LittleHurt05 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:06 AM) Ok, then I dont want to see you jacked up about Illinois football improving incrementally. Haha. You win the internet today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruth05 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 10:52 AM) The US did well. Internationally they received a pretty good amount of respect with their showing. The US really does not have the technical skill to compete against the best teams on a daily basis. That being said, you never know what will happen. Goaltending is part of the sport, it is the one position where the US has historically been good. So the fact the US relied on good goalkeeping is part of the game. Just like if a baseball team wins because of a good pitcher etc. US soccer will be a thing, not everyone is a bandwagon/frontrunner. You root for your team, but some of us are realistic and dont drink the kool aid. There is no shame in the US performance, and its not about "trying hard". They made it through the group stage in a group with 3 other respected teams. There were many teams that were far more established, who were unable to do that. Making it through your group every World Cup is the start, at that point anything can happen. (edit) How is the loss to Belgium "unacceptable'? They went to extra time and lost to a team that was considered around top 5 in the world. I like this post, I think it sums up the US World Cup pretty fairly, honestly though Belgium isn't a top 5 but it was definitely a very,very talented team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:06 AM) Ok, then I dont want to see you jacked up about Illinois football improving incrementally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 8, 2014 -> 08:40 PM) I love it when you use logic. It doesn't happen very often so enjoy it when it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 09:56 AM) ...in a loss. Which was somehow celebrated. They won 1 of 4 games, and got absolutely dominated in their last game. If not for goaltending, that would have been a 7 spot as well. The whole "they tried hard!" mentality needs to go before US soccer can be a thing. Well it was celebrated because they got out of their group...the group of death. No one wants the US to stop getting better but they've continued to get better and better on the international stage and overall this World Cup should be seen as a success. Doesn't mean we'll be happy just getting out of the group next WC. Edited July 9, 2014 by Rowand44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 09:21 AM) Well it was celebrated because they got out of their group...the group of death. No one want the US to stop getting better but they've continued to get better and better on the international stage and overall this World Cup should be seen as a success. But we shouldn't watch or care until our team can win it all. This is a multi step multi generational process to move ourselves into being an elite contender on the world stage. The success of this cup should continue to improve our chances and what Jurgen is doing in my mind will help move US soccer forward. I really expect our team to turn into an attacking, ball control team. That was the style they were turning into until Jozy went down and in 4 years we should actually have a few different potential young offensive options in Julian Green, Jozy, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruth05 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:20 AM) I always admire this GIF for being a damn near perfect loop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiness42 Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 For the US to really start getting better WC results, the #1 goal has to be getting and maintaining a Top 7 ranking which gets you seeded in a World Cup. 7 of the 8 seeds advanced, with 5 reaching the quarterfinals and 3 reaching the semifinals. Aside from the obvious of developing better players, there are some ways that scheduling can help achieve this goal: 1) Convince CONCACAF to switch the Gold Cup from every 2 years to every 4 years. Between two Gold Cups plus WC qualifying in a four year cycle, that's way too damn many games against s***ty CONCACAF teams. Replace one of the Gold Cups with an 8 team invitational tournament involving the US, Mexico, plus two teams each from UEFA, CONMEBOL and CAF. Ideally you get teams ranked in the 15-25 range--low enough that they are beatable but high enough that it improves your schedule strength. 2) Get as many friendlies as possible (and even make a few of them full international matches) against top 25 nations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 09:34 AM) For the US to really start getting better WC results, the #1 goal has to be getting and maintaining a Top 7 ranking which gets you seeded in a World Cup. 7 of the 8 seeds advanced, with 5 reaching the quarterfinals and 3 reaching the semifinals. Aside from the obvious of developing better players, there are some ways that scheduling can help achieve this goal: 1) Convince CONCACAF to switch the Gold Cup from every 2 years to every 4 years. Between two Gold Cups plus WC qualifying in a four year cycle, that's way too damn many games against s***ty CONCACAF teams. Replace one of the Gold Cups with an 8 team invitational tournament involving the US, Mexico, plus two teams each from UEFA, CONMEBOL and CAF. Ideally you get teams ranked in the 15-25 range--low enough that they are beatable but high enough that it improves your schedule strength. 2) Get as many friendlies as possible (and even make a few of them full international matches) against top 25 nations. Personally I think you have missed the boat. This has more to do with getting our players out and playing in the premiere leagues and that is something Jurgen continues to push, although not all of our players have taken full advantage of it. I think we will see more of our young talent playing overseas in the top leagues. I realize there is a place for the MLS as well and the quality of the league is getting better, but it is still not the place that our top players should be playing. With Donovan in the shadow, I think more players will look to Jozy / Clint / Tim Howard, who have spent good chunks of their careers overseas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:06 AM) Ok, then I dont want to see you jacked up about Illinois football improving incrementally. Depends what your expectations are. As I've said countless times, I don't expect Illinois to regularly compete for B10 titles right now. So, improving incrementally when you are at rock bottom is great. If they go 3-9, you think I'll be jacked up? I think the USMNT and soccer fans have higher expectations than just showing improvement or trying hard, having close losses and "never giving up" etc. Maybe I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:53 AM) Depends what your expectations are. As I've said countless times, I don't expect Illinois to regularly compete for B10 titles right now. So, improving incrementally when you are at rock bottom is great. If they go 3-9, you think I'll be jacked up? I think the USMNT and soccer fans have higher expectations than just showing improvement or trying hard, having close losses and "never giving up" etc. Maybe I'm wrong. Illinois football has a better history of success than USMNT soccer. Incremental improvement and player development is all we have going with really no history of ever being successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 09:53 AM) Depends what your expectations are. As I've said countless times, I don't expect Illinois to regularly compete for B10 titles right now. So, improving incrementally when you are at rock bottom is great. If they go 3-9, you think I'll be jacked up? I think the USMNT and soccer fans have higher expectations than just showing improvement or trying hard, having close losses and "never giving up" etc. Maybe I'm wrong. So you say USMNT soccer fans. Are you basically indicating you aren't a fan and thus are just in here trying to stir the pot? I think USMNT fans are looking for continuous incremental improvements during each 4 year cycle and understand the way this process works and that it is a long-term plan. This is not something that happens overnight. I think the first step was moving away from Bob Bradley ~4 years ago and I think Jurgen will continue to change and push the needle in the right direction and then in another 4 years someone else will likely take that torch (although I suppose he could stick around for 3 cycles...although that is extremely rare, the US is looking to change an overhaul culture that takes such an extended period of time). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruth05 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:37 AM) Personally I think you have missed the boat. This has more to do with getting our players out and playing in the premiere leagues and that is something Jurgen continues to push, although not all of our players have taken full advantage of it. I think we will see more of our young talent playing overseas in the top leagues. I realize there is a place for the MLS as well and the quality of the league is getting better, but it is still not the place that our top players should be playing. With Donovan in the shadow, I think more players will look to Jozy / Clint / Tim Howard, who have spent good chunks of their careers overseas. And this his how countries like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia,Uruguay ie are always giving great World Cup showings, they have great programs for kids to get them started early in football and they get scouted in European club programs at early ages. Overseas soccer is where the US needs to continue to pipeline players, that's the key to sustaining and improving World Cup performances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 11:57 AM) Illinois football has a better history of success than USMNT soccer. Incremental improvement and player development is all we have going with really no history of ever being successful. I get that, but in the past 20 years? Illinois has been one of the worst programs in any major conference. Expectations have been well adjusted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 12:02 PM) I get that, but in the past 20 years? Illinois has been one of the worst programs in any major conference. Expectations have been well adjusted. Hey, stop calling them indiana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiness42 Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 Personally I think you have missed the boat. This has more to do with getting our players out and playing in the premiere leagues and that is something Jurgen continues to push, although not all of our players have taken full advantage of it. I think we will see more of our young talent playing overseas in the top leagues. I realize there is a place for the MLS as well and the quality of the league is getting better, but it is still not the place that our top players should be playing. With Donovan in the shadow, I think more players will look to Jozy / Clint / Tim Howard, who have spent good chunks of their careers overseas. Notice at the top of my post I said, "aside from the obvious of developing better players." Getting players onto better clubs in better leagues is how you develop the better players, but doing better scheduling for the USMNT is how those better players get the team's ranking up. Nate Silver's SPI does take into account where players play professionally, but the FIFA rankings don't, and those are what determine getting seeded in the WC. Regardless of how good the team is, playing more games against European and South American nations and fewer against Jamaica, Panama and Cuba is how the US gets their ranking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox_Sonix Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 10:51 AM) They played pretty well against Germany. Certainly better than Brazil. They played terribly against Germany actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruth05 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Pretty tight game, kinda sloppy and the rain ain't helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexSoxFan#1 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Damn, Argentina should try their hardest in deciding the game before PKs, Krull is a PK stopper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexSoxFan#1 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Good, Holland used up their last sub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiness42 Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 Good, Holland used up their last sub Why would they do that in a game that seems headed for PK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexSoxFan#1 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 05:22 PM) Why would they do that in a game that seems headed for PK? Great question. I think Holland have better PKers, every kick vs Costa Rica was unstoppable. I hope I'm wrong, for my wife and her family's sake lol Edited July 9, 2014 by MexSoxFan#1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexSoxFan#1 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 9, 2014 -> 01:08 PM) If Melo goes back to NY this will all be a huge waste of time Wow. First time ever for pks in a semi and the best pk team loses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenryan Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Only way I can see Argentina winning is if they win 1-0. I dont think that is going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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