- 12:43 PM
- 12/03/24
| Name: | Mike Lucas |
|---|---|
| Location: | Dayton, Ohio, USA |
| Member since: | June 03, 2002 |
| Last visit: | August 25, 2002 |
zombywoof has posted 0 links and 6 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 0 comments to the Locker Room.
wc2002, great point on the US strategy being that of an underdog. The only optomism I can take from that is that we have come far enough to be competitive in the role we have held for decades (underdog). Now maybe we can take the next step to develop players that can control a game. I have been disappointed by Reyna for years. I've rarely seen him control the pace of a game the way I've always hoped he should. Or perhaps it is more because he's never had any supporting cast for him to grow into that role, I can't tell. btw, is it just me, or is there a chance for Japan to make it to the final four? I think they can handle Turkey, and would need some luck against Sweden, but... that would be amazing, eh?
posted by zombywoof at 11:20 AM on June 14, 2002
I only watched the second half due to work, but the yet again, the game was virtually decided in the first 5 minutes. I think our players showed too much international inexperience, getting beaten so quickly after 2 rotten calls went against them (not that I'm biased, of course). The first corner should have been a penalty shot for USA, the Pole was holding McBride by the neck! But the foul was whistled on Donovan. The disallowed goal was a very poor call. But the issue for me was the USA seemed too distracted and unfocused following those controversies, and forgot the match was continuing. I chalk that up to lack of experience in international games that actually mean something. The Poles were too good to be taken lightly. I think Coach Areana contributed by starting Stewart over Beasley. Seemed as if he gave the message "let's use experience to play for the draw" rather than put in the best chance to attack and win. Ironically, I think Korea gave themselves a problem by winning the group. Even though the records from group play don't reflect it, I'd rather play Mexico than Italy in stage 2. Even if Korea clear the Italian hurdle, they more than likely will face Spain, who would be on a 4 game win streak at that point. Meanwhile, USA goes back to underdog, against a team it is very familiar with. should be a good affair, if USA gets focused early.
posted by zombywoof at 10:38 AM on June 14, 2002
as an American who only began watching fanatically in '94, I certainly am not qualified to speak to all time greatest World Cup upsets, but it sure seems to be the biggest upset I've seen . while the Senegal upset of France was a surprise, I think the difference is that France was missing its heart and soul in Zizou, and the US was playing without its 2 most talented players, leaving a team that averages 23 yr old (minus Agoos), WOW. Before the WC, a Korean collegue and I were discussing how important the US v. Korea match would be in deciding who would join Portugal to the next round. Now, it may be a matchup of the 2 advancers! I think US needs at least a draw with Korea and a win over Poland, because I feel Portugal has heard the alarm, and will awake from slumber in the next 2 matches, and could still end up with 2 wins. But you have to love US chances - hard to ignore a disciplined team with speed.
posted by zombywoof at 08:22 AM on June 05, 2002
jacknose, I agree that fouls when Shaq has the ball are basically are ignored and he does get hacked a lot. I like Shaq, and respect his game more lately since he does show better touch on turn arounds and such, but I also think a lot of the hacking on him is in response to his movement without the ball. I would argue that often (but not always) by the time Shaq is getting haqed on the shot, the ref already ignored a steamroller move that Shaq used to get into postion for the shot. Shaq isn't getting hacked on 15 ft jumpers in the key, defenders are swiping at him as he dumps in a bunny from 3 feet or less. But in order to get that close, Shaq uses his bulk to clear the space. That scenario is more of what I was thinking of when saying Shaq could get called for o-fouls. He is so strong that if he wants to get low on the blocks, he can brush aside defenders in the spot he wants to occupy like pushing tall grass out of the way on a walk through a meadow. of course I don't think Shaq is totally one dimensional. He has amazingly quick feet for someone so large, and is really pretty nimble. And he does take a lot of unnecessary slaps from fools who have no other idea on how to actually guard him.
posted by zombywoof at 11:39 AM on June 04, 2002
The common occurrance of subjective calls in the NBA Playoffs affecting the outcome of the game have driven me away from watching this year. Aldrige has a pretty good article regarding the perception of the ref fix. I think this whole issue becomes more of a focus with Shaq involved, because his game is about brute strength, and the only way that strength is contained is how the refs decide to call the game. Similar to holding in the NFL, you could call an offensive foul on Shaq nearly every trip down the floor, but he is just playing his advantage. Either way, the my cynical side was rooting for a Kings v. Nets series, to not only reward historically dismal franchises for turning things around, but to watch the little veins pop out on the foreheads of the NBC Sports execs, as they add up the viewership difference for Sacramento and NJ versus LA and Boston finals.
posted by zombywoof at 09:52 AM on June 03, 2002
US v Mexico
I'll be slurping coffee all day to keep the lids open, but it was worth setting the alarm for 2:30 am. I think Coach Arena deserves mammoth amounts of credit for what he has done with this team. Sure they are more talented compared to past USA teams, but using 4 fresh starters and playing the efficient counter-attack style was brilliant. And he set them up for positive results by saying in the media that he wouldn't miss his two defenders because he only brought players that could contribute. and after seeing a replay of the entire USA-Poland match, along with this match, I have to retract my statements about Reyna not living up to his potential. His run on the opening goal was brilliant, and set the tone for the match - the USA are this far because they deserve it, and can play.