Today's starting lineups. Iniesta on the bench and Asensio starting for him. Still can't figure out why David Silva is playing. He's been really bad. Also Nacho getting the start over Carvajal who doesn't seem fully fit. He's been bad also.
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Espana XI - De Gea, Nacho, Piqué, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Koke, Asensio, Isco, Silva, Diego Costa
Russia XI - Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kudryashov, Kutepov, Ignasevich, Zhirkov, Samedov, Kuzyaev, Golovin, Zobnin, Dzyuba
is just as talented as any of the top nations and the only thing holding us back is poor coaching and management is ludicrous. We have exactly one player who is a key component of one of the top clubs in Europe....while other nations have entire teams playing and in many cases starring on top European clubs.
We can argue all day about WHY the US doesn't produce more quality players, but the idea that our players are as good as any of the top nations is not supported by any facts whatsoever.
Thanks for that, but my "what happened" was less about the dysfunction in US Soccer's governance and direction, and more about what seems like the inability of a US soccer team to be able to pass the ball cleanly and crisply. Whenever I watch the US team, there's an inkling of watching kids play soccer where they just kick the ball as soon as someone comes near them.
In the last 6 years or so I think the team has lacked confidence as a result of poor coaching, inconsistent tactics, unclear or undefined roles, poor player selection, etc.
So many quality players to have such a lackluster start to today's game. The talent level on the field on Friday with Brazil will be incredible. Brazil will bring much more quality than Japan did today.
is just as talented as any of the top nations and the only thing holding us back is poor coaching and management is ludicrous. We have exactly one player who is a key component of one of the top clubs in Europe....while other nations have entire teams playing and in many cases starring on top European clubs.
We can argue all day about WHY the US doesn't produce more quality players, but the idea that our players are as good as any of the top nations is not supported by any facts whatsoever.
That isn’t what was said. We have the talent to compete, I think that’s clear as day. No one is claiming we’d be Germany or Spain overnight.
The Belgium winning goal and the stunning turn of events Â
Reminded me of my favorite EPL game of all time - Tottenham 4 West Ham 3 when berbatov was at spurs and Tevez was single-handledly trying to keep the Hammers from relegation. Underdog going from a near-winning chance to crushing defeat via counter. Amazing. Link - ( New Window )
I watched that tourney but don't remember it (other than the handball). I just always had the impression of the US team that they were as athletic if not more so than any team in the tournament, and had size for set pieces, and relied upon that and Tim Howard to stay in games and hope for the ability to capitalize on fewer opportunities.
I don't remember ever having a sense that they were a great at possessing the ball or making crisp passes to move the ball where they wanted it to go.
Check out this goal against Colombia in 1994. Phenomenal. Link - ( New Window )
For the little it's worth, I was there. Quite a day in LA.
It is like a candy store for those who love soccer jerseys. Obscenely overpriced but if you are telling me I can buy a throwback Cantona kit or a 2004 Stelios Greece shirt, you likely will take my money. Link - ( New Window )
like Ronaldo is on the verge of 100M move to Juve.
Idols for sale, at a high price. Great for his family and the Madeira Is. (where he gives to the community), but our world--where this kind of money is funneled...smh. Jon, is this enough for Juve to vault a class?
like Ronaldo is on the verge of 100M move to Juve.
Idols for sale, at a high price. Great for his family and the Madeira Is. (where he gives to the community), but our world--where this kind of money is funneled...smh. Jon, is this enough for Juve to vault a class?
Good question, tough to say.
They've won the league like 6 straight years, so really the only next step for them is the champions league, where they've come close but haven't won it in recent history.
Last year they were dominated by Madrid in the first leg, came all the way back, and then gave up a penalty to lose in the final minutes.
So one would think that Ronaldo would tip them over the edge, but this certainly isn't prime Ronaldo.
on the face of it, taken in isolation, was proper (of course, imo) to issue a caution, but much depends on how this ref has been calling the match. If that kind of late, but deliberate clip of the foot he has been letting go, then no, but I've not been watching 'til just now
Two interesting names have been thrown out today by two different sources.
Graham Hunter, who is close with the team and traveled with them around Russia, suggests that they should reach out to Zidane. He gave it as an opinion and not as a scoop, though.
However, AS has picked up a story that Xavi is being considered amongst the other possible candidates that have already been mentioned (Luis Enrique, Michel, Quique Sanchez Flores). That would surprise me, but if ever the ethos of what Spain wants to be were captured in a player, it's him.
had been thinking of asking how Xavi's China sojourn and tour of play has gone. Is he still under contract (not that it would likely make a difference)? Would be great to see him on the touch line even if it likely takes some time to grow into the role. Then again, Zidane himself did not require much seasoning.
Ugh. I’m not a fan either. Seems like the type of referee that gets caught up in the moment/tries to insert himself into the game. Too bad for Colombia that James isn’t available. Needless to say, that’s a huge blow.
Do you guys really think there’s any truth to this Juve/Ronaldo rumor? That doesn’t seem like a Juve type of move, and is a ridiculous amount of money for a player on the downside of his career.
trying to figure out earlier in the tourney if Geiger was an American. He was terrible twice. Once as a head ref and once as a replay ref. Seemed like he botched one video review and let the one match I saw get out of hand.
I'd be (pleasantly) shocked if Spain hired either guy.
Zidane isn't Spanish, though I believe his wife is and he's basically raised his family in Spain. I think he'd make a ton of sense, as being national team manager is as more about man management and reading the game as its happening than club football. Zidane excels in this...he's a better tournament manager than he is over the long slog of the domestic season.
Xavi (he's actually been in Qatar) just got his coaching license and was recently named manager of his team there. He's a genius and has a sense of what it means to play football well (to him playing poorly and winning is meaningless - that comes straight from Cruyff through Guardiola), but would the FA give the job to someone with zero experience?
James seemed to be fighting calf or hamstring problem when he was pulled off the pitch last week, he walked off the field w/o a pronounced limp but the decision was grew clearer as the match went on, one knew he was hurt.
Qatar, I knew it was one of those off-the-beaten-pitch waystations. (:
Yes, Zidane, I think he's of Algerian descent, hence playing for the Tricolor. Maybe this non-result in '18 will prompt extreme measures from the Association.
Ronaldo to Juve does seem like a really strange and out of character move for them. I don't think the money is a factor, they could easily fund it with many of their players linked to premier league moves. It just seems odd though
Is it me or is the Fox studio coverage horrendous? They have 0 chemistry together
Not just you, it's brutal. I like Rob Stone well enough but the analysts they brought are not good. It's just a poor product overall
ESPN is a mixed bag these days. But with the resources they have, when they really throw their weight behind a project, the quality can't be matched. Their World Cup coverage was top notch.
Stone is a Buck-like suit; the guy to his left, not much of a presence or worthy commentary; the gal?--better off with their Premier League gal in Stamford; and I have never liked the officious, arrogant Lalas.
I'm glad Warren Barton is getting a chance to do run-of-play commentary, because I always find his perspective worthwhile and ear-to-the rail; the downside is we only hear from him once every three or four days.
ESPN used to have these two guys doing La Liga matches Â
It was around '99-'01 or so...their names were Mike Hill (play-by-play) and Eddie Mighten (analyst). To date they're the only guys I've heard in any sport that rival Pat Summerall and John Madden for sheer excellence. And then one day like Kaizer Soze they just disappeared.
I remember during a Betis-Real Madrid game with a shitty ref, the usually understated Hill sarcastically saying that it "seems like they are giving away referee badges and whistles in boxes of Christmas crackers." I'd love to know what those guys are up to now.
Imagine Japan's mood after what had to be the most devastating loss of the tournament for anyone so far. This is how they left their changing room, complete with a thank you note in Russian:
to the Men in Blazers live show last night in Brooklyn, and they basically made the same points about Japan. They went after it, were aggressive despite being the underdogs, and gracious in defeat. Basically everything the US wasn't in the last World Cup.
I'm not a soccer player because when I get hit in the chin, I grab my chin, not my forehead. I also don't crumple to the ground in pain unless my legs are what get whacked.
I don't go back like GT does but Ian Darke has been the best I've heard for being succinct, poetic, and scathing in an English gentleman's way
Not often that BBI scouts out the ref in a futbol match, just like for the Giants vs. rivals. I decided to pay att'n, esp. as Geiger led a post-DC United briefing for those of us who attended.
didn't catch the 1st 12 minutes
- 26th - after setting the spot for a FK, Geiger turned and ran to the side where ball likely to go: ref should never turn his back to potential hot spot
- 27th - CKK situation, sorting out the wall scrum, he remained w/i ~ 2 yards or so of the mob, no way to get a broader view of the bodies/potential fouls
- 32nd - handled the Quadrado-Young shoving well, low key
- 39th - after the dangerous tackle on Kane just outside the PA, he did not do a good job in breaking up the convocation, it lingered, and led to the head butt that drew a caution but not the red. Colombia in part to blame of course, but he was not emphatic enough in separating
He has not yet had a big moment in a big match. We'll see how he handles it.
I'm not a soccer player because when I get hit in the chin, I grab my chin, not my forehead. I also don't crumple to the ground in pain unless my legs are what get whacked.
That was a bit over the top by Henderson - true - but not nearly the acting chops Nemar has demonstrated throughout this WC.
Yesterday, a Mexican player loved tapped his foot. Neymar had a reaction liked he just stepped on a landmine. Than in the group stage, he got hit on the sideline, sort of hard, and proceeded to go into 10 full body rolls on the ground as if he were being dragged around tied to a horse. Guy is a disgrace to watch at times.
I'm not a soccer player because when I get hit in the chin, I grab my chin, not my forehead. I also don't crumple to the ground in pain unless my legs are what get whacked.
And yet he hit his chin with his head, deliberately.
Afros are great for headers! Everyone should grow their hair out
We can argue all day about WHY the US doesn't produce more quality players, but the idea that our players are as good as any of the top nations is not supported by any facts whatsoever.
In the last 6 years or so I think the team has lacked confidence as a result of poor coaching, inconsistent tactics, unclear or undefined roles, poor player selection, etc.
We can argue all day about WHY the US doesn't produce more quality players, but the idea that our players are as good as any of the top nations is not supported by any facts whatsoever.
That isn’t what was said. We have the talent to compete, I think that’s clear as day. No one is claiming we’d be Germany or Spain overnight.
Link - ( New Window )
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I watched that tourney but don't remember it (other than the handball). I just always had the impression of the US team that they were as athletic if not more so than any team in the tournament, and had size for set pieces, and relied upon that and Tim Howard to stay in games and hope for the ability to capitalize on fewer opportunities.
I don't remember ever having a sense that they were a great at possessing the ball or making crisp passes to move the ball where they wanted it to go.
Check out this goal against Colombia in 1994. Phenomenal. Link - ( New Window )
For the little it's worth, I was there. Quite a day in LA.
A lot of people calling for FIFA to do something. But as we've seen before, especially from the South American countries, the flopping goes unpunished.
Neymar a great player and an embarrassment - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
Reminded me also of the Liverpool-Arsenal match from a few years ago.
Reminded me also of the Liverpool-Arsenal match from a few years ago.
The game actually had a different set of announcers where you can hear their despair for West Ham. It's somewhere on youtube.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1014013211358752768
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like Ronaldo is on the verge of 100M move to Juve.
Idols for sale, at a high price. Great for his family and the Madeira Is. (where he gives to the community), but our world--where this kind of money is funneled...smh. Jon, is this enough for Juve to vault a class?
Good question, tough to say.
They've won the league like 6 straight years, so really the only next step for them is the champions league, where they've come close but haven't won it in recent history.
Last year they were dominated by Madrid in the first leg, came all the way back, and then gave up a penalty to lose in the final minutes.
So one would think that Ronaldo would tip them over the edge, but this certainly isn't prime Ronaldo.
Really absurd, and I have no interest whatsoever in who’s the victor of this game.
Now he's out of the next match.
Terrible card shown.
Graham Hunter, who is close with the team and traveled with them around Russia, suggests that they should reach out to Zidane. He gave it as an opinion and not as a scoop, though.
However, AS has picked up a story that Xavi is being considered amongst the other possible candidates that have already been mentioned (Luis Enrique, Michel, Quique Sanchez Flores). That would surprise me, but if ever the ethos of what Spain wants to be were captured in a player, it's him.
Colombia: Ospina; Arias, D Sanchez, Mina, Mojica; Barrios, C Sanchez, Quintero, Lerma, Cuadrado; Falcao
Subs: Zapata, Murillo, Rodriguez, Bacca, Vargas, Muriel, Uribe, Diaz, Borja. Izquierdo, Aguilar, JF Cuadrado
England: Pickford; Walker Stones Maguire; Trippier, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Young; Sterling, Kane,
Subs: Butland, Pople, Rose, Dier, Delph, Cahill, Alexander-Arnold, Rashford, Welbeck, Loftus-Cheek, Vardy
Interestingly, the referee today: NJ's own Mark Geiger. I am not a huge fan of his work.
Do you guys really think there’s any truth to this Juve/Ronaldo rumor? That doesn’t seem like a Juve type of move, and is a ridiculous amount of money for a player on the downside of his career.
Zidane isn't Spanish, though I believe his wife is and he's basically raised his family in Spain. I think he'd make a ton of sense, as being national team manager is as more about man management and reading the game as its happening than club football. Zidane excels in this...he's a better tournament manager than he is over the long slog of the domestic season.
Xavi (he's actually been in Qatar) just got his coaching license and was recently named manager of his team there. He's a genius and has a sense of what it means to play football well (to him playing poorly and winning is meaningless - that comes straight from Cruyff through Guardiola), but would the FA give the job to someone with zero experience?
Yes. He's out today. Walked out of training the day after the last group stage match. Think it is lower leg.
Calf injury.
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hurt?
Calf injury.
Damn. Everything seems to be breaking England's way, although I agree, Sweden is anything but a pushover.
Qatar, I knew it was one of those off-the-beaten-pitch waystations. (:
Yes, Zidane, I think he's of Algerian descent, hence playing for the Tricolor. Maybe this non-result in '18 will prompt extreme measures from the Association.
Not just you, it's brutal. I like Rob Stone well enough but the analysts they brought are not good. It's just a poor product overall
ESPN is a mixed bag these days. But with the resources they have, when they really throw their weight behind a project, the quality can't be matched. Their World Cup coverage was top notch.
I'm glad Warren Barton is getting a chance to do run-of-play commentary, because I always find his perspective worthwhile and ear-to-the rail; the downside is we only hear from him once every three or four days.
I remember during a Betis-Real Madrid game with a shitty ref, the usually understated Hill sarcastically saying that it "seems like they are giving away referee badges and whistles in boxes of Christmas crackers." I'd love to know what those guys are up to now.
Not often that BBI scouts out the ref in a futbol match, just like for the Giants vs. rivals. I decided to pay att'n, esp. as Geiger led a post-DC United briefing for those of us who attended.
didn't catch the 1st 12 minutes
- 26th - after setting the spot for a FK, Geiger turned and ran to the side where ball likely to go: ref should never turn his back to potential hot spot
- 27th - CKK situation, sorting out the wall scrum, he remained w/i ~ 2 yards or so of the mob, no way to get a broader view of the bodies/potential fouls
- 32nd - handled the Quadrado-Young shoving well, low key
- 39th - after the dangerous tackle on Kane just outside the PA, he did not do a good job in breaking up the convocation, it lingered, and led to the head butt that drew a caution but not the red. Colombia in part to blame of course, but he was not emphatic enough in separating
He has not yet had a big moment in a big match. We'll see how he handles it.
Back to WC
That was a bit over the top by Henderson - true - but not nearly the acting chops Nemar has demonstrated throughout this WC.
Yesterday, a Mexican player loved tapped his foot. Neymar had a reaction liked he just stepped on a landmine. Than in the group stage, he got hit on the sideline, sort of hard, and proceeded to go into 10 full body rolls on the ground as if he were being dragged around tied to a horse. Guy is a disgrace to watch at times.
He's making Suarez's act look innocent...
And yet he hit his chin with his head, deliberately.