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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jun 16, 2014 - 06:55pm PT
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I'm not an aficionado but Ghana seemed to dominate except for the score. Does that bode well for the future?
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Jun 16, 2014 - 08:30pm PT
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They're a bit beat up & the competition will only get tougher.
Jermaine Jones is da man! On to Portugal now.
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Osprey
climber
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Jun 16, 2014 - 08:36pm PT
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90+ minutes of determination and 3 points is a great way to start the cup. Sure was a pleasure to watch. Soccer is a kick in the grass.
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Jun 16, 2014 - 10:50pm PT
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IMO Netherlands & Germany are the strongest teams so far.
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this just in
climber
north fork
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 17, 2014 - 07:42am PT
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I agree even though the sample size is so small. I believe they could face each other in the finals, but it's still to early to predict how they will seed in the knockouts and who they will play. We get to see Belgium today and I'm excited about that.
I guess I'm going for Mexico later.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 17, 2014 - 08:06am PT
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Mexico? Boy, you are a hopeless romantic.
Looking forward to seeing Belge but unsure of how much of a workout Algeria will give them.
Belge 3 Algeria 0. Didn't this Mexican ref make a mess of a game in S Africa?
Brasil 2 Mexico 0. Mexico's best player is a Brasileiro who couldn't make Brasil's practice squad.
Russia 2 S Korea 0
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little Z
Trad climber
un cafetal en Naranjo
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Jun 17, 2014 - 09:22am PT
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that Mexican ref is known as "Dracula" in the popular press here
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Jun 17, 2014 - 09:46am PT
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That was a great result, but Ghana pretty much dictated the game for 80 minutes. They kept the ball in the US end most of the game.
US needs to pass better and keep possession or they are going to have a tough time the rest of the way. Many times they looked a little panicky when clearing their box.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:01am PT
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Belge has not impressed. Nobody seems to want to run., way too static and no winger play.
Lukaku's few touches have not been quality and their long range cannonades have been poor.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:37am PT
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I think that was the most painful US National Team game that I have seen. 95 minutes of pain with 5 minutes of decent soccer. 8 to 9 guys bunker-ed down playing defense for eternity. I thought Da German was going to bring flair and excitement, "American futball". If that is it he can take it somewhere else.
Not one player was able to hold the ball for more than a few seconds and there was seldom a time where the team could string together more that 3 passes. The very end of the game the team was trying to kill the clock and still no one could hold the ball. WTF.
Yes we did win and an ugly win is still a win. But that was not a great game and it was not inspirational soccer. The only thing the USMNT had over the Iranian National Team was they played offense for 5 minutes. I do not see how people rip one team and say the other team played great.
One guy sitting next to me summed it up best, "this is poverty vs misery".
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pc
climber
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:45am PT
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I think the game was good practice for the game against Germany. US is going to have to have defense dialed in and we're going to need more than just a few personal defensive heroics to survive. 0-0 would be victory for the ages in that one...
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:54am PT
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Hey mud, I agree it wasn't pretty and if they play that way vs Portugal or Germany, the USMNT will get whooped.
RE Klinsmann, he was able to do what 2 previous USMNT coaches were unable to do..beat Ghana. Many of the players were hand picked by Jurgen, including Brooks Jr, who scored the winning goal, and Jermaine Jones, who was arguably the best player on the US side.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:59am PT
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Belge is in for some soul-searching. Witsel and Origi's misses were inexcusable. Vertongen's
foul was beyond stupid. When the game was still tied they looked to only be playing for the
tie. And the reasons why Mertens and Fellaini didn't start are what?
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Jun 17, 2014 - 11:24am PT
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Wow Mertens' goal was outstanding.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Jun 17, 2014 - 11:34am PT
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It will be interesting to see what happens with the US/Portugal game. Portugal is missing a couple important players. And CR7 may be not 100%. But he and Nani will not miss as many chances as the Ghanians did last night.
The US, and specifically Bradley, will have to do better in possession. And while I'm not the world's biggest Landon Donovan fan, without Altidore, we've got a striker problem. Johansson was useless last night. And Wondolowski isn't really a possession type striker either.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Jun 17, 2014 - 11:59am PT
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yeah, not a Donovan fan but after watching that game it became very apparent that he is the only player we have that can carry and protect the ball. Dempsey can carry the ball only when attacking the goal.
We won that was the only positive from that game. The corner set piece was well rehearsed and well played. I think Brooks scored because of all the trash I have been talking about him, that and he got that one good defensive save at the end of the game. But in many games he has been a liability because he lacks speed and technique. Bedoya over Donovan really?
But, man that was painful to watch. With 30 minutes left I could not help but think; we have to watch this for 30 more minutes?!
I would rather have Pia as a coach!
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little Z
Trad climber
un cafetal en Naranjo
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Jun 17, 2014 - 01:44pm PT
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I would rather have Pia as a coach!
me too! I hear she's a strict disciplinarian
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this just in
climber
north fork
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 17, 2014 - 01:58pm PT
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Mexico played great, Ochoa deserved a win but earned their point for them. Brasil isn't looking good.
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