bullets13

I'm sick that i'm going to miss watching the US game live tomorrow, but i committed to the SETXsports fishing tourney a long time ago, way before we knew the US would be playing tomorrow.  I'm DVRing it, but it's not quite the same as watching it live.

[quote name="tvc184" post="814672" timestamp="1277507902"] Good luck to everyone and have a safe trip. [/quote] i heard you're coming as tourney official/cheerleader/topless dancer...

Is anyone actually gonna show up tonight?

[quote name="ECBucFan" post="814559" timestamp="1277437436"] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=70431.msg814297#msg814297 date=1277324474] The US will play Ghana on Saturday.  This is a very winnable game for them, so we might see another trip to the quarterfinals. [/quote] Gonna be a trackmeet! US better be ready to run like their feets afire and their butts a catchin' !   ;D [/quote] i think we'll see findley back in the lineup in arguably the first and only game he should have seen action in.

[quote name="BrenhamFan" post="814540" timestamp="1277432004"] I just saw that the "world cup predictor" has England a 54.6% favorite over Germany.  Not sure how they figure that, but i'd say Germany should be about 60% favored.  After all, they are ranked 2 spots higher than England, won their group where England placed second, had a better goal differential and did all that without Klose for more than a game and a half. [/quote] they also did it against better competition.  I wouldn't bet on the game, but if you held a gun to my head, I'd definitely pick Germany.  England hasn't really looked that good.

The Rangers went down 4-0 in the 1st, but came back to tie it 5-5, and won on a 2-strike, 2-out single in the bottom of the 9th! The Rangers have won 11 in a row, 7 series in a row, and swept 3 series in a row!

I'll probably make at least one game every two years...  ;D

[quote name="Bon_Mot" post="814437" timestamp="1277402413"] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=69695.msg814426#msg814426 date=1277397733] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=69695.msg802147#msg802147 date=1273974916] [quote author=BrenhamFan link=topic=69695.msg801483#msg801483 date=1273859852] I'm going for Germany and the US...  I see Brazil, Germany or Italy winning though. [/quote] i have my doubts about italy this year.  they always seem to do well in the Cup, but i'm predicting a poor showing from them.  they went 7-0-3 in qualify, but against a weak group, and only scored more than 2 goals in a game once.  with an anemic offense against weak teams, they're going to have trouble scoring against the best teams in the world, even if their defense can hold opponents to only a goal or two a game.  since they won the world cup in 06, they've slowly dropped in the fifa rankings, and are currently 5th.  don't get me wrong, they have the talent and the pedigree to win it all, but i just don't feel it this time around.  [/quote] BAM! [/quote] Don't hurt your shoulder patting yourself on the back... :P [/quote] it hurts, but it's a good hurt :)

[quote name="Bon_Mot" post="814439" timestamp="1277403055"] I don't have the answer or the 4th spot on our backline. I can tell you why Spector, Bornstein, Goodson, Gooch, et al SHOULDN'T start much easier than I could choose from them. If it was a video game, I'd just go with a 3-2-3-2 with Clark and Edu as holding mids. Speaking of midfielders, is there any way we can get Feilhaber on the field for the entire 90? Maybe move Dempsey up front so Jozy will have a 4th different strike partner in 4 games? [/quote] I'm expecting we'll see Findley back in.  For once, I think his speed will be needed enough to look past his lack of ability.

The US has a very realistic chance of shocking the world and reaching the semis.  They have by far the most favorable draw to get there.  Ghana first, and then if they win that one, the winner of Uruguay and South Korea.  Neither game will be easy, but it's a lot better than having to playing two powerhouses to get there. 

[quote name="Bon_Mot" post="814441" timestamp="1277403507"] I love it too!!  And did you see Lippi refused to shake the Slovakian coach's hand just like Domenech? And how ironic was it that all the Italians were upset that Slovakia was wasting time by rolling around on the ground... :'( Not a good tourney for the Mediterranean Region.  Greece, Italy, France, and Algeria are all done.  Spain is all that's left. [/quote] i commented on lippi on my facebook.  that's okay, though, he'll get his when he gets home.

[quote name="bullets13000" post="802147" timestamp="1273974916"] [quote author=BrenhamFan link=topic=69695.msg801483#msg801483 date=1273859852] I'm going for Germany and the US...  I see Brazil, Germany or Italy winning though. [/quote] i have my doubts about italy this year.  they always seem to do well in the Cup, but i'm predicting a poor showing from them.  they went 7-0-3 in qualify, but against a weak group, and only scored more than 2 goals in a game once.  with an anemic offense against weak teams, they're going to have trouble scoring against the best teams in the world, even if their defense can hold opponents to only a goal or two a game.  since they won the world cup in 06, they've slowly dropped in the fifa rankings, and are currently 5th.  don't get me wrong, they have the talent and the pedigree to win it all, but i just don't feel it this time around.  [/quote] BAM!

[quote name="OldSkool97" post="814420" timestamp="1277396860"] Italy was eliminated today by Slovakia 3-2. The first half was kind of boring and Italy wasnt putting forward much effort, but the second half was different. I believe had Italy played the way they did toward the end of the game for the entire game, they would of won it and would still be in the running to repeat. [/quote] Italy was a different team after they allowed the 2nd goal, but they were punished by the fact that they were stagnant for the 1st 75 minutes.  After they made it 2-1, they always looked like they would equalize, having a goal called back for a very tight offsides.  Once Slovakia scored their 3rd, i couldn't believe it when Italy scored again, and came so close to a miracle ending. All that said, i can't tell you how happy i am to see Italy and France both bounced in the group stage :)

absolutely right, Bon.  I'd still like to see Goodson get a shot.  He's defends well in the air, has been solid leading up the Cup, and is a threat to score on set pieces as well.

they made it 10 straight tonight, and won their 7th series in a row.  they're 18-4 in June.  What a month!

I read the "5 things we've learned" thing.  I'll have to admit, I have to give Bornstein credit.  I thought he was garbage in every game leading up to the cup, and i thought clarence goodson should've gotten the nod over him, but he played really well.  DeMerit has also been a beast in the air.

The US advanced.  That's what you are missing :).  They were a terrible call away from advancing with 2 wins and a draw, which would be pretty fantastic.  Ghana is a pretty good team, but only a shade or two better than Algeria and Slovenia.  They only advanced on goal differential over Australia, who the US dismantled the week before the WC began.  In fact, Ghana only managed a 1-1 draw against Australia, DESPITE the fact that Ghana had a man advantage for 66 minutes, with their goal coming on a PK directly from that red card.  The US is definitely more athletic than Australia, and Ghana's athletes weren't exactly overwhelming against the Socceroos.  I'm not guaranteeing a win or anything, but I can't think of too many teams advancing to the round of 16 that i'd rather play.  Maybe S. Korea. 

[quote name="tvc184" post="814342" timestamp="1277340128"] The US is playing soccer? [/quote] sure are, Comrade.

i hate that i'm going to miss the US soccer game saturday... dangit!

The US will play Ghana on Saturday.  This is a very winnable game for them, so we might see another trip to the quarterfinals.

[quote name="BucketSitR" post="814267" timestamp="1277315051"] Tell me more... I am stuck at the office... What happened?? [/quote] The US was tied 0-0, and a tie meant they would not advance.  They had yet ANOTHER goal disallowed in the first half that should have counted.  Anyway, it was 0-0, and the US had missed some good chances, and finally scored in the first minute of stoppage time to advance and win the group.  it was pretty flipping amazing.

oh my God what an ending!  My wife started crying, and my friend started dry heaving.  Me?  I might have wet myself a little.

OU sucks more than syphillis (or so i've been told.)

[quote name="Gabe" post="814137" timestamp="1277241345"] [quote author=setxgal link=topic=41421.msg814117#msg814117 date=1277234468] I woul rather have a root canal than ever teach summer school again..its bad, but the bright spot is that OU SUCKS more  ;D [/quote] Add this to the reasons I'm marrying this woman. I trained her good on the art of saying OU sucks. Our wedding day will be great and OU will still suck. [/quote] i hear y'all are having maroon and white bridesmaid's dresses.

Rangers just won their 9th straight!  Even better, the Pirates are in town for two more days, followed by the Stros!