World Cup 2014

[jterrell]

Johansson to me is a better player than Altidore. That looked a sore one for Dempsey, glad he seems to be ok to continue.

Aron is a 10 and Jozy is a true 9. Very different beasts.

 

[jterrell]

i really dont. The only way i see Portugal not making it is if they lose to USA

Portugal has almost no shot UNLESS they win the remaining two games.
the 4-0 loss means they are virtually guaranteed ot lose ALL tie breakers.

Portugal is a good team but they are missing key pieces and timing; thus right now aren't very good.

Germany is really good but any team that could have won by 5 or more goals is playing a vastly inferior team.

 

[jterrell]

Great game. Ohoa is a god. The midfield for Mexico dominated forcing alves to defend. Took him out of the game. Mexico average..yeah right

Mexico, playing in this weather, should be a tough out for anyone but Ochoa is hardly consistently playing at that level.
That was flatly outstanding but Mexico was no where near as good over the course of the game as Brazil.

Mexico probably is average in context of this world cup field but it has advantages to where the games are being played and in the draw.

I have said in any number of threads they could do really well... and that was 3 head coaches ago.

 

[jterrell]

Also The US basically needs a draw or win versus Portugal to lock up next round.

5 points is what I had projected and I still believe we see them with 5 or 6.

If Germany beats Ghana they will play many reserves in the US game.

 

[CATCH17]

Portugal has almost no shot UNLESS they win the remaining two games.
the 4-0 loss means they are virtually guaranteed ot lose ALL tie breakers.

Portugal is a good team but they are missing key pieces and timing; thus right now aren't very good.

Germany is really good but any team that could have won by 5 or more goals is playing a vastly inferior team.

And if they didn't have Ronaldo then they wouldn't be much of a worry at all.


Hopefully Fabian and Zusi can keep him locked up.

 

[JBS]

I'm going to go out on a small limb and say that spain will not win today... I followed south American qualifications relatively closely and this Chile side is very tough. I might be putting the cart before the horse here, but i think this is the end of this spanish squad.

They won't be gone for long though. .. Tons and tons of young talent there

 

[LatinMind]

Mexico, playing in this weather, should be a tough out for anyone but Ochoa is hardly consistently playing at that level.
That was flatly outstanding but Mexico was no where near as good over the course of the game as Brazil.

Mexico probably is average in context of this world cup field but it has advantages to where the games are being played and in the draw.

I have said in any number of threads they could do really well... and that was 3 head coaches ago.

This group of players it has is just won everything they have been put in since the U20. I think thats why they play so good when they are put together. Thats why they had struggled some after the plympics because the coaches they were getting were leaving these guys off the national team for alot of the friendlies and other games.

 

[CATCH17]

I'm going to go out on a small limb and say that spain will not win today... I followed south American qualifications relatively closely and this Chile side is very tough. I might be putting the cart before the horse here, but i think this is the end of this spanish squad.

They won't be gone for long though. .. Tons and tons of young talent there

I don't think you're off on this. Chile could definitely beat Spain. This is going to be a fun game to watch.

I love how they high press and have all of those attacking options. They play like fire ants.

 

[LatinMind]

I'm going to go out on a small limb and say that spain will not win today... I followed south American qualifications relatively closely and this Chile side is very tough. I might be putting the cart before the horse here, but i think this is the end of this spanish squad.

They won't be gone for long though. .. Tons and tons of young talent there

This spain is going to come out with a chip on their shoulder.

 

[jterrell]

This group of players it has is just won everything they have been put in since the U20. I think thats why they play so good when they are put together. Thats why they had struggled some after the plympics because the coaches they were getting were leaving these guys off the national team for alot of the friendlies and other games.

Mexico's issue is still scoring goals.
But these kids do play together and stay compact defensively.
It is a very good group.
I'd like them better in 4 years but truth is this being in South America is a huge advantage they should take advantage of.
If the kids stay in the Mexican league they will likely stagnate.
At the same time they don't need to follow Chicarrito to a big pay day and bench.
But some Euro League with playing time.

Will be interesting to see them face a strong 9 up front.
That was what Brazil lacked tho scoring opps were plenty.

 

[LatinMind]

Mexico's issue is still scoring goals.
But these kids do play together and stay compact defensively.
It is a very good group.
I'd like them better in 4 years but truth is this being in South America is a huge advantage they should take advantage of.
If the kids stay in the Mexican league they will likely stagnate.
At the same time they don't need to follow Chicarrito to a big pay day and bench.
But some Euro League with playing time.

Will be interesting to see them face a strong 9 up front.
That was what Brazil lacked tho scoring opps were plenty.

The midfield has been their weakpoint, but they just seemed to have put it together in a short time. They completely took Alves out of the game by making him virtually a defender. Another weak spot used to be Dos Santos willingness to drop back be challenge in the midfield. He has been all over the place and i love that. Thats something chicharito wont do.

Dos Santos is playing with Villarreal and scored 11 goals on 63 shots this past yr. pretty good. I agree with you about 4 yrs most of the core of this team are 23-25 yrs old. They might be better players then but i think theyre chance to make noise is this yr.

Reyes 21
Layun 25
Moreno 26
Ponce 25
Herrera 24
Fabian 24
Aquino 24
Jimenez 23
Dos Santos 25
Hernandez 26

 

[LatinMind]

Aussies making some noise today

 

[jterrell]

The midfield has been their weakpoint, but they just seemed to have put it together in a short time. They completely took Alves out of the game by making him virtually a defender. Another weak spot used to be Dos Santos willingness to drop back be challenge in the midfield. He has been all over the place and i love that. Thats something chicharito wont do.

Dos Santos is playing with Villarreal and scored 11 goals on 63 shots this past yr. pretty good. I agree with you about 4 yrs most of the core of this team are 23-25 yrs old. They might be better players then but i think theyre chance to make noise is this yr.

Reyes 21
Layun 25
Moreno 26
Ponce 25
Herrera 24
Fabian 24
Aquino 24
Jimenez 23
Dos Santos 25
Hernandez 26

I am a big Dos Santos fan and have been for a few years.
He has a lot of tools and if he will work on both ends the sky is the limit.

Not as familiar with Reyes or Jimenez but the hype is real with both.

 

[JBS]

RUMORS swirling...Ronaldo OUT for the rest of the world cup

 

[joseephuss]

The midfield has been their weakpoint, but they just seemed to have put it together in a short time. They completely took Alves out of the game by making him virtually a defender. Another weak spot used to be Dos Santos willingness to drop back be challenge in the midfield. He has been all over the place and i love that. Thats something chicharito wont do.

I think the first game against Croatia also had something to do with Alves being more defensive against Mexico. He got caught up field too many times against Croatia leaving the center backs in tough spots. I'm sure Brazil went into the Mexico game with the plan for Alves to stay back a bit more.

Hernandez is a poacher. He isn't a creator like Dos Santos. Hernandez has to play up top as much as possible to be effective while Dos Santos can move about the field.

 

[jterrell]

RUMORS swirling...Ronaldo OUT for the rest of the world cup

if he is out portugal has their excuse lined up and may well finish 4th in this group.

 

[jterrell]

I think the first game against Croatia also had something to do with Alves being more defensive against Mexico. He got caught up field too many times against Croatia leaving the center backs in tough spots. I'm sure Brazil went into the Mexico game with the plan for Alves to stay back a bit more.

Hernandez is a poacher. He isn't a creator like Dos Santos. Hernandez has to play up top as much as possible to be effective while Dos Santos can move about the field.

It is very interesting because Alvez is used to the old Brazil style of all out attack football that Barca also used. Now he is being charged with more man marking and while he is more than capable the impact is less noticeable than when he charges forward every possession making insane crosses.

 

[jterrell]

BTW, I still love Belgium as finalists.

I think yesterday was a great game for helping them grow up.
They were by far the better side but early mental lapses and a parked bus require true maturity.
The fact they kept at it and dominated possession 70/30 for so long until they equalized then walked off was a great sign.
Lukaku was double and triple marked. He has to resign himself to that being life for a true 9.

I love watching Hazard man, that kid is so class in every way.

 

[LatinMind]

LOL omg Aussies looking to shake it up today

 

[LatinMind]

Netherland ties it up quick. That was a hair from being offsides