CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I'm not really a sucker for accents, but the more Scottish the better as far as I'm concerned.
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***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter NewlyRetired
- Start date
derek245583
Footballguy
How many goals are we going to let up this year? Could get ugly
Jaysus
Good times!
Eephus
Footballguy
Jaysus
Good times!
The Gator
Footballguy
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
Six.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I like Ian Darke in general but as I have said before, not for US games.
His knowledge of the sports history in the country is very very low. You can tell any facts he has, he has just learned the night before.
No passion and no real tie to the country comes through in his telecasts. Just compare his silly "go go USA" call of Landon's Algeria goal with Cantor's heartfelt emotional call where he almost came to tears.
Much like everything else regarding the sport in this country, developing good American announcers will take time. In the mean time if we have to go with the accented voice, at least let it be with people who have been involved in the game in the country.
I am hoping that Fox gives up the Gus Johnson experiment and just builds off of John Strong's very good start to his career. At 28 I think he is the best soccer announcer the US has ever produced and should only get better as he enters his prime in the next 10-20 years.
His knowledge of the sports history in the country is very very low. You can tell any facts he has, he has just learned the night before.
No passion and no real tie to the country comes through in his telecasts. Just compare his silly "go go USA" call of Landon's Algeria goal with Cantor's heartfelt emotional call where he almost came to tears.
Much like everything else regarding the sport in this country, developing good American announcers will take time. In the mean time if we have to go with the accented voice, at least let it be with people who have been involved in the game in the country.
I am hoping that Fox gives up the Gus Johnson experiment and just builds off of John Strong's very good start to his career. At 28 I think he is the best soccer announcer the US has ever produced and should only get better as he enters his prime in the next 10-20 years.
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
Yada yada yada about the announcers. Who gives a crap.
More in-depth final 23 analyses needed.
More in-depth final 23 analyses needed.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Fwiw one of the articles I read today had JK realizing the diamond wasn't working in the first half and going to a straight 4 across the midfield for the second half so Bradley could provide some cover. JK also though Jones had a excellent game and the Turkish coach thought our 3 best players were Fabs, Bradley, and Jozy. Said their backs had real problems with Jozy and that he was basically occupying both CBs for much of the game.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The US gave up 6 goals in 2006That's twice as many as in 2006
3-0 loss to Czech Republic
1-1 draw with Italy
2-1 loss to Ghana
Eephus
Footballguy
Yeah, I misread the question originally as being how many the US would scoreThe US gave up 6 goals in 2006That's twice as many as in 2006
3-0 loss to Czech Republic
1-1 draw with Italy
2-1 loss to Ghana
Norman Paperman
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I'll try to do one or two previews tomorrow. Chime in with your preferences. Obviously, Spain and Brazil are options, but I fear I'll say what everyone else says (think Brazil will go as far as Neymar can take them, worry about Spain's strikers). Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium are also good choices. Maybe I'll try to do one of the up and coming South American teams like Chile, but my coverage is necessarily less complete outside my comfort zone.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I loved "Go Go USA" - awesome, classic call on that goal by Sir Ian.
Norman Paperman
Footballguy
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
JaxBill
Footballguy
Italy, please. Their roster is almost exclusively Serie A and I think it's tough to gauge players in that league.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
How do you figure? 5 points would be a dream scenario for most of us.
Hell, I think most of us would be happy with 4 points and roll the dice with a tie breaker.
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
If Germany and Portugal tied each other and both beat Ghana by more than a goal, we would not advance in this scenario.
JaxBill
Footballguy
FWIW, here is si.com's listing of every WC roster
http://soccer.si.com/2014/05/08/world-cup-rosters-brazil-2014/
http://soccer.si.com/2014/05/08/world-cup-rosters-brazil-2014/
Norman Paperman
Footballguy
I outlined it above:
Game 1: US 1, Ghana 0; Germany 1, Portugal 1
Game 2: US 1, Portugal 1; Germany 2, Ghana 0
Game 3: US 0, Germany 0; Portugal 3, Ghana 1
Germany and Portugal advance on goal differential
I think we really need Germany to beat Portugal in game 1, but I think both will be happy for a draw in the first game.
Norman Paperman
Footballguy
This is how I had it playing out.Norman Paperman said:
Certainly a win against Germany would be a moment to remember, but I think even a tired German squad will be tough to break down.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
While your prediction is mathematically possible to occur it is worth noting that in the history of the World Cup, exactly 0 groups have ended up with 3 teams on 5 points.Since 1994 (the first world cup with 3 points for a win) 0 out of 38 groups have ended with 3 teams on 5 points.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I know that. What I am saying is that it has never happened even once in all the groups and all the years to have three teams on 5 points. It is beyond rare.
It is more common to have three teams on 6 points.
berndog
Footballguy
Timmy Chandler scares me in the back. I think he was channeling his inner Omar Gonzalez yesterday and realized the game was almost over and he hadn't made a totally brain dead mistake. You know things are bad when you are hoping Beasley gets the start.
Also with his orangish hue he reminds me of an ompah loompah from Willy Wonka.
Edit as NR kindly pointed out I had my ompah loompah's and munchkins mixed up.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jaysus
Good times!
Belgium is my vote.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I'd like to see Scooby's starting XI for Spain. I'm familiar with the players but I'm interested in predicted del Bosque's starters.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
IMO, a healthy Rossi would be the best player on the current US roster.Tom Hagen said:
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I still don't understand how a guy named John Sutcliffe has the strongest accent of them all. (I replied to the wrong post with this one; should be about the Mexican-American announcers)
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Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
+1 for Italy.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
+1 for Italy.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
My guess for Spain (which is not my preferred XI):
Casillas; Alba, Ramos, Pique, Azpilicueta; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro; Costa (if healthy, if not then Torres or possibly Cesc)
Casillas; Alba, Ramos, Pique, Azpilicueta; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro; Costa (if healthy, if not then Torres or possibly Cesc)
roadkill1292
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Mexico is running their friendlies very quickly. The play again tonight against Bosnia.
They are packing in 4 games in just 10 days. Seems like a recipe for injuries.
They are packing in 4 games in just 10 days. Seems like a recipe for injuries.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Sammy3469
Footballguy
As much as we could have used him, I can't help but think this helps us longer term as guys realize making some of these Western European squads as an "outsider" isn't exactly easy. Sure gives Klinsmann some ammunition for 2018.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Didn't see your pot/kettle at the end there and was coming back to say the same thing. Cognitive Dissonance, FTW!
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Dropped. Several were on both lists (stupid editor.) Fixed now.
That's tough. There's no telling what Löw will do.Neuer - naturallySebowski said:
Lahm, Hummels, Mertesacker and .... ???
Schweinsteiger, Khedira (or Kroos based on Khedira's health)
Özil, Müller, Götze, Reus
I see Klose and Podolski only coming on as subs.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Well, I'm going to start with Italy, because I think they're an intriguing team. With the news that Suarez likely won't miss any group games, Italy's future appears even more up in the air. They could make a deep run. Less talented Italy teams have, IMO. But it also wouldn't shock me to see them fail to advance. The analysis is complicated by the fact that I'm not sure we know what system Prandelli will run (in fact, I'm not sure he'll even stick to one system). I'm guessing, however, that we'll see a 4-3-3
GK- Italy is stacked here. Gigi Buffon has only slipped in the sense that he's not the consensus best goalkeeper in the world anymore. He's still on everyone's shortlist. Nobody has ever been better at the subtle things. Positioning, making sure rebounds go away from the goal, communication with his backline. All the stuff that isn't immediately apparent from highlights, but which are really the difference between a good shot stopper and a world class goalkeeper. Backups -- Salvatore Siragu is a top 10 GK in the world in his own right. But he's No. 2 here. Mattia Perin is a fine No. 3 as well.
CB -- This is the traditional strength of the Azurri going back at least to Franco Baresi. And based on club reputation, it still is. Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, and Antonio Bonucci form the "Juventus wall" in Serie A. Two of the three (probably Barzagli and Chiellini) will start in Brazil. Somewhat strangely, however, I thought both Barzagli and Chiellini played indifferently in the Confederations Cup. It was a weird tournament for Italy, who I thought played open and attractive football, but who also made uncharacteristic mistakes at the back. Nevertheless, this should still be a strength. The 4th CB Parma's Gabriel Palleta, has always played well for Italy.
FB -- There are questions here. Italy has the same problem as AC Milan in that they have two very good right backs in Ignacio Abate and Mattia Di Sciglio. One of them is going to have to play on the left, and that's likely to be Di Sciglio. Now, Matty Ice (yeah, I just gave him a nickname, sue me) isn't Timmy Chandler on his left foot, but I'd still rather see him on the right. Torino's Matteo Darmian is apparently a utility defender who can play anywhere on the back line, but I don't think he's world class anywhere.
CM- I think most people expect two out of the 3 CMs to be Andrea Pirlo and Danielle DeRossi. De Rossi will play deepest, but with license to make runs from deep when the cover is there. Pirlo will try to operate as the deep-lying creative fulcrum. I won't belabor the point on Pirlo. He's super cool. He plays the game with an effortless elegance that everybody loves. And he understands space so well that he's almost impossible to press because he'll happily draw a pressing defender to the sideline in order to open up the center of the pitch for the other two midfielders. That's why I'm guessing that the third midfielder will be a second "regista" type, like Marco Veratti or Claudio Marchisio, but it could also be Alberto Aqualani operating slightly forward of where the others would. As bad as Aqualani was in Liverpool, he's been pretty good used as something like trequarista by Italy and Fiorentina. I see Thiago Motta as De Rossi's backup and Marco Parolo as a guy who can provide legs if Prandelli wants a little more athleticism in MF.
FWs - I feel bad for Giuseppe Rossi, but I don't think he really fit what Italy wants to do. Antonio Candreva is a MF, but really the only natural wide player on the team, so I put him here. Lorenzo Insigne and Alessio Cerci are natural inside forwards and Antonio Cassano is a creative player who can still get goals without playing in the #9 role. And we all know who will be playing that position. Mario Balotelli could easily win the Golden Boot. He could also get red carded in the group stage. Even when he doesn't do something stupid, Balotelli is a streaky, streaky player. We remember him having a great Euros for his brace against Germany and forget how awful he was against Spain in the group stage. Balotelli also has a complicated relationship with his home country, recently facing racial abuse while training with the national team. Europe can really suck sometimes. But my biggest problem with Mario is that I don't think he combines well with other forwards. I think that leaves Italy too dependent on his own genius, which is a problem because that tap just isn't always on. I see one of Insigne and Cerci on one flank and Cassano pinching in from the other flank with Mario as the advanced striker.
The bottom line: It's a total gut feeling, but I don't see a great tournament for Italy this year. They'll control the middle of the pitch, but I don't fully trust Balotelli, I wonder about Cassano's ability to play in the heat and humidity of Brazil (I understand that his heart problems are no longer an issue, but . . ., heart problems). And I don't see a lot of finishing outside those two. While I expect the defense to play well, they have to deal with Suarez, Cavani, Rooney, and Sturridge in the group stage. That's a lot of forward talent and even the Juventus wall can't be expected to stand up to all of it. I'm a little unique in that I think England has the best chance of coming out of Group D. I think Italy and Uruguay are pretty much a pick-em. But if I had to bet on either Suarez or Balotelli, I'd bet on Suarez (assuming the news that he's already running without pain and training with Uruguay is true).
GK- Italy is stacked here. Gigi Buffon has only slipped in the sense that he's not the consensus best goalkeeper in the world anymore. He's still on everyone's shortlist. Nobody has ever been better at the subtle things. Positioning, making sure rebounds go away from the goal, communication with his backline. All the stuff that isn't immediately apparent from highlights, but which are really the difference between a good shot stopper and a world class goalkeeper. Backups -- Salvatore Siragu is a top 10 GK in the world in his own right. But he's No. 2 here. Mattia Perin is a fine No. 3 as well.
CB -- This is the traditional strength of the Azurri going back at least to Franco Baresi. And based on club reputation, it still is. Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, and Antonio Bonucci form the "Juventus wall" in Serie A. Two of the three (probably Barzagli and Chiellini) will start in Brazil. Somewhat strangely, however, I thought both Barzagli and Chiellini played indifferently in the Confederations Cup. It was a weird tournament for Italy, who I thought played open and attractive football, but who also made uncharacteristic mistakes at the back. Nevertheless, this should still be a strength. The 4th CB Parma's Gabriel Palleta, has always played well for Italy.
FB -- There are questions here. Italy has the same problem as AC Milan in that they have two very good right backs in Ignacio Abate and Mattia Di Sciglio. One of them is going to have to play on the left, and that's likely to be Di Sciglio. Now, Matty Ice (yeah, I just gave him a nickname, sue me) isn't Timmy Chandler on his left foot, but I'd still rather see him on the right. Torino's Matteo Darmian is apparently a utility defender who can play anywhere on the back line, but I don't think he's world class anywhere.
CM- I think most people expect two out of the 3 CMs to be Andrea Pirlo and Danielle DeRossi. De Rossi will play deepest, but with license to make runs from deep when the cover is there. Pirlo will try to operate as the deep-lying creative fulcrum. I won't belabor the point on Pirlo. He's super cool. He plays the game with an effortless elegance that everybody loves. And he understands space so well that he's almost impossible to press because he'll happily draw a pressing defender to the sideline in order to open up the center of the pitch for the other two midfielders. That's why I'm guessing that the third midfielder will be a second "regista" type, like Marco Veratti or Claudio Marchisio, but it could also be Alberto Aqualani operating slightly forward of where the others would. As bad as Aqualani was in Liverpool, he's been pretty good used as something like trequarista by Italy and Fiorentina. I see Thiago Motta as De Rossi's backup and Marco Parolo as a guy who can provide legs if Prandelli wants a little more athleticism in MF.
FWs - I feel bad for Giuseppe Rossi, but I don't think he really fit what Italy wants to do. Antonio Candreva is a MF, but really the only natural wide player on the team, so I put him here. Lorenzo Insigne and Alessio Cerci are natural inside forwards and Antonio Cassano is a creative player who can still get goals without playing in the #9 role. And we all know who will be playing that position. Mario Balotelli could easily win the Golden Boot. He could also get red carded in the group stage. Even when he doesn't do something stupid, Balotelli is a streaky, streaky player. We remember him having a great Euros for his brace against Germany and forget how awful he was against Spain in the group stage. Balotelli also has a complicated relationship with his home country, recently facing racial abuse while training with the national team. Europe can really suck sometimes. But my biggest problem with Mario is that I don't think he combines well with other forwards. I think that leaves Italy too dependent on his own genius, which is a problem because that tap just isn't always on. I see one of Insigne and Cerci on one flank and Cassano pinching in from the other flank with Mario as the advanced striker.
The bottom line: It's a total gut feeling, but I don't see a great tournament for Italy this year. They'll control the middle of the pitch, but I don't fully trust Balotelli, I wonder about Cassano's ability to play in the heat and humidity of Brazil (I understand that his heart problems are no longer an issue, but . . ., heart problems). And I don't see a lot of finishing outside those two. While I expect the defense to play well, they have to deal with Suarez, Cavani, Rooney, and Sturridge in the group stage. That's a lot of forward talent and even the Juventus wall can't be expected to stand up to all of it. I'm a little unique in that I think England has the best chance of coming out of Group D. I think Italy and Uruguay are pretty much a pick-em. But if I had to bet on either Suarez or Balotelli, I'd bet on Suarez (assuming the news that he's already running without pain and training with Uruguay is true).
Sammy3469
Footballguy
It should also be noted that they are the one team in their group that plays 3 matches in the Amazon/humid area (Manaus, Recife, Natal). They strike me as one team that will totally wilt by the 3rd match and their first match against England could be a total cluster in the 2nd half.
