Another Soccer Post

[Adam West]

Ok, now that the U.S. Men's National Team was obliterated in the Copa America, I won't make excuses as to why they stink because they do but I do wish they would have had their "A" squad there to see how they would have stacked up.

Anyway, the men's U-20 World Cup is going on right now in Canada. It is getting a lot of attention because it is a good precursor to World Cup 2010 since these players will be in their prime.

The U.S. has played two matches so far...a 1-1 tie with South Korea, and the other day, they squashed Poland 6-1 (Freddy Adu scored a hat trick) and the world is taking notice. Granted, it's Poland but beating anyone at this level 6-1 tells you this team is good (Poland by the way beat Brazil this year who has won the last 4 U-20 World Cups).

The U.S. is playing Brazil this evening 6:30 pm Eastern Time and they have finally decided to televise it on ESPN. Should be a good game and even some European Soccer Afficionados who stick their nose up to U.S. Soccer are saying that the U.S. might have a shot at winning the entire thing which would make the world shudder and finally give the U.S. some credit for the great strides we have made over the past decade in the quality of players coming up from youth organizations.

[Hector]

Ok, now that the U.S. Men's National Team was obliterated in the Copa America, I won't make excuses as to why they stink because they do but I do wish they would have had their "A" squad there to see how they would have stacked up.

No one is playing with their A squads in Copa America either, the Euro leagues are in full swing now, and all the top South American players are over there as we speak.

So yes, no excuses.
__________________________________________

Watch out for the Mexican team in the sub-20, they won the sub-17 WC, so it's the very same team only three years older.

[Hulk]

Hopefully Freddy Adu will be the real thing come World Cup time. It bodes well that the U-20 team is doing well, but I'll wait to see 2010 before getting my hopes up.

[Hector]

My fellow beaners are steamrolling all the South Americans, they beat Brazil, beat Ecuador, drew with Chile, and in today's quarterfinal, they blasted poor Paraguay 6-0.

Come on Argentina, win your quarterfinal, so we can get it on this coming Wednesday semifinal game.

:biggrin:

[Adam West]

No one is playing with their A squads in Copa America either, the Euro leagues are in full swing now, and all the top South American players are over there as we speak.

So yes, no excuses.
__________________________________________

Watch out for the Mexican team in the sub-20, they won the sub-17 WC, so it's the very same team only three years older.

I thought Mexico had their "A" squad in Copa America? I was listening to a Soccer station on Sirius and they were talking about how it was in poor taste for the .S. not to show up at such a prestigious competition with their 2nd string so to speak but mentioned that Mexico had their premiere players.

With that said, the -20 .S. team is looking very good right now and with the win over Brazil so I don't discount that they could take the whole thing if they keep playing like they are right now.

[Hector]

Actually, yes, they are almost at full strength, they are missing two starters who are currently playing in the German league, but you are right, I just wanted to boost Mexico's mystique a bit more... :biggrin:

Argentina has its full squad as well, it's going to be a firecracker of a semifinal this Wednesday, rematch of last World Cup. Are you going to watch it? Game starts at 5:30 pm PST on Univision.

The other semi, Brazil vs Uruguay is tomorrow Tuesday, same bat time, same bat channel.

:biggrin:
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...and yes, Adam, it's a shame USA didn't show up with its real squad, these tourneys are great for national teams, this only hurts American soccer further.

[Wee67]

As far as this US fan is concerned, Mexico needs nothing added to their mystique. I love watching Mexico play the US. Usually a great match.

The US play against Brazil was heartening, but I'm with Paul as far as what this means for 2010. I'm cautiously optimistic.

On a separate note- this soccer talk kills me. I've been out three weeks with 2 herniated discs and no return in sight :( I just hope my team doesn't fall in love with my replacement!

[Hector]

Don't depair, in the FIFA Sub-20 World Cup, today the USA shocked Brazil, 2-1...YEAH!!!

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7009090

:biggrin:

Now to Copa America...

Man, that was a great semifinal game between Brazil and Uruguay, the game ended in a 2-2 tie, they went to penalties, and Brazil pulled it out, damn, for a moment there, Uruguay sure looked like it was going to take it, but Brazil is Brazil for a reason.

Tomorrow, Mexico vs Argentina, man, come on beaners, avenge your 2-1 loss to Argentina this past World Cup.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

I hope it's Brazil vs Mexico in Sunday's Copa America final.

:juggleyes_y:
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I can't friggin' wait when the senior national team calls Giovanni dos Santos up, man, this kid is going to be a monster for Mexico.

http://www.fc-barcelone.com/giodossantos.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_dos_Santos

:yes:

[Hulk]

Apparently Adu scored an amazing single handed goal against Brazil. Fifa has video of it, but it crashed my PC.

[Adam West]

But of course...and yes I'll be pulling for Mexico in the upset special. Argentina will be the team to beat so if Mexico can get past Argentina, I think they have a shot at Brazil. Unfortunately, Univision is the only station I get that plays matches regularly.

As far as the -20 Brazil/.S. match Josmer Altidore scored both of the goals for the .S. but Freddy Adu had some great assists and almost smacked a couple in himself....he has a wicked bend to his kicks and being left footed makes it even more threatening to goal keepers.

Rumor has it that he will be leaving MLS when his contract is up in the next year or two and heading to one of the premiere European leagues. I don't blame him. Why bother making $500K or so here in MLS when he can make millions overseas.



Actually, yes, they are almost at full strength, they
are missing two starters who are currently playing in the German league, but you are right, I just wanted to boost Mexico's mystique a bit more... :biggrin:

Argentina has its full squad as well, it's going to be a firecracker of a semifinal this Wednesday, rematch of last World Cup. Are you going to watch it? Game starts at 5:30 pm PST on Univision.

The other semi, Brazil vs Uruguay is tomorrow Tuesday, same bat time, same bat channel.

:biggrin:
__________________________________________

...and yes, Adam, it's a shame USA didn't show up with its real squad, these tourneys are great for national teams, this only hurts American soccer further.

[Hector]

Argentina is spanking Mexico 3-0 right now, they are just too good.

I can't see a depleted Brazil (who's missing a lot of their stars) beating this full strength Argentinian team (sans Crespo), my prediction for the final is Argentina 3, Brazil 1.

Congrats to the USA sub-20 team for beating Uruguay 2-1.

:juggleyes_y:

[Adam West]

The Argentinians cut through the .S. team like soft butter. They didn't even look like they broke a sweat to beat the .S.

Unless the Argentina team suffers from stage fright, they will easily beat Brazil. I think they could take on any country in the world right now and beat them with both teams playing full strength.

The .S. game was a nail biter. It irritates me that these games are only being aired on Galavision and ESPNU neither of which is on my cable system. I had to sit on my computer and watch the match tracker. The sports channels would rather air bowling or professional billiards....I don't get it.

This Saturday, if ESPN or ESPN2 does not pick up the USA/Austria game, I'm heading to a local pub to watch it.

[Hector]

You don't get Galavision?

You don't need a premium package to get Galavision.

I'm watching Mexico vs Congo right now, end of the first half, Mexico 1, Congo 0.

:juggleyes_y:
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Sub-20 World Cup update...

Today's scores:

Mexico 3, Congo 0
Argentina 3, Poland 1
Chile 1, Portugal 0
Nigeria 2, Zambia 1

Quarterfinals (this weekend):

USA vs Austria
Spain vs Czech Republic
Chile vs Nigeria
Argentina vs Mexico...AGAIN (damn, how come us beaners always get bloody Argentina in every friggin' tournament???)!!!

We just cannot get away from them bloody Gauchos.

:smiley1:

[Adam West]

No Galavision around here on my cable system...just Univision.

Like I said, I'll be heading to a local pub tomorrow to pick up the .S/Austria game.

[Hector]

Ray Hudson is the best bloody football color-commentator on the planet, that dude is a friggin' riot, lol.

I'm watching him on Gol TV, that dude cracks me up.

Here's a sample of his work:

"Oh man, there's gonna be some loving going on tonight in the bedrooms of Madrid!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=499TYSKaxKY

Smacktalking Tom Cruise, lol...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x7gu-7WXvI

"Orgasmic jubilation!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjDyQeICLfY

The man, the legend...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Hudson

His funny as hell quotes...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Hudson#Quotes

:smiley1:

[Hector]

Adam, don't you get GolTV?

Unfortunately in sub-20 quarterfinal play, USA lost to Austria in overtime, 2-1.

:cry:

Copa America update:

Mexico takes third place by beating Uruguay, 3-1.

:biggrin:

[Wee67]

Hey Hector,
thanks for the updates (although I was sad to heas about the US). I'm visiting my girlfriend's family in a VERY small town in Idaho and have little access to anything. I did see Chile's goal against Portugal in a sports bar, but we left before game's end.

[Hector]

No problem my friend, that's what I'm here for... :biggrin:

More updates:

Sub-20 World Cup Quarterfinals results so far:

Austria 2, USA 1
Czech Republic 1, Spain 1, they go to penalties, Czech Republic wins 4-3
Chile 4, Nigeria 0

Last Quarterfinal game is scheduled to start in about an hour at 4:30 pm PST between Mexico and defending champion Argentina.


Copa America update:

Brazil is shocking Argentina 2-0, game is at 14 minutes of the second half right now.

:biggrin:
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Argentina is now getting spanked, 3-0.

:biggrin:
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Final score, Brazil 3, gauchos BIG FAT ZERO.

Copa America champions...Brazil.

1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Mexico
4. Uruguay

:)
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Sub-20 Quarterfinal result:

Argentina 1, Mexico BIG FAT ZERO...AGAIN!!!



I don't want to hear lame excuses such as Mexico dominated from fellow beaners, that they had bad calls, that they hit the post several times, blah, blah, blah, the fact of the matter is that Mexico SUCKS, they always have, and they always will, they sucked in Copa America, and they sucked in the WC sub-20, and worst of all, they got WHIPPED twice by guess who, yes, that's correct, the friggin' Argies AGAIN, friggin' worthless ratones verdes (that's what the Mexican press calls the Mexican team, green mice, lol), Argentina is their master, I guess it's still the curse of Hernan Cortes, the beaners obviously have that inferiority-complex as the little indito, and the Argies as the conquering big bad Conquistadors, lol, sad but true.

Both Mexican teams had TWO chances and didn't do jack against Argentina, lets face it, the gauchos are superior, and they always will be, I can't say for sure if Mexico will EVER beat Argentina at anything significant, but if by some miracle they do, I'll be long dead.

RIP TRI, perhaps in another lifetime.

That was frustration talking... :cry: :juggleyes_y: :yes: :smiley1:

[Adam West]

Believe me Hector, when the U.S. lost to Austria, I was very upset.

I felt like we dominated the game and missed way too many good opportunities. Fortunately, I think the U.S. U-20 team is the best up and coming team the U.S. has ever seen. I'm not predicting a World Cup anytime soon but in my lifetime, I do believe the U.S. will win one. Having played soccer my entire life, the quality of players in the youth programs today are years ahead skillwise than we were growing up. They are developing soccer "Olympic" development programs for the best up and comers similar to other Olympic events that the U.S. has a strong interest in. You are seeing the better soccer players skipping college altogether and going to the MLS or overseas at the age of 16 or 17. I always have to keep in the back of my mind that Soccer has been played with vigor for about 200 years in Europe while the U.S. has only played maybe 50 or so years.

Some of my earlier age coaches never played and had to teach from a textbook. Now we have 2nd and 3rd generation coaches who grew up playing the game and can teach the game properly to our youth.

Argentina will win the World Cup in 2010. After watching Copa America and U-20 World Cup play, they are the best team in the world.

The U.S. women's team should win the upcoming women's World Cup. They are beating teams quite easily and will remain a premier world soccer powerhouse. There is a lot of focus on female soccer in the U.S. and there are lot of excellent up and comers.

Mexico is very good but like the U.S. has a long way to go. The Copa America and U-20 results are promising.

I predict that the best soccer will shift from Europe to Argentina/Brazil through the next decade. Hopefully, Mexico and the U.S. will also become powerhouses that will be respected by the world soccer community but they need to prove that they can beat the best consistently and not just be one hit wonders.

[Hulk]

Since my wife's parents are from Argentina, and I was a Maradona fan before he became a fat bloated loudmouth cokehead, I like to see them do well. But I know better than to think Brasil can't beat any team in the world on any given day. I root for Argentina (and Colombia when they've teased me with their occasional flashes of talent during my lifetime), but when I want to watch GREAT soccer, I watch Brasil.

Its nice to see the US Women do so well, but its time for them to let the other teams catch up, in order for the game to be taken seriously in the rest of the world. As you can see from the photo below, Argentina has a great looking team (much better than the US team), but its hard to take them seriously.

http://www.terryapodaca.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/argentina-medium.jpg

[Hector]

If they don't take them seriously, I will.

Ssssschwwwwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: