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Post by meput on Jun 27, 2014 6:26:52 GMT -7
Ya know, picking Germany over the United States doesn't make you the Wizard of Oz! Careful, the Wizard of Oz was just a carnival charlatan behind the curtain! Did not see the game. Still have to work. A one goal game against one of the tournament favorites is still a respectful showing. It also helped USA in the goal differential that allowed them to move into the final 16. Do we have any forum members cheering for Belgium? Jim, you picked 2 examples of pro athletes who attained stardom during their playing days, gave back to their communities and sport, both during their playing days and after. Good role models in life as well as good role models in fundamentally sound technique.
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Post by JimRatliff on Jun 27, 2014 9:01:07 GMT -7
Meput: I agreed with what the analysts said. The Americans played the equivalent of the NFL "prevent defense". They knew that they didn't need to win, but they also knew that they needed to keep the score differential low. They did that against a pretty good team. Kudos to coach and team - its always hard to subjugate the innate competitiveness and basic desire to win the game in order to increase the likelihood of moving forward.
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Post by meput on Jun 27, 2014 15:49:43 GMT -7
Meput: I agreed with what the analysts said. The Americans played the equivalent of the NFL "prevent defense". They knew that they didn't need to win, but they also knew that they needed to keep the score differential low. They did that against a pretty good team. Kudos to coach and team - its always hard to subjugate the innate competitiveness and basic desire to win the game in order to increase the likelihood of moving forward. Germany was built as a scoring machine. Look what they did to Portugal. Like recent season Patriots and Broncos (sticking with the NFL analogy), win by out gunning the opponent. And when the opponent has the ball, shut them down in the red zone.
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Post by meput on Jun 27, 2014 18:12:09 GMT -7
Hope Jens Voight is riding in the Tour this year. I have really enjoyed watching him over the past several years. Gives an old guy, like me, an old guy of the peloton to cheer for. Just saw tentative Tour team rosters. Jens Voight is listed on the Trek Factory Racing team. Let the games begin (July 5).
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Post by livingproof on Jun 28, 2014 4:15:49 GMT -7
Never got to watch the US Germany match, did a bike ride with a buddy. While the World Cup interests me, I've no emotional attachment to the US team. I'm not connected as I don't know the game or the players. If there is an equivalent to the WC in the US, I think it's the NCAA basketball March Madness tournament, perhaps my favorite sports event. There, at least I connect with Villanova, but, at the end of the day, the better team wins. So, let the World Cup playon, I'll watch and learn. US vs Belgium will be a great measure of how good we are.
I bet a great soccer player would be a great skier. All that foot coordination, quickness, conditioning and power would make for an awesome body to borrow and ski on for a day. Such a body will not be experienced, in this lifetime, for this skier.
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Post by meput on Jun 28, 2014 5:16:53 GMT -7
Never got to watch the US Germany match, did a bike ride with a buddy. .... I bet a great soccer player would be a great skier. All that foot coordination, quickness, conditioning and power would make for an awesome body to borrow and ski on for a day. Such a body will not be experienced, in this lifetime, for this skier. LP Sounds like you are doing what you can to keep the body you have in shape for skiing. I know more skiers that bike, than skiers that play soccer for off season conditioning. Don't forget soccer is a contact sport that I am sure is not kind to the body as we age. I have never "gotten into" basketball. I played in a youth instructional league at the Y at about age 7-8. Didn't like it then, still don't. Never enjoyed running around in my underwear with a bunch of guys. With that said, I understand the analogy to March Madness as a single elimination tournament. The fun aspect of the FIFA WC is that it is an international tournament with teams representing their countries and the honor that brings to the participants. It is great to see international sport rising above international politics.
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Post by meput on Jun 28, 2014 12:59:04 GMT -7
Wow, what a game between Brazil and Chile. Overtime. Shoot out. Feel bad for the last Chilean player in the shoot out. Perfect shot - except the ball had the bad luck to hit the post and not go in.
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Post by meput on Jun 29, 2014 16:09:01 GMT -7
Two exciting games today.
Mexico and the Netherlands. Looked like Mexico was going to outlast the Netherlands then the equalizer late. The go ahead for the Netherlands in injury time with some controversy. Stupid move by Mexico in the penalty box leading to a penalty kick and the goal.
Costa Rica and Greece. Costa Rica playing a man down for about an hour. 1 to 1 tie at end of regular time. Able to shut down Greece in overtime a man down. Penalty kick shoot out and Costa Rica pulls out a win.
Good stuff on the international stage.
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Post by JimRatliff on Jul 1, 2014 16:24:40 GMT -7
Meput: I just anointed you my "soccer expert". In your opinion, did Klinsman take the best players to the World Cup, or the best core of players aimed at the NEXT world cup, or players that were willing to be coached and to play his system.
Do you think the USA effort was aimed at winning this year, our about getting buy-In for his system for the coming years leading back to the world cup.
I have to say that the American effort was admirable, but the best athletes on the field weren't American. Wonder if LeBron would like to learn 'football'?
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Post by livingproof on Jul 2, 2014 5:12:17 GMT -7
Two thumbs up for Team USA. Yesterday's game, at least in the last 30 minutes was a great watch. The team is not of the level of Belgium and Germany, but, they did have a great run through the "Group of Death". Still, the overall record was 1 win, 2 loses and a tie, so, they are not near the level of teams worthy of winning the Cup.
My thinking is the US still needs better players, and, that means young Americans playing in Europe at the highest level of competition. I doubt the US pro soccer league will provide the competition to get to the highest levels. I'm sure any new coach has difficulty getting long time players to buy into his system. I admire the way he released Landon Donovan well in advance of the final cut deadline, so, he was sending messages that there is a new boss in town. ESPN had a series on the development and selection of the team, and, Klinsman came off as very competent, IMHO. Good man to lead the charge.
It will always be very difficult to compete on a World level with countries where "football" is the national sport, and, the path out of poverty for young players.
I'll continue to watch the remaining matches, I'm hooked. And, of course, July means the Le Tour...but that's another thread.
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