9 matches done, still not a single draw.
Is this really soccer? It doesn't feel like it.
Take a look at the FIFA rankings for Switzerland and Ecuador. Switzerland: 6; Ecuador: 26. The way they played though they both ought to be in the teens.
I still don't understand Switzerland's ranking. What's the best team they've beaten?
Edit: Oh, Brazil...by 1-0.
...And the 1 was an own goal.
This article talks about how American players' lack of flopping might be a weakness in the World Cup:
My comment: "They should illegalize flopping/diving and make a "penalty kick" in the case of a particularly egregious case, but instead of taking a shot on goal, the player who was wrongly accused of fouling gets to take a free shot at the flopper's groin. It would stop overnight, guaranteed."
Originally posted by Omega Vision
9 matches done, still not a single draw.Is this really soccer? It doesn't feel like it.
Take a look at the FIFA rankings for Switzerland and Ecuador. Switzerland: 6; Ecuador: 26. The way they played though they both ought to be in the teens.
I still don't understand Switzerland's ranking. What's the best team they've beaten?
Edit: Oh, Brazil...by 1-0.
...And the 1 was an own goal.
Yeah, even the TV panel here in Ireland couldn't believe how Switzerland could be ranked so highly.
Originally posted by Omega Vision
This article talks about how American players' lack of flopping might be a weakness in the World Cup:My comment: "They should illegalize flopping/diving and make a "penalty kick" in the case of a particularly egregious case, but instead of taking a shot on goal, the player who was wrongly accused of fouling gets to take a free shot at the flopper's groin. It would stop overnight, guaranteed."
I love how the USA manager is Klinsmann, one of the biggest divers to ever play the game.
TBH, America has players who dive, so I'm not really seeing how they're any different from some of the other teams that do it. Sure, some teams like Portugal will do it more, but if you're a good enough team, 9 times out of 10, that's enough to get you a win.
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France seemed to have it easier and easier as time went on. I expect Honduras to not get very far in the cup.
This is a great result for America for two reasons: 1) Portugal will be playing without one of their top defenders in the game against Team USA 2) because of their 4 goal deficit, Portugal might actually finish the group stage with negative or neutral goal differential if they don't ball out in the next two games. Assuming America defeats Ghana it only needs to draw against Portugal and do better against Germany than Portugal did (I.E. don't lose by 4 goals, which is more than doable) to have a shot of edging out Portugal.
I think USA can beat this Portugal. Portugal has been overrated for a while now. We had a shot before they lost Pepe and took a demoralizing blow with this game, but now I think we have a good chance.
Another thing to note: Germany for most of the game was playing without some of their best players like Podolski, Klose, and Schwansteiger.
Originally posted by Omega Vision
This is a great result for America for two reasons: 1) Portugal will be playing without one of their top defenders in the game against Team USA 2) because of their 4 goal deficit, Portugal might actually finish the group stage with negative or neutral goal differential if they don't ball out in the next two games. Assuming America defeats Ghana it only needs to draw against Portugal and do better against Germany than Portugal did (I.E. don't lose by 4 goals, which is more than doable) to have a shot of edging out Portugal.I think USA can beat this Portugal. Portugal has been overrated for a while now. We had a shot before they lost Pepe and took a demoralizing blow with this game, but now I think we have a good chance.
Another thing to note: Germany for most of the game was playing without some of their best players like Podolski, Klose, and Schwansteiger.
Schweinsteiger was surprising, he may still be recovering though. I think Podolski and Klose, while both great, are not starting 11 players anymore.