2010 World Cup Open Thread Rooting For UCLA|USA: Beat England
by Nestor on Jun 12, 2010 9:49 AM PDT
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Bruins - Carlos Bocanegra & Jonathan Bornstein - celebrating in Red, White and Blue. AP Photo/Paul Thomas
Well we have few games already in the books.
South Africa with their Oregon Ducks uniform opened the festivities with a 1-1 tie with Mexico. The French then tied up with Uruguay in a boring 0-0 match yesterday.
This am South Korea started their World Cup on a stellar note with a 2-0 victory over Greece. Argentina (in their Tar Heel blue unis) just beat are up 1-0 against Nigeria by a score 1-0.
Our match is coming up at 11:30 am PST against England on ABC.
We all know by now the deep ties between the Bruins and the US squad. There is another angle to England from Allen Ramsey of Goal.com:
England
Style: The neighborhood bullies. Bigger, faster, stronger.
Most teams on the world stage struggle to match England for size and speed. What the Brits do well is move forward in numbers quickly. Led by the bulldog that is Wayne Rooney, the Three Lions are always a threat on set plays and counterattacks, and they’re never afraid to give a hard foul if things aren’t going their way. It’s a direct approach that goes against what Spain and Mexico do, but it can be very exciting to watch.
Comparison: USC Trojans football
They’ll bend a rule from time to time, put forth talented players with questionable character, and outmuscle opponents whenever possible. They may not win too many titles, but like the Trojans, they’re always a tough out.
Well then. That is a pretty good reason to get even more excited about the Red, White and Blue. SBN has full coverage here.
Let's use this as our World Cup thread. If you are watching the game or somehow tracking this from South Africa or any other corner of the world, this is the place to root on all the boys in Red, White and Blue (including the ones who bleed Blue and Gold).
GO USA! GO BRUINS.
UPDATE (N): This commercial is pretty good:
Just about an hour to go. GO USA. GO BRUINS.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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I know he played for you guys...
…but sweet mercy I hope Bornstein doesn’t play today.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
That's a terrible comparison
I’m sorry, but simply because our Yanks are playing the Three Lions doesn’t mean it’s time to get ridiculous. England is nothing like U$C. Every country has players of questionable character, some more than others. The few on the England squad involved in sex scandals (John Terry and Ashley Cole) are magnified because of the intense spotlight that British tabloids put on these folks.
Now, I’m still pulling for the U.S. to pull off a spectacular upset, but England is a good side to watch and one I have no problem rooting for when they’re not playing the U.S. or the Netherlands.
Unlike U$C, England isn’t coached by a complete fraud. Likewise, Capello doesn’t have a backroom staff of obnoxious ogres who don’t know how to shut their idiotic mouths. Finally, England is actually good because of English players (unlike certain countries who hand out citizenship to Brazilians to make them eligible for their national team). U$C has been good because the recruiting playing field hasn’t been level in years.
If you’re going to make a comparison, England is more like the 1990s Buffalo Bills, the 1990s Atlanta Braves, or the current Cleveland Cavs. All where arguably one of the best teams, consistently winning during the regular season (as England qualified for World Cup after World Cup, European Championship after European Championship), but has always fallen short when it counted the most. Like England, the Cavs have arguably the best player in the game (you could say Kobe is very much like Cristiano Ronaldo: elite talent, probably the best, matched with total arrogance) and a solid supporting cast (Mo Williams, Shaq, Antawn Jamison, Delonte West, Anderson Varejao) but can’t seem to get those pieces to work together when it matters the most, just like England can’t get Gerrard and Lampard to gel in the midfield. And even on the rare occasion when they do put it together in the middle (usually because Barry or Hargreaves is playing in a holding midfield role behind the two), they can’t ever find consistent play on the flanks (sometimes you have Joe Cole, sometimes Shaun Wright-Phillips, sometimes Aaron Lennon, etc. but they are never consistent like Rooney, Ashley Cole, pre-injury Rio, and Terry have been).
You could also call England the World Cup’s version of the Chicago Cubs. They haven’t won the ultimate prize in seemingly forever (England’s only World Cup win was in 1966) and they have fans with the ultimate “this is the year, then woe is me, we’re doomed again” attitude.
But U$C football? That implies rampant illegal behavior, a lack of oversight by the coaching staff, players with shady eligibility, and a level of unmatched arrogance.
I thought it was a little weird too
So my reference to was def. tongue and cheek. As you know I am pretty big fan of Roonie for obvious reasons.
What country hands out citizenships to Brazilians??
You really don’t see that at this level of soccer. The Brazilians you see are more like Benny for the US or Deco and Pepe for Portugal that immigrated to the country at a young age. The others like Marcos Senna of Spain have played for club in the country for years and have been granted citizenship. (A common practice in order to free up international player spots for their club. Fat Ronnie, Ronnie Gaúcho and Roberto Carlos are Spanish Citizens for this reason, even Kaká is an Italian Citizen)
Umm dude
There’s been a lot. The obvious two are Wagner Lopes and Alex for Japan, but there’s a whole list of Brazilians (click here) who have played for another country other than Brazil (which I can’t blame them, given the depth in Brazil and the relative difficulty of breaking into Seleção).
I’m well aware of the practice of giving a non-E.U. player citizenship so he doesn’t count against the non-E.U. player cap (like Kaka when he was with AC Milan), but I’m talking about guys who got their citizenship in another country and then player for that country’s national side rather than Brazil.
Now, I’m still pulling for the U.S. to pull off a spectacular upset, but England is a good side to watch and one I have no problem rooting for when they’re not playing the U.S. or the Netherlands.
The comparison I’m about to make isn’t a great one either, but England are kind of like Notre Dame to me as far as the sense of entitlement many seem to have. And I can’t pull for England at all in this tournament given the condescension some have towards our team and their competition in general (and yes, I realize The Sun is just the National Enquirer with nudity on page 3.) And there’s that whole “former colonial master” thing.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Yeah but...
…Notre Dame fans have that sense of entitlement, deserved or not. English fans seem much more like Cubs or pre-2000 Boston fans. Always thinking they are eternally doomed.
For the perfect example of how Englishmen view their chances, head over to Casual Hoya, which not only has a nice dialogue on the U.S.-England match, but this gem:
With a potential second round matchup against Germany looming for the second place finisher in the group, how important is this game?
I have no doubt that even with a win against the US, England would conspire to screw the pooch against Algeria and/or Slovenia, and end up facing the old foe. And, inevitably, lose to them on penalties (as England goal poacher extraordinaire Gary Linekerput it, “football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.”) It’s just the way it’s gonna be – why fight it?
That’s the standard line-of-thought for England. We’ll get out of group then choke hard on penalties. Probably to Germany.
Brazil of course
:D
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
In all seriousness...
…I’d probably say Italy even though I’m not a fan of the Italian team. We’ve both won a lot on the back of stifling defenses.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
I can't see Alabama as Italians
Italians are too freaking whiny. I think Alabama is Germany, who play basic, sound and technical football (and are just solid).
I could see the Germany comparison as well
..and I like it better.
I’m planning on watching the Germany games at a local German club which should be a good time.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Haha
Nah .. the colors of Brazil is more closer to UCLA buddy.
We are more like Spain though … I think. Always had the talent over the years (except during the Dorrell regime) …to finish in the the top-10 and make Rose Bowl runs … but found ways to come short of the Big Enchilada.
You're missing the obvious comparison
This is us:
Which is a lot like Brazil:
But still, I think no one is making blue and gold look as good in soccer as the Swedes:
by Bellerophon on Jun 12, 2010 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of the Swedes
I attended all of the World Cup matches at the Rose Bowl in 1994. You’ll recall the weather was extremely hot during the entire tournament. Well, at the Brazil-Sweden semifinal, there were hordes of young Swedish women who stripped to their underwear, many going topless. It was difficult to keep my eyes on the field!
Agree
Notre Dame is the more apt comparison. Having lived in England for two years, I saw first-hand quite a bit of arrogance about the supposed quality of their national team, which is somehow – and only the English could do this – mixed in with an equal amount of pessimism. Yes, they always have top-notch talent and fantastic fan support, but they never actually manage to go very far. Before the big tournaments (and not just in football – same goes for rugby), there’s TONS of arrogance, but as soon as the tide turns, England goes into the whole ‘we were always doomed’ schtick.
by JoeBruin9900 on Jun 12, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm stuck at work today....
…and can’t believe they aren’t showing it on ESPN3.com.
I’m having to watch on CBC or Univision. I also have some Turkish TV station as well in case there’s too much congestion n the other streams.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
True...
…but my Spanish is rusty at best and ESPN actually hired good English language commentators this time.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
oh BTW
I heard Hello Kiffin accused you guys of breaking rules?!
RULES! Kiffin and Southern Cal are worried about rules!
Nothing new...
…he accused us and Florida of all kinds of crap at Tennessee.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Benny Feilhaber
Gives us 3 Bruins on the squad.
by Bellerophon on Jun 12, 2010 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
One of our guys...
…did a story on hoping the SEC adds men’s soccer if it expands and there’s a table with all the collegiate affiliations of the current US squad if you’re interested.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
USA! USA! USA!
I’m glad this thread’s here. My grandson is napping and I can’t yell at the TV like usual. Perfect place to vent and cheer.
oh…and please….no SPTRs!
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Web Coverage?
I don’t have access to a TV this afternoon. What online sites are carrying this?
Univision is your best bet and CBC out of Canada. Besides that, you can try the likely to yanked (no pun intended) feeds provided via Justin.tv and places like that.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Web Coverage
Thanks, but CBC site indicates no live streaming outside of Canada.
Web Coverage
I think the Univision site may work. My fingers are crossed!
That one should...
…since it’s US based, but Spanish language rights.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
OT, but jeeze
Another example of the death throes of print media? The San Francisco Chronicle has been carrying so much water for $C this week that I could swear they have become the LA Times-North. I really don’t get it.
formerly bruinhoo
Chronicle
I think the Bear fans have the same view on the Chronicle as we have on the Trogan Times.
by Nestor on Jun 12, 2010 11:26 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Really???
I grew up near Cal, basically in a Cal family and always thought they were in the tank for the Bears. If anything, I see the Chronicle:Cal = LA Times:USC.
formerly bruinhoo
I could be wrong
But that’s the impression I have gotten from reading Cal blogs and boards over the years. I have a 20000 feet view on this though bc I don’t follow them very closely.
by Nestor on Jun 12, 2010 11:33 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Not quite as cut and dry as the LA times and LA college sports
While the Chronicle does seem to favor Cal (at least in the sporting coverage, where they really, really don’t like Stanford), they have not sold themselves out in the way that the LAT has to $C.
formerly bruinhoo
Which is odd...
…considering he’s Italian.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Well if history is a guide...
looks like that’s game for us
$^&%^&
#$
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Damn
England scores…1-0 at the 4th minute.
Center was wide open and unmarked
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Our defense...
…is suspect to say the least.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Shot on goal...
we need a few more of those
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Hey!
We had a shot in the general direction of the goal!
Wouldn't you be?
They look dazed and confused.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
HATE...
…cutesy corners.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
I hate that the Univision site...
…just crashed my browser.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
We're actually winning in the midfield...
and keeping some offensive pressure on.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Excruciatingly close
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
we are stringing together some attacks
Just got to keep at it while shoring up our backline.
by Nestor on Jun 12, 2010 11:50 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I'm just hoping...
…that goal bred some sort of complacency in England.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
A little slow switching to defense...
glad they closed the gap fast, though
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
It does carry over to the next game if he plays
If he gets a yellow in that one, he’ll be ejected.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Not exactly....
…he’d miss the third game, but wouldn’t leave that 2nd game he got a card in.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
right.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Think of it like Technical Fouls in the NBA
accumulate so many in a season (many more than 2, in that example), and the player will receive a suspension, but is not ejected from that particular game (unless he has also received 2 in that game).
formerly bruinhoo
that was too ambitious
Our backline still not in sync.
by Nestor on Jun 12, 2010 12:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You could read his lips as he watch the ball roll away..
“aw fuuuuuuuuu
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Atrocious keeping...
…but it counts just as much as their pretty goal.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
These fields are cut short...
…the ball is absolutely flying.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
That's pretty small amount...
…all things considered.
You’re supposed to do a minute for a goal, a minute for a sub and then injuries.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
nice D against Wright-phillips
Stay strong
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Between this and the own-goal against Italy
We sure know how to beat the Euros
I'd rather be lucky than good any day of the week...
of course..the best teams make their own luck.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Saw a guy in a wire photo from the game with a shirt that simply read:
1776
1950
2010
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
keep your hand on rooney's shirt for 45 minutes.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Tough question
So many factors can be play. Brazil to me is the favorites as always. But I do like Italians (although they are tough to root for) and Spaniards.
Only if Argentina had a legit coach.
From the BBC's in-match updates
18:54
Official White House release:
Finally, the President [Barack Obama] and the Prime Minister [David Cameron] agreed to disagree on the desired outcome of the 12 June USA-England World Cup soccer match; the President noted that the historical record of previous World Cup matches between the United States and England favors the United States and the President wagered the best lager against the best beer in America on an American win over England."
formerly bruinhoo
Sound like an Alabama fan. :)
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
The thing I find most fascinating about soccer
No commercial breaks
I was hoping the butterflies...
…were gone.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
English are pissed...
but that means we can counter.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Wicked fast...
…counter attack.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Dodging bullets...
…left and right.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
And he held onto it!
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
We've got to settle down....
…we’re blowing these transitions.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Another yellow..
too many cleats against legs
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Howard deflects a shot over the goal
Not a particularly challenging save, but then so was Green’s fubar
formerly bruinhoo
damn...
he should never have set that ball up like that. we’re lucky he missed
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Kai could hit the eye of a needle from 27 m
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
we need some fresh legs
time for some subs
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Herculez!
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
england has had the better half..
D has been saving us
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
We're getting run ragged at the moment
They said the weather would favor England.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Can't give...
…Shrek an ounce of space.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
We are just chasing the game it feels like.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
BBC has Peter Crouch warming up for the Brits
Capello looking to add another striker? Would be their last sub, I believe.
formerly bruinhoo
They know...
…we’re going to surrender free kicks so they’re sending in the guy that’s 8’11"
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
and he gets a header in almost no time.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
That doesn't exactly scream...
…“fear us!”
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
England was backing off
and the yanks attack!
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
game!
a tie is as good as a win in this game
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
We just needed 1 point in this game
If we get one more W from this group I think we move on to the next round. I will take it.
Agreed
Win and a draw put us through, no question.
Considering...
…that less than 30 years after we broke free of our colonial masters, the British returned and we retained our independence, in a time where our Republic was very young and very fragile, that’s a big win in my book.
After all, when war broke out, the idea that the Supreme Court had judicial review of Congress (something we all take for granted today) was a pretty new idea (only 9 years had elapsed since Marbury v. Madison), tells me that America was very unsure of who she was at the time. To withstand an invasion by arguably one of the most powerful nations in the world and to not only keep your independence, but assert your honor and lose no territory, that’s big.
To me, it’s a lot like Vietnam. Young country, while sustaining more losses than their world power opponent locked in a wider conflict (for Britain, the Napoleonic Wars, for us, the Cold War), managed to hold on and succeed, securing its continued existence.
by Bellerophon on Jun 12, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
On the other hand,
It could be said that the Revolution proved that the British could no longer rule the US, so retaking the states as colonies was no longer feasible. Not recapturing then wouldn’t exactly be a defeat. And seeing as Britain got what it wanted – no more invasions in Canada, continuing its dominance on the seas and generally keeping things as they were before the war (by declaring war, the US presumably intended to change things…) – it can be argued that they won. (And of course, the Vietnam comparison isn’t exact, though analogies are never perfect.)
More to the point, it’s a bit of a stretch to say that “England has never beaten the US in a war” quite so definitively as it was upthread, when there are certainly arguments that they did in fact win one.
Tim Howard
Schlitz and Giggles Player of the Game
by UCLA Band ' on Jun 12, 2010 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It was a pleasure hanging out with you guys.
Your always welcome at Roll Bama Roll if you have reason to stop by.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
Absolutely.
RollBamaRoll.com - Also check out my music blog: Hear the World, which is exploring the music of MALI in June 2010.
London times
UK Edition
HEADLINES :
* Live coverage: England draws with USA after Robert Green blunder
Go Bruins!
BBC Sport headline
Robert Green’s error gifts the US an equaliser as an unconvincing England side are held 1-1 in their opening World Cup game.
formerly bruinhoo
The Sun Headline is
CURSES! New Keeper Cock up as Green gifts the Yanks a Point
Can you say Andres Escobar the Second?
Seriously though, Capello will probably return to James for the balance, and once Barry is fit, if England doesn’t go to a 4-5-1 with Rooney alone on top, Barry as a holding midfielder, allowing Lampard and Gerrard to roam forward and support Rooney in attack (where they have been scoring tons of goals for Liverpool and Chelsea), then Capello is a complete idiot.
But he’s not and England will recover and, hell, like Italy, may go all the way after tying us in the group stage. I’d love to see a Three Lions versus Oranje final. That would be classic.
I don't know if the 4-2-3-1 is the way to go
I don’t think he likes what he has on the left either so I could see Capello sticking with a 4-4-2, but having Barry in the hole behind Lampard and Gerrard on the left.
For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jun 13, 2010 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
That's always been England's problem
The left wing midfielder has been a historical weakness for England, one that Ryan Giggs in his prime would have perfectly solved if only he was English and not Welsh.
Gerrard really is wasted on the left. I think most folks agree that he’s most effective playing behind the striker as an attacking midfielder where he can put his talents to best use. Milner is definitely not the answer, unless he can pick up his defense (Cherundolo, who is no super-talent by any means exposed him) and Wright-Phillips is mediocre. This is probably where Capello made his biggest mistake in not including Adam Johnson in the squad. With Joe Cole, Milner, and Lennon on the team, there’s no real need for Wright-Phillips and it’d have made more sense to bring Johnson, who although young, is a real talent on the left wing. At least better that SWP.
And I’m not saying England needs a 4-2-3-1, but really a 4-1-4-1, with Barry playing behind both Gerrard and Lampard in the middle, with Lennon and Milner/SWP/Joe Cole on the wings. If Milner can play better defense, Capello can make up for the lack of real solid left wing play by letting Ashley Cole roam forward more.
In any event, without Barry or Hargreaves, England will be exposed by sides with a more complete midfield (like Spain or the Netherlands).
In any event, we should count ourselves lucky that Ben Foster’s head got all messed up at Man Utd, otherwise, he would have made for a much more solid presence in goal than any of the current options.
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