As an objective viewer it's probably been my favorite ever. Part of that comes from the much improved general coverage of it. Some of the podcasts (Totally Football Show, Guardian's World Cup Daily, Grant Wahl's Planet Futbol, Graham Hunter's Big Interview) and YouTube channels (Guillem Balague, BBC coverage) have all really added to the experience of following the tournament.
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
I think the relevant comparison would be to a run by South Korea in 2002. I could see the U.S. making the WC in that fashion.
This is a terrific Croatia team, with a midfield that likely is the best in the world or at least top three. We do not have a single midfielder who is close to a Rakitic, let alone Modric.
We don't have a Modric, but many teams have gone far with lesser players. We don't have a Kroos either, but he had his lunch handed to him by LAFC's Carlos Vela in the first match.
My point is simply that it can be done. We have to get our shit together first, and IMO it is decidedly NOT together.
Croatia has been advancing hasn't been because of Modric or Rakitic though. It's because they're been organized and take their opportunities well. In other words, they exact opposite of the US over the past few years.
Croatia has been advancing hasn't been because of Modric or Rakitic though. It's because they're been organized and take their opportunities well. In other words, they exact opposite of the US over the past few years.
I am not contesting the virtues of organization and opportunism. I entirely agree with you and Terps that the U.S. has underachieved principally because they have lacked those things. Our absence from the WC was not due to a lack of talent.
I'm making two claims instead:
1. Croatia's talent level is being underrated. Their midfield quality has had a LOT to do with their advancing this far.
2. We'd obviously (and Terps has noted this) need a good bit of luck in addition to organization and identity to reach the semis. Without these things I think we're squarely a round of 16 to quarterfinal (occasionally) level team.
I will say that I have come to so enjoy and appreciate the play of Hazard and DeBruyne (and, ok, Lukaku too) together, so attuned to reading each other's runs, feints, and passes, their hell for leather attacking verve on counters, that it seems like they have played together always and should play together always, for Club as well as for country (even if the former is obviously not the case).
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
RE: RE: Keeping the thread open for 3rd place game
I will say that I have come to so enjoy and appreciate the play of Hazard and DeBruyne (and, ok, Lukaku too) together, so attuned to reading each other's runs, feints, and passes, their hell for leather attacking verve on counters, that it seems like they have played together always and should play together always, for Club as well as for country (even if the former is obviously not the case).
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
At one time or another all three were Chelsea players
Link - ( New Window )
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
I think the relevant comparison would be to a run by South Korea in 2002. I could see the U.S. making the WC in that fashion.
This is a terrific Croatia team, with a midfield that likely is the best in the world or at least top three. We do not have a single midfielder who is close to a Rakitic, let alone Modric.
My point is simply that it can be done. We have to get our shit together first, and IMO it is decidedly NOT together.
I am not contesting the virtues of organization and opportunism. I entirely agree with you and Terps that the U.S. has underachieved principally because they have lacked those things. Our absence from the WC was not due to a lack of talent.
I'm making two claims instead:
1. Croatia's talent level is being underrated. Their midfield quality has had a LOT to do with their advancing this far.
2. We'd obviously (and Terps has noted this) need a good bit of luck in addition to organization and identity to reach the semis. Without these things I think we're squarely a round of 16 to quarterfinal (occasionally) level team.
Article from Michael Cox on the return of the traditional CF as reflected through Giroud and Mandzukic.
Link - ( New Window )
Article from Michael Cox on the return of the traditional CF as reflected through Giroud and Mandzukic. Link - ( New Window )
Do not stop there. Bring back the traditional sweeper or "libero." Best position for a defender who was bold and creative.
Fine but 5 of the 6 goals were against Tunisia and lowly Panama. Kind of a disappearing act in the bigger games.
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
At one time or another all three were Chelsea players