Ideally we want to be in the group with Switzerland, France, and Algeria. I feel like the group of death would be Spain, Netherlands, and Ghana
It doesn't matter what group or seeds you get. If you can beat them, you can beat them. Don't worry if you get Ghana, Germany, or gonorrhea... stop whining and play your dang best. Y'all worry about these groups and seeding too much. You're in, that's it. Start the "pots and seedings" thread... your qualification is done, USA.
Doesn't matter. Only Brasil, Germany or Spain have a chance to take home the trophy. USA needs to strive to get past the group stage but no shot of doing much better.
I would agree that these three teams are the favorites, but there are also Argentina (they have the best player in the world and the world cup is taking place on their continent) and the Netherlands (finalist at the last world cup). I wouldn't count them out.
What are you talking about? What whining or worrying? Who wouldn't want a bracket with teams that are, in theory, easier? The point of the World Cup isn't to prove a point. It's to win and move on. I'd much rather a bracket of Tahiti, San Marino, and Cambodia than one that included Germany and Holland. <s>When</s> If your team makes it, you will hope for the same. I was thinking more along the lines of John Madden.
I would add Belgium who's been on the rise and is producing some amazing players. Also Argentina who has the best player in the world but probably has the best supporting cast top to bottom they've had around Messi in a while. The other scary thing is their talent is around the perfect age averaging 25-28 y/o.
Argentina defense will let them down and messi can be neutralized by a physical defense like Brasil or Germany. Netherlands run to the 2010 final was a bit of a fluke. The bracket was weak and their only impressive win was against a Brasil squad that imploded after the own goal debacle between the GK and Melo. To be honest i don't see too many teams that will have the mental fortitude to beat Brasil on its soil. Germany and Spain are the only ones that have the talent, style and necessary experience to do so.
I love Belgium's squad. Young and very talented. I think they will be one of the favorites in 2018. I can’t see Argentina winning the cup in Brasil. You can count on that squad to have a mental lapse and get trashed by either Brasil, Germany or Spain.
With a bit of luck I can see the USA making it to the quarter finals. It will all depend really on what Altidore shows up.
NO, I won't. What makes you think I will? I never have and never will. If my team deserves The Cup by playing well (no UGLY games, mind you), we will get it. If we don't, that's where it ends. Who cares if you play the toughest FIRST or LAST? THE BEST team wins the cup, regardless of whom they've played to get there. So you thought Austria and Czechoslovakia were "easy" in 1990... and how did THAT go? So you thought Yugoslavia and Iran were "easy" in 1998... and how did THAT go? Keep "analyzing" what teams you get... for nothing. ^ there you go, leroy. LUCK... I guess you're OK with that, instead of playing well? :grin:
Excellent point. We don't want to win a WORLD CUP that way. But if we don't, so be it... we won't say "it was the seeds! waaaaaaa!!!! Why didn't we get Bosnia or Iran!!?!?!?! Waaaaa!!!! [crying]".
