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Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Number 6 Jun 06 2010 11:22 PM

The United States of America There was a time when the idea of the USA fielding a competitive national team was laughable to the rest of the world. In fact, I can still hear them laughing now; perhaps it’s at our ugly kits, or our dearth of stylish faux-hawks. Or maybe it’s the arbitrary name we’ve slapped onto the sport, coined in order to differentiate the true sport of football from a bastardized game in which the foot is hardly ever used. Whatever the reason may be, there’s a perception that the US doesn’t exactly take football/soccer seriously. Is it earned? Quick History After a 4-decade absence from World Cup qualification following the 1950 World Cup, the sport of soccer began to show some signs of life in the US in the 1990’s. The awarding of the 1994 World Cup (in which the US advanced to the knockout round for the first time since 1930) and the formation of a soon-respectable professional outdoor league began to gradually raise the profile of the US team both domestically and internationally. After bombing out in 1998, the US advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002, a significant achievement and its furthest run to date. The 2006 World Cup saw the US team placed in a Group of Death with Italy, Ghana, and the Czech Republic, from which it was destined not to emerge. More recently, the US team made an international splash in the 2009 Confederations Cup, in which it first advanced from its group due to an esoteric and nearly absurd set of scoring coincidences, but then proved it belonged by knocking off Spain and ending the top-ranked Spaniards’ 15-game international winning streak. The US led perennial superpower Brazil 2-0 at half-time in the finals, before finally succumbing 3-2. Coming In The USA national team is currently ranked 14th in the world according to FIFA, and finished atop its qualifying group, headlined by fellow qualifiers Mexico and Honduras. Not qualifying from this group was Costa Rica, a fact for which the US team should be grateful given that they can’t seem to beat them. More recently, the US was the victor in two recent friendlies, defeating Turkey and fellow qualifier Australia in a final tune-up. The Team In contrast to World Cups of previous decades, the US team has quite a few players who compete in premier competition worldwide. Skipper Bob Bradley and captain Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes) lead the squad, along with vice-captain Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), the career leader for the US in goals in international competition. You’ll probably recognize him. Other stars include Clint Dempsey (Fulham), often recognized as the most skilled American playing abroad, exciting young gun Jozy Altidore (Villareal), a Team USA lifer from youth competition to the pros who is currently expected to play after recovering from a mild ankle sprain, and Goalkeeper Tim Howard (Everton), winner of the Golden Glove award for best keeper at the 2009 Confederations Cup. Despite these stars and the generally solid representation of the American players in top international leagues, the squad is relatively inexperienced in World Cup play, with only 8 rostered for at least their second World Cup, and only 6 with actual WC game experience. Schedule and Outlook The US is set to square off against England in the first group match on June 12th. Beyond an opportunity for the islanders to avenge the honor of the Queen’s English against our twangy nasal-whistling, this game has some special historical significance as it applies to the sport, as it’s a rematch of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. In 1950, in what has been retroactively and somewhat lamely called the “Miracle on Grass,” a widely panned US team nipped a powerhouse English squad 1-0, thus crippling their chances for advancement. This marked the only meeting of the two clubs in World Cup competition until now. Expect this to be blathered about quite frequently on US broadcasts. Historically, us yanks hold a 2-7-0 record against them limeys. The US has never met either Slovenia or Algeria in any international soccer competition, but is pegged with a good chance to advance beyond group play. The betting sites mostly have the US between 66/1 and 80/1 to win the whole thing, thus leaving the rest of the world both shocked and dismayed.

The Second Spitter Jun 07 2010 03:25 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I slapped 20 bucks on the Sepos to beat England..

metirish Jun 07 2010 09:32 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Excellent work Number 6 , I for one am tired of all the laughing that goes on in Europe about the US team. I think some of it has to do with words, we would never say "roster" or " rostered" , calling "friendlies" scrimmages is another....Team USA....all those things tend to make us(them) chuckle. I watched Chivas playing Red Bull the other night and the commentary was so god awful I tuned away from it.... Here is an article from todays Daily News, I would say it's typical of what passes for comment on the US. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/world ... ackle.html

Number 6 Jun 07 2010 03:07 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="metirish":1b1f245k]Excellent work Number 6 , I for one am tired of all the laughing that goes on in Europe about the US team. I think some of it has to do with words, we would never say "roster" or " rostered" , calling "friendlies" scrimmages is another....Team USA....all those things tend to make us(them) chuckle. I watched Chivas playing Red Bull the other night and the commentary was so god awful I tuned away from it.... Here is an article from todays Daily News, I would say it's typical of what passes for comment on the US. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/world ... ackle.html[/quote:1b1f245k] Thanks, metirish. Regarding the use of language, it's just a bit absurd for Europeans to expect that Americans apply precisely the same terminology that they use to describe the sport. Not only do we speak a different dialect, but the US isn't really part of the international culture of the sport. Unlike virtually the entire rest of the world, we have at least 4 sports that are more popular domestically, and we have no privately-owned US teams that play in international leagues. Soccer here is played in a relative vacuum, so of course we use our own words. I'm sure Japan has a wealth of its own terminology for baseball, but I've never read an article penned by an American that's nearly as snotty and condescending about Japan as the one you cited is about the US. The attitude comes from something else other than words, or even sport, and it's pretty thinly veiled. But I won't speculate as to what. One nice thing about supporting the US team is that there's really nothing to lose. Much of the rest of the world, particularly Europe, looks through its monocle down its long nose at us. To lose would be nothing. But to win would be sweet.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 09 2010 12:04 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

England: The Men In Front of the Men Behind the Boys England is a nation in Europe. Its official language is English. Its president is Austin Powers. Its soccer team is known for winning the World Cup 44 years ago and more recently for banging vapid fitness models with breast implants. Its fans are famous for beating one another up, vomiting and public property destruction. They like to “get behind the boys” as they say. OK then. Some betting sites have England at 5-1 odds to win this thing, which makes them a close second favorite to Spain. Their coach, naturally, is an Italian, Fabio Capello. How desperate does a world soccer power have to be to do something like this? I mean, I can see a shit football country like USA hiring help from outside, but England? Well, Capello is reportedly “pragmatic and disciplined” but the other day yelled at photographers taking pictures at practice. He has won 9 titles in 15 seasons at four different clubs in Italy and Spain, so there’s that. Fans are worried sick about the team’s central midfield in the wake of an injury to captian Rio Ferdinand. Some say this unfortunate situation had a bonus silver lining in giving the captaincy to Steven Garrard (Liverpool) whose wife Alex Curran looks like this: Frank Lampard is vice-captain, and appears to be a complete douchebag jock who was once fined for abusing grieving American tourists on Sept. 12, 2001. His chick looks like this: Joe Cole is an attacking midfielder. His wife Carly looks like this: Wayne Rooney is the star of this team, a terrific scorer but invariably described as “wreckless,” “overaggressive” or “out of control.” Here he is with his wife, Colleen: Defense is keyed by Ashley Cole, one of the “best attacking fullbacks in the world” and befitting his superstar lifwestyle wrote an autobiography at age 25. His ex-wife looks like this: Another thing that makes me scratch my head over this is that, to my knowledge, England is still not set on a starting goalkeeper, with 23-year-old youngster Joe Hart (Marnchester City) pushing presumptive favorite Robert Green (West Ham). David James (Portsmouth), the 40-year-old with the most experience, has knee problems and probably won’t start. England’s song is Three Lions: [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anDL1BJK3VA They open with a game against USA (see above for actual knowledge). The general feeling with England is they can beat most of the teams in this bracket based on their strong offense but struggle with the especially skillful ball-moving squads like Brazil and France because that attack might not develop. Also defending against opponents' top players like USA's Donovan.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 09 2010 12:12 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Nice WAG report. Apparently Rooney was acting like the boorish prick he is after the last England friendly, and the officials told him he better knock that crap off or expect to be sent off, and America has made no secret that they intend to try to rile him up. Not sure that's a good plan or not. I expect Saturday's game to be a pretty good one.

metirish Jun 09 2010 12:24 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

That's a great report Bucket. Rooney is a great player , winding him up is fine but he won't bite , not in a WC game....unless they are losing or something. Gerrard needs to show his club form for his country, has not had the best of seasons though.I'd be shocked if they didn't go with James, brutal on in-swinging crosses. Joe Cole just got released by Chelsea , as did Ballack. A parade of the best clubs in Europe will be lined up around the block to get him on a free after the WC......Man Utd being one of them, his old coach at Real another.....crazy move by Chelsea. If England don't beat the USA and even if they do beat them but not convincingly then media will be all over them... England Expects...as ever

Frayed Knot Jun 09 2010 01:18 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Rooney looks like he should be (or once was) a boxer.

metirish Jun 09 2010 01:35 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Frayed Knot":1zoh1mr0]Rooney looks like he should be (or once was) a boxer.[/quote:1zoh1mr0] Yeah , definitely. In this great Nike ad he looks right at home in the trailer park http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

A Boy Named Seo Jun 09 2010 02:17 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Pretty cool commercial. Oops to Nike for so prominently featuring Ronaldinho and Theo Walcott, huh? Ronaldo is smarmy like A-Rod, but like, times 1000.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 09 2010 02:37 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="A Boy Named Seo":38ug3rtt]Ronaldo is smarmy like A-Rod, but like, times 1000.[/quote:38ug3rtt] EurA-Rod, if you will. (I think it's the bikini briefs and diving.) Nice work, Mr. Bucket.

seawolf17 Jun 09 2010 02:42 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Holy moley. I shoulda been a soccer player.

Willets Point Jun 10 2010 10:14 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

The referees are on the fockin' job, you doss cunts.

Willets Point Jun 16 2010 07:23 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Bring it on, Andrej Komac.

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2010 07:42 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Robert Green's muff the other day might have been a bad one but it wasn't his first one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTV80j-ZAZ4

Willets Point Jun 17 2010 02:29 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Algeria Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) - named for an actual fox which is the national animal of Algeria. Logo Kits: Home = white, Away = green World Cup History: Algeria qualified previously for consecutive World Cups in 1982 and 1986. In Spain in 1982 the team made history by becoming the first African side to defeat a European team in World Cup play when the topped West Germany 2-1. After falling to Austria in their next game, Algeria chalked up a second win against Chile. Algeria looked primed to advance to the knockout rounds but had to wait the result of the West Germany-Chile match with the following scenarios: * Austria win or draw = advancement for Austria and Algeria * West Germany wins by 3 or more goals = advancement for West Germany and Algeria * West Germany wins by 1 or 2 goals = advancement for West Germany and Austria Unfortunately for Algeria, West Germany won 1-0 in an obvious act of collusion by the two European teams. West Germany scored a goal early on and then the two sides aimlessly passed around the ball for the remainder of the match. The spectators booed the teams mercilessly and tv commentators told viewers to turn off their sets but FIFA allowed the result to stand. The shameful event did lead FIFA to change group play so that the final games in each match would be played simultaneously. Algeria's return to the World Cup in 1986 was far less successful as the team managed only one goal against Northern Ireland and finished group play with one draw and two losses. All-Time Greats * Lakhdar Belloumi is widely considered the best Algerian player of all time. His career spanned 1978-1989 with 87 caps and 40 goals. He appeared in the Olympics in 1980 and the World Cup in 1982 and 1986. Belloumi scored the winning goal for Algeria against West Germany. Belloumi refused to play on any clubs outside of his home country despite being recognized as a top player of his era and coveted by top European football clubs. * Rabah Madjer also played on the 1982 and 1986 World Cup as part of a national team career from 1978-1992 with 83 caps and 29 goals, including the first goal in the historic game against West Germany. He also had a successful club career with F.C. Porto in Portugal. Current FIFA Ranking: Algeria stand at 30 in the world rankings, the fourth highest-ranked team from Africa after Cameroon (19), Nigeria (21), and Côte d'Ivoire (27). How They Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2010: Algeria was a direct entrant into the Second Round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) World Cup qualifiers, and won their group handily with a 3-1-2 record. In the Third Round, Algeria posted an even better record of 4-1-1 but found themselves with identical overall and head-to-head records as Egypt and thus tied for the lead of Group C. In a tie-breaking match played in Sudan on Nov. 18, 2009, Algeria won 1-0 on a goal by Antar Yahia and thus secured a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Algeria and Egypt apparently have a fierce North African rivalry. So much so, that the violence and political turmoil surrounding the three Algeria-Egypt tilts in the World Cup qualifiers merit a lengthy Wikipedia entry all on their own. Previous matches versus Group C Opponents: Prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Algeria never faced Slovenia, England, nor the United States. Manager Rabah Saadane has managed the Algerian national team on and off since 1981 in five different stints, the most recent beginning in 2007. Saadane lead les Fennecs during their surprisingly successful World Cup debut in 1982 as well as their less successful appearance in 1986. He's also managed club sides in Morocco and Tunisia and a brief term as manager of the national team of Yemen in 2004. He's nicknamed the ‘Cheik’ . Star Players * Rafik Saifi (10) - a mainstay of the Algerian national team since 1998, the 35-year old Saifi has earned 61 caps and 18 international goals. His veteran presence aided the team in qualifying and he is a constant threat in the opponents penalty area. He currently plays for Istres in France. * Karim Matmour (13) - the French-born striker has 24 caps and 2 international goals but is considered one of the leading strikers for les Fennecs. He currently plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany. * Yazid Mansouri (6) - leads the team with 65 international caps and serves as captain for the Algerian side. The veteran midfielder currently plays for French side Lorient. * Antar Yahia (4) - like many Algerian players, Yahia was born in France and actually played for the U-18 French side in 2001. Yahia became the first player to benefit from a change in FIFA's rules on international eligibility and has played with the Algerian national team since 2004. Yahia's moment of glory came when he scored the winning goal in the game against Egypt that earned les Fennecs their place in the World Cup. Roster Goalkeepers * 1 Lounes GAOUAOUI * 16 Faouzi CHAOUCHI * 23 Rais M BOLHI Defenders * 2 Madjid BOUGHERRA * 3 Nadir BELHADJ * 4 Anther YAHIA * 5 Rafik HALLICHE * 12 Habib BELLAID * 14 Abdelkader LAIFAOUI * 18 Carl MEDJANI * 20 Djamel MESBAH Midfielders * 6 Yazid MANSOURI * 7 Ryad BOUDEBOUZ * 8 Medhi LACEN * 13 Karim MATMOUR * 15 Karim ZIANI * 17 Adlane GUEDIOURA * 19 Hassan YEBDA * 21 Foued KADIR * 22 Djamal ABDOUN Forwards * 9 Abdelkader GHEZZAL * 10 Rafik SAIFI * 11 Rafik DJEBBOUR * Rabah SAADANE

Frayed Knot Jun 17 2010 06:07 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) - named for an actual fox which is the national animal of Algeria. Which is certainly much better than being named for former Nazi general Erwin Rommel.

Willets Point Jun 17 2010 07:08 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Frayed Knot"] Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) - named for an actual fox which is the national animal of Algeria. Which is certainly much better than being named for former Nazi general Erwin Rommel.

Yes, that's why I noted the distinction

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 17 2010 07:39 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Willets Point"][quote="Frayed Knot"] Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) - named for an actual fox which is the national animal of Algeria. Which is certainly much better than being named for former Nazi general Erwin Rommel.

Yes, that's why I noted the distinction

Thank you, you magnificent son of a bitch.

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2010 07:38 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Drool Britannia

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 07:42 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I wish my life was a little less seedy Why am I always so greedy? Wish I looked just like Cheryl Tweedy I know I never will I know I never will.

metirish Jun 18 2010 07:44 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

England's coach drops Green and recalls James....it smacks of indecision , you don't know who your #1 is going in.....

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 08:14 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Oh for fuck's sake!

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 08:41 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Bullshit handball call by the ref on Findley (who will now have to sit out the next game). Where was this ref in the 2002 Quarterfinal against Germany.

HahnSolo Jun 18 2010 08:49 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

And it looks like there will only be 1 more game for Team USA.

Farmer Ted Jun 18 2010 08:59 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Losing to a bunch of skinhead fucks dressed like Charlie Brown. Ugh.

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 09:06 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Awesome goal by Landon Donovan. I hope it's not too little, too late.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 09:23 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Between qualifying and this game, it occurs to me that the United States team is generally not very good at falling in a sympathetic fashion following contact with opponents. That's something on which the next national coach might want to focus.

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:41 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Omar Bradley ties it up...Awesome!

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:42 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

BULLSHIT

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:44 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

That was a horrid, horrid call..

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 09:45 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Oh, boy. OH, boy. Considering what's been let go, offsides-wise, over the last few games... that was an especially horrid call.

HahnSolo Jun 18 2010 09:47 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Following on an ESPN live blog, those guys have said the ref has been horrendous all game. Has he been as anti-US as they are saying?

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:48 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Lord, 2 guys were held in bearhugs, cripes

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:49 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="HahnSolo":1nluhc0u]Following on an ESPN live blog, those guys have said the ref has been horrendous all game. Has he been as anti-US as they are saying?[/quote:1nluhc0u] I guess everyone is anti-U.S. I'm almost numb with it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 09:50 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="HahnSolo":3rd07kkf]Following on an ESPN live blog, those guys have said the ref has been horrendous all game. Has he been as anti-US as they are saying?[/quote:3rd07kkf] I hate to kvetch about that kind of crap unless it's really, really brazenly bad. But let's just say that the refs haven't been a help-- with a LOT of 50-50 calls going with Slovenia-- and that with the way these huge Slovenian dudes have been going down on contact, they should be honorary Italians.

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:52 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

A fucked up Draw

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 09:56 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 18 2010 09:58 AM

Great draw... the U.S. team is resilient. Kinda like Lalas' tongue, which seems to never wear out, regardless of all the stupid things that tromp all over it and out of his mouth.

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 09:56 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

The refs are part to blame, but the USA really needs to score first, score early, and hold the lead. Nice comeback all the same.

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 09:58 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]Great draw... the U.S. team is resilient. Kinda like Lalas' tongue, which seems to never wear out, regardless of all the stupid things that tromp all over it and out of his mouth.

Miracle draw perhaps?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 09:59 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

"Do you believe in comeback ties against nations that are smaller than Brooklyn? YES!" Anyway, now it's root, root, root for Les Fennecs-- if they don't win (or draw), it's a shame.

Farmer Ted Jun 18 2010 10:37 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

A listing of refs. Zilch from US. AFC Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia) Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan) Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia) Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) CAF Koman Coulibaly (Mali) Jerome Damon (South Africa) Eddy Maillet (Seychelles) CONCACAF Joel Aguilar (El Salvador) Benito Archundia (Mexico) Carlos Batres (Guatemala) Marco Antonio Rodríguez (Mexico) CONMEBOL Héctor Baldassi (Argentina) Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay) Pablo Pozo (Chile) Óscar Ruiz (Colombia) Carlos Eugênio Simon (Brazil) Martín Vázquez (Uruguay) OFC Michael Hester (New Zealand) Peter O'Leary (New Zealand) UEFA Olegário Benquerença (Portugal) Massimo Busacca (Switzerland) Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium) Martin Hansson (Sweden) Viktor Kassai (Hungary) Stéphane Lannoy (France) Roberto Rosetti (Italy) Wolfgang Stark (Germany) Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 18 2010 11:39 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Willets Point":363rxfpw]The refs are part to blame, but the USA really needs to score first, score early, and hold the lead. Nice comeback all the same.[/quote:363rxfpw] Yup. I had to bail to take the kids out to the playground (it's that magic week-and-a-half between preschool end and camp start, and we're in a bratwatch co-op) but could tell we evened it up by the cheers from the vbar across the street.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 12:34 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Apparently, it wasn't an offside call... but there was no clear explanation by the ref (at the time or afterward) about the nature of the foul that caused Maurice Edu's go-ahead goal to be disallowed. Landon Donovan isn't exactly taking this silently, it seems.

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 12:53 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Wow, Slovenia says the U.S. didn't deserve to win because of grabbing and Slovenia deserved to win. I guess the "rules" don't matter much to them.

metirish Jun 18 2010 02:11 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I got to see this game , the refs like the goalkeepers in this tourney have been bad , is it anti-US , I doubt that , just fucking bad is what they are. Hopefully the England game stays as is and the US will have it all to play for in the last group game.

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 02:24 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I love Desert Foxes. Let's hope that their defense is not so tight next Wednesday.

metirish Jun 18 2010 02:27 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Willets Point":nis17z7r]I love Desert Foxes. Let's hope that their defense is not so tight next Wednesday.[/quote:nis17z7r] That was nothing short of a disgrace by Engerland......and I can't stop laughing....... The US team really needs to start this game with the same urgency they have shown after falling behind in the first two games, do that and they will win.....

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 02:32 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="metirish":2x1xtjed]The US team really needs to start this game with the same urgency they have shown after falling behind in the first two games, do that and they will win.....[/quote:2x1xtjed] Pre-game posthypnotic suggestion. Convince Landon and the gals that they're already down two goals, wind 'em up, watch them go.

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2010 02:43 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 18 2010 02:46 PM

As of now, Group C looks like: [table:ifu5nvmn][tr:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]TEAM[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]Pts[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]Diff[/td:ifu5nvmn][/tr:ifu5nvmn][tr:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]Slovenia[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]4[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]+1[/td:ifu5nvmn][/tr:ifu5nvmn][tr:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]U.S.[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]2[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]--[/td:ifu5nvmn][/tr:ifu5nvmn][tr:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]England[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]2[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]--[/td:ifu5nvmn][/tr:ifu5nvmn] [tr:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]Algeria[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]1[/td:ifu5nvmn][td:ifu5nvmn]-1[/td:ifu5nvmn][/tr:ifu5nvmn][/table:ifu5nvmn] So, if I've got this correct: -- a win vs Algeria puts us through as we'd have 5 points which is guaranteed to be better than one of England/Slovenia no matter how that match turns out OR -- a 3rd tie also gets us though but only if England loses to Slovenia My question then is what happens if US & England both tie again which also leaves them tied in the +/- category ?

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 02:45 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":1v4a0arn][quote="metirish":1v4a0arn]The US team really needs to start this game with the same urgency they have shown after falling behind in the first two games, do that and they will win.....[/quote:1v4a0arn] Pre-game posthypnotic suggestion. Convince Landon and the gals that they're already down two goals, wind 'em up, watch them go.[/quote:1v4a0arn] Love it!

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 02:48 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Frayed Knot":erqbzku9] My question then is what happens if US & England both tie again which also leaves them tied in the +/- category ?[/quote:erqbzku9] If the US & England are tied in both points and goal differential, then the next tie breaker is total goals scored in group play. Right now, the US is up 3-1 in that category. Here are all the tie-breakers. 1. greatest number of points in all group matches; 2. goal difference in all group matches; 3. greatest number of goals scored in all group matches; 4. greatest number of points in matches between tied teams; 5. goal difference in matches between tied teams; 6. greatest number of goals scored in matches between tied teams; 7. drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2010 02:49 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

btw, are we ever going to get an explanation of what was called and on who to nullify that third goal or is this one of those things that FIFA is going to keep top secret in one of those super-governmental 'You don't need to know' attitudes?

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2010 02:53 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Willets Point"][quote="Frayed Knot"] My question then is what happens if US & England both tie again which also leaves them tied in the +/- category ?

If the US & England are tied in both points and goal differential, then the next tie breaker is total goals scored in group play. Right now, the US is up 3-1 in that category.

Here are all the tie-breakers.

1. greatest number of points in all group matches;
2. goal difference in all group matches;
3. greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
4. greatest number of points in matches between tied teams;
5. goal difference in matches between tied teams;
6. greatest number of goals scored in matches between tied teams;
7. drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.


OK, good.
I was afraid they'd go to fewest goals allowed first (as if this tourney needs another reason for conservative play) or that the final tie-breaker would be biggest tits among WAGs in which case we'd never stand a chance against those Limeys

Ashie62 Jun 18 2010 03:58 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I don't know much about futbol but I saw two U.S. players held with opponents arms around them and no one offsides. I don't get it. It seems like there may be many implications here..

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 18 2010 04:30 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I don't know that there's much recourse. I mean, it happens pretty often-- Germany AND Serbia practically were yellow-carded into oblivion today, the first goal for Mexico against France yesterday was scored by a man who was three feet or so offsides before getting the ball-- but never really addressed.

Willets Point Jun 18 2010 04:56 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="Frayed Knot"] OK, good. I was afraid they'd go to fewest goals allowed first (as if this tourney needs another reason for conservative play) or that the final tie-breaker would be biggest tits among WAGs in which case we'd never stand a chance against those Limeys

You may be on to something. WAG jello-wrestling should definitely be tried before drawing lots.

metirish Jun 18 2010 06:00 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":3ogtz6u5]I don't know that there's much recourse. I mean, it happens pretty often-- Germany AND Serbia practically were yellow-carded into oblivion today, the first goal for Mexico against France yesterday was scored by a man who was three feet or so offsides before getting the ball-- but never really addressed.[/quote:3ogtz6u5] Just like Bud doesn't overrule Joyce Blatter won't overrule this.....I mean look at what happened Ireland against france.

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2010 09:38 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Oh there's no way anyone would - or even should - over-rule this game. The bigger question is will the refs be held to any kind of scrutiny as far as having to explain themselves or for working further top-flight matches, or is FIFA the type of org to handle this all internally and say 'none of your business' if/when asked for their response?

Willets Point Jun 23 2010 07:36 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

I'm with you and you're with me and So we are all together, So we are all together, So we are all together. Sing with me, I'll sing with you and So we will sing together As we march a long. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria, We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Hur-rah.

The Second Spitter Jun 23 2010 07:41 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Nothing will cure the duel disappointment of yesterday like England's departure for the tournament.

metirish Jun 23 2010 11:21 AM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

[quote="The Second Spitter":10bwgvxr]Nothing will cure the duel disappointment of yesterday like England's departure for the tournament.[/quote:10bwgvxr] Not yet , but their road to the final will be Germany, Argentina Spain/Brazil....not going to happen...I hope

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 23 2010 03:10 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

What a winner. PRETORIA, South Africa – Algeria soccer player Rafik Saifi slapped a female journalist across the face as the aftermath of the United States’ dramatic World Cup victory turned ugly at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night. While walking through the interview zone, Saifi spotted writer Asma Halimi, who works for Algerian newspaper Competition, and struck her with his open hand in front of dozens of witnesses. Halimi responded by striking the player in the mouth. Saifi then threw a sports drink bottle at a wall in the interview area, as Halimi was ushered away by security staff.

HahnSolo Jun 23 2010 03:32 PM Re: Know Your World Cup Group C Teams

Shoulda been you, Klapisch.