***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Slapdash]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

 

[Christo]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

 

[Eephus]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

Ricardo Clark is asking for Ballack's phone number

 

[Slapdash]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

I'm not blaming Bradley, dumb***

 

[sporthenry]

If Bradley gets little blame for that, then midfielders/forwards are never to blame for goals apparently. On any goal, there is almost a breakdown by multiple people. But a give away in the middle of the field which starts a counter certainly puts some of the blame on Bradley. As much as he is getting from the US media, no, but he isn't blameless in this either. You have to get that ball deep. Worst case you just dump it in the corner.

 

[jonessed]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

There are plenty of articles with different views on both his missed shot and the last goal. It's all over the place. Not everybody agrees. That's OK. Let it go already.

 

[Stinger Ray]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

Quit being such an ###

 

[The Gator]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack has a lot to learn from JoeT

 

[Christo]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

I'm not blaming Bradley, dumb***

Oh, no. But it was a bad giveaway.

 

[[icon]]

http://i.imgur.com/smFlO6m.jpg

PRETTY SWEET CHART SHOWING POTENTIAL OUTCOMES FOR GROUP G

 

[NewlyRetired]

Updated

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

South America: 10-1-3 (2.2)

Africa: 3-2-6 (1.0)

UEFA: 7-4-8 (1.3)

Concacaf: 5-2-2 (1.9)

Asia: 0-3-6 (0.3)

=========================

Of Africa's 3 wins, 2 came against Asia.

While that's true about Africa, when the politics of allotment come up if they get 3 teams through that's all that folks we'll talk about.Believe me the results of this year will be enough to keep us at 3.5. They are not gonna grab spots from Asia. I don't see it.

-QG

I agree with you about Africa.One really cool thing about Concacaf is not just the record, but the quality of the teams it is playing. Outside of Cameroon, every team Concacaf has played had a good chance to advance coming into the world cup and it will have played 3 teams (Germany, Brazil and France) that have a legit shot at semi finals or better.

To get the record they have against the opposition quality has to have been one of the least expected stories going into the WC.

*Costa Rica was going to be cannon fodder and they advanced with relative ease after two games in one of the two hardest groups

*Mexico was a mess coming into the WC and they pulled 7 points in the three games

*US was an outsider in its group and yet still controls its own destiny with a game to go in the other of the two most difficult groups.

 

[Christo]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

There are plenty of articles with different views on both his missed shot and the last goal. It's all over the place. Not everybody agrees. That's OK. Let it go already.

Oh, plenty of articles. Well, then.

 

[Christo]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

Quit being such an ###

No

 

[NewlyRetired]

http://i.imgur.com/smFlO6m.jpg

PRETTY SWEET CHART SHOWING POTENTIAL OUTCOMES FOR GROUP G

I hope Portugal does not look at that, yikes :( That chart really visually shows how little chance the US has if it loses and Ghana wins.

It is interesting that the "draw lots" scenarios between US and Portugal are not that outrageous to happen (US lose by 2/Portugal win by 3 or vice versa).

That chart also shows just how scary the last few minutes are going to be if the US is losing by 1. A late goal in either game could change things dramatically.

 

[Celph Titled]

I'm all for the drawing of lots. Sounds Biblical.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I'm all for the drawing of lots. Sounds Biblical.

Imagine the hot takes if it comes down to that? Lol.

 

[Celph Titled]

I'm all for the drawing of lots. Sounds Biblical.

Imagine the hot takes if it comes down to that? Lol.

The internet will simply melt.

 

[Spartans Rule]

One really cool thing about Concacaf is not just the record, but the quality of the teams it is playing. Outside of Cameroon, every team Concacaf has played had a good chance to advance coming into the world cup and it will have played 3 teams (Germany, Brazil and France) that have a legit shot at semi finals or better.

Is there any way our success could lead to us to not being thrown in a pot with the god-awful Asian contingent in the future? That's the biggest reason we've had to face such quality opposition.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'm all for the drawing of lots. Sounds Biblical.

Imagine the hot takes if it comes down to that? Lol.

The internet will simply melt.

I for one will welcome our new trolling overlords.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

One really cool thing about Concacaf is not just the record, but the quality of the teams it is playing. Outside of Cameroon, every team Concacaf has played had a good chance to advance coming into the world cup and it will have played 3 teams (Germany, Brazil and France) that have a legit shot at semi finals or better.

Is there any way our success could lead to us to not being thrown in a pot with the god-awful Asian contingent in the future? That's the biggest reason we've had to face such quality opposition.

If most soccer federations think that CONCACAF is better than Asia/Africa it'd be in their interest to see us swap places with Africa in pot four. No one wants a tougher "bad" pot than necessary.

 

[bagger]

The whole strategy of both the us and Germany getting a tie means advancing is pretty fascinating from a game theory standpoint as to how they play on Thursday.

No incentive to ever be aggressive for either team as if you don't score you open yourself to the counter attack.

I think historical shame/moral reasons play a big part on Germany's side, IMO.

yeah and plus they are way better than us and probably aren't too concerned about playing aggressive and still getting a tie.With that said if tied late when do you shut it down and go turtle?

 

[Moe.]

Is it Thursday yet?

 

[El Floppo]

That back heel goal from Spain was sick

You mean- from MLS's NYCFC forward, David Villa?

Yeah- pretty nice.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The whole strategy of both the us and Germany getting a tie means advancing is pretty fascinating from a game theory standpoint as to how they play on Thursday.

No incentive to ever be aggressive for either team as if you don't score you open yourself to the counter attack.

I think historical shame/moral reasons play a big part on Germany's side, IMO.

yeah and plus they are way better than us and probably aren't too concerned about playing aggressive and still getting a tie.With that said if tied late when do you shut it down and go turtle?

#### yes. If the game is level after ~70 minutes in the searing heat you are going to see the least competative game of keep away ever from both sides. My guess though is that the US will be chasing the game so that won't happen.

 

[Slapdash]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

I'm not blaming Bradley, dumb***

Oh, no. But it was a bad giveaway.

I'm sorry that two sentences is a little too complex for you

 

[got_nugs]

PRETTY SWEET CHART SHOWING POTENTIAL OUTCOMES FOR GROUP G

grassyass for posting

 

[Christo]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

I'm not blaming Bradley, dumb***

Oh, no. But it was a bad giveaway.

I'm sorry that two sentences is a little too complex for you

But it was a bad giveaway.

 

[Rove!]

PRETTY SWEET CHART SHOWING POTENTIAL OUTCOMES FOR GROUP G

grassyass for posting

Germany looks like pretty much a lock either way

maybe they won't be as intense...

 

[The Gator]

Watching some of the games finally....besides the odd powerful long shot, Hulk seems pretty overrated

 

[Slapdash]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

I'm not blaming Bradley, dumb***

Oh, no. But it was a bad giveaway.

I'm sorry that two sentences is a little too complex for you

But it was a bad giveaway.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Jesus christ, where was this Mexico team during all of CONCACAF qualifying??

 

[jonessed]

Watching some of the games finally....besides the odd powerful long shot, Hulk seems pretty overrated

His stock was high when he went to Russia. It has dropped consistently since then.

 

[NewlyRetired]

No matter what happens in the upcoming games, the US is already certain to finish ahead of England, Australia, Spain, Cameroon, Bosnia, Honduras, and Croatia.

 

[Premier]

No matter what happens in the upcoming games, the US is already certain to finish ahead of England, Australia, Spain, Cameroon, Bosnia, Honduras, and Croatia.

Aim higher.

 

[Fariq]

Five minute video session with Lalas and Ballack breaking down goal that tied Portugal/US match. Ballack was asked how much blame Bradley bore for tying goal. His response was "very little if any." Went screen by screen calling out several of the 6 guys back for ball watching, not properly marking strikers, and communicating poorly who went where. 4 of them float towards Ronaldo/close post. He said at least two of them should have been talking, looking toward back post, and identifying streaking strikers.

Ballack nailed it on that segment.

Midfielders gotta stick together

Still a bad giveaway, but you can't have two center backs ball watching in the middle (with three CBs on the pitch). It is pretty frustrating since that trait killed the US in the last WC.

So now we have one of the best midfielders in the past 10 years saying there's little blame for Bradley and you still won't accept it.

Eephus is a horrible man.

 

[Fariq]

Watching some of the games finally....besides the odd powerful long shot, Hulk seems pretty overrated

I agree. I have been saying for years that Thor is better.

 

[Guest]

I'm one of those people that only pay attention every 4 years. I have to admit the advance or not scenarios add a very interesting level of intrigue not seen in other sports.

Watched most of the game yesterday, and will watch at work on Thursday.

 

[gianmarco]

Email sent to my wife's work address:

[SIZE=11pt]To XXXXXXXX[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]I have heard from our staff that there is a very heavy load of internet traffic today. It appears that there are many staff watching the World Cup on internet TV. Please try to limit your internet usage for business purposes only. This traffic is impacting internet speeds that are slowing down our systems.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.[/SIZE]

 

[Guest]

Email sent to my wife's work address:

[SIZE=11pt]To XXXXXXXX[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]I have heard from our staff that there is a very heavy load of internet traffic today. It appears that there are many staff watching the World Cup on internet TV. Please try to limit your internet usage for business purposes only. This traffic is impacting internet speeds that are slowing down our systems.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.[/SIZE]

Haha. We have to send out about the same email for the first couple days of March Madness.

 

[NewlyRetired]

:(

6 teams have played in Manaus.

4 of those teams, England, Italy, Croatia and Cameroon all lost their next game.

The other two teams still to play are the US and Portugal.

Yikes that is awful.

I wonder if we could see a lot more changes in the US lineup than one normally would in this situation? The mix of the short turn around, long travel and possible extreme heat in the next game could make the lineup decisions very tricky.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I'm one of those people that only pay attention every 4 years. I have to admit the advance or not scenarios add a very interesting level of intrigue not seen in other sports.

the only thing comparable are the playoff possibilities in the NFL come the last week or two. That also is affected by some teams sitting important players possibly affecting the out comes of games.

 

[Premier]

Those people apparently are unfamiliar with smartphones.

Watching it on your work computer = n00b move

 

[NewlyRetired]

No matter what happens in the upcoming games, the US is already certain to finish ahead of England, Australia, Spain, Cameroon, Bosnia, Honduras, and Croatia.

Aim higher.

sadly I was too optimistic when doing the list

While Honduras can not beat us on points, they still have a low % chance of getting through with 3 points.

 

[The Gator]

:(

6 teams have played in Manaus.

4 of those teams, England, Italy, Croatia and Cameroon all lost their next game.

The other two teams still to play are the US and Portugal.

Yikes that is awful.

I wonder if we could see a lot more changes in the US lineup than one normally would in this situation? The mix of the short turn around, long travel and possible extreme heat in the next game could make the lineup decisions very tricky.

It'll be tough, but our wide MF haven't played max minutes, so that's a plus.

Zusi 113 minutes

Bedoya 149

I really don't want to see Yedlin or Chandler start. DMB and Fab can conserve their energy and focus on defending more with fewer forward runs. Let Zusi/Bedoya supply the width imo

 

[Evilgrin 72]

At the final whistle, I cut a brisket fart that went for 5-6 seconds solid. Just thought you guys would like to know.

Also, I'm ripped on 8 Guinness and a fifth of Fernet Branca. I will change the recipe on Thursday.

I feel for you, EG. I had chili dog farts last night after the game that had my wife asking for an exorcism.

Where the hell has she been, doesn't post here any more?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

At the final whistle, I cut a brisket fart that went for 5-6 seconds solid. Just thought you guys would like to know.

Also, I'm ripped on 8 Guinness and a fifth of Fernet Branca. I will change the recipe on Thursday.

I feel for you, EG. I had chili dog farts last night after the game that had my wife asking for an exorcism.

GF in email to me today:

"I checked on you often but I couldn't go to bed with you flopping and making so many smells. =/"

We're just delightful.

 

[Guest]

Those people apparently are unfamiliar with smartphones.

Watching it on your work computer = n00b move

Really? Watching on a smartphone is better than watching on a 22" screen with a 30 Mbps connection? I will have to try that.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Those people apparently are unfamiliar with smartphones.

Watching it on your work computer = n00b move

You can't watch the round 3 simultaneous game split screen on a smartphone

 

[Premier]

Those people apparently are unfamiliar with smartphones.

Watching it on your work computer = n00b move

Really? Watching on a smartphone is better than watching on a 22" screen with a 30 Mbps connection? I will have to try that.

Yea if your boss is emailing you about it.

 

[Guest]

Those people apparently are unfamiliar with smartphones.

Watching it on your work computer = n00b move

Really? Watching on a smartphone is better than watching on a 22" screen with a 30 Mbps connection? I will have to try that.

Yea if your boss is emailing you about it.

You're right. One of the times being the IT guy has it's benefits.

ETA: And working in small-town northeast Nebraska, I will be surprised if more than 1 person (me) is watching. Much different for March Madness.