World Cup GDT: July 1st

[rich76]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Wow, crazy game. The Americans were largely outplayed, but they had their chances too. Wondolowski will be seeing that chance in his sleep for a long time.

But he was called offside for it, no matter how far onside he was.

It wouldn't have counted even if he'd put it in the back of the net.

[Stay Golden]

The right team definitely won in spite of the Americans late, late push. Belgium had 38 shots and 27 an astonishing amount on net.
Howard kept the USA in the game.
Biggest difference was the Belgium coach subbing Lukaku and Mirallas into the game that gave the Belgians the lift they needed to finish the multiple opportunity's they were unable to.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

nothing bewilders me more than people from one country putting down another country's team for losing when said people's country wasn't even good enough to make it into the tournament.

It's like Oiler fans making fun of Ranger fans bc their team lost in the Stanley Cup Finals. It just makes no sense.

What a load of crap.

Now only fans from countries that made the World Cup can comment on it? How does that make any sense?

Maybe only Brazil, Germany and Italian fans shod comment since other countries are so pathetic their countries can't win the WC multiple times.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Soccer is growing very fast in North America. If this is how good the USA is when it's not even on their radar, then they are going to be a powerhouse in the coming decades as the game starts to rival the other major sports.

I agree with this assessment.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

I can also note , as an American.... We don't care about soccer. It seems to be growing quickly where I'm from though. Im not sure if it has more to do with the sport itself or the influx of Mexican people just bringing soccer passion with them.

Personally, I only accidentally caught the last 5 minutes of this game. I had better things to do like.... paint a fence.

Besides Brazilians, there are more American fans at this World Cup than any other country. Apparently, some of you care....

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Soccer is growing very fast in North America. If this is how good the USA is when it's not even on their radar, then they are going to be a powerhouse in the coming decades as the game starts to rival the other major sports.

I am not sure about powerhouse as I think they will always lose top athletes to other sports, football especially, but based on their size and willingness to support sports they certainly will be a better team than they are now going forward.

I do wonder how much they will be hindered by the MLS. Even now we see "big names" like Demsey and Bradley getting lured back and playing in a low level league can't be great for development for US players.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Bagor

So what? Same could be said for any country.

All over the globe there are people glued to their screens biting their nails, cheering for their country that could care less about soccer any other time. That's the beauty of the tournament.

When all is said and done the fanbase for the sport will have increased.

Not really. 28 million people in the US watched the Gold Medal game in 2010. An average of just over 6 million just watched the Stanley Cup Final featuring the top two markets in America (which were actually slightly down on last year).I would also say its the same for Canada, we'll tune in in much bigger numbers to the World Cup with Canada in (of course never happening so moot point), but soccer won't all of a sudden jump up in popularity overall. It's no different than Olympic sports.

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Yeah it's the same things Canadians say about every olympic sport that isn't hockey.

No disagreement at all. Popularity during nationalistic events really doesn't mean much other than how much people root for their country.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Read Only

What a load of crap.

Now only fans from countries that made the World Cup can comment on it? How does that make any sense?

Maybe only Brazil, Germany and Italian fans shod comment since other countries are so pathetic their countries can't win the WC multiple times.

You can comment on it all ya want. It just makes you look like a bonehead when you run down a country for making it this far and losing when your country didn't even get to dance. Just my 2 cents..

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Besides Brazilians, there are more American fans at this World Cup than any other country. Apparently, some of you care....

Quit ruining my argument and posturing with facts and logic. Yes some of us Americans care. It's just like Hockey. I love it and am rabid about it. My friends and family back home don't even give it a 2nd thought.

[rich76]

Originally Posted by Read Only

What a load of crap.



Now only fans from countries that made the World Cup can comment on it? How does that make any sense?



Maybe only Brazil, Germany and Italian fans shod comment since other countries are so pathetic their countries can't win the WC multiple times.

I don't think that was nickerjones point at all.

Everyone is free to have an opinion. I think that Belgium thoroughly deserved their win tonight.

But to debase tonight's game into "brilliant stuff, USA lost" is to miss the point.

It was a great game that came alive in extra time. From 2-0 down, the Americans made a great fist of it, resulting in an amazing climax to the game.

To come onto the thread and crow about USA going out seems a bit misplaced.

PS you missed off Uruguay and Argentina.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

You can comment on it all ya want. It just makes you look like a bonehead when you run down a country for making it this far and losing when your country didn't even get to dance. Just my 2 cents..

If I was bragging about how awesome Canadian soccer was you may have a point but me being Canadian and them sucking should have nothing to do with me being able to comment on the US and doesn't affect how any Canadian fan looks talking about other teams.

The Canadian soccer team performance has nothing to do with canadian fans.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Read Only

If I was bragging about how awesome Canadian soccer was you may have a point but me being Canadian and them sucking should have nothing to do with me being able to comment on the US and doesn't affect how any Canadian fan looks talking about other teams.

The Canadian soccer team performance has nothing to do with canadian fans.

So you're saying you're an Oiler fan?

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

So you're saying you're an Oiler fan?

What?

That is a huge reach that makes no sense.

[chemgear]

Going back to check the highlights again, Besler should be a goat on both those Belgium goals. Muscled off the ball and fell down then overran everything on the first goal. Totally let his man run by him on the winning goal.

That defense left Howard out to dry. Outshot 3:1 and forced to make the most saves of any goalie in the World Cup in last half century (or ever). The US had no business even being close in that game if not for Howard.

Sidebar, the #5 on the other team had some problems after 90 minutes too.

Spoiler!

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Besides Brazilians, there are more American fans at this World Cup than any other country. Apparently, some of you care....

also if I'm not mistaken the Yanks have the second most youth players to Brasil again

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Read Only

I am not sure about powerhouse as I think they will always lose top athletes to other sports, football especially, but based on their size and willingness to support sports they certainly will be a better team than they are now going forward.

I do wonder how much they will be hindered by the MLS. Even now we see "big names" like Demsey and Bradley getting lured back and playing in a low level league can't be great for development for US players.

Klinsmann even said that he'd rather have the boys playing in Europe in the best leagues. Unless MLS steps it up big time they will be a big fish in a little pond.

Klinsman can take a run at some more german kids with American Fathers though...

[Itse]

I said this earlier, but blaming anyone on the US defense for the loss is pointless. Belgians had total control of the midfield for most of the game. That's what gave them so many chances to attack.

You give the opposition that many chances to attack, and inevitably they'll get one in.

The defense held their own against the Belgian offense for more than 90 minutes. Yes, Howard had a huge part in that, but no goalie gets that many saves just by themselves. Just like in hockey, a good goalie needs the defense in front of him give him a chance to shine.

In contrast, the US forwards couldn't put the ball in when they had the chances and the wings got totally dominated.

[PIMking]

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Sidebar, the #5 on the other team had some problems after 90 minutes too.

Spoiler!

He was everywhere out there!
Not surprised to see that after how hard he played. I hate giving credit to a Spur, but he played one heck of match.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Itse

I said this earlier, but blaming anyone on the US defense for the loss is pointless. Belgians had total control of the midfield for most of the game. That's what gave them so many chances to attack.

You give the opposition that many chances to attack, and inevitably they'll get one in.

The defense held their own against the Belgian offense for more than 90 minutes. Yes, Howard had a huge part in that, but no goalie gets that many saves just by themselves. Just like in hockey, a good goalie needs the defense in front of him give him a chance to shine.

In contrast, the US forwards couldn't put the ball in when they had the chances and the wings got totally dominated.

Thought the Americans were pretty skillful when they did go forward, Both Yedlin and old man Beasley were pretty good.

The free kick routine at the end there was genius, made the Germans look like stooges yesterday.