** 2014 World Cup Thread **

[|Zach|]

Final: Germany vs Argentina

3rd Place: Brazil vs Netherlands




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/standings/

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

how will we fair in the round of 16?

A better question would be, how will we fare?

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

how will we fair in the round of 16?

Belgium is a good squad (not a given we play them but likely)

They have a decent shot to advance though. I say flip a coin.

[SPATCH]

We can keep Belgium. No doubt about it.

[keg in kc]

This is going to be hard for me. I love Belgian beer.

[|Zach|]

Belgium is kicking off now for anyone curious.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Belgium is a good squad (not a given we play them but likely)

They have a decent shot to advance though. I say flip a coin.

I think we had worse odds getting through the first round than we will getting through the second, tbqh

[Crush]

Russia draws early blood against Algeria. 1-0

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

So as long as the US doesn't lose a game on penalty kicks, I'm satisfied.

[chiefsfan987]

red card

[Baby Lee]

Red card Belgium

[Crush]

Algeria equalizes 1-1.

Someone was shining a laser in the Russian goalie's eyes.

[Buck]

Originally Posted by Crush

Algeria equalizes 1-1.

Someone was shining a laser in the Russian goalie's eyes.

Didn't see it, but did it look like it was the reason Algeria scored?

[Stanley Nickels]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

how will we fair in the round of 16?

Fare.
And here's my post from the USA-Germany thread:

Looks like we might've done ourselves a favor today with the way the brackets are shaping up for the single-elimination phase...
Here's what Germany's bracket looks like:

Brazil
Chile

Colombia
Uruguay

France
Nigeria

Germany
(Russia/Algeria)


-------------------------------------------
And here's what our side of the bracket looks like:

Netherlands
Mexico

Costa Rica
Greece

Argentina
Switzerland

Belgium
USA
------------------------------

I've got to say, I like our side more.

Going forward:
Belgium has for the past couple years been considered a "sleeping giant", and there's no denying that there is immense, young talent on that team. However, their play in the World Cup to this point suggests that the Giant may not yet have awoken. We can absolutely play with the Belgians, but will need a tremendous improvement from Michael Bradley to combat the Belgian midfield. If we make it past...

...sure, Argentina's another mammoth task, but they too have struggled to live up to their expectations thus far. A near-draw with Bosnia Herzegovina (who are no schlubs, mind you), and a last-minute bailout from Messi against Iran, suggest that this team is beatable. Messi will be Messi, and there's nothing you can do about it, but the real struggle will be whether Beasley can keep up with DiMaria for 90', because he's a terror on wheels, almost literally, with tremendous pace and ball control. If we get here, I don't expect us to beat Argentina, but IF WE DID...

...we face my odds-on favorite to win the WC, the Netherlands. I really can't come up with any convincing reasons why we could beat them. Even if you drop 5 defenders so Besler and Gonzalez can mark Robben and van Persie, I just don't see us having enough to keep possession for any length of time. Making it this far, though, would be the biggest accomplishment in US Soccer history. It's nice to dream, I guess.

[highBOLTage]

Another Algerian goal and a South Korean goal (playing up a man) and Algeria take the group and face the US.

[Crush]

Originally Posted by Buck

Didn't see it, but did it look like it was the reason Algeria scored?

I would say so. It distracted him.