Great game played by the Americans today. I’m very proud of their entire run. Got buggered a bit by Hugh Dallas (c’mon, he should have added an extra minute just for the time he wasted tying his shoes) and he seemed consistently out of position on calls. That yellow on Reyna was a farce. If we’d gotten the goal (which sure as hell looked in, but the angle wasn’t great) we would have played the next match with our entire defense on the bench, so perhaps it’s just as well.
Twenty years ago, or maybe even last month, I would have never imagined the mighty Germans holding tenaciously to a one point lead over lowly USA. A lot more quality shots, but frankly Kahn proved he was the better man on the day.
Next time we’ll just be better. Really look forward to the trip to Germany in 2006. For you other Americans out there, maybe consider supporting the team during qualifying, which starts again in about two years. Especially if you live nearby. Go down, sit with the Sam’s Army crowd, learn some cheers, and get your passports ready for Germany. Maybe we can organize a USDoper cheering squad.
It’s been a very good championship for South Korea, Senegal and US, and to a lesser extent Turkey and Japan. Nobody can throw about ‘lucky’ epithets or terms like ‘plucky underdogs’, since all of those teams deserved the success they achieved.
The future looks bright for the US international side.
I was at Stanford in '94 on July 4. Gotta say that then, we were just praying for a miracle. Hehehe, I remember that we didn’t seem to have much chance even with Brazil down a man, just like a certain team that played them very recently…
Who really thought Project 2010 would have a chance of working?
And as far as support goes, not just for the next WC, but also go out and support them in Gold Cup games, clamour to see their games if invited to the Copa America again, buy their strip, be SUPPORTERS.
I’m not in a bad situation. I’m a regular visitor to the beautiful country of Brazil. I have many friends from there, and they live and die with this stuff. They are so happy about their team’s success. You’d think they would be very snotty, but they’d do an Englander proud in always worrying and seeing the glass as half-empty when it comes to their side.
And, as I mentioned earlier, I’m an American. We love underdogs. So, Senegal, Turkey or South Korea (who have been especially exciting), and I’ll be happy.
I guess that means I want to see Spain and Germany fall on their arses.
Nice to see all the support here. Thanks! I watched the game at the same bar where I watched the USA - Poland game. Got there with three buddies an hour before game time and 15 minutes before the doors opened. Even so, still had to stand for the entire game.
I’m quite proud of our boys. Good job!
Right before the game there was a clip of a German player saying something like this:
“It’s like being on the autobahn in a beautiful Mercedes. If the US were to win it would be like being passed by a Buick.” :mad:
My final reaction: crap. I wasn’t overly upset by England losing to Brazil this morning; I was rooting for England but thought Brazil the far better team in terms of ball-handling. OTOH, I thought the US had a real chance to beat – or at least draw – Germany during regular play.
Some magnificent runs by Donovan in particular, who unfortunately tended to get ahead of himself – and the defenders, hence all the offside infractions. A very exciting game overall.
And finally, an apology to the BBC for my OP, in which I complained about their coverage. They may well have said nasty things about the US team, but as I was actually watching ITV I wouldn’t know. So that’s “oops” on my part and a “boo hiss” to ITV.
<sigh> Since my two main teams went out today, I guess I’ll root for South Korea. If only because it would really annoy the European and South American teams if Korea won.
[sub]Pity, though…I would have loved to have seen a US-England game…[/sub]
I finally got to see the game. I managed to somehow avoid spoilers all stinkin’ day long…
Boy, what a great game. We really played extremely well. We did everything we had to do to beat them, except, well beat Kahn. (Which we even did once, but Germany had a guy there to keep that 1/8th of the ball from crossing). In fact, I hope, if anything, this game shows to all our detractors that any sort of “ugly” football was done out of strategy-- we have truely come a long way.
I hope we can find some more defenders that play like Sanneh did in this tournament. I hope we can keep Arena as our coach for the next four years!! He is fantastic. We’ve got some young players to develop, and we have some fantastic young players in this tourney that will be around at least the next four years. (O’Brien/McBride/Beasley/Mathis/Wolff/Donovon)
I’m rooting for Korea for the rest of the cup. Not just to root for the homers… but they’ve played outstanding, their fans are fantastic and were it not for them we would not have even made the 2nd round!
Wow, I’m really excited for 4 years from now. Hmmm… if I start saving now, maybe I’ll make it over there. Wonder how much your average trip to Germany is anyway…
Just want to add this as I was looking through some of the stuff I missed. Our boys play in the worst country for this sport. They obviously do it out of love for the sport. They play games IN the US that are basically still away games because of all the people who travel here and the lack of US fans at the games. Can you imagine playing in hostile environments EVERYWHERE YOU PLAY! We really need to build on this as fans as much as they do as a team! Go out and see a game! Paint your face! Chant and cheer! I know I will!
No doubt. Very mixed feelings today. On the one hand…I HATE losing to Germany. Especially when we were the better team. :mad:
On the other hand…we were the better team in a World Cup QF. Playing one of the world powers. It feels so good to have taken a big step up. And so satisfying to see the respect we’ve won. And it’s great to see the attention soccer’s getting here; I hope this gives soccer a long term push forward.
I’m very excited about our future: Donovan, Beasley, O’Brien, Mastro, Wolff, Mathis. And the young guys coming up after them: Convey, Quaranta, Thorrington, Twellman etc.
I haven’t been this excited (and then disappointed) since '74 & '78 (dad is from Rotterdam).
The USA never had a chance under Dallas with players called Pope, McBride, O’Brien, Donovan and he’s probably still bitter about Reyna leaving Rangers.
Wanker.
No, I’m not really serious. But he is a dreadful referee and always has been, and hopefully FIFA will wake up to this now.
I watched the highlights of the game again yesterday and was even more disappointed with the officiating. There certainly were fouls by the USA side, but just as many (that went uncalled by Germany) and often German fouls were called as USA fouls. He never seemed in position and always gave the Germans the benefit of the doubt; many marginal calls became cards.
:: sigh :: I guess it’s just another hurdle to overcome.
Screeme, it’s not cheap to get there or stay there, but transportation, food and (most importantly) beer are all very affordable. And the beer is excellent, some of the best in the world. It will be a great time I really encourage you, and anyone else who is interested, to strongly consider the trip. Plus it’s very easy to add in side trips to a couple of other countries so you can always get a break from Germany if it turns out not to be to your tastes.
