hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Jun 23, 2009 13:44:35 GMT -5
KG, I understand that. I didn't mean that it should have gone to someone else. I'm just saying that regardless, I think when you are playing 3 games and you have lost the first two by a combined 6-1 score in soccer, it's pretty much absurd that you can advance to the semifinals. I know that we did by the skin of our teeth, and I realize that one of the 3 teams had to advance, so things fell into place for us. I just think that a 1-2 team advancing to anything, much less to the semi-finals of an international tournament is just silly.
That being said, I'd still love to see us shock the world and knock off Spain. It's not going to happen ... but I'd still love to see it.
Incidentally, that same thing happened in one of the football divisions a couple of years ago. I forget which team, but one of the teams was really good. The other three weren't. They all lost to the good team and then went 1-1 against each other. In Florida High School football, two teams advance to the playoffs from each district. But with a 3 way tie, there ended up being a 3-way playoff between teams that all finished their district with a 1-2 record. I still think that a 1-2 district record isn't worthy of making the playoffs.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Posts: 10,355
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Post by Boz on Jun 23, 2009 15:08:07 GMT -5
It's no more absurd than a sub-.500 team making the NBA playoffs.
Happens in all sports. Just had a group in this tournament with one really, really good team and three struggling teams. Two of 'em have to get to advance.
Yes, it would be better if, in instances like this (not this exact instance, since there were only two groups), there was some leeway to let a better performing wild card team move on, but it'd also be better if, say, the NFL let the 12 teams with the best records make the playoffs each year, but they don't.
When you have divisions and groupings, things like this are going to happen once in a while.
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kghoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by kghoya on Jun 24, 2009 9:01:48 GMT -5
just for the record, id keep guzan in goal for todays game
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derhoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 584
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Post by derhoya on Jun 24, 2009 10:21:43 GMT -5
just for the record, id keep guzan in goal for todays game agreed. here's to hoping our d and mids play well against the spanish side
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 12:26:04 GMT -5
why? Howard has to be considered one of the best 10 keepers in the world right now. Guzan had a couple of nice saves against Egypt and I generally think he's a great #2 but he didn't play much at all this year behind Freidel and can't be considered nearly as ready at this point for a huge game against a world class attach. In a game where you absolutely need a rock in goal, you have to go with a rested Howard after a very good season of starting in the best league in the world over a solid and promisinig back up.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Jun 24, 2009 13:48:50 GMT -5
Well, this bites.
ESPN360 continues to be available to about 1% of the population.
The FIFA and BBC feeds can't recognize my "territory."
And none of the justin.tv feeds seem to be working at all (as is, I believe, part of their charter).
Geez, am I actually going to have to work this afternoon?
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 24, 2009 13:56:37 GMT -5
Not surprised at all to see Howard in goal. He still absolutely has to be the top-choice keeper at this point.
Glad to see Altidore and Davies starting, if only because it means Bob Bradley Super Genius isn't taking the Iraq strategy and bunkering the whole game.
Couple of touchy offside calls on Spain so far. The high backline by the Americans could be their undoing if Torres and Villa can get a well-placed through ball, and with Fabregas et al in the midfield, that's more a question of when rather than if.
Also, Viva Bocanegra!
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 24, 2009 13:57:47 GMT -5
zah?!
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 24, 2009 13:58:17 GMT -5
JOZY ALTIDORE! BRILLIANT!
IF he can do THAT on a regular basis, THAT is why he could eventually be the best American striker of all time. The touch with the defender on him, the strength to shield the defender, the turn, and the strike getting Casillas going the wrong way.
Don't get booked for your celebration though.
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:16:08 GMT -5
DeMerritt should start every important game from here through South Africa 2010.
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 24, 2009 14:19:42 GMT -5
Oguchi Onyewu needs to get picked up by a team better than Fenerbache (hell, even his old club was in the Champions League this year). He's too good to be hidden in Turkey. And yes, I know he'll be the top defender there and Fenerbahce is one of the two best clubs in Turkey, but still.
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saxamaphone
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
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Post by saxamaphone on Jun 24, 2009 14:22:00 GMT -5
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 24, 2009 14:26:59 GMT -5
My work seems to be blocking that particular download, but thanks for the thought saxamaphone.
Guess I'll have to watch the replay tonight.
Commentary on ESPN seems to indicate that this is not a fluke -- by which I mean the US is playing really well today (not the "if they played 10 times, Spain would probably win 9" kind of fluke; I'm sure it is that).
Meantime, can anyone share what Jozy did in his celebration to warrant the booking?
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:31:17 GMT -5
How solid is that rumor that Gooch is going to Fenerbache? My thoughts exactly, he's too good not to be in one of the big 4 leagues. He seems perfect for EPL.
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:32:00 GMT -5
jozy wasn't booked was he? They neglected to mention it on the BBC blog.
How in hell did Xerez not find time for him? Can't Villareal insist they play him?
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 24, 2009 14:38:33 GMT -5
Booked for removing his jersey after the goal. The Fenerbahce report is from Sky Sports ( Link[/url]). Apparently a deal with Birmingham couldn't be worked out. IIRC, he was connected with a move to Middlesborough last year.
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:46:30 GMT -5
Take Davies out for a fresh defensive middie.
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:48:30 GMT -5
Birmingham must have really been lowballing him because I know he wanted to land in the UK.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Jun 24, 2009 14:53:32 GMT -5
Booked for removing his jersey after the goal. Well. That'll teach him about not wearing a sports bra.
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Jun 24, 2009 14:57:59 GMT -5
US and A! US and A!
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