The Glade 4.0

It was boring because it was the Packers and Vikings that both sucked at the time. They should have been embarassed. But 26-26 is not 0-0.

Hundreds of thousands of people watch NASCAR. That doesn't make it interesting. Hundreds of thousands of people watch American Idol, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and Survivor. That doesn't make them good. I suppose if Soccer was all you had in your third world hovel, you'd watch it.

Flopping wise perhaps there *are* penalties for it. But they certainly aren't enforced nearly enough. Do it once? Red card. Done. Off the field you playacting pussy.

But it still happens frequently. Just like the NBA.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Not as frequently as you think. I suppose you thought Mueller flopped in the Germany/Portugal game when Pepe nearly broke Mueller's nose with a wild elbow?

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Tim Howard is a freaking alien.

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Ezekiel 23:19-20 

Wow that match had everything except that ultimate thrill. Ooooof

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To be fair, Ronaldo only mattered for that one cross (by and large). And that draw against the #4 Team in the World ... I'll take it. We gave up a little too much possession late, but we neutralized Ronaldo all game long.

Now our group is incredibly interesting.

If Portugal beats Ghana and we lose to Germany, we're sitting very pretty. Portugal needs to win by a minimum of 6 goals vs. Ghana to knock us out. Ghana's GD is -1, though. Which means they can very realistically put us out with a solid win over Portugal. We need to draw against Germany to make certain we advance.

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Great mathematical result, terrible emotional letdown. I fear the latter is more consequential than the former.

With that said, the US and Germany find themselves in an interesting position in their upcoming head-to-head match: a tie advances both teams. I feel, given Klinsmann's German roots, both teams will likely crowd the defensive ends, playing not too lose. That's our best shot to advance.

A few thoughts on tonight's game:

1. Klinsmann had the US keep the high pressure on the throw in, so they were caught upfield more than they should have been in that situation, leading to Portugal's second goal.

2. Cameron was at fault for the first Portugal goal, but not the second. It was a perfect pass from Ronaldo, who was given all the time in the world to pick his spot, because the US was out of position after a terrible turnover by Micheal Bradley, to the only place where his guy could get a head on it. A World Class play created by a World Class playmaker.

3. I've seen people, elsewhere, calling for Bradley to be pulled. However he's both the best possession player and the best playmaker the USMNT has. Great first half. Bad second. He needs to be better for the US to advance, but more importantly, he needs to be on the pitch.

4. Dempsey's "dick-kick goal" would be the thing of American Sports Legend, if not for that ending.

In summary:

'MURICA!!!

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Ezekiel 23:19-20 

It may have felt a let down from the outside looking in but despite the last 15 seconds that had to be thrilling for the team and give them momentum to build on. Unlike the Germans who limped into a tie with Ghana and a desperate Portugal versus Ghana is going to make it a full blown shoot out.

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We won the head-to-head with Ghana, so a Ghana win might mean we advance, but it's not likely. Portugal's goal differential is definitely working against them. Portugal has to win and get under our Goal Differential to advance. Ghana's playing pretty strong and Portugal looked rough. If Ghana beats Portugal by more than a goal, we're likely out.

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As I said, our best chance is a German draw, which benefits both teams.

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Ezekiel 23:19-20 

I really hope Jurgen is on good terms with his former teammate. A nil-nil tie with no further injuries or penalties would allow Germany to stay on top of the group with the US finishing second.

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Holy shitsnacks!

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Holy shitsnacks!

http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/25/58439 ... ms-uruguay

Now this is a sport you can really sink your teeth into.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Now you just hold on one minute...

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Well crap that sucks to advance on a loss.

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Sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win, and sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie, and sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. Winning or losing is all one organic mechanism, from which one extracts what one needs.

Whoa man... like whoa...

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Yeah ive never see so many people happy to be loosers

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I prefer to think of them as "Fighting evil in another dimension"

Who're you callin' loose?

We didn't lose our group play. We won 1, drew 1, and lost 1. We had 4 points, a 0 goal differential, and only allowed 4 goals against total. That's actually pretty impressive considering we lost to the #2 team in the world, beat our World Cup Nemesis (Ghana put us out of the last two in similar situations), and tied the #4 team in the world (for which the international headlines read, "Americans Keep Ronaldo Contained.") All in all, we played very well and overcame a lot of obstacles.

And we only lost by 1 goal against a team with more rest, better location, and better preparation for today's match. Making it to the knockout round is an accomplishment.

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I know. It's just flies in the face to what the causal american sports consumer like me is used to. It's probably a decent system once you get used to it.

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I prefer to think of them as "Fighting evil in another dimension"

We lost by one goal to a team that had already won their way to the next round.

Backed our way into the "playoffs", like the 7-9 Seahawks from a couple of years ago. Although this time, there'll be no Beast Quake to lift USA past... Who are they playing? Angola or something?

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Holy shitsnacks!

We're playing Belgium, who won their Group on 1 July. If we win, we will play a team with 6 days rest on 5 July -- the winner of the match between Argentina and Switzerland. And that's some seriously stacked odds ...

Argentina has Lionel Messi. Switzerland is always strong. And Belgium is not to be discounted in any way.

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Belgium swept their group (even if it was an easier draw than our own) so in no way can we take this lightly. The contrast between Germany's ultra-disciplined style and Belgium's more improvisational one should make for a much more frenetic ganme.

I am hoping having Altidore back helps out Dempsey upfront and that Bradley returns to his vs. Portugal form rather than the Ghana disappearing fiasco. With Altidore back I am very curious as to how Klinsmann will set his lineup (specfically what formation he starts in) against Belgium.

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