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[cashman]

Hey guys. ESPN just posted their grades for each player that got a piece of the action. The scale is from 1 - 10, with 10 being the best.

Link to the article here.

Good rankings. I think Howard did a little better than a 5.5 though.

 

[xbhaskarx]

ESPN: Michael Bradley is allergic to happiness. Or at least smiling.

Maybe he misses Germany, maybe his dad, coach Bob Bradley, is extra hard on him in practice, maybe he's ultra-focused or maybe he's just practicing the Kobe Bryant postseason scowl. Whatever the case, the central midfielder has been far from pleasant since the team arrived in Princeton. He was the only player who didn't smile when the 23-man roster was announced on ESPN's campus this week, and the only player who didn't smile in the team photo from the White House.

But maybe this isn't necessarily a bad thing. As one member of the coaching staff told me this week -- not Bob -- "If we had four or five guys as focused, determined and fearless as he is, we would win the World Cup."

I just checked and it's true. :lol

 

[xbhaskarx]

Reading that made me want to re-watch that Michael Bradley - Freddy Adu video from a few years ago... link

 

[Verano]

USA's Jose Torres: "I Learned A Lot Watching Michael [Bradley] Play"

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Well I can't say Torres is a starter over Bradley cuz sometimes Torres is inconsistent. Some games he plays average and others, Torres does well like today.

 

[xbhaskarx]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Do you really have nothing better to do than trolling this thread?

And why the hell are you Mexicans so obsessed with the US team? We already beat you 2-0 last time in the World Cup but now we're a little busy thinking about our upcoming opponents...

 

[scorcho]

Torres needs some meat on his bone. the dude's listed as 135lb

Gerrard and Lampard will break his legs by sneezing on him.

 

[ATF487]

Do you really have nothing better to do than trolling this thread?

And why the hell are you Mexicans so obsessed with the US team? We already beat you 2-0 last time in the World Cup but now we're a little busy thinking about our upcoming opponents...

Let him troll all he wants; at the end of the day, he still lives in Mexico

 

[NoRéN]

Do you really have nothing better to do than trolling this thread?

And why the hell are you Mexicans so obsessed with the US team? We already beat you 2-0 last time in the World Cup but now we're a little busy thinking about our upcoming opponents...

:lol
This is the way I've seen it:
Mexico is a great soccer team. They are a great nation when it comes to the beautiful game. But, in the world's eyes, they are living in the shadow of...USA. There is nothing they are better at than the US...except one thing: soccer. They realized this a long time ago. But, the US did not care. Soccer wasn't and still isn't a big deal to this country. But, Mexico still wanted that one thing they can brag about over their neighbors to the north. So, what do you do? Start a rivalry. And how can you assure victory? Start a rivalry against a weaker opponent. SO, they did. All was well...then, bam! USA started catching up. Now, USA can hold their own. Mexico and its fans really, really don't like that. The one thing they had over USA and now even that is up for grabs. Blah, blah, blah, polluted air Azteca...so what? Brag the day Mexico sends a team of men to challenge the best of NFL and wins here.

Like I've said before, can't watch your team win? Then root against your "rival".

Let him troll all he wants; at the end of the day, he still lives in Mexico

OUCH!!!!

 

[xbhaskarx]

Here is the highlight video from today's game, in case anyone missed it.

 

[Verano]

Do you really have nothing better to do than trolling this thread?

And why the hell are you Mexicans so obsessed with the US team? We already beat you 2-0 last time in the World Cup but now we're a little busy thinking about our upcoming opponents...

:lol :lol :lol
Trolling??? Pfffttt...not even. Im just glad Torres was being observant on as well as capitalizing on Bradleys mistakes and did exceptionally well on the field.

Some Mexicans go for the US and pick them as their 2nd team and others that like the USMNT play for the team like Gomez, Torres, and Jonathan Bornstein. No harm in that right?

Let him troll all he wants; at the end of the day, he still lives in Mexico

British redneck, I live in Los Angeles by the way.

 

[timetokill]

I live in Los Angeles by the way.

Yes, that's what he said.

Spoiler

I also live in Los Angeles

 

[Oozer3993]

Watching some YouTube videos of the glorious US run in '02 and I have to say, to this day, I'm still pissed about the blown hand ball in the Germany game. The US completely outplayed Germany, but got robbed by an awful bit of officiating. The games against Portugal and Mexico were blissful though.

P.S. Jeff Agoos circa the 2002 World Cup makes Bornstein look like a God. Agoos was atrocious in '02.

 

[NorrenRadd]

Here showing my support for the USA!

Four years ago I was in Italy during the quarters and semis. Those guys went CRAZY when they won, I would love to see that happen in LA

 

[Atlagev]

Watching some YouTube videos of the glorious US run in '02 and I have to say, to this day, I'm still pissed about the blown hand ball in the Germany game. The US completely outplayed Germany, but got robbed by an awful bit of officiating. The games against Portugal and Mexico were blissful though.

P.S. Jeff Agoos circa the 2002 World Cup makes Bornstein look like a God. Agoos was atrocious in '02.

His own goal against Portugal is one of the best/worst own goals I've ever seen. Upper left corner. Friedel never had a chance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o8q2v6DqU4#t=3m43s

 

[Heretic]

Yes, that's what he said.

Spoiler

I also live in Los Angeles

L.A. represent!

 

[Click]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but how do you guys get that American (or another nation's) flag next to your username?

It has something to do with the World Cup, right?

BTW, I hope the U.S. gets far this WC.
But I'm mainly rooting for Spain to win it all.

 

[Heretic]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but how do you guys get that American (or another nation's) flag next to your username?

It has something to do with the World Cup, right?

BTW, I hope the U.S. gets far this WC.
But I'm mainly rooting for Spain to win it all.

yup. check the world cup thread.

post with

[Allegiance] - your name - [your team]

check the thread for proper formatting

 

[Click]

yup. check the world cup thread.

post with

[Allegiance] - your name - [your team]

check the thread for proper formatting

Thanks.

 

[methodman]

Ah man. Less then two weeks.

 

[Subitai]

Ah man. Less then two weeks.

It will be here soon enough. Try and enjoy soaking up the wait.

 

[Slizz]

Saw this pic in the monthly desktop thread, didn't have a source. So I went out and found a pretty hi-res picture of it so resize to fit your desktop:

 

[NoRéN]

Thanks, Slizz

 

[Crisis]

Saw this pic in the monthly desktop thread, didn't have a source. So I went out and found a pretty hi-res picture of it so resize to fit your desktop:

Thanks!

 

[zoku88]

When is the next friendly again? I thought it would be in the ESPN World Cup site (but I guess it isn't technically a part of the World Cup.)

 

[NoRéN]

When is the next friendly again? I thought it would be in the ESPN World Cup site (but I guess it isn't technically a part of the World Cup.)

Sat June 5th v. Australia.
I think at 5:30 am PST on ESPN or maybe ESPN 2

 

[zoku88]

Sat June 5th v. Australia.
I think at 5:30 am PST on ESPN or maybe ESPN 2

Crap, another missed game.. stupid graduation >_<

EDIT: oh yea, time difference. I should be able to watch that one lol

 

[Atlagev]

Sat June 5th v. Australia.
I think at 5:30 am PST on ESPN or maybe ESPN 2

ESPN 2.

By the way, have you guys seen this "I Scored a Goal in the World Cup Final" thing ESPN is doing? It's pretty awesome:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/i-scored-a-goal

 

[NoRéN]

ESPN 2.

By the way, have you guys seen this "I Scored a Goal in the World Cup Final" thing ESPN is doing? It's pretty awesome:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/i-scored-a-goal

Sweet! thanks, Atlagev. Gives me something to look at while killing time til Sat...then til Next Friday.

Post some links, people. Stuff to kill time and build up hype:
awesome goals, celebrations, post some favorite personal stories, etc.

I'll contribute:

 

[xbhaskarx]

Saw this pic in the monthly desktop thread, didn't have a source. So I went out and found a pretty hi-res picture of it so resize to fit your desktop:

It's in the wallpaper section of the OP for this very thread, so maybe the person in the monthly desktop thread got it from there......

When is the next friendly again? I thought it would be in the ESPN World Cup site (but I guess it isn't technically a part of the World Cup.)

That information is... in the motherfucking OP.
Good thing GAF doesn't the everyone must read the OP rule or apparently half of you would be banned...

 

[NoRéN]

ESPN 2.

By the way, have you guys seen this "I Scored a Goal in the World Cup Final" thing ESPN is doing? It's pretty awesome:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/i-scored-a-goal

Just watched the first vid with Ghiggia. So good. There's a quote to live by, the silencing maracana quote.

 

[NoRéN]

So, I was talking to my lady today about NASL and how I cna only dream that MLS reaches those heights again. All the great players that came over.
I mentioned Geaorge Best and a goal my dad always talked about and I think i found it.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daigoro]

didnt even know this thread existed. nice work. sadly the amount of ignorance in the US (and in other countries regarding the US) about the worlds game is fucking pathetic, but people seem to be catching on.

Watching some YouTube videos of the glorious US run in '02 and I have to say, to this day, I'm still pissed about the blown hand ball in the Germany game. The US completely outplayed Germany, but got robbed by an awful bit of officiating. The games against Portugal and Mexico were blissful though.

P.S. Jeff Agoos circa the 2002 World Cup makes Bornstein look like a God. Agoos was atrocious in '02.

god yes THIS! that shit still stings badly. that should be in the OP.

and yes Agoos was wretched.

:lol
This is the way I've seen it:
Mexico is a great soccer team. They are a great nation when it comes to the beautiful game. But, in the world's eyes, they are living in the shadow of...USA. There is nothing they are better at than the US...except one thing: soccer.

those days are long gone friend. now Mexico only have the glory days to cling to. (in respect to national teams anyways. leagues are arguable)

 

[xbhaskarx]

Dempsey's goal against Turkey

 

[Daigoro]

that was pretty sweet.

 

[NoRéN]

those days are long gone friend. now Mexico only have the glory days to cling to. (in respect to national teams anyways. leagues are arguable)

I think you misread my post. I know they are and am glad for it. I just hope you don't think I'm a mexico fan.

 

[DCharlie]

considering a fair chunk of cash on US 2 England 1.

US are exacty the sort of team England hate playing - lots of players plying their trade in Europe with a point to prove, and - more importantly - physically fit and organised from set pieces.

USA will definitely make it through to the second round - and i am sure no one in the best of 16 round will relish playing them.

 

[Daigoro]

I think you misread my post. I know they are and am glad for it. I just hope you don't think I'm a mexico fan.

nope i dont. your conclusion seemed to be that it was up for grabs, and i just disagree that it is. it is Mexico that are playing catch up now.

considering a fair chunk of cash on US 2 England 1.

US are exacty the sort of team England hate playing - lots of players plying their trade in Europe with a point to prove, and - more importantly - physically fit and organised from set pieces.

USA will definitely make it through to the second round - and i am sure no one in the best of 16 round will relish playing them.

it wouldn't be a bad bet depending on the odds. we certainly have a shot.

anything can happen, but yeah, this looks like a great chance to get out of the group stage for sure. from then on it will sure get hairy, but im really looking forward to what we can possibly accomplish this year.

 

[Brian Fellows]

No thank you. I'd rather we lose.

 

[Daigoro]

No thank you. I'd rather we lose.

we'd rather you cease breathing.

 

[xbhaskarx]

What is the deadline for naming the final 23-man rosters? Has it passed already?
I'm wondering if Giuseppe Rossi made the Italian team...

 

[arstal]

I'm just glad I'm off for 2 of the 3 WC games, and the England game I can just get up a bit early and watch. I kinda wish the WC was in Asia this year- 3AM games are easier for me to watch right now.

I have a real hard time seeing how the US can do better then drawing England though. A draw would be excellent though, means we wouldn't have to beat Slovenia, who really scare me for some reason.

 

[LosDaddie]

That's a great OP. Really well done. And I love the Old Glory tags some of you have.


I'm getting real excited about the World Cup. Go USA

 

[xbhaskarx]

Breaking news: The seven England players to miss out on a World Cup place are: Leighton Baines, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker, Adam Johnson, Theo Walcott, Darren Bent.


Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.
Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

 

[Pre]

After Walcott's fucking awful performance against Japan, I'm really not surprised.

I know it's foolish to get confident about our match based on England's recent stretch of friendlies, but if we play like we did in the second half against Turkey and they play anywhere near as poorly as they did against Japan, things could get real interesting.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovi&#269;, Jasmin Handanovi&#269;, Aleksander Šeliga

Defenders: Mišo Bre&#269;ko, Boštjan Cesar, Elvedin Džini&#269;, Suad Filekovi&#269;, Branko Ili&#269;, Bojan Joki&#269;, Matej Mavri&#269; , Marko Šuler

Midfielders: Valter Birsa, Andraž Kirm , Andrej Komac, Robert Koren , Rene Krhin, Aleksander Radosavljevi&#269; , Dalibor Stevanovi&#269;

Forwards: Zlatko Dedi&#269; , Zlatan Ljubijanki&#269; , Tim Matavž, Milivoje Novakovi&#269; , Nejc Pe&#269;nik


Algeria
Goalkeepers
Lounes Gaouaoui - ASO Chlef (ALG)
Faouzi Chaouchi - ES Setif (ALG)
Raid Ouheb M’bolhi Slavia - Sofia (BUL)

Defenders
Abdelakder Laifaoui - ES Setif (ALG)
Madjid Bougherra - Rangers FC (SCO)
Carl Medjani - Ajaccio (FRA)
Rafik Halliche - Madeira (POR)
Antar Yahia - Bochum (GER)
Habib Belaid - Boulogne Sur Mer (FRA)
Nadir Belhadj - Portsmouth (ENG)
Djamel Mesbah - Lecce (ITA)

Midfielders
Hassan Yebda - Portsmouth (ENG)
Medhi Lacen - Racing Santander (SPA)
Yazid Mansouri - Lorient (FRA)
Adlene Guidoura - Wolverhampton (ENG)
Riad Boudebouz - Sochaux (FRA)
Djamel Abdoun - Nantes (FRA)
Foued Kadir - Valenciennes (FRA)
Karim Ziani - Wolfsburg (GER)
Karim Matmour - Borussia Monchengladbach (GER)

Forwards
Abdelkader Ghezzal - Siena (ITA)
Rafik Djebbour - AEK Athens (GRE)
Rafik Saifi - Istres (FRA)

 

[xbhaskarx]

I'm wondering if Giuseppe Rossi made the Italian team...

Italy final 23

GK:Buffon, De Sanctis, Marchetti
DEF: Bocchetti, Bonucci, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, Maggio, Zambrotta
MF: Camoranesi, De Rossi, Gattuso, Marchisio, Montolivo, Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo
ATK: Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Pazzini, Quagliarella

Rossi out

:lol :lol

:lol America's best hope at the World Cup

 

[The_Inquisitor]

After Walcott's fucking awful performance against Japan, I'm really not surprised.

I know it's foolish to get confident about our match based on England's recent stretch of friendlies, but if we play like we did in the second half against Turkey and they play anywhere near as poorly as they did against Japan, things could get real interesting.

Revolutionary War 2.0 baby!

I completely agree. I think it's going to be a very interesting match.

 

[shoplifter]

 

[scorcho]

After Walcott's fucking awful performance against Japan, I'm really not surprised.

I know it's foolish to get confident about our match based on England's recent stretch of friendlies, but if we play like we did in the second half against Turkey and they play anywhere near as poorly as they did against Japan, things could get real interesting.

there's a chance. a Lampard - Gerrard midfield has always looked better on paper than on the pitch, but i can't imagine Torres being affective against them. he's too slight a player to stand up to their strength and pressure.

i'm really, really looking forward to seeing Donovan v. Cole again on the wings.

 

[xbhaskarx]

I had to find confirmation...

Official Italy Squad - Giuseppe Rossi Left Out

As far as I'm concerned the US is already 1-0 at this World Cup.

It's schadenfreude time!