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

[El Floppo]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

really? interesting

I don't know about Howard- relative to the rest of the world at his position- but he's been the best player playing in a USMNT shirt for a long while now.

 

[Joe T]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

Who can blame them? Dude was a walking turnover. They didn't need to do anything to get the ball. He kicks it right to them.

He had to have had money on the game on the Portuguese.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

I also think he is the best field player for the US . It has been that way for 3 years now.

Unfortunately too many people only judge players playing over a couple of games once every four years instead of the constant play year in and year out.

I feel bad for Bradley. Landon went through this in 2006 after having a bad world cup and it took a couple of years for that stain to go away.

 

[El Floppo]

@KurtLarSUN: Klinsmann asked about collusion with GER: "The US is known to give all they have in every single game, otherwise Mexico wouldn't be here."

Well put, JK

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

Who can blame them? Dude was a walking turnover. They didn't need to do anything to get the ball. He kicks it right to them.

He had to have had money on the game on the Portuguese.

I don't think you really watched that play.

"kicks it right to them"? no that's not at all what happened.

 

[NutterButter]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

Hopefully he starts playing like it

 

[Worm]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

From a non expert POV, Dempsey has been the best player we have.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

really? interesting

Bradley is as every bit important to the US as these 2 guys. I would probably agree that due to position and his importance of helping control the pace of the game and not only create chance on offence but defend the middle of the field he is probably more important.

 

[El Floppo]

Landon Donovan looks like he's filming a hostage video.

-QG

Post of the year?

thanks for bumping that- I'm not going back and reading the ingame posts... ####### hilarious.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Just got back and I'm on the iPad so I apologize for my grammar.

I spent the entire last 30 minutes at the bar pacing and praying. I couldn't sit down.

What a game. I'm not gonna bag on Bradley or Cameron for poor plays here or there. #### it. The USMNT just went out there and matched Portugal. They played better than they did against Ghana. It's disappointing to not get the three points, but such is life. What a fantastic ball from Ronaldo.

We should all be proud about this result today. Even if it doesn't pan out on Thursday. If you would've told anyone in the soccer thread when the groups were announced that the US would be on 4 points through 2 games we'd have been ecstatic. Straight up. 4 points in arguably the group of death is an admirable result regardless. I see a lot of negativity in here and on twitter. #### that ####.

We control our destiny on Thursday. Let's focus on that.

I've been drinking.

 

[El Floppo]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

Hopefully he starts playing like it

Not too late yet. But I'd second wanting him to step up his game the way Jones has.

 

[Joe T]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

Who can blame them? Dude was a walking turnover. They didn't need to do anything to get the ball. He kicks it right to them.

He had to have had money on the game on the Portuguese.

I don't think you really watched that play.

"kicks it right to them"? no that's not at all what happened.

It happened.Ö

 

[culdeus]

did we at least get caps of wonder woman? i need some fapp material

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh and I also want to give credit to Cam. Of all the players in the back he was the last player I expected to have such a bad flub, but he played very well for the rest of the game.

While this game was gutting for many of us, I can also recognize that it was one of their better performances over the years.

I wanted to be mathematically alive in game 3. We have that now and have a reasonable chance to advance a couple of different ways. The pessimist in me says we won't advance but as long as we play well against Germany, there is no way I can be down on this team.

This group is incredibly hard and well worth its nickname.

 

[The Gator]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

 

[Christo]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

He may be more important overall. I don't think we'd lose all that much with Guzan in the net. But Dempsey's ball handling is better than anyone's--including Bradley.

 

[TenTimes]

I think even if the bottom drops out Thursday the team has shown it's really good. The way this is being set up I think we will find this kind of play will be the expectation and not the anomaly.

as a know nothing non-soccer fan it still feels like US is overachieving, but I probably put too much stock in betting lines and the FIFA rankings, (which at this point make FIFA look like they need a new system).

I don't know players on every single team, but I see a well-organized, disciplined program that doesn't panic. There are some very good young players in place too. It's fun to watch it grow.

I guess the soccer nerds going at it after a draw sitting in 2nd in the GROUP OF DEATH is a very good sign. Expectations are growing by the game at this point and when USA starts to expect something...

well there's a reason this is the greatest country on the planet.

 

[El Floppo]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

Who can blame them? Dude was a walking turnover. They didn't need to do anything to get the ball. He kicks it right to them.

He had to have had money on the game on the Portuguese.

I don't think you really watched that play.

"kicks it right to them"? no that's not at all what happened.

psst... rude... it could be- dunno- that he's fishing. possibly maybe.

 

[NutterButter]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

Kick it into the stands for all I care. Just don't turn it over.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

it's funny how turning a ball over at midfield makes someone the goat when Portugal went on to score in a 5-on-9 counter attack. Bradley was lazy but everybody else was working hard?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

really? interesting

Yep. I've felt that way going back to close to the 2010 cup. Everything the team does goes through Bradley. Dempsey is a fine player but temperamental and doesn't have the team backbone that Bradley provides. It's hard to gauge howard as he plays a different position.Bottom line, if you ask me who the best player on the USMNT is, I'm saying Bradley...without question.

 

[joffer]

I don't think Bradley played a good game. He was better than against Ghana, but his good game was mostly just occasional spurts of good play. He was not aggressive enough pressuring the ball - yes I know it was 178% humidity, but guys like Jones and Johnson found an extra gear when they needed it.

The missed goal opportunity happens, I won't really knock him for that. But the last play was really bad, given the circumstances and stakes. It still took a great cross from CR7, but you just can't be that careless with the ball, and nonchalant afterwards. Also, who was marking the. Portugal forward who hit the header? Have to dig deep in that spot and beat your man to the ball that you know is coming.

This

 

[jonessed]

Are people seriously finding fault with Howard or Bradley here?

wtf.

many people who like to stare at their TV and criticize while not being able to do 10% of the physical stuff these guys do have laid blame, yes. Maroons

Oh ####### stop. Because we can't do what they do we can't critique? Please. That's the dumbest thing I've read today. Better call all reporters everywhere and give them the memo. Being a fan does not mean you cannot critique poor play when it happens.

But it sounds idiotic if it's just ONE poor play-even if it lead to the goal.

Bradley played a decent game- not his best, but decent, and ran himself literally into the ground.

He had a poor game where he missed an open net and flubbed the turnover in the last 30 seconds.If the rest of the team had played worse he and Cameron may not have stood out, but that didn't happen.

show me the video where he missed an open net please. knocked it clear over the bar, did he? or sailed wide?

Go back and read his posts for the last six hours. One long string of blinkered criticism -- from before the game on.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Updated :

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

South America: 9-1-2 (2.3)
Africa: 3-2-5 (1.1)
UEFA: 5-4-7 (1.2)
Concacaf: 4-2-2 (1.8)
Asia: 0-3-5 (0.4)

*Europe vs Europe excluded

 

[El Floppo]

I think even if the bottom drops out Thursday the team has shown it's really good. The way this is being set up I think we will find this kind of play will be the expectation and not the anomaly.

as a know nothing non-soccer fan it still feels like US is overachieving, but I probably put too much stock in betting lines and the FIFA rankings, (which at this point make FIFA look like they need a new system).

I don't know players on every single team, but I see a well-organized, disciplined program that doesn't panic. There are some very good young players in place too. It's fun to watch it grow.

I guess the soccer nerds going at it after a draw sitting in 2nd in the GROUP OF DEATH is a very good sign. Expectations are growing by the game at this point and when USA starts to expect something...

well there's a reason this is the greatest country on the planet.

fwiw- the FFA soccer regulars are all saying the same thing and not really going at it.

but you are spot on with the second part... it's amazing that so many people are this into it to be angry about this player or that. Love it. oh wait... what was the reason for the greatest country part again?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Oh yeah, and Jones is yet again cementing his role as my favorite USMNT player. I ####### LOVE THAT GUY.

 

[Joe T]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

it's funny how turning a ball over at midfield makes someone the goat when Portugal went on to score in a 5-on-9 counter attack. Bradley was lazy but everybody else was working hard?

If he didn't miss an open netter 10 minutes before that you would have a point. The guy was Tony Romo.

 

[General Malaise]

Are people seriously finding fault with Howard or Bradley here?

wtf.

many people who like to stare at their TV and criticize while not being able to do 10% of the physical stuff these guys do have laid blame, yes. Maroons

hell of a sentence . Tell all the FF staff guys here at FBG the same

Soccer knowledge aside, this has never been a valid criticism.

I haven't said a thing about talent, soccer analysis, or anything but "Oh my!" and "Wow!"

But watching sports and critiquing athletes who can do things most can never dream of is a valid exercise. That's just tough nookies.

I don't see the validity in making a goat out of a couple of players who didn't have bad games. Bradley's mistake didn't score the goal. It didn't help the US any, but it took a bunch of guys for that to happen. And without Bradley's play the rest of the game... since we're throwing random pointless blame... I'm sure Portugal would have scored at least another couple goals. Why not.

I'm limiting my comment to the generalized statement that if your athleticism isn't up to the participants, you can't understand or critique. I have no problem with your analysis, Gator's analysis, others' analysis, and won't analyze soccer amongst those who know it a lot better than I do.

I probably overreacted to GM in regards to laying the blame(don't think it was him who said it). It's more of an understanding of what these guys go through. To criticize bradley for being lazy(which GM didn't do) or Howard for having a bad game is silly imo.

I am just an emotional degenerate gambler who had US at juicy odds. But a tie works as a fan. Bradley is a hell of a player but his play at times frustrates me. I also think it is okay to critique AND praise. That's being a fan. And no I'm certainly not a sophisticated soccer fan, but I played it most of my life, have coached it since 2009 and will be going through a 3 day course this summer to get my E License.

Let's beat Germany.

 

[Short Corner]

76% on 538 seems a little generous IMO

It is.

For Ghana and Portugal.

I disagree. I think Germany beats us handily.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

it's funny how turning a ball over at midfield makes someone the goat when Portugal went on to score in a 5-on-9 counter attack. Bradley was lazy but everybody else was working hard?

If he didn't miss an open netter 10 minutes before that you would have a point. The guy was Tony Romo.

Glad you joined us Joe! I think you'll find soccer is a great game.

This should help you get started as a fan.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

From a non expert POV, Dempsey has been the best player we have.

I am admittedly biased toward center midfielders, because that's the position I've played all my life.

 

[jonessed]

Bradley got the pub unfortunately coming in as the best player on the US. Everyone can see he hasn't been that. No different than a star QB or RB who disappears in the spotlight.

link to anyone saying he's better than Dempsey or Howard?

IMO he's better than both Dempsey and Howard.

From a non expert POV, Dempsey has been the best player we have.

Dempsey had a great game considering he's not someone that generally leads the line well.Outside of Cameron and Bradley I think everyone was pretty damn good.

 

[Joe T]

Tony Romo's thoughts on Bradley.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/129/files/2014/06/tony-romo-nfl-dallas-cowboys-washington-redskins2.jpg

 

[General Malaise]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

Kick it into the stands for all I care. Just don't turn it over.

DO YOU WATCH MORE THAN 3 SOCCER GAMES A YEAR?!?

 

[gianmarco]

I don't think I've ever come out of a couple games the US has played like the last 2 and thought to myself that they finally belonged. While they aren't at the caliber of a Germany or Brazil, they seem to have taken that next step. They don't look lucky anymore. They don't look outclassed or outmatched anymore. They have their moments of inconsistency and they don't have that world-class player like CR7 or Messi, but I don't think I'd rule them out beating any team on any given day at this point.

Again, let's remember:

1) They are in the supposed Group of Death

2) They were 30 seconds from advancing from that group before Germany did

3) They got a win against Ghana, the team with obvious history against us and a very good team

4) They outplayed #4 ranked Portugal for the majority of the game today. If not for the early miscue and the late goal, they would have won and completely earned the win

5) They played in conditions that caused Italy and England to completely wilt

6) We lose our top striker early in our first game and still managed these results

7) Through 32 matches, we own arguably the Goal of the Tournament thus far.

We have so much to be incredibly positive about.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Tony Romo's thoughts on Bradley.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/129/files/2014/06/tony-romo-nfl-dallas-cowboys-washington-redskins2.jpg

Help me out here...were you always this terrible?

 

[Spartans Rule]

Part of the problem for Bradley is that he has to be the playmaker for us, and that's not his ideal role. We don't have a really technical playmaker yet (enjoying your vacation, Rossi?), and that's one of our biggest weaknesses.

 

[Joe T]

Glad you joined us Joe! I think you'll find soccer is a great game.

This should help you get started as a fan.

Thanks GB.

 

[The Gator]

Tony Romo's thoughts on Bradley.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/129/files/2014/06/tony-romo-nfl-dallas-cowboys-washington-redskins2.jpg

Help me out here...were you always this terrible?

Joe T's thoughts on anything

 

[NutterButter]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

Kick it into the stands for all I care. Just don't turn it over.

DO YOU WATCH MORE THAN 3 SOCCER GAMES A YEAR?!?

Only 2 this year actually. My 3rd will be next thursday. Is there a non-elitist world cup soccer thread that I can participate in?

 

[timschochet]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

Who can blame them? Dude was a walking turnover. They didn't need to do anything to get the ball. He kicks it right to them.

He had to have had money on the game on the Portuguese.

I don't think you really watched that play.

"kicks it right to them"? no that's not at all what happened.

psst... rude... it could be- dunno- that he's fishing. possibly maybe.

Doubt it. Joe T's sports knowledge is right up there with his political expertise and vaccine advice.

 

[General Malaise]

Are people seriously finding fault with Howard or Bradley here?

wtf.

many people who like to stare at their TV and criticize while not being able to do 10% of the physical stuff these guys do have laid blame, yes. Maroons

Oh ####### stop. Because we can't do what they do we can't critique? Please. That's the dumbest thing I've read today. Better call all reporters everywhere and give them the memo. Being a fan does not mean you cannot critique poor play when it happens.

But it sounds idiotic if it's just ONE poor play-even if it lead to the goal.

Bradley played a decent game- not his best, but decent, and ran himself literally into the ground.

He had a poor game where he missed an open net and flubbed the turnover in the last 30 seconds.If the rest of the team had played worse he and Cameron may not have stood out, but that didn't happen.

show me the video where he missed an open net please. knocked it clear over the bar, did he? or sailed wide?

Go back and read his posts for the last six hours. One long string of blinkered criticism -- from before the game on.

First time we've ever been on the same side....

 

[Steve Tasker]

76% on 538 seems a little generous IMO

It is.

For Ghana and Portugal.

I disagree. I think Germany beats us handily.

Says the guy from Munich

 

[Premier]

76% on 538 seems a little generous IMO

It is.

For Ghana and Portugal.

I disagree. I think Germany beats us handily.

It's cool to be wrong.

 

[Joe T]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

Kick it into the stands for all I care. Just don't turn it over.

DO YOU WATCH MORE THAN 3 SOCCER GAMES A YEAR?!?

Only 2 this year actually. My 3rd will be next thursday. Is there a non-elitist world cup soccer thread that I can participate in?

in.

 

[jonessed]

half of Portugal's players were just walking at the end, thinking the game was over when Bradley got that ball.

you mean Bradley didn't control that ball perfectly while surrounded by 5 Portuguese players? Where was his help? Who was he supposed to pass to?

Kick it into the stands for all I care. Just don't turn it over.

DO YOU WATCH MORE THAN 3 SOCCER GAMES A YEAR?!?

Only 2 this year actually. My 3rd will be next thursday. Is there a non-elitist world cup soccer thread that I can participate in?

There are only a couple of people being jackasses about this.

You are more than welcome to stay here. We all have to start somewhere.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Part of the problem for Bradley is that he has to be the playmaker for us, and that's not his ideal role. We don't have a really technical playmaker yet (enjoying your vacation, Rossi?), and that's one of our biggest weaknesses.

The killer is that having Beckerman and Jones behind him and the crafty Dempsey linking him with a true target forward was just about his ideal position. Could get forward, but wasn't entirely responsible for central playmaking. Then Jozy went down.

JK deserves a ton of credit here too IMO. He's gotten pretty much the most you could get out of these guys. Especially the formation and using Fab as a weapon going forward. Ronaldo never tracked him and we had almost all of our success down that right side.

 

[The Gator]

I am just an emotional degenerate gambler who had US at juicy odds. But a tie works as a fan. Bradley is a hell of a player but his play at times frustrates me. I also think it is okay to critique AND praise. That's being a fan. And no I'm certainly not a sophisticated soccer fan, but I played it most of my life, have coached it since 2009 and will be going through a 3 day course this summer to get my E License.

Let's beat Germany.

I agree, and I admit I was wrong and overreacted.

USA 2

Germany 1

 

[General Malaise]

I am just an emotional degenerate gambler who had US at juicy odds. But a tie works as a fan. Bradley is a hell of a player but his play at times frustrates me. I also think it is okay to critique AND praise. That's being a fan. And no I'm certainly not a sophisticated soccer fan, but I played it most of my life, have coached it since 2009 and will be going through a 3 day course this summer to get my E License.

Let's beat Germany.

I agree, and I admit I was wrong and overreacted.USA 2

Germany 1

Let's do this.

 

[timschochet]

Soccer fans: tell us about Germany. Obviously they're a very highly ranked team, with lots of experience, right? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do we match up against them? What realistic chances do we have for a win or at least a draw?