Bobda, I think you've nailed it. I might suggest one update. Africa is more BigEast/AllAmericanWhatever conference. They have more than their fair share of top flight talent, but their programs are generally shitty and no one from there wants to stay there...except for the die hards.
LOL! That's a good try. CONCACAF is top heavy like the Big 10, but Costa Rica, Mexico and the USA are hardly Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Maybe some day... Uruguay 1 Italy 0 You knew this one would get ugly. Uruguay is the all-time thug operation on a par with the Oakland Raiders and Italy isn't far behind. From the opening kick, Italy played defense with all 11 players in front of their goal. They only needed a tie to advance to the next round, so they punched and jabbed and flopped on the ground as if every collision wasn't their fault. Guess what? Most of these collisions WEREN'T their fault! Uruguay lived down to it's reputation for thuggery and got away with it. Replays show Luis Suarez bit one of the Italian players... a blatant foul that had gotten him suspended from both the English and Dutch leagues for 17 games. He also made racial comments which was another crime he had been previously suspended for. FIFA is investigating and has launched an official inquiry, which may result in Suarez being ejected from the games. The Italian reaction was also predictable. With the singular exception of Argentina, the Italians are the great prima donnas of international futball. (BTW- Argentines are 80% Italian, including the pope.) One Italian player was red carded; Balotelli quit on the field and was replaced; there were fist fights between the benches on the sideline and an appeal was made to God to smite the infidels; and immediately after the game the Italian coach resigned... In the final minutes, Uruguay scored a miracle goal to steal the result, setting off a delirious celebration on one side, with agony on the other. I kept looking around for Maria Callas to sing this finale. It was a great tragedy for everyone, like Tosca...... but the TV sponsors and FIFA made a fortune and the Azzurri are gone. http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/24/5838568/italy-uruguay-2014-world-cup-final-score-result http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/24/5838966/luis-suarez-bite-uruguay-italy
2014 World cup in 10 seconds <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/C058wv48oms" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Actually I opened the place up in 1961. We were the first graduating class in 1965. The school was closed and sold to St. John's Prep in 1981.
8) Swiss Cheese 3 Honduras 0 This Honduran offense went directly to the Hall of Fame after the game. They're already statues. Badda-boom! Badda-bing! Argentina 3 Nigeria 2 Lionel Messi scored two goals in the first half to dominate the Super Eagles, who finally played well. Argentina has won every game and they should be tough to beat, playing in front of huge crowds that travel only 500 miles north to watch their national passion...
Confederation results after the group round: South America: 6 teams, 13-2-3, 41 pts (out of 54 pts available, took 76% of pts available) Europe: 13 teams, 13-7-9, 46 pts (of 87 pts, 53%) (Euro v Euro games excluded) CONCACAF: 4 teams, 5-3-4, 18 pts (of 36 pts, 50%) Africa: 5 teams, 3-3-9, 12 pts (of 45 pts, 27%) Asia: 4 taems, 0-3-9, 3 pts (of 36 pts, 8%)
Editing this while I look it up. Germany had 2 wins and a draw Holland 3 wins France 2 wins and a draw Belgium 3 wins pretty much their success in Europe is based on 4 teams. Interesting stats Bobda, thanks!
Another way to look at it.. of the final 16. CONMEBAL (South America) sent 6 teams to the Cup, 5 moved to the Round of 16. UEFA (Europe) sent 13 teams to the Cup, 6 moved onto the Round of 16. CONCACAF (Good guys+Mexico) sent 4 teams to the World Cup, 3 moved onto the Round of 16. CAF (Africa) sent 5 teams, 2 went onto the Round of 16 OFC (Oceana) and AFC (Asia) sent no one onto the Round of 16. I'd argue that UEFA is the Big12 except that the Big12 doesn't have anyone as good as Germany.
:roll: Sigh... Germany 1 USA 0 The good old USA is improving, but the gap between our team and the elite teams is still a mile wide. The Germans have guys on the bench like Podolski and Klose who would start every game for us and never come off the field. In fact, they cut many players who would start for us. They're that loaded. What's next? I go by the eyeball test. I've been following soccer since 1966 and I don't think Belgium is that good. They're very fortunate to be where they are and I think we can beat them. I also see that there are others who share my opinion... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/germany-s-lukas-podolski-says-u-s--can-beat-belgium-222420522-soccer.html
It seemed to me as though our strategy was to try to attack with the long ball since we weren't capable of beating the German defense with a sustained attack. That was doomed due to field conditions and our best attacker out injured. No question that we were outclassed. However I think that Germany has a top 4 team that could easily win this competition. We've gotten to the knockout round without a home field advantage. I can see us beating Belgium and getting into the quarters. That would be a great showing.
Belgium lost a player to a card vs. Korea. I don't know how good he is, but that can't be a bad thing for us.
:idea: The red carded player, Steven Defour, was not a regular starter... http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/news/article/2014/06/26/world-cup-belgium-lose-midfielder-steven-defour-suspension-ahead-round-16
In hindsight of the group stage, it's clear that Klinsmann designed this team to beat Germany, but mother nature and the injury bug had other ideas. Gip's 100% right about our strategy and it's not a bad one. Germany's one glaring weakness is one of their strengths. Their defensive back 4 push forward and create scoring chances. Their goal was created by a Mertesacker header. They're big and push forward creating all sorts of matchup problems. Here's the problem with that, they aren't very fast at all, especially the Mertesacker. How do you beat Germany? You make them play defense. You draw them into the attack, then spring the counter over the top. We lost Altidore 20 minutes into the 1st game and he's really the only guy we have to play striker in that capacity. Dempsey isn't a runner. That left us relying on creating counters along the wings (which worked) and up the gut (which didn't thanks to 3 absolutely shitty penalty calls and Michael Bradley playing Santa Claus). I agree with Klinsmann that we were too respectful at the start of this match. Ghana showed you how to do it, and we even gave it a few runs. I honestly believe Germany is probably the best squad in this tournament. The way to beat them leaves you vulnerable to counter and to run wide open (which is what they want). To truly beat them, you need a top 5 keeper and we've got one of those. As for the Round of 16, I feel better about beating Argentina than I do Belgium. I mean that sincerely. Belgium doesn't have a Messi, but they have a far more talented line up. They have so much depth and no real weakness. There's a lot to be said for a team without much weakness. If you look at their lines, they all rate out at a B+ or A-. That's the reason they are a dark horse pick for the Cup Final. At the same time, Belgium has this long history of having very ill timed no show appearances in the World Cup when it counts the most. This may well be the greatest squad they've ever produced. They can be had. In fact, I think it's about 55/45 we win. Altidore coming back healthy would be huge, even if it's just for a half or so per game.
The Round of 16 has some intrigue -Brazil vs Chile. There's a bit of animosity between these two, but I can't see Brazil going out just yet. -Colombia vs Uruguay. Colombia beat the sh*t out of Uruguay during qualifications. That was when Colombia had Falcao. That was also when Uruguay had Suarez. I suspect Colombia move on easily here. Side note, I'd recommend watching the ESPN Documentary 'The 2 Escobars' all the way through. You can't help but be happy for Colombia when you consider what they've come back from as a nation. -Holland vs Mexico. I hate Mexico for many reasons and then I hate them more for making me say things like 'Mexico can win this game' because it's true. I don't look for a lot of defense in this match. Holland will sit back with 9 and then counter over the top, but that's what they want to do. The problem is, letting Mexico park in your half is a dangerous tactic. We'll know a lot more about these 2 after this match. I think Holland wins but.. -Costa Rica vs Greece. I see Costa Rica beating them easily. At the same time, whenever I write off Greece, they win. They won a Euro title when I didn't think they'd win a match. I wrote them off here, and they moved on to the Round of 16. They aren't that good, but they are tough. -France vs Nigeria. I really hope Nigeria wins. They probably won't. I hate France. On a continent of incredibly detestable countries, France is the one I hate the most. If Nigeria finds a way to test the French heart, they'll have a shot. -Germany vs Algeria. This seems like a no brainer. Here's where this is interesting... ALGERIA HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE 1982 FOR THIS MOMENT Far be it from me to ask folks to root for an Islamic African nation, but if anyone deserves to lose for past sins, it's Germany. If you'd like to know why, read these. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/13/1982-world-cup-algeria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germany_1–0_Austria http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...82-disgrace-that-changed-world-cup-scheduling Algeria will get their wish. Barring an intervention by God, Allah, Karma or a Bookie...Germany rolls. -Argentina vs Switzerland. Messi. Messi. Messi. If he has an off day, Argentina could be in trouble. He won't. -US vs Belgium. I see this as a toss up. I can make a strong case for both teams to win. I think most football experts see it the same way. They don't want to admit we're good, so it's a heart issue. Regardless, just win baby.
Agree. Great stuff! I'm heavy into the World Cup, and Corey's and JO'Co's analyses have provided me much-appreciated insights.