Some of the keys to a US victory:
Stretch their defense. Ghana has been playing a 4-5-1 formation. They’re a defensive-oriented team that has scored two goals thus far, both on PK’s.
As always, don’t give up an early goal. I have little doubt that if Ghana gets the first goal, they’ll shut down their attack and put everyone behind the ball.
Keep the fire and passion, but keep your heads. The disciplinary record has been very good so far. Now is not the time to lose your cool.
Stay organized. It’s worked so far.
You Don't Say
Go USA!
Thanks for these threads!
Mr. White
I just want to tell you guys good luck. We’re all counting on you.
MikeJ
Are you ready for some football!!??!?!
beltane
For anyone interested in a few laughs or are fans of conspiracy theories, here is an explanation as to why Italy was eliminated: http://www.beppegrillo.it/en/2010/06/the_blues_ripoff_1.html
Violet
Go USA! I hope they remember to play from the first moment on the pitch.
Bob Bradley takes understated to a whole new level.
Frank Chow
I would add that they need to finish scoring opportunities when they arise. In addition, Ghana seems to be a menace in the box for opposing defenses. The US defense will have to stay tight and not foul. The refs have been rather clear about this throughout the tournament. It should be a great match and I am hoping the US comes out as aggressive as they did against Algeria.
USA! USA!
Rommie
If it comes down to PK’s (I hope not, but…) at least the US has a real advantage – Howard is a top-level goalkeeper
eric
THE key: score more goals.
Bootlegger
Not Bornstein! He’s going to get pwned by the Ghanian wingers. And Findley? If there is one team that can counter his speed, this is it. Why not go for muscle (Buddle) or guile (Herc)?
Damned Bradley Sr. has me in heart palpitations already.
Turgid Jacobian
@Violet: He’s a menace to trouser-wearing people everywhere. Just about the Platonic ideal of a coach, really. Or Skeletor. I can’t decide.
Bootlegger
@beltane: Wow, that takes conspiracy theory to a whole new level. “Our team was bought off so Slovakia could restart dangerous nuclear power stations.”
Corner Stone
@MikeJ:
Hell yes! I can’t wait til camp in August!
Bootlegger
I like Donovan’s attitude that he has to take over the game. Kobe’s in the house and hopefully he gave our star winger a word about how to win championships with a team on your back.
Corner Stone
@Mr. White: What you did there.
It has been seen.
Bootlegger
@Corner Stone: That’s when throwball starts right? How long do those guys run before they get to stop? Eight, ten seconds tops?
beltane
@Bootlegger: I suppose it feels better than saying: “Our team sucked.”
Corner Stone
@Bootlegger:
Go 6 for 24 and shoot like 29% in the fourth quarter?
Bootlegger
@beltane: Sure, and we have our own conspiracy theories but they are usually more parsimonious like “they hate us for our freedoms.” Leave it to the Eyeties to conjure up something like international nucular power issues to explain a sporting event.
Corner Stone
@Bootlegger: If those guys are running for 10 seconds they are in the locker room when they stop.
Mr. White
@Corner Stone:
Thanks, dude.
Let’s show the world, bloody yanks.
Bootlegger
@Corner Stone: Yes, Kobe couldn’t shoot, but he did other things to win that game.
Either headed for the locker room or the sideline and a sub, with oxygen ready next to the Koolfans or heated benches.
Bootlegger
Who was the VIP standing next to the Big Dog?
Turgidson
Terry McAuliffe sighting! Ha!
Dave C
@Turgidson:
HAHAHA! I was just about to post that! Too hilarious!
Cacti
I wonder if having the entire African continent cheering for them will energize Ghana or make them feel extra pressure.
Maybe a little of both?
Bootlegger
@Turgidson: Gotta be the Democrats right?
Bootlegger
@Cacti: Both. If we can score early the pressure increases.
Violet
Love the Guardian liveblog:
Heh.
PanAmerican
What’s with the Africa unite sunshine pumping? Can you imagine a crowd of Brazilians rooting for Argentina over the US in the name of continental unity?
Pic of the day.
Bootlegger
@Violet: He’s not wrong.
Turgidson
@Bootlegger:
Of course. No prominent Republican would be caught dead watching a sport that Real ‘Murkans think is for queers.
Bootlegger
@PanAmerican: Complete with a Bud.
Bootlegger
@Turgidson: Nice job finishing the joke! I’d be curious if some R’s are watching.
Bootlegger
Good possession early for the US.
Dave C
Oh, fuck.
Bootlegger
Not again!!
S. cerevisiae
oh crap!
Violet
Fuck.
PanAmerican
It’s unbelievable with this team.
Now Ghana will flop and goof around for 85 minutes.
Bootlegger
Clark was fouled on the turnover.
TheNickronomicon
Ugh. Again? Really? Blight.
Violet
What is it with the US and early goals? And now a yellow card? Ugh.
You Don't Say
“Not good for the US already.” Damn.
Bootlegger
Terrible card there, clean slide.
Dave C
On a happier note, I think Clint Dempsey is pretty damn hot. If that makes me a little gay, I just don’t care!
Violet
Does the US seem rattled after that goal?
Bootlegger
@Dave C: It’s that bad boy sneer isn’t it?
Kryptik
Well, fuck all.
Bootlegger
@Violet: Ghana is running hard. We’ll see if they can sustain it.
Dave C
@Bootlegger:
That and the perpetual 5-o’clock shadow. :)
Bootlegger
@Dave C: Ah, yes, of course.
Bootlegger
Clark was a bad choice to pair in the midfield.
You Don't Say
Clinton, Jagger and Kobe. What a trio!
Mark S.
Just turned it on. Shit, already?
PanAmerican
@Violet:
No this is the usual first 15 minute “hey, you want us to play saw-ker??”
S. cerevisiae
Lets see some offense here!
Turgidson
Great. Bye bye Cherundulo for the quarters if we make it.
Bootlegger
Jozy’s hurt, looks like his quad.
Violet
This seems really bad for the US. The US team seems sluggish and slow. Or something.
Andy K
@Violet:
This.
stuckinred
@Violet: they are just quicker
Bootlegger
Bornstein is absolutely lost out there.
Corner Stone
Tracy Chapman plays for Ghana?
Shalimar
Is there anyone other than Bob Bradley who doesn’t realize that Bornstein, Clark and Findley aren’t the best players at their positions? And I know Altidore is the best shot the US has ever had at developing a true star striker, but he hasn’t been impressive any of the times I have watched. It seems like he is always a step or two short of catching up with balls.
stuckinred
@Shalimar: me me me!
You Don't Say
Either I’m getting used to them or those vuzetc. horns aren’t as loud today. I thought they’d be insanely loud with the last African team playing.
stuckinred
The US is not physical enough so they have to “outsmart” them. hmmmmmm
Corner Stone
For “a defensive-oriented team” they sure seem to spend a hell of a lot of time on our end of the ice.
benjoya
is this the same team that wrestled the fearsome english leviathan to a tie and utterly vanquished the unstoppable football genius of algeria? how could this happen? why, it’s almost like the USA was in a group with a bunch of chumps. no, that’s impossible, which will be proven when the english hand germany their ass tomorrow, right?
Bootlegger
Edu for Clark.
Violet
Who’s supposed to be marking Prince Boateng? He seems to be wide open all the time.
Oh, good. Clark is coming off.
TheNickronomicon
Substitution already. Clark off, Edu on. Victory soon plz?
Bootlegger
@Shalimar: Jozy has a rep for laziness.
Turgidson
CMON FINDLEY
Bootlegger
Findley’s fast but can’t finish, we already knew this.
Violet
WTF is wrong with the US? Where’s their defense?
Rommie
The uniforms might be a little tight around the neck. They need to get to halftime without letting in another goal.
Andy K
@Shalimar:
Findley: Wouldn’t be playing if Charlie Davies hadn’t nearly died less than a year ago. He’s speedier than Gomez and Buddle, which is something you need against Ghana.
Clark: Agreed. Mo Edu should have started.
Bornstein: If Gooch was fit enough to have regained his form, he’d be in the central back position, and Bocanegra would be playing at left back.
PanAmerican
The winner will score in the next 8 minutes.
Michael Bradley needs to stop hanging people out to dry with sloppy passing
Bootlegger
@Andy K: Findley’s speed is cancelled out by the Ghanians, better to pick another trait like strength or guile.
Nick
This game is Obama’s Katrina.
Bootlegger
See, Findley is fast but so are the Ghanian backs. Buddle or Gomez would be better.
benjoya
lol nick
Nick
@Violet:
It couldn’t get 60 votes in the Senate.
Bootlegger
@Nick: Good news for Sarah Palin.
Bootlegger
Jesus wept, another sorry 45.
Ella in New Mexico
Half time. Guess I’ll go put away all my celebratory nacho fixins.
Violet
The US deserves to lose if they don’t play any better than this.
wengler
Not a good half for the US, but I think Ghana is making a mistake being this defensive this early.
A clear mistake in starting Clark at midfield. Clark has a history of making impulsive tackles and he really doesn’t add anything over Edu.
Bootlegger
@Nick: No money for defense? That’s un-Murkan!
S. cerevisiae
Team USA’s lack of offense must be due to Obama.
Bootlegger
@wengler: I agree on Clark v. Edu.
Also, the Ghanians are running hard, can they sustain it? The Magic 8-Ball sez…….”yes”! Well, first it said “ask again later”.
Bootlegger
@S. cerevisiae: It’s a secret plot to give the game to Obama’s homeland and birth continent.
Bootlegger
That shot of the Big Dog’s crew was awesome!
J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford
@Bootlegger:
I haven’t seen that look on Terry McAuliffe”s since Hillary lost Iowa.
S. cerevisiae
@Bootlegger: Of course! I didn’t think of that. I need to take the course in Teabagger Logic.
Bootlegger
Feilhaber for Findley, good move.
Mr. White
I am surprised at Howard… I really am.
The defender did his job by limiting Prince to the near post and Howard had amateur positioning. That goal is mostly on him (and partially on Clark).
Bootlegger
@J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford: Nice!
Mr. White
BTW- I heard the color guy employ “also, too” in the first half.
Goddamnit.
Comrade Javamanphil
Gah!
Bootlegger
damn!
Violet
Well that’s a better start. But WHEN are they going to finish such chances?
GR
Grr, frustrating half. Second or third the comments about Findley not being able to finish. He has an open shot at the goal and hits it low and almost directly at the keeper. Altidore does look slow today, and his ball handling and passing have been much worse than vs. Algeria.
Glad to see they are being in Feilhaber. He was great at handling the ball last game, and I’m ready to give up on Findley for all time based on what I’ve seen from him in the WC. And Dempsey looks like he has something to prove today. I expect a very good second half from him.
As I type this: aghhh! Feilhaber, put that in already! Why can’t we put some of these shots away?
Bootlegger
@S. cerevisiae: Its a gift, or a curse, depends on the humidity.
S. cerevisiae
So close!
Let’s see more of this pressure!
Bootlegger
The US is far from stymied. This can happen.
Randinho
I don’t want to jinx him, but Bornstein is having a good game so far.
benjoya
nice run
Bootlegger
Jozy caught holding his hand up rather than following the shot!
Bootlegger
@Randinho: Better, but still makes me nervous.
Bootlegger
Penalty!
GR
Psst Altidore, the ball is still in play. Instead of standing around and calling for a penalty, maybe kick the ball at the goal.
And as I type this, penalty!
Nick
It’s all fixed. It’s a plot engineered by Major League Baseball because they don’t want soccer to become popular in America and risk their monopoly on summer sports.
First they tried to pay off the refs, then when that they didn’t work, they went directly to the team and said “hey, guys, you’ll all have nice contracts back home if you blow this game”
and now Americans will hate soccer again and go back to being enslaved and raped by the fat cats at MLB.
Bootlegger
yes.
Turgidson
BOOYAH
S. cerevisiae
YES!!
Bootlegger
Game on. Final 30 minutes, lets bury ’em.
Leeds man
Oh, I don’t think that should have been a penalty. The defender came from the side, and did get the ball.
Jay C
PENALTY GOAL @ 62:00 !!!
1-1 !!!
USA!!! USA!!!! usa!!!!!
Violet
YES!
Kryptik
Ironic I suppose that against Ghana, who hadn’t scored a non-PK goal before this game, we had to even it up on a PK.
Bootlegger
@Nick: That, sir, is full of win.
Bootlegger
@Kryptik: Not to mention the winning phantom PK by Ghana in ’96.
TR
Following this on my iPhone at the airport so keep the details coming
Bootlegger
@Leeds man: Negatory. Dempsey touched it out of his reach.
Bootlegger
dammit Jozy!
stuckinred
Goddamn thunderstorm warning map right on the kicker!
Bootlegger
Where was the Big Dog? Did he forget his pee-pee meds?
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: Sour limes!
You Don't Say
What happens if they tie?
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: Sloppy seconds with the Kobe?
Bootlegger
Edu having a great game.
Jay C
@You Don’t Say:
OT periods – no ties in finals matches
Bootlegger
@stuckinred: Oh dude, harsh! But funny.
Mr. White
If Mick Jagger be with us, who could be against us?
Randinho
@You Don’t Say: Two 15 minute periods (no golden goal) and then penalty kicks if no goals in extra time.
stuckinred
@You Don’t Say: @You Don’t Say: No ties, 30 minutes and then shootout.
Bootlegger
@stuckinred: Sour limeys, nice one.
You Don't Say
@Jay C: Could outlast Isner-Mahut! ;-)
Bootlegger
@stuckinred: The Big Dog can’t have steak since his heart attack. Sorry, just thought of that.
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: Think about it, Mick Jagger is the least questionable of the three.
“I said my my like the spider to the fly,
jump right ahead in my web”!
You Don't Say
@Randinho: Thanks. Can’t outlast Isner-Mahut then. ;-) Unless penalty kicks …
Bootlegger
Ghanna is tiring, now we just need that one piece of brilliance.
Almost there, Bradley had more time.
PanAmerican
Should have done better with that.
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: I try
askew
How long are the games 90 minutes?
Comrade Luke
Altidore is stinking up the joint, but the crappy starting lineup made us waste a substitution early so now we’re stuck with him.
Randinho
Ghana looks knackered. So does Dempsey
colleeniem
@askew: 90 + the mercurial decision of the referee re: injury time.
Bootlegger
@Comrade Luke: We have one left right?
Bootlegger
Altidore was too busy trying to draw the penalty there, should have scored.
Turgidson
Egad. I’m glad I don’t have a heart condition. So close.
Comrade Luke
@Bootlegger:
We do, but we need to save it for an injury imo, or possibly for a strategic substitution should we think we’re headed to penalty kicks.
Rommie
Dempsey’s getting beat up, geez
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: To the untrained eye that was a pretty good effort.
Randinho
Landon should have taken that FK
PanAmerican
Nobody on the field for the US can strike a dead ball for shit.
Violet
@Rommie:
Yeah, Dempsey is really getting beat up.
stuckinred
Is it sudden death in OT?
Bootlegger
@Comrade Luke: Sure, I just meant that we’re not stuck on this lineup. No way Jozy can play 30 more. I’d like to see Herc.
Comrade Luke
@Violet: Dempsey’s a total warrior. He rarely gets through a game without being bloodied. Love that guy.
Zam
Which one is the quarterback?
Bootlegger
@stuckinred: No “golden goal”. Sounds nicer than “sudden death” eh?
Bootlegger
@Zam: The fullbacks are the two outside defenders. The halfbacks are the defensive midfielders. These are the only fractions on the field.
Violet
@Zam:
The one in left field.
stuckinred
@Bootlegger: But the game ends on a goal right?
JenJen
@Randinho: “No Golden Goal” is the same as saying “no sudden-death overtime,” right?
I’m asking sincerely.
@Bootlegger: Question answered. Thanks! :-)
Zam
@Violet: So if he can put the ball in the basket we get a point?
stuckinred
@JenJen: me too
stuckinred
@Zam: go away kid, you bother me.
Violet
@JenJen:
I asked a family member this question and was told yes, they’re the same.
Bootlegger
@stuckinred: No, the play the full OT.
TR
Details! I need details!
Espn is clogged up. Help me out folks.
Randinho
@JenJen: Yes
@Zam: Don’t be a wise ass
Bootlegger
@Zam: Yes, but just one, no weird scoring rules.
Violet
3 minutes extra time.
Bootlegger
@TR: Still tied in stoppage time. Both teams playing cagey not wanting to give up a late goal.
Comrade Luke
Really nervous. Both teams are tired and playing for extra time. That’s when mistakes happen.
Bootlegger
Ball into the box, Dempsey can’t get on it.
Bootlegger
corner for the Africans.
TR
Thanks violet
Violet
No goal. Whew.
Bootlegger
OT baby!
Ella in New Mexico
@JenJen:
Yes, it means they play two 15-min halves and who ever has the highest score wins. If they are still tied, that’s when they go to the shoot out.
PanAmerican
1:1 FT
Bootlegger
Ghana seemed to recover there at the end. We need to pressure from the get-go in OT.
stuckinred
Gut check.
Comrade Luke
Extra time is often “stall until PKs”, but with both teams so tired I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or even two goals here.
Bootlegger
@Comrade Luke: I love world football and absolutely hate PKs. They should have open substitution and play 15 minute periods until there is a winner.
Bootlegger
Yes! Here comes Herculez!
MattR
Heckuva game. Bob Bradley really needs to hypnotize the team so that they think they are down a goal at the start of the game.
Jumping ahead, who are the five penalty takers for the USA? Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Feilhaber and Gomez?
Jay C
Gomez in for Altidore in OT
stuckinred
The pucker factor is in evidence.
TR
Thanks folks. Keep ’em coming
Comrade Luke
@MattR:
Those are as good as any, but I hope Bradley told Gomez “it’s up to you to make sure this doesn’t get to PKs”
Bootlegger
@MattR: Looks good, Edu, Dolo or the captain Boca are other possibilities.
Randinho
FUCK FUCK FUCK
Bootlegger
You’re fucking kidding me!
Violet
Bloody hell.
Turgidson
Huh.
Derek
Well shoot. Nice athleticism though.
wrye
So…it’s not sudden death, at least.
GR
Crap!
Put another way: oh, so *that’s* what finishing looks like.
otmar
OT might just be a mirror of regular time.
Violet
US’s defense just isn’t up to what it should be.
Linkmeister
It’s like the US team loses concentration at the start of periods.
Bootlegger
@Derek: Yeah, gotta give props to that finish.
Bootlegger
Time for the Africans to time waste, they did this in Nurenberg too.
Bootlegger
Short corner, 4 players open, that should have worked.
Comrade Luke
Great finish on that goal, but you should never, ever, ever, ever give up a 1-on-2.
JasonF
OT is two fifteen minute halves. The full 30 minutes gets played no matter what.
Violet
Ghana looks like they want to waste some time.
Bootlegger
@Comrade Luke: Yep, its like two DBs losing a hail mary pass.
Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn
Can’t we sent in the 101st Airborne or something?
The Dangerman
To a newbie like me, it looked like Altidore should have scored on that late opportunity; that could be the missed chance that sends the US home.
Speaking of newbie questions, why are the Goalie colors SO different; I have to assume it is like QB’s in our Football, don’t hit the guy in red. Fine. But the poor goalie for Ghana doesn’t make violet look that good; so, who chooses the color?
Bootlegger
Set piece. Get everyone up.
Bootlegger
@The Dangerman: The only player that can use hands must be easy to see.
Violet
This game just feels very depressing now.
Bootlegger
@Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn: Yes. That’s where the Big Dog went, to call the carrier group just off the Horn.
Violet
Half time in extra time. How much time does this “half time” take?
Bootlegger
Final 15, its Go Time!
The Dangerman
@Bootlegger:
OK, that makes sense, I’m just surprised it isn’t something universal (all goalies wear black) or at least tied to team colors (although red and yellow makes purple, right?).
Bootlegger
Diver down for Ghana, they will do this until the end.
Bootlegger
Free kick on the edge of the box. Now’s the time Landon.
mr. whipple
How long are these games?
Bootlegger
Punched out.
Bootlegger
@mr. whipple: It will be 120 at the end of ET.
Bootlegger
Ghanian down and Landon was having none of it.
Amir_Khalid
@Violet: Going by the rules, just long enough to swap ends and resume play. No 15-minute break, unlike at the 45-minute mark of regular play.
By the way, the US is lucky that FIFA abandoned “golden-goal” (i.e. sudden death) extra time years ago.
Violet
Why does the guy have to go on a stretcher to go about three feet?
mr. whipple
@Bootlegger:
Thanks.
Phurge
Goalies used to always wear green, because it was thought it made them harder to see and thus gave a tiny advantage. Now, they wear very bright colours, because it’s thought that this makes them seem “bigger” and throws attackers off. But there’s no real evidence for either idea.
arguingwithsignposts
This constant flopping is one of the things I dislike about soccer. That and the officiating fail.
John O
I finally found a sport where the officiating is worse than the NBA.
Win!
Bootlegger
Corner for US, everyone up.
JasonF
@Violet:
Because Ghana is hamming it up in an effort to run out the clock.
TR
Have we used our 3rd sub?
Bootlegger
Nothing there.
Bootlegger
Another set piece, 5 minutes to go.
Corner Stone
@Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn: What happened to your handle?
TD
I think Cole needs to post something negative, to give the USA a chance to score.
Corner Stone
@Bootlegger:
It’s true, I am.
Now everybody GET THE FUCK UP!
Violet
Depressing.
Bootlegger
C’mon boys!
Comrade Luke
Not to put too fine a point on it, but: wasting a sub at the 30min is hitting us where it hurts right now
Bootlegger
Corner, in stoppage time.
Bootlegger
wow, damned near.
Mark S.
Howard, you can’t use your hands in the other team’s goal box.
Bootlegger
Two of three extra minutes.
Bootlegger
One minute.
John O
The US is pretty good just as long as they’re behind. Nice run.
J
valdivia
yeah very very depressing. now Uruguay has to kick Ghana’s ass. I am backing Uruguay all the way.
Bootlegger
time.
Peter J
Uruguay will eat up Ghana, like they would have eaten up the US team too.
Jay C
Bummer – tough game, but we were just outplayed.
Crap
S. cerevisiae
Damn. But Ghana could finish when it counted.
Violet
They were a great team to watch. Lots of heart and grit. If only they could learn to play in the first 15 minutes of a match, they’d be in a lot better shape. Still proud of them.
JenJen
Good run, USA. Sucks, but so it goes. I ain’t mad at ya. :-)
You Don't Say
@Violet: They had a good run.
valdivia
not mad, just sad.
now: Go Uruguay!
Therese
I’m a total soccer novice. This is the first World Cup I’ve watched…only because I’ve got a soccer-loving kid. It’s been fun cheering for the USA and I’ve learned a lot from Randinho and these threads. So bummed they are out.
Bootlegger
Ghana had the lowest shooting percentage of the tournament, you just knew they were going to finish some chances in this game.
Nick
@Peter J:
Team USA, the Bill Halter of Soccer.
Dr. Squid
You let the guy get behind the defense like that, a goal’s gonna happen.
Watched that one on Univision just to hear the call. He didn’t disappoint, unlike the USA defense.
some other guy
@Jay C:
This the first soccer game I’ve ever watched, and I doubt I’ll ever watch another. Any game where the rules encourages flopping and time-wasting as a winning strategy is not one that’s very interesting to me, I guess.
Comrade Luke
Our boys gave it their all, but in the end they just ran out of gas.
The lesson for next time is that we need to be stronger up the middle: lockdown defender, strong midfielder, scoring threat at striker.
Just like baseball you need to be strongest up the middle, and that’s where we’re missing the top-notch talent. Most of the guys we want in those positions are playing cornerback in the NFL or forward in the NBA. No use whining about it – we’re a country of 310 million, surely we can find half a dozen stars!
Go USA!
Sock Puppet of the Great Satan
“@Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn: What happened to your handle?”
iPhone fat fingers.
World’s best defense forces, except in soccer. Ghana’s defense was formidable though. They played the better game.
That free kick in the 1st half of extra time should have been a penalty, though.
MattR
The US team completely stopped playing through midfield once they got the goal. Maybe the Ghanaians adjusted to make it more difficult, but the American response of just whacking long balls from the back line was frustrating to watch.
Comrade Luke
@some other guy:
Every sport has this.
You Don't Say
I’m enjoying this. Who do I root for now?
Randinho
@some other guy: If that was why the US lost, you might have a point, but it’s not why they lost, so you don’t.
Randinho
@You Don’t Say: Brazil or Spain
Comrade Luke
@MattR: I think they were gassed.
some other guy
Other sports have rules that at least make an attempt to limit it. The shot clock in the NBA, for instance. Or the injury time-outs in the NFL (and associated rule that the injured player MUST leave the game for a time). Also, neither of these sports allows 30+ seconds to run off the clock while one of the teams makes a substitution, or leisurely strolls to the sideline to inbound.
JenJen
@Randinho: Got that in before I could.
@You Don’t Say: Deutschland, na klar!!
Comrade Luke
@some other guy:
True, but no sport allows the referee to add more time to the end based on those exploits, and there is a rule in soccer that allows the referee to call issue a yellow card to someone for flopping.
The rules are there but they are not enforced enough. No ref wants to be the one that actually calls something like this and have it change the result of a game, but that’s exactly what needs to happen if they ever want it to stop.
You Don't Say
@Randinho: I like underdogs.
dairyfarmmagnet
I didn’t watch the game; granted, I haven’t watched any World Cup game (just not interested). But as long as the U.S. team did their best and played their hardest, then they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Congrats to all.
That being said, can we now stop pretending that soccer matters in the U.S. and go back to what we do normally – just ignoring it? The MLB All-Star game is coming up, and the biggest and best free-agency class in the history of the NBA is about to be unleashed! Here’s hoping that LeBron and Chris Bosh end up wearing Bulls uniforms (that’s right – F.U. Knicks fans)!
Nick
@Comrade Luke:
but enough about the war in Afghanistan.
Randinho
@some other guy: They add the time on at the end of the halves. The referee keeps the time on the field. he then advises the 4th official how much will be added on from stoppages like subs and injuries.
Randinho
@You Don’t Say: I don’t want to sleep on the couch
HJay
@some other guy:
You probably noticed that the ref added three extra minutes to the playing time in the second half of the extra time. That means that Ghana’s time wasting was cancelled out.
some other guy
Perhaps not. But it seems to me that having a few extra minutes of playing time (rather than laying around on the ground time or walking to the sideline time) certainly would’ve given the US more chances to score.
Randinho
@some other guy:
They had three extra minutes at the end of the second fifteen. Three minutes, I might add is a lot of time to add on for a 15 minute period.
MattR
@Comrade Luke: You may be right, but it seemed like their tactics changed as soon as they got the goal to tie it.
You Don't Say
@Randinho: ;-)
I’ll figure it out. Maybe I’ll root against the dirtiest team. Who’s that?
MattR
@You Don’t Say: Vote for legalized pot. Root for the Dutch.
Comrade Luke
@MattR:
Possibly a bit of both. It’s kind of like when a team is way behind in basketball and gives it their all to catch up, then can’t finish.
I wish they wouldn’t have let Ghana get their legs back, regardless of why. Totally changed the outcome.
The other major problem is that when we had the momentum Altidore couldn’t finish, either because he sucked today or because he was hurt. Either way, Bradley was hamstrung because he’d wasted a sub at the 30min mark to correct his own lineup mistake.
The fact that he was still tinkering with the starting lineup this late in the tournament boggles my mind.
Randinho
@some other guy: @You Don’t Say: Maybe Portugal
some other guy
[post deleted]
You Don't Say
@Randinho: Anybody But Portugal!
You Don't Say
@MattR: 538 gives them good odds but I’ve heard almost nothing about them. I’ll check out their next game.
Dr. Squid
@some other guy:
You mean like kneeling on the ball with two minutes to go?
Besides the ref tacked 3 minutes onto a 15 minute period just for that flop. Extending a period by 20% is a significant addition.
Jim in Chicago
I don’t get the decision to start Clark (and yes, I questioned it before the game started). His distracted play was a carbon copy of his performance in the England game. I also would have preferred to see Buddle over any of the forwards who played tonight. His aggressiveness and nose for the goal makes things happen.
It was nice of Ghana to decide not to begin playing the 2nd half until we scored. Too bad they didn’t make that mistake after they scored in extra time. And for us to give up a “Route 1” goal up the middle like that was shameful.
Still, credit to the Ghanaians. They played a great game with crisp passing (except the first part of the 2nd half). When the announcers said the US would have to beat them with our superior tactics I was wondering what they were smoking….
Jim in Chicago
@Randinho:
Given Ghana’s stalling tactics, the 3 minutes were entirely appropriate.
P.S. I thought the officiating was very good.
Dr. Squid
I’m rooting for Japan now. I’d also like to see Mexico send the sweaty fat fuck home.
J.W. Hamner
I’m not one who loves cursing, but:
FUCK!
My apologies.
JenJen
You know, one really fun thing about that USA-GHA match?
The way Landon Donovan’s penalty kick so closely mirrored all those fun scenarios in the Best Commercial Ever Made, the Nike World Cup ad. He’s even in it (look fast after Rooney falls apart).
Sweat on the brow and everything. The goal lifted the spirits of a country for just a little while, and that’s kind of what it’s about, isn’t it? Hell, I dunno. I’m just desperately seeking to silver-line my cloud of disappointment. :-(
Fern
@You Don’t Say: Why not Portugal? Just curious.
burnspbesq
@Comrade Luke:
Our lockdown defender was way less than 100 percent due to the lingering effects of a knee injury, and our best forward was nearly killed in a car wreck last fall and isn’t ready to resume playing yet.
Whatever the question is, Ricardo Clark is not the answer.
Dagnabbit.
Felanius Kootea (formerly Salt and freshly ground black people)
@You Don’t Say: That would be Italy, but they’re already out. Argentina’s not a bad team to root for.
SLKRR
@Fern:
Because they’re the dirtiest team left. España should be able to beat them if they are on their game.
I’d love to see Argentina lose, too, just to shut Maradona up, but I don’t think México is strong enough to do it, unless they get some divine assistance or a good bit of luck.
Sucks about the USA… now I’m gonna have to hear all about it over and over from now until this thing is done (or until Brasil loses, if they do).
You Don't Say
@Fern: I said I was looking for a team to root for now that the USA is done, or a team to root against, such as the dirtiest team. Randinho said Portugal might be the dirtiest and that was my reply.
I am a total soccer novice but enjoying the WC. I have nothing against nobody. ;-)
Cacti
If Altidore rips it on that 1 on 2 in the box, rather than diving to draw a PK…
Team USA advances.
What a shame.
Fern
@You Don’t Say: Me too – this is the first time I have really paid any attention to the world cup, and I’m quite enjoying it. Not sure which team to cheer for either.
Cacti
@You Don’t Say:
If you’re looking for a team to root against:
Portugal – dirty floppers
Argentina – Coached by a self-adulating fat bastard
America
Tw nggr trtrs htd n ll f mrc.
[Racist comment has been disemvoweled]
Bruce (formerly Steve S.)
@Jim in Chicago:
It’s interesting that after all the bellyaching about the officiating it turned out not to matter at all from the U.S. perspective. In fact, the fluke goal given up by England was more consequential. If you give the U.S. all the disputed goals but take away the goal against England they go through as second place and get Germany in the round of 16. As it was they got another lucky break when Ghana got through instead of Serbia. In their four games the U.S. played, by latest FIFA rankings, the 8th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th teams in the field of 32. The U.S. was quite frankly a lucky team in this World Cup, and their luck would have continued if they’d gotten by Ghana and faced Uruguay, the 13th team in the field.
benjoya
“I am proud, as an Argentine, to repudiate this human garbage, George W. Bush”
reason enough for me to support Argentina.
Dr. Squid
@benjoya: Gee, how brave. That’s so easy, I wonder which one of his fat cells came up with that one.
Leeds man
@benjoya:
That’s only because you don’t know the reasons not to support Argentina. For: Messi, Tevez. Against: It’s fucking Argentina, ferchrissakes. Oh yeah, and Maradona.
Personally, I’d prefer Argentina to beat Mexico on the off chance that England can beat Germany and then Argentina, just to see the little man’s face at the final whistle. And no, that has nothing to do with ’86. Well, maybe a bit.
benjoya
at 5’7″, the man is larger than life, i’ll grant you that.
benjoya
i think messi is great, and when higuian scored his hat trick, messi did his part, showing him as a strong supporting player, too. did you see that game?
what’s wrong with maradona? he was a great player, never beat his wives or girlfriends AFAIK and he probably won’t make the mistake of the last coach to keep messi out when he was needed. maybe not enough family values for you?
benjoya
Against: It’s fucking Argentina, ferchrissakes. Oh yeah, and Maradona.
can’t argue with your logic.
benjoya
I’d prefer Argentina to beat Mexico on the off chance that England can beat Germany and then Argentina,
ha, you’re funny. maybe you haven’t been paying attention: England could not defeat the United States. You think they’re gonna beat Germany, let alone Argentina?
Leeds man
@benjoya:
You haven’t seen many World Cups, have you? If you judge upcoming performances on recent ones, Serbia should still be in the running.
Will England beat Germany? I have no idea. Can they? You bet. This is why I love the game.
benjoya
yes, of course, anything is possible, and Argentina’s defense can be unreliable, but watching the US-England game, it looked to me like 2 also-rans. maybe england can step it up tomorrow.
Morbo
Called it… /ducks
Leeds man
@benjoya:
See, that’s why you have to watch more than one game. If you had, you’d know that Portugal will win the cup because they beat North Korea 7-0.
Paula
Jeeez … I’m way more fucking depressed about this than is healthy.
Corner Stone
@Cacti:
Bigot! Why are you hating on my kind?