World Cup 2014

[Johannes]

Amazing effort!! 2-1

 

[notredomer23]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

Wouldn't you rather Ivory Coast wins? That way when you play them they will already be through and might take it easy on Greece? Regardless it doesn't matter at this point appears...

 

[gkIrish]

Wouldn't you rather Ivory Coast wins? That way when you play them they will already be through and might take it easy on Greece? Regardless it doesn't matter at this point appears...

No I'd rather control our own fate. If Ivory Coast won that would require Japan to at least tie Colombia.

 

[Johannes]

Exciting second half! Both teams poured it on, but the Elephants couldn't put that the tying goal in the net. In the end, I think Colombia and Ivory Coast advance out of the group (sorry gk).

 

[dshans]

TE AMO COLOMBIA

What? I thought you were an Irish fan. What's all this Lions Love?

Oh, that's Colombia, Not Columbia.


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V3FnpaWQJO0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Emcee77]

So, intermission question for you guys: who starts for Altidore? As everyone has pointed out, there is no one on the roster who can play the same role, so a tactical change is necessary.

I suppose I'd like to see Johansson get the nod again. True, he did nothing in the 70 minutes he played last game, but I like the potential for him and Dempsey to play off each other. Wondo is an instinctual finisher who's hot right now but not sure he's as good a passer as JoJo.

Either way, the midfield has to step up and take more playmaking responsibility. Bradley in particular has got to play better. I liked what I saw from Bedoya offensively ... hopefully he can build on that.

But maybe there is a more creative solution that I am missing? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

 

[Johannes]

I declare Taylor Twellman as best dressed analyst on ESPN's World Cup coverage. The lapel flower today is a bit dandyish, but he's killing it overall. Excellent color and pattern matching, and firmly in the realm of good taste without being boring or tacky.

Just, uh... thought I'd put that out there. Ahem... back to football.

 

[gkIrish]

Unless Japan beats Colombia, it actually makes no difference whatsoever if Greece wins or ties today. Either way we have to beat Ivory Coast.

 

[Cackalacky]

So, intermission question for you guys: who starts for Altidore? As everyone has pointed out, there is no one on the roster who can play the same role, so a tactical change is necessary.

I suppose I'd like to see Johansson get the nod again. True, he did nothing in the 70 minutes he played last game, but I like the potential for him and Dempsey to play off each other. Wondo is an instinctual finisher who's hot right now but not sure he's as good a passer as JoJo.

Either way, the midfield has to step up and take more playmaking responsibility. Bradley in particular has got to play better. I liked what I saw from Bedoya offensively ... hopefully he can build on that.

But maybe there is a more creative solution that I am missing? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

While I also want AJ to play I think we would be best suited against Potrugal to dominate the midfield so a 4-2-3-1 with Dempsey up front and Zusi and Bedoya wide.

I think we still have to play Beckerman and Jones as holders and MB as the CAM. Based on healthy subs we should be able to sub off Bedoya with Mix and Zusi later with AJ if necessary.

My two cents.

 

[Emcee77]

While I also want AJ to play I think we would be best suited against Potrugal to dominate the midfield so a 4-2-3-1 with Dempsey up front and Zusi and Bedoya wide.

I think we still have to play Beckerman and Jones as holders and MB as the CAM. Based on healthy subs we should be able to sub off Bedoya with Mix and Zusi later with AJ if necessary.

My two cents.

Brilliant, I love it.

 

[ACamp1900]

Can you imagine the media crap storm if say, Dempsey goes down too?? The Donovan story will go into hyper drive if there is no clear, effective replacements.

 

[Emcee77]

Can you imagine the media crap storm if say, Dempsey goes down too?? The Donovan story will go into hyper drive if there is no clear, effective replacements.

SERIOUSLY. Donovan is not really a substitute for Altidore, which has kept the controversy in check, but if Dempsey goes down ... pandemonium ensues.

 

[ACamp1900]

What you said is true... in fact no one is a true sub for Jozy really... but I'm kind of suprised they haven't just jumped all over it already anyway... you know how that goes...



Any word on pretty boy and his status?? Will he play?

 

[Cackalacky]

I think that the team Klinsmann has is fine. Young, but fine. I have to make my self quit looking at strictly formations like I used to.

For example, theGermans played 4 CBS in the back four and put Lahm at holding midfield (wut?). Five defenders in front of the goal.
Portgual could not spend more than 2 seconds on the ball in their final 3rd. If we can accomplish that with a wing back, 2 CBs, and 2 DMs I think we can go unbalanced on one side (Ronaldo's side) and run rampant. Its not like he is going to play defense.

 

[Cackalacky]

What you said is true... in fact no one is a true sub for Jozy really... but I'm kind of suprised they haven't just jumped all over it already anyway... you know how that goes...



Any word on pretty boy and his status?? Will he play?

He is supposed to play. He left training early with ice on his left knee.

 

[Cackalacky]

Man, England......

Suarez can't stop scoring.

 

[Johannes]

England: the Michigan Wolverines of the world. Well, I get the same enjoyment from watching both fall short of their overhyped expectations, at least.

How delicious would a Suárez hat trick be?

 

[gkIrish]

Could Gareth Bale have played for England if he wanted to? It's a shame he isn't in this tournament.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think he had played for Whales enough to lock him into his home nation... you have to make the switch before you get too far down the line.

 

[ACamp1900]

Also, is it wrong of me to kind of enjoy the taste of England's World Cup tears?? I enjoy watching them crap out every four years much more than I prob. should...

(Let Celtic in you hate filled bastards)

 

[Cackalacky]

Could Gareth Bale have played for England if he wanted to? It's a shame he isn't in this tournament.

He's Welsh and cap tied. I agree I wish the UK would send a united team to the WC like they do the Olympics. So strange....

Between Scotland, North Ireland, Wales and Britain it would be a pretty sick team.

 

[Emcee77]

I still can't believe that goal. How do you let the EPL Golden Boot winner run right through your back line like that? Then Hart gets caught in no man's land. Come out and get it or stay on your line, homie. Ugh. It's just painful to watch England underperform year in and year out.

If England doesn't come back to win, Rooney will have a lot of half-chances to think over for the rest of the summer.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Rooney!

 

[Emcee77]

Rooney!

He heard me.

 

[gkIrish]

Luis Suarez is a bad man

 

[gkIrish]

Hart played that pretty poorly IMO. Started going to the ground before the shot. If he had stayed up standing he probably would have made the save.

 

[sparkyND]

My god Suarez is a clinical finisher!

 

[blueNDgold44]

How do you let that happen?

 

[Johannes]

How do you let that happen?

Ha! Steve McManaman sounded utterly exasperated.

 

[nlroma1o]

The little biter won the game!