World Cup 2010 Discussion Thread (may contain spoilers)

[CDNSushi]

If you're caught up on the games you want to watch, feel free to discuss them here.

Man, it's been a crazy weekend. First of all, my wife has become a soccer widow. The TV is pretty much permanently set onto the channel that's broadcasting all the games. I've caught some live and some on tape delay, but I've watched almost every match except ALG v. SVN (for lack of time) and KOR v. GRE which got spoiled for me not once, but TWICE (just for good measure).

***This paragraph may contain spoilers***
My thoughts on the USA ENG game? ....Lots of yellow cards... Rough game. Howard made some amazing saves. Green... not so much. And I'm not even really referring to the one he let in. It's very possible that it's Adidas's Jabulani ball that they staunchly defend as being the most accurate ever. Players all say it flies and bounces weird. No, I'm just saying that he really wasn't put into too many situations that required him to show great skills. Here's my REAL question... It seems that ENG was playing to WIN from beginning to end, whereas the U.S. at some point, realized that a draw would be an acceptable result and by the end they were killing time as if they were leading. (Why would you even TRY to bring in a substitute with 5 seconds left in the match)?? I just wonder: at what point during the game did the U.S. managerial staff decide to go for the draw rather than the win? Or was it decided even beforehand?

***This paragraph may contain spoilers*** (FRA v. URU)
Sucked!!! I love Les Bleus, and I was surprised how much trouble they had with Uruguay. I can only hope they wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late and start playing like the team they are capable of being.


On a general note... For the record, I HATE the vuvuzuelas. They add nothing to the game IMO, and just drown out all the singing and chanting that I love to hear during games. I guess that ain't gonna happen though. It's an African event and they want their horns... :-(

[KFCarter]

For the USA a draw was more than acceptable... it was a great result, especially after conceding a goal so early in the match. They did push for a winner early in the second half and Altidore nearly managed it. I'm not a huge fan of him, but he certainly made Carragher look creaky and slow on more than one occasion... I think England have more to worry about than their keeper.

The ball... well it sure looks like the keepers are having problems reading it, especially on long, skipping shots (i.e. the US goal and the Slovenian goal yesterday). Also, so many long crosses and set-pieces are flying over everyone, the ball looks to defy gravity at times. I think we'll continue to see more "soft" goals and a lot of wasted crosses... at least in the first round. Perhaps the players will get adjusted to it after a match or two.

Got to agree about the vuvuzelas but they seem inextricably woven into the scene. Even my kids are complaining; my daughter said it was like watching a game inside a beehive!

Germany does look young... but dangerous!...although certainly the Roos aren't going to be their toughest test.

Anyone else think Argentina has huge holes in the back? I'm not sure Messi can outscore the world and keep them in it much past the group stage.

But it's still early... much to unfold. And loving every minute of it!!

[CDNSushi]

Watching NDL DEN game live... Spoiler below! (text in in light gray text. Mouseover to read it).

HAAAA!!! I can't believe it!!! Denmark Escobarred the ball! Hilarious! A nice highlight to an otherwise (so far) boring game.

LOL!

[CDNSushi]

Minor spoiler (CIV POR)

I'm amazed how well CIV is doing without Drogba. They are really holding their own against Ronaldo and the Portuguese. I got money on Portugal to win but I'm definitely cheering for CIV.

[GreenDragon]

I don't know a lot about Soccer, but I do know that the goalie for England that allowed the US to score at the end will never, i mean NEVER, hear the end it.

USA!

[Tony]

. It seems that ENG was playing to WIN from beginning to end, whereas the U.S. at some point, realized that a draw would be an acceptable result and by the end they were killing time as if they were leading. (Why would you even TRY to bring in a substitute with 5 seconds left in the match)?? I just wonder: at what point during the game did the U.S. managerial staff decide to go for the draw rather than the win? Or was it decided even beforehand?(

The US were playing for the draw from half time onwards.
It was nice of Rooney to realize that he was on the field at about the 70 minute mark and then he decided to start playing to make the end a little more interesting.

[BrazHunter]

Brazil is playing right now...
So far, their performance hasn't been the best yet ... Let's see how they do by the end off the first half ...

[dfmacliam]

I can only watch the scores on the IPhone ESPN app, but was surprised NKorea was able to pull out a late goal.. I was expecting Brazil to shut them out. I guess the World is watching these games at the same time, only our FarEast bretheren are having to watch at a much later hour. I have enjoyed the Cup so far and I am anxious to see the coming matches unfold...

It would have been a bit nicer watching Ireland play, but everything happens for a reason.... It's funny seeing Le Cheat (LOL) complaining about a hands ball, while he was the culprit who got away with it, himself...lol

[MacBean]

I've watched more World Cups than I care to count, and I've seen the best of Brazil's fabulous days, but Germany this year woke me up not only to the best in German precision, but also some new tricks that worked well for them. One of those was the wing diagnaling the ball backwards across the goal to miss the defense but lay open their own team members. Soccer in perfection though I am looking forward to a return of Brazil's style

[BCTrucker]

WOW, who are these guys from N. Korea, wow, not overly exciting to listen to but stunning the lowest ranked team in the tourney didn't seem overmatched terribly in the first half.