[olldflame]

Forward is not the same as striker SJ. You know that. Donovan would not have been the sub for Jozy if he had been on the roster. He hasn't played that position in years.

[Purple Haize]

The group schedule has really worked in our favor. Portugal just went through the mechanical skull-crusher, will be minus at least 2 vital starters, and Ronaldo is not making any friends on the team with his play. Germany will fly through Ghana, and if they score mutliple goals again, they may just play for the tie against us.

As for the US team, they look like they've regressed about 10 years. That's how I would expect Iran to play against Brazil, not the US against Ghana.

Did you watch the Iran game? Both teams were abysmal

[R i]

We did what we needed to do, and it wasnt pretty. Man of the match, Jermaine Jones, he was everywhere, winning balls and no fear in the air. Tim Howard made a couple good saves, but came off his line a few times and showed his world class status. Not very many teams in this world cup have All Star goal keepers. We do. Beasley allowed crosses all night long and a better team in the air would hurt us there, but didnt get beat by the long throgh ball (Ghanas best attack) . There is a photo out there of the team celebrating the second goal, and Beckerman is still holding down the defensive midfield despite his team mates celebrating. The guy was a rock back there. The game winning goal was scored by a sub, on a cross from a sub. Jergen deserves some credit, even if injuries dictated those subs. Monday could not have gone better for the US, Germany throttled Portugal, and we got 3 points. I still believe it will come down to goal differential, and Portgual not off to a great start. Beat Portugal !

[BJWilliams]

Portugal is a -4 while we are a plus 1 based on GD, which essentially gives us a 5 goal advantage. If the USA keeps it within a goal or two even in defeat to the Seleccao, that puts the pressure on them to essentially blow out Ghana in their group finale or hope that Germany does to the Yanks in their group finale just they did to them in their match yesterday

[Sly Fox]

The Mexican keeper was incredible against the Brazilians. That should put El Tri in position to make it to the knockout round. Brazil looks far from the dominant home team we all expected.

[BJWilliams]

It will come down to the Mexico-Croatia match if thet Croats beat Cameroon as they are favored to. Mexico has a GD of...+1 I think (somebody check on that maybe?)...and Croatia is a -2 but I expect theyll knock some off that in their next match.

[ALUmnus]

The Mexican keeper was incredible against the Brazilians. That should put El Tri in position to make it to the knockout round. Brazil looks far from the dominant home team we all expected.

That was the best scoreless match I've ever watched. I'd actually watch it again, even knowing no one will score. Mexico has always played Brazil tough, and they showed what I thought they could be, despite their red Charlie Brown uniforms. Great game.

[VAGolf]

It will come down to the Mexico-Croatia match if thet Croats beat Cameroon as they are favored to. Mexico has a GD of...+1 I think (somebody check on that maybe?)...and Croatia is a -2 but I expect theyll knock some off that in their next match.

[VAGolf]

Portugal is a -4 while we are a plus 1 based on GD, which essentially gives us a 5 goal advantage. If the USA keeps it within a goal or two even in defeat to the Seleccao, that puts the pressure on them to essentially blow out Ghana in their group finale or hope that Germany does to the Yanks in their group finale just they did to them in their match yesterday

Please stop abbreviating everything.

[ALUmnus]

Those are actual, real, acceptable words, not just abbreviations. We don't have to pick at everything BJ types.

[VAGolf]

Those are actual, real, acceptable words, not just abbreviations. We don't have to pick at everything BJ types.

I understand that they are real and acceptable, but in the context that he's using them, it's completely unnecessary.

[BJWilliams]

The Mexican keeper was incredible against the Brazilians. That should put El Tri in position to make it to the knockout round. Brazil looks far from the dominant home team we all expected.

That was the best scoreless match I've ever watched. I'd actually watch it again, even knowing no one will score. Mexico has always played Brazil tough, and they showed what I thought they could be, despite their red Charlie Brown uniforms. Great game.

Ochoa played the game of his life yesterday. HE made one save that was literally ON the goal line and managed to time is dive about as perfectly as a goalie can. If El Tri win the World Cup, that will be one of the defining plays of that run I think.

By the by sweat, Yanks is one of the actual nicknames of the US national team so within the given context it actually works.

[VAGolf]

I understand it's actually a name. I never argued that it wasn't.

[BJWilliams]

I get that...but it would be easier than typing USA or United States every time, so as I said, given the context, it actually works.

Oranje punched their ticket to the knockout round with their win today over Australia

[SuperJon]

Typing "the Yanks" is easier than typing "the US?"

[Purple Haize]

Typing "the Yanks" is easier than typing "the US?"

OTHER people call us Yanks or Yankees. We don't call ourselves that

The Yanks = 8 letters
The US = 5 letters

Since when is 8 letters easier to type than 5 letters

[ATrain]

Typing "the Yanks" is easier than typing "the US?"

OTHER people call us Yanks or Yankees. We don't call ourselves that

The Yanks = 8 letters
The US = 5 letters

Since when is 8 letters easier to type than 5 letters

*whistling Dixie* I am no Yankee, that's for sure y'all

[BJWilliams]

Since we are having a soccer discussion, it seemed easiest to use the nickname associated with the national soccer team. Like calling the Netherlands national soccer team "Oranje" or the Mexico national team "El Tri" or Australia "The Socceroos" (not exactly my favorite nickname but it works). Its not just about the number of letters (as a certain GENIUS *that's sarcasm by the way* poster astutely tried to joke above), its about using that best would fit within the context

[Sly Fox]

Adios, España!

This is turning into quite a wild ride in this tournment.

[BJWilliams]

Wonder what the record is for fewest goals by a defending champion in a subsequent World Cup

[Purple Haize]

I get that...but it would be easier than typing USA or United States every time, so as I said, given the context, it actually works.

Oranje punched their ticket to the knockout round with their win today over Australia

I'm just using your words.

[Purple Haize]

Adios, España!

This is turning into quite a wild ride in this tournment.

I thought the Socceroos had the big upset today. It's when I wish my Synch system in the car had video!
Spain just folded, I think Portugal is next.

[BJWilliams]

This is a big one for both sides. If Portugal loses, they are eliminated. If USA loses (first reference in this post), they are going to probably have to beat Germany to advance to the knockout round. GD does favor the Yanks right now (+1 to -4 I think I mentioned before) so we can afford a draw a lot more than they can at this point

[jbock13]

"US and A, greatest country in the world" is how I prefer to type it

[Purple Haize]

"US and A, greatest country in the world" is how I prefer to type it

Which is better than the more recent trend: 'Merica