US vs Latvia

Over the air channels are showing less sports in general during the week, even Monday Night Football has been moved to cable. And part of the reason so many are shown on ESPN is that's what it took to get MLS air time, SUM sold the World Cup and MLS broadcast rights together.

 

Took US channels long enough to show the soccer games all the way through instead of cutting to commercials...a few years ago that was one thing that always bothered me.

 

Come on Smeg, this is ridiculous, there are teams that are good in the WC and some that suck.

It depends on whom you have to beat to get there.

For instance, the USA has a very easy qualifying round with only Mexico as a real threat.

And there are very weak qualifying areas as well.

Having Italy, USA, and the Czech republic (all could be number 1 seeds) in the same group is difficult.

Mexico has it really easy, and England has it pretty easy too.

DD

 

Really? Do you even tune in to TV Azteca and TeleFutura while the Mexican league is in its apogee? You will find at least ONE midweek game live, if not two or three. When the finals and the "liguilla" are on, up to five. Oh, wait, that's soccer... wait, what sport are we talking about here? Oh, yeah.

Negative. Only Univision (S.I.N. back in the 80's)'s has ever shown ALL GAMES live, and even in '98, ESPN and ABC had dumb ol' tape-delayed games, and not all of them, either.

DaDakota, I don't care what group you're in. If you can win the cup, than you certainly can get out alive from group play. Don't give the easy draw nonsense...

 

So, what you're saying is that your original statement is wrong since there are channels showing games during the week?

 

Not in English. We're talking about American English-only stations, who don't care about the "normal" Sports viewer, and send them over to their cable sister stations for sports during the week. Spanish-speaking networks won't do that.

Was that what you were talking about? I am not sure where I said my original statement.

 

Swoly, this is just stupid, you are better than that.

You know danged well that getting an easy draw allows teams to build confidence and cohesiveness, especially for national teams that are only together for a couple of months.

Playing an easy draw let's you get through and test out some combinations.

The draw matters a ton, and you know it.

Yes, you would have to beat good teams to win the cup, but not ALL of them.....

The draw matters....A LOT !

DD

 

OK, so wouldn't that be a double-edged sword and/or a negative effect on teams? Imagine if you get an "easy" draw and you're overconfident going into the first round, and you're too cocky to play against the lower seeds and underestimate them... and you lose TWO of three games. You're history in the round-robin round because you thought you had an "easy draw". Isn't this a reverse-psychology thing?

I just wished y'all didn't put so much emphasis on this draw thing, and stop whining and just let the draw be the draw that allowed your team to show your best football, whether against Brazil or against Trinidad. Either way, I am rooting for both Mexico and the US, but y'all better not tell my friends...

 

Swoly,

Getting through to where it is a single elimination is the key, and having an easier go is better.

I don't see the US getting through, I think our best is 1-1-1.....and getting knocked out.

Sure, we play em, and we have a good squad, but Italy and the Czech Republic have to be the favorites coming out of our group.

If the USA gets through, it will be a successful cup, IMHO.

DD

 

There you go. That's what I wanted to hear.

I recall Mexico passed on through with the Group of Death with a 1-1-1 first round against Norway, Ireland and Italy in 1994. U.S. can pull an upset if they can at least win ONE with a two goal difference.

 

Agreed......and Italy has been known to choke.

Fingers crossed.

DD

 

Yeah, that was my point, it seems that over the past few years all sports have been reduced to cable. I don't think that most World Cup games being on ESPN is that bad of a thing since most people are used to sports on cable. I think the fact that games are during the middle of the day is a much more limiting factor since most people at work won't be able to see them.


And regarding the draw, yes there are some groups were it's easier to get out, but you can't use that as an excuse. In a tough group like ours there's a good chance 1-1-1 gets you through, I think Ghana will upset somebody (hopefully not us) and Italy and Czech Republic are both beatable so I'm not prepared to simply say they're going to advance.

 

Ludi,

Everyone is beatable.......

But the Czech republic is very strong...

DD

 

I wouldn't say choke but more accurately when they're ahead in a game they play not to lose. They hunker down in defense and basically give up on trying to score again.
If history is any indication the U.S. should keep it close. The last time they met in a WC game the Italians won 1-0.
But that game was in Italy in 1990 and the U.S. had a motley team of college and pro players new to the experience. They also kept Toto Scilacci, the WC top scorer that tourney, from scoring a goal. The only game he didn't score in.

 

I'll root for the US team like crazy in most other sports, like Basketball, track, hockey, swimming, winter sports, etc.

But there's something about the US soccer team I've never really liked. They just seem so B-rate compared to the power teams, but at the same time I can't get "underdog" vibes going for the. I never really see any reason for the US to dominate soccer anyway - it just seems unjust given the half-assed commitment to the sport. Plus it's a lot more fun to watch a team with stars like an England or a Brazil or an Argentina, or even the african teams which play exciting futbol.

 

Sam,

There are a lot of rising stars to get into on the US team, players like Donavan & Beasley, and Eddie Johnson.

Also, finally some creativity in the midfield, with O'brien and Convey.

It is gonna be fun.

DD

 

I hope the Czechs think like you, so we can pounce on them when they underestimate us.

 

Ehh, I can't get jacked up about Donovan and Beasley since they were around four years ago - and since Donovan's Bundesliga career fizzled and he's off with the Joe Schmoe's in MLS - it's really hard to call him "rising"

It's too bad Freddy Adu is still vaporware at this point. If the US could get a truly creative star who could at least be in the same zipcode as a Ronaldinho, Gerrard, Henry, Beckham or even a level below like Frank Lampard or Nedved or Ballack or something I'd be more compelled, but I don't see that on the horizon I'm afraid

 

You don't ask for much do you
Be compelled, they're playing for our country....even if they're not up to your superstar standard.