OT - USA v. ARG Copa Semi-Final Pre-Game Open Thread
Kickoff is at 9:00 pm EST.
I know few around the boards are soccer (sack-ah) followers. For those that are, you're undoubtedly aware of the Men in Blazers. For those who aren't, they are pundits that take a borderline satirical approach to reporting on the game and state of the sport in the US by combining American enthusiasm for all things American with the other football and throw in an excessive dose of hyperbole.
All that to say, the US are facing Argentina, and though I fully expect the US squad to get torched, I would suggest for those who aren't fans of the sport, give this one a watch, it promises to feature "the Best Player in the World against the Best Player in the World named Kyle."
-- Suggestion for I believe Brian who hates the 1-10 rankings after soccer matches, I'm with you in loathing those rankings. I far prefer more subjective metrics: England are Pants.
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that we will win!!
USA USA USA!!!
Go USA
posting this to all the Euro threads? I love that it's relevant here and I chuckled upon seeing it. +1 good sir.
I refuse to comment on an open thread for the "pre-game"...wait oh crap!
I know, right? Language is a tricky thing. Call it something that most will get, yet risk pissing off those immersed in the culture. It's a lose-lose. Ah well.
We just need to give Messi an ol right there fred and we have a real chance
The Man, The Myth!
-his face is like a brick wall!
-a brick wall that feels pain and cries alot
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Cannot stop watching! The Beautiful Game!
haha! I bet he won't try to block anyone from throwing the ball in in the future!
haha! I bet he won't try to block anyone from throwing the ball in in the future!
Must watch over and over
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The shallow response to this notwithstanding, your scenarios are not what is in discussion here. Someone who lived their entire lives in France and moved here a year ago for work is not suddenly going to switch sides.
But going the smug, "I'm too enlightened to root for my own country" route by someone who has lived in the US their whole lives is silly. Especially when it comes to rooting for national soccer teams.
unless USMNT somehow find a way to contain Messi which is pretty much a futile task.
Best chance of USMNT winning this one is to bunker down and defend, defend, defend until you can counter. I'd be okay with a 0-0 draw with PK deciding the game because I don't think USMNT can beat Argentina straight up especially when you have 3 players suspended for tonight's game.
I'm not sure what I'd prefer more - a closer match parking the bus or an open thrashing. Personally, I have always favored free-flowing action. I think it's especially needed in this game since, for soccer in the US, there is an alternative that is worse than losing--being boring.
but the objective is to win at all cost. If it has to be boring then so be it.
Not sure that would do much for soccer in ithe US. No one will care if you win if it is boring. Hell, people can't stand Chelsea for this very reason.
It would be the biggest win since USMNT beat Spain 2-0 in the confederation cup semi-final. USMNT, of all teams, broke Spain's 35 games unbeaten streak.
Spain went on to dominate the next two years.
To me the key tonight is how does Argentian play? Do they come out and press the entire field or do they sit back and give the US some room on the US's defensive side of the field. Chile put the full field press on Mexico and Mexico crumbled. If Argentina comes out pressing the entire field the first touch and passing of the US is going to have to be spot on or it won't matter whether the US is parking the bus or not.
Argentia is excellent at pressing. Their strength is in their attacking front 5-6. I would think that putting an attacking lineup out there would help to relieve pressure and push the focus to the middle third of the field. The best way to defend Messi is to deny him the ball in the first place, and that only happens if you can control midfield.
I think you throw caution to the winds, take the game to their end and hope you can get a fluky goal or two to offset their inevitable scoring. Then pray you make it to penalties.
Wowww, a Page 2 link. That was peak Simmons popularity (or should I say likeability, no one had tired of his formula yet). Anyway, my head says 3-1 Argentina, I hope my head is stupid.
More concerning was that in the article it mentions the match was Steven Gerrard's World Cup debut for England. What the heck? Was 2006 that long ago?
I love when soccer makes an appearance on this site! Keep up the great week!
Oh and USA! USA! USA!
I could read about Michigan Football and Soccer anytime and I am happy. I played college basketball, and I honestly couldn't give a crap about NBA, and college hoops is ok.
I agree. I went to an MLS game and drove back home during game 7 of the NBA Finals. I still love college basketball, especially Michigan!
5 hours before the start of the game? Next thing you know we'll be doing football open threads in July . . . .
But would it really be that bad?