***Official World Cup Talk Thread***

[buckeye76]

was that worthy of a red card? Looked like he was going for the ball and not intentional.........

He was already on a yellow. The second yellow meant he had to see red.

ok, didnt realize he already had a yellow card...

[jsence2]

Had France stolen it there, I'd have broken something.

Draw +230 ftw

[shel311]

More questions about Henry, like Dave was saying earlier.

I could be way off, but I thought like no more than 2 or so years ago, Henry was one of the best in the world, correct?

Is soccer a sport where guys can drop off really quickly?

I also think of Ronaldinho. Isn't he not even on the Brazilian team? When just a few years ago, he was the man.


It's odd. It'd be like Kobe Bryant one of the best in the NBA, then 2 years later, he's coming off the bench, lol.

[jsence2]

More questions about Henry, like Dave was saying earlier.

I could be way off, but I thought like no more than 2 or so years ago, Henry was one of the best in the world, correct?

Is soccer a sport where guys can drop off really quickly?

I also think of Ronaldinho. Isn't he not even on the Brazilian team? When just a few years ago, he was the man.


It's odd. It'd be like Kobe Bryant one of the best in the NBA, then 2 years later, he's coming off the bench, lol.

Think NFL running backs.

You hit your prime as a forward in your mid 20s. Once you start to lose a step if you're a shifty guy like Henry or Ronaldinho and get into your early 30s....it's hard to hang around.

[shel311]

Good comparison.

[Uuaww]

The farther back you play, the longer your career. Goalkeepers can last into there 40s (and usually don't became great til late 20s early 30s). Defense cap out at about 34, Midfielders in early 30s and Fowards in there late 20s.

I didn't get to see this game, but I heard it was boring. The red card should have probably been a straight red (studs up), but since he had a yellow, I'm fine with it.


You wanna see boring soccer? Watch tomorrow when Greece plays South Korea, or Greece plays anyone really. They run the very annoying 5-4-1 where two of the midfielders are defensive and it really is a 7-2-1. Bunker Defense all game long.

[jsence2]

The farther back you play, the longer your career. Goalkeepers can last into there 40s (and usually don't became great til late 20s early 30s). Defense cap out at about 34, Midfielders in early 30s and Fowards in there late 20s.

I didn't get to see this game, but I heard it was boring. The red card should have probably been a straight red (studs up), but since he had a yellow, I'm fine with it.


You wanna see boring soccer? Watch tomorrow when Greece plays South Korea, or Greece plays anyone really. They run the very annoying 5-4-1 where two of the midfielders are defensive and it really is a 7-2-1. Bunker Defense all game long.

Which is why I'm drooling over Draw +200

[jsence2]

Already 1-0 Argentina....this match is going to be fun to watch.

[Matt90210]

For iPhone users (and possibly Droid), Sportacular updated the other day and now display World Cup scores in case you can't or don't want to watch.

[Hoos]

Go time!

[jsence2]

You guys need to find a pub and go. You Orlando guys should be at the English pub on international dr. I'm at an Irish pub and it's paaaaacked, half USA, half england. And completely nuts!!!

[Easportsbama]

Can the USA put some pressure on the ball! Howard is looking strong in goal, but it might be a matter of time before another one slips thru......I am hoping USA can hold on for a tie at this point

[nick]

nice draw boys

[Hoos]

Huge draw!

[Seeitsaveit13]

Howard and Gooch both looked reassuring (minus Gooch's one falter). I'm encouraged by what I saw and a draw is a great result

[mcx79]

love world cup soccer !!!
i was standing in my living room the entire 2nd half

[jsence2]

love world cup soccer !!!
i was standing in my living room the entire 2nd half

I was at a local Irish pub, people were chanting, waving flags, singing for both teams....everything that happened led to cheering or groaning, celebration or cursing, depending on your nation. But damn was it exciting and fun.

Place exploded when Green fumbled it into the goal....I'm sure he'll blame the new ball, but as I said in the other thread, that's why it's so valuable to have a keeper in form--like Howard, who confidently made every save except one, which he STILL almost got to against one of the best shooters in the world from near point-blank--and why having one who isn't can kill you.

Fact is, we stole the point--Green gifted us the goal, England wasted quite a few chances. I still think Bradley made a mistake putting Findley in there instead of Buddle. I know he's fast, but Buddle is confident he can score against anybody right now. The point was huge, and as long as USA takes care of business in their next two matches, there is a trip to the Round of 16 in the future.

And Bama, to answer your question--the point was valuable, they did not want to overextend and give England space to work. Let them keep it that far out and take long shots--nobody has yet to really do anything via free kicks, long shots, etc with this new ball. Plus I'd take Howard against those long shots anyday, and twice on Sunday.

[Easportsbama]

And Bama, to answer your question--the point was valuable, they did not want to overextend and give England space to work. Let them keep it that far out and take long shots--nobody has yet to really do anything via free kicks, long shots, etc with this new ball. Plus I'd take Howard against those long shots anyday, and twice on Sunday.

I agree when they are outside the penalty area, but Howard himself was getting on the guys because they were out of position inside the penalty area and that lead to some good looks.

[jsence2]

And Bama, to answer your question--the point was valuable, they did not want to overextend and give England space to work. Let them keep it that far out and take long shots--nobody has yet to really do anything via free kicks, long shots, etc with this new ball. Plus I'd take Howard against those long shots anyday, and twice on Sunday.

I agree when they are outside the penalty area, but Howard himself was getting on the guys because they were out of position inside the penalty area and that lead to some good looks.

That's simply because our back line is not playing well right now. Guys have been playing out of position due to Gooch's injury, and unfortunately the chemestry isn't there. That's why you saw guys ball-watching at times, like on the goal.

[packsyD22]

I actually thought this was the most boring game of the whole WC early on. The draw is def a surprise esp with how quick England came out and scored.