World Cup and European leagues

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I know Oliver Kahn is in one goal, but I don't remember even seeing another goalie.  I'll have to watch again.



By the way, Germany scored in the 5th minute.  And if I'm England, with the way Ecuador has been playing, I don't know who I'd rather get in the first knock-out match.

[David Collinge]

As I mentioned in a previous note, Jermain Defoe starts in the other goal, despite not being a goalkeeper by trade (he's a striker.)

You'll note that neither Kahn nor Defoe is playing in the World Cup.  Kahn is backing up Jens Lehmann; Defoe is not on England's Cup squad.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I guess that explains why I didn't see another goalie.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So what do we all think about Ecuador sitting their carded players to avoid losing anyone for the next round?

I doubt they feel Sweden nor England are very different in terms of opponents.  I mean was it worth risking your best players to have an outside chance at Trinidad and Tobago?  Probably not.  It's gutsy, but may prove smart, especially if England loses a player or two to cards this afternoon.

[Just Bill]

Portugal is planning on doing the same thing in their match against Mexico.  I guess Portugal doesn't think there's much difference between playing Argentina or the Netherlands.

[gogenerals04]

Oh yeah, if it was up to me, Tommy Smyth and whoever he's paired up with should do every game.  Screw Balboa, Rob Stone and that Shepp guy.  Harkes isn't too bad.

Old School, your comments on ESPN's announcers piqued my interest as a soccer broadcaster.

Tommy Smyth is always a joy to listen to, and his play-by-play cohort is also good: Adrian Healey, who is the studio host for ESPN's coverage of the Champions League and other European football matches. I also agree that John Harkes has come into his own this World Cup, working with my favorite American analyst in J.P. Dellacamera.

Speaking of whom, does anyone know why Dellacamera was shelved as the No. 1 play-by-play announcer by ESPN? He's called games for the network for years, but for some reason he's taken a backseat to Dave O'Brien--who, while a great broadcaster overall, had never called a football match until this year.

While his lack of experience with the sport has been somewhat apparent at times, I think O'Brien has done a fine job of catching on to the spectacle that is the World Cup. And Old School, you're too harsh on Rob Stone. He knows his soccer.

Cheers to England. Wayne Rooney will start up front for the Brits as they look to take down Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic and the Swedes. And who would've thunk it, that Trinidad & Tobago are mathematically alive entering the final game of the group stage?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wait, Portugal is laying down to Mexico?  Is this some sort of Ibero-American alliance?  I'm still planning for Angola to put a hurting on Saudi Arabia and win the final spot over Mexico on goal differential.  Portugal needs to send their guys out hard.

[David Collinge]

I thought it was funny when Julie Foudy suggested that Tommy Smyth needed to be subtitled. 

I don't think the decision to start Rooney against Sweden was motivated by a desire to beat the Swedes.  I think it was motivated by a desire to beat either Argentina or Holland and reach the semifinals, for which the English will need a match-fit Rooney.  I still expect a listless draw this afternoon, a result which suits both teams.

[mybleedinghands]

I thought it was funny when Julie Foudy suggested that Tommy Smyth needed to be subtitled. 

I don't think the decision to start Rooney against Sweden was motivated by a desire to beat the Swedes.  I think it was motivated by a desire to beat either Argentina or Holland and reach the semifinals, for which the English will need a match-fit Rooney.  I still expect a listless draw this afternoon, a result which suits both teams.

I don't like Tommy Smyth's voice. I can understand it, but the sound of his voice is annoying.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Owen goes down with about his first step on the pitch.  No one touched him.  They bring Crouch on, even though he's sitting on yellow.  Why not let Walcott get some play, especially when the match isn't too important.

[Greek Tragedy]

And Old School, you're too harsh on Rob Stone. He knows his soccer.

I did say that the announcers weren't that good overall and the first person I mentioned in a previous post was Rob Stone.  For Stone, it's not for a lack of knowledge, and in fact all the announcers pretty much know a lot.  But, my reasoning for throwing Rob Stone under the bus was because he just couldn't get off the idea that Deco was the greatest player in the world (basically), mentioning that he was Brazilian born and blah blah blah and calling Japan Brazil several times.  Get over it, Rob.  They are all knowledgeable, but that doesn't mean you're going to be a good announcer.  Balboa constantly repeats himself.

The World Cup Live crew is dwarfed by the Fox Sports World Report crew as well....though Foudy and Wynalda do have their humorous moments.  

Owen goes down with about his first step on the pitch. No one touched him. They bring Crouch on, even though he's sitting on yellow. Why not let Walcott get some play, especially when the match isn't too important.

Looks like an ACL or MCL.  Crouch better be careful since he's carrying a card, I believe.  The game is important.  England doesn't want to play the hosts in the 2nd round.

[sac]

Owen goes down with about his first step on the pitch. No one touched him. They bring Crouch on, even though he's sitting on yellow. Why not let Walcott get some play, especially when the match isn't too important.

Why......one word......Germany.  England needs to win this game and as worthless as I think Peter Crouch is, he's done relatively well even though he completely misses 99% of his chances badly.

Very depressed about Owen, he's been one of my favorite players since I started following the English leagues about 7 years ago.  That injury looked really bad, you could actually see something snap.......I'll be shocked if he plays again.

A couple summers ago I met an Englishmen in Michigan's UP on "holiday", I talked a little soccer with him asking him his favorite team and such (Leeds).......he immediately assumed I was a David Beckham fan, when I told him I preferred Owen, I seemed to gain a lot more credibility with him.  It was an interesting 20 minutes in my life.

[David Collinge]

But England doesn't need to win to avoid Germany; a draw will do just fine.  They're playing with a little more verve than I expected, but still they're not going to take any unreasonable chances and will be thrilled with a 0:0 result. 

Here's a problem with O'Brien: he just told us that Beckham's "power and accuracy have been deadly so far in Group B" (or words to that effect.)  England has exactly two goals in two matches, and Beckham played a role in just one of them.  It's almost like he made up cue cards of likely sound bites before the tournament began, and he's still using them.

Paraguay goes up 1:0 on Trinidad & Tobago on an own goal.

[sac]

England has exactly two goals in two matches, and Beckham played a role in just one of them. It's almost like he made up cue cards of likely sound bites before the tournament began, and he's still using them.

How many would England have if Crouch could hit the broadside of a barn?


.....and I know England only need a draw.....I'm too american.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Here's a problem with O'Brien: he just told us that Beckham's "power and accuracy have been deadly so far in Group B" (or words to that effect.)  England has exactly two goals in two matches, and Beckham played a role in just one of them.

As much as I agree that Beckham has been overrated for the last four years (at least), he does have two assists for England and pretty much the only European player who can cross a ball with any accuracy.  He's the key to releasing those strikers for shots.  And yes, they would be dominant if Crouch could hit anything.