***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

btw... I've said it for years- Thomas Muller is a diving, embellishing ####tard. Pepe had every right to get in his face after that bull#### "oh my nose" theatrics when Pepe barely grazed his chin. of course there's "getting in his face" and 'getting in his face'.

Now imagine it was Ronaldo....this thread would have been 10 pages longer all because of the "diving sissy boy" posts

too true.

that Muller nonsense is the worst. and it seems like what gets most of the non-fan's panties the most bunched.... and I can't disagree. "diving" is much more nebulous, IMO- there aren't that many obvious no-contact dives in games, but there are a lot of guys riding tackles and/or going down with minimal contact to draw the foul (don't basketball players and Wider Receivers do this too?).

and again IMO, Ronaldo dives less than he's given credit for. He's getting kicked from minute 0 to minute 93- sometimes to avoid getting kicked, he's going to go down in a way that looks like a dive.

I think I mentioned this before but I think what hurts the game is that these single decisions tend to swing the game towards one team. I don't have the stats but I'm pretty confident a red card or PK for one team typically gives them a much higher percentage to win the game. In most of the other sports that can only happen if it's one of the final plays of the games as there are typically so many plays/scoring plays that it's easier to overlook. I think they just need to do 2 things. 1. Implement replay/review on ALL pk and red card decisions and 2. Retroactively review tape and had out punishment for stuff like what Muller did. I think those two things would go a long way towards improving the perception of the sport for non-soccer fans and I think most of us who already are would not only live with the new rules but welcome them.

FIFA thought the spray paint was incredibly radical and were afraid to use it.

I can't even imagine how long it would take them to adopt your logical suggestions.

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

I asked my friend who has sons that are very competitive soccer players ages 15 and 13. He said refs have a tough time keeping up with the 16 year old kids. Can't imagine them keeping up with these elite athletes.

J

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Maybe the question is better phrased like this: Is Soccer Fan with USA beating Ghana yesterday on the same level as Auburn Fan beating Alabama in the 2013 Iron Bowl?

That's cool if it is. In fact I hope it is as it tells me things about this market.

Absolutely. In my entire life the US has played 23 matches at the World Cup (with at least two more to come this year) and we've won a grand total of five of them.

Colombia 2-1 (1994)

Portugal 3-2 (2002)

Mexico 2-0 (2002)

Algeria 1-0 (2010)

Ghana 2-1 (2014)

And who knows when the next one will be? Could easily be eight or more years, as it was from 1994 to 2002 or from 2002 to 2010.

We've gone from being a true minnow on the World Cup stage to being a pretty decent mid-pack side that can beat anyone on our day with a little luck, but given that you only get to play games every four years every single win is huge. Especially wins like that one, where we score late.

Even some of the draws and losses are memorable (1-1 down to nine men against Italy, 1-1 with England, losing 1-0 to Germany in the Q-finals).

Getting results in the World Cup is hard and all of them are celebrated.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

Played for the MetroStars and then retired.

His best years came after the Metrostars in KC where he helped them to the championship where he was voted the best keeper in the league.

Many years later he returned to the Red Bulls and then retired from outdoor soccer but played some indoor after that.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Common in college football.

It kinda is - The World Cup is the biggest stage. A stage where there are very few games. This game against Ghana is only the 30th World Cup game that the US has ever played. England, where the game was born, only has played 56 World Cup matches. Each and every game is a big deal in that fashion.

Ghana is a special case for a couple of reasons:

1) They eliminated us in 2 consecutive World Cups - for a team with little World Cup history like us this makes them a dreaded rival - nobody was happy to see us drawn into a group with Ghana for this reason. Beating them exorcises some demons.

2) The practical reality is that to advance to the knock out round (a rare achievement for the USA) we HAD to win this game. It's hard to see how we would advance without it.

In 1998 the US was already eliminated when we played Yugoslavia in our 3rd game. If that game had turned out similarly it would not have had the same excitement to it.

-QG

 

[TheIronSheik]

Common in college football.

Oh, yeah. No doubt. But it's still only a small part of the US that cares about Alabama-Auburn.

 

[NewlyRetired]

btw... I've said it for years- Thomas Muller is a diving, embellishing ####tard. Pepe had every right to get in his face after that bull#### "oh my nose" theatrics when Pepe barely grazed his chin. of course there's "getting in his face" and 'getting in his face'.

Now imagine it was Ronaldo....this thread would have been 10 pages longer all because of the "diving sissy boy" posts

too true.

that Muller nonsense is the worst. and it seems like what gets most of the non-fan's panties the most bunched.... and I can't disagree. "diving" is much more nebulous, IMO- there aren't that many obvious no-contact dives in games, but there are a lot of guys riding tackles and/or going down with minimal contact to draw the foul (don't basketball players and Wider Receivers do this too?).

and again IMO, Ronaldo dives less than he's given credit for. He's getting kicked from minute 0 to minute 93- sometimes to avoid getting kicked, he's going to go down in a way that looks like a dive.

I think I mentioned this before but I think what hurts the game is that these single decisions tend to swing the game towards one team. I don't have the stats but I'm pretty confident a red card or PK for one team typically gives them a much higher percentage to win the game. In most of the other sports that can only happen if it's one of the final plays of the games as there are typically so many plays/scoring plays that it's easier to overlook. I think they just need to do 2 things. 1. Implement replay/review on ALL pk and red card decisions and 2. Retroactively review tape and had out punishment for stuff like what Muller did. I think those two things would go a long way towards improving the perception of the sport for non-soccer fans and I think most of us who already are would not only live with the new rules but welcome them.

FIFA thought the spray paint was incredibly radical and were afraid to use it.

I can't even imagine how long it would take them to adopt your logical suggestions.

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

J

Many would agree with you.

It should be noted it is 3 refs, not 1. The two on the sidelines can call fouls, call for yellows and reds. The guy in the field has the final decision but almost always listens to the assistant refs.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

I asked my friend who has sons that are very competitive soccer players ages 15 and 13. He said refs have a tough time keeping up with the 16 year old kids. Can't imagine them keeping up with these elite athletes.

J

I thought the same thing, Joe. But someone with more knowledge of soccer than I have told me that adding more refs could actually make it worse. Kind of a "too many cooks" type scenario.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Common in college football.

I think a big part of this stuff is the patriotism / community element of it. Meaning, its not so much a "Soccer Fan" thing but a matter of the US team competing as an underdog in an international competition. Most of us follow professional soccer teams every year, but I've not seen one of these fan reaction compilations since the US beat Algeria 4 years ago. I don't think many fans would get "chills" from a crowd reaction video when their professional club plays, but it is different when its our motley crew of scrappy second-rate American players having success on the big stage.

 

[Norman Paperman]

More Shep:

Did you ever play in the World Cup?
I played on the U.S. team a bunch of times, but we never got close to the World Cup. It was the Stone Age for American soccer. I remember one time, I got a call on a Friday from the national-team coach, and he said, “If I give you gas money, can you get up to Hartford for Saturday night? We’re playing Italy.” We lost, 7-0. But we weren’t embarrassed. I thought I had a good game.

 

[El Floppo]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

 

[Joe Bryant]

Common in college football.

I'm not suggesting anything. I'm asking.

For Auburn Fan, is the miracle win over Alabama in 2013 on the same level for Soccer Fan as USA beating Ghana yesterday?

J

 

[NewlyRetired]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

My daughter mentioned something about a donkey today and it hit me

 

[NewlyRetired]

Common in college football.

The only significant club one I remember (and it was as focused on game as fans) was the awesome side by side video someone made of the last 5 minutes of the Man U Man City games when City won the league as late as one could.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Maybe the question is better phrased like this: Is Soccer Fan with USA beating Ghana yesterday on the same level as Auburn Fan beating Alabama in the 2013 Iron Bowl?

That's cool if it is. In fact I hope it is as it tells me things about this market.

Absolutely. In my entire life the US has played 23 matches at the World Cup (with at least two more to come this year) and we've won a grand total of five of them.

Colombia 2-1 (1994)

Portugal 3-2 (2002)

Mexico 2-0 (2002)

Algeria 1-0 (2010)

Ghana 2-1 (2014)

And who knows when the next one will be? Could easily be eight or more years, as it was from 1994 to 2002 or from 2002 to 2010.

We've gone from being a true minnow on the World Cup stage to being a pretty decent mid-pack side that can beat anyone on our day with a little luck, but given that you only get to play games every four years every single win is huge. Especially wins like that one, where we score late.

Even some of the draws and losses are memorable (1-1 down to nine men against Italy, 1-1 with England, losing 1-0 to Germany in the Q-finals).

Getting results in the World Cup is hard and all of them are celebrated.

Cool. Thanks. That makes sense then. I wouldn't have guessed it was - but that's why I asked. Thanks.

J

 

[CletiusMaximus]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

I tried to work with that one, but couldn't figure out how to crop the girl out of the picture, compromising the homoerotica effect.

 

[The Gator]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

My daughter mentioned something about a donkey today and it hit me

My first thought then...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/08/article-0-0C774D9700000578-113_468x450.jpg

 

[TheIronSheik]

Common in college football.

I think I misunderstood what you were asking. That's my fault.

 

[Eephus]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

My daughter mentioned something about a donkey today and it hit me

My first thought then...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/08/article-0-0C774D9700000578-113_468x450.jpg

Woy will woo the day he left him off the sqwad

 

[DiStefano]

btw... I've said it for years- Thomas Muller is a diving, embellishing ####tard. Pepe had every right to get in his face after that bull#### "oh my nose" theatrics when Pepe barely grazed his chin. of course there's "getting in his face" and 'getting in his face'.

Now imagine it was Ronaldo....this thread would have been 10 pages longer all because of the "diving sissy boy" posts

too true.

that Muller nonsense is the worst. and it seems like what gets most of the non-fan's panties the most bunched.... and I can't disagree. "diving" is much more nebulous, IMO- there aren't that many obvious no-contact dives in games, but there are a lot of guys riding tackles and/or going down with minimal contact to draw the foul (don't basketball players and Wider Receivers do this too?).

and again IMO, Ronaldo dives less than he's given credit for. He's getting kicked from minute 0 to minute 93- sometimes to avoid getting kicked, he's going to go down in a way that looks like a dive.

I think I mentioned this before but I think what hurts the game is that these single decisions tend to swing the game towards one team. I don't have the stats but I'm pretty confident a red card or PK for one team typically gives them a much higher percentage to win the game. In most of the other sports that can only happen if it's one of the final plays of the games as there are typically so many plays/scoring plays that it's easier to overlook. I think they just need to do 2 things. 1. Implement replay/review on ALL pk and red card decisions and 2. Retroactively review tape and had out punishment for stuff like what Muller did. I think those two things would go a long way towards improving the perception of the sport for non-soccer fans and I think most of us who already are would not only live with the new rules but welcome them.

FIFA thought the spray paint was incredibly radical and were afraid to use it.

I can't even imagine how long it would take them to adopt your logical suggestions.

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

J

Many would agree with you.

It should be noted it is 3 refs, not 1. The two on the sidelines can call fouls, call for yellows and reds. The guy in the field has the final decision but almost always listens to the assistant refs.

Yes, but...

Before he confirms a penalty or a red card, he should be made to consult with the assistants and make sure they both agree. It appears to me that the referee seldom does this. But because those two decisions are so crucial, and can be such game changers, it should be mandatory that it is a unanimous decision.

 

[El Floppo]

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

I asked my friend who has sons that are very competitive soccer players ages 15 and 13. He said refs have a tough time keeping up with the 16 year old kids. Can't imagine them keeping up with these elite athletes.

J

I thought the same thing, Joe. But someone with more knowledge of soccer than I have told me that adding more refs could actually make it worse. Kind of a "too many cooks" type scenario.

Yeah- agree with that.

But just like the pro athletes are there for a reason, so are the refs. These guys have to be very fit, have great peripheral vision and know the game at a professional level to differentiate dives vs flops vs embellishing vs etc.

The very reason that the game moves fast takes away the option of any kind of in-game replay, IMO. Or even allowing more than one guy to make the calls. There is a fourth official who mostly handles logistical things, but is sometimes used to take over games if the head ref gets hurt. Seems to me that they'll also send messages if they or the linesman has seen something off the ball.... but I'm not sure if the 4th official can do that or not.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Common in college football.

It does complicate with the national thing. I guess the Olympics is really all we have to compare to.

We're not looking at Seattle MLS fan vs Seahawks fan. There's the nationalistic angle.

And I didn't mean to offend anyone on the video thing. It just struck me as odd and remarkable. My friend is a huge Soccer Fan he'd just sent me a similar montage with fan reaction to Donovan's goal. Then I see this from last night and it seemed like, "Man, soccer fans sure like their fan reaction videos".

I do think it's pretty fascinating. Futbolguys.com will be fun.

J

 

[El Floppo]

Common in college football.

yeah- that's what I understood you asking, Joe.

I think we're getting there, but college football fans are bat-#### crazy and have built-in generations of bat-####-craziness to draw from.

 

[El Floppo]

Damn... Ham's loss puts ALL of this into perspective for me. I'm freaking heartbroken about it.

 

[ffldrew]

Common in college football.

Better 1,000,000 % better

 

[Eephus]

Common in college football.

I think the underdog aspect of US Soccer is important. Americans love the underdog but few of our national teams qualify as such. The upcoming FIBA world championships will be fun to watch but few people will be passionate fans of the latest dream team iteration.

 

[Celph Titled]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

 

[chet]

btw... I've said it for years- Thomas Muller is a diving, embellishing ####tard. Pepe had every right to get in his face after that bull#### "oh my nose" theatrics when Pepe barely grazed his chin. of course there's "getting in his face" and 'getting in his face'.

Now imagine it was Ronaldo....this thread would have been 10 pages longer all because of the "diving sissy boy" posts

too true.

that Muller nonsense is the worst. and it seems like what gets most of the non-fan's panties the most bunched.... and I can't disagree. "diving" is much more nebulous, IMO- there aren't that many obvious no-contact dives in games, but there are a lot of guys riding tackles and/or going down with minimal contact to draw the foul (don't basketball players and Wider Receivers do this too?).

and again IMO, Ronaldo dives less than he's given credit for. He's getting kicked from minute 0 to minute 93- sometimes to avoid getting kicked, he's going to go down in a way that looks like a dive.

I think I mentioned this before but I think what hurts the game is that these single decisions tend to swing the game towards one team. I don't have the stats but I'm pretty confident a red card or PK for one team typically gives them a much higher percentage to win the game. In most of the other sports that can only happen if it's one of the final plays of the games as there are typically so many plays/scoring plays that it's easier to overlook. I think they just need to do 2 things. 1. Implement replay/review on ALL pk and red card decisions and 2. Retroactively review tape and had out punishment for stuff like what Muller did. I think those two things would go a long way towards improving the perception of the sport for non-soccer fans and I think most of us who already are would not only live with the new rules but welcome them.

FIFA thought the spray paint was incredibly radical and were afraid to use it.

I can't even imagine how long it would take them to adopt your logical suggestions.

Again, total novice observation but watching the game I was at the power a red card has. I'd agree with anything that makes a little more oversight on the ref.

Not to mention my point yesterday about it appearing to me that the games are dramatically under officiated. The game is incredibly fast and one guy is supposed to keep up with most of it?

I asked my friend who has sons that are very competitive soccer players ages 15 and 13. He said refs have a tough time keeping up with the 16 year old kids. Can't imagine them keeping up with these elite athletes.

J

Pretty sure WC refs are better in every way than HS refs.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

If Joe starts futbolguys, I'm going to start Jesusguys.

 

[Norman Paperman]

Regarding the refs - UEFA is using an extra judge on the end lines to help officiate calls in the box.

I think the ideal scenario is for two refs on the field - each having to run roughly half the field. That would allow older officials to stay - and with age come experience.

 

[B Maverick]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

(but I agree with you!!)

 

[B-Deep]

Damn... Ham's loss puts ALL of this into perspective for me. I'm freaking heartbroken about it.

terrible, but it is ok to still be happy about other things

 

[chet]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

Didn't think any of you guys would want a link unless it included a half naked futbol guy.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think the underdog aspect of US Soccer is important. Americans love the underdog but few of our national teams qualify as such. The upcoming FIBA world championships will be fun to watch but few people will be passionate fans of the latest dream team iteration.

Yeah... maybe someday it won't be true anymore, but we're still the Little Engine that Could at this point.

It's also worth mentioning that Soccer is the one sport where we really are playing against the rest of the world, and not just a handful of teams like hockey, baseball or basketball.

 

[B-Deep]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

Didn't think any of you guys would want a link unless it included a half naked futbol guy.

her and Christiano Ronaldo would make beautiful soccer babies together

 

[El Floppo]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

My daughter mentioned something about a donkey today and it hit me

My first thought then...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/08/article-0-0C774D9700000578-113_468x450.jpg

oh.. I thought you were going here

 

[B Maverick]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

Didn't think any of you guys would want a link unless it included a half naked futbol guy.

well, a half naked futbol girl is better

 

[El Floppo]

Damn... Ham's loss puts ALL of this into perspective for me. I'm freaking heartbroken about it.

terrible, but it is ok to still be happy about other things

yeah... but ugh.

 

[B Maverick]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

Didn't think any of you guys would want a link unless it included a half naked futbol guy.

her and Christiano Ronaldo would make beautiful soccer babies together

so would she and i if as long as they got her looks....

fixed

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Alex Morgan is pretty.

Didn't think any of you guys would want a link unless it included a half naked futbol guy.

her and Christiano Ronaldo would make beautiful soccer babies together

so would she and if as long as they got her looks....

and her nationality ...

 

[B Maverick]

i cant type correctly today.

 

[Jaysus]

Hulk not starting today

 

[Time Kibitzer]

More Shep:

Did you ever play in the World Cup? I played on the U.S. team a bunch of times, but we never got close to the World Cup. It was the Stone Age for American soccer. I remember one time, I got a call on a Friday from the national-team coach, and he said, “If I give you gas money, can you get up to Hartford for Saturday night? We’re playing Italy.” We lost, 7-0. But we weren’t embarrassed. I thought I had a good game.

 

[El Floppo]

Hulk not starting today

I read that outloud in my head as if Hulk said it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is the Belgium win now 6 comeback wins?

 

[Steve Tasker]

After texting literally like 20 people to not give me spoilers, I managed to finally watch the game right now. Oh my god. I am so glad I didn't go to work today. Here's my commentary while it's all fresh in my head....I'm sure you guys all hashed all of this out already, but here's my quick takes.....

- I take back all of the things I said about how John Brooks shouldn't be in the final 23. All of them. ALL OF THEM.

- MOTM: Jermaine Jones. I know I perhaps overrate him compared to a lot of the other posters in the soccer thread, but he was the man. The US has no tougher player on the ball....how many fouls did he draw today? And he was all over the field for the full 90 minutes from an unfamiliar position. And perhaps most importantly, he kept his head about him. Love watching him play, as always.

- I feel like the US invited too much pressure, tactically/strategically. With Beckerman lying so deep and Jones being a more natural DM out on the flank, they just let Ghana have too much possession. Bradley's inefficiency at the top of the midfield diamond didn't help. Far too often they plopped the ball forward to Dempsey or Bacon and they had nowhere to go with it. Ghana weren't at their best, otherwise this could've been ugly.

- Bradley was off his game. Good to see the US managed a win without him at his best, but he'll need to be much better against Portugal/Germany. I don't think I've ever seen him lose possession so much in the midfield.

- I thought Beasley looked out of his depth early on, but he really got stronger as the game went on. A true professional. Same could be said for Kyle Beckerman, looked out of it early but the game came to him as it went on.

- Bacon was totally invisible. I'd like to see Wondo start if Jozy's out going forward. Like we discussed before the tournament, Jozy is the only US striker capable of playing that target holdup role that Klinsmann seems to like....not sure who can fill that in

- I was impressed with Bedoya today.

- Man, was that field #### or what? Tons of divots, DMB fell down like 3 times.

- I don't think I've ever seen the USMNT so gassed, collectively, as they looked today. Perhaps doesn't bode well for this weekend in Manaus.

- 3 points is 3 points. I don't love the performance, but I love the fight in the team. I just hope the injuries and heat don't catch up with them.

- My back hurts from leaning forward on my couch on the edge of the seat for the final 40 minutes or so.

 

[B Maverick]

Hulk not starting today

I read that outloud in my head as if Hulk said it.

did he turn into tim howard?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Updated :

Confederation Records So Far*: (W-D-L)

South America: 4-0-2

Africa: 1-1-3

UEFA: 3-0-3

Concacaf: 3-0-1

Asia: 0-1-2

*Europe vs Europe excluded

 

[TheIronSheik]

Hulk not starting today

I read that outloud in my head as if Hulk said it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

After texting literally like 20 people to not give me spoilers, I managed to finally watch the game right now. Oh my god. I am so glad I didn't go to work today. Here's my commentary while it's all fresh in my head....I'm sure you guys all hashed all of this out already, but here's my quick takes.....

Impressive keeping away from the score that long!

Assuming you don't want to fish through 500 posts I can tell you your thoughts are right in line with most others in the thread.

 

[El Floppo]

After texting literally like 20 people to not give me spoilers, I managed to finally watch the game right now. Oh my god. I am so glad I didn't go to work today. Here's my commentary while it's all fresh in my head....I'm sure you guys all hashed all of this out already, but here's my quick takes.....

- I take back all of the things I said about how John Brooks shouldn't be in the final 23. All of them. ALL OF THEM.

- MOTM: Jermaine Jones. I know I perhaps overrate him compared to a lot of the other posters in the soccer thread, but he was the man. The US has no tougher player on the ball....how many fouls did he draw today? And he was all over the field for the full 90 minutes from an unfamiliar position. And perhaps most importantly, he kept his head about him. Love watching him play, as always.

- I feel like the US invited too much pressure, tactically/strategically. With Beckerman lying so deep and Jones being a more natural DM out on the flank, they just let Ghana have too much possession. Bradley's inefficiency at the top of the midfield diamond didn't help. Far too often they plopped the ball forward to Dempsey or Bacon and they had nowhere to go with it. Ghana weren't at their best, otherwise this could've been ugly.

- Bradley was off his game. Good to see the US managed a win without him at his best, but he'll need to be much better against Portugal/Germany. I don't think I've ever seen him lose possession so much in the midfield.

- I thought Beasley looked out of his depth early on, but he really got stronger as the game went on. A true professional. Same could be said for Kyle Beckerman, looked out of it early but the game came to him as it went on.

- Bacon was totally invisible. I'd like to see Wondo start if Jozy's out going forward. Like we discussed before the tournament, Jozy is the only US striker capable of playing that target holdup role that Klinsmann seems to like....not sure who can fill that in

- I was impressed with Bedoya today.

- Man, was that field #### or what? Tons of divots, DMB fell down like 3 times.

- I don't think I've ever seen the USMNT so gassed, collectively, as they looked today. Perhaps doesn't bode well for this weekend in Manaus.

- 3 points is 3 points. I don't love the performance, but I love the fight in the team. I just hope the injuries and heat don't catch up with them.

- My back hurts from leaning forward on my couch on the edge of the seat for the final 40 minutes or so.

great stuff, Steve.

What did you like about Bedoya?

Totally agree with you about never seeing this team run out of gas collectively like that. Usually a US strength- sometimes the only strength- is their collective fitness. Best thing to hope for is that 10 man Portugal ran themselves into worse shape vs Germany and will struggle worse.

And you know I agree with you about Germany Jones. dfefinltely the MoM yesterday. His partnership with Beckerman has allowed his best qualities to shine (game tactician, fitness, solid passer and tackler, plugging defensvie holes). Hopefully Bradley will be able to push a little higher v Portugal and allow more linkup play with the forwards and overlapping wide players. Bradley was just off- played the ball too quickly too often, not to mention losing the ball too easily off the dribble and pass.