Im going to have to go with my heritage here and root for Ecuador. Theyve got some powerful forwards.
Also, the reason why the US sucks at soccer is because football is our main focus. I played soccer for 14 years and theres basically a glass ceiling on the sport. I mean, I traveled the nation playing, but once you get to high school it slows down, and then after high school and in college theres nowhere to go afterwards. Same with track. Track is huge in the world other than in the US. I guess I pick the crappy US sports.
So far Spain, Argentinia and Germany are the teams that impressed me.
Actually I hope germany wins because in my opinion we have a great team with a group of coaches - but I'm also very disappointed that the Cote d'Ivoire could not reach the finals, the way they've played was awesome!
But look at the your team, the way the oranjes play atm is just boring! I like Robben and Van der Saar is a good keeper, but the wm 06 matches were really disappointing. I watched a lot of the matches of your team in the past because the powerfull and brazil-like way of moving the ball was awesome (man, f.e. kluivert was awesome!)... - but now?
in light of the American's shocking insistance on suckage, I'll continue cheering for the KNVB. those in the know will understand.
as for the suckage by the US, it will continue until the sport reaches the inner-city. the vast majority of atheletes in American sports come from the inner-city and lower-middle class areas, but soccer is a predominantly upper-middle class sport here. until the US can find a way to tap the source for atheletes with the abilities of NBA and NFL stars, we will continue to be mediocre. Imagine if atheletes like LeBron, Kevin Garnett, D-Wade, TO, Randy Moss, etc had grown up playing football with their feet? I doubt there are too many top-flight soccer players who can run a 4.3 40 or jump 4 feet.
OH MAN GO AUSTRALIA!!!!! The Croatia v Australia game was amazing!!
Bring on Italy. Interesting fact: Italy crumbled to South Korea last World Cup and now they are playing Australia. South Korea 2002 and Australia 2006 are both coached by the same man - Guus Hiddink.
but the Dutch played a large role in helping set the record for most cards in a game and in a WC. the referees would never have acheived the numbers if not for every teams ultimate effort. jeez: twenty cards in one game, that ref just killed his international career.
although I respect the guy who cleared off the pile of Portugese guys from over his injured teammate all rugby style. gotta stick together. I think it might've been Cocu. anyway, it was a poor result. hitting the inside of the crossbar was killer.
it was Andre Ooyer , but i must admit i am ashamed by the horrible match both the dutch and the portugese showed to the world, if soccer has to be played like that to win , i'd rather loose...
what happened to the nice attractive fluid game that the dutch teams used to play. Marco van Basten was a great player , but he sucks at being a coach
Not only that, but the game itself as well!
To my opinion there's a difference between following the rules, as he did, and killing a game. Van Basten said in an interview that out of the 45 minutes of the second half, only some 20 had actually been played...
Italy were VERY lucky. Aussie should have made it into extra time.. Was a great dive from that Italian- he might make a career of diving once he stops playing football.
Yes, Australia were ROBBED! There is no other way to say it...what a crock. And with like 10 seconds to go no less! Bah. I hope Italy get thumped by Ukraine.