US Men's National Soccer Team Thread: USA #1 - Page 531 - Sporting Events and Fantasy Sports

I completely agree that those two teams are miles ahead of us. I just think that on our day we present some problems for teams like that. I don't think Brazil or Germany are going to fold under pressure no matter what. Argentina or Spain, if we can get to the half drawn they might start to feel it.

No we don't present any problems. On our complete best day imaginable, we're still massively outclassed by both teams and several others. It's pretty insane how much you overrate us.

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10-17-2013 , 07:46 AM

#13252

AKQJ10

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobito

And the USA beat Spain in 2009. A grossly inferior team can win a football match.

You'd think a poker site of all places would get the point about variance.

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10-17-2013 , 08:42 AM

#13253

mmbt0ne

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Originally Posted by Bobito

This just seems delusional.

USA is not even remotely comparable to France. Benzema may not be all that, but he's loads better than anything playing in North America. Ribery is a boss. Behind them there's plenty of talent.

That vaunted France team squeaked by a B+ American squad 1-0 at home in 2011.

Plus, as Cruizn will tell you, youth results are what really matters and US U20s tied France 1-1 in the U20 WC this year.

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10-17-2013 , 08:53 AM

#13254

mmbt0ne

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To be clear about the US's skill level:

No chance against Spain
Could never hang with Brazil
Let's be honest, not on par with England
Colombia would wipe us off the map
And let's not even get started on the embarrassment that would result from playing Argentina
Italy would crush all of our hopes and dreams
Russia's got talent for days, so you know we're not on their level
God help us if we ever have to face someone like Germany
Even the teams most American fans don't realize are good, like Bosnia & Herzegovina, would be a struggle for such a weak team like ours

I mean, really we were lucky to qualify.

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10-17-2013 , 09:01 AM

#13255

Krayz

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Haha awesome mmbt0ne!

You forgot France though!

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10-17-2013 , 09:04 AM

#13256

andre006

Champions Du Monde

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No worries, you can always draw Australia and Ecuador

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10-17-2013 , 09:18 AM

#13257

Krayz

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Cruizn, you should see if this comes with a Zusi version for your cousin.

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10-17-2013 , 09:18 AM

#13258

Victor Cruz

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Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4,110

If only the WC was a bunch of friendlies that no other teams or countries cared about, we'd have them right where we want them

It's posts like that why none of the world take us seriously

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10-17-2013 , 09:21 AM

#13259

Das Boot

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Here are our recent results in competitive matches vs. "top nations":
US 2002: 3-2 Portugal, 0-1 Germany
US 2006: 1-1 Italy
US 2010: 1-1 England
(Confederations Cup, if that counts: 0-3 Brazil, 1-3 Italy, 2-0 Spain, 2-3 Brazil)

Agree with preferring to face Spain or Argentina to Germany/Brazil stylistically. Think we have a tougher time against superior opposition that can also match us physically.

The US is 15th in SPI, which seems approximately right (slightly high). Ecuador and Bosnia above us are arguable; Russia and Sweden behind us are arguable, Portugal behind us but clearly better. I think 16-17 is about right.

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10-17-2013 , 09:25 AM

#13260

ZAIDS

it’s coming home again

Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6,633

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayz

Haha awesome mmbt0ne!

You forgot France though!

No chance against France

Last edited by ZAIDS; 10-17-2013 at 09:27 AM. Reason: @ das boot, confederations cup should count

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10-17-2013 , 09:28 AM

#13261

Krayz

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Pfft we only lost 1-0 with our B team at their house so I'm happy with that.

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10-17-2013 , 09:33 AM

#13262

Victor Cruz

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Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4,110

Quote:

Originally Posted by Das Boot

We also have tons of embarrassing losses sprinkled in there too. I don't know why those are being ignored. We're not very good. We don't have any world class at any position. Citing some wins and some moral victory close losses is silly. No one is debating on any given day that we can win one game.

That has nothing to do with the fact that we're hugely outclassed by at least a handful of teams and are no threat to make any reasonable run in the ko stages.

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10-17-2013 , 09:36 AM

#13263

Victor Cruz

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And I don't really see how "hope to run really good and maybe get a header off a set piece" qualifies as us being setup to give Spain and Argentina problems.

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10-17-2013 , 09:37 AM

#13264

mmbt0ne

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You would think a Giants fan would see the hope in a mediocre team making an unlikely run.

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10-17-2013 , 09:41 AM

#13265

Victor Cruz

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We do have a massive WIM advantage over England. That's really the matchup I'm hoping for out of said teams above.

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10-17-2013 , 09:45 AM

#13266

Das Boot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor Cruz

Because we were looking at results vs. top teams.

We are, of course, a reasonable threat to make a run in the KO stages. We're also a reasonable threat to go out in the group stages. Such is the life of the 16th-best team in the world.

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10-17-2013 , 09:48 AM

#13267

nutshot2

Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 48,742

Didn't realize tut was so anti-American

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10-17-2013 , 09:55 AM

#13268

loosekanen

USA#1, Oh Yeah!

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 27,838

I properly rate us. I think our team matches up well with your disappointing collection of superior talent. This same argument pops up every cycle when the haters invade the thread. it's why i become hipsterkanen and disappear. God forbid someone in the USMNT thread has confidence in the USMNT.

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10-17-2013 , 09:56 AM

#13269

AKQJ10

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor Cruz

No one is debating on any given day that we can win one game.

Is that so? I feel like everyone in this discussion is talking past each other.

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10-17-2013 , 10:14 AM

#13270

nutshot2

Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 48,742

USA >>> England

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10-17-2013 , 10:22 AM

#13271

mucksandgravs

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I dont follow soccer enough to know, but if we're >>> England, we've come long way. Even to be in that discussion is awesome for US soccer.

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10-17-2013 , 10:25 AM

#13272

nutshot2

Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 48,742

We aren't, talent-wise, but the amount of heart and WIM we have basically catapults us way past those gutless losers.

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10-17-2013 , 10:38 AM

#13273

ForumWithdrawal

US Men's National Soccer Team Thread: USA #1

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutshot2

USA >>> England

Wrong. England is a proper noun, while USA is an ugly acronym.

-TUT

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10-17-2013 , 11:09 AM

#13274

AKQJ10

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ForumWithdrawal

USA is an ugly acronym.

Only if you try to pronounce it as a word: Usa.

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10-17-2013 , 11:13 AM

#13275

acoustics

banned

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 179

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbt0ne

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