ajzepp

True....I hope it plays out that way. I'd rather see all three teams in the knockout stage, but if there's sudden death on the line for that game it'll be almost the same thing.

I agree...he better step up his game and take this team on his shoulders, or Ivory Coast and Brazil will leave them behind. Should be an interesting group to watch! North Korea can suck it

I hope so too...seeing him and C.Ronaldo should make for an entertaining match. EDIT: Wow, for some reason I didn't realize Brazil was in that group, too....that kinda sucks, cause three of my favorite teams to watch are in that group

Last I heard, they were trying to find the right cast for him to wear so that he could play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooaKLm1uA_c

There are definitely examples where it's controversial, but this wasn't one of them. It was one of the clearest, most blatant hand balls I've ever seen. Just a stupid, boneheaded play that cost Serbia the match.

I felt the same way. I know the Aussies aren't the Brazilians, but still, Germany is a very young team and I didn't expect them to look quite that good. They may do some damage before all is said and done. I just hope they don't play the US....I hate when that happens!

Maybe just try and revisit it during the knock out rounds...you typically see more intense matchups, and the crap teams will have already been eliminated. Watch Brazil, ARgentina, GErmany, Italy, and the US. Maybe also throw in the Netherlands, cause they're often very entertaining to wtach, too. In between, just set your dvr for World Cup Live or sports center and check out the highlights. There have already been a few really nice goals, and I'm sure it's going to get much better from here. Last WC there were some of the most amazing goals I'd ever seen. If you end up still not getting into it, don't worry, it won't be on again for four years lol

Same here....I don't see how they can enjoy the match when they're constantly blowing those damn things

Even with the Germans finishing 3rd, I really enjoyed that WC. I hope the Italians and Germans play again this time...and throw the US into the mix...would be a blast!

lol....that was AWFUL...I remember that like it was yesterday. I'm just glad that we lost to the eventual champs. That was just your guys' year, man. Nobody was stopping u in '06. Tomorrow should be interesting!

I don't get it either. I guess it would be the American equivalent of doing the wave constantly from the start of the match until the end? Sort of ruins the novelty of it. Just blow the fuggin things when someone scores for gosh sakes

It's pretty fuggin ridiculous...I knew about them before the matches started, but seriously....enough with the horns. I don't know what is wrong with these people. I know it's a cultural thing, but ENOUGH already!

I guess I had my doubts since we're in the middle of a youth movement here, but so far so good. I'm glad to see Klose picking up where he left off last WC....the guy is goal machine

Germany putting on a CLINIC, baby! "Air" Klose in da HOUSE!!

Definitely will take that result...I'm happy our defense held up for the second half, and Howard...wow, what a game. That guy is a fantastic keeper. I think all the time abroad has really helped PrimaDonovan, cause the guy is standing out much more now than he ever did before, IMO. His ball control is better, his decisions are better, and he looks like he actually belongs against the best. Not happy at all with DeMerritt....just a horrid showing today. Bonehead Bocanegra still concerns me a lot, too...wish we had a few more Onyewus back there. Oh well... We're in good shape for the next two matches, which I expect us to win. We'll get out of the group with a total of 7 pts and be ready for some big matches in the knock-out stage!

When I saw the replay the first time, it looked like the defender's cleat went into Howard's forearm while it was pressing into the ground...I was scared that he broke it at first. He's a gamer, though....thank God he's okay.

My take on the first half.... I LOVE the fact that PrimaDonovan created and took a couple of shots...one of them was almost gold. I also really like him on set pieces so far...Altidore was a few inches away from putting a header in the net. I think it's clear that our ball movement and passing has improved a fair bit since 2006...we're not being disposessed nearly as often. That being said, the back line SUCKS!! I guess we all expected this to be our weakness, but my gosh, CLEAR THE FUGGIN BALL!!! How many second and third opportunities did the English have back there in that first half? Howard's job is tough enough as is....let's not make it even tougher on him. That "hand of Jesus" goal might come back to be very significant....I still can't believe it went it. Green better file his last will and testament before heading back to England

Tru dat! That means there's only 3hr18min until the morning of the USA match!! I just read an article where the author argued that the matches against our other two opponents were much more important than our match against the English. I completely disagree. I know they were probably saying that because England is sure to come out of the group, but 1) the matches aren't weighted any differently, and 2) the effort we put forth against the English will tell us a TON about how much we've grown in the last four years. I, for one, expect a LOT out of Prima Donovan. I didn't realize this guy was still in his 20s...this WC performance should best the last one easily, and he should take a clear leadership role on this squad. I want to see him look more for the open shot than he usually does. It's great he's so good with assists, but there have been too many times in the past where he should have taken the shot instead of made a dinky cross. Howard is probably the most consistent player of the bunch, so we're solid at the keeper spot. How the rest of the squad matches up against one of the best teams in the world, who knows? I dunno, I just think this is a huge statement game for us. Hopefully we'll have several big matchups to talk about for the US side this WC, and it all starts with our friends across the pond. U-S-A!!!!

Very well said! Same here! That's one of the most exciting things for me as a fan, actually. You're exactly right that it's pointless to try and convince anyone what they should and shouldn't like, but thankfully we don't need to do that. With soccer having such a solid relationship with ESPN/ABC now, and with the expansion of the MLS, enough people are being exposed to the sport that a certain percentage will naturally be drawn to the game, just like we were. The majority of people who take a look may still not find anything that appeals to them, but you can take that small percentatge that DOES get turned on by it and add them into the ever growing soccer population in the USA. U-S-A, BABY!!!!! (and Germany!! woohoo!!!)

That S.African goal was a thing of beauty! Just saw the highlights...and their goalie had a couple of killer saves...wonder if Howard can get air like that?

Dang, trying to get as much work done as possible so I can leave EARLY tomorrow and make it home for the big game....glad to see everyone excited about the matches and already enjoying them! Hopefully my DVR will function properly and I'll have plenty of good action - especially WC Live - to watch when I get outta here tonight. I can't believe it's finally here!!! I'm so damn excited!!

Couldn't wait for morning...had to get the thread started! WOOOOHOOO!!!! The world's attention focuses on South Africa for the next 30 days...hopefully this cup will be even better than the last, which I thought was pretty darn good. LET'S GET IT ON!!!!!! U-S-A!!!! U-S-A!!!! U-S-A!!!!

My music collection has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years, thanks in large part to the discussions we've had on here. Anyway, a while back I bought the Jason Mraz album, "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." It's the one that has "I'm Yours", which was a song I really liked a lot when it first hit the airwaves. Anyway, I've since come to realize that this is a GREAT album, top to bottom. I really try not to buy an entire CD when it's only one or two songs I like, and I wouldn't have picked this up if not for such great reviews, but it's only recently that I really got around to listening to the rest of the tracks. I'm really impressed with this guy and will probably buy more of his stuff. I tend to have a bit of ADD when it comes to music, and I prefer to have my songs shuffled up and going from one artist to the next. I don't typically prefer to listen to an album straight through. But if there is enough variety among the cuts and the writing is good, I can really get into it (see: Amos Lee). So anyway, what albums do you guys and gals have in your collection that you didn't give enough of a chance to impress you the first time around?

Well, I really thought the Flyers would hold ice once more and give themselves a punchers chance back in Chi-town, but just wasn't meant to be...that's okay...congrats to the 'hawks! Forty years is a long time to wait for another cup, so congrats to them and their fans, especially you Exiled!