Two weeks into World Cup 2010 and we've learned that the U.S. is not a world soccer power, refereeing is abysmal, goalkeeping is a close second to refereering in the abysmal category, and that Southern hemisphere teams rule in, well, the Southern hemisphere.If I had to grade the World Cup, I'd give it a solid B-. I haven't been knocked out of my seat yet, though Donovan's goal was close. Brazil's physical approach has been fun to watch. Argentina has been immense, just overwhelming people with wave after wave of scoring chances--and conversions. The Germans are better than advertised, and Fabio Capello and Jozy Altidore are neck-and-neck for the most overrated things about the World Cup.
I hope the tournament ramps it up for the final two weeks and the final is a fight to the finish with no whistles and solid play between the goal posts. Otherwise, that B- might slide into the less-than-average range.
Here's another World Cup edition of the Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup:
- EPL Talk says So Much for the Three Lions and Eric is right: It's not about the formation, it's about the players. Ironically, EPL Talk blames--The EPL!
- Also at EPL Talk, a top 10-style similarities between the US-Ghana game and Germany-England
- Oh You Beauty is efficient and analytical with its thoughts on Germany-England. Somehow, "Schoolboy Defending" is becoming the England catchphrase.
- AOL FanHouse leads the way with another call for replay in soccer. Lampard's goal/non-goal was a debacle of Biblical proportions. FanHouse has five reasons why it would work.
- International Soccer Suite looks at the spate of calls yesterday alone where replay would have helped
- Metro.co.UK has Mauricio Espinosa's reaction to the blown call on Lampard's goal.
- Kauffman Report says June 27 is the landmark day for replay in soccer
- In the interest of objectivity, William M. Briggs says not so fast on replay and urges Sepp Blatter not to cave into pressure.
- The Big Lead asks the Big Question: Is it time for Bob Bradley to go? Vote in my poll above!
- Bradley really is Capt. Obvious: Goal.com quotes Bradley: "It's a feeling of disappointment"
- Being coached by Bob Bradley finally catches up to the U.S.: Headline of the day from TermSport
- The Final Third has Bradley's post-match interview
- Ives Galarcep at Soccer by Ives wants to know if Bradley should go? He points out bad track record at big events, questionable personnel decisions, but also says Bradley could get a job in Europe. Interesting.
- Tribal Football has Maradona's reaction to the offside goal in Argentina's win over Mexico yesterday
- Finally, Albert Tam has some of Maradona's best quotes.
No comments:
Post a Comment