Comments on: Great Expectations?

By: Jodido

Jodido — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 22:19:00 +0000

A successful World Cup for the US, for me, would be to defeat a quality European side in a major game on European soil. If we can beat the Czechs or the Italians, we will have really announced the arrival of US soccer. I think we have a better chance against the Czechs, to be honest. The US fares well when it scores first and it scores quickly. With the finishing skills of the US, we’ll need a lot of chances early, and a lot of luck. I don’t see that happening with the solid Italian defense.

Realistically speaking, I think we’ll finish 3rd. I see a tie and a loss against the Czechs and the Italians. If we beat Ghana, we’ll have maintained the status quo of worldwide disrespect for US soccer. I’m hoping for at least that out of the tournament. Anything more would be great (especially advancement!) and anything less could be a potentially fatal demoralizing blow to the nascent soccer culture in the US.

By: james

james — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 13:43:19 +0000

Our best bet is against Italy, Italy is the team that can choke in this world cup, its the team that has lost much of its firepower, the italians are strong individually but lacking when they come up against TEAM play and the US side is strongest when TEAM play is considered. Those of you that seem to be thinking that the czk’s are going to be pushovers need to look at the team stats. They are hugely powerfull and very very very tough internationally both individually and as a team. I expect US to lose the first game, the key then will be the italy game, and then getting the job done against Ghana. As far as my predictions go. On paper we should finish 3rd, a great world cup would be getting out of the group alive. A good world cup would be beating ghana and making a solid showing against the european teams. Once we are into the round of elimination, anything can happen. I would say the odds are 3-1% against at getting out of the group and then almost every elimination game will be 9-1,10-1 against

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 09:59:31 +0000

Honestly, I could see this US team doing a whole range of things. I believe they’re perfectly capable of getting out of their group. Whether they will is a different story, and could depend entirely on luck. If we advace, but don’t win our group, a round of 16 finish would satisfy me. But if we somehow got past Brazil, I would be delerious with joy. If we manage to win our group, then I think we can make a strong showing to at least the quarterfinals, or maybe even beyond. Who knows?
But realistically, all you can ask for is that these guys leave everything on the field. If they do that, no one can fault them. (Although we can sure as heck fault the crappy seed)

By: ETucker

ETucker — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 04:59:37 +0000

1) Please please do not type in all caps. I understand que “voce nao sab escrivir muto biem”

2) Any US fans in Santo Domingo should go to Beerhouse (if you need directions let me know). They are rebroadcasting the games every night at 7:30, and in addition to plenty of presidente, yes, Jairzinho, there will be “brahma” all around.

cheers

By: JAIRZINHO

JAIRZINHO — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 00:05:53 +0000

BUT IF THE USA TEEM REALY WANTS TO WIN ONE DAY…THEY MUST BY ALL THE BRAZILIAN PLAYERS FIRST..BRING THEM HERE AND LEARN HOW TO PLAY…THEN GO FOR THE CUP….SORRY..BUT I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A WORLD CUP…AND ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT YOU CAN NOT BY YOUR WAY TO THE TOP….

By: JAIRZINHO

JAIRZINHO — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 23:58:44 +0000

PLEASE PEOPLE…LETS BE REAL…WHY EVEN WAIST YOUR TIME THINKING USA WILL WIN A WORLD CUP???? LET ME EXPLAIN TO THE ONES THAT DONT UNDERTAND THE GAME….TO WIN A WORLD CUP…YOUR FIRST NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY…THEN YOU NEED TO BE THE BEST…AND USA…CAN BE THE BEST A MANY THINGS BUT LETS BE REAL…NOT AT SOCCER…

By: Leonardo

Leonardo — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:53:48 +0000

I think USA will go to the round of 16, and everyone will be happy and all. They will then face Brazil and get smashed by a solid 2-0, and as a result the american team will be considered a solid 2nd tier team. Something like Sweden or Ukraine.

By: Bobby Joe bradley

Bobby Joe bradley — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:28:31 +0000

America F*CK YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

By: Colin D

Colin D — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:26:42 +0000

My prediction is we’ll be #2 in the group, perhaps with two ties and a win. Next up in Brazil, and I predict that we’ll pay them close enough to gain respect (think Germany in ‘02), but get bounced out thanks to ur bad luck with the draw.

If somehow we pull off the miracle and beat Brazil, then I think we have a legit chance of winning it all, as I think there will be more pressure on every other team in the quarterfinals than on the U.S.

By: US Soccer Fan in HK

US Soccer Fan in HK — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:49:04 +0000

Although this may sound a little crazy, I don’t think it is impossible or unrealistic that the US finish atop their group. You can run through numerous scenarios, but the long and short of it is, if the US plays to their potential (and keeps the left side of defense tight… my biggest worry w/o Gibbs around), I could see them taking 1 or 3 points against the Czechs, take 1 against the Italians and depending where a potentially Ghana stand on a relative basis, take an additional 3 points there… pitting the US agaist the runner-up of Group F (Croatia, Australia or Japan), all of whom are beatable.

My biggest hope is that the US plays good, quality ball with some solid goals. While not making it out of the group might be viewed as a failure from the “average” US sports fan (which would be a shame, by the way), a strong showing by the US team would hopefully result in continued opportunities for our players to find themselves in the top foreign leagues (England, Germany, etc.). That is only a positive, net-net in my view.

Btw, for any others in HK, is there a gathering spot for the US – Czech game?