US SOCCER

[Seahawks08]

Its a trip watching (or just listening in the background) Univision anytime Mexico is playing....

The best was the last round of CONCACAF qualifying. Mexico needed a draw, or a draw by the U.S., to advance to the WC.

With minutes left in both games, both Mexico and the U.S. were losing, which meant Mexico was about to be knocked out. Then the U.S. scored to tie up their game and the announcers went nuts. I couldn't understand them, by they were going crazy. And then the U.S. scored again, and the announcers ramped it up a notch.

It was almost as good as watching Sabado Gigante Internationale.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKKeSG_bXAU[/youtube]

"GOOOOAAAAAAL, GOOOALLLL OF THE US….

“We love you! We love you forever and ever! God Bless America! The USA puts us in the playoffs!

“It is because of the USA that we are being placed in the playoff ... because of them, not due to you! Not any of you in the green shirts. It was them! Not you! They did it, not you!

“Remember this forever. Keep this clearly in mind for the rest of your lives. You do nothing for the shirt, you do not put any effort for the team, you have not placed us in the World Cup, you would not have kept us alive.

“It was the US, not you! Not you and your arrogance, not you and your infamy, not you and your punks.

"It is a failure … and undeserved. We had no arguments to earn the playoffs. The USA, with subs, with many subs as the visiting team, shows us once against what the USA is all about … how to play this game with dignity, how to approach the sport.

“Mexico is a horror, just terrible. A failure.

“GOOOOOOALLL [Johannsson scores the winning goal for the US]! GOOOOOOALL of the US! We are in the playoffs! The US did it so we can keep criticizing [Mexico]!

“So we can say that the US has surpassed us. They are better than Mexico in soccer. They even have the luxury of playing their subs and keeping us alive … I hope our coach wears the pants and resigns. He has failed as a coach in the national team.”

[BlueHen86]

When will teams learn not to play keep away for the last fifteen minutes? KEEP ATTACKING! FUCK!

It usually works in soccer. This World Cup has been more the exception than the rule.

[Grizalltheway]

Costa Rica holds on to win on penalties. Helluva gutsy performance after going down a man.

[tribe_pride]

Both teams did well on the PKs. Usually one team absolutely sucks but they both did well and it was a good save by the keeper.

[∞∞∞]

Costa Rica definitely makes it easy to root for them.

[Seahawks08]

After watching the Greece game, I have a question: what is the purpose of the keeper kicking it all the way down to the other side? Wouldn't it be more prudent to try to kick it to a wide open defender or a contested forward in order to keep possession? I've seen it done a few times in different games (Costa Rica's keeper did it numerous times this game). Just wondering why.

[tribe_pride]

After watching the Greece game, I have a question: what is the purpose of the keeper kicking it all the way down to the other side? Wouldn't it be more prudent to try to kick it to a wide open defender or a contested forward in order to keep possession? I've seen it done a few times in different games (Costa Rica's keeper did it numerous times this game). Just wondering why.

I don't like the way Costa Rica (or Mexico for that matter) tried to kill time. I actually agree with you that I'd rather pass to an open guy closer down field.

It happened a little more this game than usual because CR was down a player and they felt it was better to launch it down field to kill time when they were winning and then when it tied going to OT because they felt that was their best chance to win and then bring it to PKs once it was tied. Once again, I don't think that it's the best way to do it but by the end they were tired from defending the whole 2nd half and OT and I believe thought that was better than passing short and risking losing the ball. I disagree but that is what they did.

[BlueHen86]

The best was the last round of CONCACAF qualifying. Mexico needed a draw, or a draw by the U.S., to advance to the WC.

With minutes left in both games, both Mexico and the U.S. were losing, which meant Mexico was about to be knocked out. Then the U.S. scored to tie up their game and the announcers went nuts. I couldn't understand them, by they were going crazy. And then the U.S. scored again, and the announcers ramped it up a notch.

It was almost as good as watching Sabado Gigante Internationale.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKKeSG_bXAU[/youtube]

"GOOOOAAAAAAL, GOOOALLLL OF THE US….

“We love you! We love you forever and ever! God Bless America! The USA puts us in the playoffs!

“It is because of the USA that we are being placed in the playoff ... because of them, not due to you! Not any of you in the green shirts. It was them! Not you! They did it, not you!

“Remember this forever. Keep this clearly in mind for the rest of your lives. You do nothing for the shirt, you do not put any effort for the team, you have not placed us in the World Cup, you would not have kept us alive.

“It was the US, not you! Not you and your arrogance, not you and your infamy, not you and your punks.

"It is a failure … and undeserved. We had no arguments to earn the playoffs. The USA, with subs, with many subs as the visiting team, shows us once against what the USA is all about … how to play this game with dignity, how to approach the sport.

“Mexico is a horror, just terrible. A failure.

“GOOOOOOALLL [Johannsson scores the winning goal for the US]! GOOOOOOALL of the US! We are in the playoffs! The US did it so we can keep criticizing [Mexico]!

“So we can say that the US has surpassed us. They are better than Mexico in soccer. They even have the luxury of playing their subs and keeping us alive … I hope our coach wears the pants and resigns. He has failed as a coach in the national team.”

Great find. Thanks.

[DSUrocks07]

Costa Rica definitely makes it easy to root for them.

Except for their whining about the snow game.

[∞∞∞]

KLM tweeted this earlier but deleted it:

[GannonFan]

After watching the Greece game, I have a question: what is the purpose of the keeper kicking it all the way down to the other side? Wouldn't it be more prudent to try to kick it to a wide open defender or a contested forward in order to keep possession? I've seen it done a few times in different games (Costa Rica's keeper did it numerous times this game). Just wondering why.

I don't like the way Costa Rica (or Mexico for that matter) tried to kill time. I actually agree with you that I'd rather pass to an open guy closer down field.

It happened a little more this game than usual because CR was down a player and they felt it was better to launch it down field to kill time when they were winning and then when it tied going to OT because they felt that was their best chance to win and then bring it to PKs once it was tied. Once again, I don't think that it's the best way to do it but by the end they were tired from defending the whole 2nd half and OT and I believe thought that was better than passing short and risking losing the ball. I disagree but that is what they did.

I agree, Costa Rica was doing anything possible to get out of that game once they went a man down - booting it down the field at least gave the defense a momentary breather.

With that said, there are times when you should just play the nearer pass and player and a lot of teams do that. Not everyone just kicks it deep. But that doesn't mean that a deep kick isn't sometimes useful. If you get one of your players to get a head onto it and flick it on, you can sometimes have one of your guys break free playing that flicked on pass. It's more the long ball style of soccer and it's not considered the most technical way to play, but some teams still do it just hoping for a good bounce and for something to happen.

[clenz]

KLM tweeted this earlier but deleted it:

Extremely funny.


Ironically enough, in my technology and communication class we were looking how companies use social media and KLM was one of the companies the instructor mentioned as being great with what they do. She's flown 100k+ miles with them (she travels for work...some sort of auditor for TransAmerica).

I'll have to send her this to get her thoughts.

[89Hen]

Costa Rica definitely makes it easy to root for them.

As opposed to these asshats...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLAIjbJvx7s[/youtube]

[93henfan]

KLM tweeted this earlier but deleted it:

Extremely funny.


Ironically enough, in my technology and communication class we were looking how companies use social media and KLM was one of the companies the instructor mentioned as being great with what they do. She's flown 100k+ miles with them (she travels for work...some sort of auditor for TransAmerica).

I'll have to send her this to get her thoughts.

Something tells me that if a US-based airline had done the same thing after a US win over Mexico, the media would have pounced on some sort of drummed-up racial/immigration/deportation angle.

[clenz]

Extremely funny.


Ironically enough, in my technology and communication class we were looking how companies use social media and KLM was one of the companies the instructor mentioned as being great with what they do. She's flown 100k+ miles with them (she travels for work...some sort of auditor for TransAmerica).

I'll have to send her this to get her thoughts.

Something tells me that if a US-based airline had done the same thing after a US win over Mexico, the media would have pounced on some sort of drummed-up racial/immigration/deportation angle.

Yup.

Still very very funny

[bandl]

KLM tweeted this earlier but deleted it:

Makes me want to fly KLM even more next time I head to Europe

From my experience, great airline to fly. Beats the poo out of any 'murican airline that flies internationally.

[bandl]

Something tells me that if a US-based airline had done the same thing after a US win over Mexico, the media would have pounced on some sort of drummed-up racial/immigration/deportation angle.

Yup.

Still very very funny

I know you haven't flown one, but have you even seen an airplane before?

[89Hen]

Yup.

Still very very funny

I know you haven't flown one, but have you even seen an airplane before?

Only from 30,000 feet away.

[clenz]

I know you haven't flown one, but have you even seen an airplane before?

Only from 30,000 feet away.

Yes, I've been next to them. Just never in one.

[bandl]

Only from 30,000 feet away.

Yes, I've been next to them. Just never in one.

Good thing you laughed at that, cuz it WAS funny

I also think it's funny that you've never flown. Iowaegians are awesome.

[clenz]

Yes, I've been next to them. Just never in one.

Good thing you laughed at that, cuz it WAS funny

I also think it's funny that you've never flown. Iowaegians are awesome.

I've just never needed to fly anywhere I've gone.

I've driven to Vancouver (1700 miles)and Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas Mexico (1500 miles) from my home town but had no reason to fly (probably would have been faster).

I've driven to Denver and Louisville from Cedar Falls (900ish miles and 800ish respectively).

At some point I'll fly. When I do I'll make sure to document it with hundred of photos and videos to share with you guys. Maybe they'll give me those wings since it will be my first time flying

[tribe_pride]

Good thing you laughed at that, cuz it WAS funny

I also think it's funny that you've never flown. Iowaegians are awesome.

I've just never needed to fly anywhere I've gone.

I've driven to Vancouver (1700 miles)and Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas Mexico (1500 miles) from my home town but had no reason to fly (probably would have been faster).

I've driven to Denver and Louisville from Cedar Falls (900ish miles and 800ish respectively).

At some point I'll fly. When I do I'll make sure to document it with hundred of photos and videos to share with you guys. Maybe they'll give me those wings since it will be my first time flying

Holy cow. You probably could have flown for cheaper (and definitely quicker) than you did to go to Mexico and Vancouver when you take into account all costs. Damn. Those are long drives considering you have to drive both ways.

[93henfan]

Some of us enjoy driving. I've gone coast to coast twice. Lots of great memories from both trips. Except Kansas. Fuck Kansas. No wonder John Denver loved Colorado so much. He had just gotten out of Kansas.

[bandl]

Some of us enjoy driving. I've gone coast to coast twice. Lots of great memories from both trips. Except Kansas. Fuck Kansas.

Road trips are awesome...sometimes. But when the final destination is more enjoyable...why waste the money and time (time off work and/or personal time)? If I'm going to New Orleans....do I really want to drive 2600 miles/34 hours? Nope, I'll fly that same route in 6 hours total and enjoy that extra day there getting blasted and stuffing my face with jambalaya and crawfish.

[clenz]

I've just never needed to fly anywhere I've gone.

I've driven to Vancouver (1700 miles)and Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas Mexico (1500 miles) from my home town but had no reason to fly (probably would have been faster).

I've driven to Denver and Louisville from Cedar Falls (900ish miles and 800ish respectively).

At some point I'll fly. When I do I'll make sure to document it with hundred of photos and videos to share with you guys. Maybe they'll give me those wings since it will be my first time flying

Holy cow. You probably could have flown for cheaper (and definitely quicker) than you did to go to Mexico and Vancouver when you take into account all costs. Damn. Those are long drives considering you have to drive both ways.

It was about 25 hours one way on both of those trips - 2 layovers (Oklahoma and then San Antonio both ways)
Louisville/Lexington is about 10 one way - no stop needed
Denver was about 12-13 one way. Stopped once in Kearney NE on the way out and Omaha on the way back.