US Confederations Cup victory

Posted by: John M on 25 June 2009

Not the greatest of teams by any stretch; we moved forward on a stroke of luck after dismal play in the first round (and in Costa Rica before that

but it was a great game against Spain. I loved Capdevila's whining that Altidore fouled him before letting off a corker at the top of the box. I gather the Sevilla team mates were trash talking each other before the game as well.

But that's what football has that no million dollar transfers or "genius" coach can take away - any team can win on any given day. More so in football than any other sport, you have to show it on the field for 90 minutes without timeouts and coaches charts and incessant substitutions and other nonsense/stoppage (besides flopping prima donnas.) Maybe I am naive, but I still believe that and love football for games like yesterday's in South Africa.

Posted on: 25 June 2009 by BigH47

John are you talking football or soccer as you ex-colonials

call it?
I must confess to not knowing it was going on.

Posted on: 25 June 2009 by John M

quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
John are you talking football or soccer as you ex-colonials call it?
I must confess to not knowing it was going on.

Howard

I don't mean to be cute using the word football for what some people over here call soccer. To anyone who plays over here, we pretty much use the terms interchangeably. There are more teams over here with the initials F.C. for football club than S.C. (for soccer club.) But the way I look at it - there is football (soccer) and then there is "american football." It should really be called pad ball or tackle ball or something else, as the american football probably spends less 5 seconds (total) on anyone's foot during an hour long game. Kicking the ball is actually AGAINST the rules, unless trying for a field goal, extra point or punting. Whatever!

The Confederations Cup is a FIFA sanctioned international event that is kind of a warm up for the World Cup. It is fun to watch and does have impact on international rankings.

We have had such measly results in international competition. I was excited to see the US team beat the #1 ranked team in the world.

Cheers!

Posted on: 25 June 2009 by MilesSmiles

US vs Brazil in the final - should be a fun game.

Posted on: 26 June 2009 by John M

Brazil/RSA was a really fine game, RSA giving Brazil all they could handle. RSA was on fire, winning all the 50/50 balls and threatening on just about every push forward. They just lacked finishing. And too bad to lose on a free kick well taken, but badly misplayed by the keeper. Why he was not covering the open post I do not understand. He sat behind the wall close to the near post and Alves did what everyone in the world has seen him do before. Deadly accuracy. I say RSA earned it up until that point. We'll see if the USA can get Dempsey out of his stupor again, like he did against Spain, and if Altidore can do a little more running, then we might have a chance.

I am just proud of the US to have made it to a FIFA final for the first time EVER! We have beaten Brazil before recently but it will be a massive challenge. I wonder why Dunga is not using Pato or Alvez (sooner.) I dont know how the US defense would handle Pato.

Posted on: 29 June 2009 by John M

So close and yet so far. The best half of soccer ever done by Team USA. Then it all fell apart. How many times do you have to see some one nod cross on goal from the far post to send a marker there? I am really disappointed in the far side marking by the US defense, when that was clearly the tactic. Aside from the first goal by Fabiano, Brazil wasn't beating them on the ground, nor the counter, so they went to the set pieces and the crossing air attack. If I was the coach it would go like this - "everyone in the box, you two go front and back on the tallest guy. When the cross comes over, you two go straight to the ball and clear it, whatever, but make sure one of you gets there first." Painful defeat.

Posted on: 29 June 2009 by nap-ster

Thread retitle needed?

And btw (insert txt acronym)Tim Howard is some keeper.

Posted on: 29 June 2009 by MilesSmiles

Great tournament for team USA.

Posted on: 03 July 2009 by John M

quote:
Originally posted by nap-ster:
Thread retitle needed?

And btw (insert txt acronym)Tim Howard is some keeper.

whatever floats your boat, nappy