FLHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by FLHoya on Jun 23, 2010 12:13:19 GMT -5
You won't find better unbridled expressions of joy than Jozy Altidore after the goal taking a flying leap at the US pile from about 10 feet away, overshooting it and landing on Clarence Goodson's head. Followed by Jay Demerit's awkward somersault over the top, which is exactly how I'd imagined a center back from Wisconsin would celebrate.
Landon made a great comment in his on-field post-match interview (not the shout-out to Bianca)...roughly, he said that the team represents an American ethos--you can moan and complain when things aren't going your way, or you can get busy and make something happen.
ESPN threw around the stat--during qualifying, the USA scored 9 times after the 86th minute in a match...and no other nation scored even half as many in that situation.
What they didn't mention--lucky #10 was the first game-winning goal. Only two of them, in fact, tied a match: Frankie Hejduk's* header in El Salvador and Jonathan Bornstein's goal that...well, sent Honduras to the World Cup anyway.
(*I know! Amazing how many players end up contributing in a World Cup qualifying cycle. When the USA played their first CONCACAF qualifier, Greg Monroe and Jason Clark were still several weeks away from debuting in the Kenner League)
About that October night in Washington, DC: it seems now almost like the Costa Rica game was the dress rehearsal--the US had already qualified at that point--for today in Pretoria. The same story with all of the missed chances--and amazingly, I think the finishing was worse at RFK--but the resilience to keep getting busy and make something happen. Michael Bradley's first goal was just an ugly effort play. Bornstein's...it almost fell too easily didn't it? How does nobody pick up a man on a corner kick in extra time when you're protecting a World Cup berth?
Or, why does a team go from one minute almost cynically protecting a 0-0 draw that doesn't benefit them to letting themselves give up a 4-on-2 counterattack in extra time?
Keep getting busy and something will happen.
One other thing that reminded me of RFK--in the later minutes of the second half, the pro-US part of the crowd rose to the occasion, as if they knew and expected something to happen.
That it keeps happening makes it a fun, but very stressful, team to root for.
As for the second round--Ghana, Germany, and Serbia would each be a different challenge, and I'm not sure I prefer one to the others. They each had a clunker in one of their first two games, so who know what'll happen in a single match.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Jun 23, 2010 12:14:17 GMT -5
What an outcome!!! I was watching before I came to work today on the Spanish station. I nearly crumbled on Dempsey's shot that hit the post; that had to be in, I was sure. At work I had to satisfy myself by following through the WaPo's commentary and scoreboard. When it got to 90 minutes and England was leading their game, I sighed. And then to see that goal in the 91st minute...WOW! Thank God for injury time!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 23, 2010 12:44:21 GMT -5
While we were certainly the beneficiaries today, I still think that added time is one of the silliest and most anachronistic rules in soccer.
But I'll keep my mouth shut on that one in respect of today's result. ;D
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 23, 2010 12:59:36 GMT -5
I think added time is weird, but fine. What I don't understand is why it's a secret. We have electronic timepieces now.
Couple of thoughts... How good has Michael Bradley been? Nepotism good! And for a team who's weakness is supposed to be the strikers and offense (and no, they can't finish), this team creates better than any US team I've ever seen.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 23, 2010 13:58:51 GMT -5
What delays during the game actually result in "Stoppage time"? Injuries.. yes. What else? Who keeps tabs on the amount?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 23, 2010 14:50:53 GMT -5
I have no, NO desire to play Germany once they get into the knockout stage. And get Klose back.
When's the last time they didn't make it to at least the semi-finals?
Luckily, they have just scored to make that possibility less likely.
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Post by williambraskyiii on Jun 23, 2010 14:52:20 GMT -5
as long as Germania wins today, they win Group D, yes? Barring some offensive explosion by Serbia in the next 30 mins or so...
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kchoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by kchoya on Jun 23, 2010 15:02:32 GMT -5
I think added time is weird, but fine. What I don't understand is why it's a secret. We have electronic timepieces now. Couple of thoughts... How good has Michael Bradley been? Nepotism good! And for a team who's weakness is supposed to be the strikers and offense (and no, they can't finish), this team creates better than any US team I've ever seen. Would you rather it be like tennis, with a fifth set lasting hours and hours, and going to 59-58 last time I checked?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 23, 2010 15:15:11 GMT -5
as long as Germania wins today, they win Group D, yes? Barring some offensive explosion by Serbia in the next 30 mins or so... You were saying.......? OK, they only have one goal, but I think they should have two. I'm pretty sure their guy was onsides in their would-be equalizer. It was razor close. But since I am bad at math, I really don't know if a tie is good enough or if they have to beat the Aussies.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 23, 2010 15:16:47 GMT -5
Oh, absolutely. Eventually someone scores. Down with ties, and down with playing for ties!
But my bigger issue is that the ref knows when it will end, and he gives a general idea, but the clock doesn't run. Why not? In what timed sport do they not tell you the time?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 23, 2010 15:20:44 GMT -5
Ghana? Ghana? Ghana kick their ass, that's for sure.
;D
(No, I am not underestimating anyone, just a little Office Space-inspired humor).
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 23, 2010 15:27:47 GMT -5
Revenge for 2006!
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Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by Jack on Jun 23, 2010 15:27:57 GMT -5
Home continent champ? Not Ghana happen this year, Africa.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 23, 2010 15:47:01 GMT -5
What a feeling this morning when the ball FINALLY hit the back of the net! Great stuff from the United States all day, and the team certainly deserved to win and advance.
We shouldn't take Ghana lightly, especially since they'll have the crowd behind them, but...Ghana's points in the tournament so far are based on 1) good defense; 2) a stupid mistake by a Serb; and 3) Australia picking up a red card and playing a man down for 66 minutes.
The Black Stars haven't played badly, but they've had considerable luck in this World Cup as well. No fouls in the box and we'll be fine.
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jacko
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Post by jacko on Jun 23, 2010 16:41:20 GMT -5
How good has Michael Bradley been? Nepotism good! And for a team who's weakness is supposed to be the strikers and offense (and no, they can't finish), this team creates better than any US team I've ever seen. My favorite of the tournament so far... Bradley didn't have a hand (/foot?) in the goal but he was huge for us all day in continuing to wear them down and keep chipping away, like Altidore and Dempsey.
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Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by Jack on Jun 23, 2010 17:07:14 GMT -5
Ghana certainly cannot be overlooked, but winning the group sure helps with the draw going forward. A bracket of Germany, England, Argentina, and Mexico is murderous (but also sets up for a nice little Sunday in front of the telly, doesn't it?).
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Post by HometownHoya on Jun 23, 2010 18:21:00 GMT -5
Stoppage Time: Since the clock runs CONTINUOUSLY throughout the game (except for half time), time is added to the end of the game to make up for any stoppages of play. So for example, goals, penalties, fouls, bench-clearing brawls, anything that causes play to stop while the clock is running.
Obviously its not a 1:1 deal, Ive never seen stoppage time longer then 5 minutes, but I've never actually tracked the time. They currently do inform you of the stoppage time, they don't even decide it until the last minute or so of the game and the 4th ref flashes it to the players, crowds, etc.
Imagine if you were following the game back before they started listing the time, you used to have to follow it on your watch and you never knew when it would end.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 23, 2010 18:25:16 GMT -5
Just reflecting on today's incredible victory in Stoppage time = OT. 90 minutes, still tied 0-0, yet another disallowed goal earlier... and finally, Algeria misses a layup, USA gets the rebound, great outlet pass by the keeper, the PG (Donovan) makes a perfect lead pass on the break, is perfectly positioned for the rebound and slams it home!
I nominate Landon Donovan as an Honorary Hoya!
GREAT GAME!!
Congrats USA and keep it going!
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
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Post by jerseyhoya34 on Jun 23, 2010 18:43:15 GMT -5
A great feeling for us all to enjoy right now. I just hope the team is not enjoying it too much. As with any competition like this, it does not pay to be satisfied at any point until the trophy is raised.
I admittedly have not seen some of the top teams yet, but, from what I have seen, I don't have a good response to "Why not us" right now. All of these games practically are decided by a single goal - often 1-0 or 2-1, it seems. Still others are ties that will be pushed to an overtime/shootout in tournament play.
We have reoccurring problems with getting out of the gate - even today, but we settle in nicely and have an overlooked potency on offense. Midfield play seems to have improved so we're seeing less of a traditional counterattack and more of the setup/arranged offense that you see from the higher caliber European and South American teams.
I liked our lineup today, and even better that we got some more folks run. After the first two games, I thought Onyewu was plagued by Patrick Ewing knees. He has great experience to bring to the table, but maybe not offset by other things.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Jun 23, 2010 20:48:02 GMT -5
A great feeling for us all to enjoy right now. I just hope the team is not enjoying it too much. As with any competition like this, it does not pay to be satisfied at any point until the trophy is raised. I admittedly have not seen some of the top teams yet, but, from what I have seen, I don't have a good response to "Why not us" right now. All of these games practically are decided by a single goal - often 1-0 or 2-1, it seems. Still others are ties that will be pushed to an overtime/shootout in tournament play. The bracket does seem to line up nicely for the U.S. Obviously, every team that they face in the knock out stages can beat them, especially if they start slow, but they won't have to face a "power" team (or a team ranked higher than them in the FIFA rankings) until the Semis.
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