posted Jun 28, 2009

Big shout-out to the USA team! Very well played, you should take heart from the success in this tournament and build on it for WC 2010. Brilliant displays, from individuals and as a team that looked very tight, particularly against Spain on Thu and in the first half against Brasil today. Wish you had won, certainly deserved to - and it would have finally won over the big media and financial sponsors in the US, that the team and sport still so desperately need. It was just experience that kept the Brasil team alive in 2nd half.....nothing very magical about their performance at all - but they kept calm and used their wealth of experience playing in international cup games to methodically see them through. After this, the US can do the same in the future. Bitter blow to come so close of course and disappointing as it is to lose today, the team can take solice knowing the rest of the world now has respect and views them as a force to contend with in the WC. Not much consolation really, I know, but keep on believing ...you'll get there. Many decent national teams, including England, will worry if they have to play you, now..... You have that unpredictability as well as good solid talent - a lethal combination for your opponents. Hold your heads high.

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posted Jun 28, 2009

BTW, for European fans out there, realise that this is probably the most vocal fan support the USA has EVER received for a football match. For CONCACAF games and many international friendlies, there are more fans for the opponent than for the USA!

Also, for most US players, football is a Winter sport (in high school and university).

So the underdog supporting SAfricans and the shill were ideal for the US. You can see how the US thrived in such conditions, playing well above their level. Let's hope it happens again in 2010!

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posted Jun 28, 2009

"so brutal against USA with red cards.. it's rediculous that they get punished..."
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I see what you did there!

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posted Jun 28, 2009

Congrats to Brazil for kickin' butt in the 2nd half. I was really impressed by their constant offensive pressure. With that said, I'm really proud for my American team for reaching the finals & getting some goals against the top team in the world.
I got interested in soccer from the last WorldCup(2006) & now my Seattle Sounders are exploding in the MLS. I'm learning to appreciate the game, especially when I witness Brazil "beautifully" dispatch their opponent.

New-To-Socc...Football

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posted Jun 28, 2009

Two excellent halves of football...Bit more investment and publicity in football and the U.S.A can only go from strength to strength

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posted Jun 28, 2009

So ironic to see Lucio win the "Fair Play" award--he's an ogre who plays dirty. Always trying to intimidate.

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posted Jun 28, 2009

"redandblack T 1899 etc.,
And I will buy me a vuvuzela myself..."
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I hope they'll have a few different notes come 2010. Maybe a specific chord per team..?

Or if a top team has 2 players sent off they can play A Major 9 Diminished...

Oop - dog needs a walk

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posted Jun 28, 2009

the lack of elementry mistakes means its just above chelsea- liverpool

What do you call the US defending for the 2nd and 3rd goals? Just because they are the

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posted Jun 28, 2009

Solitaire007,
USA must first qualify to the world cup,you're going to fast. I predict Mexico,Honduras and Costa Rica to reach the finals.

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posted Jun 30, 2009

USA will not have much difficulty qualifying for the WC.

We have 6 teams in the 4th round of qualifying. Top 3 teams will qualify and the 4th team will have play-off with South America's #5 team for one place.

After the 6 teams have played each other once, the points table stands:

1. Costa Rica - 12 points
2. USA - 10 points
3. Honduras - 7 points
4. Mexico - 6 points
5. El Salvador - 5 points
6. Trinidad - 2 points

In the matches played so far, USA
beat Mexico - 2-0
beat Trinidad - 3-0
beat Honduras - 2-1
lost to Costa Rica - 1-3
drew with El Salvador 2-2

Mexico's situation is dicier than USA's at the moment. If Mexico finishes 4th, it is not going to be an easy task taking on the #5 from South America. I suspect Mex will not let let the situation get to that stage.

Likely qualifiers are: Costa Rica, USA and Mexico in that order, with a chance for Honduras in the play-off for the 4th spot.

This conference has the least competition for 3.5 places in the WC.

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