316 replies to this topic

[ghdi]

If I couldnt have South Africa, England is who'd I want.

[Hi, I'm VALUE!]

Algeria from pool 3, great draw for US AFAIK

[Hi, I'm VALUE!]

And Slovenia from Group 4, looks like a group we can advance from if we play well.

[Hi, I'm VALUE!]

There's really no reason why the US can't advance. Groups G and H both look pretty rough, especially G...Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Portugal.

[eaglejelly]

There's really no reason why the US can't advance. Groups G and H both look pretty rough, especially G...Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Portugal.

With group G I agree, but Group H? Looks like a good draw for Spain to me

[ghdi]

If we couldnt be in Group A, I think we got the next best spot.

The US has much more than a fighting chance to get through. Its doable.

[Atterr]

The Netherlands draw Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, which is a pretty good drawing for us compared to the last WC and EC. So yeah, I'm happy...

USA should definitely be able to advance, although Slovenia isn't a pushover.

South Africa got Uruguay, France and Mexico, so I guess this will be the first time that the host nation doesn't go to the second round (and with a little bit of luck, France won't make it as well).

[NJDevs4978]

Is South Africa likely to continue that trend?

Not likely with the group they got stuck with. Okay Uruguay and Mexico aren't world-beaters but they were about the best teams that South Africa could have been stuck with from those pots and getting France really sucks for them.

USA with England lol.

Good, I was hoping for that just for entertainment value. Especially if Donovan gets the best of Beckham in the end

[Hi, I'm VALUE!]

With group G I agree, but Group H? Looks like a good draw for Spain to me

I'm kinda learning soccer as I go, so I was leaning heavily on the ranking number, which has Spain 2, Chile 8, and Honduras 25, which on paper looks like it might be tough.

[ghdi]

We really did well considering. Coulda had Ivory Coast and/or Portugal in there instead.

Now we've got 6 months to prepare for England.

No real Group of Death this time around, with G being the best candidate for it. Group matchups look dreadful from a storyline perspective. Not one game really jumps out at me. I think FIFA did a good job addressing balance, but it seems like a rather lackluster draw concerning the games themselves. The knockout rounds will be great though, or should be at least.

[eaglejelly]

I'm kinda learning soccer as I go, so I was leaning heavily on the ranking number, which has Spain 2, Chile 8, and Honduras 25, which on paper looks like it might be tough.

You can’t give too much on world rankings as it is comparing teams who play completely different opponents. Chile has had a good qualification, but is traditionally not a powerhouse. Honduras and the Swiss were one of the weaker teams in respective drawing groups

[ghdi]

Yea world rankings are unreliable markers in FIFA. They're too broad. Its not even like the NCAA tournament.

[El Diablo]

Argentina with the easiest group ...

[ghdi]

Argentina with the easiest group ...

Nah. England or France. I think England have the most pressure without question. If they fail to make it out of the groups, it will be crazy. France got a piss-easy road aside from the host squad and possibly Mexico, but considering how they got there, France got off basically.

I think Argentina definitely got an easy road and Id agree any other Cup, but with Maradona managing, beating Nigeria will be rough.

[El Diablo]

I disagree - a weak France will have to go up against the host who will play as hosts do - and Mexico who is pretty even with Uruguay will play tough against them and each other, Argentina draws one of the weakest African teams - a Korean Rep who the coaches last night admittedly had not ever scouted and a Greece who is a shadow of the team who miraculously won the Euro years ago ... no contest imo

[losdiablos103]

The U.S. got a pretty easy draw if ya ask me.

[Jimmy Leeds]

The US always stumbles against weaker European teams......Slovenia is tough.

Holland IMO is the favorite to win this whole thing.

If my Danes get a draw with the Dutch, it's an easy sail through to the second round, if not, they advance anyway.

[ghdi]

The US always stumbles against weaker European teams......Slovenia is tough.

Holland IMO is the favorite to win this whole thing.

If my Danes get a draw with the Dutch, it's an easy sail through to the second round, if not, they advance anyway.

Aside from Spain and Brazil, I think England really has the moxie to go deep, final style deep. Just about every player has Champions League experience as of late and they're absolutely cruising. The fact they got a favorable draw also helps. They seem to have the vibe of the Colts. In that they got close so much and finally broke through. If England can avoid the penalties curse they seem to be plagued with, Id not be surprised at all to see them win this time around. Their support will be heavy as well, just because of South Africa.

The Dutch looked slick in qualifying, but so did the English.

And yes, the US has struggled against just about any European team. A draw with England will really go a long way. Root for the win, cheer for the draw. England would treat any draw in this group as a loss.

I have high hopes, but I really don't like our chances at doing much of anything. I think just getting out of the groups will be a success.

I disagree - a weak France will have to go up against the host who will play as hosts do - and Mexico who is pretty even with Uruguay will play tough against them and each other, Argentina draws one of the weakest African teams - a Korean Rep who the coaches last night admittedly had not ever scouted and a Greece who is a shadow of the team who miraculously won the Euro years ago ... no contest imo

But it is a contest. I dont think its cut and dry when Maradona can't coach a lick, the players know it, the fans know it, and just about everyone else knows it. France is still world class personnel wise, and they've got more than enough time to get their sh!t together. France is quarters or better. I would bet on that today. I think Argentina is also a quarterfinalist, just based on that damn draw, BUT I'd take France over Argentina right now and more than likely, again in the summer.

As I said, any other year, I agree, Argentina has the easiest road just based on draw. Not with Maradona though.

Edited by ghdi, 05 December 2009 - 06:01 AM.

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

I had a feeling we would end up with the US.

[DaneykoIsGod]

http://sportsillustr....html?eref=sihp

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- United States midfielder DaMarcus Beasley's BMW car has been set on fire outside his home in Glasgow.

Police in the Scottish city are continuing to investigate Monday night's incident, which it describes as "willful fireraising."

"Someone blew up my car," Beasley wrote Wednesday on Twitter. "I'm doin ok, just glad no one got hurt."

Beasley, who moved to Glasgow in 2007, added: "In the market for a new car! Lol..Gotta try to find some humor."

Rangers has described it as a "disturbing and deplorable incident."