~~~~~ The OFFICIAL World Cup 2010 Thread ~~~~~

[SPATCH]

The World Cup Schedule (Group Play)

US v England: Saturday, June 12 at 1:30 pm CST on ABC
US v Slovenia: Friday, June 18 at 9:00 am CST on ESPN
US v Algeria: Wednesday, June 23 at 9:00 am CST on ESPN


Group C rankings

England - FIFA Ranking: 8 SPI: 3
Slovenia - FIFA Ranking: 25 SPI: 35
Algeria - FIFA Ranking: 30 SPI: 64
United States - FIFA Ranking: 14 SPI: 15

[Param]

Originally Posted by the_spatula

Obviously. But we're not going to worry about games we can not control. You can't.

To my estimation, we need (at the least) 5 points to assure that we will go through. That means we have got to come out and beat somebody.

We simply can not afford to lose to either Slovenia or Algeria. We knew that from the beginning. Nothing has changed.

Beat somebody, or go home. This team is up to the challenge.

Definitely, but it is a big deal Slovenia won the game. Go look at group A. That is how you would want the group stage to be at this point if you're USA.

It's not good for USA or England right now.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Param

Both teams suck. They're not elite. Poor showing England. Poor...

Suck and not elite are two different things. The US hardly sucks.

[|Zach|]

No matter how you draw teams or what the other teams do, you know you are going to have to win a game or two to advance.

Some people are talking like "oh shit, now we have to win."

It is the ****ing World Cup. This isn't new.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

It's the same defense everybody saw in qualifying. No different. This is only offset by finally having the ability and talent to score a lot of goals.

I know, which is why I'm worried.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

No matter how you draw teams or what the other teams do, you know you are going to have to win a game or two to advance.

Some people are talking like "oh shit, now we have to win."

It is the ****ing World Cup. This isn't new.

Truth. Just win the next two and worry about who you play after that. I hope it isn't Germany, but if it is, you never know.

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by Silock

I hope it isn't Germany, .

Never understood about hoping not to play someone in a tournament format. More than likely you are going to have to play someone (if not them) of that caliber. Might as well step up and play and let the chips fall as they are. Either you win or see how far you are from winning.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

No matter how you draw teams or what the other teams do, you know you are going to have to win a game or two to advance.

Some people are talking like "oh shit, now we have to win."

It is the ****ing World Cup. This isn't new.

this (times a gazillion)

Because Slovenia defeated Algeria we will have to alter our plans to now beat Slovenia; as opposed to the previous plan, which was to...... idk.. beat Slovenia.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Never understood about hoping not to play someone in a tournament format. More than likely you are going to have to play someone (if not them) of that caliber. Might as well step up and play and let the chips fall as they are. Either you win or see how far you are from winning.

Because we will not win the World Cup this year. However, the way the tournament is seeded is based on previous results in the World Cup. The more often you get out of your group and go on to higher rounds, the more likely it is that you will get a seed in the next World Cup. Mexico got seeded this way for a long time, even though we finished ahead of them in qualification. They consistently made it out of their group and advanced.

That's why countries that might have not-so-great showings for 1 or 2 Cups might STILL get a seed, because they historically do very well. And getting a seed in the World Cup is a kind of perpetuating cycle. The more often you get a seed, the more likely it is that you advance out of your group by getting an easier draw.

So, yeah, I hope we don't have to play Germany so early. The farther we make it, the more likely it is that we'll be seeded in the future.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Silock

Because we will not win the World Cup this year. However, the way the tournament is seeded is based on previous results in the World Cup. The more often you get out of your group and go on to higher rounds, the more likely it is that you will get a seed in the next World Cup. Mexico got seeded this way for a long time, even though we finished ahead of them in qualification. They consistently made it out of their group and advanced.

That's why countries that might have not-so-great showings for 1 or 2 Cups might STILL get a seed, because they historically do very well. And getting a seed in the World Cup is a kind of perpetuating cycle. The more often you get a seed, the more likely it is that you advance out of your group by getting an easier draw.

So, yeah, I hope we don't have to play Germany so early. The farther we make it, the more likely it is that we'll be seeded in the future.

Not anymore... As of this World Cup ... it is soley based on top 7 in world rankings and the host team... then everyone else is put in pots based on geography.

That said... the further we make it in the cup.. the more experience and confidence we gain... but it won't affect anything else.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Param

Definitely, but it is a big deal Slovenia won the game. Go look at group A. That is how you would want the group stage to be at this point if you're USA.

It's not good for USA or England right now.

I guess I don't understand your concern. Someone correct me if I am wrong but the United States (and England for that matter) should come away with wins against both Slovenia and Algeria. The U.S. will be unequivocal favorites against them both, right?

[Silock]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Not anymore... As of this World Cup ... it is soley based on top 7 in world rankings and the host team... then everyone else is put in pots based on geography.

That said... the further we make it in the cup.. the more experience and confidence we gain... but it won't affect anything else.

That won't last, man. I know it's new, but did you see how many perennial powers were pissed at the new system? FIFA rankings are ****ed up and EVERYONE knows it. I didn't like the old system, but it's far better than the arbitrary bullshit they did with this WC. I sincerely doubt we'll see FIFA do that again with the seedings.

Now, they MIGHT do it if they switch to a 1-seed, 2-seed, 3-seed and 4-seed format to guarantee your group isn't overloaded or underloaded. But I bet they go back to the old system, because this year's seeding was even more ****ed up than usual.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Silock

That won't last, man. I know it's new, but did you see how many perennial powers were pissed at the new system? FIFA rankings are ****ed up and EVERYONE knows it. I didn't like the old system, but it's far better than the arbitrary bullshit they did with this WC. I sincerely doubt we'll see FIFA do that again with the seedings.

Now, they MIGHT do it if they switch to a 1-seed, 2-seed, 3-seed and 4-seed format to guarantee your group isn't overloaded or underloaded. But I bet they go back to the old system, because this year's seeding was even more ****ed up than usual.

I like the new CONCEPT just not the execution.. my guesss is they stick with some form that is closer to this than the old ways.

[LetsSignRussell]

USA WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP

[Silock]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

I like the new CONCEPT just not the execution.. my guesss is they stick with some form that is closer to this than the old ways.

I like the concept, too, but it unfairly penalizes and benefits some teams by not counting all the games they play. England should NOT have been seeded.

[Buck]

The Danes just scored the 29th ever own goal in World Cup history. This is the 1425th match in World Cup history.

Denmark is up 1 - 0.