World Cup action

[Roy Hersh]

I assume lots of you are watching the World Cup. Portugal lost to Germany in a badly played first game, 4-0. Their player, Pepe acted like a tool and received a red card that instantly proved fatal when Germany scored their 3rd goal, ending the game ... if it wasn't already over, long before the end of the first half.

The USA won against recent nemesis: Ghama. Who are you watching?

How is Brazil faring so far as a host city? Will the Brazilians make the finals at home?

Spain was destroyed in their first game.

Your thoughts

[Paul Fountain]

I won't be getting to see too much as the first game is usually on in the early hours of the morning. I might get to see a bit of evening games on the weekends as they finish about 10 am our time.
I don't think I'll have much to cheer about when we play the Dutch in a few hours (At least we gave them a sound beating in hockey over the weekend). We've had our easy game - against Chile, and our last will be against Spain.

I think a few of the favorites will have been shocked into action after the first match so we can't read too much into the first up performances

[Bradley Bogdan]

I won't be getting to see too much as the first game is usually on in the early hours of the morning. I might get to see a bit of evening games on the weekends as they finish about 10 am our time.
I don't think I'll have much to cheer about when we play the Dutch in a few hours (At least we gave them a sound beating in hockey over the weekend). We've had our easy game - against Chile, and our last will be against Spain.

I think a few of the favorites will have been shocked into action after the first match so we can't read too much into the first up performances

But at least you've got the coolest nickname of any national soccer side!

As for the US, a thrilling game, but one that doesn't bode well for the odds of the US advancing. Altidore likely won't be ready to go this tournament again, from what I hear, the defense looked as suspect as it did in the previous year worth of games, and the lack of aggression after the early goal was a bit disappointing. The US can't expect to play like the Italians. That said, we came away with a win, and if we can notch one more against a Portuguese side that looked lost against Germany, it doesn't matter how pretty they came.

As for the home side, they looked acceptable in their first match, but not stunning. Slow starts that still bag three points aren't deadly, so I think well see an improvement of form and I look forward to them seeking redemption at the Maracana. From the looks of it, they won't have to worry about Uruguay spoiling it again.


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[Glenn E.]

As for the US, a thrilling game, but one that doesn't bode well for the odds of the US advancing. Altidore likely won't be ready to go this tournament again, from what I hear, the defense looked as suspect as it did in the previous year worth of games, and the lack of aggression after the early goal was a bit disappointing. The US can't expect to play like the Italians. That said, we came away with a win, and if we can notch one more against a Portuguese side that looked lost against Germany, it doesn't matter how pretty they came.

I am greatly amused by all the Internet "experts" who are now screaming (again) about Landon Donovan being left off the team.

Um... Donovan is a forward, and the forwards were fine. It's our midfielders and defense that were suspect, so having Donovan on the team wouldn't help. Well... he'd be able to replace Altidore, but that couldn't have been predicted so isn't really a valid argument that he should have been included.

[Moses Botbol]

Watched much of the Iran - Nigeria game and highlights of other games. Been difficult for me to find the time to watch them... Something called work has prohibited me.

[Paul Fountain]

A big result this morning (well it is morning for me) with Chile beating Spain and sending them packing. I thought that after the bad loss against the dutch, they would have pulled their finger out and got serious.

[Bradley Bogdan]

Watched much of the Iran - Nigeria game and highlights of other games. Been difficult for me to find the time to watch them... Something called work has prohibited me.

At least being on the east coast, the late game starts after most folks can get home from the office. On the West coast, te games are all smack dab in the middle of the work day, essentially from 9-5.


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[John M.]

This Cup has been great so far==lots of good and great matches, few 0-0 or 1-0 games. USA's upset of Ghana was thrilling!! Klinsman did a fine job.

[Andy Velebil]

England's out


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[Roy Hersh]

Tonight should be interesting between Portugal and USA. Will the lackluster play of PT vs. Germany be repeated. Can the USA have a great, clean game like they did against Ghana. A few more hours!!!!!

[John M.]

What a fantastic game--too bad the result was not a win for us.

[Moses Botbol]

What a fantastic game--too bad the result was not a win for us.

What a tragic end, but the score should've been like 6-3 USA. USA was pounding the shots on Portugal and USA had a few magical saves. Only thing USA needs to do is increase their speed-of-play and they can win the group.

[Glenn E.]

Portugal now must win to advance, and even with a win needs a large goal differential over Ghana and a decision between USA and Germany. If USA beats Germany, Portugal will need an outlandish (likely 4+) goal differential over Ghana to advance.

USA advances with a win or tie vs Germany, and can also advance with a loss provided Portugal beats Ghana by fewer than 4 goals or Ghana beats Portugal by no more than 1 goal.

There are a few other exotic possibilities as well, but these are the main ones.

[Bradley Bogdan]

Portugal now must win to advance, and even with a win needs a large goal differential over Ghana and a decision between USA and Germany. If USA beats Germany, Portugal will need an outlandish (likely 4+) goal differential over Ghana to advance.

USA advances with a win or tie vs Germany, and can also advance with a loss provided Portugal beats Ghana by fewer than 4 goals or Ghana beats Portugal by no more than 1 goal.

There are a few other exotic possibilities as well, but these are the main ones.

Now if Germany and the US were smart, they'd agree to tie and advance haha.


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[Glenn E.]

Portugal now must win to advance, and even with a win needs a large goal differential over Ghana and a decision between USA and Germany. If USA beats Germany, Portugal will need an outlandish (likely 4+) goal differential over Ghana to advance.

USA advances with a win or tie vs Germany, and can also advance with a loss provided Portugal beats Ghana by fewer than 4 goals or Ghana beats Portugal by no more than 1 goal.

There are a few other exotic possibilities as well, but these are the main ones.

Now if Germany and the US were smart, they'd agree to tie and advance haha.

Yeah, but it isn't a meaningless game. The winner (or Germany if the game is a tie) gets the #1 seed going into the Round of 16 and gets to avoid playing the Netherlands.

So yeah, Germany is perfectly happy with a tie, but the US would really prefer to win.

[Roy Hersh]

PT is all but done. USA still has a pretty good chance to move on to the next round; albeit I'd be very surprised if USA can beat Germany, although I'd love that!

[Glenn E.]

And the US advances thanks to Ronaldo. Win-win (ish) for soccer fans on FTLOP!

[Bradley Bogdan]

And the US advances thanks to Ronaldo. Win-win (ish) for soccer fans on FTLOP!

Truth be told, if all else held the same, the US would have advanced without the Rondaldo score as well. But I'm nit picking there.


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[Eric Ifune]

Let's cheer for Madeira!

[Moses Botbol]

PT is all but done. USA still has a pretty good chance to move on to the next round; albeit I'd be very surprised if USA can beat Germany, although I'd love that!

They played at 85-90% of Germany's level IMO. They had a few opportunities to score. USA should be "satisfied" with their performance and know they can at least compete with the best.