Tag: USMNT

  • World Cup Dispatch: The Final

    Was it the greatest World Cup Final, ever?

    I would say so. Mind you, I have only been paying attention since 2002, which means I only have six Finals under my belt, but nothing in my memory compares to what happened on Sunday.

    Argentina controlling the match for 80 minutes, then France came roaring back to life. Then Extra Time drama; Goals and Fouls! All of it ending with Penalties – terrible, unfair, gut-wrenching Penalty Kicks. It was a show, and Messi and Mbappe didn’t disappoint. Those two guys played like the superstars that they are. And in the end, either outcome would have been impressive. France winning back to back Cups would have been amazing, and something to truly celebrate. But Messi winning it, that was the ending everyone was hoping for; what a cap to end a career on? (Though rumors are already flying that Messi has changed his mind.) At the end of that match, no one could say that both teams didn’t give it their all.

    And because of that, I was left feeling that FIFA and Qatar didn’t deserve that Final, let alone this tournament. Let’s not forget the bribery, the intolerable working conditions for the migrant workers building these stadiums, the authoritarian government, the lack of civil liberties, the inability of players and fans to wear a rainbow. I was left feeling that the bad guys got away with it. Like FIFA was saying to me, “You were entertained, so it wasn’t that bad to get here, right?”

    And I was entertained. Morocco was fun to watch, and made you think that anything was possible, like Brazil losing when they looked unstoppable. Don’t forget about Japan never giving up, and fighting for every ball. The drama of Team USA having to beat Iran to get into the Round of 16. I mean, I could go on and on…

    What I am left with is loving the show, and hating the producers.

    I’m still not happy about that.

    Yet, Tottenham picks up play again on the 26th of December, and there still is the Champions League. And, don’t forget that July 2023 is the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

    Lots of football left to play.

  • World Cup Dispatch: Past Weekend, and Today (Unedited)

    I caught a pretty awful chest cold over the weekend. I started feeling better today, so I’m going to try to catch up on this weekend’s matches, and what is going on today.

    Poor Team USA. I had a feeling that the Dutch would be a bridge too far for them, but I had to keep hope alive; This Cup seems to be about underdogs fighting to get the win. But the Netherlands are the Netherlands, which is the best team out there that has never won the Cup. The USMNT is a very young group, so I know that they will stick together, especially with the 2026 Cup being held here in America/Canada/Mexico.

    Did anyone doubt Argentina would win? Messi wants that trophy.

    France looks really good as well. They never seemed to not be in control in their match against Poland.

    As for England, it took them a bit to get started. For the first 35 minutes of that match, I thought Senegal had a chance to take it. And then all of a sudden, England remembered they were England, and started playing like it.

    And then there was today, were I just felt awful for Japan. No one likes going out on Penalty Kicks, but I really thought Japan was going to pull it off.

    And then there is Brazil that is just trouncing Korea right now. Talk about sending a statement. As of now it’s 4-0, and it’s not even half time. I had to turn it off.

    Ung… still not feeling well. I think I’m going to lay down for a bit.

    (And uh… If you, you know, like this thing that I do, please give it a like, and I’m going to take some DayQuil.)

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): USA v Iran

    A day like today is what makes the World Cup fun; Must win matches to get to the next round. Lots o’ drama.

    Unless you’re living under a rock with no wi-fi, then you know the big match of today is USA v Iran. The Americans need a win to advance, and Iran needs a win or a draw to move on to the next round. Then there is the animosity between our two countries which only heightens the emotions leading to this face off. I really don’t think there is much more insight I can offer, that hasn’t already been shared over the past few days.

    For me, I’m approaching this like a fan – I just want my team to win. And that desire creates in me an enjoyable competitive knot in my stomach. I felt this before when the Cubs went down in flames in 2003, or watching the Rangers lose the greatest game ever against the Cardinals in the World Series. But I also felt like this when the Mavericks won it all in 2011. And my insides were so squished together during the rain delay for Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, that I thought I might throw up. But I didn’t because the Cubs came out of the locker room to rally and break the curse.

    So, I know that feeling nervous just means that I care about my team, and I want them to win, and it sucks waiting for the match. And it will suck watching the match. And it will suck even more if the outcome isn’t the one I so desperately want.

    Boy! This is fun!

    UPDATE: The first half went a lot better than I thought it would. Iran looked like they had been knocked back on their heels, and didn’t have an answer to the American attacks. USMNT looks hungry out there, and they aren’t playing wild, just aggressive.

    Now, not for a second do I believe that Iran is out of this match. They seem to play better in the second half, and forty-five minutes is a long time. I expect them to put the pressure on by try to out run USA.

    I’m nervous but still having fun.

    (And if you are having fun easing this blog, show your appreciation by giving it a like. The Holidays are coming and that’s an easy gift to give.)

  • World Cup Dispatch (Update): USA v England

    So, we are through the first half of the match, and it’s going as well as I could have expected. England did start out leading this match, and Harry Kane did have an early opportunity. But as the match has gone on, USA has started playing more confidently. They sure started working on England’s right side, and several times USA had some explosive runs down the pitch. That’s not to say that England was being out played. The last two minutes of the first half, Sterling had a solid chance for a goal, and even got a corner kick to end the half.

    Also, it has been a rather clean match. Sure, a little pushing and shoving, but no hard tackles. I expected USA to play a little cautious, as they did get several yellow cards against Wales. England… well… they always play rather polite.

    In the second half, I see the US playing the same, testing England’s backline, and keeping the pressure on. England, I see them playing harder, and working the ball forward to Kane, Saka and Sterling.

    Here we go!

    UPDATE: A draw against England is pretty damn good. USA gets to live another day, but now means that they have to beat Iran on Tuesday. Team USA looked good out there. They challenged England on the ball, and pushed hard, but just couldn’t get it across the line. England, on the other hand, didn’t look that great out there. Their defense was good, and they held the ball, but there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure in the American box.

    So… Tuesday is going to be a big day. Winners get to go to the Knockout Round.

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  • World Cup Dispatch: Wales v Iran

    As this match was the early one of the day, I did not get up at 5am to watch it. But reading the recaps this morning, it appears all the drama happened at the very beginning and end of the match.

    The Iranian team decided that they would “sing” their national anthem at the match’s opening ceremony. With the men barely moving their lips, and looking down, they gave more of an impression of reluctance and shame than national pride. No matter how hard FIFA and the Iranian authorities try, you can’t stop politics and protesting from happening.

    Then late in the match, Wales goalkeeper was shown the red card, leaving the Welsh shorthanded. This gave Iran what they needed to get over the hump and quickly scored two successive goals in stoppage time.

    With this out come, Group B just got a hell of more competitive. Wales isn’t fully out if it, but to survive they will have to beat England on Tuesday, which isn’t likely. Iran will need to win against the USA on Tuesday to advance, which will add another level of drama to that match. And that leaves today’s face off between England and the USA. For survival purposes, the US has to get a draw if not a win. But if they lose to England… Tuesday is going to be a crazy three way fight for second in the group.

    That’s right, right? I got my math correct on the outcomes in the group, right?

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