Fifa World Cup South Africa 2010

[Adam West]

Lot's of bad calls all around. The U.S. and England are above average teams but not excellent teams. I really don't think the England muff would have mattered. Germany is simply a better team. I am looking forward to see which style of Futbol wins in Germany vs. Argentina. The tactical pass and shoot style of European play vs. the creative, superb foot skilled South Americans.

Hec, I laughed when I saw your video clip of the sniper and the Italian player. I rember that play distinctly and remember when he took that fall telling my wife, it looked like he had been shot with a rifle.

[wolfie]

How are Chile going to be beat Brasil?

Answers please.

[Adam West]

They won't except by some miracle.

Germany-Argentina

Netherlands-Brazil

This will be where the champions will come from. It's great to see Uruguay, Ghana, and a few other countries get in but now is when the great teams get seperated from the above average teams. Spain still has a chance too but I don't think they are as good as everyone says they are. The Spain-Portugal match certainly will be interesting.

[toystalker]

i think its safe to say that anything is possible this world cup

i didnt see germany putting 4 by england, i didnt think italy would go out, i didnt think france would just as good as not show up at all

to win games you have to put the ball in the net, 30 mins in and brazil have failed to do just that so far... agreed they could turn it on at any time and do the business, and will more than likely show off some goods in the 2nd half

look at the brazil players moaning they dont like a physical side

[toystalker]

and there it is lol

[toystalker]

boom and another

wait a while for a bus and loads turn up lol

[wolfie]

Another good day at the footie. Enjoyed the matches today.

Looking forward to Japan tommorrow and then the Spain V Portugal match.

[Hector]

BTW, Hec, how old is the Mexican keeper, Perez? I know there was a battle for that spot, but I thin khe played really well. Combine that with the young side that Mexico is and it gives you hope for the future.

I'm not too sad about them...considering how young the team is (one of the youngest in the WC)...it looks good for them for the next one in four years.

Many of the players in this squad won the under 17 world soccer championships just four years or so ago...so they need a bit more experience and maturity.

...and more and more Mexican players...are finally starting playing in European leagues...I think that's gonna help them tremendously...in years past...they were always content just to play in the Mexican league...but now they are finally moving forward.

[Hector]

No, you are not the only talking about bad calls outside of US matches. I've just been too upset to come here and talk football after the US loss. Reality can be a hard thing to face :(

In fact, the back of the NY Daily News (their sports section) has a full page pic of the English goal-that-should've been with the headline "Rubbish"!

The New York Times also has an article about the need for at least goal-line cameras to prevent what happened to England. I'm not sure I'm ready for video replay throughout the game, I do agree FIFA should take a page from the NHL's use of cameras, especially on goals.

Some of my English friends believe if that goal had counted, the English would not have been pressing so much and, hence, open for those counters by the Germans. I strongly disagree. As Germany came up on those counters, the English did not take very good angles and sometimes just couldn't keep up. If you watch the first pass on the final goal-scoring counter, the first English defender takes a terrible angle on the German player.

Looking forward to Argentina v Germany. I think these are the best playing sides right now. Always waiting to see if the Brazilians will click or not.

Yes...you are right...my friend...

[Hector]

I also have been stewing in my juices the last few days after the loss to Ghana. This is one team we should have beat.

I also agree that the U.S. is in desperate need of a striker.

Altidore has a lot of great attributes...he is big, strong, and good with the ball when he's on. He just seemed like he didn't care. He also seems like he has a HUGE attitude problem. I remember back when he played for the Red Bulls, we were at a D.C. United game and my kids tried to get his autograph just as he was leaving the pitch after warmups. Almost every player in the MLS will come over and sign a few autographs after warmups but not Altidore. He was standing 5 yards from us and I asked if he would sign an autograph for my kids....he just ignored me. Why is he the only player on the U.S. squad who will not put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. I realize he is of Haitian descent as well but he's playing for the U.S. Is he not proud to playing for the red, white, and blue? The U.S. defense did not play well either. Too many mistakes. Howard is a great goalie and kept us in most games throughout the world cup.

Dude...if the USA lands a couple of world class deadly strikers...they could win it all...

[Hector]

Lot's of bad calls all around. The U.S. and England are above average teams but not excellent teams. I really don't think the England muff would have mattered. Germany is simply a better team. I am looking forward to see which style of Futbol wins in Germany vs. Argentina. The tactical pass and shoot style of European play vs. the creative, superb foot skilled South Americans.

Hec, I laughed when I saw your video clip of the sniper and the Italian player. I rember that play distinctly and remember when he took that fall telling my wife, it looked like he had been shot with a rifle.

[Hector]

How are Chile going to be beat Brasil?

Answers please.

Chile is a complete replica of Mexico.

Both are technically solid...good handling...lots of possession...and both are attacking type squads.

But they are both kind smallish on the average...they both suffer in set plays and corner kicks...that's why they always struggle against their fellow Latin American teams like Brazil and Argentina (except for Messi, he's a midget, lol)...they are bigger and stronger...but with equal...or even better...technical skill.

Yes...skill rules...but when you combine that with bigger and stronger players with equal or better skill...the bigger teams wins...and the smaller teams lose...there's absolutely no argument against this...it has been proven time and time again.

Tough to beat that.

[Hector]

Netherlands

You know...this has been the most overlooked soccer power in the tourney so far.

All I hear in the news is Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain, etc...but this Dutch team is dangerous as heck...the best team ever not to have won a World Cup (runners up twice)...don't take this team lightly...I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they beat Brazil.

The Orange Crush is back...

[Hector]

[Meule]

You know...this has been the most overlooked soccer power in the tourney so far.

All I hear in the news is Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain, etc...but this Dutch team is dangerous as heck...the best team ever not to have won a World Cup (runners up twice)...don't take this team lightly...I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they beat Brazil.

The Orange Crush is back...

I've been saying this since day one