I will heading to the stadium in the next hour or so and I will not be able to "live" blog during the game because of FIFA rules. Feel free to post your thoughts pre-match, match and post game thoughts.
I watched the Spain - Uruguay game again on the plane this morning and the South Americans looked very good in going 2-0 up. But after that they really did show signs of falling apart and I don't think they have come close to playing that well again in the games against Jordan and Zambia.
Based on what I have seen during group play if the USA can control Uruguay's big guns Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez then I can't see how else Uruguay can beat them - with the one proviso that they don't come to the game over confident.
So let me see if I`ve got this right.
FIFA enforces rules to stop journalists blogging during games ,but they don`t enforce rules stopping goalkeepers from charging off their line before a penalty is taken!
..or Bobby you should add if the US defense doesn't shore up its frequent lapses. They have yet to be punished. I would prefer that tonight is not the night.
Of course we could just score SIX and say "hell, defense? A thing of the past!"
Last edited by nebulachapin on July 11th at 12:49 PM.
Great blog so far, Bobby! I've thoroughly enjoyed your coverage of the tournament to date. Interesting predictions as well: I agree with you on every game except Austria and Gambia, as the Gambians have not impressed me so far. Austria is not the strongest side, but if Hoffer can put away a chance or two, I think their defence should be able to hold off the Gambians.
Enjoy the U.S. - Uruguay game! It's a shame they won't let you blog from the stadium, but a match of that calibre should still be fantastic. I think the real highlight of the night will be the Spain - Brazil clash though.
P.S. If anyone is interested in checking out my full round of 16 predictions and rationales, you can do so at www.sportingmadness.blogspot.com: I'm doing daily updates for the duration of the tournament.
Oh, and nebulachapin: to me, the American defense has looked far better since Julian Valentin was replaced. I saw him get victimized several times by Tosaint Ricketts in Canada's 4-0 exhibition win over the US here in Kingston, and was frankly surprised he made the final American squad. He didn't impress me in the game against South Korea, either, and I think Sarkodie is a much better player.
OK...twenty minutes in. The USA is playing tight (as their coach appears) however the "professional antics" (read: diving) of the Uruguayan side have, to time, been the "lowlight" of the match. I've seen three "yellow card" turf-humpings been rewarded with dangerous free kicks...the referee has come our tightest of all (wake-up and call the game)...
Austria up at the half. Please let the USA win! It did not look good in the first half. We had a few attacks but we gave the several free kicks. These Uruguayans are great divers! The good news - the expended a lot of energy...
Not really sure how you can blame the keeper there, he made the initial save, maybe should have done better, but the right back was jogging and just watching the guy head it, if he had busted his #### back, then he could have easily cleared it.
Hockey commentator Bill Chadwick once said of NY Ranger Gene Carr "Carr couldn't put the puck in the ocean off of a pier"...Michael Bradley needs to finish his chances a few times...
What a shameful finish to this game, the Uruguay team are sore losers, what little I caught of the Uruguayan player being interviewed by somebody from Uruguayan TV, he said that they were robbed, that refs are always out to get them.
I've lost all repect for this team.
A disgraceful performance by the ref and many of the Uruguayan players. Whomever scissored tackled Altidore should have been sent off. At the end one player kicked Bradley in the bum. Good on ya US, you deserved the win against a talented Uruguayan side that was more interested in feigning injury and playing dirty, dirty football than winning.
Well USA didn't deserve to win, but that is a mark o####ood team, getting the result when they don't deserve it. My favorite play, that pass by Freddy Adu to Szetela, when he shot it but should have passed it. That is the stuff we need to see more of from Freddy, instead of the try and burn 5 players on the dribble.
Also was a big fan of Dax McCarty and his play at right back, reminded me of myself and how I played. Wasn't afraid to dribble out of trouble rather than just boot it out every time like Wallace does.
Last edited by therealrico on July 11th at 7:29 PM.
Wow, I think I need a shower after this game. I was about to crawl into the screen and strangle some of the Uruguayans (especially Caceres) along with the Uzbeki ref that was completely out of his element.
The way Uruguay came out to play this match is a complete and utter disgrace! And until a few minutes from the end it looked like they were going to be rewarded for their disgusting tactics. Constant diving, which was awarded with free kicks and rough housing of American players, which was not dully rewarded with cards. How Caceres stayed on the field is beyond me. The fact that he did not even get a yellow is unbelievable! He's the one who took out Altidore with a hospital tackle from behind and then tried to take out Perk with a studs up slide to his head. Perk, btw, had an excellent match. I was very nervous when I found out that Seitz won't play, but Perk stepped in and did great. There's no way he can be blamed for the goal. He actually made an outstanding save on the initial header and almost got the rebound.
I'm so happy that US managed to win this incredibly tough match and that the dirty Uruguayans are going home despite atrocious refereeing (clear PK on Adu too aside from everything else).
As far as the fight at the end... did no one expect this from this disgusting Uruguayan team? When the final whistle was about to go off I said to myself, "Here come the Uruguayans, gonna start a fracas". Sore losers. Good riddance.
THAT WAS CRAZZZZZZZY! i loved bradley gesturing the final score to cardaccio "2-1" "2-1" with his hands after the scuffle...i could care less how shakey the team looked tonight, just glad to see them advance! USA! USA! USA!
If we're talking about diving, let's not forget that Szetela dropped to the ground and writhed in false agony after a minor, minor elbow.
Both teams played poor. But I will take the result. Wallace was our best player. Even though McCarthy played well, we took Zizzo off too soon. We had trouble creating chances.
Agree with all on the nature of the match...need to ensure that there is no let-down and move on to the final four (a great two-way runner however Bradley should have made it 3-1 in extra time with the open header)...
Gangatore - Glad to see that you think that I do make sense sometimes :)
Seriously, like I said before I try to analyze everything as thoughtfully and objectively as I can and debate issues in a constructive and respectful fashion. As long as I get the same in reply no one seems to have any problems with me.
Pfava - Yes, Szetela took a bit of a dive there, but as you pointed out it WAS a slap. The Uruguayan player should get a card in that situation just for intent, even if he didn't connect.
As for the game being of poor quality... It is obvious to me that Uruguayan coach decided that his team could not compete with the US in an open, flowing match and instructed his players to use every trick in the book to get the US off their game. They have succeeded with the help of an incompetent ref. What they did not succeed in is winning the match, which I could not be happier about. Even if I were neutral I would be very happy at Uruguay's loss because such ugly tactics should not be rewarded.
I also don't understand why their manager decided to stoop so low. They're a good team and could have given the US a game without using every dirty trick in the book.
Now off to watch Spain - Brazil. That should be a great match. Poor Spain... I feel bad for them. You play well in the group stage only to be "rewarded" with Brazil in the first knockout round.
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