http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/tim-howard-wikipedia-united-states-secretary-of-defense

I think Tim Howard is awesome, and it would have been a blowout if he had played anywhere near average.

I do not find setting a record for the most saves in a World Cup(tm) game to be anything other than a very dubious distinction. All that proves is that our defense sucks and let Belgium roll right in on our 18 yard line all day long.

It's like back in the day when the Mariners set record after record for turning the most double plays in a season...because they allowed a shitton more baserunners than any other team. When you allow a baserunner with less than two outs almost every inning you better set a record for turning double plays or you will lose 16-1 every game.

Same as kickers kicking six field goals in a football game...just proves your offense can't get in the endzone.

I enjoyed the WC this year, and watched all the games, including many of the games that didn't feature Team USA...a very, very busy work week kept me in the shop all day and the TV was there, too...so there ya go.

Fish on...

Todd

Some observations from a futbol fan:

I would have never thought the USA could get out of the Group Stage without Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, and Jozy Altidore. But we did. That's a huge accomplishment by itself.

The USA played it's best when it was down a goal - against Portugal for 65 minutes, and against Belgium in the last 15 minutes. The USA played poorly when it was up a goal (vs Ghana for 83 minutes) or even (Germany and Belgium).

All four teams the USA played were better technically. They won one game on grit and luck (Ghana). They tied one game they should have won (Portugal). And they were clearly inferior to the Krauts and the Waffles in the last two games.

The coach was right that the US could not win the WC this year. They are not at that level. But he was wrong to leave Landon and Eddie behind. They didn't have a replacement for Jozy when he was injured, which Eddie could have done, and their midfield was a mess without Landon as a stabilizing force. Michael Bradley was a disappointment. Without his leadership and without Landon, playing a possession game through the midfield was not going to happen. And it didn't.

Tim Howard is the best keeper on the planet. The USA's defense makes sure of that (per Todd's observation). He won't get bored back there...

We need more players like Fabian Johnson and Jermaine Jones. Both were beasts. Jones was our best player who can't use his hands.

I wish Clint D. displayed more emotion and teamwork than he does. Seems like he's there to help himself, but nobody else. He might get more crosses into the box if he did.

The future of USA soccer is bright. Most of Jurgen's personnel decisions were for the next WC (2018), not this one. I'm optimistic for the future.

I read the other day that Jesus wears a tee-shirt that reads: "Howard saves"

Big day tomorrow 9am 1pm

Happy 4th of July folk

Bummer for Brazil - Neymar out for remainder of WC broken vertebrae. He was one of my fav players to watch

self relization?

Semis tomorrow - 1st

Wow 5-0 is this really happening?

Dang, I feel sorry for Brazil.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. No I don't.

Two of their best, at least.

Fish on...

Todd

All of them...

Haa good one wntrn

Brazil was like the Broncos playing the Seahawks in the Super Bowl...the way Germany played they may have only beat them 4-0 if Brazil had had Neymar.

Fish on...

Todd

This is good...but you need to watch it all

http://www.espnfc.com/video/men-in-blazers/103/video/1940502/men-in-blazers-broken-hearts-in-brazil

Sorry it's not embedded...not on youtube yet.

Fish on...

Todd

Thanks for putting that up, Todd. That was great. Yea, Brazil stunk up the place today. They allowed goals in a World Cup on their home turf.

Lot of long faces on the beach at Copacabana today.

What are the chances that the Netherlands upsets Argentina today?

I'd say pretty damned low...and I think Argentina is the team that has a chance of stopping Germany.

That one goal loss to Germany by the US team is looking pretty good now, eh?

Fish on...

Todd

"That one goal loss to Germany by the US team is looking pretty good now, eh?"

That's what I was thinking.

Difference is Brazil could beat Germany if they showed up to play. US has no chance no matter how well they play. Only way we beat Germany is if they overlook us.

Brazil/Germany game was unlike anything I've ever seen in soccer. Brazil threw in the towel at the national anthems. A lousy national team can play with a great team by playing solid defense and wanting to be there. Brazil showed nothing. Most of the goals were from passing back to a wide open player inside the box. Nobody marked their player.

Brazil must have watched this motivational video.

Brazil Defensive Tactics

0-0 70 minutes in...lots of defense.

Fish on...

Todd