 
                                                                like_that
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 26,625
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 10:30am
                            
                        
                                I think the game last year will go a long way for this game.  Also what's the word on Kompany? If he is out, that bodes well for the US.
                            
                         
                                                                Automatik
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 14,632
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 10:37am
                            
                        
                                I believe Kompany and Vanden Borre are out.
                            
                         
                                                                Uz2Bon36
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 1,135
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 10:47am
                            
                        
                                USA wins by at least two goals.
                            
                        
                                        
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                                                                vball10set
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 24,795
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 10:51am
                            
                        
                                [video=youtube;2uEpcfonkt4][/video]
                            
                         
                                                                ts1227
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 12,319
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 11:09am
                            
                        
                                I heard my boss talking shit to some of our Belgian colleagues on a conference call, I was amused
Considering the head of the company owns a damn soccer team over there too, I'd assume they're all pretty pumped as well
                        Considering the head of the company owns a damn soccer team over there too, I'd assume they're all pretty pumped as well
 
                                                                wildcats20
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 27,794
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 11:42am
                            
                        
                                Swiss have a chance?
                            
                         
                                                                gorocks99
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 10,760
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:03pm
                            
                        
                                Kompany will start for Belgium today; thought there was a chance he would not be playing due to injury.
Starting XI:
Courtois-Alderweireld-Van Buyten-Kompany-Verthongen-Fellaini-Witsel-Debruyne-Mertens-Origi-Hazard
                        Starting XI:
Courtois-Alderweireld-Van Buyten-Kompany-Verthongen-Fellaini-Witsel-Debruyne-Mertens-Origi-Hazard
 
                                                                like_that
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 26,625
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:04pm
                            
                        Hopefully he isn't 100% and affects the team.gorocks99;1631923 wrote:Kompany will start for Belgium today; thought there was a chance he would not be playing due to injury.
Starting XI:
Courtois-Alderweireld-Van Buyten-Kompany-Verthongen-Fellaini-Witsel-Debruyne-Mertens-Origi-Hazard
 
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:19pm
                            
                        Yes. Argentina only have 2 real attacking options. Messi and Di Maria. Their backline is suspect, as is the midfield. On of the least talented Argentine sides I can ever remember...good thing they have Messi.wildcats20;1631912 wrote:Swiss have a chance?
I mean, fucking Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuian are on this team...AND STARTING!!! lol. They havent been relevant since 2009
 
                                                                wildcats20
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 27,794
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:21pm
                            
                        
                                Lol that was an awful attempt
                            
                        
                                        
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                                                                KB0938
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 900
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:21pm
                            
                        
                                What the fuck was that?
                            
                        lhslep134
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 9,774
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:28pm
                            
                         
                                                                Mulva
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 13,650
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 12:57pm
                            
                        Wut. Higuain irrelevant?Laley23;1631933 wrote:
I mean, fucking Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuian are on this team...AND STARTING!!! lol. They havent been relevant since 2009
 
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:04pm
                            
                        Probably too strong of a word, but he was pretty bad for Real since the 2009-10 season. Has revived his career with Napoli, but thats kind of my point. Napoli had a great year 2 years ago, but they wont be a factor in Europe and wont be a serious threat to win Serie A past next season (if they even qualify).Mulva;1631951 wrote:Wut. Higuain irrelevant?
 
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:10pm
                            
                        
                                My main point is I dont feel like Argentina should be having to put him out there as their striker. I know Aguero is injured, but still. Higuain doesnt strike me as the most gifted forward in the world. He always seems to get goals created for him. The current crop of Argentina strikers, aside from Messi, has been criticized for their inability to create and finish. It has been on display 100% in this tournament.
                            
                         
                                                                OSH
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 4,145
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:13pm
                            
                        Belgium got hype late. I've been saying for 2 years they will be solid this Cup. I imagine they'll have another great run in 2018 and/or 2022 too.Heretic;1631826 wrote:And to my uneducated brain, it seems that Belgium got a lot of hype beforehand and through the group stage they more survived and advanced than impressed. Which at least makes me think they're vulnerable. Hopefully time will tell that's right!
I said all of this before Januzaj committed to Belgium. I also forget that Courtois is Belgian too. Absolutely loaded.
USA! We can do it. Not a game that is unwinnable.
 
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:15pm
                            
                        
                                Tim Howard probably hasnt gone consecutive games in his entire life not being the best GK on the field. Neuer last game, Courtois today...
                            
                         
                                                                wildcats20
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 27,794
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:16pm
                            
                        
                                So much for protecting the keeper.
                            
                         
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:19pm
                            
                        
                                Gotta have the ball first. Or be exposed while in the air (like WR in football)
                            
                         
                                                                wildcats20
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 27,794
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:22pm
                            
                        
                                So would a quarterfinal appearance be a successful WC for the US?
                            
                         
                                                                Mulva
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 13,650
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:27pm
                            
                        Just getting out of the group was a success. Anything else is gravy.wildcats20;1631958 wrote:So would a quarterfinal appearance be a successful WC for the US?
 
                                                                wildcats20
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 27,794
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:28pm
                            
                        I was kind of thinking that, but wasn't sure the actual opinion from you soccer people lol.Mulva;1631959 wrote:Just getting out of the group was a success. Anything else is gravy.
 
                                                                Laley23
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 29,506
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:30pm
                            
                        Frankly, this has been successful. But yes, a QF would probably solidify us an actual force in World Soccer. It would be the 2nd time in 4 WCs (beat Mexico 2-0 in 2002 and then lost in the QF to Germany 1-0). Then didnt advance past GRP. Then won GRP and lost to Ghana in ET, then this year.wildcats20;1631958 wrote:So would a quarterfinal appearance be a successful WC for the US?
About 10 teams have been that successful over the last 12 years...England and Mexico included, and we can easily make the claim to be better than both. Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands and I think Spain and France are only ones who can make that claim.
 
                                                                Automatik
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 14,632
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:49pm
                            
                        
                                I'm already thrilled with getting out after all the pre tourney talk where most thought we didn't have a shot in hell.
I just want a well played game today, and hoping to pull out a W. If we get totally smacked, I'll be pissed.
                        I just want a well played game today, and hoping to pull out a W. If we get totally smacked, I'll be pissed.
lhslep134
                                                                            
                                            Posts: 9,774
                                        
                                                                    
                                Jul 1, 2014 1:50pm
                            
                        It's a success for me based on my expectations. Granted, the scenario that played out is the exact one I figured we'd need to advance (W, D, better loss to Germany than Por-Gha winner) but that doesn't mean it's not a success that we actually did it.wildcats20;1631958 wrote:So would a quarterfinal appearance be a successful WC for the US?
I think a win over Belgium would go a long ways in improving our standing worldwide, but nationally it's a success IMO.