World Cup and European leagues

Mr. Ypsi · June 23, 2010, 11:59:11 AM

It took all the way to stoppage time, but Landon Donovan finally broke through!

That was a totally dominating performance by the US - with any breaks, they might have scored 6 or 7 goals (they DID score 2, regardless of what the refs say

).

Ralph Turner · June 23, 2010, 12:13:29 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on June 23, 2010, 11:59:11 AM
It took all the way to stoppage time, but Landon Donovan finally broke through!

That was a totally dominating performance by the US - with any breaks, they might have scored 6 or 7 goals (they DID score 2, regardless of what the refs say ).

And the spurrious handball call in about the 87th minute.

The soccer gods avenge us.

Hoosier Titan · June 23, 2010, 01:28:23 PM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on June 23, 2010, 12:13:29 PM

The soccer gods avenge us.

True. In the long run they usually do.

Fair result for the group, I think. Now to see who the opposition will be.

Ralph Turner · June 23, 2010, 01:49:56 PM

What I liked about Donovan's goal was how quickly Howard distributed the ball to get the play moving. That play turned very quickly and the US struck fast and hard.

02 Warhawk · June 23, 2010, 02:06:34 PM

I forgot the game was on this morning. then someone in my office just started screaming "YEAH!!" I rushed back to my computer to see that they won it in stoppage time.

What a game....glad to see U.S. finally not leaving its fans disapointed in the World Cup. No matter who they play in the first round, it won't be easy.

ECSUalum · June 23, 2010, 02:49:48 PM

USA not making it to the knockout round would have a been a travesty of major proportions!!!

Now, I hope the officiating gets better for them, so they can move deep into the final leg of the WC tournament.

A few breaks, some luck a decent call or two and continued excellent play should get them there.

Gray Fox · June 23, 2010, 03:19:09 PM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on June 23, 2010, 01:49:56 PM
What I liked about Donovan's goal was how quickly Howard distributed the ball to get the play moving. That play turned very quickly and the US struck fast and hard.

Like a Bill Walton outlet pass.

Mr. Ypsi · June 23, 2010, 04:56:03 PM

Did anyone besides me get the impression that Ghana didn't really want to score the last ten minutes or so? If they tied or beat Germany, they would have finished first and played England. They would surely have been aware of the Soccaroos shocking upset of Serbia, so they knew that even with the loss they were through and playing USA. If my impression is correct, perhaps a little 'bulletin board material' for USA - "hey, Ghana deliberately lost so they could play us."

Hoosier Titan · June 23, 2010, 05:13:34 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on June 23, 2010, 04:56:03 PM
Did anyone besides me get the impression that Ghana didn't really want to score the last ten minutes or so? If they tied or beat Germany, they would have finished first and played England. They would surely have been aware of the Soccaroos shocking upset of Serbia, so they knew that even with the loss they were through and playing USA. If my impression is correct, perhaps a little 'bulletin board material' for USA - "hey, Ghana deliberately lost so they could play us."

I only had it on in the background, but it didn't look like they were going all out for the win. Not sure that I'd say they "deliberately lost" though, just that they were tired and knowing they were through was enough. Of course, it could still be bulletin board material.

Just found a great quote. I don't know this writer: Eduardo Galeano, author of Soccer in Sun and Shadow... said, "Years have gone by and I've finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good soccer. I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: 'A pretty move, for the love of God.' And when good soccer happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don't give a damn which team or country performs it." Nice! Of course, I prefer it when my teams (or one of them) perform it.

sac · June 23, 2010, 05:26:07 PM

Pure Joy!!!

sac · June 23, 2010, 06:02:44 PM

Seems appropriate, one of my fav soccer cheers from England.....too bad no one will hear it over the horns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1M730cYkic

....we'll just never be a true soccer nation until we can produce something like this piece of priceless creativity.......doubt we'll hear them sing that either, but probably for another reason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQruuSIXuE

Mr. Ypsi · June 23, 2010, 07:17:36 PM

Totally off topic, but have you seen that insane match at Wimbledon?

Two guys, absurdly equal (despite about a 150 place difference in world ranking), will go into the THIRD day of the match tomorrow! They already went to tie-breaker for both the 3rd and 4th sets, but the fifth set has no tie-breaker. After being postponed by darkness yesterday, they played all day today and were postponed again, tied at 59!! The all-time record for a tournament match (not just Wimbeldon, but ANY tournament) was 6 hours, 32 minutes. These guys are at 9 hours, 58 minutes, and counting!

I'm just afraid it will end anticlimactically - one or the other will be too stiff and sore tomorrow to continue. It is likely to be a pyrrhic victory - the winner is scheduled to play tomorrow!

(Would Wimbeldon have mercy?)

Personally, I'm rooting for a FOURTH day, with the winner being directly advanced to the final!

Mr. Ypsi · June 23, 2010, 07:41:00 PM

Trivia bit (which MIGHT become relevant at some point) I just ran across:

Those 'tangling' with Jozy Altidore have picked up FIVE yellow cards in three games. Unless it is coincidental stupidity, that is quite a tribute to the young striker.

Mr. Ypsi · June 23, 2010, 08:42:25 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on June 23, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
Totally off topic, but have you seen that insane match at Wimbledon?

Two guys, absurdly equal (despite about a 150 place difference in world ranking), will go into the THIRD day of the match tomorrow! They already went to tie-breaker for both the 3rd and 4th sets, but the fifth set has no tie-breaker. After being postponed by darkness yesterday, they played all day today and were postponed again, tied at 59!! The all-time record for a tournament match (not just Wimbeldon, but ANY tournament) was 6 hours, 32 minutes. These guys are at 9 hours, 58 minutes, and counting!

I'm just afraid it will end anticlimactically - one or the other will be too stiff and sore tomorrow to continue. It is likely to be a pyrrhic victory - the winner is scheduled to play tomorrow! (Would Wimbeldon have mercy?)

Personally, I'm rooting for a FOURTH day, with the winner being directly advanced to the final!

Another bit of trivia just encountered - approximately 50% of all 'Grand Slam' winners have played less time in their entire tourney than John Isner and Nicolas Mahut have already played in their first-round match!

BTW, I am well aware that advancing the winner of this match directly to the final would be grossly unfair to everyone else on that side of the draw. IF this were to go to a fourth day, screw it - has anyone else ever played an 18+ hour match, or a 123-121 fifth set?!

Hoosier Titan · June 23, 2010, 09:01:33 PM

Quote from: sac on June 23, 2010, 06:02:44 PM
Seems appropriate, one of my fav soccer cheers from England.....too bad no one will hear it over the horns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1M730cYkic

....we'll just never be a true soccer nation until we can produce something like this piece of priceless creativity.......doubt we'll hear them sing that either, but probably for another reason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQruuSIXuE

Brilliant, sac, thanks! The song has just gone onto my Facebook page.

Special One TV is back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSw0DtFE4l8