90 minutes from making history

Onkel Neal · 06-28-09, 10:09 AM

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/28/2009-06-28_us_soccer_heads_to_big_dance_with_brazil.html

Quote:

The U.S. men's national team today finds itself only 90 minutes from making history and winning its first major international soccer tournament in the FIFA Confederations Cup final in Johannesburg. The Americans have to beat mighty Brazil to do so.

"We found out against Spain that anything's possible," goalkeeper Tim Howard said of the 2-0 upset of the world's top-ranked team in Wednesday's semifinals.

If the U.S. pulls off its second huge stunner within five days, it would send shock waves throughout the world. "If beating Spain in the semifinals was a statement, then this would be incredible," Howard said. "It probably will be one of the most unexpected wins in the history of sports."

Woot! Go, USA!

Rhodes · 06-28-09, 10:27 AM

but then again, the referee, humm

Torplexed · 06-28-09, 10:50 AM

Now for the typical American response....."We have a national soccer team?"

SteamWake · 06-28-09, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Now for the typical American response....."We have a national soccer team?"

LOL thats what I was thinking.

Max2147 · 06-28-09, 11:25 AM

Anything could happen in this game. The US team is one of the most schizophrenic on earth.

A few weeks ago this team got blasted by Costa Rica and barely squeezed past Honduras. Then at the start of the tournament we got spanked by Italy (led by an American-born teenager) and buried by Brazil. To get into the next round we had to beat Egypt by 3 goals and Brazil had to beat Italy by 3. In other words, it was a mathematical possibility, but 6 goal swings in soccer basically never happen.

Of course, we all know what happened then. The US ate something magical for breakfast the day before the Egypt game, and a 3-0 win, together with a 3-0 win for Brazil put the US into the semis against Spain, where the US again played a great game to end Spain's record winning streak.

We see glimpses of real brilliance from the US team every once in a while. In 1994 they beat Colombia and were reasonably competitive against Brazil. In 1998 they beat a full-strength Brazilian team in the Gold Cup. In 2002 they were a German handball away from the World Cup semis. In 2006 they matched Italy for a 1-1 draw in a brutally tough group stage game.

But then there are also moments of despair. In 1998 the US was embarrassing at the World Cup. In 2006 we just needed to beat Ghana to advance, but we lost that game.

So who knows what US team will turn up later today. It could be amazing, but it also could be embarrassing.

Platapus · 06-28-09, 11:29 AM

We will have to be pretty lucky to win against Brazil in Soccer/Football.

The fact that the US made it this far is an achievement in itself.

Torplexed · 06-28-09, 11:41 AM

I just flicked through all the cable sports channels I have. Didn't see this game being televised anywhere. It is any wonder soccer can't ever get more than a foothold of interest in this country.

SteamWake · 06-28-09, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

I just flicked through all the cable sports channels I have. Didn't see this game being televised anywhere. It is any wonder soccer can't ever get more than a foothold of interest in this country.

Probably on some obscure sattelite channel. The 'major' channels aint going to brodcast something that will draw a very small audiance.

Bort · 06-28-09, 12:09 PM

The game is on at 2 pm ET on ESPN.

nikimcbee · 06-28-09, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Now for the typical American response....."We have a national soccer team?"

rgr that.

My ethnic blood says: "Brasil uber alles."

But torplexed stole my thunder

Jimbuna · 06-28-09, 12:14 PM

You should all be proud of your teams achievements thus far. They are within a game of making football history which doesn't honestly suprise me when taking into consideration the fact that a fair proportion of them play in the English Premiership and many other top European leagues.

I wish them luck....Brazil have won plenty of silverware over the years.

goldorak · 06-28-09, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Now for the typical American response....."We have a national soccer team?"

maybe they should call it "national football team" like the rest of world does ?

nikimcbee · 06-28-09, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldorak

maybe they should call it "national football team" like the rest of world does ?

Never! That's blasphemy!

Torplexed · 06-28-09, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldorak

maybe they should call it "national football team" like the rest of world does ?

Throw in some cheerleaders and maybe I'll watch.....the cheerleaders.

VipertheSniper · 06-28-09, 01:57 PM

Congrats, you're leading 1:0

Edit: 2:0

Edit 2: 2:1 and from what I've seen a regular goal not given for Brazil

Edit 3: 2:2 now

06-28-09, 10:27 AM	#2
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,515 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	but then again, the referee, humm __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

06-28-09, 11:29 AM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	We will have to be pretty lucky to win against Brazil in Soccer/Football. The fact that the US made it this far is an achievement in itself. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

06-28-09, 12:09 PM	#9
Bort Grey Wolf Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Studying in Atlanta Posts: 919 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	The game is on at 2 pm ET on ESPN. __________________ GT Aerospace

06-28-09, 12:14 PM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	You should all be proud of your teams achievements thus far. They are within a game of making football history which doesn't honestly suprise me when taking into consideration the fact that a fair proportion of them play in the English Premiership and many other top European leagues. I wish them luck....Brazil have won plenty of silverware over the years. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-28-09, 01:57 PM	#15
VipertheSniper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 1,070 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Congrats, you're leading 1:0 Edit: 2:0 Edit 2: 2:1 and from what I've seen a regular goal not given for Brazil Edit 3: 2:2 now Last edited by VipertheSniper; 06-28-09 at 03:04 PM.

06-28-09, 10:50 AM	#3
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Now for the typical American response....."We have a national soccer team?"

06-28-09, 11:25 AM	#5
Max2147 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 714 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Anything could happen in this game. The US team is one of the most schizophrenic on earth. A few weeks ago this team got blasted by Costa Rica and barely squeezed past Honduras. Then at the start of the tournament we got spanked by Italy (led by an American-born teenager) and buried by Brazil. To get into the next round we had to beat Egypt by 3 goals and Brazil had to beat Italy by 3. In other words, it was a mathematical possibility, but 6 goal swings in soccer basically never happen. Of course, we all know what happened then. The US ate something magical for breakfast the day before the Egypt game, and a 3-0 win, together with a 3-0 win for Brazil put the US into the semis against Spain, where the US again played a great game to end Spain's record winning streak. We see glimpses of real brilliance from the US team every once in a while. In 1994 they beat Colombia and were reasonably competitive against Brazil. In 1998 they beat a full-strength Brazilian team in the Gold Cup. In 2002 they were a German handball away from the World Cup semis. In 2006 they matched Italy for a 1-1 draw in a brutally tough group stage game. But then there are also moments of despair. In 1998 the US was embarrassing at the World Cup. In 2006 we just needed to beat Ghana to advance, but we lost that game. So who knows what US team will turn up later today. It could be amazing, but it also could be embarrassing.

06-28-09, 11:41 AM	#7
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I just flicked through all the cable sports channels I have. Didn't see this game being televised anywhere. It is any wonder soccer can't ever get more than a foothold of interest in this country.