OT: World Cup

[intlzncster]

What the . Both goals the defense was lazy on the back post and the whole game bradley barely played any defense at all. He'll win the ball and that's it. Him and beckerman are the same player they can't play near each other

He never plays D. After our 2nd goal, he should have been relegated to the bench. Cameron and Beckerman should have been on the pine then too.

 

[intlzncster]

So, we're +2 on Ghana, goal differential
+5 on Portugal, goal differential

We're also +1 on goals scored against Ghana...and beat them head to head.

So, is this right:

A win against Germany, and we're through, winning the group.
A draw against Germany, and we're through, in second.

In losses:

A Portugal-Ghana draw, we're through.
A Portugal close win (1-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, etc.) we just have to not get creamed, and we're through.
A Ghana win will complicate things. A 1 goal win means we'd be tied if we lose by 1, so it depends on the score. We lose 1-0, and Ghana wins 2-1, they tie us in diffential and beat us in goals scored. A 1-0 win for Ghana means we go through if we lose 1-0.
If goal differential and goals scored are tied, we go through.

???

If Ghana wins by 1 and we lose by 1, I think we are still through, no?

 

[Mots010]

Germany will play to win. I think we can count on that. If it's the 80th minute and it's 1-1, then maybe the teams sit back a bit, but I doubt it.

 

[intlzncster]

I can't put either goal on the defenders other than to say Cameron had a bad clearance. Ronaldo's ball came from way out. And it's hard to say where it was going to go.

What? Seriously? That was one of the single worst plays I've seen from a defender this world cup. That 'clear' was amateur hour. Just as bad as Stevie Gerrard's 'clear'. That was an assist. Not a clear.

There were two defenders in position on the cross. Either could have made the play. Lack of concentration.

Two awful breakdowns by US defense costs them a chance to go through.

 

[OkaForPrez]

If Ghana wins by 1 and we lose by 1, I think we are still through, no?

Nope. In the scenario above if we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 2-1, Then they tie us on points and GD but take the lead on goals scored by 1.

 

[intlzncster]

Not really. I think Beasley defended him fine. He was isolated and contained him, was only one stride away and got his leg in the passing lane but didn't get the deflection. You absolutely do have to worry about the blow by there - both since he can shoot from distance and if you get beat, you force someone else on the defense to slide over and potentially leave someone open in the box. Then Ronaldo has a head of steam and could maybe beat the next guy too. The defensive problem was Cameron did not defend on the weak side and reacted late, letting that guy slip by him unmarked. Sadly, both goals have his fingerprints on them.

The larger problem was Bradley giving the damn ball away so easily. Cripes - boom it to the corner and get set up, with everyone behind the ball and we at least have a good chance. Or fight a little and give your teammates a chance to start retreating. With the quick and easy turnover, we only had six guys back defending five, which is a situation which does favor the offense. Two games in a row that he's given the ball away in the last minute foolishly (against Ghana he boomed it to their goalie instead of taking it to the flag).

Yep. Cameron was the goat today. Terrible terrible game for him. I hate to say it, but the loss is kind of on his shoulders. Our D line just isn't that good.

I was disappointed in Klinsmann after goal 2. I wanted Yedlin on the back line. I wanted Brooks back there. Cameron/Beckerman out. Bedoyah had to come out though. Yeah the other guys have experience, but what good is experience with dead legs and not having supreme skill to begin with?

Bradley wasn't as bad as last game (not saying much), but it would be nice if he played one IOTA of defense. Just one. He literally did nothing in the back half. Just because he's attacking mid doesn't mean he can be a matador back there.

 

[intlzncster]

Nope. In the scenario above if we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 2-1, Then they tie us on points and GD but take the lead on goals scored by 1.

Ok, but if they win 1-0, then we go through.

 

[Gurleyman]

He never plays D. After our 2nd goal, he should have been relegated to the bench. Cameron and Beckerman should have been on the pine then too.

You only get 3 subs (I'm sure you know that). But to discuss the topic seriously, we had already put in 1 and we had to take Dempsey off, since he was on E and you need fresh legs to chase down clearances. You have to keep the last one available until stoppage time really so that you can replace someone injured and not be forced to finish with 10 - which almost happened with Beasley and Besler.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Ok, but if they win 1-0, then we go through.

Exactly.

 

[intlzncster]

You only get 3 subs (I'm sure you know that). But to discuss the topic seriously, we had already put in 1 and we had to take Dempsey off, since he was on E and you need fresh legs to chase down clearances. You have to keep the last one available until stoppage time really so that you can replace someone injured and not be forced to finish with 10 - which almost happened with Beasley and Besler.

I get that; I do understand the reasoning. I would have let Dempsey just stand there. Why bother even chasing? Just camp 10 guys back and call it good. We lost because of lack of focus on the back line (much of which had to do with tiredness).

You still shift Yedlin back and get fresh legs IMO.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm pissed as hell. That was a kick in the d$ck.

I would like to say that Jermaine Jones is a stud. He's been our best player this World Cup and my hats off to him.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I'm pissed as hell. That was a kick in the d$ck.

I would like to say that Jermaine Jones is a stud. He's been our best player this World Cup and my hats off to him.

My only comps are Aaron Boone and Darius Rice. Still can't process. Staring off into space.

 

[intlzncster]

The idea is to advance to the next stage.
If Germany/USA draw they both advance.
Germany is stronger team - if I am their coach I am thinking seriously of playing for a draw and making it obvious to USA very early in game that is my strategy and see if signal is received and returned.
No shots, no tackles, no risks, no mistakes, ball in mid-field, save energy for next round, let overall weaker of USA-Ghana advance, guaranteed advance for my team.

No, you want to win the group. Better matchup the next round. Germany will be playing to win.

 

[intlzncster]

I actually thought the same way you did live - but on the replay I was content with how Beasley defended. If you could do it all over, maybe Beasley could have gone way out with him and taken away the passing lane in the first place and used a "make someone else beat you" approach, but after a turnover the proper thing is to pinch in to protect the run up the middle, then fan out when the ball goes wide.

You have to back off Ronaldo there. No choice. Great cross on his part. That said, the back end of that should have been cleaned up. We had a defender front and back iirc. That has to be cleared.

 

[upstater]

What? Seriously? That was one of the single worst plays I've seen from a defender this world cup. That 'clear' was amateur hour. Just as bad as Stevie Gerrard's 'clear'. That was an assist. Not a clear.

There were two defenders in position on the cross. Either could have made the play. Lack of concentration.

Two awful breakdowns by US defense costs them a chance to go through.

I can't understand your post at all. I wrote Cameron blew the clearance.

 

[iri10]

Here's a short clip of the moment of Bradley's turnover. Man, he could have kicked that ball almost anywhere and it would've resulted in a win for the US. Hurts, man.

https://vine.co/v/MTlw9hwUAva

 

[Gurleyman]

I get that; I do understand the reasoning. I would have let Dempsey just stand there. Why bother even chasing? Just camp 10 guys back and call it good. We lost because of lack of focus on the back line (much of which had to do with tiredness.

Fresh legs up top when you are protecting a lead is huge. That one guy covers half the field by himself trying to chase down clearances and pressure the ball when their defenders are kicking it around. You basically tell him to sprint all over the place for 10 minutes. When teams play with a line forward, they will almost always make a sub there in the last 10 minutes (unless there's a possibility of OT where you might worry about taking your best scorer off the field).

It is very very rare to see center backs replaced late in the second half (when ahead or tied). A forward can take a bad touch while they are getting settled in and you can overcome it. You put someone in cold at center back and you worry about something like what happened on the first goal. A bad touch or a bad read is a goal.

 

[Waquoit]

Here's a short clip of the moment of Bradley's turnover. Man, he could have kicked that ball almost anywhere and it would've resulted in a win for the US. Hurts, man.

That was Tate Georgesque.

 

[intlzncster]

I can't understand your post at all. I wrote Cameron blew the clearance.

You wrote: "I can't put either goal on the defenders other than to say Cameron had a bad clearance. Ronaldo's ball came from way out. And it's hard to say where it was going to go."

So I was saying that you CAN put the first goal on the defender. My point was that it wasn't just "a bad clearance". That goal was 100% on Cameron (a defender). Whether you meant it or not, your post reads as though, "ah, it was just a bad touch...it happens." That is a ball that has to be cleared 100% of the time. Your statement would have been closer to the truth if you said it was one of the worst defensive plays in the history of American soccer (note: I'm not saying that it was).

On the second point. Ronaldo's cross came from way out, yes. But the defenders, who were flanking Varela, had just as much opportunity to see the cross as Varela did. It should have been cleared.

 

[intlzncster]

Fresh legs up top when you are protecting a lead is huge. That one guy covers half the field by himself trying to chase down clearances and pressure the ball when their defenders are kicking it around. You basically tell him to sprint all over the place for 10 minutes. When teams play with a line forward, they will almost always make a sub there in the last 10 minutes (unless there's a possibility of OT where you might worry about taking your best scorer off the field).

It is very very rare to see center backs replaced late in the second half (when ahead or tied). A forward can take a bad touch while they are getting settled in and you can overcome it. You put someone in cold at center back and you worry about something like what happened on the first goal. A bad touch or a bad read is a goal.

I've personally never been a huge proponent of the chase and harry technique. Let them kick it around in the back and waste time. Clog the middle and create a clusterf_ck whenever they try to move it forward. Heck, we would have been better served by simply clearing full field.

I'm aware of the second point, and you are not wrong. But the back line cost us the game (along with a garbage play from Bradley--that Vine depresses me). Which is why I would have liked to see Yedlin go back, as he was warmed up.

 

[huskiesouth]

No, you want to win the group. Better matchup the next round. Germany will be playing to win.

I am completely winging this but if there is a draw I would think Germany would be winner of group based on total goal differential - but that is a total guess.

 

[UConnSwag11]

He never plays D. After our 2nd goal, he should have been relegated to the bench. Cameron and Beckerman should have been on the pine then too.

can't say much for beckerman and cameron i though they were good, but bradley two games in a row just jogging on defense... if those two are going to play like that(beckerman and bradley in the center) we need another fwrd up top with dempsey to get the ball or get the ball and turn and attack because beckerman and bradley cant... but not with germany they have so many weapons and play so smoothly idk what to do now... need to recoup and think

 

[intlzncster]

I m completely winging this but if there is a draw I would think Germany would be winner of group based on total goal differential - but that is a total guess.

Ah, you are right, my bad. That said, I don't see Germany risking it by laying back. They will play to win.

 

[intlzncster]

Yeah, I'm probably a little irrational right now. A bit drunk, and frankly, gutted. But I'll be surprised if the US goes through now. Mainly, it's due to the fact that I believe Portugal is the worst team in this group (as they are currently constituted and playing).

Hence, Ghana will beat Portugal; the unknown is the margin of victory. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ghana crush Portugal.

I also think that Germany will win the game against the US; the unknown is the margin of victory.

It will be tough to make it through with those two results.

 

[housekeys]

Incredible match. Have to agree, Bradley not moving to get that pass set it up...but perfect pass by Ronaldo.
USA has a quality team but will need to play their best to have a chance to tie Germany.

Not to pick on you in particular, as I think you are in the majority, but...
The idea that Germany is so much better than the USA, as the above comments seem to suggest, is plain wrong. You are absolutely right, the USA has a quality team. The USA plays very good soccer ("in my country they call it 'futbal'"). They create chances and play with spirit and skill. Their defense is suspect at times, but otherwise, they are very good. There is a misconception, I think, that the USA is not on the same level as the other "name" teams. I do not buy it. It makes no difference that "there is no USA player good enough to make the German team". It is meaningless. Furthermore, things change. I have seen Costa Rica, Algeria, Iran, Australia, the USA and my eyes tell me a different story. There is a new age of soccer ahead of us.

As for today's game, Cameron screwed up in the beginning and Bradley in the end. I was upset the referee gave 5 minutes of stoppage. It was too much IMO.