posted Jun 22, 2009

I didn't get a chance to see the game, but I wish I had. It would have given me hope in an otherwise frustrating sporting weekend. I don't think we have a chance against Spain, but we actually managed to give them a game last year. I believe we held them to 1-0 result after losing to England 2-0. We then followed that up by drawing with Argentina in Giants Stadium.

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posted Jun 22, 2009

I actually remember seeing the Mircle on Ice game a few years ago and even though I new the outcome had this feeling we were gonna lose. What people don't know about that game is the fact that virtually no one in the United States saw that game live, with the exception of the good people who were in Lake Placid and saw the game in the Arena.

ABC, the television network that held the American rights to the Olympics at the time didn't think the US would win the game and decided to show the game on tape delay. Most Americans found out what hade happened when Howard Cosell reported the result.

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posted Jun 22, 2009

The game yesterday shows that the US team can play quite well when they don't get sent off and get to play with 11. The sending off of Ricardo Clark vs Italy was a joke. I think the US could have beaten Italy. The Italians were poor in this tournament. Egypt should have progressed and they are a quality team, but their tactics were not good yesteraday.

I don't think the US will beat Spain. The first 20 minutes will determine whether they lose 1-0 or 4-0. If Spain scores an early goal, then it could open the flood gates. Also, if the ref lets them play more physically, then the US could keep it close.

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posted Jun 22, 2009

Congrats US

1st game thought they were actually better than Italy and thought lot of decisions went agianst them rem could easily been 2-0 up b4 half time

It was great performance to beat egypt 3-0 and tbf could be lot more

No discgrace losing against brazil and probs spain bec those 2 teams are streets ahead of any other nation..

for me unless brazil and spain meet in an earlier round it will be a prolog to the world cup final

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posted Jun 22, 2009

The USA will spank them like they are 16 year old monkies alone in the house!

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posted Jun 22, 2009

Sorry. That comment made no sense: Spain will win was what I was getting at.

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posted Jun 23, 2009

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posted Jun 24, 2009

Okay guys, let's keep it civil.

USA had a fine accomplishment in defeating Egypt.

Egypt had a good victory as did Italy.

Except for the escapade with the hotel rooms of the Egyptian team, even on missing out on the semi-finals, Egypt could still claim a moral victory with their 2 fine games. I mean their story is a bit reminiscent of what happened to some members of the Czech team not long ago and reflects badly on a team though we don't know all of the facts yet. As I said, I have a few favourites and I like the Pharoahs.

New Zealand got a point, South Africa advanced. Bora claims Iraq has a moral victory and perhaps to a degree. I think Iraq has a truly good excuse if they did not go further. Because of the condition of their country, I believe it was said, they hardly ever play games. They are in a difficult situation but I think they hustled, they played well for the little I saw of them. Maybe they did go into a barricade mentality against Spain but they didn't get thrashed in some embarrassing fashion.

Ok, I must have been a bit joyful at the USA win. It may not be miracle on ice (miracle on grass is the name of some article at the CBC). USA has also played poorly in instances against Italy and most all of the game vs. Brazil. I mean those first two games were embarrassing and probably affirmed a world view of USA football as a country of novices at the sport.

All of this will take time to digest however, all of these benefit from playing such top notch opponents. The USA benefits from playing 3 class teams.

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