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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 6, 2006 13:23:14 GMT -5
St. Pete, all Korea has to do to get that far is finish second in their group. Are you really that comfortable putting money on Togo and the Swiss? If so send me a PM.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 6, 2006 13:26:05 GMT -5
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miamihoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 6, 2006 14:00:46 GMT -5
I agree Korea is in for a major letdown this time around. Their run to the semifinals four years ago has to rank among the greatest flukes of all time. They were helped along the way by terrible officiating. Spain, Italy, and Portugal all had legitimate beef in saying that they essentially got screwed by the refs in their matches against the home team. They are playing in among the weakest, if not the weakest, group so its possible they advance to the knockout round. Still, i think France and Switzerland advance.
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SEAHoya
Century (over 100 posts)
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Post by SEAHoya on Jun 6, 2006 14:58:57 GMT -5
I can't believe I'm actually talking about Korea, but I have to say, I think the only way they get out of this group is if France lays an egg like in 02. Having manged to catch a few of the Swiss games this year, including the playoff matchups against Turkey I have to say I've been really impressed with them. They play a nice passing game, have a pretty efficient finisher in Frei, and Senderos really blossomed in Arsenal's Champions League run to become a rock in central defence. I wouldn't be suprised if they take the group.
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 6, 2006 18:47:15 GMT -5
Sorry HSB, I forgot only the Italians can fix results, not ze Germans.
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Jun 7, 2006 2:18:18 GMT -5
I agree with France and the Swiss as well - they had to do more to qualify, they've looked better in their recent form (and the world cup is all about who is hot at the time - and Brazil), and they are closer to home (some might make a joke about the french used to hearing German speakers - but I won't do that).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2006 18:50:41 GMT -5
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FLHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Proud Member of Generation Burton
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Post by FLHoya on Jun 8, 2006 15:25:02 GMT -5
So ESPN Classic is showing classic USA games from the 2002 World Cup this afternoon (well, the two wins anyway...007 has to settle for just memories of the US-Poland game that "didn't count" for today at least). The USA-Portugal game just ended, and it occured to me: jeebus, Jack Edwards was nauseating to listen to. I mean, Bob Ley wasn't exactly Andres Cantor-level material in 1998 either (when some variation of "IN!!" is your goal call, you should prob. stick to OTL Nightly). But I gotta say, "Mine eyes have seen the glory!"--Edwards' call at the final whistle of the Portugal game--is one of my favorite unintentional comedy moments in sportscasting. And then he topped it with his call at the end of the Mexico game (4pm-6pm if you get home in time): "The land of the free...the home of the brave...is in the quarterfinals!!"--well, the last part I'm paraphrasing. I'm truly sad the US didn't beat Germany, cause I'm convinced Jack-o would've quoted the Declaration of Independence ("When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one team to BEAT GERMANY!"). Beating Brazil in the final almost certainly would have meant liberal quoting from Neil Diamond's "Coming to America"** (**I went to the opening game at the Orlando site in the 1994 World Cup. The opening ceremony consisted of two oversized wooden ships carrying the flags of the two teams--Belgium and Morocco--amidst confetti being tugged onto the field to the tune of "Coming to America". It also featured a concert performance/National Anthem by Jon Secada...well jeez, it WAS 1994 after all. Three years later, I went to Game 3 of the NLCS in Miami, and son of a beesting if Jon Secada didn't sing the National Anthem AGAIN!) My point here is...I think it was a really inspired decision by ESPN to make a BASEBALL ANNOUNCER the leader of the #1 team for the 2006 World Cup. I mean it makes sense in the progression...the Sunday morning Sportcenter anchor/OTL guy, that dude from the Little League World Series before Harold Reynolds, and that dude who does Wednesday Night baseball or whatever. I'm convinced someone in Bristol must have compromising photos of J.P. Dellacamera in a "You're With Me, Leather!" shirt. He's on the B announce team with me John Harkes. Rob Stone is the C announce guy, and there's a couple in-studio teams. Derek Rae is apparently stored in a tube of formaldehyde until next year's Champions League matches get underway. www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2006-05-14-hiestand_x.htmSo it's all about Telemundo/Univision/Telefutura/whichever one Cantor's working for these days starting tomorrow. P.S. One of my favorite random moments of that Portugal game is that Jack Edwards says of Frankie Hejduk, "He's not as talented* as a guy like David Regis". Wow. Jeebus. Whatever happened to THAT guy?? (*He might have said versatile or something along those lines. But poor Frankie got negatively compared to the Matt Causey of the USMNT. Ouch.) EDIT: Here, have fun signing this: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/World_Cup_Announcers
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2006 15:52:27 GMT -5
As long as I get a heavy dose of Tommy Smyth over the next month, I'll be a happy man. I can't understand 74% of what he's saying, but I'm always giggling. Good stuff.
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miamihoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 8, 2006 19:06:41 GMT -5
It also featured a concert performance/National Anthem by Jon Secada...well jeez, it WAS 1994 after all. Three years later, I went to Game 3 of the NLCS in Miami, and son of a beesting if Jon Secada didn't sing the National Anthem AGAIN!) Oh man...I was at that game and hated having to listen to him...It as if there is a law in South Florida that Secada and Gloria Estefan are required to sing the national anthem at all sporting events. They didnt sing yet at any of the heat home playoff games, but there's still time (anyone got any Finals tixs they willing to spare ) I've always watched the Cup on the channels of Univision because I enjoy the Spanish announcers commentary more than the dull, boring ABC coverage. Yet last time around especially, I became fed up of their constant support of the Mexican team. I realize they are Mexican based channels, but considering my disdain for the team, its nauseating to hear them praise it all day. So we'll see what I end up choosing to watch. I got a Dish Network package with all sort of international channels, so I might check those out to get a non-Mexican, non-ESPN perspective of the World Cup. Either way, I couldnt be more excited bout tommorow morning (well actually I am rite now about the Heat game later tonite). Its the start of a great month for sports.
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Locker
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by Locker on Jun 8, 2006 20:54:16 GMT -5
So who do y'all think will start for the U.S.?
The back 4 are set in stone (Lewis, Gooch, Pope, Cherundolo).
Likewise, McBride, Donovan, and Reyna will each start somewhere, and Mastroeni is a near lock at d-mid.
So that leaves two spots open.
At least one of Beasley and Convey will be in there. No way both start on the pine.
So that leaves the other, John O'Brien, Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey, and Josh Wolf fighting for the last spot.
I think it's gonna be Johnny O. Here's my thinking:
First, Arena LOVES the guy. Whenever he's healthy, Arena starts him. No two ways about it.
Second, I think he'll be healthy enough to go 60-70 minutes. Yes, Arena's been throwing off indications that JOB is not fit enough to start, but my guess is that this is a classic Arena disinformation campaign. And this Cup really is a make-or-break for the rest of JOB's career -- he can make a lot of clubs forget the last 4 years with a strong showing.
Third, he's more important to us at the start of the game than at the end. He'll be a calming presence early on and help us settle our nerves. And the others who would be left on the bench if JOB starts -- the Convey/Beasley loser, Dempsey, Johnson -- are young speed guys well suited to the supersub role.
Of course, maybe he really is not fit enough to even go 60. But I sure hope he is, because I think this would be a killer lineup:
McBride Donovan
O'Brien Beasley Mastro Reyna
Lewis Pope Gooch Dolo Keller
Is it Monday yet?
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 9, 2006 0:28:40 GMT -5
JOB, if healthy, has to start. He and Donovan (as much as I despise him) are vital to linking midfield to attack and giving opportunities to our forwards. I wouldn't be surprised either if Arena is withholding information. I think the Czechs are playing the same game vis a vis Baros and Nedved. As much as I'd like them to be hurt and miss the US game, I'm guessing the chances are slim to none that that happens. All that said, I have to set up my VCR to start programming Germany-Costa Rica tomorrow. This was the worst week to start my first ever 40 hour/week job. Although I do get all the unintentional comedy of having my coworkers ask how strong the engineering program at Georgetown is.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 9, 2006 5:06:53 GMT -5
I really think it's going to be hard for Arena to keep convey off the field as well as he's been playing. I would defiently start him. Ok i may be a littel biased since i know the family and have met him ( yeah name drops) but completely objectively he's been playing great football.
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miamihoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 9, 2006 10:54:17 GMT -5
Ya I say start Convey...he has been hot lately and playing at top-form.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2006 16:17:50 GMT -5
Bad loss for Poland against Ecuador. But hey, at least the Ecuador goalie didn't score on a punt.
Progress is progress...
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Jun 9, 2006 16:34:47 GMT -5
It was definitely a bad loss, especially considering that Poland had beaten Ecuador 3-0 in like November, but enough with the goalie jokes. Poland has actually had some success historically in the world cup. Get back to me when the US finishes in the Top 3 in 2 world cups.
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miamihoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 9, 2006 17:26:12 GMT -5
Its incredible how popular the video of the Colombian goalie to Poland Goal punt has become..its already one of the most viewed videos ever on Youtube.com...as for today's game, i was suprised to see Ecuador come out so strong, as they usually dont play very well away from home. Only reason they qualified is because nobody in South America is capable of playing in the high elevations of Quito.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 9, 2006 18:14:28 GMT -5
the germany costa rica game was awesome. the first and last german goals were amazing. poor poland they controlled most of the play but couldn't get anythign going in the offensive third until the last couple of the minutes of the game. germany's defiently emerging from the group and after that it's anyone's guess. I'm picking coast rica but ecuador has a leg up right now. i don't see poland advancing kurt, sorry, until they can learn to finish.
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Post by washingtonhoya on Jun 9, 2006 20:13:23 GMT -5
I came home at lunch to watch about 10 minutes of Poland-Ecuador, and hearing the Polish team compared to 007's favorite basketball team Gonzaga made my day.
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FLHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Proud Member of Generation Burton
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Post by FLHoya on Jun 9, 2006 21:46:40 GMT -5
I came home at lunch to watch about 10 minutes of Poland-Ecuador, and hearing the Polish team compared to 007's favorite basketball team Gonzaga made my day. It was a huge hit in the 007 apartment* (unresolved question: which player is J.P. Batista?)...and it's a testament to 007's...well, something, I have no idea, that no less than 2 other people watching the game with him were compelled to show up/change into clothing consisting entirely of the colors in the Polish flag. Gosh darnit I loooooooooves me the offsides trap. Used to HATE HATE HATE being the assistant referee for games when a team would use it, because you were guaranteed three things when the trapping team was defending on your side of the field: (1) you were probably gonna call about 10 offside infractions; (2) the trapping team would probably give up 2 goals (maybe more); (3) you would be cursed out and mercilously blamed for not calling offsides on those goals. It's like that covert video making the rounds on the 'Net allegedly showing the Italian National Team practicing/receiving instruction in diving/writhing on the ground in mock pain. I feel like offside trap-employing teams must get training in defiantly bitching out assistant refs for not calling offsides. Here's an idea...quit worrying about ball watching for the right moment to step up and, ya know, actually play defense. I mean, Marcelo Balboa had me the 17,532nd time he said it, but you really oughta not offsides trap against Paolo Wanchope, cause you're basically playing into his strength, which is the elephant-stomping-10-year-old-on-roids-awkward-through-ball-breakway. But some purdy goals there by Allemagne, huh? Sometimes I wonder if Costa Rica might in fact be coached by Paul Westhead.* (*So they COULD be the 1989/90 Loyola Marymount of the tournament, esp. if they advance to Round 2. I think Poland might be more like Marquette minus the Dwayne Wade period, but that's an analogy in progress.)
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