Re: World Cup Fever
 

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Portugal were seeded AND two years later were finalists at the European championships. South Korea were a semi-finalist in this World Cup. Germany were finalists. There is no viable way to discredit the U.S.' performance in 2002. I'm not saying they are deserving of a seed in 2006 (although as has been pointed out, the U.S. were just barely beaten out for the final seed by Italy), but you seem to be going out of your way to mock the U.S., when all recent signs point to them being an up-and-coming nation on the international scene.

-McGee

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I think they are overranked at 8th in the world.

I doubt that they will perform at to that ranking and I will bet against the US in doing it.

If I'm proven wrong - I will lose $$$.

BUTT

Thats my problem!

Re: World Cup Fever
 

ok, it's becoming clear you won't be convinced on this one. I'll play anyway...

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1. It was a reason why Mexico was a seeded team and the US wasn't.

[/ QUOTE ] duh, yes. but tell me why the poor skill and play of the 1998 team will negatively effect the skill and play of the 2006 team.


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. Yes, the USA qualified after the Round Robin Stage - but barely

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ok, I guess barely doesn't count

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The Portugal victory was ok, but if they played today Portugal would be favourites

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which may or may not be true, and either way, is meaningless

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But Germany is not what it used to be

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they were good enough to make the finals

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Sure USA has improved but if you think you are worth your number 8 ranking in the world - Then you must think think the world only exist in Columbus, Portland and Salt Lake City.

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who cares if we are #8 or #9 or #15? your original point was that we are a laughingstock, which I think I've proven to be ridiculous

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2002 was a much better performance. But I reckon the time zone of Asia helped.

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rrrright. b/c the USA is much closer to Asia than Europe? much more likely is that the time zone change put Americas teams and European teams on equal ground

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This time in Europe lets see which teams are drawn out of the hat Dec. 9th.

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um, ok

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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I think they are overranked at 8th in the world.


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That's your opinion, and that's fine. I think it's a little high for them, as well. My quarrel with you was that you called them the laughingstock of the sport, and that just simply isn't the case anymore.

-McGee

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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And as someone pointed out, it's weird that you are ignoring 2002, when the U.S. upset Portugal in group play and lost a very tough match to eventual finalists Germany in the round of 8.

-McGee

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I'm not ignoring the 2002 campaign. In terms of seeding it helped of course.

The Portugal victory was a shock. Ithough they played better against a Mexico team that was intent on playing physical rather than playing the ball.

Even though Germany made it to the Finals, you could hardly equate that team to the 1974 West German team.

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What about France? They got killed in 2002. Therefore they are the laughing stock! Ha ha smelly frogs.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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What about France? They got killed in 2002. Therefore they are the laughing stock! Ha ha smelly frogs.

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And you forgot about Turkey...

3rd in 2002. Failed to qualify for 2006.

This WC is in Europe though and I'm banking that the US is going to find it much tougher this time.

Bookies are offering 100/1 for the US to win the WC.

A list of bookie odds from the UK.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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What about France? They got killed in 2002. Therefore they are the laughing stock! Ha ha smelly frogs.

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And you forgot about Turkey...

3rd in 2002. Failed to qualify for 2006.

This WC is in Europe though and I'm banking that the US is going to find it much tougher this time.

Bookies are offering 100/1 for the US to win the WC.

A list of bookie odds from the UK.

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and according to Betfair, they have the 13th best chance to win. that is some laughingstock.

and as everybody in this thread has already proven, of course the US will have a tougher time this year. being in Europe gives the European teams a big edge, just as Asian teams got a bit boost in 2002. this doesn't prove anything.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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and according to Betfair, they have the 13th best chance to win. that is some laughingstock.


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Yep...
13th best chance and Rank #8 in the World...

Bwahahahahahahahahaha


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and as everybody in this thread has already proven, of course the US will have a tougher time this year. being in Europe gives the European teams a big edge, just as Asian teams got a bit boost in 2002. this doesn't prove anything.


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Proves that you Yanks rank yourself better than what you are really worth.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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and according to Betfair, they have the 13th best chance to win. that is some laughingstock.


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Yep...
13th best chance and Rank #8 in the World...

Bwahahahahahahahahaha


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and as everybody in this thread has already proven, of course the US will have a tougher time this year. being in Europe gives the European teams a big edge, just as Asian teams got a bit boost in 2002. this doesn't prove anything.


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Proves that you Yanks rank yourself better than what you are really worth.

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For a sport *virtually* no one cares about here, I'd say that's not bad.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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For a sport *virtually* no one cares about here, I'd say that's not bad.

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Gee whiz...

You've insulted every soccer mum that dreamed of her kid doing something constructive in his life.

Re: World Cup Fever
 

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For a sport *virtually* no one cares about here, I'd say that's not bad.

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Gee whiz...

You've insulted every soccer mum that dreamed of her kid doing something constructive in his life.

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I can guarantee that 90% of soccer "mums" don't even know where the World Cup is held, and probably not even know what year it is.