2010 World Cup Running Thread.

[deskslave]

Oh, I'm well aware they beat Russia. They're still not very good.

And I see your point about Algeria, but I wonder whether as a North African team, they'll benefit quite as much from that.

Sure they will. How many African teams have realistic chances? It's an easy prop for the official to call against the USA when they know there will be minimal outrage. The same would go for Slovenia. Giving England the group and Algeria a two seed would do well.

Well, the other three probably have a better chance, and the last one is South Africa. So if any African side isn't getting the help, it's probably gonna be Algeria.

But, dang, you guys are paranoid!

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Oh, I'm well aware they beat Russia. They're still not very good.

And I see your point about Algeria, but I wonder whether as a North African team, they'll benefit quite as much from that.

Sure they will. How many African teams have realistic chances? It's an easy prop for the official to call against the USA when they know there will be minimal outrage. The same would go for Slovenia. Giving England the group and Algeria a two seed would do well.

Well, the other three probably have a better chance, and the last one is South Africa. So if any African side isn't getting the help, it's probably gonna be Algeria.

But, dang, you guys are paranoid!

Well, FIFA is involved. So we have every right to be.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Weak group?

Huh?

Uruguay, France and the hosts will be a very difficult task. I've seen a lot of projections that have the Mexicans not making it out of the group stages.

 

[MileHigh]

Weak group?

Huh?

Uruguay, France and the hosts will be a very difficult task. I've seen a lot of projections that have the Mexicans not making it out of the group stages.

Which would be just fine with me.

 

[Pastor]

Oh, I'm well aware they beat Russia. They're still not very good.

And I see your point about Algeria, but I wonder whether as a North African team, they'll benefit quite as much from that.

Sure they will. How many African teams have realistic chances? It's an easy prop for the official to call against the USA when they know there will be minimal outrage. The same would go for Slovenia. Giving England the group and Algeria a two seed would do well.

Well, the other three probably have a better chance, and the last one is South Africa. So if any African side isn't getting the help, it's probably gonna be Algeria.

But, dang, you guys are paranoid!

I wouldn’t say “paranoid.” I prefer pragmatic!

The USA has two games this week, Czech Republic and Turkey. I consider them both to be fairly important games for the US despite their tag as “friendlies.”

 

[Del_B_Vista]

How could the Grant Wahl piece omit such Drogba gems as:



http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/article?contentId=1917159

 

[deskslave]

England v Mexico in a couple minutes. Wondering whose side you folks are on. And it's a wonderfully clear night, so you can't wish for a bolt of lightning to strike down both sides.

Also wondering if people in places like Brazil actually look forward to World Cups, rather than approaching them with that peculiar tremulous anticipation of the horror that inevitably lurks around one corner or another.

 

[deskslave]

Mexico are outplaying England by some margin, but England lead 1-0 from a Ledley King goal from a cheap corner. Rob Green just had to make a tremendous save, then got lucky when a shot hit the post and bounced away.

 

[deskslave]

England 2-1 Mexico at halftime. Mexico just scored on the stroke of halftime. England's second was from Crouch, who both was offside and had the ball roll in off his hand.

 

[Pastor]

Crouch's goal was a handball, a call that won't be made against England in the World Cup either. England's first and third goals were quite nice!

The thing about this game is that Mexico's speed is killing England's backline, something that gives me hope with the USA. Meanwhile, Mexico is getting beat by Crouch's size, something I think Onyewu would be able to handle for the most part.

 

[deskslave]

Well, he does have a lovely touch for a big man, as they say.

And you'll understand if I refuse to feel guilty about handballs.

Can the USA cope with Walcott's speed?

And that would have been a red card in a World Cup game.

 

[Pastor]

Well, he does have a lovely touch for a big man, as they say.

And you'll understand if I refuse to feel guilty about handballs.

Can the USA cope with Walcott's speed?

And that would have been a red card in a World Cup game.

Walcott's speed will be an issue, just as Donovan's speed, Dempsey's pace, Holden's pace, you see where I'm going here, will be an issue for England. I think it more depends on how the USA lines up the defense.

As for a "red card"... Which is? The yellow outside the box? That was a yellow at worst. If that is a red in the World Cup... Yikes.

 

[deskslave]

Well, he does have a lovely touch for a big man, as they say.

And you'll understand if I refuse to feel guilty about handballs.

Can the USA cope with Walcott's speed?

And that would have been a red card in a World Cup game.

Walcott's speed will be an issue, just as Donovan's speed, Dempsey's pace, Holden's pace, you see where I'm going here, will be an issue for England. I think it more depends on how the USA lines up the defense.

As for a "red card"... Which is? The yellow outside the box? That was a yellow at worst. If that is a red in the World Cup... Yikes.

Denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. Severity of the foul doesn't enter into it.

 

[deskslave]

It's an early candidate, but this has to be the clear winner for most ridiculous result of the World Cup run-up:

Portugal 0-0 Cape Verde Islands

 

[wannabeu]

It's an early candidate, but this has to be the clear winner for most ridiculous result of the World Cup run-up:

Portugal 0-0 Cape Verde Islands

I don't think that Portugal is that good of a team. I don't think they will get out of their group. It's Brazil and Ivory Coast.

Portugal just barely made it into the WC. They do not have a good defense and their offense is primarily C. Ronaldo, although that is a pretty good option. It will be a quick trip for Portugal.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

ESPN Announces Commentator Assignments for 2010 World Cup Coverage http://bit.ly/cy04ZP

 

[Boom_70]

ESPN Announces Commentator Assignments for 2010 World Cup Coverage http://bit.ly/cy04ZP

I need to find a feed with Andres Cantor.

 

[MileHigh]

From the looks of that, I'm guessing none of the announcers will be on-site but in Bristol.

 

[Birdscribe]

USA all the way. And I want England to crash and burn.

Other than that, I wouldn't mind seeing the Argentines hold the trophy. And Maradona do a line off it in front of everyone! Better that then those Jesusfreak Brazilians.

Inky, I have softened my stance on Mexico. If we play then of course I'll be out for blood, but if they take down a few Eurosnobs all is forgiven.

Screw that. I want El Tri to go 0-for South Africa. I fear they'll advance in that weak group, but I'm honestly hoping for South Africa and Uruguay to advance in Group A.

I'm with Inks here. Having seen what kind of havoc their fans wreak here in SoCal, Mexico can't crash, burn and slink home fast enough.

Obviously being an American fanboi, my Donovan jersey is all ready for June 12, but after the Americans exit somewhere in the second round or (Supreme Being willing) quarters, I'm joining Deskslave and the spirit of my grandmother in rooting for England.

In other words, I'm ready for that quarterfinal disappointment to hit me like a 2-by-4 between the eyes. So when that happens, I think it's Spain's cup to lose. It has too much talent from front to back.

I'm with whoever ripped on Argentina for Maradona's lack of a brain; he'll find a way to mess up a team with Messi, Tevez and Milito among others. Meanwhile, the Dutch have inherited Spain's title as the biggest choke artists in Europe, Italy's too old, France has too many holes (starting with Domenech) and Germany isn't deep enough this time out.

That leaves Brazil and Spain as probably the last two standing. There are worse finals to watch.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

From the looks of that, I'm guessing none of the announcers will be on-site but in Bristol.

They will be on-site.

ESPN, to the network's credit, is sending more people to SA than the BBC. SportsCenter will be anchored from SA for the duration of the WC.