Zathras

Hiddink is a short-term miracle worker. If someone can pick up where he's left off, so much the better, but I doubt he's laid any groundwork for future development.

what about for Host nations that don't play a competitive match? 152561[/snapback] Fair point, actually, but as the main thing that these rankings are actually used for is seeding and the host nations are granted a seed automatically, I think that this should even itself out.

Stat-tastic! Spoken like a true American. 152546[/snapback] Stat-tastic to point out that we've got a winning record? Brilliant! That's how we'll do things from now on, we won't look at points or goals for records, we'll just go on gut feeling! 152549[/snapback] I was just referring to the way you delivered the stats, reminds me of those US sports commentators who are obsessed with statistics. Yours was a valid point, I wasn't having a go. 152555[/snapback] Our commentators are shit. You lot like to complain about Motson, Wright and Lineker but I'd give my right nut to have that kind of quality over here. I usually have to watch the matches on mute.

They have little bearing as it is, especially those in CONCACAF. CONCACAF friendlies count for 10% less than UEFA friendlies and friendlies count less than continental championships, world cup qualifying or world cup. The real culprit is the Gold Cup, which is CONCACAF's championship. The US and Mexico always send a "B" or even "C" side, and invite other teams in order to try to make it competative, but it is what it is.

Stat-tastic! Spoken like a true American. 152546[/snapback] Stat-tastic to point out that we've got a winning record? Brilliant! That's how we'll do things from now on, we won't look at points or goals for records, we'll just go on gut feeling!

Only if you start a "I'm jealous of the US because I can't be so flamboyant outside of San Fansisco" campaign. 152520[/snapback] That wouldn't really be a campaign, would it? 152521[/snapback] Fair enough, admit it and I'll change my sig.

Only if you start a "I'm jealous of the US because I can't be so flamboyant outside of San Fansisco" campaign.

US plays more games because of the way the qualification is set up in the region. 3.5 spots is ridiculous, but it won't go below 3, seeing as FIFA has a financial interest in having the US and Mexico qualify every cup. 2.5 might be a bit low considering there is usually one team of enough quality to compete at the cup besides the US and Mexico. How you consider the Green Rats the better side I'll never know--the US has them 7-2-1 in their last 10 meetings, the two losses coming in the Azteca where Mexico has lost once in some 50 years. Not a good showing for CONCACAF in this cup, but hardly suprising with a weak TnT side somehow getting in and Costa Rica being a shadow of their usual selves. The US got a dreadful draw--given the way it panned out, one might argue it's as bad as the Argentina-Holland-S&M-Ivory Coast group. Ghana is better than the Ivorians and S&M hardly showed me anything.

Jesus of Montreal. Interesting 1989 Sundance film-festival award winner. Would recomend it if you get a chance to see it.

Should send Merk with him.

They usually play gash teams like Venezuela in nothing friendlies which up their ranking. Fucking repulsive - especially as they have a half decent coach. 152473[/snapback] The rankings are a joke and we all know it, still not our fault. The players showed absolutely no heart except against Italy. We absolutely dominated right up until we reached the runup to the cup when we stopped playing decent teams and looked very poor. This US team has a history of playing up or down to the opposition and they played down to their friendly opponents and carried it into the cup. On the other hand, if that penalty doesn't get called all the momentum is swung our way and Ghana can't spent 45 minutes with 10 men behind the ball and wasting time on the ground like they did. Very disappointing result from both the players and the officials.

True we played well below what we're capable of, but I'd like for once not to lose on a completely bullshit penalty.

Yeah, yeah, you said Rooney wouldn't be fit and he is. On this evidence I reckon we'll see Owen by September. 151677[/snapback] September 2007 you mean?

Not watching as I'm at work, but rooting for Portugal and Angola.

For centuries Christianity has taught its deciples that the world is against them. In the 21st century (and most of the 20th) the greatest threat to christianity is christians.

Oguchiala Onyewu of the USA. (Nickname "Gooch" or more likely "Gooooooooooooch") Otto Addo of Ghana

Robben got booked for diving in Hollands first game. EDIT: second game. 150804[/snapback] I didn't see that one. I'm sure there have been a few, but not as nearly many as there should have been. 150807[/snapback]

To be fair, that's what people are arguing FOR most of the time--to take the ambiguity out of the games. And when they do do that, they get lambasted for it being 'robotic refereeing' or being brainless. Time to decide what you want.

You could always burn it....

Of course, this was called a foul on Pope. At least this was correctly called.

I thought he got the ball in real time, and had my original view confirmed with slo-mo. Face it, if it had been Gerrard or Parker you'd be screaming for the referee to be hanged.

Because even if he got the ball, it was a reckless challenge, worthy of a caution. But he did get the ball. I watched it several times in slow-motion on High definition.

Mastroeni's tackle was horrible and he clearly went for the player instead of the ball. 150225[/snapback] As I said, he got the ball. Deserved a yellow though. 150250[/snapback] That angle makes it look like he got the ball, but he clearly didn't and it was a horrible, potentially leg breaking tackle. 150259[/snapback] He did, I can get other angles if you want, and I do think it deserved a yellow, but you can see that the second leg isn't involved in the tackle until it's well over and doesn't hit the Italian player. No way it's a red in a match where the referee isn't looking to give the Italians a make-up call. Nor if it's an Italian player.