World Cup 2014!

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Ghana are like the closest thing the US has to a nemesis it seems.

It's a hard game to peg down: the USA defenders and goalkeepers seem more experienced on paper but the midfield seems a bit weaker than Ghana's. I'd say the strikers are about level given that Altidore seems to actually be useful when he plays for his country. It's kind of a winner takes all game. Even then getting past Germany and Portugal will be tough. At 75% fitness Ronaldo is still the most dangerous player in that group and will terrify the US players who play their football in the MLS.

[Aramonde]

Ghana you game is through cause now you have to answer too MURICA FUCK YEAH!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M

[ZeroAX]

I didn't mind that dutch performance in the 2010 final. It was tough and abrasive but that is a valid tactic when dealing with the tiki-taka style. It didn't work and was roundly criticised but it is a decent approach. Football is a contact sport. The De Jong karate kick was terrible I'll admit and that match was hampered by poor officiating but Spain were hardly blameless with lots of their trademark play acting. It was the terrible final that tournament deserved.

That said, this doesn't look anything like that Dutch team so maybe give them a chance?

Yes I agree Spain's play style was bad and annoying to watch, but as I've said countless times already, the Netherlands showed a very unsportsmanlike behavior.

You have to realize for me the best football in the world is the one played in schoolyards, or in parks between friends. Flopping disgusts me because it sends the wrong message about what football is about. That's why I like team USA that much. They play from the heart, trying their best and never falling down unless they are really taken down.

In that sense I dislike Spain. But if Spain are the ones who took the fun out of football, the Netherlands were the school bully who decides to use sports as an excuse to beat the crap out of people. I just didn't like what I saw.

And there's a difference between a foul going for the ball, and what were clearly attacks to scare the opposing players (since it was obvious after the karate kick that the ref wasn't going to give out any red cards easily).

I don't know if this Dutch team is any different. How many of the same players are still playing in it?


And besides you don't have to worry, I'm a supporter of England too in this tournament . If only so it can improve your (the nation's) mood a bit ....even though according to the BBC we are the ones who need a victory more

EDIT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5V2MxZ9zRA

[Blu]

It's about that bad if you're trying to stream a game that isn't on live TV. I usually don't bother nowadays, because the ads on streaming sites are so annoying and pop up every 5-10 minutes.

[jfrost]

People overreact about Netherlands '10. It wasn't that bad.

Watch Brazil-Netherlands '74 to see a bloodshed.

The United States play fine occasionally, but it does seem that they lack experience. Case in point, they were ahead 2-0 against Brazil in the Confederations Cup finals in 2009, but they weren't able to keep the lead and saw us score 3 times in the second half. That must've been heartbreaking.

The thing that annoys me most about Americans - not about the national team - is that every World Cup brings about the same stupid jokes about soccer being boring (notwithstanding the fact that this cup is AWESOME) and girly, blah blah blah - just watch the oh so new Jimmy Kimmel comment on the Cup.

It's like Americans generally can't cope with the fact that there's this one thing in the world that everybody cares about that isn't about them, that they're not the protagonists, and actually are not even that relevant.

[Blu]

I love the style of soccer that Germany plays. Incredibly talented passing, very patient play, quick on the counterattack too. Ozil is the maestro!

EDIT: LOL PEPE!

[ZeroAX]

As always Germany playing a beautiful game

Poor Portugal

[jfrost]

Portugal being destroyed. It might get to 6 or 7.

Pepe should be banned from football. Garbage defender and idiot.

[Blu]

FIRST HAT TRICK OF THE TOURNAMENT, GERMANY!!!!

You know Germany is stacked when you have a player like Schurrle and to a lesser extent, Podolski coming in off the bench.

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Kind of feel bad for Ronaldo. Then I remember he used to play for United and I laugh.

Germany scoring four goals with no recognised striker is pretty impressive. They just look so composed on the ball in every position.