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World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
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unofan
Well-known member
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Won't they likely put some restrictions on these pots as well, such that an unseeded CONMEBOL team cannot be placed in the same group as a seeded CONMEBOL team, and an unseeded CAF team can't be placed with South Africa?
Won't they likely put some restrictions on these pots as well, such that an unseeded CONMEBOL team cannot be placed in the same group as a seeded CONMEBOL team, and an unseeded CAF team can't be placed with South Africa?
AMC
Registered User
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
At least this will force FIFA to make a statement on it. Although it will probably be "WOOHOO FRANCE GOT THROUGH!"
At least this will force FIFA to make a statement on it. Although it will probably be "WOOHOO FRANCE GOT THROUGH!"
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Just for SAGs, I threw together a mock draw simply using the World Rankings that FIFA loves so much and seems to be using more frequently. South Africa and the top 7 ranked teams in Pot A, next 8 in Pot B, next 8 in Pot C, bottom 8 in Pot D, with the usual restrictions. Here's what I got.
A - South Africa, Switzerland, Serbia, New Zealand
B - Italy, Greece, Algeria, Japan
C - Netherlands, Chile, Denmark, South Korea
D - England, United States, Nigeria, Slovenia
E - Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, Slovakia
F - Argentina, France, Australia, Ghana
G - Spain, Cameroon, Uruguay, Honduras
H - Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea
Thoughts? Naturally, the order would have to change by the time of the actual draw, which could influence the direction of the pots. At any rate this probably isn't the way they'll go nor should it be.
Just for SAGs, I threw together a mock draw simply using the World Rankings that FIFA loves so much and seems to be using more frequently. South Africa and the top 7 ranked teams in Pot A, next 8 in Pot B, next 8 in Pot C, bottom 8 in Pot D, with the usual restrictions. Here's what I got.
A - South Africa, Switzerland, Serbia, New Zealand
B - Italy, Greece, Algeria, Japan
C - Netherlands, Chile, Denmark, South Korea
D - England, United States, Nigeria, Slovenia
E - Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, Slovakia
F - Argentina, France, Australia, Ghana
G - Spain, Cameroon, Uruguay, Honduras
H - Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea
Thoughts? Naturally, the order would have to change by the time of the actual draw, which could influence the direction of the pots. At any rate this probably isn't the way they'll go nor should it be.
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Ireland had well over 200 minutes and couldn't manage more than a goal. Now they want 90 more? If they want to be mad they should be upset that they couldn't manage a home goal or that all the luck of the Irish got used up when Shay Given brought Anelka down in the box and wasn't given a penalty. A lot of things can happen in 240 minutes of soccer and Ireland didn't score when they had the chances.
I know that my rant was a little harsh and that Henry's goal was one one of the worst allowed goals I've ever seen. I mean not only was he offside and it came off his hand, he intentionally directed it to his foot. However, it was the Irish defense that didn't bother to mark Henry or Gallas. Standing around with your arm in the air looking at the ref isn't a real solid defense.
Ireland had well over 200 minutes and couldn't manage more than a goal. Now they want 90 more? If they want to be mad they should be upset that they couldn't manage a home goal or that all the luck of the Irish got used up when Shay Given brought Anelka down in the box and wasn't given a penalty. A lot of things can happen in 240 minutes of soccer and Ireland didn't score when they had the chances.
I know that my rant was a little harsh and that Henry's goal was one one of the worst allowed goals I've ever seen. I mean not only was he offside and it came off his hand, he intentionally directed it to his foot. However, it was the Irish defense that didn't bother to mark Henry or Gallas. Standing around with your arm in the air looking at the ref isn't a real solid defense.
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
France had well over 200 minutes and couldn't manage more than a single fair goal. Now they should instantly go through because of one of the most blatant referee fails in recent memory?
Goes both ways. But I agree - the Irish complaint is going nowhere.
France had well over 200 minutes and couldn't manage more than a single fair goal. Now they should instantly go through because of one of the most blatant referee fails in recent memory?
Goes both ways. But I agree - the Irish complaint is going nowhere.
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
I tend to look at things from a team's own perspective and how they performed. Did France deserve to win? No way. You're absolutely right about that. Did Ireland get a raw deal? No. Whether Henry touched it or not, Ireland didn't defend him or Gallas, so any complaint after that sounds like sour grapes to me. If Ireland had done everything right and a referee's decision went against them, then I'd agree with you. I hate Henry as much as anybody, but in fairness you have to admit that if your defense lets the ball get to him inside the six yard box, somehow or another it's probably gonna end up in the net.
I tend to look at things from a team's own perspective and how they performed. Did France deserve to win? No way. You're absolutely right about that. Did Ireland get a raw deal? No. Whether Henry touched it or not, Ireland didn't defend him or Gallas, so any complaint after that sounds like sour grapes to me. If Ireland had done everything right and a referee's decision went against them, then I'd agree with you. I hate Henry as much as anybody, but in fairness you have to admit that if your defense lets the ball get to him inside the six yard box, somehow or another it's probably gonna end up in the net.
jmh
win or lose, we booze
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Was it? That's our two best attacking players out, plus our starting keeper, plus two of our best four defenders (Onyewu and Cherundolo), IMO.
BoomGoestheDynamite
Registered User
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
No Torres off the bench or DeMerit either.
Frankie Hejduk basically played himself off the team and Jonathan Bornstein proved he still sucks despite the equalizer against Costa Rica. I was also pretty underwhelmed by Castillo. He didn't seem to do much. At this point I have no idea what to dow with that left back spot. There must be somebody running around MLS worth a look who at least might be better than Bornstein.
As for the replay it absolutely should be give, but won't because Ireland has 4.3 million potential WC viewers and France has 63.
No Torres off the bench or DeMerit either.
Frankie Hejduk basically played himself off the team and Jonathan Bornstein proved he still sucks despite the equalizer against Costa Rica. I was also pretty underwhelmed by Castillo. He didn't seem to do much. At this point I have no idea what to dow with that left back spot. There must be somebody running around MLS worth a look who at least might be better than Bornstein.
As for the replay it absolutely should be give, but won't because Ireland has 4.3 million potential WC viewers and France has 63.
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
I would tend to think that there's zero chance of a France-Ireland replay. Replays are the nuclear option and are only trotted out as a last resort when there was a clear error in the application of the laws, not merely an error in judgment. (An example of an error in the application of the laws is something from the AFC playoff from 2006 qualifying, where the referee gave the incorrect restart after a penalty, and the match was protested and replayed.)
I would go so far as to say that the replay should not be given: it would be completely unprecedented to overturn the referee's judgment on a foul/non-foul call to that extent.
Are you nuts? England is a terrible matchup for us. They play a very similar personal style, but with considerably better skill. There's a reason we looked overwhelmed when we played at Wembley.
I'd rather get Argentina, France/Portugal, or Italy, all of whom play a very different style from us and some of whom we've had real success against.
I would tend to think that there's zero chance of a France-Ireland replay. Replays are the nuclear option and are only trotted out as a last resort when there was a clear error in the application of the laws, not merely an error in judgment. (An example of an error in the application of the laws is something from the AFC playoff from 2006 qualifying, where the referee gave the incorrect restart after a penalty, and the match was protested and replayed.)
I would go so far as to say that the replay should not be given: it would be completely unprecedented to overturn the referee's judgment on a foul/non-foul call to that extent.
Are you nuts? England is a terrible matchup for us. They play a very similar personal style, but with considerably better skill. There's a reason we looked overwhelmed when we played at Wembley.
I'd rather get Argentina, France/Portugal, or Italy, all of whom play a very different style from us and some of whom we've had real success against.
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
If Onyewu and Davies miss the World Cup, which it is sounding like they will, then that was our defense. Cherundolo is no better on defense than anyone who played yesterday.
Also, I don't consider Dempsey and Donovan our two best attacking players because without Davies we have a real problem. If Dempsey and Donovan attack, there is no one to control midfield and any team that can't control the midfield will go 0-3 next summer. If Dempsey and Donovan play midfield, no one can score. That's a wicked catch-22. I imagine Bradley is thinking about using Altidore and Donovan up front with Dempsey, Bradley, Clark and Rogers in the midfield. That really limits the midfield and Donovan and Altidore haven't shown that they are a great combination.
We played so well this year by winning our qualifying group and finishing second in South Africa, but I really think that Davies was the straw that was stirring the drink, so to speak. Without him we are in trouble.
I also worry about our midfield even with Dempsey and Donovan there. In 2002 and 2006, the World Cup games were played so conservatively that successful teams used a creative defensive midfielder who sparked play rather than the offensive creative midfielder most club teams use so successfully. Italy ran their offense through Pirlo and France through Zidane. There club teams weren't doing that, but they sure did in the World Cup. That's why I like Italy, Ghana (with Essian) and Spain's (with Xabi Alonso) chances next summer.
The US just doesn't have a guy who can do that. We also won't have a solid group of substitute's that will be able to come in and spark the team. Dempsey would be perfect in this role if we didn't need him so desperately for the whole 90 minutes.
Bottom line is that if we expected Onyewu and Davies back, then I would completely agree with you and compliment you on your analysis.
If Onyewu and Davies miss the World Cup, which it is sounding like they will, then that was our defense. Cherundolo is no better on defense than anyone who played yesterday.
Also, I don't consider Dempsey and Donovan our two best attacking players because without Davies we have a real problem. If Dempsey and Donovan attack, there is no one to control midfield and any team that can't control the midfield will go 0-3 next summer. If Dempsey and Donovan play midfield, no one can score. That's a wicked catch-22. I imagine Bradley is thinking about using Altidore and Donovan up front with Dempsey, Bradley, Clark and Rogers in the midfield. That really limits the midfield and Donovan and Altidore haven't shown that they are a great combination.
We played so well this year by winning our qualifying group and finishing second in South Africa, but I really think that Davies was the straw that was stirring the drink, so to speak. Without him we are in trouble.
I also worry about our midfield even with Dempsey and Donovan there. In 2002 and 2006, the World Cup games were played so conservatively that successful teams used a creative defensive midfielder who sparked play rather than the offensive creative midfielder most club teams use so successfully. Italy ran their offense through Pirlo and France through Zidane. There club teams weren't doing that, but they sure did in the World Cup. That's why I like Italy, Ghana (with Essian) and Spain's (with Xabi Alonso) chances next summer.
The US just doesn't have a guy who can do that. We also won't have a solid group of substitute's that will be able to come in and spark the team. Dempsey would be perfect in this role if we didn't need him so desperately for the whole 90 minutes.
Bottom line is that if we expected Onyewu and Davies back, then I would completely agree with you and compliment you on your analysis.
AMC
Registered User
BoomGoestheDynamite
Registered User
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Regarding Onyewu, Rob Stone said something last night like he was unlikely for the World Cup and Lalas got that serious frown on his face and nodded. I don't take too much of what they say seriously, but on a matter like this they would certainly know more than is being made public.
And I agree with all of you that Cherundolo is a vast improvement over Hejduk, but I don't think any of the Cherundolo, Spector, Bornstien, DeMerit, Conrad, Hejduk, Pierce and Marshall crowd seriously raises our level. They are all unspectacularly interchangeable in my view of the big picture.
Regarding Onyewu, Rob Stone said something last night like he was unlikely for the World Cup and Lalas got that serious frown on his face and nodded. I don't take too much of what they say seriously, but on a matter like this they would certainly know more than is being made public.
And I agree with all of you that Cherundolo is a vast improvement over Hejduk, but I don't think any of the Cherundolo, Spector, Bornstien, DeMerit, Conrad, Hejduk, Pierce and Marshall crowd seriously raises our level. They are all unspectacularly interchangeable in my view of the big picture.
BoomGoestheDynamite
Registered User
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Theres nothing on any new developments since this article was written a week ago:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=696506&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
Maybe Stone and Lalas know something, but I imagine Ives, Wahl, or a number of other writers would've picked up on it. Sure theres always a chance rehab doesn't go as planned, but Onyweu looks to be good to return. Of course how much game play he can cram into a 2-3 month period prior to the World Cup could be an issue.
Theres nothing on any new developments since this article was written a week ago:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=696506&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
Maybe Stone and Lalas know something, but I imagine Ives, Wahl, or a number of other writers would've picked up on it. Sure theres always a chance rehab doesn't go as planned, but Onyweu looks to be good to return. Of course how much game play he can cram into a 2-3 month period prior to the World Cup could be an issue.
jmh
win or lose, we booze
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Yes, but you're overlooking one important factor: they suck.
AMC
Registered User
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
Harkes interviewed Onyewu at the LA-Houston western conference final, Onyewu didn't sound hopeful
Harkes interviewed Onyewu at the LA-Houston western conference final, Onyewu didn't sound hopeful
Re: World Soccer X: Duh, duh, duh, duh...The Champions!
US 2010 kit leaked?
http://footballfashion.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/usa-nike-world-cup-2010-home-jersey-kit-leak/
Can we just pick something and stick with it, please? I like the current whites.
US 2010 kit leaked?
http://footballfashion.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/usa-nike-world-cup-2010-home-jersey-kit-leak/
Can we just pick something and stick with it, please? I like the current whites.
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