usvi-on-line
2010 World Cup
That was a winnable game for the US. That said, you cannot always chase the game, expending huge amounts of physical and emotional energy to catch up – that’s too difficult to do game after game.
Some bad tactical decisions by the coach hurt. He was having pretty good tournament up until this last game. Robbie Findley is not ready yet – killer speed is great but you need finishing skills to go with it. And why doesn’t Feilhaber start is a good question. As good as Jozy Altidore was against Algeria, he was a step slow to crosses from the first few minutes of the game onward. Bad give away by Clark (who shouldn’t have started) in midfield, then Tim Howard was slow to step to the near post on the first goal.
I hate it that I happened to be quite prophetic here when I said they wouldn’t be able to “out physical” Ghana, cuz that’s exactly how their winning goal was scored – he outmuscled Bocanegra for the ball.
Somehow Germany was underestimated coming in, mostly because they lost their captain to injury a month ago. For me, they look like the team to beat.
Re Germany v. England, this amusing bit form a NYT article entitled England vs. Germany: Everyone Mentions War: “Seen through the prism of soccer, the striking thing is how time has worked its catharsis. If both countries savor victory, and fear defeat, in ways that are more acute than in other soccer rivalries, they do so now, mostly, with a wry sense of humor that tells its own story about the power of sport as a bonding agent between nations, exactly what World Cups are supposed to represent. Take, for example, the chants from rival supporters at past encounters, and from the fans packed into pubs and bierstuben to urge on their favorites. “Three World Cups!” the Germans like to cry, gently mocking England’s one Cup to Germany’s three Cups - “Two world wars!” has been the English supporters’ response.”
The refereeing has been a disgrace. Stevie Wonder can tell that.
Some bad tactical decisions by the coach hurt. He was having pretty good tournament up until this last game. Robbie Findley is not ready yet – killer speed is great but you need finishing skills to go with it. And why doesn’t Feilhaber start is a good question. As good as Jozy Altidore was against Algeria, he was a step slow to crosses from the first few minutes of the game onward. Bad give away by Clark (who shouldn’t have started) in midfield, then Tim Howard was slow to step to the near post on the first goal.
I hate it that I happened to be quite prophetic here when I said they wouldn’t be able to “out physical” Ghana, cuz that’s exactly how their winning goal was scored – he outmuscled Bocanegra for the ball.
Somehow Germany was underestimated coming in, mostly because they lost their captain to injury a month ago. For me, they look like the team to beat.
Re Germany v. England, this amusing bit form a NYT article entitled England vs. Germany: Everyone Mentions War: “Seen through the prism of soccer, the striking thing is how time has worked its catharsis. If both countries savor victory, and fear defeat, in ways that are more acute than in other soccer rivalries, they do so now, mostly, with a wry sense of humor that tells its own story about the power of sport as a bonding agent between nations, exactly what World Cups are supposed to represent. Take, for example, the chants from rival supporters at past encounters, and from the fans packed into pubs and bierstuben to urge on their favorites. “Three World Cups!” the Germans like to cry, gently mocking England’s one Cup to Germany’s three Cups - “Two world wars!” has been the English supporters’ response.”
The refereeing has been a disgrace. Stevie Wonder can tell that.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide