England v. USA

[eppertheleper]

That goal was pathetic, but as a wise man once said, "I'd rather be lucky than good."

[eppertheleper]

I did see an interesting bit on ESPN before the game that reminded me of a longstanding argument that arises every four year or so.

What if the United States' best athletes played futbol?

If you were to rank sports by their level of importance to the U.S., I think it would look something like this:

1. Football (American)
2t. Basketball
2t. Baseball
4. NASCAR
5. Golf
6. MMA
7. Hockey
8t. Tennis
8t. Football (Soccer)

With the lack of a following and respect that the sport gets here, it is little surprise that our country's best athletes choose more lucrative and glamorous sports.

I know the skills don't translate directly, but what if Chris Paul, Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Darelle Revis, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Johnson, and Chad Ochocinco had been playing their entire lives. Meanwhile, Dwight Howard has been working on diving stops on goal with his 7'5" wingspan since he was four years old.

It's always fairly pointless to play the "what if" game, but as the U.S. team is more of a punchline than a contender, games like this are more fun to play than actually devoting emotional capital to the outcome of these matches.

[C.O.Prodigy]

I did see an interesting bit on ESPN before the game that reminded me of a longstanding argument that arises every four year or so.

What if the United States' best athletes played futbol?

If you were to rank sports by their level of importance to the U.S., I think it would look something like this:

1. Football (American)
2t. Basketball
2t. Baseball
4. NASCAR
5. Golf
6. MMA
7. Hockey
8t. Tennis
8t. Football (Soccer)


It's always fairly pointless to play the "what if" game, but as the U.S. team is more of a punchline than a contender, games like this are more fun to play than actually devoting emotional capital to the outcome of these matches.

Number 8 is pretty good, tied no less. What was it's placement say 16 years ago or 6?

It's ahead of Swimming, Volleyball, tied with Tennis, WWE, Indy Car, I think 8 is doing just fine for Soccer.

I saw the US squad had fun while playing tonight and made a lucky against a crucial opponent, luck which they created for themselves (I would like to believe). Soccer moms all over are trowing surf party USA tonight.
Your countrymen are having a good time and succeeding, building their emotional capital and self esteem in the process.
I enjoyed watching them tonight.

England are under immense amount of pressure. Pressure brought on by the Beckham-era, and which I think is largely unfair to the players. 1-1 is not bad, but the tournament is just starting to roll and form is of the essence. Still would have liked to see Carlton Cole up front, even though Heskey was a pro.

[SlavikSvensk]

England are under immense amount of pressure. Pressure brought on by the Beckham-era, and which I think is largely unfair to the players. 1-1 is not bad, but the tournament is just starting to roll and form is of the essence. Still would have liked to see Carlton Cole up front, even though Heskey was a pro.

let's not forget that, every single tournament, england are expected to play under the weight of unrealistic expectations.

[force]

feel sick.

[Jay Pace]

that was lame lame lame
head in a bucket of shame
butter fingers green needs glue on his gloves

[SlavikSvensk]

he did make a nice save on the late altidore strike, though. that should have been a goal.

in any event, england should still win the group

[Burningherb]

Was a rather rubbish game lol

Thought the England goal was well worked and well taken but after the first 10 mins the USA started to get into it and it started to come in to the game

Goal for USA was a shocker lol, that position for England is cursed lol

Thought that greens save later on in the game was fairly basic if not made a meal of it lol, if you see the reply from behind the striker his hands are in the wrong position and should have pushed it out round the post for a corner, was rather lucky it bounced off the post and never landed at an Americans feet or even off the back off green and into the net

Still think England should top the group but leaves the question does Fabio stick with green or ditch him and more or less end his international career????

Has been funny so far, the star players in each of the games have been really quiet (for their standards)

Still my money is on Spain to lift the cup and become the first European team to lift the cup outside Europe

[Burningherb]

not sure how the press over there was talking bout it but the press here was talking about the game being a walk over and that it should be a fairly easy game

still go by my earlier prediction in the other topic and say that the USA could be the surprise team of the cup

[SlavikSvensk]

not sure how the press over there was talking bout it but the press here was talking about the game being a walk over and that it should be a fairly easy game

still go by my earlier prediction in the other topic and say that the USA could be the surprise team of the cup

the press was saying that we had a chance, but that england had a better one. before the game began, alexi lalas said he thought we'd win, steve mcmanaman said he thought we'd lose and ruud gullet said he thought it would be a draw.

win for the dutchman, and...well, kind of a win for us :)

[eppertheleper]

That's how they were looking at it here, too. Alexi Lawlas aside, a 1-1 tie was the best chance I heard any announcers give the U.S.

Even with all the media push it's still the third story. Then again, I'm in the midwest and college football is imploding right now as at least three major conferences are re-aligning and one will probably die next week, so that's taken a bigger portion of the sports news hour. Here it's third behind the NBA finals and the college conference shakeup story.

I'd bet it's bigger on the coasts. Then again, the Pac-10 is part of this re-structuring so the West coast may be just as focused on the story as they are here. Slav, are you hearing more about the World Cup or the Pac-16 out there?

[C.O.Prodigy]

who wins?

Your whole opening question became retarded because it was a draw. :)

The question was accidentally misleading as to the true result of the game.

Silly stuff.

he did make a nice save on the late altidore strike, though. that should have been a goal.

Not really his save, the ball hit him then hit the post, doubly whammy. Altidore surely wants that goal chance back.

[BloodStar]

i had a dream england will not do it out of group phase !

[DannyBlack]

buggery. Fair play USA, ye did alright. Well, only because the goaly is actually made of baby oil.

[SlavikSvensk]

everyone's playing under the same conditions. england had a huge advantage with the crowd and both teams had to deal with the ball and the pitch.

[force]

Nope, it was totally unfair!
You had a decent goalkeeper

[C.O.Prodigy]

In any event, the USA were celebrating that night.

YouTube - Hank Williams -- On Top of Old Smoky

[SlavikSvensk]

Nope, it was totally unfair!
You had a decent goalkeeper

:lol:

what the hell's the deal with english goalkeeepers anyways?

[Jay Pace]

They don't understand the relationship between the ball, the net, and their responsibility to keep the two away from each other.

[snooch]