World Cup

yeah, that was heartbreaking last night. Felt just about as bad as the 2012 women's world cup when the women lost to Japan in stoppage time with like 2 seconds left. Brutal. My daughter had just been born. We just got home from the hospital, I actually turned my video camera on to capture the final few seconds... It was a "my daughter was just born and the US women are about to win the WC moment" and I actually filmed the final goal, that made them lose. I felt like a d-bag. Like it was me that spoiled it....

God, I knew we were in for bad luck when they started pulling all the starters in stoppage. When Dempsey went to the sidelines smiling, crossing his fingers, I should have known. That was poor form, albeit tradition. He should have left them all in. Finished strong.

And because of that mental/coaching lapse, we still have a terrible record against Euro teams. That would have been HUGE last night. Ronaldo was terrible. Almost to the point that it looked like we had greased the guy.

 

Soccer is like a much better, more sophisticated Hockey. I am not a hockey fan, but I watched the playoffs and I love Olympic hockey. But soccer is no different. It's constant action. Anything can happen.

But to really appreciate soccer, you have to have some knowledge of it. If you are unfamiliar with offensive and defensive formations or the intricacies that are involved in the game, then yes, I could see that it could be boring. I am sure hockey fans would say the same to me, like you just don't get it.... correct. which is why it is less than enjoyable for me.

People don't realize how difficult the game is. The english that these guys poses, and the one touches, the small ball, the collection from a deep cross. I mean, these guys are, without a doubt, the most talented athletes in the world. Its not the NFL. Its not the NBA. Soccer displays the class of fitness and athleticism.

And if you don't care about the details, it becomes just a game...

But, as a sweeper for life basically, I noticed some of the fatal flaws on both sides. Like the first slop goal that Portugal scored on a complete defensive breakdown and basically an "accident". It was a wall and an offsides trap malfunction. That was an example of guys who have not put in enough practice together as a team. That was a complete bust.

Then, when Jones scored that SICK bomb from about 27 yards out. The left fullback for Portugal (#13) completely blew it. He closed his eye and DODGED the ball as it curled an inch from his forehead. Straight bi*** move, especially when repping your country. Sick goal, but #13 blew it....

When Bradely had a WIDE open net, and knees the ball right at the only defender on the goal line, when Dempsey was wide open 5 yards to his left. I mean, luckily dempsey score on the EXACT same play.

And then that fatal, final cross. I mean, why Howard didn't come out and charge that? Why the defense was in a flat back position, looking like they are playing an offisdes flat back trap, and the right wing was about 8 yards ahead of the back line, and the striker was COMPLTELY exposed. That was a TERRIBLE defensive stand. I mean, kids in the 8ith grade wouldn't have let that ball sneak in. I mean, the fact that we hadn't fallen back, with 9 guys back around the 18 is beyond me.....

Thats why I love watching it. The details. But either way, the US didn't deserve a win. We blew it completely. We dominated every part of the game after the opening 10 minutes, but all it takes is one mistake.

 

Likewise my dude.