06-16-2006, 05:44 PM
Sorry Evan...I didn't mean to sword fight you! We all know you don't have a big sword, but you know how to use it.
You all want a real discussion on some World Cup action?
Tomorrow we (the USA) plays Italy. This game is a must win...a tie is not going to get out us of the first round.
We all know how bad we got our asses kicked in the first game. Gave up a goal in the 5th minute and were more than lackluster on offense ourselves. Shit like that cannot happen again.
We've already got a big advantage over our previous game with the Czechs and that is because of the location of this upcoming game. We'll be playing in Ktown and if the men and women stationed nearby come out in full force like they did in our qualifier against Poland we'll have the crowd on our side...homefield advantage is crucial.
We started mostly European based pros in our game against the Czechs which isn't a bad thing but I'd prefer to see McBride take a seat (he is still an exceptional goal scorer but is past his prime, in my opinion) for Johnson. I'd love to see Clint Dempsey worked into this game...He is young and talented and is not afraid to run at the defense.
More creative play in the midfield may be a key to taking the game away from the Italians. Reyna, Donovan, Beasley and Dempsey are more than a match for the Italian mid if they get a chance to play their game.
Sadly though, we're not likely to win. The USA has never won a World Cup game in Europe and the Italians are not the choke artists I pretend they are (anyone know about them and N Korea?). But...with the stadium on our side (pop quiz..of the teams that have won a World Cup, how many have NOT won a single one as the host country?*) and an injection of younger, I'd say hungrier, players who make their money in MLS we might make it a good game.
-T
*answer = just Brazil. 5 cup wins...runner up to Uruguay as hosts in 1950.
You all want a real discussion on some World Cup action?
Tomorrow we (the USA) plays Italy. This game is a must win...a tie is not going to get out us of the first round.
We all know how bad we got our asses kicked in the first game. Gave up a goal in the 5th minute and were more than lackluster on offense ourselves. Shit like that cannot happen again.
We've already got a big advantage over our previous game with the Czechs and that is because of the location of this upcoming game. We'll be playing in Ktown and if the men and women stationed nearby come out in full force like they did in our qualifier against Poland we'll have the crowd on our side...homefield advantage is crucial.
We started mostly European based pros in our game against the Czechs which isn't a bad thing but I'd prefer to see McBride take a seat (he is still an exceptional goal scorer but is past his prime, in my opinion) for Johnson. I'd love to see Clint Dempsey worked into this game...He is young and talented and is not afraid to run at the defense.
More creative play in the midfield may be a key to taking the game away from the Italians. Reyna, Donovan, Beasley and Dempsey are more than a match for the Italian mid if they get a chance to play their game.
Sadly though, we're not likely to win. The USA has never won a World Cup game in Europe and the Italians are not the choke artists I pretend they are (anyone know about them and N Korea?). But...with the stadium on our side (pop quiz..of the teams that have won a World Cup, how many have NOT won a single one as the host country?*) and an injection of younger, I'd say hungrier, players who make their money in MLS we might make it a good game.
-T
*answer = just Brazil. 5 cup wins...runner up to Uruguay as hosts in 1950.
MIHS - hot cause we fly you ain't so you not
2004 Subaru WRX STi
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
2004 Subaru WRX STi
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass