World Cup Match Thread (Day 5 & 6)

[Muskie]

Monday (Freedom Day)

12:00 Germany v. Portugal

3:00 Iran v. Nigeria

6:00 United States v. Ghana

Tuesday

12:00 Belgium v. Algeria

3:00 Brazil v. Mexico

6:00 Russia v. South Korea

[Muskie]

http://youtu.be/2uEpcfonkt4

[nuts4xu]

It will be tough to get work done with that Germany vs. Portugal game. That should be a fun game to watch.

Germany can win the whole thing, and to start off having to play the POY and Christiano Ronaldo in the first game will be a tough first test.

[xubrew]

It sucks that I'll have to miss most of Germany v Portugal. I'll get to see bits and pieces of it, but not the whole thing.

I think we tie Ghana, beat Portugal and lose to Germany. I'm not completely floored by Portugal's team. (Now that I've just said that, they'll probably go on to win the group and make the semis).

Ronaldo is perhaps the best player in the world, but the rest of the team isn't exactly world class. I think the best they can hope for today is a tie against the Germans. Most likely, they won't even get that.

[nuts4xu]

Ronaldo is perhaps the best player in the world, but the rest of the team isn't exactly world class. I think the best they can hope for today is a tie against the Germans. Most likely, they won't even get that.

Their defense is very good. Pepe is a bad ass, about as tough and good as you will see patrolling the box. Fabio Coentrao is also solid and Nani has become a legit midfielder. The rest of the team may not be world class, but they are pretty friggin good. The US will have a chance against them, but Germany is world class top to bottom of their roster so we will see how good Porch is today.

[ammtd34]

I think the best case scenario is a HUGE Germany win and we take 3 points any way we can get them.

[Titanxman04]

Cannot wait for the USA game tonight, but the Germany and Portugal game will be a treat. Anyone in Cleveland looking to get together for it?

[xubrew]

Their defense is very good. Pepe is a bad ass, about as tough and good as you will see patrolling the box. Fabio Coentrao is also solid and Nani has become a legit midfielder. The rest of the team may not be world class, but they are pretty friggin good. The US will have a chance against them, but Germany is world class top to bottom of their roster so we will see how good Porch is today.

Full disclosure, I don't watch every game. I can't. I love soccer, and I do follow all the qualifying, but there is only so much work that I'm able to blow off. But, on the days that I did catch them they didn't seem to be as good to me as everyone else seems to think they are. I did watch the two games against Israel. I know Israel isn't bad, but I don't think they're any better than us. I saw most of the send off game against Mexico. I know it was a friendly, but they still didn't look unbeatable.

I'm not questioning their talent at all. I'm questioning how well they'll actually play. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make it out of the group, and either us or Ghana did.

But, I didn't see all the games. Perhaps I just caught them on bad nights.

[ammtd34]

Cannot wait for the USA game tonight, but the Germany and Portugal game will be a treat. Anyone in Cleveland looking to get together for it?

Check this out. My friend started it a few years ago. It's really useful if you're out of town for a big match.

http://wrongsideofthepond.com/wsotp-soccer-pub-atlas/

[xubrew]

Pepe is off. Straight red. Don't have to worry about him now.

We're going to beat Portugal!

[Boro Muskie]

Damn, Germany look good and Pepe is a farking idiot. Have a nice tournament a-hole.

[nuts4xu]

Nice to see the US won't have to face them with Pepe, that is HUGE. They also lost Almeida for the game, could be out for the US game as well.

This is one way to advance to the next round...have one of the teams face lose a chunk of starters.

[STL_XUfan]

I am not sure if that game could have gone better for the US's chances. Portugal loses a key starter (maybe 2) and dig themselves a 4 goal hole in the goal differential. This Ghana game is huge.

[PM Thor]

I just have always loved the way Germany plays. Granted, I'm not a huge FUTBOL fan, but, damn, it seems that team just doesn't change from year to year. Just so clinical. Deutshland uber alles!

[ammtd34]

I am not sure if that game could have gone better for the US's chances. Portugal loses a key starter (maybe 2) and dig themselves a 4 goal hole in the goal differential. This Ghana game is huge.

A win today and tie vs. Portugal would likely see us advance.

[Boro Muskie]

Based on todays performance, if we can't beat Portugal maybe we shouldn't advance, they looked awful. Germany has a way of doing that to other teams though. Regardless, we have to get the win tonight and I think it will happen!

[GoMuskies]

Are we supposed to cheer for Iran now that they're an ally?

[DC Muskie]

Based on todays performance, if we can't beat Portugal maybe we shouldn't advance, they looked awful. Germany has a way of doing that to other teams though. Regardless, we have to get the win tonight and I think it will happen!

I've never been impressed with Portugal ever. Throughout the years they have great individual pieces here and there, but collectively they never rise to the occasion. If we jump on them early they will fold, like they did today.

[bleedXblue]

Well losing Altidore is a kick in the nuts, but win and advance at this point.

Not sure the young kid up front is ready to play. If I'm Klinsmann, I look to move things around a little up top.

[drudy23]

Well that was exciting...i'm guessing there will be some sore American futballers tomorrow.

[Muskie]

Well losing Altidore is a kick in the nuts, but win and advance at this point.

Not sure the young kid up front is ready to play. If I'm Klinsmann, I look to move things around a little up top.

He was a non-factor once he came in. Maybe they start Wondolowski up top. But he's a different kind of striker.

[DC Muskie]

Great win, we stole that fucker.

I'm hoping Johannson breaks out of whatever mental slump he was in today. Wondolowski is not the answer at forward.

[gladdenguy]

Are those the best soccer players this country has to offer??

[LA Muskie]

Are those the best soccer players this country has to offer??

No. One was in LA looking like a stiff on ESPN.

[LA Muskie]

Based on todays performance, if we can't beat Portugal maybe we shouldn't advance, they looked awful. Germany has a way of doing that to other teams though. Regardless, we have to get the win tonight and I think it will happen!

Portugal let their emotions get the best of them. But they're not nearly as bad as the result. At least not at full strength.

[ammtd34]

Are those the best soccer players this country has to offer??

You know Ghana is really good, right? Plus, they played a style that is AWFUL for us to deal with. No one else will play like them.

[Kahns Krazy]

I managed to go on media blackout until I got home to watch the game at 11:00 on the DVR. It is really hard to watch the long stretches of soccer when there is nothing going on when you know there is a button under your thumb that will make it go faster.

Stunning win after giving that goal up at 82'.

[ammtd34]

I managed to go on media blackout until I got home to watch the game at 11:00 on the DVR. It is really hard to watch the long stretches of soccer when there is nothing going on when you know there is a button under your thumb that will make it go faster.

Stunning win after giving that goal up at 82'.

Discipline. Nice.

[DC Muskie]

Brilliant goal by Belgium.

[DC Muskie]

Simply fantastic run by Belgium. Pretty good match.

[ammtd34]

This World Cup could not have been better so far. This is unbelievable stuff.

[DC Muskie]

1 minute in. Two fouls on Mexico and them placing the ball about 20 feet back from where the foul was.

God I hate Mexico. Brazil needs to destroy them.

[xubrew]

I with it was Panama instead of El Tri.

[DC Muskie]

maaaaaannnnnnnnnn Just a bit outside.

[DC Muskie]

Fuck these announcers. That should have been a yellow on Brazil? They took out Neymar's legs from behind.

[MADXSTER]

Mexico / Brazil is one dirty game. Wow!

[DC Muskie]

Mexico / Brazil is one dirty game. Wow!

Well Mexico is playing!

[ammtd34]

Ochoa had a ridiculous half.

[MADXSTER]

Rode him like a horse

[Porkopolis]

Ochoa was simply amazing today. Mexico earned that point.

[LA Muskie]

Ochoa was simply amazing today. Mexico earned that point.
Wow. Ochoa with the performance of the tournament so far.

[DC Muskie]

F Mexico.

[Boro Muskie]

F Mexico.
and the horse they rode in on...

[GoMuskies]

F Mexico.

I think I'll adopt Mexico as my favorite team now. Well, behind Iran, of course.

[nuts4xu]

F Mexico.

Who, Ron Mexico?

[DC Muskie]

Who on earth put together group H? What a terrible group of teams.

Alexi is obsessed with coach's salaries. What an asshat.

[DC Muskie]

Here's hoping Ballack punches Alexi in the face.

[STL_XUfan]

The Russian goalkeeper will soon be applying for asylum in Brazil.

[LA Muskie]

He just get let off the hook. (Proverbially and, quite possibly, literally...)

[94GRAD]

The Russian goalkeeper will soon be applying for asylum in Brazil.


I hear Siberia is beautiful in the spring

[SM#24]

F Mexico.

And now F Brazil for letting Mexico pick up a point, and worse, feel good about themselves. So, I guess Croatia is now my 2nd favorite team in the tournament.

[SM#24]

Mexico / Brazil is one dirty game. Wow!
Yes, everyone did look like they could use a shower, ba-dum...thank you, I'll be here all tournament.