Official World Cup 2014 Thread!

[Highroller]

Come on clock, let's go!

[hche]

That was surprising.

[AP4MVP]

Im gonna steal this from an announcer

Goal goal goal goal goal goal goal goal

[Highroller]

5 minutes ugh

[hurley081182]

Going to be the longest 5 mins in history of US Soccer.

[tiger221166]

Longest five.

[GOWIFB]

5 minutes of stoppage in this half? wtf

[Highroller]

That's a huge 3 points

[screamingdc]

I believe that we will win!

[Portlaw]

Massive for the US. The US need to step it up quite a few gears to even challenge with Portugal but I can see Ghana taking points of Portugal so a draw against the Portuguese may be enough to see them through

[screamingdc]

a win is so huge. two more ties, especially with Portugal having a -4 differential, is probably gonna be enough to get to the knock out stage.

[Portlaw]

Originally Posted by screamingdc

a win is so huge. two more ties, especially with Portugal having a -4 differential, is probably gonna be enough to get to the knock out stage.

This US team on their best day will struggle against Germany. They have to believe the game against Portugal is their last and go for it, but if Ghana reproduce that performance against the Portugal. The US may only need a draw against Portugal

[tiger221166]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

This US team on their best day will struggle against Germany. They have to believe the game against Portugal is their last and go for it, but if Ghana reproduce that performance against the Portugal. The US may only need a draw against Portugal

this. the US needs to go all out against Portugal because Germany will be very tough to compete with. on the downside, they could be down a couple players going into the next game..but so is Portugal, I suppose.

[screamingdc]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

This US team on their best day will struggle against Germany. They have to believe the game against Portugal is their last and go for it, but if Ghana reproduce that performance against the Portugal. The US may only need a draw against Portugal

Don't get me wrong, I knew it would be an uphill battle with this group. Ghana was the most likely chance for a win, which they got. Germany looks like the likely group winner, but if USA can keep Portugal even, that bodes well for their chances. As long as it's not a loss, team USA has got a fighting chance. it's going to be very difficult if Altidore is done for, but get to the knock out stage and anything can happen. Michael Bradley is going to have to be a bigger part of the end result if team USA is going to be a factor later on.

[Portlaw]

Originally Posted by screamingdc

Don't get me wrong, I knew it would be an uphill battle with this group. Ghana was the most likely chance for a win, which they got. Germany looks like the likely group winner, but if USA can keep Portugal even, that bodes well for their chances. As long as it's not a loss, team USA has got a fighting chance. it's going to be very difficult if Altidore is done for, but get to the knock out stage and anything can happen. Michael Bradley is going to have to be a bigger part of the end result if team USA is going to be a factor later on.

I do think if you guys avoid defeat against Portugal and have a solid defensive performance against Germany ye will go through. I believe you can still call up someone on the reserve list for an injured player. I know they wouldn't be rated as high as Altidore but maybe Donovan could do some business for ye

[tiger221166]

Originally Posted by screamingdc

Don't get me wrong, I knew it would be an uphill battle with this group. Ghana was the most likely chance for a win, which they got. Germany looks like the likely group winner, but if USA can keep Portugal even, that bodes well for their chances. As long as it's not a loss, team USA has got a fighting chance. it's going to be very difficult if Altidore is done for, but get to the knock out stage and anything can happen. Michael Bradley is going to have to be a bigger part of the end result if team USA is going to be a factor later on.

that's true -- if you had told me Bradley would play that poorly and the US was still going to win versus Ghana, I wouldn't have believed you. if he gets his form back...

[jeg2315]

Portugal is a bit overrated in this Cup, with the way they look to be playing. Very winnable game for the US in my opinion.

Not sure how much of it was strategy, but sitting back and defending almost gave away this win against Ghana. The US didn't control the ball at all. Have to change that - playing not to lose is crap in any sport.

[screamingdc]

I don't think it was strategy at all. Bradley had a bad game, and without Altidore up front, there wasn't a lot of chances for the US team at all. Klinsmann has to stress ball control in the next few games, because Germany and Portugal will eat up the team alive if they played like they did tonight. my top concern is figuring out if Jozy will play anymore. If not, get the rest of the midfield to keep the ball and eat up some clock, because Dempsey won't bail them out with an first minute goal every game. Shore up the defense, and learn to create chances for the forwards and maybe it won't be embarrassing to watch the team try and score from here on out.

[Bonestar]

It is hard to judge them considering Altidore's injury but they had their moments and they won so I can't complain. If not for their sloppy transitional passing in the middle of the field they could have had several more good chances.

I think Pepe gave us a great chance to get points out of the Portugal game being that he got a red and will miss the game vs USA. Their central defense should be shaky with him out.

[mgugs46]

Honestly I think a draw with Portugal gets the US in, as long as they can avoid getting blown out by Germany. A -4 goal differential will kill Portugal IMO.

[Portlaw]

Originally Posted by tiger221166

I didn't see much of a foul from Jones, actually, until after the play with his boot...Muntari nearly went full Pepe though (and you never go full Pepe)

I was actually just reading something about the 10 most hated players and Pepe was in it. The obvious one like Barton, Balotelli and Suarez were in it but I was slightly surprised to see Pepe in it. Yesterday was an indication why

[tiger221166]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

I was actually just reading something about the 10 most hated players and Pepe was in it. The obvious one like Barton, Balotelli and Suarez were in it but I was slightly surprised to see Pepe in it. Yesterday was an indication why

He's always had a rep for random acts of violence ever since the getafe incident:

http://youtu.be/cq0GVOFgGB

Dude seems more than a little unhinged

[mma138]

i am so disgusted with the portugal game . what a complete nightmare. honestly i didnt think they were gonna win . but everything that went down was horrible .

but i still think germany and portugal will be the two teams to move forward past the group . i cant see u.s.a getting by portugal or germany . and ghana will also lose the rest of there matches.

[Busstop]

What a great day for Germany. Michael Schumacher wakes up, Germany beat Portugal 4:0 and Klinsi beats Ghana !!!!

Müller shoots three goals - Ronaldo is nothing when he don't have great players around him !!!



and after the game Angela Merkel visits the team in the locker rooms:

[Portlaw]

Forget Merkel, it's great to hear Schumacher has woken up. I didn't know that, that's fantastic news. Hopefully he makes a full recovery