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I can see why US was not predicted to even remotely contend for the World Cup

by discrat
13 replies
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I played 3 years of Soccer in grade school. But it is not a sport I watch very much.

I watched all of the Portugal and Belgium Game and those Teams are just far ahead of the US and their game.

Especially,Belgium. Those guys are tacticians. And even to someone who is not versed in watching Soccer you can see how Belgium dominated Possession , could penetrate at will, and separate with space to take good percentage shots atf Howard.

Howard just played incredibly . That is the only reason how we stayed in it.

But Belgium is just a flat out better team and the US has a very long way to go if they are legitimately going to contend for a World Cup.
  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    Yep.

    Howard defended HOW many times? Like 17-23?

    Awesome ability...

    But the notion that he BROKE A RECORD regarding saves/blocked attempts proves that the USA is really lacking tactically. (They just couldn't control the ball man)...



    Sad to see. I was really pulling for USA. (I think now I'll have to pull for Belgium since they beat USA. But I haven't decided yet).

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  • Profile picture of the author JensSteyaert
    Yeah this was really the best game of the WC so far, without question. Too bad the finishing was poor or it could have been a pre-historic scoreline something like 11-1

    But i think your conclusion is a bit harsh though. The US team has great figthing spirit and that's a lot. If they had 2-3 world class players in the team they would be contenders imo, but unfortunately now they have not (maybe the goalkeeper though)...
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  • Profile picture of the author avengedsfn
    Definitely the best game so far in 2014 FIFA, 18 saves by Howard. He's a beast.
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    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Originally Posted by avengedsfn View Post

      Definitely the best game so far in 2014 FIFA, 18 saves by Howard. He's a beast.
      Unfortunately, he's 35 years old, so this is probably his last World Cup tournament.

      Frankly, I was surprised the US won a game, let alone get to the knockout round. So even with this loss, they exceeded my expectations, so it's all good.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gasen
    USA did well to come 2nd in the group stage. This is only their 2nd WC appearance. Give them a few more appearances and they will become contenders.

    Well done USA. You DID put up a good fight!
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  • Profile picture of the author bravo75
    With all the experience in the U.S team now, why shouldn't they be as good as all the other big boys?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

      With all the experience in the U.S team now, why shouldn't they be as good as all the other big boys?
      This is mostly just a statistical thing, isn't it? They don't have the same pool to draw on, as in other countries, because they don't have hundreds of thousands/millions of young boys taking up "soccer" like other countries? The American ones are more interested in basketball and/or baseball, instead? It's not the "team" experience that determines the selection-process outcome, I think? It's all the "pre-team" experience? And that's very limited, perhaps, compared wth the European and South American countries?

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      • Profile picture of the author Recruitment Nick
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        This is mostly just a statistical thing, isn't it? They don't have the same pool to draw on, as in other countries, because they don't have hundreds of thousands/millions of young boys taking up "soccer" like other countries? The American ones are more interested in basketball and/or baseball, instead? It's not the "team" experience that determines the selection-process outcome, I think? It's all the "pre-team" experience? And that's very limited, perhaps, compared wth the European and South American countries?
        What gets missed when people compare playing pools is the importance of that sport in the country.

        If there are x% of people with the athletic ability to play a top sport, you have to assume some to many of them could actually play a number of sports at the top level if they dedicated their lives to it (Gareth Edwards is an iconic Welsh rugby player from the 60s, who, iirc, got offered a soccer contract, ran international level hurdles, but chose rugby). Of these top athletes the majority will gravitate towards the major sports.

        Soccer in the States, lacking the major profile of American Football, basketball, etc, will struggle to attract these elite athletes.

        As the profile increases, more kids will decide to focus on it as an option. So IF the States can keep interest going the development will improve, and becomes a virtuous circle (up to saturation point).

        Sheer numbers aren't as important as top athletes following the sport. A perfect example is the New Zealand rugby team - right now on a record run of wins, consistantly the dominant team in the game, and yet has a population of less than 10% of England.
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        • Profile picture of the author discrat
          Here is the thing. In some regards Soccer is HUGE here in US. I mean really, really HUGH.

          My daughters just finished their first year in Soccer last month. And at the YMCA people and their families come out in the droves to play Soccer with their kids. it is mania

          my gosh think about it the term "Soccer mom" originated in the American culture

          But here is the thing : I think the way we internalize the act of playing the Sport of Soccer is different from other Countries around the World.

          Most American families see Soccer as entertainment and a productive diversion for our youngsters to participate in and get good exercise and learn new socialization skills from.

          Yeah it is hugely popular here.

          But we do not eat, breathe, sleep Soccer like some European Countries and South American Countries do.
          Soccer is a part of our Lives. In some Countries it literally is LIFE !!

          I am not saying that is necessarily bad or good. Just an observation.

          But I will say until we eat, breathe, and sleep Soccer starting at young ages here in America, we will NEVER realize a World Cup victory. You can count on that.


          Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author beasty513
    Well I see USA becoming a strong team but we
    have quite a challenge winning it all.

    I've been watching here and there,
    still can't believe that game against Portugal.
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