2014 FIFA World Cup Thread

[TheKewTour]

Yeah they are in a tough group, but anything can happen. They have the potential for sure.

Yes agree.

The fact world cup is in South America in altitudes that players in Europe are not used to is bound to help South Americans teams.

[cipher]

Interesting match last night between the US and Mexico. The US looked great in the first half with the diamond midfield, and Bradley and Beckerman dominating the center of the field. It is clear to me that Bradley has really become the star of our team and can absolutely control a match.  I really like those two in the middle as well.  They are both great tacklers and their one touch passing and movement is spot on. A mixed exchange between Beckerman and Gonzalez on the corner cost them the first goal though. Gonzalez is the main guy I am worried about in that back line.  ESPN is wondering is he will even make the team.  I think he will, but I just don't know about him.  Green and Donovan came on pretty early in the second half. Donovan looks out of shape and about half the speed he once was but did what he could and seemed a bit shaky on the ball.  Green, well he looked like an 18 year old, he kept dribbling the ball into corners he could not get out of, made decisions slowly, and headed a ball back into play the he should have headed out of play. It went straight to a Mexican player and a few seconds later Mexico had their second goal while he stood ball watching. He shows some promise but I would not expect much other than some energy later in a game should he make the team.  I am not the biggest fan of Wondolowski in the world, but he just knows how to be in the right place at the right time. You almost have to bring him to the cup with all the other questions up top.

Overall it was a decent match with many second tier players, but Klinsmann is going to have to get a solid 90 minutes out of these guys. A late goal on a nice strike from Eddie Johnson that would have won the match was called back incorrectly for offsides.  It should have been allowed but at any rate I like how they continued to fight back.

Just a short time left until D day with the final 23, we will see what happens.

[dennyjones]

Thanks for the update.  It was on so late here that I didn't get to watch the game.   Nice to hear a very knowledgeable review.

[cipher]

Highlights for those who did not get to see it.  2:47 for the play I referenced with Green,

[Golfingdad]

Interesting match last night between the US and Mexico. The US looked great in the first half with the diamond midfield, and Bradley and Beckerman dominating the center of the field. It is clear to me that Bradley has really become the star of our team and can absolutely control a match.  I really like those two in the middle as well.  They are both great tacklers and their one touch passing and movement is spot on. A mixed exchange between Beckerman and Gonzalez on the corner cost them the first goal though. Gonzalez is the main guy I am worried about in that back line.  ESPN is wondering is he will even make the team.  I think he will, but I just don't know about him.  Green and Donovan came on pretty early in the second half. Donovan looks out of shape and about half the speed he once was but did what he could and seemed a bit shaky on the ball.  Green, well he looked like an 18 year old, he kept dribbling the ball into corners he could not get out of, made decisions slowly, and headed a ball back into play the he should have headed out of play. It went straight to a Mexican player and a few seconds later Mexico had their second goal while he stood ball watching. He shows some promise but I would not expect much other than some energy later in a game should he make the team.  I am not the biggest fan of Wondolowski in the world, but he just knows how to be in the right place at the right time. You almost have to bring him to the cup with all the other questions up top.

Overall it was a decent match with many second tier players, but Klinsmann is going to have to get a solid 90 minutes out of these guys. A late goal on a nice strike from Eddie Johnson that would have won the match was called back incorrectly for offsides.  It should have been allowed but at any rate I like how they continued to fight back.

Just a short time left until D day with the final 23, we will see what happens.

Good recap.  This was my first introcuction to the current team, and I don't know any of the players except the ones that have been around awhile (Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey, Johnson, and that's about it).  I watched the first half, and of course, thoroughly enjoyed it, then went to put the kids to bed, came back around the 70th minute, and was like "what the hell happened?!?!"

I did enjoy watching the Green kid at the end.  He made a nice one-on-one (actually one-on-two) move that should have earned a free kick, so he at least seems like he good be exciting to watch.

You say Donovan is slow.  Is it because he's just old?  I heard the announcer mention that the guys who play MLS have just started their season, so perhaps he's just a little rusty and will be ready in June?

[Ernest Jones]

Highlights for those who did not get to see it.  2:47 for the play I referenced with Green,

Just out of curiosity, do you wear regular clothes to watch this or do you, you know, dress up?

[cipher]

Good recap.  This was my first introcuction to the current team, and I don't know any of the players except the ones that have been around awhile (Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey, Johnson, and that's about it).  I watched the first half, and of course, thoroughly enjoyed it, then went to put the kids to bed, came back around the 70th minute, and was like "what the hell happened?!?!"

I did enjoy watching the Green kid at the end.  He made a nice one-on-one (actually one-on-two) move that should have earned a free kick, so he at least seems like he good be exciting to watch.

You say Donovan is slow.  Is it because he's just old?  I heard the announcer mention that the guys who play MLS have just started their season, so perhaps he's just a little rusty and will be ready in June?

Green definitely has the skill, I think he will be great for us in the future.

Donovan took a bunch of time off, about four months.  Everybody was wondering what was going on, and I guess he was feeling "burned out".  He has not been back in form since doing it, and I guess he has tendinitis.  Klinsman was not happy about the time off either.   Hopefully he finds his form otherwise he will just be a good option off the bench.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/29/back-break-la-galaxys-landon-donovan-argues-mental-health-should-be-treated -

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/28/landon-donovan-hopes-usmnt-return-i-realize-i-have-long-way-go

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2014/04/03/landon-donovan-jurgen-klinsmann-world-cup/7277851/

[cipher]

Just out of curiosity, do you wear regular clothes to watch this or do you, you know, dress up?

Is that a general question for the majority of fans or me individually? I personally don't have anything other than a LA Galaxy kit, and I only wear it to possibly irritate @Wisguy . So no, I just wear regular clothes.

[Ernest Jones]

Is that a general question for the majority of fans or me individually? I personally don't have anything other than a LA Galaxy kit, and I only wear it to possibly irritate @Wisguy.    So no, I just wear regular clothes.

You, individually. I don't give a rats ass about the others. I also can't believe you call it your kit. Lol.

[cipher]

You, individually. I don't give a rats ass about the others. I also can't believe you call it your kit. Lol.

I thought you would get a kick out of that, it is what the diehards say.

I would like to get a zip up sweater/jacket thingy though.  Something like this:

[Ernest Jones]

I thought you would get a kick out of that, it is what the diehards say.

I would like to get a zip up sweater/jacket thingy though.  Something like this:

That's some sexy kit.

Do they sell kits that you can put together yourself? Like a bolt of cloth and some thread? A kit kit??

[cipher]

That's some sexy kit.

Do they sell kits that you can put together yourself? Like a bolt of cloth and some thread? A kit kit??

No, no, no EJ.  That is a jacket/sweater thingy.

Good question on the kit kit though.  I will have to get back to you on that one.

[Golfingdad]

Is that a general question for the majority of fans or me individually? I personally don't have anything other than a LA Galaxy kit, and I only wear it to possibly irritate @Wisguy.    So no, I just wear regular clothes.

I'm going to an LA Galaxy game in a few months with a bunch of friends, one of whom is the team eye doctor and is hoping to get us some primo access before the game.  I will try and take a bunch of pics if I get the chance. :)

[cipher]

I'm going to an LA Galaxy game in a few months with a bunch of friends, one of whom is the team eye doctor and is hoping to get us some primo access before the game.  I will try and take a bunch of pics if I get the chance. :)

Nice, yeah get some pics if you can.

I was there for a friendly they played against AC Milan a number of years ago.  Good times!

I got some really crappy video:

[dennyjones]

Man U and Real Madrid are suppose to be near us in Early August.   I'm going to try and secure tickets.

[cipher]

Nice to see Dempsy finding the back of the net.

[Golfingdad]

I'm starting to get really excited for the World Cup ...

And this view reminds me of those videos from the stands of the 2004 AL Championship series ...

[dennyjones]

After NCAA basketball, the World Cup is my favorite sporting event.