Other Sports ~~~~~ The OFFICIAL World Cup 2010 Thread ~~~~~ - Page 99

SPATCH · 05:14 PM

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

Pants · 06-21-2010, 04:12 PM

Goddamn. It really kills me that I can't discuss anything with you guys. I record all the games on my DVR and watch them all once I come home from work. I don't look at the scores and have to tread the internets very carefully lest I ruin my games.

I already ****ed up once today by reading some thread here mentioning the 7-0 beating Portugal dispensed this morning. At least it'll still be fun to watch even though I already know the score.

memyselfI · 06-21-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Ref responsible for US tie pulled from the Cup.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wor...ref062110.html

Good but that still doesn't guarantee us advancement to the next round.

memyselfI · 06-21-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Am I the only one who would LOVE to see Spain knocked out in the 1st round?

Me. I'm hoping for not only that but continued dismay for Italy, France, England, and Germany.

I want someone other than 'the seven' to win the WC this year. Go USA!!!!

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-21-2010, 04:20 PM

Zach posted this pic in a thread in DC, and it's probably been posted here already, but even so, it's funny enough to see again.

Ebolapox · 06-21-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Zach posted this pic in a thread in DC, and it's probably been posted here already, but even so, it's funny enough to see again.

eh, maybe I just don't get it. what exactly is funny about that? that beckham is staring at obama?

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-21-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H5N1

eh, maybe I just don't get it. what exactly is funny about that? that beckham is staring at obama?

For me, it's Obama and staff pretty much laughing their asses off at Beckham's sour puss face over England's embarrassing performance so far in this World Cup. There may be more to it than that, but that's plenty enough hilarious to me.

**Buck** · 06-21-2010, 04:52 PM

Just to give you the context of that pic H5N1 and Flopnuts, that was what the camera cut to immediately after Robert Green let that goal in off of Dempsey. He was pissed.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-21-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

Just to give you the context of that pic H5N1 and Flopnuts, that was what the camera cut to immediately after Robert Green let that goal in off of Dempsey. He was pissed.

Even better!

DJay23 · 06-21-2010, 05:08 PM

I think it's interesting that as American soccer fans, we have rooting interests outside our country of birth.

I root for the USA first and foremost, but if the US is out or not playing one of the following, I always pull for Germany and the Netherlands. My dad was born in Germany and by ancestry my family is Dutch.

Ebolapox · 06-21-2010, 05:14 PM

oh yeah, NOW I remember that shot! yeah, that's more amusing.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 06-21-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJay23

I think it's interesting that as American soccer fans, we have rooting interests outside our country of birth.

I root for the USA first and foremost, but if the US is out or not playing one of the following, I always pull for Germany and the Netherlands. My dad was born in Germany and by ancestry my family is Dutch.

Same here, except I'm German-Irish.

**Buck** · 06-21-2010, 05:29 PM

This is an ESPN insider article

PRETORIA, South Africa -- What's the deal with Algeria?

It's not always easy to predict what you'll get from Les Fennecs, a squad filled with talented players, many of whom grew up in the French training system and now play for European clubs. But if anyone should know what it takes to win at the top level, it's Zinedine Zidane. Conveniently, the French superstar (whose parents hail from Algeria) also has served as an adviser to Les Fennecs. Insider got some exclusive time with Zizou on Monday, and here's what he had to say about the Algeria-U.S. matchup.

"Algeria was really weak in the first game against Slovenia, and it was a shame, since they did play very well against England," Zidane said. "I think they were the better team, and they only lacked a score. I do believe they have chances to qualify, since England is not playing well at all. In fact, I find the United States are a strong team, stronger than England right now. However, if Algeria can play against the U.S. as they did against England, I'm pretty sure they can win that game."

The U.S. has scouted Algeria extensively, and the players are already well-versed on what to expect Wednesday.

"As a team collectively, they can be unpredictable," U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan says. "On their day, they're a very, very good team. We have to see what the game presents early."

Donovan, of course, didn't elaborate on tactics. But we've gleaned some scouting tidbits from watching, reading and listening ahead of the U.S. match, and we can provide a snapshot of what Algeria is likely to do and where the U.S. might find holes.

First, Algeria usually goes with a 4-5-1 formation, but it wouldn't be surprising to see a switch to a 3-5-2 or a 3-6-1 because Les Fennecs need a victory to advance. A draw won't do. They have several creative players on the attack, led by midfielder Karim Ziani, an active playmaker who has some Donovan in him. His weakness? Well, his weakness -- he's not physical at all. But center midfield engine Hassan Yebda helps make up for that.

Michael Bradley's Borussia Monchengladbach teammate Karim Matmour is, like Ziani, a threat with the ball at his feet. "The have a lot of guys who like to get the ball in dangerous areas and run by guys, or be creative in their own ways and get shots," Bradley says. "Certainly [Matmour] is good at that. His ability to use his speed to run by defenders and get shots and crosses, I know that well. I play with him every week."

What Bradley didn't say? Matmour has a frustrating tendency to get too cute with the ball and turn it over.

In the attacking third, Algeria likes finding sturdy and speedy lone striker Abdelkader Ghezzal, who will be rested after drawing a dumb second yellow card against Slovenia and missing the England match.

If the Algerians opt to use a three-man back line, Nadir Belhadj, the talented left back, will move up to the midfield. He's fast and crafty and provides good service into the box. "He's a physically talented player who's got good feet as well, and we're aware of his strengths," U.S. right back Steve Cherundolo says.

But Belhadj can be lazy at times, and that's a position at which the U.S. probably has an advantage in general. Algeria is liable to get caught on a counter move, and if that happens, it will be in trouble. Keeper Faouzi Chaouchi is shaky, which he demonstrated by spilling the winning goal against Slovenia in the Group C opener. A sore knee forced Chaouchi to sit against England, but he could return for the finale.

And if the game isn't going their way, the Algerians could lose their collective temper and self-destruct. So far, however, they haven't. And if anything should scare the U.S., it's that fact. Algeria has mostly kept its poise, and if Les Fennecs continue to do so, the Yanks are in for a tense 90 minutes.

NOTES:

* Donovan didn't tell the media anything they didn't know about the U.S. striker situation on Monday. With Robbie Findley suspended for the Algeria match because of yellow card accumulation, the U.S. star talked about the options of moving Clint Dempsey up front or replacing Findley with Edson Buddle or Herculez Gomez. But Donovan did make it clear that the team isn't happy with the bogus yellow against Slovenia that victimized Findley, who was whistled for a handball in the box when replays showed that the ball hit his face. "It's absolutely unfair that Robbie's out of this game," Donovan said. "I can't imagine having a World Cup game taken from me because of something that was completely wrong and unfair. I think we all feel for Robbie in that way."

* The head of FIFA's refereeing department declined to address the controversial call that denied the U.S. a potential winning goal against Slovenia on Friday, according to The Washington Post. The officiating in that match hasn't yet been reviewed, but FIFA nonetheless left referee Koman Coulibaly off its list of officials working second-round matches.

* It's pure speculation, but Insider's Rumor Central is suggesting that several top U.S. players could have caught Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's eye in South Africa. Wenger has been full of praise for the Americans while analyzing World Cup games on French television, making some wonder whether Donovan, Bradley and/or Tim Howard might be on the Gunners' radar when the European transfer window opens next month. The London club is looking for help in midfield and goal, and all three players are well-known to Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis, the former deputy commissioner of MLS. Wenger has previously discussed his intention to land a young defensive midfielder this summer, and the 22-year-old Bradley has been one of the tournament's best so far.

* While we're mulling that possibility, here's another: Could Dempsey potentially follow Roy Hodgson to Liverpool if the Fulham coach takes over at Anfield after the World Cup?

SPATCH · 06-21-2010, 05:36 PM

I am of German ancestry and I have an extremely German sounding last name (in fact a WC 06 player shares my name) but I feel no allegiance to them.

I've always loved the Dutch brand of soccer, though. I remember I took to them as a child during WC 1994 just because I really liked their orange uniforms. Kinda funny.

And when I pick up the sticks and play some FIFA... I'm pouring in goals with Arjen Robben and the Oranje.

**Buck** · 06-21-2010, 05:40 PM

I'm 25% Mexican, 25% German, 25% Welsh, and 25% Russian.

My #1 Team is the US by far, but I also like Mexico in the WC, but I will always root for them to lose if it helps the US.

Germany is my backup team if the US and Mexico dont make it, and the Welsh part makes me hate England. Russia didn't even make the tournament, but I don't really like them anyways. I think they had a nice run in either 02 or 06, but I didn't really care.

memyselfI · 06-21-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJay23

I think it's interesting that as American soccer fans, we have rooting interests outside our country of birth.

I root for the USA first and foremost, but if the US is out or not playing one of the following, I always pull for Germany and the Netherlands. My dad was born in Germany and by ancestry my family is Dutch.

1. USA (born here)
2. Mexico (part Mexican)
3. Paraguay (Roque Santa Cruz)
4. Any other nation from the Americas.

05-30-2010, 01:48 PM
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	~~~~~ The OFFICIAL World Cup 2010 Thread ~~~~~ 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 Last edited by SPATCH; 05-30-2010 at 05:14 PM..
Posts: 4,569

06-21-2010, 04:12 PM	#1471
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $3549900	Goddamn. It really kills me that I can't discuss anything with you guys. I record all the games on my DVR and watch them all once I come home from work. I don't look at the scores and have to tread the internets very carefully lest I ruin my games. I already ****ed up once today by reading some thread here mentioning the 7-0 beating Portugal dispensed this morning. At least it'll still be fun to watch even though I already know the score. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,417

06-21-2010, 04:52 PM	#1477
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $6050295	Just to give you the context of that pic H5N1 and Flopnuts, that was what the camera cut to immediately after Robert Green let that goal in off of Dempsey. He was pissed.
Posts: 44,605

06-21-2010, 05:08 PM	#1479
DJay23 Rock Chalk Jayhawk Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: PA Casino cash: $-486683	I think it's interesting that as American soccer fans, we have rooting interests outside our country of birth. I root for the USA first and foremost, but if the US is out or not playing one of the following, I always pull for Germany and the Netherlands. My dad was born in Germany and by ancestry my family is Dutch. __________________ "True bliss is not something you search for, true bliss is already living inside us all, and sometimes it takes a roomfull of others to lead us to the mirror of your soul." - CosmicPal (10-3-03)
Posts: 9,185

06-21-2010, 05:14 PM	#1480
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1710097	oh yeah, NOW I remember that shot! yeah, that's more amusing.
Posts: 26,523

06-21-2010, 05:29 PM	#1482
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $6050295	This is an ESPN insider article PRETORIA, South Africa -- What's the deal with Algeria? It's not always easy to predict what you'll get from Les Fennecs, a squad filled with talented players, many of whom grew up in the French training system and now play for European clubs. But if anyone should know what it takes to win at the top level, it's Zinedine Zidane. Conveniently, the French superstar (whose parents hail from Algeria) also has served as an adviser to Les Fennecs. Insider got some exclusive time with Zizou on Monday, and here's what he had to say about the Algeria-U.S. matchup. "Algeria was really weak in the first game against Slovenia, and it was a shame, since they did play very well against England," Zidane said. "I think they were the better team, and they only lacked a score. I do believe they have chances to qualify, since England is not playing well at all. In fact, I find the United States are a strong team, stronger than England right now. However, if Algeria can play against the U.S. as they did against England, I'm pretty sure they can win that game." The U.S. has scouted Algeria extensively, and the players are already well-versed on what to expect Wednesday. "As a team collectively, they can be unpredictable," U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan says. "On their day, they're a very, very good team. We have to see what the game presents early." Donovan, of course, didn't elaborate on tactics. But we've gleaned some scouting tidbits from watching, reading and listening ahead of the U.S. match, and we can provide a snapshot of what Algeria is likely to do and where the U.S. might find holes. First, Algeria usually goes with a 4-5-1 formation, but it wouldn't be surprising to see a switch to a 3-5-2 or a 3-6-1 because Les Fennecs need a victory to advance. A draw won't do. They have several creative players on the attack, led by midfielder Karim Ziani, an active playmaker who has some Donovan in him. His weakness? Well, his weakness -- he's not physical at all. But center midfield engine Hassan Yebda helps make up for that. Michael Bradley's Borussia Monchengladbach teammate Karim Matmour is, like Ziani, a threat with the ball at his feet. "The have a lot of guys who like to get the ball in dangerous areas and run by guys, or be creative in their own ways and get shots," Bradley says. "Certainly [Matmour] is good at that. His ability to use his speed to run by defenders and get shots and crosses, I know that well. I play with him every week." What Bradley didn't say? Matmour has a frustrating tendency to get too cute with the ball and turn it over. In the attacking third, Algeria likes finding sturdy and speedy lone striker Abdelkader Ghezzal, who will be rested after drawing a dumb second yellow card against Slovenia and missing the England match. If the Algerians opt to use a three-man back line, Nadir Belhadj, the talented left back, will move up to the midfield. He's fast and crafty and provides good service into the box. "He's a physically talented player who's got good feet as well, and we're aware of his strengths," U.S. right back Steve Cherundolo says. But Belhadj can be lazy at times, and that's a position at which the U.S. probably has an advantage in general. Algeria is liable to get caught on a counter move, and if that happens, it will be in trouble. Keeper Faouzi Chaouchi is shaky, which he demonstrated by spilling the winning goal against Slovenia in the Group C opener. A sore knee forced Chaouchi to sit against England, but he could return for the finale. And if the game isn't going their way, the Algerians could lose their collective temper and self-destruct. So far, however, they haven't. And if anything should scare the U.S., it's that fact. Algeria has mostly kept its poise, and if Les Fennecs continue to do so, the Yanks are in for a tense 90 minutes. NOTES: * Donovan didn't tell the media anything they didn't know about the U.S. striker situation on Monday. With Robbie Findley suspended for the Algeria match because of yellow card accumulation, the U.S. star talked about the options of moving Clint Dempsey up front or replacing Findley with Edson Buddle or Herculez Gomez. But Donovan did make it clear that the team isn't happy with the bogus yellow against Slovenia that victimized Findley, who was whistled for a handball in the box when replays showed that the ball hit his face. "It's absolutely unfair that Robbie's out of this game," Donovan said. "I can't imagine having a World Cup game taken from me because of something that was completely wrong and unfair. I think we all feel for Robbie in that way." * The head of FIFA's refereeing department declined to address the controversial call that denied the U.S. a potential winning goal against Slovenia on Friday, according to The Washington Post. The officiating in that match hasn't yet been reviewed, but FIFA nonetheless left referee Koman Coulibaly off its list of officials working second-round matches. * It's pure speculation, but Insider's Rumor Central is suggesting that several top U.S. players could have caught Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's eye in South Africa. Wenger has been full of praise for the Americans while analyzing World Cup games on French television, making some wonder whether Donovan, Bradley and/or Tim Howard might be on the Gunners' radar when the European transfer window opens next month. The London club is looking for help in midfield and goal, and all three players are well-known to Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis, the former deputy commissioner of MLS. Wenger has previously discussed his intention to land a young defensive midfielder this summer, and the 22-year-old Bradley has been one of the tournament's best so far. * While we're mulling that possibility, here's another: Could Dempsey potentially follow Roy Hodgson to Liverpool if the Fulham coach takes over at Anfield after the World Cup?
Posts: 44,605

06-21-2010, 05:36 PM	#1483
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	I am of German ancestry and I have an extremely German sounding last name (in fact a WC 06 player shares my name) but I feel no allegiance to them. I've always loved the Dutch brand of soccer, though. I remember I took to them as a child during WC 1994 just because I really liked their orange uniforms. Kinda funny. And when I pick up the sticks and play some FIFA... I'm pouring in goals with Arjen Robben and the Oranje.
Posts: 4,569

06-21-2010, 05:40 PM	#1484
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $6050295	I'm 25% Mexican, 25% German, 25% Welsh, and 25% Russian. My #1 Team is the US by far, but I also like Mexico in the WC, but I will always root for them to lose if it helps the US. Germany is my backup team if the US and Mexico dont make it, and the Welsh part makes me hate England. Russia didn't even make the tournament, but I don't really like them anyways. I think they had a nice run in either 02 or 06, but I didn't really care.
Posts: 44,605