World Cup and European leagues

[ScotsFan]

Agree with you about Italian football (though not about Pen's hockey ), but fear not - David will be a senior at UM this coming year - even as a rebel, ain't no way he could be an OSU fan!

Good to know Mr. Y.  At least he's not a complete loss! 

[Hoosier Titan]

I can't stand the Italian brand of football.  And that red card they gave Clark was total BS and totally changed the complexion of that match.  And if that call wasn't bad enough, how about the elbow that Italian defender landed on Donavan that didn't even draw a card?  Complete BS which is how I feel about Italian football... 

Couldn't have said it better.

Oh and I hope that we see no Demarcus Beasley in the match with Egypt either.  Talk about a player that has never lived up to their potential.  He was downright horrible today!  I mean, that ball he lost that was played right to him on that corner that led directly to one of the easiest counter attacks I have ever seen?  Surely the US can do better than Demarcus Beasley?  I'm hoping to not see his name on the WC roster come next summer...    Unless he shows something between now and then, I think he is well on his way to playing himself off of the MNT by his last couple of performances and especially today's performance...

We sped through the match up until that point.  When we saw the second Brazil goal speed by, my husband said "How did they get such a breakaway?"  Watching at normal speed showed Beasley's howler.  I totally agree, SF.

Alexi Lalas said something cryptic in the pregame.  He said something like, "The US has a lot of good players, but it's not clear that they are the right collection of players to be playing together.  It's not enough to play in the EPL, or MLS, you need to want to be on this team..."  Which made me wonder--a lot of those guys play MLS but not many play in the EPL.  He surely couldn't have meant Tim Howard, who was heroic against Italy.  Clint Dempsey?  Has he underachieved?  I don't spend a lot of time watching the US men's team--does anyone have any idea what he might have been talking about?  Or was it just "commentator with time to fill" talk?

[Mr. Ypsi]

UNBELIEVABLE!  USA GOES THRU!!!!

USA 3, Egypt 0.  (The other day I had a brain-fart, forgetting that each goal for USA simultaneously lowers Egypt's GD, so only 3 goals were need to overcome a 5 goal deficit.)

Brazil 3, Italy 0.  (I'd assumed that if USA and Italy were tied in GD, Italy would win by h-t-h, but the next tie breaker is total goals: USA 4, Italy 3.)

Having already accomplished the nearly impossible, they get to try again - taking on the best team in the world!  Spain has not lost in 35 straight games, and has won 15 in a row (a new all-time record).

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just discovered that my speculation the other day may get tested after all - the Cup has a third place game, and odds are that will be USA vs. RSA.

My elder son watched most of RSA's matches, and believes they have essentially zero chance of upsetting Brazil.  Anyone think USA has any realistic chance against Spain?

[Hoosier Titan]

Just discovered that my speculation the other day may get tested after all - the Cup has a third place game, and odds are that will be USA vs. RSA.

My elder son watched most of RSA's matches, and believes they have essentially zero chance of upsetting Brazil.  Anyone think USA has any realistic chance against Spain?

Um...in three words:  No, no, no.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, and I'm absolutely thrilled about today's results for Italy's sake , but I don't see that upset happening.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'd say that's being realistic, not a wet blanket.

My take is that if the US brings their A+ game, Spain plays over-confident, AND they catch some breaks, USA has maybe a 15-20% of the upset.  We'll be in Put-in-Bay (after dropping sons and guests at Cedar Point) that day.  I kinda doubt we'll find anywhere to watch a soccer game, and (considering the likely carnage) not sure how hard we'll try.

But I AM looking forward to both the title and 3rd place games.  Probably the two best teams in the world in one; the WC host vs. the contender/pretender (?) Americans in the other.

[ScotsFan]

UNBELIEVABLE!  USA GOES THRU!!!!

USA 3, Egypt 0.  (The other day I had a brain-fart, forgetting that each goal for USA simultaneously lowers Egypt's GD, so only 3 goals were need to overcome a 5 goal deficit.)

Brazil 3, Italy 0.  (I'd assumed that if USA and Italy were tied in GD, Italy would win by h-t-h, but the next tie breaker is total goals: USA 4, Italy 3.)

Having already accomplished the nearly impossible, they get to try again - taking on the best team in the world!  Spain has not lost in 35 straight games, and has won 15 in a row (a new all-time record).

Holy crap!  I'm a little late because I figured the US was all but dead so I forgot all about even turning their game with Egypt on.  Plus between watching the Cubs all weekend and the US Open and swimming with my kids, watching what I figured would be another disappointing MNT performance wasn't exactly at the top of my priority list...    Go figure they actually showed up for a match...

I guess now I'll have to watch and see how they do vs. Spain on Wednesday.  I'm not holding out too much hope for lightning to strike twice though... 

[Hoosier Titan]

My take is that if the US brings their A+ game, Spain plays over-confident, AND they catch some breaks, USA has maybe a 15-20% of the upset. 

But I AM looking forward to both the title and 3rd place games.  Probably the two best teams in the world in one; the WC host vs. the contender/pretender (?) Americans in the other.

Well, again, not to be a naysayer but:  1) the US hasn't played that well in this tournament; 2)  I've never seen Spain play overconfident; and 3) the two cheesy red cards against the US seem to indicate they might not be catching a break.  I just don't see it.  But it will be interesting to see how they do.

I know that Italy won the last World Cup, but are they really one of the best two or three teams in the world?  So much of their game seems based on thugginess to me.  I expect a certain amount of elbow throwing and shirt grabbing, but they are just ridiculous.  And then falling down and grabbing at body parts that weren't even hit when there's even minimal contact.  If they gave Oscars to football players, the Italians would have more than Meryl Streep!

[Mr. Ypsi]

My take is that if the US brings their A+ game, Spain plays over-confident, AND they catch some breaks, USA has maybe a 15-20% of the upset. 

But I AM looking forward to both the title and 3rd place games.  Probably the two best teams in the world in one; the WC host vs. the contender/pretender (?) Americans in the other.

Well, again, not to be a naysayer but:  1) the US hasn't played that well in this tournament; 2)  I've never seen Spain play overconfident; and 3) the two cheesy red cards against the US seem to indicate they might not be catching a break.  I just don't see it.  But it will be interesting to see how they do.

I know that Italy won the last World Cup, but are they really one of the best two or three teams in the world?  So much of their game seems based on thugginess to me.  I expect a certain amount of elbow throwing and shirt grabbing, but they are just ridiculous.  And then falling down and grabbing at body parts that weren't even hit when there's even minimal contact.  If they gave Oscars to football players, the Italians would have more than Meryl Streep!

Not talking about Italy - they're going home.  The title game (presumably) is Spain (clearly #1) vs. Brazil (at least arguably #2).

I wonder if Rossi is feeling like Marian Hossa (the former Penguin who became a Red Wing to have a better shot at the Stanley Cup )?   [Note: I think they both probably made a rational decision, even if if didn't work out.  The aging of the Wings can be easily exaggerated; I think they are still, and will be, the better team.  And most days (including the day they played), Italy is probably better than USA.  So in my totally unbiased opinion, cheers to Hossa, fie on Rossi! 8).]

[Hoosier Titan]

Yes, I know the Italians are going home--just meant that most people would probably count them among the best in the world.  I haven't checked their ranking lately.  Didn't mean to imply that you'd said they were still in it.

Objectively, I guess I can't blame Rossi, but given the way I feel about Italian football I'm in no mood to be objective!  So I agree, fie on him!

[sac]

Italy are #4, curiously ahead of Brazil and behind Germany.

Next ranking on July 1.

1. Spain
4. Italy
5. Brazil
14. United States
72. South Africa
-------------------------

Some interesting Liverpool ownership news...........I did not know Gillete owned the Montreal Canadians.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8111715.stm

[Hoosier Titan]

Well, here's ESPN's take on today's match, in case you missed it, Mr. Y.  They sound slightly more optimistic than I for the U.S. chances.  But it doesn't sound like the Spanish are taking the match lightly.

U.S. v. Spain preview

[sac]

yeah, about that USA having no chance thing..........wow 

[sac]

11 pm  on ESPN 2   USA vs Spain

[Hoosier Titan]

Unbelievable!  I'm happy to be wrong and happy for the US side.  Sounds like they thoroughly deserved it.