World Cup Soccer?

[Anthony]

"Kind of" like a "running game" and a "passing game", in american football...lol

BTW, for whatever reason the referee made that call against the US team to disqualify the winning goal, it seems he won't get another chance to do it again. He won't be working in the next round, for sure!!

That is a great analogy.

I agree it takes a lot of skill to get up close to take the shot. Sometimes I wonder why they take the really long shots, but since I am a newbie I have no idea how often they actually go in.

Controversial referee Koman Coulibaly was left off FIFA’s list for the next batch of World Cup matches following the error that likely cost the United States a victory against Slovenia.

Yahoo! Sports revealed on Friday that Coulibaly was “highly unlikely” to take any further part in the tournament after being given a poor evaluation by assessors following his decision to disallow Maurice Edu’s 85th-minute goal. FIFA confirmed Sunday that Coulibaly will not play any part in Tuesday or Wednesday’s matches, which will include the USA’s critical Group C finale against Algeria.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wor...ref062110.html

Now that the U.S. will have a good referee for their game tomorrow, there can be no excuses.

[CasinoTom]

Sometimes I wonder why they take the really long shots, but since I am a newbie I have no idea how often they actually go in.

Not often, but when they do, it's totally worth it, see here

[Amateur]

I'd thnk those long shots are pretty much..."long shots"...lol Like a "Hail Mary" pass to the endzone!

...I really, really love football.

Renee, I can relate..I really, really love football, too, just american football, college and pro since both are huge here.

...The fact that these players run around for 45 minutes straight, take a short break, and then run for another 45 shows a kind of endurance that you don't really see in any American sport...

It's interesting you should mention the running required to sustain for these games...

(somewhat off topic)
I was watching a program on the Discovery Channel where they talked about this tribe called the "Tarahumara" living in the Northwest Mexico region of the Sierra Madre Mountains. What's interesting about them is that they run as a lifestyle, every one of them...barefoot. Often 70 miles a day. 30-40 miles a day is normal. Men, women and children all run all the time. It's their enjoyment. And they have these contests, running 400-500 miles in a 3-4 days. It seems they drink quite a lot of the "local beverage" before taking part in the competitons.

Actually, the contesta involve teams that run along kicking a "ball", in relays...last one standing is the winner!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarahumara

Seems like Mexico would do well to recruit these youngsters for their soccer team!!

[gyelloz]

Not often, but when they do, it's totally worth it, see here

Those are some sick goals, Tom. Major skill involved in those shots. I'm sure they make those all the time in practice. Much like the hail mary in American Footbal like Amateur mentioned, they were probably prayers, and the player got lucky when in went in, but watching the video it really looks like they knew what they were doing!!!

I thought the goals by Roberto Carlos, Nelinho, and Seedorf. Just being able to kick a ball that far, with such speed, and with that much accuracy takes years of practice, and a magic boot.

I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of the Mexican players is part "Tarahumara."

[Amateur]

Here we go again!! Disallowed goal on some phantom offside call.

It's just too hard getting a goal for some ref to call a foul like that!! USA haters or not, respect the game, if not the country.

I can't blame that even if we lose this, since we had chances to win before now.

[arkyt]

REFS tried to take another one away from the USA ... that goal should have been good!

They also missed Dempsy getting punched in the mouth; should have been an automatic red card.

In the end we got a bit lucky with the winning goal in stoppage time. USA wins the group and moves to the 16.

[Nandakishore]

If any team deserves to be in the last 16, it is USA. In two consecutive matches they were deprived of a regular goal. Hats off to their fighting spirit and also their sportsmanship since they accepted the infantile referree decisions in both cases without protest. I would like to see them move ahead, if possible, to the final.

Another team that I would like to see under the last 16 is Australia. Let's see what happens to this 'underdog' team this evening.

[TanyaEverest]

USA! USA! USA!

[Miss B]

USA! USA! USA!

Yay USA won! They're off to the next round!

[LuckyLizzy]

Love the cheer leaders! Go USA!

[Nandakishore]

What a pity that the Aussies narrowly missed the next round.

[Amateur]

Coup de Grass!!

USA pulled it out. They have taken the heat and represented our country so well. I am very proud of them!!

Break out the beverages!! I'll take my Mt. Dew on ice, please.

Congratulations to all who played so hard, and everyone who made their way to the next round!! Well played!!

[Renee]

What a pity that the Aussies narrowly missed the next round.

I set my alarm to wake up at 4.30am when the game was on here. Then I set my alarm for half time. Then I set my alarm for the normal time I wake up in the morning..

I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was look for the scores.. I first saw that Australia won and I was holding back tears... Then I remembered Ghana had to also win for us to go through, or we had to win by many goals if Germany won. Unfortunately Germany beat them and we didn't win by enough..

I wanted to cry this morning...

We should have gone through. I think we went into our first game already thinking we were defeated and when Cahill got the red card the boys gave up. It's a shame because the last two games were excellent... We beat a team that beat Germany. We always had a chance.

Maybe next time.

Now I have to pick a new team to support... I think it will be between Netherlands and England.

[gyelloz]

Is it too soon to say the USA is "good" at soccer? I mean last year they beat Spain, and made it to the Confederations Cup final, only to lose to Brazil, and now this!!

I definitely don't think they're the best, but they can hang!

[AmCan]

They also missed Dempsy getting punched in the mouth; should have been an automatic red card.

These refs (and i speak about the 8 world cups i've watched) usually miss/ignore these cheapshot elbows/punches. FIFA officiating as seen in the World cup is worse than any US professional or Division I NCAA leagues. Only Gymnastics and Figure Skating surpass this lousy officiating.

The US team that tied the UK was lucky and could have easily left with a loss. The US team that showed up for Slovenia was that same, fragile team...in the first half. After that the team changed, it got sick of getting beat and suddenly realized that they didn't want to go home. They scored, they should have won. Today, more of the same, never give up, never believe they can beat you, even when the ref steals your goal. That's the kind energy and result that reminds me of the 1980 US hockey team.

If we can beat Ghana, we will have equaled the best US performance ever. I love this next game, love the bracket and love the team that just won't quit.

[CasinoTom]

Now I have to pick a new team to support... I think it will be between Netherlands and England.

I'd avoid England if I were you, even though they won yesterday, it wasn't exactly comprehensive considering the opposition - and they have Germany next, who historically (apart from the final 44 years ago) have the edge on England head-to-head. Apart from that 1 success on home soil, England (not the UK ) are the perennial under-achiever in international tournaments, always promising much but ultimately disappointing.

My team of the tournament so far are South Korea - they have a great team spirit, skilled players and really know each other's games inside out. I don't think they have a chance of winning it, but in my view have been the most entertaining 'team' to watch!

However, my office sweepstake teams are Japan and Uruguay, so if either of them won, I'd be quite happy about it

[Amateur]

I'm watching Paraguay with great interest! They are good, athletic, physical, and seem technically sound. Good fundamentals so far as I understand them.

(EDIT - I have my nations mixed up!! I meant the blue shirts, which is Uruguay!! They have a certain flair to their play that I like very much.)

They will be a tough out. There could very well be five S. Amer. teams advance to the knockout round, in addition to Mexico and USA. Americas will be very well represented, and I love that!

Given that S. Amer. is basically on the same seasonal schedule as S. Africa, this could give them a nice advantage. Timewise and acclimation-wise, they have an advantage in adjusting to the environment, weather, etc.

I wouldn't be surprised to see two S. Amer. teams play in the finals. Not sure how the groups would match up as to who would play whom, but it could happen. If it did, it would be a fierce game, with all kinds of bragging rights at stake.

I'd look forward to that.

We know USA will play Ghana. Since Ghana knocked out USA last time, it will be interesting to watch. Whole stadium will be pulling for Ghana, so USA will have to beat everyone, including the refs, just like any other away game.

The US team have their legs under them now, and some seasoning. Tim Howard has been amazing, starting that fast break with that perfect outlet pass to Donovan, hitting Donovan in stride on the run. If they play as well Sat as they did yesterday, they will be just fine!

[Caruso]

Of course you know what I was talking about. Don't even try to play those games with me!

Pardon? I didn't respond to your post. Did you imagine my disagreement?

I was making a joke on the near identical names of a famous footballer (hint: football. That's the topic of this thread) and a discredited webmaster.

It's three weeks that I've agreed three times with Bailey. I must be doing something wrong:

http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...nofan-com.html

Honestly, these Brazilian footballers spamming forums like this. Whatever next?

[Easy Star]

GG: USA
RIP: France and Italy

Big surprise: Japan, South Korea and Ghana

[gyelloz]

I believe I read somewhere that this is the first time neither finalist from the previous cup (France v. Italy in 2006) made it past the group stage. I can't remember where I read it. Anyone else know if this is true?

Also the first time the host country did not make it past the group stage, right?

And I think it is also the first time since the first world cup that the USA actually won a group!

Crazy world cup!! Can't wait to see what happens next.

Maybe USA all the way? Probably not.