World Cup 2014

[Steiner75]

f*ck

Thrilling game!

[oVo]

They might've just coughed up the best game in US soccer history.

How many times can a team turnover the ball and still expect to win? USA pulls a draw from the jaws of victory. Portugal probably deserved to win this one, so a final minute draw is a good consolation prize.

USA got a point out of this, but I still feel gutted that they let it get away..

Well you sir have very high standards cause beating ghana sure isn t such an easy thing, not like you could imagine this group is a walk in the park.

I don't have high expectations for the Americans, but Ghana has proved themselves to be a tough out period. So that first match is a bigger accomplishment than I thought when it ended.

[betiko]

Ok so i guess klinsmann can call lowe and agree on a friendly tie...

[oVo]

The Portugal equalizer in the final minute was a thing of beauty.
DAMMMMMIT!

[betiko]

The Portugal equalizer in the final minute was a thing of beauty.
DAMMMMMIT!

You guys are qualified. Germany doesn t needs to win its last game, they are 1st with a draw for certain; if the US makes a draw they are sure qualified too.
If the US wins they are first of their group though... And in that case germany could be eliminated depending on goal difference with the winner of ghana portugal.

Isn t it it both interest to agree on a draw?? Lowe and klinsmann are friends and used to play together in the german national team... Why take the risk?

[nietzsche]

USA a little naive IMO. In those moments you take the ball the the corner and KEEP IT THERE. They had three chances to consume time like that and they just didn't do it.

[AslanTheKing]

The Portugal equalizer in the final minute was a thing of beauty.
DAMMMMMIT!

You guys are qualified. Germany doesn t needs to win its last game, they are 1st with a draw for certain; if the US makes a draw they are sure qualified too.
If the US wins they are first of their group though... And in that case germany could be eliminated depending on goal difference with the winner of ghana portugal.

Isn t it it both interest to agree on a draw?? Lowe and klinsmann are friends and used to play together in the german national team... Why take the risk?

germany has has a goaldifference of +4,
if the us would beat germany 4-0, than, but only than portugal could advance, and this will not happen
and why should usa and germany waste energy?
i normally dont bet, but on thursday i will put 1000 dollars on a draw between us and ger
congrats, usa and germany are in the knockout round

USA a little naive IMO. In those moments you take the ball the the corner and KEEP IT THERE. They had three chances to consume time like that and they just didn't do it.

this is something what italy can do perfect

[Serbia]

If Bradley doesn't blow possession at midfield, Portugal never get the chance.
We went to an English pub to watch the game. It was jam packed with American fans. The atmosphere was so incredible, it reminded me of watching the Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals. And when Portugal tied with seconds left... damn. It was so surreal, and then the game was over.

Positives though, we're in decent position. If we get a draw, we're through. Man, would have been nice to win the group, and potentially face Algeria... but still, the way Belgium has been playing, I still like our chances.

Rest of the world - do these two games change your opinions of American football? Or is this just a cute story in a WC full of upsets?

Bollocks.

[nietzsche]

Who do you think advances, Mexico or Croatia?

VAMOS MEXICO!!!

Chiquitibum a la bim bom ba!
Chiquitibum a la bim bom ba!
MEXICO MEXICO
RARRARRAA!!


Chiquitibum bombita
Chiquitibum bombita
betiko, betiko
la tiene bien chiquita!!

[Serbia]

I'm expecting Croatia. Sorry.

Bollocks.

[oVo]

If Bradley doesn't blow possession at midfield, Portugal never get the chance.

Constant turnovers all second half, so many that it seemed inevitable that Portugal would score.

...do these two games change your opinions of American football? Or is this just a cute story in a WC full of upsets?

It's a good story, USA seemed over matched most of the game and to their credit they hung tough, but surrendering that goal in the final minute is absurd. WTF are they thinking? Portugal can't score without the ball and still the Americans couldn't maintain possession. It would appear that running out the clock is lost on them.

Also Portugal subs in some fresh legs and USA doesn't take notice as several counter attacks easily out paced defenders in the final ten minutes. Argh!

[Army of GOD]

I agree that the US had terrible possession strategy in stoppage time but its inexcusable to let Ronaldo have the time he did on the last 30 seconds with the ball. Just terrible defense.

[Army of GOD]

Not to mention that Bradley is looking terrible. No defense, not converting chances, countless turnovers, etc.

[universalchiro]

The defensive player for USA #20 played terrible, several times he looked lost and when the ball did come to him, he had two miss hits. The first miss kick led to Portugal goal at the 5' mark, the second almost led to a goal. Otherwise, US team looked decent.

[nietzsche]

Not to mention that Bradley is looking terrible. No defense, not converting chances, countless turnovers, etc.

Yeah I saw Bradley play poorly today. A lot of turnovers. Which is a surprise because he's normally a very good player.

But seriously, in the last minutes USA had 3 chances to waste time with the ball in Portugal's corner. Every team can do that, every team does that, doesn't matter if they are Real Madrid.

Nevertheless USA played a good match and contrary to oVo I think they were superior. Portugal might have a lot of names but as a team they suck.

[nietzsche]

It is amazing thr way Americans are following the WC. Could it be that finally football is going become important there?

It helps that it has been a great world cup, specially after South Africa's. I still have that horrible sound in my head.

[betiko]

Rest of the world - do these two games change your opinions of American football? Or is this just a cute story in a WC full of upsets?

Bollocks.

to tell the truth, I did have expectations to see the USA make a good world cup (that didn't necesairly meant a qualification given the group you have). You guys have an awesome coach; you have played very well the offside in defense and I see in many aspects how your game has improved thanks to klinsmann. I think you guys could have a chance vs belgium; they are full of very talentedplayers but they are not a good team, kind of the opposite of the US.
anyway, I really hope you guys beat germany, I'd rather see france play you guys in quarter finals rather than germany (yeah I know, anticipating a little)

Portugal was shit compared to their potential let's face it. Cristiano Ronaldo coming back from injury wasn't any close to half of his real level; and the portuguese were so bad passing the ball that it was embarassing.

[Gillipig]

Rest of the world - do these two games change your opinions of American football? Or is this just a cute story in a WC full of upsets?

Bollocks.

Honestly, those games changed my view of American football pretty insignificantly. But to be fair Costa Rica beating Italy and Uruguay hasn't changed my view of Costa Rican football very much either, and their success so far has been much greater and the upsets more unexpected. I guess because I've watched a lot of football I know it's easy for average teams to string together a good couple games against better teams, what would really impress me is if they can keep it up and advance far into the playoffs, then they've started to show that they are to be reckoned with, but group stage games can only impress me so much, I need to see some consistency as well.

[Gilligan]

It is amazing thr way Americans are following the WC. Could it be that finally football is going become important there?

It helps that it has been a great world cup, specially after South Africa's. I still have that horrible sound in my head.

Nah. When there isn't a World Cup, no one cares about futbol. Sad.

[oVo]

Nah. When there isn't a World Cup, no one cares about futbol. Sad.

I don't know how big the audience is, but there is more
televised futbol in the US now than ever before.

[Trevor33]

The Portugal equalizer in the final minute was a thing of beauty.
DAMMMMMIT!

You guys are qualified. Germany doesn t needs to win its last game, they are 1st with a draw for certain; if the US makes a draw they are sure qualified too.
If the US wins they are first of their group though... And in that case germany could be eliminated depending on goal difference with the winner of ghana portugal.

Isn t it it both interest to agree on a draw?? Lowe and klinsmann are friends and used to play together in the german national team... Why take the risk?

Because Germany want to win the game and top the group with style. If it was against Brazil and they both needed a draw then I would agree with you but it's America, a team although proven to be very capable at this level are still no were near as good as Germany. Will be an interesting match though... think I'll be watching Portugal Ghana though, or flick between the two. Best group imo.

[Trevor33]

Who do you think advances, Mexico or Croatia?

VAMOS MEXICO!!!

Chiquitibum a la bim bom ba!
Chiquitibum a la bim bom ba!
MEXICO MEXICO
RARRARRAA!!


Chiquitibum bombita
Chiquitibum bombita
betiko, betiko
la tiene bien chiquita!!

Hope Mexico... actually hope Cameroon beat Brazil and Mexico draw to send both through and Brazil out

[betiko]

The Portugal equalizer in the final minute was a thing of beauty.
DAMMMMMIT!

You guys are qualified. Germany doesn t needs to win its last game, they are 1st with a draw for certain; if the US makes a draw they are sure qualified too.
If the US wins they are first of their group though... And in that case germany could be eliminated depending on goal difference with the winner of ghana portugal.

Isn t it it both interest to agree on a draw?? Lowe and klinsmann are friends and used to play together in the german national team... Why take the risk?

Because Germany want to win the game and top the group with style. If it was against Brazil and they both needed a draw then I would agree with you but it's America, a team although proven to be very capable at this level are still no were near as good as Germany. Will be an interesting match though... think I'll be watching Portugal Ghana though, or flick between the two. Best group imo.

Well i hope you re right but this smells like west germany-austria 82' or sweden-denmark 04'

[universalchiro]

The fanatic spectators, the vibrant team colours, the national anthems, fierce competition, the Spanish commentators saying "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" is priceless.
But one of my favorite things to see is the sportmanship, such as freely kicking the ball out of play to allow injured player to heal. That's awesome.
What I don't like: the flops. Too many times I see someone get tapped on the shoulder and they grab their whole face in agony, rolling on the ground, yellow card rendered & then he gets up, wiggles his jaw and plays on. That's bogus futball! Start giving warnings for flops like other leagues. Otherwise, World Cup is GREAT! Should be more frequent.

[Gilligan]

imagine if spain loses to australia, lol