World Cup - who ya got?

by Big50 on Jun 7, 2010 4:46 PM CDT

Let's be honest, there's only so much off-season talk we can have while the Spurs are waiting for Free Agency to start and the draft, and hopefully Splitter, to get here. So, as a break from all of that let's take a look at the biggest sporting event in the world. I'm a huge soccer (I'm from Texas and that means I call soccer, soccer, and American football, football) fan. I love the international game, the Champions League and most any soccer. I don't get to see a lot of soccer outside of what ESPN decides to air (and what I can find around the interwebs), so I also get super amped for the World Cup.

via blogs.timeslive.co.za

It's 1 month of some of the best soccer you could hope for on the world's biggest stage. More people watch the world cup than any other sporting event. It's huge. I figure that since we've got folks from all over we can get a good WC chat going about what people's favorite teams are looking like, who we all hate or love and who's going to win it all. Join me for some great soccer banter to get this summer started.

Here is the Nike commercial that should get you a little pumped up for the games:

So here are the current FIFA rankings:

Ranking	Team	Pts May 10	+/- Ranking Apr 10	+/- Pts Apr 10
1	Brazil	1611	0	0
2	Spain	1565	0	0
3	Portugal	1249	0	0
4	Netherlands	1231	0	10
5	Italy	1184	0	0
6	Germany	1082	0	-25
7	Argentina	1076	0	-8
8	England	1068	0	0
9	France	1044	1	0
10	Croatia	1041	-1	-11
11	Russia	1015	0	12
12	Egypt	967	1	0
13	Greece	964	-1	-4
14	USA	957	0	7
15	Serbia	947	1	3
16	Uruguay	899	2	-3
17	Mexico	895	0	-41
18	Chile	888	-3	-60
19	Cameroon	887	0	0
20	Australia	886	0	3
21	Nigeria	883	-1	0
22	Norway	882	0	3
23	Ukraine	875	2	20
24	Switzerland	866	2	12
25	Slovenia	860	-2	0
26	Israel	857	-2	0
27	Côte d'Ivoire	856	0	10
28	Romania	853	0	10
29	Turkey	830	4	32
30	Algeria	821	1	0
31	Paraguay	820	-1	-2
32	Ghana	800	0	-2
33	Czech Republic	793	-4	-34
34	Slovakia	777	4	35
35	Colombia	776	-1	-1
36	Denmark	767	-1	0
37	Sweden	761	0	4
38	Honduras	734	2	7
39	Bulgaria	711	0	-29
40	Costa Rica	710	2	4
41	Republic of Ireland	709	2	19
42	Gabon	700	-1	-7
43	Scotland	699	1	15
44	Ecuador	694	-8	-69
45	Japan	682	0	8
46	Latvia	652	0	0
47	Korea Republic	632	0	13
48	Burkina Faso	611	4	22
49	Venezuela	608	0	3
49	Lithuania	608	-1	-8

In my opinion you've got to figure that Spain and Brazil are probably the favorites. Spain, the reigning Euro champs are loaded and confident. Argentina and the Netherlands are both super talented, but have their issues. From what I read, because I'm no expert, the two top teams are the most complete. Argentina has the talent to go all the way, the question with them is their manager. Maradona, considered to be one of the greatest players ever, has not been a big hit as the national team coach/manager.

The US, ranked 14th, have injury issues, losing Charlie Davies to injuries sustained in a car accident last year and having their best defender Oguchi Onyewu coming off of a knee surgery. There is a whole list of injuries that the US is trying to overcome before their first match against England on the 12th of June. Here is a look at the US' roster for the World Cup:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (2010), Marcus Hahnemann (2006, 2010), Tim Howard (2006, 2010)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (2006, 2010), Jonathan Bornstein (2010), Steve Cherundolo (2002, 2006, 2010), Jay DeMerit (2010), Clarence Goodson (2010), Oguchi Onyewu (2006, 2010), Jonathan Spector (2010)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (2002, 2006, 2010), Michael Bradley (2010), Ricardo Clark (2010), Clint Dempsey (2006, 2010), Landon Donovan (2002, 2006, 2010), Maurice Edu (2010), Benny Feilhaber (2010), Stuart Holden (2010), José Torres (2010)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (2010), Edson Buddle (2010), Robbie Findley (2010), Herculez Gomez (2010)

As you can see, lots of first timers in the bunch. They've got speed, a good mix of veterans and youth, but there are questions. The back line (a.k.a. the defense) has several guys coming back from injury and haven't played really well in the friendlies leading up to the big match on Saturday. The US beat Austraila 3-1 last Saturday in their final tune-up game. The US looked good with the ball and not so good without it. Hopefully, they get everything ironed out before the huge match with England this weekend.

This is what I would be wearing if attending the US / England match

So tell me about your team. Who are they, who are you rooting for and against? I have to say that I hope Italy falls flat, I'm their biggest fan. I would like to see strong showings from Honduras and Mexico. I'm really interested in Argentina and how they'll do with all their distractions. Let's get amped for some World Cup!

(UPDATE) For those of you who don't care about the World Cup and even for those of you who do, check out this very funny article from Cracked.com.

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Comments

I guess this shows how ignorant I’ve been of the sport for the past few years, but I’m really suprised to see Croatia in the top 10.

Free Tiago Splitter!

by Tim C. on Jun 7, 2010 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

Its really a surprise there. The rest of the top 10 is pretty much what you expect, the usual suspects.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 7, 2010 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

What about Portugal? Number 3?

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 7, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I do find that surprising as well. They’re good, but that good? Of course I’m not sure who I’d put above them at this point.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

a low surprise…..portugal has been historically good and the last years pretty damn good

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe it’s because of Ronaldo’s ads that’s thrown off the FIFA people.

Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.

by silverandblack_davis on Jun 8, 2010 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Im argentinean….and I hate to say this but for the first time on my life im thorn about my national team. On the one side, soccer is huge for us, and people would be really happy to win something, even if we suck at economy and a lot of other important aspects of a country. But on the other side, winning the world cup would justify so many wrong things that has been done lately with the national team. I HATE MARADONA. let me rephrase it…..i hate that people love maradona. He is not a bad guy at all, but he represents almost everything that’s wrong about sport atlhletes outside a court. He is treated like a god here…and that is SO wrong. As a role model, he fails big time. Winning a championship would put him over all other important people that really made a difference (well…he is already there I think). He would be treated liek a real hero, all while taking the spotlight from the players that played and won the games. I dont know.
ill be cheering for my country, but something doesnt smell right for me. I wont be enjoying it as much. Think about the Spurs trading Manu for Kobe and hiring George Karl as a coach….if we win a championship would you celebrate? probably yes, but it wont be feel that good.

And besides, Maradona sucks as a coach. Being the best player ever doesnt make you a good coach/manager (think michael jordan)

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 7, 2010 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

+1 Do you imagine any other coach not taking Zanetti to the WC!!!

Plain stupid.

by buky on Jun 7, 2010 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions

You mean the same Zanetti that was question endlessly by just about everyone at one point or another?

Look, buky, I wanted Zanetti to go, but he wasn’t as much of an easy choice as you seem to believe. He has been part of the national team since… 1994? And he’s been showing his age in the second halves.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 7, 2010 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions

He really showed his age while winning about every championship possible with Inter this year.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions

360000000 euros in combined salaries will do that for you.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh come on now….all those big time clubs spend like crazy. ManU, Chelsea, Inter, Madrid, Barca all spend a ton.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

And they all win their local leagues, and fight head to head for the CL. It’s a best-of-6 tournament these days.

My point was, Inter isn’t what it is because of Zanetti.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

But he played at the highest level of European football, he played in the Italian championship, the EUFA Champions League and whatever the hell the Italian cup is named.

How many effing matches is that? You think Mourhino would play him if he wasn’t performing?

He also currently holds a club record of 149 consecutive appearances. 8

The guy at 36 is probably in better shape than most players in the world.
I’d respect the decision if it came from someone who knew what he was doing.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Someone who knows what he’s doing?

Like Pekerman, you mean? Whose virtues you extol further down and who didn’t take him to the 2006 WC because he thought his time with the national team was over?

I think Zanetti’s the best 4 in Inter. Mourhino has to play him.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 9, 2010 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Milito didn’t play either in 2006, the point is they both had great seasons this year. I mean really, who would we be losing? The football genius that is Palermo? We have attacking players to spare, I just don’t see what the downside was to bringing Zanetti in.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 9, 2010 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

I completely agree with you there. But what is the upside of bringing Zanetti in when you’re set on playing 4 center backs anyway? (which makes sense considering how short the rest of the team is)

The player I believe should have been brought in was Cambiaso. In my opinion, his probably better than any midfielder we have right now. But those decisions weren’t no-brainers. And I doubt they will cost Argentina the title.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 9, 2010 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions

As I said above, I wanted Zanetti to go. My point is that it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that he had to go, and that there was a heated debate about it.

I’m with Edg5 in that Cambiasso would’ve been a much better second 5 than Volatti. But hey, we can second-guess ad nauseum, and it won’t change the fact that the players chosen are the best ones we have, give or take a player or two.

Whether they can play as a team is another thing altogether.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 9, 2010 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Well you’ve convinced me not to root for Argentina

"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo

by Manuwar on Jun 7, 2010 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh-huh.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 7, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Imagine LeBron James in 30 years as a coach/manager of a national team. That would be Maradona.

"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010

by Kondor on Jun 7, 2010 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions

You’ve lost it.

Either you don’t know much about Maradona and his relationship with the national team and the country in general, or you simply hate him because he’s an uneducated drug addict who’s been forgiven for his many sins.

Maradona as LeBron… Wow.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 7, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Maradon is a lot more “geniune” and sincere….that’s the only thing he is better than Lebron.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Okay. Now list the similarities.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I think a guy you could relate Maradona to is Iverson but with 1000000 times more talent (after all, maradona was the best ever and a proven winner at all levels, while iverson was just a volume scorer who submarined his team chances)
Both always gave their all while playing. Both came from tough upbringings. Both are not the most intelligent guys out there. You cant question their hearts. But you can question their attitudes.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Not a bad comparison, but you won’t find a teammate that speaks badly of Maradona. And he wasn’t a selfish player, at all.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Great players. Tons of talent. Questionable personality. Seen as a king-like or even a god-like in their country.

"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010

by Kondor on Jun 10, 2010 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Great players. Check.
Tons of talent. Check.
Questionable personality. Hmm. I like Diego, despite his flaws. LeBron is just a douche. Questionable why?
God-like. LeBron doesn’t even compare.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 10, 2010 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions

He does owe 37 million Euros in taxes back in Italy, that’s pretty douchy.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 10, 2010 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw in the news a while ago that Maradona got a diplomatic passport and how happy he was about it. I immediately thought “man, he’ll use it to smuggle drugs”. Check.

I think, all this media frenzy around Bron’s free agency is pretty sick (we hear about “summer 2010” for how long now? 2-3 years non-stop?). If this doesn’t compare, I can only imagine how sick Maradona-craziness must be. Check.

"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010

by Kondor on Jun 11, 2010 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Kondor hates Maradona. Check.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 11, 2010 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t really hate Maradona. I kind of dislike him. I kind of disliked the goal he scored with his hand. I kind of disliked that he called it “hand-of-the-God goal” afterward. I cannot deny that he was an amazing talent. Just not my type of the guy.

"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010

by Kondor on Jun 16, 2010 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions

He didn’t call it that. Other people did.

He’s a good guy.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 16, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

-10 for calling it “soccer”, philistine.

Maradona isn’t a good coach, but I don’t understand why you hate him so much. He’s a good guy. A flawed one, but fundamentally good. A good parent, a good son, and someone who always gave it his all for the national team and just about every other Argentine cause he’s been ask to support.

Yes, he was in a drug-induce fog for many years, but he was an addict, with the pressure that comes from being one of the most popular people in the entire world bearing down on him. How about some leniency and understanding for a guy that came from the utmost poverty and was put under the brightest spotlight without any education or help?

In you analogy, who’s “Manu” and who’s “Kobe”? Is Maradona supposed to be George Karl? Really? Do you forget about the many times Maradona put the team before just about everything else? He played infiltrated, with his body breaking down, just because of his love for our jersey. Question his coaching skills, but not his love for Argentina. His dream ever since he retired was to coach the national team. Did you expect him to say no when asked? If you have to be mad at someone, be mad at Grondona, not Maradona.

Is he to blame for how much people love him? Meh.

I hope Argentina wins. Period.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 7, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe im a little tired of hearing so much about Maradona. But as I said, I dont hate him that much, I hate more the fact that people give him “god like” status while a guy like manu gets a lot of crap for skipiing one tournament. So he gets berated just because he took a break of like 15 years of playing for the national team……..meanwhile Maradona was suspended in the middle of a world cup for using drugs…..
Yes he is a passionate guy, yes que has gave it his all for Argentina. I’ve never questioned the guy heart. But a lot of better coaches, guys who know their stuff, that had real experience got yanked in favor of a guy who already gave us an historical lose (against bolivia….do you think that would have happened with any other coach?).
The Spurs with kobe was just an example of how a championship will feel great but not THAT great if some people were invovled. To me Maradona represents so many wrong things about Argentina (and some goods ones). I want a pekerman, a Bianchi leading the national team. Heck someone mentioned Bielsa….at least we were real contenders, its not his fault the team decided the wrong time to play like SHIT. Now we are depending on Messi “fullfilling” his destiny as the next Maradona to bail us out.

Maybe you are right, I should direct my anger elsewhere. Its the people’s fault, Grondona’s fault that Maradona is being put in that situation.

And if its not clear: Yes I want us to win….but it will feel like 50% less satisfying ….still a lot to be happy if we win the damn thing

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Maradona was suspended for using ephedrine, and it was proven that it: a) didn’t provide him any unfair advantage; b) wasn’t his fault. And wasn’t he the one that came to get us into the WC that year, with that miracle against Australia? We begged him to save us, and he delivered.

I agree with you, Chilai: he’s not a good coach. But for all the God-like status people keep bringing up, he gets mountains of crap from everyone. I also want Bianchi, but not because he’s a good person (doubtful) but because he’s a good coach. Let us not lie: we just want to maximize our chances.

In Messi I trust.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions

what im trying to picture is a bigger point: how much damage would cause winning a world cup with Maradona? He is a good guy, but one that makes terrible mistakes. I dont want a person like him having power, being used as a role model, being treated like a god. Because as Peter parker says, with great power comes a great responsability (sorry I couldnt resist).

I dont know what happened with Bianchi. Dude is a fuckin genius. He is in Pop/Phil jackson territory of greatness. If he never gets a shot at coaching the national team then we failed badly.

I dont trust Messi at all. Give me Carlos Tevez every frickin day.
If Messi had Tevez heart……he would be Maradona.
I just dont stand the guy. In Barcelona he is the best player in the world. For argentina he is just invisible.
(now that i think it………if you divided maradona in two you would get Messi and Tevez….seriously….)

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

It’s just that Maradona already has what power he’s likely to achieve – the one granted by the love of the people. In fact, he has everything to lose by having a World Cup, and very little to gain.

Maradona = Messi + Tevez? Brilliant, except that you need to throw Riquelme in there, because neither can pass like Maradona.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

you are right!
damn diego sure could play some

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Maradona is a terrible coach and he just got his job because I guess being famous now qualifies as experience to coach one of the world elite teams.

I sort of feel the same way as you, if we win, it will all be about the genius of Maradona. But then again, God damn I want to win this. So much heartbreak over the years.
The Netherlands ending our chances in ‘98, the disaster that was the 2002 World Cup, and Germany….God damn it that team could’ve gone all the effing way if not for some fucking penalties. The game we played against Serbia & Montenegro during that world cup was pure beauty. I really wished Pekerman would’ve stayed on as our coach instead of a guy who thinks being a coach is walking around looking serious and then just cursing the press for some perceived slight.

Anyway, I can’t help but rooting for Argentina, but I don’t think we’ll go that far. With the players we have though, who knows. They’re all winners in their respective clubs and they might be able to overcome Maradona’s coaching.
You know who I’d like to coach our team? Yes, Chile’s hero, Bielsa. If Maradona gets another chance for being a druggie then Bielsa should get another chance for the 2002 world cup.

I guess as long as Brazil or England don’t win it, it won’t be so bad.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions

You know who I’d like to coach our team? Yes, Chile’s hero, Bielsa. I

For a second I read “Chilai’s hero” XD

I will root for my country no matter what. But I will have to turn off the TV, radio and internet for a couple of months, because it will be all about maradona….if im a politician I would chose that time to do shaky things, no one will notice.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I knew the Argentinians would bring it in this post. I bet y’all make it pretty far. The talent is there for sure.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

in Argentina football >>>>>>>>>>>(multiplied by 10’2931209’19’12)>>>>>>> everything else

Our country just freezes during the world cup. I could run naked in the streets that no one would notice.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I love it, but I’d probably still call the cops on you if you came by my house. So it’s a little different here.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

The fuck are you talking about? Bielsa got another chance: in fact, he was going to be our coach for 2006. And then he quit right after winning the Olympics.

I love Bielsa, I always wanted him to continue as our coach. But he screwed us in 2004, when he left midway through his contract because he was tired of the press. Why didn’t he leave after the 2002 fiasco? He finally found a team that played beautifully and won in 2004, and then left Pekerman with less than 2 years to prepare.

By the way, this line is shit:

Maradona is a terrible coach and he just got his job because I guess being famous now qualifies as experience to coach one of the world elite teams.

Mind you, he isn’t a good coach, but he didn’t get his job because he’s famous. He got it because he once was the best player in the world, a wizard during World Cups, and people believe that can translate to a winning coach. Might be misguided, but hey – we haven’t won with the “good” coaches, either.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

he was selected because he was the best ever. And by being the best ever you get a lot of chances to do a lot of things, specially at the sport you excelled. Its misguided, but people and teams keep falling for it.
The best coaches/managers are the ones who were never good at their sport, or were just “marginal” talent. Because their ability was so limited, they had to play more intellingetly, they had to think more, they had to use their brains to get chances. Think of the best NBA coaches…..Jackson, Popovich, Larry Brown…..how good they were at basketball? They were certainly good (jackson and Brown played in the nba after all) but far from being stars. Now think about the best gms…..in most cases they never played in the nba.
Now think of the best players (jordan, Bird and Magic) that tried to GM/coach…..THEY SUCKED big time. Being good doesnt make you a good judge of talent. If im looking for a future coaches, I would be looking at the hard working players that had to use their smarts to make it to the league. I would be looking for the Eric Snows and shane battiers of the world. Kobe and lebron would fucking suck as coaches. Duncan would be too distracted scribbling D&D things on the clipboard. Manu would get several technical fouls for getting in the court and stealing the ball. Tony is french.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I don’t know shit about Maradona or anything like that but Larry Bird did a great job coaching in Indiana. His Pacers were the only team to ever take Jordans Bulls to a 7 game series during their title runs.

"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo

by Manuwar on Jun 8, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Pele isn’t the best player ever?

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Oldest argument ever.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I was hoping for something a little more vehement and full of anger. : )

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

no, manu is the best player ever

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

TIMMY is the best ever , Manu is the coolest !lol

by quiet_storm21 on Jun 9, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Jerry West was a pretty good GM.

by doggydogworld on Jun 8, 2010 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

And by being the best ever you get a lot of chances to do a lot of things, specially at the sport you excelled. Its misguided, but people and teams keep falling for it.

Just like Michael Jordan and the Bobkittens.

Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.

by silverandblack_davis on Jun 8, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you this worked up about anything Manu…soccer is king, huh? : )

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s the WC, B50. :)

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 8, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I know, I know.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

He got it because he’s the best player in the world AND he’s recognized as such. Who in Argentina doesn’t know him? If players got the job for being the best then why didn’t DiStefano get a shot at coaching the team back in the day?

Pretty much every coach Argentina has had has gotten burned out from dealing with the press, you know why Maradona is coach now? Because he doesn’t give enough of a shit about the press to quit. So we got a rookie coaching the national team because the guy is worshiped and has connections, that’s Argentina in a nutshell.

About the Bielsa thing, I meant as if they would ask him again to coach. Who else are we going to get? Bianchi has said no a bunch of times. Hell, let’s follow everyone other major national team and let’s get a foreign coach. Maybe they won’t know enough about the press and they’ll take the job.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions

So we got a rookie coaching the national team because the guy is worshiped and has connections, that’s Argentina in a nutshell.

That’s the world in a nutshell. Last time I checked Michael Jordan was given a GM position based on nothing more that who he was as a player.

As for the press thing, it’s true but only because the same people are all over the media. There are guys that have 2 TV shows, a radio show and are asked to give their opinions on the news. That allows them to basically mold the public opinion to their liking and put more pressure on coaches and players that don’t pander to their whims. See Bielsa, Marcelo.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 8, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Di Stefano simply wasn’t interested in coaching the national team. Look, he wanted to be Real Madrid’s coach, and he got the job. He wanted to coach Boca, and he also got it (with no credential whatsoever, mind you). Then he came to coach River! He could do anything he wanted, and did so.

We have Maradona because some of the most experienced coaches failed completely and utterly, and Basile (another was-there-did-that) quit a year and a half before the WC. There weren’t many good coaches eager to grab the hot potato that was Argentina, and many people asked for Maradona.

And well, I like Bianchi and Tolo Gallego. Cappa too.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 9, 2010 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Bianchi doesn’t want the job, Gallego I like too but we’re gonna have for the next one for that. The thing with the national team I think it’s once and done, once the coach see what it’s like there’s no way in hell they want the job again.
Pretty soon you start running out of coaches.

Hey at what time are you guys getting the matches?

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 9, 2010 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I really REALLY don’t like Gallego. Gallego has thrown his players under the bus time and time again and doesn’t seem to display much tactical knowledge. As for Bianchi? that guy has had a lot of chances to get the job and has declined. Plus he’s a bigger arrogant jerk than Diego.

I like Cappa but how do you think he would fare in a predominant Bilardista media environment?

I LOVE Maradona, the player. I’ve learn to live with Maradona, the person (I find all the sycophants around him more annoying than him). And I really don’t like Maradona the coach. But let’s not pretend that Argentina missed out on a great coach by giving Diego a chance.

The first match against Nigeria I believe it’s on at 11 AM.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 9, 2010 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions

6:30 am here, FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUU

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 9, 2010 1:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Hm. Well, Bianchi doesn’t want to coach the team while Grondona’s the boss. I also think he’s arrogant, but I can’t blame him for hating Grondona.

Cappa would be eaten alive, I know, but I’d have another coach I can be proud of for 4 years, like in Bielsa’s days. That’s something.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 9, 2010 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions

11 AM, 8 AM and 3 PM.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Jun 9, 2010 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Tiago Splitter

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 7, 2010 9:39 PM CDT reply actions

Messi is a motherf5ng wizard. That is all.

Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.

by silverandblack_davis on Jun 7, 2010 11:09 PM CDT reply actions

Good point…but can he do what he does for his team for his country?

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

that’s the big question. Right now the answer is a rotund NO.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m taking the L.A. Galaxy. They have David Beckham and Donovan McNabb. The best 2 soccer players in the world.

I'm not saying something is wrong, but something isn't right.

by SinCitySpur on Jun 8, 2010 12:34 AM CDT reply actions

Those Shaolin Soccer kids are pretty good too.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 1:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I’ll go for ~~the Spurs~~ Brazil!

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Jun 8, 2010 2:13 AM CDT reply actions

:cough:frontrunner:cough:

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

you seem to have a bad case of cough, I have Strepsils, you want?

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Jun 9, 2010 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Brazil and Argentina(Since it is like a Cinderella story with all their issues.) to the Finals.

For Sale:Anyone interested with Spurs SF Richard Jefferson? Then just pick up your phone and dial 781-452-0659.Oh,wait its the rejection hot line.(Just joking,we're stuck with him,let's deal with it that we got no other SF and I guess he is much better than what he is showing us.)

by tp_09 on Jun 8, 2010 11:06 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah, that’s like saying Boston is making a Cinderella run.

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Paul Pierce can be a good Cinderella, being a drama queen and all that.

In Manu, we trust.

by day_late_friend on Jun 8, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions

A better Cinderella than LeBrick.

by tp_09 on Jun 10, 2010 4:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Check out this funny article from cracked.com

by Big50 on Jun 8, 2010 4:12 PM CDT reply actions

love that site ;)

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jun 8, 2010 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Hilarious. The US team jersey is all kinds of awesome.

Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.

by silverandblack_davis on Jun 8, 2010 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah that’s high quality comedy there

by Big50 on Jun 9, 2010 8:45 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Hilarious. And some many great one-liners.

It’s common to see an elite player, at the first sign of a tackle, go hurtling to the ground as if he was just shot by a Pussy-Ray.

Led by their coach Drago Madonna, himself a champion from Argentina’s legendary football/cocaine squads of the 80s

And my favorite:

I suspect that an awful lot of quality can be derived from a focus on quantity. It’s like putting a chimpanzee in an old folks’ home and locking the doors. Sure he’s going to terrorize some old people. But if you get him drunk first, you’re guaranteed to get a lot more terrorizing, even if that terrorizing is somewhat less coordinated. And I think there’s some very real value in that.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 8, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions

As an American who cares about Soccer, I’m pulling for the US. Will we win? I think we have a chance. I think we can score on just about anyone, and I think from a talent standpoint this is the closest we’ve ever been to even with the rest of the world (although realistically its still not close enough). I think our greatest strength is our flexibility. We have guys that can drop back and play different positions on the fly. While I doubt we win the whole thing, I think we beat England 3-2 on Saturday, make it out of group stage, and probably win at least 1 more. I think Tim Howard is a top 5 keeper and he will at least partially make up for the backline not being very solid right now. I think our midfield is also one of the strongest in the cup.

If the US can’t get it done, I’m pulling for Germany. I lived there for 2 years, my Uncle is half German, and while we were stationed over there the German people were some of the classiest and most hospitable i’ve ever met. With Ballack’s injury, though, their midfield looks week and everything is going to have to go through Schweinsteiger and Lamb.

If neither team can get it done, I’m pulling for anyone playing against Portugal, France, and Italy. The Italians and Portugese are a bunch of dirty cheating floppers, and the French don’t deserve to be there.

Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis

by SpursfanSteve on Jun 8, 2010 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

The Germans always get it done. No one pays attention to them, all the flashy attacking teams get the attention, and just like that, the Germans are in the semis. Too bad they’re not that good at winning finals.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 8, 2010 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I’ve always liked the US soccer team for some reason. It probably has to do with the criminally underrated talent of Donovan.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 8, 2010 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions

i think he could play anywhere on the field and produce. He’s just good. They had a special on ESPN about US soccer, and how we’ve developed schools and stuff now like Europe has, and they said that Donovan went to the school but that it didnt matter. They could have locked him in a closet for 5 years and he still would have been good.

Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis

by SpursfanSteve on Jun 9, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s good to have another US fan Steve. I completely agree with your assesment of our team. I’m not as confident about the England match as you, but I’m hopeful.

by Big50 on Jun 9, 2010 8:35 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions