Location: Cola, South Carolina MoFo Status: Teh Black
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World Cup Talk
Quote:
U.S. faces Italy, Czech Republic, Ghana in tough World Cup draw
December 9, 2005
LEIPZIG, Germany (Ticker) - In 2002, the United States nearly made the semifinals of the World Cup. Next summer, it may be fortunate to escape the group stage.
The U.S. was placed in Group E - arguably the most loaded of the eight - along with Italy, Ghana and the Czech Republic when the draw was announced Friday. Italy, the U.S. and the Czechs are three of the top 12 teams in the FIFA world rankings.
The Americans just missed out on being one of the eight seeded teams, so they knew they would face at least one excellent squad. But the Czechs are extremely dangerous, boasting star midfielder Pavel Nedved and goalkeeper Petr Cech, while Ghana largely is an unknown.
The U.S. will play the Czechs first in Gelsenkirchen on June 12, then Italy on June 17 in Kaiserlautern, then Ghana in Nuremberg on June 22.
"It's definitely a tough group," said American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. "We have one of the toughest groups of the World Cup.
"For me, personally, I thought Czech Republic was one of the best teams in Europe for the past two or three years. They definitely will be a hard opponent for the opening game. Italy's always tough,; they have a lot of history. Ghana, they're a very good African nation ... they have (Michael) Essien from Chelsea, they have a lot of good midfielders that can play."
Host Germany heads Group A with Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.
England tops Group B and faces Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden. The English are coached by a Swede, Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Argentina leads a difficult Group C that also has Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and the Netherlands. The Dutch are ranked third in the world but are not seeded.
American archrival Mexico is the seed in Group D and meets Iran, Angola and Portugal.
Defending champion Brazil plays Croatia, Australia and Japan in Group F.
Group G is headed by France, which meets Switzerland, Korea and Togo.
The weak Group H consists of Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
In 2002, the U.S. posted a shocking 3-2 victory over heavily favored Portugal in its first match, then tied host Korea, 1-1, before surviving a loss to Poland to advance to the second round, where the Americans beat Mexico.
The U.S. then lost to Germany in the quarterfinals, 1-0, despite outplaying its opponent for most of the match.
But the Americans have a much tougher group this time. With a game looming against powerhouse Italy, the U.S. likely will feel lots of pressure to beat - and not just tie - the Czechs. A draw against Italy would be considered a great result before the group finale against Ghana.
Even if the Americans were to advance out of the group stage, they likely would finish second behind Italy, meaning they would face the winner of Group F - almost certainly Brazil - in the second round.
Anyone going to be keeping track of how the Americans are progressing?
__________________ Hendrix
"Have you heard of the chain of command? It's the chain I beat you with until you realize that I'm in command" - Firefly, Jayne. Affirmative Action MoFo
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Anybody hate Brazil for winning it all the time? Personally, I've always gone for the Mesicans. USA soccer needs a jumpstart. Why is it that soccer is the most popular sport in other countries? Americans are fast paced and hate waiting for a gooooooooooooooooaaaaallllllllll. It's surprising that there are more TV programs about fishing and hunting than soccer.
i will be following them. isnt ESPN going to be showing all of the world cup games? I have a sports package with a soccer channel on digital cable. i get games from all over the world. i hate having to pay just to watch a soccer.
Location: Cola, South Carolina MoFo Status: Teh Black
Posts: 2,641
I thought they did great in the last world cup and I'm hoping for at least quarter finals again
__________________ Hendrix
"Have you heard of the chain of command? It's the chain I beat you with until you realize that I'm in command" - Firefly, Jayne. Affirmative Action MoFo
Signature edited to please Scoot
TBH, Italy is on another level compared to the other teams in the bracket. The U.S. will be lucky to clinch second place. Brazil doesn't always win the cup... What about France in 98? That was some great shit.
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