I think Germany and USA will play for a draw. Germany have nothing serious to play for because they will top the group anyway, so it would make no difference to them. The only thing that could stop that is Low's dislike for Klinsmann.
Group G: USA vs Portugal @ Manaus - 22.06.14, 11pm (BBC 1/HD)
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Originally Posted by FMKK:
“You bastard.
Of course, we almost have the opposite problem among sections of the UK fan base.”
“You bastard.
Of course, we almost have the opposite problem among sections of the UK fan base.”
Good point
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“I think Germany and USA will play for a draw. Germany have nothing serious to play for because they will top the group anyway, so it would make no difference to them. The only thing that could stop that is Low's dislike for Klinsmann.”
“I think Germany and USA will play for a draw. Germany have nothing serious to play for because they will top the group anyway, so it would make no difference to them. The only thing that could stop that is Low's dislike for Klinsmann.”
Do they not get on? I just assumed that they did because they worked together and Löw succeeded him in the Germany role.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Do they not get on? I just assumed that they did because they worked together and Löw succeeded him in the Germany role.”
“Do they not get on? I just assumed that they did because they worked together and Löw succeeded him in the Germany role.”
Rumours are they don't get on and that Low was doing all the hard work during Klinsmann's reign as coach. Klinsmann is disliked by many (in positions of power) in Germany.
Originally Posted by Bosox:
“It's a once every four years thing for them (or rather for 90% of them). Football to them is like Curling to us in England.”
“It's a once every four years thing for them (or rather for 90% of them). Football to them is like Curling to us in England.”
Per-game attendance for major league soccer games has surpassed that of professional hockey and basketball. The Sounders averaged 44,000 last year.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Rumours are they don't get on and that Low was doing all the hard work during Klinsmann's reign as coach. Klinsmann is disliked by many (in positions of power) in Germany.”
“Rumours are they don't get on and that Low was doing all the hard work during Klinsmann's reign as coach. Klinsmann is disliked by many (in positions of power) in Germany.”
Interesting. We'll see whether pragmatism or bad feeling wins out then. I guess the Germans will go to win but remain relatively cautious and if they're struggling to break them down then settle for the draw.
Originally Posted by Jason C:
“Massive amount of conjecture and discussion currently taking place about the pros and cons of Germany and USA playing out this mutually agreeable draw.
I don't see how they can do it to the extent the Germans and Austrians did in 1982 because there'll be so much focus and scrutiny on the possibility of this happening that it would just be too scandalous to contemplate, but somebody on the radio has just said that if both sides are level with ten minutes to go they may not exactly be busting a gut to find a winner.
I recall something similar happening in 1990 when Ireland and Holland were level at 1-1 and played out the last few minutes without really attacking because they knew that that scoreline would put them both through.”
“Massive amount of conjecture and discussion currently taking place about the pros and cons of Germany and USA playing out this mutually agreeable draw.
I don't see how they can do it to the extent the Germans and Austrians did in 1982 because there'll be so much focus and scrutiny on the possibility of this happening that it would just be too scandalous to contemplate, but somebody on the radio has just said that if both sides are level with ten minutes to go they may not exactly be busting a gut to find a winner.
I recall something similar happening in 1990 when Ireland and Holland were level at 1-1 and played out the last few minutes without really attacking because they knew that that scoreline would put them both through.”
It's one thing to play out the last ten mins without committing to attack and it's not that uncommon but to do it from the first minute then it will soon be noticed. West Germany scored in the 10th minute against Austria in that 1982 game and thereafter both teams were happy to keep it that way enabling both of them to progress at the expense of Algeria who had beaten Chile the day before.
I can't see anything like that happening again but I'm not expecting a goal fest either.
Weirdly enough it's mathematically possible for Portugal to go through with the USA, and Germany to not get through at all.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.
Originally Posted by Alrightmate:
“Weirdly enough it's mathematically possible for Portugal to go through with the USA, and Germany to not get through at all.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.”
“Weirdly enough it's mathematically possible for Portugal to go through with the USA, and Germany to not get through at all.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.”
Portugal-Ghana should be quite the game with both teams needing to win
Originally Posted by Amanda_Raymond:
“Portugal-Ghana should be quite the game with both teams needing to win”
“Portugal-Ghana should be quite the game with both teams needing to win”
Yes, because as Ghana have everything to play for you'd think that they'd make it very difficult indeed for Portugal to thrash them.
Although if Portugal go in at half time with a 3 goal lead Ghana may just crumble and not even try.
Originally Posted by Alrightmate:
“Yes, because as Ghana have everything to play for you'd think that they'd make it very difficult indeed for Portugal to thrash them.
Although if Portugal go in at half time with a 3 goal lead Ghana may just crumble and not even try.”
“Yes, because as Ghana have everything to play for you'd think that they'd make it very difficult indeed for Portugal to thrash them.
Although if Portugal go in at half time with a 3 goal lead Ghana may just crumble and not even try.”
BIB - what are the chances of that happening?! Ghana is a very decent team and I would rather bet on them having the 3:0 lead.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“I think Germany and USA will play for a draw. Germany have nothing serious to play for because they will top the group anyway, so it would make no difference to them. The only thing that could stop that is Low's dislike for Klinsmann.”
“I think Germany and USA will play for a draw. Germany have nothing serious to play for because they will top the group anyway, so it would make no difference to them. The only thing that could stop that is Low's dislike for Klinsmann.”
That doesn't make sense. They will only top the group if they win or draw, and they could even be out if they lose, so they do have something serious to play for.
Granted, Germany would be strong favourites to top the group by achieving a draw or win in their final group game, but I don't think any team can afford to be complacent in this world cup.
Aside from some sort of under the table agreement between the two teams, it's likely Germany will want to snag a goal or two, even if they aren't playing an all out attacking strategy, just to give them breathing room, and avoid the loss and/ or to guarantee they top the group.
A less attacking strategy will mean they are less likely to score and so make a draw more probable, but to say they have nothing serious to play for is just wrong.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Rumours are they don't get on and that Low was doing all the hard work during Klinsmann's reign as coach. Klinsmann is disliked by many (in positions of power) in Germany.”
“Rumours are they don't get on and that Low was doing all the hard work during Klinsmann's reign as coach. Klinsmann is disliked by many (in positions of power) in Germany.”
Uh, yes, Beckenbauer and the other old men of German football would probably like to put their hands around Klinsmann's throat. but Löw? They worked together against the establishment in and prior to 2006. Everybody knows that Löw was the brain behind the team back then because Klinsmann openly said so.
According to Löw, they still have a good and close relationship, though he admitted they are not exactly exchanging ideas anymore since the draw of the groups.
The only statement the German team gave so far after the result tonight was:
"We are not unhappy.".
Originally Posted by epicurian:
“Per-game attendance for major league soccer games has surpassed that of professional hockey and basketball. The Sounders averaged 44,000 last year.”
“Per-game attendance for major league soccer games has surpassed that of professional hockey and basketball. The Sounders averaged 44,000 last year.”
Arenas for Ice Hockey and Basketball are very small and they play 80 regular season games. Look at the ticket revenue if you want a fairer comparison. I'll give you the Pacific North West, soccer has a foothold there, it's an outlier region culturally in many ways. Plus Seattle had their NBA team stolen from them and they were left with just the soccer team and the short NFL season to keep them occupied.
MLS games get infinitessimally small audiences on tv while the World Cup games involving America are widely watched. Every 4 years millions remember soccer exists and they love rooting for their country in anything so they get behind it. It doesn't mean soccer has 'broken through' in America, it means the World Cup has. It will again in 4 years time since America helpfully have a virtual bye through to every WC Tournament so they are always guaranteed to be there.
Originally Posted by Alrightmate:
“Weirdly enough it's mathematically possible for Portugal to go through with the USA, and Germany to not get through at all.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.”
“Weirdly enough it's mathematically possible for Portugal to go through with the USA, and Germany to not get through at all.
Very unlikely, but mathematically possible.”
This world cup has been unpredictable so far imo.
Anything can happen
That's why I like the USA. They just attack attack attack. Hope they get through, this world cup has been a cracker. Anyone could win it but my safe money is still on Belgium. Got them 25-1 before tournament kicked off
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“BIB - what are the chances of that happening?! Ghana is a very decent team and I would rather bet on them having the 3:0 lead.”
“BIB - what are the chances of that happening?! Ghana is a very decent team and I would rather bet on them having the 3:0 lead.”
It could happen. France gave Switzerland a whipping and were something like 3-0 at half time, And Switzerland are supposed to be a higher ranked team than France according to FIFA.
There's been a few results in this World Cup already which I would have thought were unrealistic before this tournament started.
I'd never have had Costa Rica being at the top of their group at this stage.
Originally Posted by DangerBrother:
“Nice USA fans reaction to their goals....
http://youtu.be/Jv0iLgKioLE”
“Nice USA fans reaction to their goals....
http://youtu.be/Jv0iLgKioLE”
Some of those videos are weirdly brilliant and some so WTF
Originally Posted by Ænima:
“That doesn't make sense. They will only top the group if they win or draw, and they could even be out if they lose, so they do have something serious to play for.
Granted, Germany would be strong favourites to top the group by achieving a draw or win in their final group game, but I don't think any team can afford to be complacent in this world cup.
Aside from some sort of under the table agreement between the two teams, it's likely Germany will want to snag a goal or two, even if they aren't playing an all out attacking strategy, just to give them breathing room, and avoid the loss and/ or to guarantee they top the group.
A less attacking strategy will mean they are less likely to score and so make a draw more probable, but to say they have nothing serious to play for is just wrong.”
“That doesn't make sense. They will only top the group if they win or draw, and they could even be out if they lose, so they do have something serious to play for.
Granted, Germany would be strong favourites to top the group by achieving a draw or win in their final group game, but I don't think any team can afford to be complacent in this world cup.
Aside from some sort of under the table agreement between the two teams, it's likely Germany will want to snag a goal or two, even if they aren't playing an all out attacking strategy, just to give them breathing room, and avoid the loss and/ or to guarantee they top the group.
A less attacking strategy will mean they are less likely to score and so make a draw more probable, but to say they have nothing serious to play for is just wrong.”
I meant a draw would suit both teams perfectly because both would progress and Germany almost certain to top the group due to goal difference.
Originally Posted by Bosox:
“Arenas for Ice Hockey and Basketball are very small and they play 80 regular season games. Look at the ticket revenue if you want a fairer comparison. I'll give you the Pacific North West, soccer has a foothold there, it's an outlier region culturally in many ways. Plus Seattle had their NBA team stolen from them and they were left with just the soccer team and the short NFL season to keep them occupied.
MLS games get infinitessimally small audiences on tv while the World Cup games involving America are widely watched. Every 4 years millions remember soccer exists and they love rooting for their country in anything so they get behind it. It doesn't mean soccer has 'broken through' in America, it means the World Cup has. It will again in 4 years time since America helpfully have a virtual bye through to every WC Tournament so they are always guaranteed to be there.”
“Arenas for Ice Hockey and Basketball are very small and they play 80 regular season games. Look at the ticket revenue if you want a fairer comparison. I'll give you the Pacific North West, soccer has a foothold there, it's an outlier region culturally in many ways. Plus Seattle had their NBA team stolen from them and they were left with just the soccer team and the short NFL season to keep them occupied.
MLS games get infinitessimally small audiences on tv while the World Cup games involving America are widely watched. Every 4 years millions remember soccer exists and they love rooting for their country in anything so they get behind it. It doesn't mean soccer has 'broken through' in America, it means the World Cup has. It will again in 4 years time since America helpfully have a virtual bye through to every WC Tournament so they are always guaranteed to be there.”
BiB describes fans all over the world.
And I'm from Seattle. You don't have to tell me about the Sonics.
Originally Posted by DangerBrother:
“Nice USA fans reaction to their goals....
http://youtu.be/Jv0iLgKioLE”
“Nice USA fans reaction to their goals....
http://youtu.be/Jv0iLgKioLE”
Oh, that's brilliant. Thanks for posting.
I'd love to see the reactions after Portugal's late equaliser.
, "AwwwwNOOOOOO!"
My friend is currently in Portugal and she said the bar she watched the game in was full at the start of the game, but by the end of the night it was virtually empty. The Portuguese must not think much of their football team either
Originally Posted by DangerBrother:
“From New York Times MBM...
90+4': The Americans Walk It to the Corner
Yedlin eats up the clock! Wondolowski did the same so well a couple of minutes ago! The Amerks, expertly killing off this game!
”
“From New York Times MBM...
90+4': The Americans Walk It to the Corner
Yedlin eats up the clock! Wondolowski did the same so well a couple of minutes ago! The Amerks, expertly killing off this game!
”
Posters in here and the commentators were saying the same thing.
Originally Posted by Apollo Creed:
“I'm sure the crowd know what's going on. The casual watchers on TV will be very much like the majority of Brits watching American Football I would have thought. 'Soccer' has a huge following in the US compared to most other places. The sheer size of the place means that even though it may not be their national sport there are plenty of people who follow the game just as passionately as we do”
“I'm sure the crowd know what's going on. The casual watchers on TV will be very much like the majority of Brits watching American Football I would have thought. 'Soccer' has a huge following in the US compared to most other places. The sheer size of the place means that even though it may not be their national sport there are plenty of people who follow the game just as passionately as we do”
A poster the other day asked why England had to play their final game seeing as though they'd been eliminated.
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