That said, our largely legit grievances will probably be allowed to obscure that fact that, goalkeeping aside, we're just not good enough. Donovan might win the 2006 Nakata Award for overrated 'star.' Beasley seems just hopeless, and Eddie Johnson demonstrated why he has been on the bench for most of the cup: he's not very good. There are some positves to take - McBride is useful, though probably too old to be around for much longer. After a nightmare against the Czechs, Onyewu has looked quite good - I can't blame him for the penalty because the call was astoudingly bad - a 5'4" guy was going to leap backwards, through Gooch and power a header in from 20 yards? Shennanigans. If he does move to England, it will only help him learn how to use his strength without fouling against crafty, floppy types. Dempsey has been a revelation, he should be the first name on the teamsheet, our most dangerous player by a mile over the last two games, and a thumping finish for our one real goal of the tourney.
Arena has demonstrated that he is overmatched as well. It's simply criminal to start in a 4-5-1 in a game that you not only have to win, but possibly have to win by a lot. Coaches have a shelf life, and he's probably passed his sell-by date. There's a reason that national team coaches don't last long, and I don't think it's too much of a surprise that the only two teams with the same manager as 2002 (us and England) have visibily underperformed.
I think this Deadspin commenter captures it perfectly:
I am just so upset right now. I'm upset at the ref. I'm upset at Donovan. I'm upset at Beasley. I'm upset at Arena. I'm annoyed at the Ghana people rolling around on the field to waste time.Indeed.
mostly, I'm frustrated that this means four more years of soccer haters making nyah-nyah noises at all of us for caring.
Oh, and after the Ghanians demonstrated that they've learned a few of the 'finer' points of football from the Italians, I fully endorse this as well:
I hope Brazil goes Spurrier on these guys in the 2nd round and win 11-0.
4 comments:
You made me care and then you broke my heart. Shame on you!
Oh come on. Ghana was absolutely right to waste time. That's not bad sportsmanship; it's the way the game is played.
Don't take out your anger at our side on the Ghanians. They played better over the three games - by far - and deserved to go through.
Al, time wasting is fine. Take a few seconds on free kicks, run to the corner flag, etc. The injury fakery is the crap that drives me nuts. Yes, on the balance of three games they were absolutely the 2nd best team in the group, so I don't begrudge them for going through. However, they were particularly egregious in the last 15 minutes, so I hope they get stuffed by an apparently rejuvenated Brazil.
Dunno - just can't agree. It's like a basketball team going into the four corners. If you don't want them to waste time, then don't let them have a lead at the end of the game.
I'm rooting for the Ghanians in the next round, even though without Essien they have zero chance. (BTW - howabout that hack referee booking Essien? What a joke.)
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