My World Cup Recap
As the World Cup ended I had a few thoughts on the final game and the tournament as a whole. The tournament consumed my life for a month, and I am exhausted.
The best goal of the tournament was Maxi Rodriguez’s game winner against Mexico in overtime. Not only was it a fantastic volley, he struck it with his left, and with a defender on him. Sanchez is no slouch goalkeeper either.
Honorable Mention: Joe Cole
The worst coaching job was done by coach Jose Pekerman, The Argentines had loads of talent, but it is unforgivable not to put Messi or Saviola into the game versus the Germans. I know they had to sub the goalkeeper, and that always screws things up, but how one of those two dynamic players did not enter the game at all is a shame.
Honorable Mention: Bruce Arena. Enough said
The worst play of the tournament was Zidane’s head butt in the final. I am not sure what could be said to me that would get me so angry I would head butt the chest of anyone else. It was Artestian in its absolute volatility/mind numbing stupidity. The fact that he chipped the best keeper in the world on a PK in the first half and missed the final PK’s was surreal. The fact that it may have been his last game ever is karma biting him in the ass big time.
Honorable Mention: Foul called against Gooch in the box for a Pk or Rooney being sent off. Take your pick.
The young player of the tournament should have gone to Christiano Ronaldo. Say what you wanted about him, but he’s certainly the most electric non-south American player on the planet. The fact that the official award was given to Poldolski was a disgrace. Ronaldo’s PK against England was the best-taken prior to the final.
Honorable Mention: Fernando Torres
The best player of the tournament was Cannavaro. His cool under pressure without Nesta was spectacular. Without a goal scorer taking over the tournament, Cannavaro’s effort was golden ball worthy.
Honorable Mention: Could go to Ballack or Grosso, but I’m going with Zidane anyways.
The biggest rule change for the next world cup has to be adding substations for overtime. One or two per team would do. This would also perhaps eliminate the need for PK’s to decide games. Using Pk’s serves a purpose, but ones that my American blood will not accept. Hell, even soccer fans from most countries dislike them, so why in the hell do they use them? It is terrible. This world cup was good, not great. No dominant goal scorers emerged, and there were too many bizarro controversial events. The referees were god-awful .The selection of the referee’s was anti-American. I’d even say the selection of top seeds prior to drawing groups was anti-American. The number of key players sent off early in games was pathetic. The fact that TnT may have defeated Sweden with Stern John on the field in group play exposed the fact that the shear volume of cards given out created an environment where no surprise team could emerge, unless you consider France a surprise, which would be stupid.
The most disappointing team was obviously the Americans. Its not that they did not make it out of group play…….ok I guess it is. The effort against the Czechs in game one was the worst performance I have seen since we played Iran in ’98. While playing great against the Italians, the team was a huge disappointment against Ghana as well. Sure, everything in retrospect seemed against the lads, but giving up early goals and taking stupid fouls are what did the Americans in. That and playing high school defensive soccer, of coarse. Honorable Mention: Spain. They were dominant early against France, and then just pissed themselves. Could have been Brazil here, but they are the Yankee’s of World Soccer, just a collection of good players…not a team.
The BoSox just lost in 19 innings, after Paps blew the save. I am going to vomit now.
The coverage of the World cup was good. The fact I could see every game was fantastic. However, the 1st team announcers of Dave O’Brian and Marchello Balboa sucked ass. Rob Stone is the second best American soccer announcer, and should have played a greater role throughout the tournament. Putting him in the 1st team would have been excellent. Bringing in a baseball announcer like O’Brian to do soccer was ESPN making the same mistake they always do. But for god’s sake, the frequent cuts of international dignitaries (World Leaders, Benkenbauer, Supermodels) and soccer legends was met with nothing but dead air. Just crap. Plus, his flipping out over Zidane’s head butt still paled in comparison to his condemnation of one Manny Ramirez’s trot after hitting the series deciding homer for the BoSox in the 2003 series against the A’s. JP Dellacammera is the best American soccer announcer alive. He does it all. He and John Harkes were fantastic. Harkes was the media revelation of the tournament. He brought great credibility and name dropped better then anyone. Eric Wynalda was good early, but lost passion after the Americans quick exit. Lalas’s analysis was goofy, but entertaining. As was Foudy’s. I though Reese Davis stepped up for the studio team segments, certainly better then the ridiculous Dave Revsine. In the end, I think the best team pound for pound won the World Cup. Of the American media, only ESPN’s Tommy Smyth predicted an Italian victory before the start of the tournament.
I think the final game was a microcosm of the entire World Cup. The PK to France was awful, especially after only 7 minutes. Italy dominated on crosses, scored a wonderful goal, then fell back into defesnse for way too long. France dominated the second half until Zindane's red card. The PK shootout was great for both teams, no chokers emerged, Italy had to earn it. Plus, I was rootin for my ancestors home land anyway.
Time to settle for just baseball and MLS, which isn't to shabby.
See you in South Africa 2010. Bring a water bottle.
Patriots camp starts three weeks....
-The Prez
The best goal of the tournament was Maxi Rodriguez’s game winner against Mexico in overtime. Not only was it a fantastic volley, he struck it with his left, and with a defender on him. Sanchez is no slouch goalkeeper either.
Honorable Mention: Joe Cole
The worst coaching job was done by coach Jose Pekerman, The Argentines had loads of talent, but it is unforgivable not to put Messi or Saviola into the game versus the Germans. I know they had to sub the goalkeeper, and that always screws things up, but how one of those two dynamic players did not enter the game at all is a shame.
Honorable Mention: Bruce Arena. Enough said
The worst play of the tournament was Zidane’s head butt in the final. I am not sure what could be said to me that would get me so angry I would head butt the chest of anyone else. It was Artestian in its absolute volatility/mind numbing stupidity. The fact that he chipped the best keeper in the world on a PK in the first half and missed the final PK’s was surreal. The fact that it may have been his last game ever is karma biting him in the ass big time.
Honorable Mention: Foul called against Gooch in the box for a Pk or Rooney being sent off. Take your pick.
The young player of the tournament should have gone to Christiano Ronaldo. Say what you wanted about him, but he’s certainly the most electric non-south American player on the planet. The fact that the official award was given to Poldolski was a disgrace. Ronaldo’s PK against England was the best-taken prior to the final.
Honorable Mention: Fernando Torres
The best player of the tournament was Cannavaro. His cool under pressure without Nesta was spectacular. Without a goal scorer taking over the tournament, Cannavaro’s effort was golden ball worthy.
Honorable Mention: Could go to Ballack or Grosso, but I’m going with Zidane anyways.
The biggest rule change for the next world cup has to be adding substations for overtime. One or two per team would do. This would also perhaps eliminate the need for PK’s to decide games. Using Pk’s serves a purpose, but ones that my American blood will not accept. Hell, even soccer fans from most countries dislike them, so why in the hell do they use them? It is terrible. This world cup was good, not great. No dominant goal scorers emerged, and there were too many bizarro controversial events. The referees were god-awful .The selection of the referee’s was anti-American. I’d even say the selection of top seeds prior to drawing groups was anti-American. The number of key players sent off early in games was pathetic. The fact that TnT may have defeated Sweden with Stern John on the field in group play exposed the fact that the shear volume of cards given out created an environment where no surprise team could emerge, unless you consider France a surprise, which would be stupid.
The most disappointing team was obviously the Americans. Its not that they did not make it out of group play…….ok I guess it is. The effort against the Czechs in game one was the worst performance I have seen since we played Iran in ’98. While playing great against the Italians, the team was a huge disappointment against Ghana as well. Sure, everything in retrospect seemed against the lads, but giving up early goals and taking stupid fouls are what did the Americans in. That and playing high school defensive soccer, of coarse. Honorable Mention: Spain. They were dominant early against France, and then just pissed themselves. Could have been Brazil here, but they are the Yankee’s of World Soccer, just a collection of good players…not a team.
The BoSox just lost in 19 innings, after Paps blew the save. I am going to vomit now.
The coverage of the World cup was good. The fact I could see every game was fantastic. However, the 1st team announcers of Dave O’Brian and Marchello Balboa sucked ass. Rob Stone is the second best American soccer announcer, and should have played a greater role throughout the tournament. Putting him in the 1st team would have been excellent. Bringing in a baseball announcer like O’Brian to do soccer was ESPN making the same mistake they always do. But for god’s sake, the frequent cuts of international dignitaries (World Leaders, Benkenbauer, Supermodels) and soccer legends was met with nothing but dead air. Just crap. Plus, his flipping out over Zidane’s head butt still paled in comparison to his condemnation of one Manny Ramirez’s trot after hitting the series deciding homer for the BoSox in the 2003 series against the A’s. JP Dellacammera is the best American soccer announcer alive. He does it all. He and John Harkes were fantastic. Harkes was the media revelation of the tournament. He brought great credibility and name dropped better then anyone. Eric Wynalda was good early, but lost passion after the Americans quick exit. Lalas’s analysis was goofy, but entertaining. As was Foudy’s. I though Reese Davis stepped up for the studio team segments, certainly better then the ridiculous Dave Revsine. In the end, I think the best team pound for pound won the World Cup. Of the American media, only ESPN’s Tommy Smyth predicted an Italian victory before the start of the tournament.
I think the final game was a microcosm of the entire World Cup. The PK to France was awful, especially after only 7 minutes. Italy dominated on crosses, scored a wonderful goal, then fell back into defesnse for way too long. France dominated the second half until Zindane's red card. The PK shootout was great for both teams, no chokers emerged, Italy had to earn it. Plus, I was rootin for my ancestors home land anyway.
Time to settle for just baseball and MLS, which isn't to shabby.
See you in South Africa 2010. Bring a water bottle.
Patriots camp starts three weeks....
-The Prez
posted by The Dude at
6:07 PM
1 Comments:
WEBB, NEW BLOG, LET'S GO
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home