U.S. gets a plum Cup draw for once

[Onkel Neal]

Ok, let's see if we can take this to the house. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/grant_wahl/12/04/wcup.draw/index.html?cnn=yes)World cup 2010, let's go USA :up:


The gods of soccer smiled upon the United States for once on Friday, giving the Americans one of the most fortunate draws imaginable for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Once all the ping-pong balls were drawn in Cape Town, the U.S. ended up with the following first-round games: vs. England on June 12 in Rustenburg, vs. Slovenia on June 18 in Johannesburg and vs. Algeria on June 23 in Pretoria.
The vast majority of pundits around the world will pick the U.S. to advance to the knockout round along with England, and with good reason. Slovenia and Algeria were two of the biggest surprises in November even to qualify for the World Cup, both countries needing upsets in playoffs against Russia (by Slovenia) and Egypt (by Algeria) to reach the field of 32. Algeria and Slovenia are arguably the worst teams from Africa and Europe, respectively, to qualify for South Africa.

[Dowly]

I imagine there'll be a "few" fights about how soccer should be called football and football something else. :har:

[Skybird]

There are no teams anymore that are easy to defeat. But there are just teams around against which to lose is easy. This group qualification is no self-runner for the US.

[Oberon]

:hmmm:

Nah :O::03:

Maybe next time chaps.

E ngland
A lgeria
S lovenia
Y anks

In all seriousness, it'll be interesting to see how England stacks up against the US.

[SteamWake]

What is soccer :haha:

[papa_smurf]

I predict World Cup final:

England vs Itay (Im optimistic)

[XabbaRus]

I would rather England never win the world cup, not because I don't support my own team, but as I live in the NE Scotland I would never hear the end of it.

Also Alex Salmond would have to find someway to denigrate an English win.

[Snestorm]

Here's a link to the groups, and game dates.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

[goldorak]

What is soccer :haha:

American football without the space suits. :haha:

[nikimcbee]

What is soccer :haha:
A bad soap opera on a field.

[Snestorm]

Here's my prediction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oohpp_N-jsI

[Torplexed]

What is soccer :haha:

I'm fairly certain our team (if we really have one) is composed of the guys who couldn't make the cut on the USA Curling Squad. :D

I predict the usual US flame-out in the early rounds, followed by the usual collective yawn here at home. :yawn: Maybe in an another decade it'll finally catch on.

[nikimcbee]

I'm fairly certain our team (if we really have one) is composed of the guys who couldn't make the cut on the USA Curling Squad. :D

I predict the usual US flame-out in the early rounds, followed by the usual collective yawn here at home. :yawn:

What year was it that they had all of the (US) media hype over our team?:yawn:

I just like the chicks pulling each others hair!:haha::woot:

[Torplexed]

What year was it that they had all of the (US) media hype over our team?:yawn:

Must be the 1999 USA Women's Soccer Team. The year the sports bra made it's theatrical debut.

http://cache.kotaku.com/gaming/vert.brandi.chastain.afp.jpg

[August]

What is soccer :haha:

European kick ball.

[TarJak]

Australia has drawn a bit of a horror run:

Germany
Ghana
Serbia

No easy games.

[Stealth Hunter]

I imagine there'll be a "few" fights about how soccer should be called football and football something else. :har:

I don't understand why they don't just let those people beat themselves to death. Seriously, how much more of an idiot can you be when you argue violently over sports? FFS. We need a dose of chlorine in the gene pool.

[TarJak]

Given the sport's history of crowd violence its been long overdue:
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/03_03/RiotES_468x274.jpg

http://cl.theoffside.com/files/2008/03/violence-man-utd-roma.jpg

Maybe they could all convert to watching a sport where there is enough violence on field to satisfy their thirst. Like American Football or Australian Rules?
http://assets.sbnation.com/imported_assets/23485/hamlinhitstalworth_medium.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2532357868_8e05683b96.jpg

[Oberon]

Or Taiwanese politics:

http://www.therealtaiwan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/taiwan-parliament-fight.jpg

[SteamWake]

Or Taiwanese politics:

http://www.therealtaiwan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/taiwan-parliament-fight.jpg

I expect this scenario to play out on the US senate floor any day now. :rotfl2:

[Blood_splat]

What is soccer :haha:
A sport my fat American butt would pass out at:rotfl2:. Too much running!

[Onkel Neal]

Yo, anyway, I am looking forward to the World Cup. Admittedly, I am not a big soccer (world football) fan on a regular basis. There's no clear "league style" play and scheduling here that I am aware of, and if there is, it's not easy to find on TV (plus budgeting time to watch and keep up with it). I tend to take soccer like the Olympics; whatever soccer teams do in the 3 off years, I dunno, but when the WC begins, I take interest. The sport and players are pretty awesome when everything is at stake.

And really, can you ask much more than that from a Texan? :doh:

[OneToughHerring]

South America and Mexico have had some very high class football for a long time, I'm sure you get those games. Also, the best level football might be the Champions League in Europe, it's the one where the big clubs from the various leagues in Europe play against each other for the top prize.

I feel a bit divided on the world cup, the level of the game isn't always up to par. A team that is comprised from no name players that practices together a lot for the purpose of doing well in the world cup can actually go really far. Example of this: South Korea in 2002, finished fourth I think.

So for good football the world cup might not be the thing. For atmosphere it's great.

[nikimcbee]

The best soccer match...evah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8&feature=related
:woot:

[Snestorm]

The best soccer match...evah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8&feature=related
:woot:

It was interesting.
The first half of the game was like watching "football" in the states.
(More time spent on talking than doing.)

[Oberon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Vs17zPJe8 :03:

[Snestorm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Vs17zPJe8 :03:

I hold you personaly responsable for my aching sides (from laughter).
That was great.

[nikimcbee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Vs17zPJe8 :03:

I see your video and raise you one:03:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc&feature=related

[Snestorm]

I see your video and raise you one:03:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc&feature=related

With an international selection of players like that only "England" would do.
Good post.

[Oberon]

Nicely countered Nikimcbee ;) Harry and Paul are hilarious :yeah:

[nikimcbee]

Nicely countered Nikimcbee ;) Harry and Paul are hilarious :yeah:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTstnVDVfeo&feature=related

Thanks for getting me hooked:haha:, I spent a good part of this afternoon watching video clips:o:haha:

[OneToughHerring]

The last couple of minutes to a game between Germany and Colombia in the 1990 games. A classic West Germany vs. a classic Colombia team. The stuff world cups are made of. :up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ami5tGXM0VU