What's the scouting report on Belgium? They play next Tuesday and I'm curious if Team USA is going to be a huge underdog. I'm sure Belgium is good to make it this far but I'm interested in BRI points of view on this match. There is speculation Joze could be back for that match.
IMO, the two teams are about even when it comes to talent. One thing is for sure, the US is not a huge underdog.
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust 'em.
Jim Valvano
In the discussion on Mike and Mike this morning there were two things clear. 1) The USA has got a definite chance to beat Belgium tonight and 2) there was a debate about how effective Jozy Altidore would be IF he even plays. I didn't realize how stringent the substitution rules are for soccer matches and the reasoning was if Altidore plays it won't be until late if the US is trying to protect a lead or if they need a score. Either way it should be an interesting side bar to the match.
All you can say after today's USA/Belgium match is DAMN! For 93 minutes nobody scored then in the 30 minute extra period a total of 3 goals were scored. Unfortunately, for Team USA they were on the short end of that stick losing to Belgium 2-1. US goal keeper Tim Howard was brilliant but you have to feel like he ran out of luck in the extra period. Belgium had so many shots on goal during the match it was inevitable that his luck and skill would run out in the Brazilian heat. The heartbreaking thing is the USA almost won in the final seconds of the penalty minutes at the end of regulation when a header off a corner kick flew harmlessly over the top of the goal. It was such a hard fought match it would have been a shame for either team to lose but obviously I was rooting for the good guys. Sometimes the good guys don't always win. Belgium moves on to the quarter finals and the USA gets to come home but they can hold their heads high because they represented us very well, very well indeed.
I was only able to catch bits and snatches of the games today as I am in San Antonio with my mother and she is not a sports fan. Lol It was a hard fought game and I am not disappointed. Just think of what a team like this can do in four to eight years... The US is on a meteoric rise lead by Jürgen Klinnsman and in the next couple of years we are going to the development of his young players that he has found and are training in camps around the US and Europe. The US will be true contenders in eight years.
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust 'em.
Jim Valvano
The USA was outplayed for much of the game including time of possession and shots on goal.They did have a great chance to score in stoppage time and win.After Belgium scored two goals in the extra 30 minute period the USA played well and had multiple great chances to tie the game.The USA goalie had a game for the ages and was superbly positioned time and time again.Belgium was definitely better today but the USA is making strides.We should be proud of our team.
It's down to the semi's now. Brazil vs German (that should be a good match between maybe the best team in the tournament, Germany, and the home country rep, Brazil) and the Netherlands vs Argentina. Who do you guys think will be in the final?
According to the betting odds Argentina is favored to win it all with the other three teams all in the same area odds-wise. Since Brazil's best player, Neymar, was injured in the win over Columbia (I wonder which Columbia team member is murdered for this loss?) making the Brazilians chances of winning it all somewhat remote.
Okay, don't be one of those guys who claims he KNEW Brazil was going to be blown out by a score of 7-1 by Germany. I would buy it if you said Germany would win because Brazil was without their best player, Neymar who suffered a broken vertebrae in his back in the win over Columbia and the Brazilian team captain, Thiago Silva, who was serving a suspension after his second yellow card of the tournament in the same match vs Columbia. How could you could expect the Brazilians to win with such big hits to their roster? However, nobody, but nobody, could have predicted the Brazilian team would go into the tank being so close to the finish line. They hardly put up a fight falling behind in the 1st half 6-0. The fact is Germany showed some sportsmanship deliberately missing a goal in the second have and making a half-hearted effort to allow the Brazilians to score a goal late in the match. The pro Brazilian crowd chanted "OLE" for the Germans while booing their own team off the field. That's kind of like the way the Russian crowd turned around and cheered for Rocky Balboa when he defeated Soviet champ Ivan Drago. (Rocky IV in case you forgot.)
Do soccer fans take the sport too seriously? ESPN's Mike Tirico said that the announcer in the stadium encouraged German fans to remain in the stadium until they could be escorted out of the stadium by the authorities to avoid confrontations with Brazilian fans. Really? Soccer fans seem to want to take "fan-atic" to a different level. People, it's just a game. People don't have to be injured or die if your team loses. Sheesh.
Well, I can honestly say that I was not in the least surprised. Now was I expecting Germany to hang 7? No I wasn't. But I wasn't surprised in the least bit when they did. Germany is just that good and Brazil was a dejected team who was missing their best player and without him are just that average.
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust 'em.
Jim Valvano
It's Argentina that has to face the Germans. In an earlier post I noted that Argentina was the favorite to win the World Cup and it seems the odds makers kind of know what they are talking about. Argentina had a rough go of through regulation and the 30 minute extra period. The Netherlands actually scored a goal but the scorer was off sides. Wow. However, in the penalty kicks at the end of the game Argentina took control and won. So the weekend is set. Brazil and the Netherlands in the consolation match and Germany facing Argentina for the Cup. Should be good. The only relevant question will Brazil be any better with team captain Thiago Silva back in the lineup? Or, will the ass whoopin' at the hands, or feet, of Germany demoralize them to the point of being neutered?
Messi needs to have an impact on today's match against Germany for Argentina to win.His father Jorge has said that he is exhausted and feels"as if his legs weigh 100 kilos each." I hope this is just gamesmanship or Argentina may be in for a very long match.The 5'7" Messi is the inspirational straw that stirs Argentina's drink.
I don't care what type of game Messi has, it's Germany all the way.
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust 'em.
Jim Valvano
The Argentines have had one less day of rest than Germany but it's still been four days. After the past weeks of the World Cup everyone is tired. Germany has the luxury of not playing extra minutes and a free kick period like Argentina and that extra day of rest. Argentina's marathon against the Netherlands didn't help but it didn't seem to hurt the Netherlands as they bashed the Brazilians yesterday. You're in the final of the biggest soccer event on the planet Messi will run on adrenaline. That's just what great players do in any sport. I think the Germans have been surgical in the way they've dismantled their opponents so far. The USA came the closest to beating them and we were dominated in every stastical category except the score. So, to make a long story a little shorter, I agree with Big T. Germany, baby!
Halftime and both teams have had scary good chances to break the 0-0 tie.I too think the percentages are in Germany's favor but goals are so precious and the better team doesn't win as often in this sport as in some others.I am pleased the officials have not red carded anyone in such an important match.
Congratulations to Germany for winning 1-0 scoring in second extra 15 minute period on a beautiful cross and equally special shot.It is the first World Cup championship for a European team to win in the Americas.Argentina had more quality opportunities than many thought they would have but Germany was the better team and scored the most goals in the tournament.On a more personal note,my wife,a devoted Lamar basketball fan, commented she sure is glad she didn't have to stay standing until her team scored like at basketball games.
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