USA v. Brazil (May the neocons burn!) Blogging now

[ChairmanAgnostic]

I can understand why the Neocons hate soccer. It allows for cultural exchanges, and travel, something that neocons don't like. In fact, they prefer that we be kept in ignorance and isolation. It suits their purposes far better. For example, before the Twitter revolution now underway, most USers had a monolithic view of Iran, chadors, bearded men, scheming ayatollahs, and a uniform hatred of USA. Of course, the truth was far more complex, and if anything, we learned that we have a lot in common with the lovely PEOPLE of Iran.

(I wonder if our US team will wear green to honor the brave Iranian men and women, boys and girls, who stand up to tyranny)

Anyway, Brazil is a hot team. Balanced, lightning fast, and ball handling skills that match or exceed anyone else's. There's a reason why Brazil is always a highly ranked team - they simply are that good.

Weaknesses? perhaps overconfidence, although I am sure that the Brazilian coach showed Spain's loss to USA several times to his team.

The US is an underdog. We are young, we are excited, and we have a great world class goalkeeper. Our defense is solid and reactive, and we have 1.5 good attackers. Unfortunately, Bradley, a solid, smart play maker, was red carded, putting a hole in our midfield. And the midfield is the heart and soul of any team.

My prediction? 2-1

[tridim]

1. Is it on TV?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. E S P N on LIVE!

[tridim]

7. Dish says it's on ESPN2, but all I see is texas hold-em.

Checking ESPN.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. tis ESPN. I really want to go to South Africa

Went to germany last time round,
missed Korea Japan (was on trial, could not get the judge to continue it)
Saw the last 4 world cups before that.

I'm addicted.

[tridim]

12. I'm not a soccer fan at all, but I usually watch when the US is doing well.

And what's up with the swarming bee sound?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

18. people are blowing noisemakers

Oooh, nice header in defense.
Damn their first corner. The most dangerous (non-penalty) play in soccer.

[tridim]

19. Someone should tell them that it's annoying as hell.

[bertman]

111. Agree. They should ban those fuckers. But Goldman Sachs probably makes them so

there's no chance that will happen.

[aaaaaa5a]

2. What time does it start and what channel? NT

[Bluzmann57]

4. So I'm a neocon because I don't like soccer?

What a stupid statement. Fyi, I'm traveling overseas later in July. But I guess since I don't like soccer, I'm a neocon. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Maybe I have actually played baseball. Maybe it's because I still have freedom to like what I like and so do you. Maybe you should just watch the game and stfu. I also suppose if a person roots for team USA because we are American citizens, he or she is a neocon as well.
I'm going to sit down and watch the Cubs vs. White Sox now. You know, non soccer neocon stuff. With lots of players who aren't American citizens. See ya. Enjoy the soccer match.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. Did you read the article(s) that neocons wrote about US' victory over Spain?

obviously not.

Enjoy the crosstown battle. Even though I live there, I don't have a dog in that fight. But, I promise to avoid pissing in (and on) any diary that covers that game.

[BulletproofLandshark]

6. That's clearly not what the OP said.

The OP only stated the opinion that neocons hate soccer, not that all soccer-haters are neocons. There's a world of difference between the two.

[Regret My New Name]

102. but do all conservatives hate soccer?

Just seems like an odd assertion to make. To me, it seems similar to how people are equating liking/disliking MJ a political thing. Doesn't make much sense to me.

[BulletproofLandshark]

116. I don't believe they do, personally. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

9. I don't like soccer simply because it's flawed on the conceptual level.

[tkmorris]

13. Pfffftttttt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. Nice field. (AND PACKED)

Poetry on grass is about to begin

There seems to be an unfair "seeding" of the US team in international competition, we always seem to hit two of the toughest teams. Whether it is true or not, when BBC sports talkers mention it, it means that the topic is not simply paranoia.
And then there is the red card issue. Bradley's red was bullshit. As though the refs wanted to hobble us in advance of today's game. 3 reds in four games? Huh.

[mix]

11. have you seen this? historic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqHWFT_6-sY

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. No, THANKS! That was a great intro into today's game.

[NeedleCast]

15. What's up with the sound?

Anyone else here an loud buzzing? What is that?

[tridim]

17. No kidding, that's just about the most annoying sound I've ever heard.

Are they trying to get everyone to tune out?

[NeedleCast]

20. I feel like I'm watching the game in a wind tunnel

Is that some strange technological failure or is something actually making it?

[tridim]

21. It sounds like a constant swarm of bees

They need to fade down the field mics.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

22. 20,000 people with lung powered buzzers.

You should be there live - incredible sound and feeling!

[NeedleCast]

23. I guess incredible is in the ears of the beholder

Its annoying as hell

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. well, we are not afraid of pressing on D. Good.

timidity will not win this game.

The Brazilians seem to over cover our left side (which is our favorite of attack)
A couple of presses, including a just miss pass threading the Brazilian defense.

One new thing about the US. We have speed, more than ever before. Brazil of 12 yrs ago would have run circles around us. No longer.

[tridim]

GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

27. well, that's half of my prediction. We need one more.

[cascadiance]

24. GOAL US!!!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

25. GOOOOOOOL! USA!

Great feed, great kick, Dempsey!

[hwmnbn]

26. GOOOOOOOOOLLLL

USA 1 - BRA 0

[ChairmanAgnostic]

28. GREAT SAVE by Howard!.

and a great counter attack.

Now our first cornerkick.

[hwmnbn]

29. This USA team looks like it can hang...

with the Brazilians. A couple of breaks and it's not outside the realm of possibility they can win....

Who'd a thunk!!??

[ChairmanAgnostic]

30. first yellow - US's Bocanegra

good call, Bad foul. worst of all, no need for it.

[Jackeens]

31. “Some people say football is a matter of life and death....it's much more important than that."

(Bill Shankly)

[cascadiance]

33. Brazil with the yellow now...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

34. LOL!

whew, we clear again.

Brazil is pressing

GREAT SAVE by HOWARD! and a yellow on Brazil's Melo (one of their top stars)

[babylonsister]

32. Thanks! GOAL! Cool! I even turned it on. nt

[hwmnbn]

35. !

much more adept at ball control. The US

GOOOOOOOOOLLLL!!

[cascadiance]

36. GOAL USA 2-0!!!

[hwmnbn]

37. I don't believe this!!!

USA 2 - Brazil 0

[ChairmanAgnostic]

38. sunnavabich GOOOOOOOOOOLL USA! 2-0

landon donovan set that up perfectly, got a perfect return, and a 25 meter kick into the corner!

[Parker CA]

39. Beautiful transition and passing to Donovan!! Awesome touch into the corner!! 2-0

[cascadiance]

40. Almost got a third! Wide open shot just missed the pass!

Goalie was unprotected then...

[Parker CA]

42. They're definitely coming strong with the pressure. Lots of soccer to be played, but

if Howard keeps up his stuff and the midfield and strikers keep putting together these plays and shots, then the USA might actually pull this out!!

[cascadiance]

43. NICE SAVE!!!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

46. Nice? UNBELIEVABLE! Howard's a minigod.

[Parker CA]

44. HOWARD IS ON FIRE!!!!! A++ keeper at work.

[d_b]

41. WARRRRR USA!

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. That damn sound makes me want to either stick red hot needles in my eyes or

get in my car and mow down every pedestrian stupid enough to get in my way. If I were in the stadium I'd be chewing on the flesh of anyone near me.

The sound.... KILL KILL KILL KILL

[hwmnbn]

49. you mean that bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ??

[cherokeeprogressive]

76. YES THE BEES oh please god someone stop it stop it stop it

I've already killed the Ms., the neighbors, and there are some children playing in the street that are just asking to have their limbs torn from their bodies...

somebody make it stopppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

[jazzjunkysue]

84. I thought we were trying to recruit soccer fans, not repulse them.

If this is soccer, please, give me root canal.

[jazzjunkysue]

74. I'd be grabbing the things out of people's hands and bludgeoning them to death with them.

I've got to turn down the sound.

[bertman]

112. I'm pretty sure that's why they're flimsy plastic thingies.

[cascadiance]

47. Free kick and yellow card near the goal!...

headed out by Brazil...

Now corner kick...

goalie grabs it

[jazzjunkysue]

48. What's with the killer bees?

I hear them, but noone's swatting...?????

[ChairmanAgnostic]

50. they are buzzing, USA USA in really tiny voices

[jazzjunkysue]

52. OK. If I were the ref, I'd stop the game, and make everyone throw the damned things

out onto the field to be confiscated.

I'm serious.

I wouldn't put up with it. I'm suicidal, at home, after just 2 minutes.

[NeedleCast]

51. I know I'm immature, but ever time the announcer says Kaka

I giggle a little bit.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

55. but what footwork. He's a genius.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

53. end of first half USA 2- Brasil 1

after one minute stoppage time.

W
O
W
!
!
!

[jazzjunkysue]

65. Nope. It's 2-0. Just said on ESPN.

[Parker CA]

54. Incredible first half!!! Team USA is firing on all cylinders.

[alfredo]

56. Frustrate Brasil, make them foul.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

66. that was happening at the end.

This will make people sit up and take notice.
The Spain game was no fluke.

and them neocons is burning. Ha ha!

[alfredo]

115. Brasil came back and won. Congrats to both teams. It was a great match.

[d_b]

57. GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

USA 2 - BRA 0

28 min in.

[d_b]

58. oops

didn't see the soccer thread ;-<

[jazzjunkysue]

59. Channel?

[d_b]

60. ESPN

[robinlynne]

61. no way!

[JackRiddler]

62. Get out of here! Is this a real qualifying match?

Historic.

[d_b]

63. championship?

i just know it's a big game for the US :D

[JackRiddler]

64. (Never mind. Confederations Cup. Shows you how much I follow it, though I do like it.)

[cascadiance]

67. Normally I wonder if I'm a jinx, but US scored a goal within a minute after I tuned to ESPN...

Was great timing to see it! I'll keep tuned in throughout the game hopefully to help them win! :)

[TahitiNut]

68. Well, hell ... 2-0?!?!? ... amazing. Next year's FIFA World Cup may be even MORE spectacular.

I never miss the World Cup ... the MOST terrific soccer matches of all.

[Jackeens]

69. Brazil ranked 5th in the world, USA 14th - so this half-time score makes NO sense

:-)

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

[TahitiNut]

72. Fabiano just showed why Brazil dominates.

Lightening fast shot ... caught the defenseman wrong-footed and the goal flat-footed.

[Parker CA]

70. Well, now we have ourselves a real match. Hang in there USA!!!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

71. super fast goal by Brazil. 2-1 now.

damn. but, they are one of the top teams in the world.

[Jackeens]

73. If there's a break in the game....pass the time watching the Greatest Goal of All Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk-kXwjASEE

:bounce:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

75. that was incredible.

another penalty, and the D does it again.

[Jackeens]

77. A thing of beauty!

[bertman]

118. Thanks, Jackeens. That was a beauty.

Here's another one that is mind-blowing: Holland vs. Argentina, 1998 World Cup. Frank deBoers to Dennis Bergkamp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvZ1qMUyps&feature=related

Enjoy.

[Parker CA]

78. Great save, again!!

[Parker CA]

80. WOW. Big lucky break for USA. That looked like a goal on replay.

[jazzjunkysue]

79. HOWARD for President!

[Fuzz]

81. Wow, we lucked out there, that was a goal

[HughMoran]

83. That was clearly a goal

wow

[cherokeeprogressive]

82. I'm thinking the score should be 2-2 n/t

[Uzybone]

85. US just stole a goal

that ball was clearly over the line.

[jazzjunkysue]

86. Soccer buzzers, or root canal. Vote here.

I choose root canal.

[cherokeeprogressive]

87. On my wisdom teeth with no anesthetic n/t

[TahitiNut]

90. CBC's coverage is better ... mutes the horns.

ESPN seems to accentuate the horns in their sound mix.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

88. brasil's goalie is brilliant, too. TWO GREAT SAVES.

first substitution Brasil.

[Parker CA]

89. USA must step it up. They've been dominated in this second half.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

91. yet, 2 great shots, saved by brasil.

[TahitiNut]

92. They're looking more tired than they should.

Ya GOTTA play a full 90 against Brazil ... they're the class of the world on the soccer field.

[cascadiance]

95. Brazil just made two subs... U.S. may need to soon

The key is whether the U.S. has the depth to survive Brazil's onslaught now..

[jazzjunkysue]

100. yep.

[Fuzz]

93. WOW, what a save by Howard!

[Parker CA]

94. INSANE stop!!! Howard is a beast!! One on one and he owns it!!!

[TahitiNut]

99. Yet Fabiano stikes again ... LIGHTENING fast. Great header.

Awesome player.

[Fuzz]

96. Shit

[jazzjunkysue]

98. Mute. Damn.

[Parker CA]

97. Well, that changed fast. BRA is playing on level 11 right now.

[TahitiNut]

101. Whenever I watch the yellow-over-blue play I KNOW it'll be a full 90 of excellence.

Brazil fields a national team that has ranked at the top for decades ... and I remember Pele.

[Parker CA]

103. Yep, and the last thing they want to happen is to lose to the USA.

[TahitiNut]

107. And a PERFECT corner kick is just another reason they don't often lose.

I really LOVE to watch such excellence on the soccer field. It's the GAME I love ... better than hockey, even. I sure do understand why it's so popular world-wide.

[Jackeens]

104. Jesus, what a comeback!

[HughMoran]

105. You knew it was inevitable

But it still hurts :(

[Parker CA]

106. Damn!! We're getting hammered right now. Beautiful goal by BRA.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

108. brasil is so good delaying and holding the ball.

3 minutes stoppage. LAST CHANCE, GUYS!

[Parker CA]

109. Masters of keep away. Not bad to beat Spain and go down against Brazil.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

110. not at all. US can be proud. #2 in this series? not bad at all.

far better than anyone predicted.

[cascadiance]

113. Tim Howard won the Gold Glove and Dempsey won the Bronze Ball

[bertman]

114. I love Landon Donovan's comment after the match: "we're beyond the point of wanting respect,

we want to win."

Superior skills, poise, and perfect execution. Brazil is phenomenal, as always.

Our guys should be proud that they scored two goals and played a great first half against a team like Brazil.

We're still struggling to field players who have exceptional composure on the ball and who can play the short combination game. But it'll come.

I'm proud of our men.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

117. they should be proud, too. 2nd place?

hell, that's GREAT!

[nini]

119. os freepers são idiota

bravo Brasil!


I saw them in the Olympics and they have been a favorite of mine for some time.

The USA team was awesome to get where they did and they are bringing respect to the sport in the US. No losers in this one.