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CARLA;1269747 wrote: Exactly the US men are just not there yet, but I could be wrong. The US men will advance but not past the quarter finals.

If it were the Women's FIFA World Cup (coming 2011) I would say absolutely the US and most likely German or Brazil would be in the finals and the US Women will win it. :-6


:yh_tired

:-1











:wah:

We can alway hope and pray....!! I would love to see the US Men do great. :yh_pray:yh_pray

CARLA;1269755 wrote: We can alway hope and pray....!! I would love to see the US Men do great. :yh_pray:yh_pray


They did beat Spain, the #1 team in the world I might add, all the while halting their world record for most consecutive games won at 15 and without a loss at 35.

Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and had tied Brazil's record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996.Report: Spain vs United States - Confederations Cup - ESPN Soccernet

I think it's time to start backing the lads, it's the least they deserve

:yh_wink

K.Snyder;1269746 wrote: Sort of teased us didn't they?

Having the draw 6 months in advance! What's with these people!?!


They need time to sort the merchandising out!.......:wah::wah:

dubs;1269765 wrote: They need time to sort the merchandising out!.......:wah::wah:


I heard they were going to sell Thierry Henry dolls with it's left hand cut off implying the Frenchmen stole the result but the French aren't too Keane on the idea!

OK I will back them, of course I back them just seems when the US Men get in the "World Cup" or the "Olympics (when they qualify)" something happens to their play maybe this "World Cup" will be different. USA, USA, USA..:-6

[QUOTE]I think it's time to start backing the lads, it's the least they deserve[/QUOTE]

CARLA;1269777 wrote: OK I will back them, of course I back them just seems when the US Men get in the "World Cup" or the "Olympics (when they qualify)" something happens to their play maybe this "World Cup" will be different. USA, USA, USA..:-6


Well, we defeated Portugal 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals that lead to a blatant handball that prevented the USA the chance of going to the semifinals.

Alot of injuries to the US team which means utter horror for South Africa if we can't get Onyewu and Dempsey healthy!

Given the amount of respect that I feel is familiar with this site I doubt I'll see any jokes from those other than people anew.

Home - U.S. Soccer

K.Snyder;1287264 wrote: Alot of injuries to the US team which means utter horror for South Africa if we can't get Onyewu and Dempsey healthy!

Given the amount of respect that I feel is familiar with this site I doubt I'll see any jokes from those other than people anew.

Home - U.S. Soccer


Certainly not from me. I'm looking forward to you having your full squad available for the game against us.

Don't want any excuses now do we ?

Snowfire;1287413 wrote: Certainly not from me. I'm looking forward to you having your full squad available for the game against us.

Don't want any excuses now do we ?


I just want the USA to go out and play with 100% heart and for the love of the game. The simple fact of the matter is that the USA doesn't have at all the depth to make an impact in the World Cup when riddled with injury. But, because I know the USA can play well enough to beat teams like the #1 rated team in the World coming off of a record win streak, it's absolutely crucial for the USA to have their best XI on the field every game. This is obviously not the case during qualifying, even though I do believe the CONCACAF region is under-rated(albeit modestly), when the USA national team gets breaks throughout these particular fixtures.

The only thing going for us at the moment is more Americans giving up on the MLS and competing in far more competitive football/soccer overseas.

This may seem irrelevant to many non Americans but allow me to elaborate...

On the face of it this may seem like an attempt to gain respect from other nations and it's not. It's entirely to do with wanting other nations to notice how a particular group of Americans truly LOVE the game and wish to see their team excel in a very honorable activity. One of perseverance! Dignity! Honor! RESPECT!

Why?

Because it's human nature to want to be the best! Give it a good think! When was the last time you wanted to see your national team get beat? Why do you like the team you do?

To me it's very simple but on the face of it, as aforementioned, this can appear very primitive...I assure all it's not!

I'd rather lose playing my game than win playing someone else's...

I'm sure that whatever players are available to play in the World Cup for the USA, they will play with the pride and professionalism you ask for. Injuries will affect every competing nation.

As for your other point, its essential that your footballers play in the best league they can. That means the Premiership or the Spanish League, or to be honest, Europe in general. Its not being disrespectful to suggest your MLS is lacking the sort of football your best players should be involving themselves with. Where do all the best Brazilians and Argentinians play ? 90% of them in Europe. Its the best environment in which to improve. Good players play better when surrounded by good/great players. The best football in the world is played in Europe

It wont be easy for them. It takes time to adjust. Landon Donovan seems to have hit the ground running and he can only get better by playing in the best League in the world , surrounded by and playing against the best, on a regular basis.

Having said all that, you hardly want a mass exodus of your best, leaving behind the mediocre, to establish what is a young and emerging football league. Its not easy. More foreign footballers like Beckham may help to improve the profile of American soccer. It was tried in the 70's but failed because the grass roots were ignored. The culture needs to grow from the bottom with the kids. That didnt happen when you had the likes of Pele and George Best. It sadly all died a death, far too early

Snowfire;1287643 wrote: I'm sure that whatever players are available to play in the World Cup for the USA, they will play with the pride and professionalism you ask for. Injuries will affect every competing nation.

As for your other point, its essential that your footballers play in the best league they can. That means the Premiership or the Spanish League, or to be honest, Europe in general. Its not being disrespectful to suggest your MLS is lacking the sort of football your best players should be involving themselves with. Where do all the best Brazilians and Argentinians play ? 90% of them in Europe. Its the best environment in which to improve. Good players play better when surrounded by good/great players. The best football in the world is played in Europe

It wont be easy for them. It takes time to adjust. Landon Donovan seems to have hit the ground running and he can only get better by playing in the best League in the world , surrounded by and playing against the best, on a regular basis.

Having said all that, you hardly want a mass exodus of your best, leaving behind the mediocre, to establish what is a young and emerging football league. Its not easy. More foreign footballers like Beckham may help to improve the profile of American soccer. It was tried in the 70's but failed because the grass roots were ignored. The culture needs to grow from the bottom with the kids. That didnt happen when you had the likes of Pele and George Best. It sadly all died a death, far too early


Soccer is a huge sport over here for children...The 80's marked a very high interest in sports here for kids but it's evident the effects of this has yet to be observed. The greatest effects that is...

The reason, to me, is sickening!

Kids grow up to eventually get ragged by their peers because it's considered a "panzy sport" and is all to due with the fact soccer season is played during the same time of the year as American football...It's this way because of history!

I loved baseball, basketball, and American football growing up so it was hard for me to not continue playing them...Deep inside I've always wanted to play soccer but didn't because it was a "panzy sport"...

I could be playing for Manchester United this very moment having already sewn the seeds of "The greatest American soccer/football player" to have ever lived! :yh_wink

Well guys we've waited 4 brutally looooooooooonnngggg years for what awaits us now will be a blink of an eye in comparison. So to speak! :wah: :yh_wink :yh_kiss<----For The Ladies!!!!!!! :wah:

The World Cup South Africa is in 8 weeks...

What say ye?

Any preceding questions/concerns? How's your team's fitness?

The USA has the option to bring Dempsey on as his injury appears to be well, although I'm worried that Dempsey would do anything to play in that World Cup and I hope he keeps his future in mind.

K.Snyder;1301608 wrote: Well guys we've waited 4 brutally looooooooooonnngggg years for what awaits us now will be a blink of an eye in comparison. So to speak! :wah: :yh_wink :yh_kiss


Not good that the white supremacists are threatening to kill footballers during the World Cup in retaliation for the killing of Eugene Terra Blanche - he finally went too far beating up his workers and they hit back.

Bryn Mawr;1301933 wrote: Not good that the white supremacists are threatening to kill footballers during the World Cup in retaliation for the killing of Eugene Terra Blanche - he finally went too far beating up his workers and they hit back.


:yh_tired Oh dear... :yh_sigh...

Ya know, "you'd" think we could have a World Cup without killings...

I've no doubt the security will be very well, they usually always are...

Aside from the nonsense will you be encouraging England?

K.Snyder;1302052 wrote: :yh_tired Oh dear... :yh_sigh...

Ya know, "you'd" think we could have a World Cup without killings...

I've no doubt the security will be very well, they usually always are...

Aside from the nonsense will you be encouraging England?


I'll be encouraging them all I can. Am I encouraged by them? Not confident

Bryn Mawr;1302083 wrote: I'll be encouraging them all I can. Am I encouraged by them? Not confident


How important is Rooney to the England squad at the moment and do you think his recent injury might be a concern? Fergie Wergie looks like he might bring him on as a sub today against Bayern...Perhaps you'll be watching to see how he fairs?

Is it too soon?

(I suppose this question is aimed toward anyone that supports England ahead of the World Cup in South Africa)

K.Snyder;1302211 wrote: How important is Rooney to the England squad at the moment and do you think his recent injury might be a concern? Fergie Wergie looks like he might bring him on as a sub today against Bayern...Perhaps you'll be watching to see how he fairs?

Is it too soon?

(I suppose this question is aimed toward anyone that supports England ahead of the World Cup in South Africa)


In the form he's in now, he's very important. Ferguson let the media run panic stricken that Rooney had ligament damage, all the time knowing it was just a soft tissue injury.. Rooney started the game against Bayern.. It's half time atm, United went into the game 2-1 down, and scored 2 goals in the first 7 minutes, then added a third. Bayern didn't start playing 'til about 40 minutes into the half, then scored.... So it's 3-1 atm, 4-3 agg. Second half's about to start.... Back later!

Well....Shocker!!! Manchester are out K.. They had Rafael sent off early second half, and Arjen Robben scored for BM making it 3-2 on the night, but 4-4 on aggregate... Bayern Munich win it for scoring more away goals....:-2

dubs;1302268 wrote: Well....Shocker!!! Manchester are out K.. They had Rafael sent off early second half, and Arjen Robben scored for BM making it 3-2 on the night, but 4-4 on aggregate... Bayern Munich win it for scoring more away goals....:-2


Yeah I actually watched the game, I get FSC(Fox Soccer Channel) on my cable package...To see Man U come out firing on all 8 cylinders to then lose with a couple of quick out of no where goals seems wrong and I don't really care for Man U's swagger :wah:

But on Rooney I thought he'd actually broken his leg is what I remember hearing so I suppose I was initially thinking wrong...

On a side note Robben's goal to win it was the best goal I've ever seen in my life as far as technique is concerned...

How would anyone else rank it, obviously looking at it objectively as we have a very large number of Englanders on these here boards :yh_wink?

Bryn Mawr;1301933 wrote: Not good that the white supremacists are threatening to kill footballers during the World Cup in retaliation for the killing of Eugene Terra Blanche - he finally went too far beating up his workers and they hit back.


Eh? I live in South Africa and this one is new to me. Where did you hear that?

Dixie;1313663 wrote: Eh? I live in South Africa and this one is new to me. Where did you hear that?


So Dixie, is the atmosphere there steadily increasing in enthusiastic nature or has it pretty much been pandemonium since the 15th of May, 2004? :wah: :yh_wink

It is just wonderful. I went to Pretoria today. Flags on lots of cars, I also bought myself one from a street vendor. You hear vuvuzela's in the traffic and many people wear Bafana (our team) shirts.

The Cities have flags draped from everywhere, the grass is cut and the whole place is spruced up. Our high speed train started today from the airport to Sandton.

We think we can make a big success of hosting this event.

Dixie;1313781 wrote: It is just wonderful. I went to Pretoria today. Flags on lots of cars, I also bought myself one from a street vendor. You hear vuvuzela's in the traffic and many people wear Bafana (our team) shirts.

The Cities have flags draped from everywhere, the grass is cut and the whole place is spruced up. Our high speed train started today from the airport to Sandton.

We think we can make a big success of hosting this event.


Good...

:yh_wink

Let's try and livin this specific thread up seeing as we're almost exactly a week away from bliss! :wah: :yh_wink

Ok,..

Rio Ferdinand was today ruled out of the 2010 FIFA World Cupâ„¢. The new England skipper suffered a knee ligament injury at the end of a training session on the Three Lions' first full day in South Africa. FIFA.com - Rio's South African dreams dashed


What does this mean from England and it's fans' perspective exactly?

Is this a true concern throughout the World Cup or do you feel confident in the replacements' abilities?

"Michael Dawson is expected to fly to South Africa as Ferdinand's replacement" is a bit unsettling as I would think that the substitutes already designated to be with the starters would be the one's doing the replacing.

Anyway, how comfortable are you English with Michael Dawson being in defense!? :yh_wink

I was wondering about something. Inland, South Africa is dryer than for instance England so the fields should be harder and perhaps faster? I think England practice field is in Rustenburg. Maybe the field conditions are different which might cause injuries?

The altitude is also high. We find in Rugby that this lack of oxygen affects the visitors when playing in Pretoria or Johannesburg. Could this have an influence on Soccer?

K.Snyder;1313817 wrote: Let's try and livin this specific thread up seeing as we're almost exactly a week away from bliss! :wah: :yh_wink

Ok,..



What does this mean from England and it's fans' perspective exactly?

Is this a true concern throughout the World Cup or do you feel confident in the replacements' abilities?

"Michael Dawson is expected to fly to South Africa as Ferdinand's replacement" is a bit unsettling as I would think that the substitutes already designated to be with the starters would be the one's doing the replacing.

Anyway, how comfortable are you English with Michael Dawson being in defense!? :yh_wink


Its a blow for sure. However good a defender Dawson is - and hes had a good sesaon - it can only unsettle the team, if only a little bit. Players like certain other players around and perform better because of it.

I think we'll cope. Other teams have their own problems so its not unique. We have to rely on each player doing exactly as he has been told by Capello. Thats essential. Its as important the way you play when you havent got the ball as it is when you have. Every man has his defensive duties to perform when we havent got the ball and Cappello will have drilled that into them

I was wondering about something. Inland, South Africa is dryer than for instance England so the fields should be harder and perhaps faster? I think England practice field is in Rustenburg. Maybe the field conditions are different which might cause injuries?

Quoted by Dixie

The altitude is also high. We find in Rugby that this lack of oxygen affects the visitors when playing in Pretoria or Johannesburg. Could this have an influence on Soccer?


This will have been taken into consideration. Altitude traing has taken place and fitness levels will have been carefully monitored

Yeah! Go Bafana! :yh_clap

For a team that did not even qualify for the world cup, beating Denmark 1-0 is not shabby at all!

Hope we can win something (anything) in the tournament itself :yh_worry

Dixie;1313928 wrote: Yeah! Go Bafana! :yh_clap

For a team that did not even qualify for the world cup, beating Denmark 1-0 is not shabby at all!

Hope we can win something (anything) in the tournament itself :yh_worry


Home turf and home support will go along way to helping you to perhaps a quarter final place. That would be a wonderful achievment

What the team might lack in ability and work ethics (mind you I hear they have been applying their minds this time), the fans are making up for in sheer volume (in both ways) and enthusiasm!

I saw the first half and they seem to play much more like a team, it is just the finishing...ah well, here's to hoping.

Its very much about performing as a team rather than a group of talented individuals. Greece being a good example. They were by most people's standards an average team at the start of the European Championship in 2004. There were little or no stars in the side but went on to win the tournament. They competed as a team and did exactly as their coach told them to do, playing to their own strengths.

In the last World Cup Argentina were the best side by a country mile. They played the best football by a long way. They failed to win it because they were 11 individuals all playing their own game. That may work for a while and often look attractive but it has its limitations

Dixie;1313873 wrote: I was wondering about something. Inland, South Africa is dryer than for instance England so the fields should be harder and perhaps faster? I think England practice field is in Rustenburg. Maybe the field conditions are different which might cause injuries?

The altitude is also high. We find in Rugby that this lack of oxygen affects the visitors when playing in Pretoria or Johannesburg. Could this have an influence on Soccer?


It most assuredly will be in favor of those used to the weather conditions and added incentive for those with a much larger fan base obviously which is always prevalent for host nations.

USA played against Australia this morning(US-ET) and the pitch was atrocious. Clumps of dirt spitting up on every turn. Reminded me of a game in Honduras. Naturally USA won 3-1(Should have been 4-1 had the assistant ignored a blatantly non offside)but I doubt the pitch favored the US being used to that sort of thing in Central America. Quite frankly Australia didn't look in the mood at all and they have some serious questions that need answered before the start of World Cup South Africa 2010!

For the short winded answer most definitely will this have an effect. Will it have an effect enough to negate the differing level of skills associated with the teams looking for any advantage, I sincerely doubt it with perhaps a shocking exception but even then would have to be sincerely out of shape.

World Cup? No. Friendly, that which best fits the context of the word "soccer" in this instance, yes.

Snowfire;1313927 wrote: Its a blow for sure. However good a defender Dawson is - and hes had a good sesaon - it can only unsettle the team, if only a little bit. Players like certain other players around and perform better because of it.

I think we'll cope. Other teams have their own problems so its not unique. We have to rely on each player doing exactly as he has been told by Capello. Thats essential. Its as important the way you play when you havent got the ball as it is when you have. Every man has his defensive duties to perform when we havent got the ball and Cappello will have drilled that into them




Why not Wes Brown? I was under the impression he did a superb job backing Ferdinand up at Man U.

Dixie;1313932 wrote: What the team might lack in ability and work ethics (mind you I hear they have been applying their minds this time), the fans are making up for in sheer volume (in both ways) and enthusiasm!

I saw the first half and they seem to play much more like a team, it is just the finishing...ah well, here's to hoping.


Is everyone in the stadiums going to have those ear bleeding trumpets? Being on this side of the globe I can say that I've heard them quite enough. "Enough" is the key word hear! :wah:

It's that time again to dust off the football shirts and cheer your country on so we shall be doing as we always do, cheering Italy and no doubt collecting our winnings from the local bookmaker.

K.Snyder;1313959 wrote: Is everyone in the stadiums going to have those ear bleeding trumpets? Being on this side of the globe I can say that I've heard them quite enough. "Enough" is the key word hear! :wah: It's funny you should remark on such trumpets as my wife only just posted one to qsducks for her young son. :wah:

Peter Lake;1313961 wrote: It's funny you should remark on such trumpets as my wife only just posted one to qsducks for her young son. :wah:


What might appear ironic is the fact I'd rather hear the kid play a bagpipe. He might actually begin to make a note, then again, perhaps the boy would like a piano?

Oh forget it! Throw the kid a soccer ball out into the yard, we've enough musicians ffs! :wah:

Peter Lake;1313961 wrote: It's funny you should remark on such trumpets as my wife only just posted one to qsducks for her young son. :wah:


Peter. I've always had this feeling that Oscar makes that noise anyway. Its how it sounds to me, in my ears

K.Snyder;1313958 wrote: Why not Wes Brown? I was under the impression he did a superb job backing Ferdinand up at Man U.


Blew hot and cold too much. Not my cup of tea. Dawson is the better bet for me

Well qsducks does live in Philadelphia you know?...

Attached files

As I posted before, Africa is a noisy place and those vuvuzelas are load.

Rugby is larger than soccer here and because we did so well in the super 14, we had to play the semi and finals in a smaller soccer stadium because the larger rugby stadium was made ready for the soccer. Needless to say when the rugby fans arrived, the vendors were ready with nice light blue vuvuzelas. So vuvuzelas, I think, is now not only part of soccer culture but also our rugby.

I was looking at the pathetic little plastic whistle of the rev in the South African match and I though "good luck chum", but the stadium was "open" and not enclosed as the big ones, so the players heard him.

I read on Twitter the announcer actually encouraged the fans to blow those vuvuzelas. Ouch!

Dixie;1313663 wrote: Eh? I live in South Africa and this one is new to me. Where did you hear that?


Reported on the BBC with interviews of a representative sample of the thugs involved

Dixie;1313873 wrote: I was wondering about something. Inland, South Africa is dryer than for instance England so the fields should be harder and perhaps faster? I think England practice field is in Rustenburg. Maybe the field conditions are different which might cause injuries?

The altitude is also high. We find in Rugby that this lack of oxygen affects the visitors when playing in Pretoria or Johannesburg. Could this have an influence on Soccer?


Will definitely have an effect as it did in Mexico in 1986

High altitudes in a regions summer months will never see the World Cup. South Africa is obviously the best candidate to host a World Cup on the continent I think.

Let's be glad the temperatures should stay below 70 F/21 C...

If an unexpected warm front comes through I would think this might be a concern of the players health would it not?

K.Snyder;1314182 wrote:

Let's be glad the temperatures should stay below 70 F/21 C...




The predicted weather for today in Pretoria is 23 C. There is to be a cold front moving over which will bring the temperatures down with some rain by Thursday.

Let us do some predictions. Who do you think will win the cup? My money is on France. The team looks very focused, they have long ago already booked their venue to stay, I think they got the best one. They have their own running track, indoor practice area etc. If like Rugby, I think a world cup is won in the preparations at least two years before the event.

Bafana, sadly, I do not expect to make the second round. They started too late, only recently got this coach (again). Also the coach body language looks that way to me.

Dixie;1314209 wrote:

Let us do some predictions. Who do you think will win the cup?


Predicting the World Cup is a lottery. There are always suprises and upsets. The fact that the Dutch have never lifted the World Cup has always amazed me. Italy was a suprise last tournament, give that they should never have progressed past Australia and were gifted some of the most amazing decisions in that match ( as a Pom you would not expect me to give the Ozzies anything. To do so shows how lucky Italy were) Argentina played the best football but failed to do it.

Spain are rightly the favourites and are European Champions. To pin one team down is difficult so I'll pick a few to be there or there abouts

Spain....current form is good and team packed with class

Holland....again team full of good footballers

Germany....always do well, even when not fancied

England.....heart says will do well, even if my head is unsure. If we play to our best ability we can live with anyone

Brazil... casual play, comfortable on the ball, always contenders

An African team will cause an upset. Maybe not Bafana but Ivory Coast are a team I fancy to do well, or maybe Ghana

Argentina have superb players but a crazy coach. They were lucky to qualify.

Its always a great spectacle. There are always suprises, upsets, controversial decisions, tears and tantrums, amazing goals. Lets settle down and enjoy

Well I think it's always fun to give predictions.

I'll say USA! :yh_wink

:yh_wink

:yh_kiss<--------For The Ladies!!!!!!!

:yh_wink

:yh_wink

:yh_kiss<--------For The Ladies!!!!!!!

:yh_wink

:yh_wink

:yh_kiss<--------For The Ladies!!!!!!!

Come on england..............

I think South Africa and Mexico are two teams of equal prestige so I think the opening game will be a good one.

Anyone feel one will win over the either? Why?

Does anyone realize the World Cup is within two days?

K.Snyder;1314965 wrote: I think South Africa and Mexico are two teams of equal prestige so I think the opening game will be a good one.

Anyone feel one will win over the either? Why?

Does anyone realize the World Cup is within two days?


To take it I'll say that South Africa will either win or the game will draw. I think Mexico is struggling with an identity atm and was evident in their struggle to qualify.