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Old 06-26-2010, 02:38 PM
cured
sikk
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: the \/\/
Posts: 554
Re: FIFA World Cup 2010
Well, time for something semi-long winded by a yank...

We don't have world class strikers (and Jozy played horribly today). There is a sea change in how excited people are around here, though. It's a national pride thing that I'm excited to see happening. It's a funny thing that the US was expected to win this game, quite the change from 1994 (when I first started watching the World Cup) when we were just shit all around and miraculously made the second round.

We're going to get better from here. A lot of our key guys are young and will be there in Brazil for 2014 (I know I'll be there for sure). The MLS is getting better as a league and our 20 and under teams are competitive in worldwide tournaments.

It's a disappointment to be out but we didn't deserve the win today, not the way we had those first or last touches going in for a chance. But we aren't the weaklings we used to be. Spain knows we don't suck. Our expectations for the team are getting bigger and that's drawing more Americans into the game.

I absolutely love the World Cup play. Draws may not bring in many casual fans but even American footballers will say they enjoy the "game within the game" and that's where the real meat of this sport is. What's been wonderful is to see so many friends cursing and celebrating as the game progresses...it's important to them. We aren't going to be on the level of the top European teams for another Cup or two but our level of improvement from 1994 or even 1998 has been amazing. We're helped out by the fact that our players are starting to get invited to Europe more and our MLS season starts in the summer, so our national team players are fresh without the injuries of a long season and can better build team chemistry.

I've noticed a lot of teams have risen to bridge the gap between the world powers and the average nobodies (New Zealand's Paston has been the best keeper in the tournament thus far, IMO).

As far as the US team, you can only play like shit in the first 15 minutes of a game and go behind early so often enough before it bites you in the ass. Tonight our asses got bit by a very good Ghana team. But I like how, even when teams play with a defensive mentality in the second half with their leads against us, we can still create chances that get our hearts pumping.

We aren't going to be La Furia or the Azzurri or anything but we can be us and we aren't too shabby at this game, perhaps you guys can agree.

Can't wait to wake up tomorrow at 7am and see England and Germany go at it!