World Cup LD

[Барбоса]

USA should have been attacking Belgium's earlier in the game. They have centre halves at full back.

The Belgian defence is all over the place.

 

[My Name Is Michael Caine]

Amazing effort by the States.

 

[klunderbunker]

And now America can stop pretending they care about soccer for four more years.

 

[Барбоса]

More injury time nonsense. Time-wasting, substitutions and injuries seemingly taken into account at all.

 

[Blade]

Another plucky underdog goes out.

 

[TLC]

Such a shame that the US are going through. They've been such a joy to watch this tournament unlike Belgium.

 

[Loveless]

Well done, Belgium. Your reward for those tired legs is Lionel Messi, have fun with that.

 

[Dan Severn's Moustache]

They got me back up to second in the Fantasy table so I can't complain.

I still have no idea who that rdarar guy is at the top of the league.

 

[Loveless]

They got me back up to second in the Fantasy table so I can't complain.

I still have no idea who that rdarar guy is at the top of the league.

No idea

 

[Uncle Sam]

I still have no idea who that rdarar guy is at the top of the league.

Likely Rohan.

 

[Lee]

*****.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

If Jones had put that in...

 

[Slyfox696]

Meh, the US didn't deserve to win that game. Quite frankly, I'm not sure they deserved to be in the Round of 16. They had absolutely terrible ball possession the entire World Cup and after the way they played against Germany, I guess they decided they wanted to do it again for some unknown reason.

I don't understand soccer or tactics well enough to understand why we kept playing defense the entire game. I watched us in the extra time and we were finally attacking and putting pressure on Belgium...why not do that earlier?

I enjoyed the run, and I'll enjoy the women's World Cup next year, but the USA didn't really deserve to win that game.

 

[Барбоса]

I don't understand soccer or tactics well enough to understand why we kept playing defense the entire game. I watched us in the extra time and we were finally attacking and putting pressure on Belgium...why not do that earlier?.

Fear of the (superior) opposition is the explanation.

It was the same story in the last three games of the last 16 - when they went behind, USA, Algeria and Switzerland all had to have a go and in the process proved that the Belgian/German/Argentinian defences were there for the taking. While all three should be proud of their efforts, there should also be that nagging question of "what if we had gone for it sooner?"

Had they gone for it earlier perhaps none of them would have reached extra time; but then some of them might have gotten the first goal. It is easy to go down swinging when there is nothing more to lose. It is a different proposition to step out of a system that has kept the opposition out and risk losing.

It also should be noted that once they got their goals, Germany, Argentina and Belgium all had something to hang on to which brings with it a completely different type of panicky pressure. The late success that the Algerians, Swiss and USA had was exactly it was just that - late. The game was over. Had they gone for it earlier, there was far less possibility for success.

I still think it was would have been worth the risk, especially with the Americans as their attacking style in ET did not overly compromise their defence (which wasn't as great as it is made out - Howard did break the record for saves after all). Attacking Belgium on the flanks was for me an obvious route from the very outset of the tournament never mind the game last night - they play centre halves at full back. Vertonghen and Alderweireld are both good players but they are out of their best position.

Green and Yedlin should have started, with the latter pushed forward to the right wing rather than in place of Johnson at right back. He certainly could not have been any worse than Zusi.

All with the benefit of hindsight, of course.

 

[Blade]

Yeah, USA were trying to play a counter-attacking game. Which is a shame, because they have decent attacking group. And Klinsmann should've told Bradley to get his shit together much sooner.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Inconsequential as it ultimately was, I'm still struggling to come to terms with how bad that offside decision was.

 

[Thriller Ant]

Inconsequential as it ultimately was, I'm still struggling to come to terms with how bad that offside decision was.

I've read some stuff that apparently it was a signal for a goal kick, not offsides

 

[Барбоса]

Inconsequential as it ultimately was, I'm still struggling to come to terms with how bad that offside decision was.

America would have invaded Brazil by now had he put the ball in the net.

 

[Blade]

Very much looking forward to the quarter-finals today. They're a lot more exciting than tomorrow's matches.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

20 minutes from kick off, cue the France/Germany WW2 jokes all over social media.

 

[Blade]

It's oooon now!

 

[Alastor]

Well that was fast. Should open up the game now.

 

[A11oftheLights]

Germany really could smash france here, germany's defence has looked totally calm even in the one or two moments where France where a pass away from simple goals.

If a European nation is to win it, Germany would be my pick. Even though i'd love Belgium to give it a good crack, they've played dogshit football

 

[Loveless]

I backed France to win the whole thing, so naturally thats what happens.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

20 minutes from kick off, cue the France/Germany WW2 jokes all over social media.

I don't know if it was intentional but I've heard the phrase 'retreated' associated with the French side once already.