June 12, 200917 yr The US opens the tournament next week on Monday against Italy. Three days later they play Brazil and finish with Egypt on the 21st. If they win 3 pts, I will be shocked. It is going to be a good eye opener for how far away the national team is from being ready for next year.
June 12, 200917 yr It seems like the draw was pretty tough. One pool has the U.S., Italy, Brazil and Egypt, while the other pool has South Africa, New Zeland, Iraq and Spain. I just can't imagine any situation where the U.S. moves into the semifinals.
June 12, 200917 yr Top 2 from each pool advance? Yeah, top two to the semifinals. A1 vs. B2 and B1 vs. A2. Winner, of course, face off in the final. I'm not sure if there is a Third Place Match.
June 12, 200917 yr Yeah, top two to the semifinals. A1 vs. B2 and B1 vs. A2. Winner, of course, face off in the final. I'm not sure if there is a Third Place Match. Brazil is not playing great soccer right now, but neither is the United States. We are supposedly the 14th-ranked team in the world right now (which is a bunch of crap, but anyways...) so it's time to put-up or shut-up. I love watching the U.S. play and I even do crazy stuff like get up at 4:00 a.m. to watch them play - but, I don't see them advancing out of that group. I hope I am surprised.
June 14, 200917 yr Well, either New Zealand is the worst team I've ever watched or Spain is simply awesome. They are the sharpest looking team I've seen in a long time. Torres has a hat trick in 17 minutes. 3-0 Spain at the 17:00 mark.
June 14, 200917 yr Ouch, 4-0 Spain at the half That is about like being down 30 at the half in basketball.
June 14, 200917 yr Spain completely dominated possession. This one could have been a lot worse, and it was bad.
June 14, 200917 yr Spain completely dominated possession. This one could have been a lot worse, and it was bad. 5-0 is a disaster in soccer... I would have to label Spain the early favorites to win the World Cup. They look great.
June 14, 200917 yr Spain is just that good. They did win the UEFA cup last year did they not? I think I read that today was their record 33rd straight match without a loss.
June 15, 200917 yr Imo, Spain is absolutely loaded! Torres and Villa up top, with Fabregas, Xavi, Capdevila and Alonso at mid. With Puyol, Arebola, and Albion bringing up the rear, and lets not forget about Casillas in goal. They should go at least 40 or 50 games unbeaten.
June 15, 200917 yr Spain is just that good. They did win the UEFA cup last year did they not? European Championship. The UEFA Cup is actually a continent-wide club championship.
June 15, 200917 yr European Championship. The UEFA Cup is actually a continent-wide club championship. Thanks for clarifying! I wasn't sure which of the two was what. :thumb:
June 15, 200917 yr I believe that New Zealand qualified by winning the Oceania championship. If the soccer played in the North America and Caribbean region that we're in is subpar by world standards, then the soccer in Oceania is rotten. The winner of that region doesn't even have an automatic qualifier to the world cup (Australia plays in the Asian region). Don't get me wrong, Spain is loaded, but yeah, New Zealand is that bad.
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