official 2010 world cup thread

[Jokerman]

Originally Posted by Fulcannelli

why?

Well I don't like the US because they are a bad team and people are giving them false hope. I don't like England because I dont like english soccer period because there a bunch of whiny bitches.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by Bashmachkin

I think England had the better of the game overall, but I think that was only marginally the case. They saw more of the ball in the second half and looked dangerous without creating a lot of clear-cut chances; Lennon and Johnson had plenty of space down the right-hand-side, but struggled when it came to playing the final pass; I think in general England played with a lot of pace and thrust, but they lack composure and could have done with creating more centrally, with more patience and intelligence.

I thought America retained the ball well after England's opening goal, and though they were fortunate with the equaliser they got, they deserved something for retaining the majority of possession for a long period in the first half, and for creating the chances which fell to Onyewu and Altidore. I think Dempsey and Donovan are excellent players, who move and pass the ball more intelligently than any of their English counterparts besides Rooney and Joe Cole - who is worth a start in the next game given the underwhelming performances of Milner and Wright-Phillips. America didn't retain the ball anywhere near as well in the second half, but they remained composed and resilient in defence even if their defence left gaps and didn't appear really soundly organised; and Altidore had an excellent chance after beating Carragher, who in my view shouldn't be near the England squad (my view is that he was recalled undeservedly, presumably at the behest of Gerrard or at least with him in mind).

England haven't played with a proper midfield for years now. Gerrard and Lampard are not central midfielders - they may be two of the best players in the world playing in the hole behind one or two forwards, but in the centre of the midfield they are not of international class. I think Lampard is slightly more positionally astute and tidy with his passes; if one of the two has to play in the centre of midfield, then I'd play Lampard there and move Gerrard to the left; otherwise, England could move to a 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 formation, with Gerrard on the left, Lampard in the hole and perhaps Carrick alongside Barry behind (those two aren't especially athletic, but there aren't many alternatives in the twenty-three Capello has picked). If Gerrard is moved to the left, then that may mean no Joe Cole, which would be a shame, but Gerrard isn't going to be dropped even though I personally think I would drop him (I like Joe Cole, I like the width and pace Lennon provides, and I'd prefer Lampard for a central role in either of the above formations). Whatever, I think Lampard and Gerrard cannot both play in central roles, and ideally I think neither would play in the centre of midfield for England.

I wonder if a 4-2-3-1 would also suit America? Dempsey roamed to good effect from a starting position down the left, but that can expose the left-back; Donovan's all-round play was good and he moves cleverly and has superb close control, but I thought he was even wasted a bit stuck predominantly down the right; whilst Altidore is quick and reasonably strong, but I wasn't impressed by either of his support strikers. If Altidore played as a lone striker, with Dempsey behind, Donovan on the right, but the two of them interchanging, then America could play a more conservative left-sided attacking midfielder who could drop and help out defensively; the two holding midfielders could cover ground, bring some organisation to the defence and supply the forwards; and with Dempsey and Donovan given the freedom this would provide, Altidore might end up with more support and America could become more dangerous in the final third.

Obviously the managers are not likely to make many or any particularly bold tactical changes at this point, and I think England and America both have a good chance of progressing regardless. I thought the game this evening was an entertaining one.

Dude I think you are too soccer-smart for this board.

 

[fwiffo]

Someone needs to connect better with Donovan - maybe Altidore has the best chance to improve in the tournament? I really didn't see much from Findley and Buddle. Maybe Hercules Gomez should get a chance considering his strike rate in Mexico.

The more England played, the poorer they played; Lampard was basically invisible in the game except for skying another set piece; never see him do that with Chelsea. Except for Gerrard in the first 10 mins, midfield was non existent. Heskey has cornered himself into the role of setting someone else up with his lack of finishing. Maybe Rooney needs to be more selfish. Green is a bloody joke - shows why the Hammers need major re-tooling this upcoming season.

They're going to need to show a lot more quality than this if they even hope to advance past the knockout. Praying for Gareth Barry and David James to be healthy might be a good start.

Interesting choice for management uniform though; the 3 piece suit.

 

[Dedalus]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

I really like the US kit though. It looks bold. And sort of looks nostalgic.

b

I kept thinking they looked like they were wearing beauty pageant sashes.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

algeria is good, sawa them play egypt

They always play well against Egypt, they hate them. They're not very good and the team is in disarray right now. The coach is sitting their captain saying his training hasn't been good enough. They'll be lucky to come away with a point against any opposition.

Originally Posted by *Tee*

He's good and surely one of the best US soccer players of all time. I wouldn't label him as "world-class", though, as he never made in Europe. also didn't make the breakthrough in Everton...

Just wrong...see the comments before re: player f the month in Everton and DM trying to pry him from LA. He was used differently though, as an outside winger. If the US had a decent playmaking central midfielder (decent in world footballing terms, not US terms) he'd be out wide and we'd be a hell of a lot harder to play against. But you're right, he's by no means world class, but he did make it in Europe, and England as well, arguably the toughest league to "make it" in.

Originally Posted by paraiso

What the U.S lacks is a proper playmaker. If Bradley were to put a decent playmaker next to his son, the U.S. midfield wouldn't be half bad. Maybe against Slovenia and Algeria he should play Failhaber.

Fallhaber isn't the answer I don't think. We don't have that layer so we really need to load the midfield up to make up for it. Play a lone striker with a withdrawn striker behind him (say Jozy up top and Demps behind him as a very attacking CM. Then Bradley and Landon with some speedy guys (Eddie Lewis was GREAT at that role) out wide) Having said that, I HATE Beasley...so much potential but never a good delivery on the ball, and if we played that system he'd have to come in.

Originally Posted by Neo_Version 7

England outplayed the US in every aspect of the game. If you didn't see that, we weren't watching the same match. The Americans were disorganized defensively
.

No way man, not even close. Did England win the midfield...hells yes. But Demerit was a rocjk against Rooney. Rooney is not a skill guy, he's force and instincts, and Demerit SHUT HIM DOWN. He had not a sniff at goal from inside the box.

The way I like to look at how well teams play is by looking at how many studs up tackles go in. Especially on a game like this...if you do that for Uruguay it won't be much help. England threw a few more than the Yanks, which tells me that the Yanks were frustrating them...even in the midfield which I'll give to you. The English defense gave just as many outside shots, conceded an even amount of corners, and were beaten on one occation. Us was defense was beaten on two...once for the goal, and once on the Heskey save. Was pretty even to me man. Yes, Lennon and SWP had decent matches, but all of their crosses were met by US defenders, or defended in a way that England couldn't make use of them. England may have been slightly better overall, but for their quality, that just doesn't cut it.

To me the Brits are the most overrated footballing nation. Their best player (Rooney) is great because of his instincts, and their best playmaking midfielder is Lampard. Gerrard is not nearly as good as the present or recent past world class players in the midfields for other countries (Brazil, Arg, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France). Their defenders are brutes with little skill (Ashley Cole excluded) and their goalkeeping is horrendus. They do have potential on the outside with speedy wingers like Lennon and SWP, but they lack the final delivery qualities of a Nani that would put them in the elite group. They're Beasley+'s.

Originally Posted by paraiso

I disagree. I think the defensive organization is what kept the game at 1-1. Rooney having zero scoring chances and England having to resort to playing hoof ball, speaks for itself.

 

[Neo_Version 7]

When I said that England outplayed the US in most every area of the game, it's not to come off as though they were leaps and bounds beyond the Americans. If that were the case, the final score would most definitely reflect that. The US played a decent match and if they could find someone who could match Donovan's agility in the offensive, I'd expect their attack would improve dramatically.

I'm saying that as a whole, England played better and were the more efficient team. It came down to a fumble -- a type of gaffe that U11 children make. It was a pathetic display and I believe the US deserved to have scored a better goal with the way they were playing.

 

[phreak]

The 2 outside defenders really played well despite their outside midfielders being non existant in their defensive half. The US inside defenders were very passive and, at times, quite porous. See England's goal. Howard, of course, was great. I am hesitant to give them too much credit for England playing like **** and not converting on their chances, but it did come from somewhere.

I cant understand Bradley. I respect his skill and composure out there, but he is just so damn passive with the ball. He is talented enough to do so much more imo. He gets and slows it down immediately. And off the ball he is brilliant; aggressive runs and creating space all game. Im excited to watch him as the cup progresses.

Can anyone explain why Gomez was not in the game earlier? That little guy is so talented. He has looked absolutely amazing for the past few months, I was pissed at Bob when he didnt start the second half.

 

[LawrenceMD]

i got worn out just watching the game. first i was deflated with the england goal so early.. then i was happy for the england goalkeeper **** up... but realized that england could just score and demoralize the US instantly... so it was stressful just watching the US in survival mode until i saw jozy make that move and was convinced he would score and put the match away..

but he missed... and it was back to survival mode again only this time the england attack was more desperate and scary to watch. it looks like these two teams would benefit from an easier opponent (a kind of slump buster) to beat up on to gain some confidence/momentum again.

after the match i had to take a nap.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by LawrenceMD

i got worn out just watching the game. first i was deflated with the england goal so early.. then i was happy for the england goalkeeper **** up... but realized that england could just score and demoralize the US instantly... so it was stressful just watching the US in survival mode until i saw jozy make that move and was convinced he would score and put the match away..

but he missed... and it was back to survival mode again only this time the england attack was more desperate and scary to watch. it looks like these two teams would benefit from an easier opponent (a kind of slump buster) to beat up on to gain some confidence/momentum again.

after the match i had to take a nap.

Wow, you described me word-for-word.

 

[montecristo#4]

Originally Posted by LawrenceMD

i got worn out just watching the game. first i was deflated with the england goal so early.. then i was happy for the england goalkeeper **** up... but realized that england could just score and demoralize the US instantly... so it was stressful just watching the US in survival mode until i saw jozy make that move and was convinced he would score and put the match away..

but he missed... and it was back to survival mode again only this time the england attack was more desperate and scary to watch. it looks like these two teams would benefit from an easier opponent (a kind of slump buster) to beat up on to gain some confidence/momentum again.

after the match i had to take a nap.

Dude I hope you're not an ER doc.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

Dude I think you are too soccer-smart for this board.

+1.

 

[ANIKETOS]

Soo happy for the US who are continuing their good results from the Confederations cup.Hope they do well i was probably the only middleeasterner rooting for them.The English have always been hyped up but this time i seriously thought they have a good shot,especially since Capello is their coach and many other teams are less than impressive.I hope i am wrong their and they crash out though..

 

[legorogel]

Am I the only one who cant watch all those game because of the annyoing sound of thos vuvuzela trumpets ??

 

[ANIKETOS]

Originally Posted by legorogel

Am I the only one who cant watch all those game because of the annyoing sound of thos vuvuzela trumpets ??


I hate them too but somehow i dont notice them that much..There should be an option on ur tv where you can lower the sound or make it sound more in the backround (if that makes any sense)

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by Neo_Version 7

That was something you'd expect from Barthez.

or Kahn