World Cup Matches of the Day; [R] 6/22/06

Aero · 06-22-2006, 11:17 AM

One more thing, where was Donovan? Did you see that free kick he took? I've seen players in the local D4 league take better free kicks than that. In fact, I don't think I've even seen anyone in the D4 league take one that bad. It was horrible. He was invisible the entire tournament. No wonder he came back to MLS. He simply can't hang with the big boys.

beaveman · 06-22-2006, 11:29 AM

OK, I've got to put my two cents in. The PK completely changed the game for the entire second half. Would the US have won, tied, lost otherwise? We'll never know. But here's how I see it. Ghana goes into halftime in the lead. All they have to do is hold on to that lead and they're into the next round. They played a completely different style of ball in the second half. If the match had been tied 1 - 1, they would have probably kept playing the same as the first half, because a single US goal would eliminate them.

Now, with US finishing, maybe the game would have still ended in a tie, maybe not. We'll never know. But I'd have to say the outcome of this game, and the entire cup for the US, was a result of three things - poor officiating, poor coaching (4-5-1 in all 3 matches??? questionable roster - O'Brien, no Twellman, etc., questionable subs - or lack thereof), and poor play by key players, especially Beasely and Donovan.

Deuce · 06-22-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero

One more thing, where was Donovan? Did you see that free kick he took? I've seen players in the local D4 league take better free kicks than that. In fact, I don't think I've even seen anyone in the D4 league take one that bad. It was horrible. He was invisible the entire tournament. No wonder he came back to MLS. He simply can't hang with the big boys.

I am with you on this Aero... as well as the Ref issue.
It was poor officiating but the USA lost the match all by themselves.

I knew we were done when late in the game, Donovan dribbled from the right... across the mouth of the goal, only the keeper between him and the back of the net, the keeper was out of position and Donovan passed it off to Olsen who immediately lost it!

Donovan had the shot and didn't take it!
That is when i started thinking about leaving!

The time wasted by Ghana rolling on the groubnd grabbing ankles when arms were touched... it was criminal... where were the yellows for time wasting!?!

montgjules · 06-22-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

I didn't know it was being talked about on BS it was just a feeling I had about it all.

Here's the most definitive-sounding post: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8711764&postcount=58

Here's the thread where it's discussed starting at post #45
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355261&page=2

fuegote · 06-22-2006, 11:38 AM

Olsen wasn't at fault for losing that ball, Landon took to long to decide to shoot or pass. Once he passed the Ghanarian defender was already there to steal it.

Aero · 06-22-2006, 11:42 AM

Landon had a clear path to goal. Why he didn't turn and take it is anyone's guess. Horrible, but typical for him in the World Cup, play on his part.

Burninator · 06-22-2006, 11:49 AM

The US had to win today, but unfortunately, we're still not good enough to play against 12 men. I truly think that PK broke us. Real teams like Brazil, Argentina, and the traditional European powers can usually play right through a bad ref, sometimes even through a bad PK call. We're not quite there yet.

Why no red on the Ghana defender that killed Convey's attack late in the second half? Why yellow? That was a harsh play, off the ball, and a blatant breakaway stop. Bastard ref.

SoccerPrime · 06-22-2006, 11:55 AM

We have probably seen the end of Pope, McBride, Reyna, Keller, Hannehman, Berhalter, Hejduk, Lewis & maybe Mastroeni in the WC.

Pretty sad.

clarette · 06-22-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

We have probably seen the end of Pope, McBride, Reyna, Keller, Hannehman, Berhalter, Hejduk, Lewis & maybe Mastroeni in the WC.

Pretty sad.

I'm not sad about that, personally.

SoccerPrime · 06-22-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

I'm not sad about that, personally.

Are you new to following USMNT? These are/were the stalwarts. These guys are US Mens soccer. Its like a generation dying or something. I am sad, I'll leave you to your own opinion I guess.

Its going to take awhile to get the idea of Reyna passing the captain's bad to Donovan and then watch Reyna sulk on the bench and Donovan screw up on the pitch. Sad day, really.