USA USA USA

Time to unbridle some nationalism here!

USA 3 Portugal 2

Possibly the biggest win to date for American soccer er futbol.

http://sports.yahoo.com/m/world/news/reuters/20020605/reu-worldusdc.html

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/soccer/index.html

I was up early this morning watching the end of the first half. It's the first time the US has scored 3 goals in a Cup game in 70 or so years...and we beat a good team. This could rank up there with our win in 1950 against England. The national team is probably the strongest it's ever been, thanks to MLS.

Incidentally, the US scored all of one goal during the '98 Cup...and finished 31st out of the 32 teams.

I love soccer, and it's a shame that the fervor for it comes and goes (the NASL in the 70s and early 80s, the World Cup here in '94). MLS is great...one of the best sporting events I've ever seen was a DC United game in 2000. I think there is hope for the sport here...the WUSA gets great crowds at its games, the MLS is doing fairly decent (though it had to cut the 2 teams in Florida), and if the US can get out of the preliminary round, we'll see a sudden spike of people watching ESPN2 between 2:30 and 10am EDT. :)

i was up this morning along with most of the others in the house at 4 AM watching germany kick ireland's asses (enh) for the first 91 minutes of the game, and then in the last minute, watching ireland score a goal and tie the game. DAMMIT!

Well Team USA sneaks through to the round of 16(?) We've drawn Mexico which means a tough match (watch Campos in goal). I somehow get the idea we don't take this tourney as seriously as some countries. That is apparently a good thing.

NY Times article

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-SOC-WCup-Rdp.html



"A 39-year-old South Korean who said he wanted to help the team by becoming a ghost 12th player was in critical condition after setting himself on fire hours before the Portugal game.

The man lit a candle and bowed several times toward the sea in the southeastern city of Busan before pouring paint thinner over his body and setting himself on fire, police said.

He left a note declaring: ``I will become the 12th soccer player by becoming a spirit, and will run for the victory of the Korean team.''

Originally posted by jeni
i was up this morning along with most of the others in the house at 4 AM watching germany kick ireland's asses (enh) for the first 91 minutes of the game, and then in the last minute, watching ireland score a goal and tie the game. DAMMIT!

Its interesting how self imposed national stereotypes play out on the pitch. The Germans hardnosed precision the Brazilian freewheeling creativity, the chippy underdog Irish, the US however has lacked a vision of self and our soccer reflects it. The younger players are starting to gell around some kind of American style of play, it'll be fun watching Beasley, Donovan, and company figure it out. I was afraid whineyness was gonna be our style but they seem to be living that down, unless they went that direction this morning. (grumble grumble every four years I wish I had cable)

"A 39-year-old South Korean who said he wanted to help the team by becoming a ghost 12th player was in critical condition after setting himself on fire hours before the Portugal game.
He left a note declaring: ``I will become the 12th soccer player by becoming a spirit, and will run for the victory of the Korean team.''

And it worked -- they beat Portugal!

Originally posted by Griff
Its interesting how self imposed national stereotypes play out on the pitch. The Germans hardnosed precision the Brazilian freewheeling creativity, the chippy underdog Irish...

...the obnoxious yet moody Americans. ;)

I was reading about the game this morning...what the fuck was that? At least we're going to the 2nd round.

That game'll be on ABC this afternoon but...

Originally posted by Griff
That game'll be on ABC this afternoon but...

Did I ruin it for you? I'm sorry. :)

nope, just don't want to watch 'em suck.

Unfreakinbelievable.

Mad props to native St. Louisan Brian McBride.

We play Germany Friday (I believe Hubris is a Germany fan...probably rubbing his hands together with glee). We'll probably get our asses beaten badly, but this is a huge improvement from '98, so it's all good. :)

Klinnsman is gone, this is a very beatable German club. Of course Brazil will be probably be supplying the beating not the US. The US picked up 4(?) yellow cards against Mexico that could be a problem. Beasley didn't play so he should be fresh for Friday. It sounds like Arena really came through with a solid game plan, its a beautiful thing.

Italy............ GONE

I wonder if this Cup is being refereed like a Laker home game or are the Euro teams suffering exhaustion from league play? The alternative is to shocking to even consider.

South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, and Germany...... just weird. I'm probably rooting Brazil from here on out, although I always liked Soccer Made in Germany, one of maybe five PBS shows that were not a complete waste. USA had a nice run, maybe MLS will get a little boost.

Originally posted by Griff
USA had a nice run, maybe MLS will get a little boost.

Hear hear!

Griff, have you watched a Chicago Fire game yet this year? Since Soldier Field is shut down for a year, the Fire are playing their games at North Central College in nearby Naperville. It's apparently a soccer-only stadium that seats about 16,000 (they expanded it for the Fire) and uses a synthetic grass-like turf. Sharp-looking field...didn't notice much of a difference in play, so it must be damned near real. It looks to provide a nice intimate environment like Columbus. Perhaps the Fire should consider staying there permanently or moving their games to Wrigley.

I haven't seen the Fire play but I'm familiar with a turf similiar to what you describe. Its common in Europe and the Binghamton Mets have it in their park. They take a long loop of green fiber and basically sow it into the turf, I think its also interspersed with real grass. The fiber protects the natural grass and keeps the field looking decent. I guess it plays like the real thing.