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[entremet]

I love how some Americans think if you "cared" you'd magically turn into world cup winners.

Cop out shite equal to "well we weren't even trying".

Who is saying this? Most of us feel that Belgium was better.

 

[Subliminal]

I enjoyed watching these games. Are MLS games usually this good? Or close? I know NY is getting a new club soon and I'll give an effort to follow them because following the premiere league is difficult.

I went to a few games last year (Chicago Fire vs LA Galaxy/Seattle Sounders). They were like bad championship games. Not good football (atmosphere was great though)

 

[Firemind]

I'm talking as a noob on the EU leagues now, is this Jozy that good? Some of the guys that people said that were good on this WC I've heard about in my inner circle or even in the media, but not this one.

He was a good striker for AZ. Sunderland on the other hand...

To be fair, the EPL is a different beast. Bony was a topscorer in the Eredivisie, but didn't make it. Suarez same thing and he's player of the year.

 

[Brazil]

Americans always obsessed with how athletic someone is. If only LeBron played soccer, right guys.

It makes no sense. It's not like swimming makes you a monster at golf.

Oh wait.

I kid, though. This "Our athletes don't care about football" reasoning makes no sense - and comes up every single time the USA are kicked out.

You don't watch football much, do you?

Do you really need to post something this condescending? It makes this thread a chore to read through, this unnecessary aggressiveness.

 

[Technosteve]

I am glad i no longer need to follow futbol, my liver thanks me.

 

[Blue Ninja]

Oh man the BEL-NED semi is getting closer.

Both countries would lose their shit if this happened. I don't even care if we'd win or lose that, how cool would it be to get that matchup.

Neighbors, pls beat Costa Rica. We'll do the same against Argentina

I'd fucking go watch it in Holland. I wouldn't even care who wins.

See you in the semis neighbour.

Spoiler

Possibly.

 

[RoyalLaFlame]

I just came here to say: Howard is good! God damn!

 

[$200]

I wonder how deep this match-fixing fiasco will go.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

MLS fans, Kaka was signed... is his new team any good?

This is awesome

 

[AstroLad]

It makes no sense. It's not like swimming makes you a monster at golf.

Oh wait.

I kid, though. This "Our athletes don't care about football" reasoning makes no sense - and comes up every single time the USA are kicked out.

It makes a ton of sense actually but it's also always brought up in sour-grapes situations so not exactly classy.

 

[cashman]

If you look at the genesis, it goes back to the late 1800's. College football paved the way for what eventually became what we have now. Realistically, the NFL in it's different forms reaches back to the 1920's. Yes, we are in the Superbowl era, but history existed prior.

Yeah and how culturally relevant was the NFL in the 1920s? Saying that it can't ever be on the level of theNFL is kind of silly at this point. The MLS is growing at a steady rate and ESPN seems to be pushing it pretty hard. It won't happen for at least 20 years but it's possible.

 

[dsp]

I'm surprised we made it this far. Also Howard was amazing

Me too and I agree about Howard. Poor man couldn't get a break. I expected us to be at the bottom of our group , so it was a nice surprise they went as far as they did. This is also the first time I've really gotten into this game and I plan on watching a lot more.

 

[The Evil Ganon]

Oh man the BEL-NED semi is getting closer.

Both countries would lose their shit if this happened. I don't even care if we'd win or lose that, how cool would it be to get that matchup.

Neighbors, pls beat Costa Rica. We'll do the same against Argentina

Messi will be our final hurdle before the battle of the century. Holland versus Belgica. People will go insane. Tears will be shed. Minds will blow. Who wins doesn't matter - that match will deliver, and it will become a story that will be passed on from generation to generation. And Erik Van Looy will translate it to the big screen.

But for tonight: BELGIUM <3

 

[CraigerGamer]

Good effort USA.

USGAF should stick around and support the Netherlands, as we're likely to eliminate Belgium soon.

Yup, I'm Dutch from here on out. Unless they lose, then I'm Colombian.

 

[kingslunk]

It's not all about athletics m8.

Messi can't run more than any other player at the world cup, is short etc but he's still the best in the world.

If soccer was the biggest sport in usa, your best players physique would not resemble LeBron James' for example.

Not sure if I'm making sense her by I'll click 'post' anyway.

Our most developed athletic program here is NFL. The large majority of athletes in other countries are playing football. In the United States its split among many sports. NFL -> Baseball -> Basketball -> Hockey -> football. Name another country that has 4 sports ahead of football and the US is still knocking on the world's football door. If NFL/MLB/NBA didn't exist and if you truly think the US wouldn't be top tier and extremely dangerous every world cup you'd be kidding yourself.

Not only that but whatever league was in the United States would be the defacto league to play in. EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga would be like the KHL is to the NHL.

 

[Trey]

Who is saying this? Most of us feel that Belgium was better.

Plenty are. I actually don't agree. Well, I do agree that if US focused solely on soccer, it would be a perennial World Cup power (size and resources are match by few around the world), but the US would never do that, so it's a moot point. And none of our main sports translate well into soccer.

 

[Mesousa]

I love how some Americans think if you "cared" you'd magically turn into world cup winners.

Cop out shite equal to "well we weren't even trying".

Delusional arrogance.

Dont let delusional Americans turn you off the team though. I actually like these guys, except Altidore, after the performance today.

US fans still suck though.

 

[Frustrated_Grunt]

They're planning to play in Yankee Stadium but that's a hot mess until the stadium is build but it's a hot mess.

It looks so unnatural.

 

[CheDominik]

I did that when I first came to England. Do you know what that got me?

Sunderland.

The local teams I could have picked had I known wtf I was doing are Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham.

:lol

I pray for you. Sunderland is my yearly Football Manager challenge because everytime I see their squad I think to myself "What were they thinking spending X amount of money on this guy."

 

[NYCmetsfan]

I got lucky with a French girl this weekend so, vive la France from here on out

 

[schuelma]

A few years ago, he played in Germany and did very well.

Last year, he moved to the Premier League and Sunderland. He had a terrible year, leading up to the World Cup. He wasn't scoring at all. I believe he only scored two goals all year.

Last game of the three friendlies the US had, he scored two goals.

Overall, he's good but he was slumping badly before those two goals. That injury was devastating because everyone thought those two goals were all he needed to get back into the swing of things.

He never played in Germany. He did very well in the Dutch league before moving to Sunderland where he was bad.

As far as whether he is "good"?

Not to the standards of most of the posters in this thread- his lack of success in the EPL so far speaks for itself.

Still, he was crucial for the US and the only one on the roster able to act as a true target forward. His absence really changed the plan of attack and IMO made Dempsey and Bradley's job much more difficult.

 

[Acorn]

Pretty much. Hypothetical horseshit.



The argument is that the best American athletes bubble up to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. If that talent pool was dedicated solely to soccer as it is in other countries, the talent level would rival any country in the world.

That's just one piece of the puzzle though. The coaching has to be on the level as well. Our best coaching minds are in American Football, so they would have to follow suit as well.

That makes zero sense. Do you also think xavi would be great at basketball, american football and whatever else?

Being "atheltic" is a small part of the game especially at the top.

 

[WonkyPanda]

wat. idgi

 

[figadapaura]

Who is saying this? Most of us feel that Belgium was better.

Plenty have said it.

 

[Meteorain]

Americans always obsessed with how athletic someone is. If only LeBron played soccer, right guys.

Lolol

The great thing about Football is that you can be any sort of shape and size and still be a good player.

Look at when Ronaldo got fat, got called out for being fat and not moving and then scored a wonder goal anyway without moving.

 

[Shining Sunshine]

The worst part now is that... NO GAMES TIL FRIDAY ;_;

 

[Prez]

What are the odds of Belgium winning against Argentina?

 

[hoos30]

Hmmm.

Costa Rica, then Colombia, then Brasil. Those are my post USA choices.

 

[fluffydelusions]

There has been so much hype around WC here in the US. I wonder if that hype will stay now that we're out. I swear I really only ever hear about the sport in media during WC.

 

[DukeBobby]

The worst part now is that... NO GAMES TIL FRIDAY ;_;

No, that's the best part.

My heart needs a break.

 

[Trey]

US fans still suck though.

We're still learning to enjoy the game.

 

[His Majesty]

Really glad we finally showed what Belgium can do. Thanks for the amazing game USA, was one heck of a night.

 

[Loxley]

Well this was quite an experience, I'm happy we got as far as we did. I'll definitely be watching the rest of the cup, and definitely look forward to 2018

 

[Ambient80]

lmao.

 

[El Sloth]

The local neighborhood put the kabosh on it, so they'll be playing at Yankee Stadium for the first 3 years until the find a site.

They're planning to play in Yankee Stadium but that's a hot mess until the stadium is build but it's a hot mess.

Ahhhhhh, well damn. I mean, I understand why folks in Flushing told them to take a hike, but still disappointing that I wont be able to take a short walk to watch some MLS games!

 

[saelz8]

I can root for Germany now, since USA is out. Los gehts!

 

[kamorra]

We're still learning to enjoy the game.

You guys need better chants too. I believe that we will win is cray cray

 

[Meteorain]

I pray for you. Sunderland is my yearly Football Manager challenge because everytime I see their squad I think to myself "What were they thinking spending X amount of money on this guy."

The hardest part of FM Sunderland is that first season and trying to separate the mildly shit from the truly awful.

You also have no money.

 

[Nafai1123]

It makes no sense. It's not like swimming makes you a monster at golf.

Oh wait.

I kid, though. This "Our athletes don't care about football" reasoning makes no sense - and comes up every single time the USA are kicked out.

Huh, it makes pretty good sense to me.

Let's say 1% of the population are natural athletes. In a country where Baseball/USFootball/Basketball are the most popular sports, they will naturally pursue those sports from a very young age. Since they pursue them from a young age, they naturally build their physical attributes around what the game requires.

If football was the most popular sport in the US, those naturally gifted athletes would pursue the sport from a young age, and would be more built for the sport when they grow up.

 

[akaoni]

If only Argentina cared about NFL, he could do so much better there.

 

[pulsemyne]

No worries, think long term... Gareth Bale will lead Wales to the promised land. Like a millionaire non-Jewish Moses with a shit hairband.

And by then the USA will probably have invested a few $$$'s in the sport and will be a dominant superpower of the sport, so for you'll it's win win. Think positive.

Yes he will. All glory to the Bale! Except for the headband as it really does looks crap.

 

[Godslay]

Yeah and how culturally relevant was the NFL in the 1920s? Saying that it can't ever be on the level of theNFL is kind of silly at this point. It won't happen for at least 20 years but it's possible.

Never said it couldn't. If you read my post, I'm saying why football is where it is, and how soccer is just starting that process. It takes awhile to get there. Look at how long it took the NFL to rival and surpass the MLB in terms of popularity.

As far as culturally relevance early on, the NFL in it's variation was popular enough to continue to grow and thrive during that time period. College football was very relevant as well.

 

[Tristam]

You don't watch football much, do you?

He's not wrong, at least relatively speaking. You guys don't watch much of our team if you don't recognize our defensive performance this tournament -- mediocre and (at times) shoddy though it may have been -- as MILES better than what was expected. We've almost always been plagued by dogshit defenders. (Maybe that's why we always have such awesome goalies?) Our best defender -- Beasley -- isn't even a real defender; he was just moved to the back. It was our midfield who turned in an awful performance today. Bradley was still no good outside the assist, though still a good deal better than he has been in previous games this WC, and Zusi and Jones played terribly. It's a shame because both of them (Jones moreso, Zusi less so) were actually mostly solid up until this game.

 

[artist]

Funny coming from a guy sporting a company based in America in his avatar.

The irony.

So what? I'm a traitor? :lol that salt is the best kind of salt.

That's the best you've got? Doesn't sound very appetizing; not like there's been a deluge of tears or salt. Stay hungry, man.

It is very delicious.

 

[Maintenance]

If you won't I will.

We don't need no PC people here! Say it.

SAY IT!

ZAY IT NAO!

NEIN!

He was unstoppable when he was with AZ Alkmaar, he had like 52 goal in the two years he spent with them, but had a horrible first year with Sunderland. He had a bit of a scoreless streak with the US as well, but got a brace against Nigeria right before the game with Ghana. If he didn't go down with that injury I think he'd be having a lot of guys eat crow.

A few years ago, he played in Germany and did very well.

Last year, he moved to the Premier League and Sunderland. He had a terrible year, leading up to the World Cup. He wasn't scoring at all. I believe he only scored two goals all year.

Last game of the three friendlies the US had, he scored two goals.

Overall, he's good but he was slumping badly before those two goals. That injury was devastating because everyone thought those two goals were all he needed to get back into the swing of things.

He's not. The US just don't have many options.

He was a good striker for AZ. Sunderland on the other hand...

To be fair, the EPL is a different beast. Bony was a topscorer in the Eredivisie, but didn't make it. Suarez same thing and he's player of the year.

Thanks guys!

 

[Wilbur]

Guys here is why messi is the GOAT

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/

He was a good striker for AZ. Sunderland on the other hand...

To be fair, the EPL is a different beast. Bony was a topscorer in the Eredivisie, but didn't make it. Suarez same thing and he's player of the year.

Bony actually had a real good season, ended it with over 20 goals I think.

Other strikers have flopped though. Afonso Alves and Mateija Kezman, notably.

 

[Verano]

the USA LOST!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
YUMMY TEARS FROM THE USA FANS FROM BARS OF SANTA MONICA TO THE 405 FREEWAY WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
#getwrekt

Spoiler

Im being sarcastic lol

 

[Tinfoilhatsron]

Delusional arrogance.

Dont let delusional Americans turn you off the team though. I actually like these guys, except Altidore, after the performance today.

US fans still suck though.

Huh? Isn't it normal to cheer on your team? I agree it was agressive and several were overdoing the irony. But most of them stayed on our side, never trash talking the opposite team. Let them have their fun bro, its only a forum, and its just a game.

In other news Germany is still best team.

 

[Seth C]

That makes zero sense. Do you also think xavi would be great at basketball, american football and whatever else?

Being "atheltic" is a small part of the game especially at the top.

Not necessarily but I guarantee you we have a lot of athletes who could be great soccer players who are instead struggling in other sports which they aren't as good at. They never gave soccer a chance because it isn't the atmosphere they grew up in.

 

[CheDominik]

The hardest part of FM Sunderland is that first season and trying to separate the mildly shit from the truly awful.

You also have no money.

Tell me about it, after one year usually everyone from the original team is gone.
I still can't believe virtual Fulham took Wes Brown and his enormous contract. I will be forever thankful.