World Cup 2014

[gkIrish]

If the US goes to war with Greece who's side are you on?

Trick question Greece has always fought alongside the US

 

[dshans]

Uh, what do you know about soccer and countries? Was Colombia even founded when you were born?

Point taken. The world was Pangaea then. I paid attention, though, as time went on ...

 

[Cackalacky]

Point taken. The world was Pangaea then. I paid attention, though, as time went on ...

Lol. C'mon dshans. You aren't that old.

 

[nlroma1o]

We save our goals for the Euro Championships

Still holding on to that 2004 Euro Championship lol. I like it

 

[Emcee77]

It reads like Madden saying " whoever scores the most points is gonna win this game!"

Idk maybe it's just me.

No I was laughing too. It was the repetitiveness of it that made me laugh. "He can score when you think there's no chance and then next thing you know he scores." The sentence should have ended after "chance."

"He’s got this kind of attitude about scoring that he just kind of does it and he feels like he has to do that." Umm what. I think he's trying to say that AJ has unshakable confidence and he believes goals are inevitable for him. But it reads really rambly.

I feel like this might have made more sense if we'd heard it said aloud instead of read it without the cadence and intonation. "He's got this kind of ATTitude ... that he just kind of DOES it, and he feels like he HAS to do that." Still not very eloquent, I guess. But what do you expect. They caught him before his daily wake-and-bake.

 

[notredomer23]

What do you guys think today?

I am seeing Italy, France, and Ecuador all winning.

 

[gkIrish]

What do you guys think today?

I am seeing Italy, France, and Ecuador all winning.

I think Italy wins and the other two games are ties.

 

[Emcee77]

What do you guys think today?

I am seeing Italy, France, and Ecuador all winning.

Yeah, agreed.

Costa Rica looked strong ... but Italy looked stronger. Suisse looked strong ... but France looked stronger -- although they played an extraordinarily weak opponent. Honduras is probably the worst team I've watched in this tournament. Granted they played with 10 for the whole second half but they never really even threatened France. I think Ecuador takes three from them.

All really interesting matchups though. My DVR better pull its weight today while I'm at work.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Point taken. The world was Pangaea then. I paid attention, though, as time went on ...

Well, kudos for that. Seems a bit suspicious though, Colombia is such a unknown country. I'm curious if you had a relationship with Pablo Escobar in all your ventures.

Lol. C'mon dshans. You aren't that old.

I wouldn't say that so quickly. He has boasted to me of his adventures many times. One of which includes tracking, finding and harnessing a tyrannosaurus...then riding it off into the sunset.
..here I dug up a pic when Dshan was just a wee 'shan

(my nickname should be Chief Thread De-railer)

 

[notredomer23]

Yeah, agreed.

Costa Rica looked strong ... but Italy looked stronger. Suisse looked strong ... but France looked stronger -- although they played an extraordinarily weak opponent. Honduras is probably the worst team I've watched in this tournament. Granted they played with 10 for the whole second half but they never really even threatened France. I think Ecuador takes three from them.

All really interesting matchups though. My DVR better pull its weight today while I'm at work.

Good, quick analysis.

I think we can expect to see a good amount of goals today. I would not be surprised one bit if Italy puts up at least 3. I see France-Switzerland playing out 2-1 or 3-1. And I have no idea for Ecuador-Honduras. I just figure Ecuador is a better side, especially since Honduras will be without Pallacios who is probably their best player.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Italy is a powerhouse.They'll win clear out.
Honduras...what a joke. Have no desire to watch that game.
France will probably win by one. Boring game I predict.

 

[notredomer23]

I think Germany-Ghana tomorrow is actually going to be one of the best games of the group stage. Ghana's defense is absolute shat, but if their coach doesn't go full potato this time and actually start Kevin Prince-Boateng and Michael Essien, I think they will have a really good chance to draw.

 

[gkIrish]

I think Germany-Ghana tomorrow is actually going to be one of the best games of the group stage. Ghana's defense is absolute shat, but if their coach doesn't go full potato this time and actually start Kevin Prince-Boateng and Michael Essien, I think they will have a really good chance to draw.

I disagree. I think Germany is the class of the group by far and will beat Ghana by 2-3 goals regardless of who starts for Ghana.

 

[notredomer23]

I disagree. I think Germany is the class of the group by far and will beat Ghana by 2-3 goals regardless of who starts for Ghana.

I should rephrase what I said that I think they have a really good chance to draw. I think, similar to the US game, they will hang with Germany for a while, and be in what should be a position to draw Germany. Will they? No clue. Not so similar to the US game, they will certainly not control possession as much. But KPB, Essien, Muntari, Ayew and Atsu are all world class starting for clubs just as elite as the German players. Germany should and probably will win, but I think it will at least be close and won't be surprised by a draw.

Hoping I am wrong and Germany blows them out. Will only help the US.

 

[tko]

Germany will spank Ghana, mark it.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Germany will spank Ghana, mark it.

Yeah what he^ said.
If USA beat Ghana...Germany will make pudding out of them.

 

[notredomer23]

That is what everyone said in 2010. Germany came away with a 1-0 victory. Stat line was pretty much dead even. Germany had a little more possession(marginal), Ghana had more shots on goals.

All the key parts of those teams are essentially the same then as they are now.

You guys will see.

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah, Germany will carve up Ghana's D no problem. They are just ruthlessly, clinically efficient on the attack. I'm not predicting a shutout ... as notredomer23 pointed out, Ghana have elite players who can put it in the back of the net. No way they outscore Germany though.

On the other hand, notredomer23's point about 2010 is fair enough. I guess we'll see.

 

[johnnycando]

Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Colombia, And Brazil I think are the most impressive so far. I know brazil tied the Mexican fellas, but Mexico's keeper played lights out!

The Dutch and Germans, to me, have been the highlights.

Needless to say, as in all other world cups previously, I pull for both of them besides the US so I may be rose colored glassing this.

 

[notredomer23]

If USA beat Ghana...Germany will make pudding out of them.

The USA has owned Mexico of late, and Mexico just tied Brazil, so by this logic Brazil is a terrible side, right? Stop making the USA sound like they suck. They don't. They won 13 straight games in 2013 which is the 3rd longest winning streak of all time in FIFA, including wins over Germany, Bosnia, Mexico(twice), Costa Rica, and Honduras, all teams in the world cup. It's old and tired. They played the worst game I have seen them play in a few years against Ghana and they still won. Shouldn't that say something about them?

 

[johnnycando]

The USA has owned Mexico of late, and Mexico just tied Brazil, so by this logic Brazil is a terrible side, right? Stop making the USA sound like they suck. They don't. They won 13 straight games in 2013 which is the 3rd longest winning streak of all time in FIFA, including wins over Germany, Bosnia, Mexico(twice), Costa Rica, and Honduras, all teams in the world cup. It's old and tired. They played the worst game I have seen them play in a few years against Ghana and they still won. Shouldn't that say something about them?

Did you watch the Mexico / Brazil game?

Apparently not, because the scoreboard is one aspect but possession and opportunity was all Brazil.

 

[notredomer23]

Did you watch the Mexico / Brazil game?

Apparently not, because the scoreboard is one aspect but possession and opportunity was all Brazil.

This was part of my point. He is basing how good the USA is off of one game. You can't do that. And let's not act like Brazil completely dominated the game. Possession was 52-48. That is as close to even as you can get. Shots was 14 for Brazil and 13 for Mexico. The only category Brazil thoroughly owned Mexico in was shots on goal, 8 to 3.

 

[notredomer23]

God damn you guys got me defending Mexico... what's wrong with me.

 

[johnnycando]

God damn you guys got me defending Mexico... what's wrong with me.

Nwahahahaha

You dad gum jumping bean you.

 

[Cackalacky]

No I was laughing too. It was the repetitiveness of it that made me laugh. "He can score when you think there's no chance and then next thing you know he scores." The sentence should have ended after "chance."

"He’s got this kind of attitude about scoring that he just kind of does it and he feels like he has to do that." Umm what. I think he's trying to say that AJ has unshakable confidence and he believes goals are inevitable for him. But it reads really rambly.

I feel like this might have made more sense if we'd heard it said aloud instead of read it without the cadence and intonation. "He's got this kind of ATTitude ... that he just kind of DOES it, and he feels like he HAS to do that." Still not very eloquent, I guess. But what do you expect. They caught him before his daily wake-and-bake.

Yup.

 

[IrishBlood81]

The USA has owned Mexico of late, and Mexico just tied Brazil, so by this logic Brazil is a terrible side, right? Stop making the USA sound like they suck. They don't. They won 13 straight games in 2013 which is the 3rd longest winning streak of all time in FIFA, including wins over Germany, Bosnia, Mexico(twice), Costa Rica, and Honduras, all teams in the world cup. It's old and tired. They played the worst game I have seen them play in a few years against Ghana and they still won. Shouldn't that say something about them?

Chill out mate. I don't know anything. For real. I just speak what I see.
The USA imho looks nothing like Germany when they play. I think the temperature had a huge impact on the USA/Ghana game, but I don't know just how much. From what little I know, Germany should light up Ghana. Just a whole different type of playing, in my opinion.

As for Brazil/Mexico...everyone down here, not just me, is extremely disappointed with Brazils play so far. They should be much better than how they played vs Mexico. I'm confused at what point your making with this?
Spain should have been far better vs Netherlands, they weren't, they sucked and now they're eliminated. Just because a team is technically better or has good players, or has played better in recent time doesn't mean crap. I judged Spain on their first game and boom their second reconfirmed it and they're done.
Its what you do right here right now, its not based on just one game but it is pretty much based on two or maybe three if your lucky.
So why are you smashing me for judging based on one game? Thats all it can come down to sometimes.

 

[Emcee77]

Thiago Motta, put that on goal, man. That's the shot you dream about, a ball rolling right to you at the D.

 

[gkIrish]

Btw I've been really impressed by the attendance at these games so far. Seems like every game is packed no matter who is playing.

 

[STLDomer]

Matter of time before Italy scores. Offsides trap isn't gonna work forever.

 

[Emcee77]

Matter of time before Italy scores. Offsides trap isn't gonna work forever.

Yeah they are knocking on the door.

They should be up at least 1-0 already. Balotelli wasted a masterful pass from Pirlo by taking a poor first touch.