OT: World Cup

[SubbaBub]

I'm rooting for England. But I have to hand it to Suarez this year. For all his BS, he really plays hard and within the team concept.

He's a wanker. A player of his talent and ability doesn't need to be a whiny, diving little prck. He's also not the best teammate. You'll see him openly rag his own teammates. Very much like a diva WR in the NFL.

 

[intlzncster]

The 2nd half of Colombia v. Ivory Coast has been really fun to watch. I really like both teams, so hopefully both advance.

I like Colombia to go through. Very fun team to watch. Up and coming too. Nice young set of guys.

 

[SubbaBub]

I don't think he is irreplaceable. He was in poor form for the U.S. until Nigeria, and for Sunderland as well. I certainly hoped he'd give us some of his old scoring touch, but I wasn't counting on it.

Klinsman will adjust. Does anyone think he'll consider going with just Dempsey up front, and insert Zusi with Bradley in forward midfield? Jermaine Jones was superb against Ghana, both pushing back and covering for Beasley on wing defense. It seems to me that Zusi is the best offensive player on the bench and would greatly help our struggling possession game. Might see Julian Green as well.

I think it will be Mix or Wondo playing under Dempsey. Wodo is Dempsey s backup and Dempsey is Jozy's. I think AK went in because it was a sub situation. Wondo is better from the start.

But I'd like to see Mix Bradley Zusi below Dempsey in the 4 2 3 1. Jones, Beckerman, and Bradley can play the same game as vs Ghana and Mix can play higher on the wing and drift under Dempsey.

 

[intlzncster]

I think it will be Mix or Wondo playing under Dempsey. Wodo is Dempsey s backup and Dempsey is Jozy's. I think AK went in because it was a sub situation. Wondo is better from the start.

But I'd like to see Mix Bradley Zusi below Dempsey in the 4 2 3 1. Jones, Beckerman, and Bradley can play the same game as vs Ghana and Mix can play higher on the wing and drift under Dempsey.

I don't hate on Wondo as much as everyone else seems to. He may not be as talented as others, but he's had a nose for the goal lately. There's no shame in riding the hot hand. He may be just a poacher, but poached goals still count on the scoreboard!

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I like Colombia to go through. Very fun team to watch. Up and coming too. Nice young set of guys.

Brazil vs. Colombia in the Sweet 16 first round of knockout matches is shaping up to be a true classic. If Colombia had Falcao in the mix with the other young talent upfront I think they win the World Cup this year. Neymar will be an extremely tough mark for the Colombians.

What an unbelievable match Brazil vs. Colombia. That crowd will be as electric at any soccer game in recent history!

 

[SubbaBub]

I don't hate on Wondo as much as everyone else seems to. He may not be as talented as others, but he's had a nose for the goal lately. There's no shame in riding the hot hand. He may just be a poacher, but poached goals still count on the scoreboard!

I like that he knows what he is and we know what he is. He could get the start. But in truth, Dempsey is also more poacher than anything else. That run against Ghana is about as long a run as you'll likely see from him. He's most dangerous getting on the end of balls inside the 18yd box.

I think Mix can handle the ball better coming out of midfield than AJ or Wondo. That's the reason for my selection.

I also think Zusi/Bedoya will need to split time in the heat of Manaus to keep fresh legs on Ronaldo's side of the field. Look for Johnson to factor later in the game after this sub is made.

 

[bobbygt]

I think it will be Mix or Wondo playing under Dempsey. Wodo is Dempsey s backup and Dempsey is Jozy's. I think AK went in because it was a sub situation. Wondo is better from the start.

But I'd like to see Mix Bradley Zusi below Dempsey in the 4 2 3 1. Jones, Beckerman, and Bradley can play the same game as vs Ghana and Mix can play higher on the wing and drift under Dempsey.

I guess I have a hard time seeing why we would need two defensive mids- Beckerman and Jones. Jones can run box to box and even though I don't think Beckerman has been bad, he brings nothing going forward, which puts too much pressure on Bradley.

I've been a big Zusi critic, but I must say that he is an absolutely fabulous assist man. He's very dangerous when he has time to find his spot.

As green as Green is, I do know he can control the ball well and might take some pressure off Bradley. Might be wishful thinking on my part. So, maybe Mix should be the guy there?

 

[UConnDan97]

I guess I have a hard time seeing why we would need two defensive mids- Beckerman and Jones. Jones can run box to box and even though I don't think Beckerman has been bad, he brings nothing going forward, which puts too much pressure on Bradley.

I've been a big Zusi critic, but I must say that he is an absolutely fabulous assist man. He's very dangerous when he has time to find his spot.

As green as Green is, I do know he can control the ball well and might take some pressure off Bradley. Might be wishful thinking on my part. So, maybe Mix should be the guy there?

Beckerman's presence in the game is not putting pressure on Bradley. In fact, it's quite the opposite. He's there so that Bradley doesn't have to feel the pressure of defensive responsibilities. I think that the three of them in the game (with Jones) is actually the way we need to continue to play...

 

[SubbaBub]

I guess I have a hard time seeing why we would need two defensive mids- Beckerman and Jones. Jones can run box to box and even though I don't think Beckerman has been bad, he brings nothing going forward, which puts too much pressure on Bradley.

I've been a big Zusi critic, but I must say that he is an absolutely fabulous assist man. He's very dangerous when he has time to find his spot.

As green as Green is, I do know he can control the ball well and might take some pressure off Bradley. Might be wishful thinking on my part. So, maybe Mix should be the guy there?

Then 3 man central midfield, against my initial opinion, seems to be working. It allows each man to do what there best at and burden each a bit less in areas they are not. Jones likes to range up/down and side to side. OK, provide additional cover for Beasley/Dempsey on the left and move forward when prudent. Beckerman concentrates fully on defense and covers Jones/Bradley. Bradley is now allowed to play higher and doesn't have to retreat as deep.

The downside is a lack of offensive punch down the left. But, we lost that anyway once Donovan was left off the roster.

I think it's the best use of the players we have. Green, Chandler, Yedlin will get run if fatigue becomes a problem or we are way ahead Sunday or already through against Germany. I do expect to see Wondo at some point against Portugal. I don't know if/when we'll see Gonzalez. Cameron isn't coming off the field if JK can help it.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Initial thoughts on England/Uruguay…

· Very questionable calls from the Spanish referee that appear to be significantly favoring Uruguay, for example, they should be playing with 10 men now

· If the ref does not balance things out, this game could get ugly as Uruguay continues to be very physical and England is bound to get frustrated and will retaliate

· Uruguay’s defense and keeper looks shaky; but they look better than they did against Costa Rica

· Suarez, now with a goal, does not look hurt at all, was he ‘saved’ specifically for this game?

· England can’t put the damn ball in the net

 

[HuskyHawk]

Initial thoughts on England/Uruguay…
· England can’t put the damn ball in the net

Can't argue this. They seem to dominating from what I can tell. But then they missed a lot of chances against Italy too...although everyone does against Italy.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Wow, that was a heck of a save!

 

[intlzncster]

Suarez. That's the difference for Uruguay. Wonder how they would have been last game with him. England essentially out. Spain out. Who's next?

 

[Gurleyman]

I kind of think England could still easily out of this group - unless the Uruguay match wasn't a fluke and Costa Rica is a lot better than we think. If Costa Rica loses the next two games 2-0 (Italy, England), then England advances if Italy beats Uruguay. All of those things seem reasonable.

 

[Marat]

England essentially out. Spain out. Who's next?

Hopefully Portugal is next.

 

[intlzncster]

I kind of think England could still easily out of this group - unless the Uruguay match wasn't a fluke and Costa Rica is a lot better than we think. If Costa Rica loses the next two games 2-0 (Italy, England), then England advances if Italy beats Uruguay. All of those things seem reasonable.

I think CR isn't all that bad; couple of nice players. And they seem to be playing well, clearly enjoying the South American atmosphere.

And the scenario you describe isn't exactly "easy" per se. A lot of things have to go right for England, and in the World Cup, that usually doesn't happen.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Alex Morgan is ready for the game Sunday.

 

[intlzncster]

Alex Morgan is ready for the game Sunday.

And I am ready for Alex Morgan.


And the other 2 too.

 

[Waquoit]

Alex Morgan is ready for the game Sunday.

She was ready for the game today. Two goals while only playing in the 2nd half.

 

[whaler11]

I think CR isn't all that bad; couple of nice players. And they seem to be playing well, clearly enjoying the South American atmosphere.

And the scenario you describe isn't exactly "easy" per se. A lot of things have to go right for England, and in the World Cup, that usually doesn't happen.

As far as teams starting 0-2 go... that seems to be the best place you could be.

 

[Gurleyman]

I think CR isn't all that bad; couple of nice players. And they seem to be playing well, clearly enjoying the South American atmosphere. And the scenario you describe isn't exactly "easy" per se. A lot of things have to go right for England, and in the World Cup, that usually doesn't happen.

Easy may be the wrong word, but we'll know more tomorrow. If Italy blows out CR, which wouldn't really be a shock, then England could almost be considered the favorite to come out of the group going into the final day. Italy wouldn't have a spot clinched yet (with a potential three-way tie if they lost), so they couldn't rest people against Uruguay. England will have the goal differential advantage on Uruguay automatically if both finish 1-2, so they would just need a win over CR and an Italy win to move on, which would both be the most likely scenarios.

If Italy only beats CR by one, then England would need a multi-goal win against a possibly bunkering CR to pass them (and still get the U loss), a much harder task. It could also be one of those situations where CR would adjust their strategy as they caught wind of the Uruguay-Italy score, which can be fascinating (uh-oh, Uruguay scored - send everyone forward!)

Although obviously if CR gets a point tomorrow, it's all over for England.

 

[whaler11]

Easy may be the wrong word, but we'll know more tomorrow. If Italy blows out CR, which wouldn't really be a shock, then England could almost be considered the favorite to come out of the group going into the final day. Italy wouldn't have a spot clinched yet (with a potential three-way tie if they lost), so they couldn't rest people against Uruguay. England will have the goal differential advantage on Uruguay automatically if both finish 1-2, so they would just need a win over CR and an Italy win to move on, which would both be the most likely scenarios.

If Italy only beats CR by one, then England would need a multi-goal win against a possibly bunkering CR to pass them (and still get the U loss), a much harder task. It could also be one of those situations where CR would adjust their strategy as they caught wind of the Uruguay-Italy score, which can be fascinating (uh-oh, Uruguay scored - send everyone forward!)

Although obviously if CR gets a point tomorrow, it's all over for England.

Nate Silver puts it at 4% for
England to advance. Seems light to me but his model only gives Italy a 40% chance to beat Costa Rica. With CR and a draw both at 30%.

The betting markets see it a bit differently with Italy a huge favorite and Costa Rica paying almost 7:1 to win.

 

[UConnDan97]

Nate Silver puts it at 4% for
England to advance. Seems light to me but his model only gives Italy a 40% chance to beat Costa Rica. With CR and a draw both at 30%.

The betting markets see it a bit differently with Italy a huge favorite and Costa Rica paying almost 7:1 to win.

Sometimes, Nate Silver's numbers drive me batty. I know that I'm a bit of a "homer" when it comes to Italy, but if someone generates data that tells them that Italy is only 10% more likely to beat Costa Rica than the likelihood of Costa Rica beating Italy, then they need to take their computer and smash it against a wall...

(and I'm completely aware that I just jinxed my azzurri.....and yes, I know that jinxing isn't scientific either...)

 

[progrocks]

Costa Rica had a damn good qualifying to get to Brazil. They are not bad. The odds of them getting a win or a tie against Italy could easily be 50%, and then England is done.

 

[whaler11]

Sometimes, Nate Silver's numbers drive me batty. I know that I'm a bit of a "homer" when it comes to Italy, but if someone generates data that tells them that Italy is only 10% more likely to beat Costa Rica than the likelihood of Costa Rica beating Italy, then they need to take their computer and smash it against a wall...

(and I'm completely aware that I just jinxed my azzurri.....and yes, I know that jinxing isn't scientific either...)

and if his model hadn't been on the right track about Spain and England I'd question it more. He had URU and ENG at about the same chance to win today so he made me a lot
of money on Uruguay so I'm on his side right now.