal since 1998!

(Is France scoring listed as a Sign of the Apocalypse? )

No, that would be me having a zero or a positive number for my karma! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

France was in all probability DOUBLY 'screwed' today.  Late in the first half they almost certainly scored a second goal (the Korean keeper was behind the goalline AND reached back to stop a shot - while none of the camera angles were absolutely conclusive, I'd say it was over 90% certain that the entire ball crossed the entire line).  And, in a blow to France and true fans everywhere, Zinedine Zidane (who has already announced his retirement from international play after the Cup) was given a VERY iffy yellow card (his second of group play) and will have to sit the next game.  If France does not go through, we've seen the last of Zidane.  (Fortunately they next play Togo, so their chances for the second round, even without Zidane, are excellent.)

[David Collinge]

Nothing iffy about it, IMHO.  Zidane threw a knee into the back of the Korean player's thigh.  The ABC commentators didn't mention it (which is hardly surprising; sometimes I wonder what game they are watching), but it was pretty flagrant.  And it was a stupid thing to do when you know you're carrying a booking already.

Just like in D3 hoops, the referee is a necessary part of the game: good, bad, or indifferent.  Maybe the ref missed the call on the would-be second French goal, maybe they're being a little liberal with yellow and red cards, but it happens.  You learn to adjust and move on, or you suffer.  Or, if you're Marcelo Balboa, you snivel and whine about it endlessly. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Lastly, how about the US contingent that showed up to support the boys in K-Town!  Honestly, I think the US supporters were louder than the Italians!  I got chills hearing the crowd singing the Star Spangled Banner before the match.  Can't wait for Thursday!

I guess it helps that they were a stone's throw away from the US Air Force base in Germany! 

The Aussies are very entertaining and really took it to Brazil without being afraid.  2nd half sub Harry Kewell should've had two goals.  Ronaldo looked like crap and a friend told me that Julie Foudy commented that Ronaldo looked like he was taking a walk through the park, feeding the ducks etc...I thought that was pretty funny.

The announcers have basically been horrible for the coverage. This morning's game of Japan and Croatia was pretty bad.  I could've thought Rob Stone was Deco's boyfriend the way he was talking him up.  Yeah, Deco is Brazilian born and playing for Japan, but come on...Stone even called Japan Brazil a couple of times!

As for Brazil, yeah, they are good and fun to watch, but Balboa must have a Brazilian passport because he was in awe of every step over, little pass, or whatever that Brazil did.  He even said that Brazil was controlling the game, slowing it down when they wanted, counter attacking when they wanted etc.  He couldn't have been further from the truth.

I appreciate watching the games, but a friend told me he watches the Spanish channel coverage.  He doesn't speak Spanish and has no idea what they are saying, but they are just more animated with their commentating and shows the passion of the game.  Anyway, I know I probably couldn't do much better, but maybe I start muting the games (like I do with Madden and Monday night football)! lol. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

David,

I'll have to take your word for it - I didn't see THAT foul!  They kept showing a replay which appeared to be a simple pull-down by the shirt - a foul, yes, but hardly a card (unless it is preventing a scoring chance).  But a knee to the thigh, if viewed as deliberate, yes, that is a card!