USA with a bad draw.

[xingsoccer18]

..I know many people have their hopes that USA will advance to the second round of the world cup, but come on, facing Italy(12) and worst of all Czech(2). USA is ranked above Italy at the moment at number (8) but USA is gonna have a tuff time getting threw Italys awsome Defence, and this year it seems as though they have some goal scores too. Personaly, I'm pulling for Italy, I'm going to be in Italy for the world cup so.....I think that would make my trip even more intrusting..what do ya'll think?

[bignasty]

Italy is living in the past. Their team is full of old geisers. USA will beat Italy and Ghana, Czech Republic will have the best cjance in beating the USA, but I'm betting on USA all the way.

[hideki]

2-1 win vs. italy, 0-0 czech republic, 2-2 ghana (ghana is underrated team in group)

[bignasty]

you're right. ghana is very underrated. But I hope they don't play to their potential against the U.S. I'd rather see them do awesome against Italy and Czech, and then get blown away by the USA. And I think the U.S. play Ghana last, so it could happen.

[hideki]

bignasty how do you think we'll do against czech and italy?

[bignasty]

well I'm not that good at predicting scores. But I know the USA will beat Italy. Czech Republic game, it's too close to decide, I don't know the squad the US will play and I don't know how strong the Czech's will play. If Nedved has one of his usual games, the US midfield/defense will have a long night. Like I said before it's too close to tell, and I'm not good at predicting scores, but I'll give it a go......
Czech 2 USA 3(sound familiar? USA's first game last world cup) then Italy 1 USA 4 and Ghana 0 USA 2

this is just a fantasy because I realize how difficult it is for any team to win all three bracket games, but I'm thinking if USA's offense plays phenomenal, and the defense holds it down, and the midfield clogs everything up for the other team, these will be the USA's scores. I don't expect to lose until the quarters or later. Depending on who we play. I mean if we play Brazil in the quarters or something, I'm not sure if the US could pull it off, but I'll be hoping.

[hideki]

wow, those scores would be pretty nice

[bignasty]

haha, yea, just to clarify again. That is if USA plays the way the USA can play. Like I said, it's too early to make scoreline predictions, but if everyone is in form on US, that will be the scores.

[ronaldo11]

Italy is certainly not living in the past... Del Piero's back on TOP form, Totti's leading a Roma revival in Serie A, Luca Toni's looking dangerous all the time in front of goal, Filippo Inzaghi's back in action (although I dont think he'll make the squad) and Christian Vieri's banging in the goals now that he's getting first team football in France (although i wouldnt pick him). Oh yeah, Gilardino as well

Gattuso never stops running (somehow), Pirlo can open up any team, Cassano's useful to bring off the bench to create something out of nothing.

Furthermore, Nesta will still world class. Cannavaro's had an amazing season. With a great balance of attacking and defending, Zambrotta's undoubtedly one of the best full backs in the world. Gianluigi Buffon's name is always up there in discussions of 'who is the best keeper?'.

It must be noted that recently Italy went to Holland and beat them comfortably on their own soil. Before then, Van Basten hadnt lost one game as the dutch coach. Also, Italy never start big competitions that well, but this time their first game in against Ghana. Having seen at first hand how poorly Ghana have played in the African Nations and also their coach saying that he's going to drop Michael Essien for the world cup (he'd be very stupid to do so), I think Ghana will lose all three of their games. Thus when Italy have to play USA, my precition is that Italy will be on form, and USA will be trying to recover from a narrow loss at the hands of the checks.

[deridderforward#23]

ronaldo does know what hes talkin about lads. i think the czechs will be #1 italy will come in #2 and #3 usa and ghana will be last but will have respect by the other 3 nations on how well they played against them. and some guy on this thread used the term geezer this is not an american term and i find it very funny that an american used it.

[deridderforward#23]

deridderforward said:

ronaldo does know what hes talkin about lads. i think the czechs will be #1 italy will come in #2 and #3 usa and ghana will be last but will have respect by the other 3 nations on how well they played against them. and some guy on this thread used the term geezer this is not an american term so i think that someone wants to be english more than american huh lol

[deridderforward#23]

really in the world cup now, ranking does not matter when these teams play each other except if your playin the number 1 team brazil.

[usasoccerboy]

I think we have to beat Czech R. in the first game. That is going to be a tough challenge, but I think the USA can win the group by winning on the first day against Czech Republic. The USA must win the group. This is essential for WC success because you do not want to face Brazil in the round of 16. The USA will upset the Czechs, I hope, and then tie a determined Italy, and then under stress from all teams being in the mix, the USA and Arena will learn from their performance in 2002 and use thatexperience to put away Ghana and go tops in the group. This scenario leaves an interesting Italy vs. Brazil possible matchup in the round of 16 and the USA would have to play either Croatia or Japan, and possibly even Australia, but I doubt Australia could make it out of the group.

[bignasty]

haha, geezer, thats how you spell it. I couldn't think. I don't know, I use it all the time. And I did have an English soccer coach, so I guess I picked up some of his terms. Also, when I retire I want to move to England, so I can watch all of Manchester United's games at Old Trafford until I die. I'll still be American though, and proud. Anyway, I know my post was ambitious, and I think usasoccerboy is pretty accurate with his prediction. But I think Italy will go down to the US. They may tie the Czechs.

The Ghana situation.......
Ghana played bad in the African nations Cup BECAUSE they didn't have Essien, which is why the coach is angry and threatening not to play him in the World Cup. I think that would be a shame, because that would wreck Ghana's dreams of having an upset at the World Cup. So hopefully the coach cools off and lets Essien play again.

I still think Italy is living in the past. I wasn't talking about their players being old and out of form. They used to be able to walk all over the USA is what I meant. They think they still can, but they can't. Because the USA is now, in my opinion, a stronger team than Italy.

[usasoccerboy]

You underestimate the Italians. They know how to play the game and they are a top soccer nation. Next to Brazil are Germany and Italy. I just got finish reading and interview on fifaworldcup.com with an Italian from the 78 world cup and he was asked his opinions on this world cup and he said he expected those same countries that are always the dominant teams to be there in the end. This has been the trend for sure, but as one who has been watching the cups for over 20 years now, there is a trend in world football that is changing. The minnows are not so small now, and the big fish seem to be getting a lot slower with the exception of Brazil who is still king of the mountain.

I remember when West Germany and East Germany combined, I thought they were going to be unstoppable for years to come. They made it to the finals of the last world cup and will get to host this years world cup, but they don't seem to be as much of a dominant force as they use to be. I still would not be surpised though, that at kickoff, the germans will have looked to regain their stature as a world power.

Italy on the other hand is another question mark, but I think we might be underestimating them a bit too much and that is very dangerous.

[guest]

Italy will qualify for the second round. It's the mark of a great team whether they live on the legend of the past or not. Italy will find a way, but I don't think they will go past the 1/4 finals. Czech Republic and USA will be a scrap which I think Landon will fold under (again on German soil). If the USA gets 4 points from this group they have a shot. I think it's a group where all four teams have the opportunity to take points from one another.

[guest]

Italy will qualify for the second round. It's the mark of a great team whether they live on the legend of the past or not. Italy will find a way, but I don't think they will go past the 1/4 finals. Czech Republic and USA will be a scrap which I think Landon will fold under (again on German soil). If the USA gets 4 points from this group they have a shot. I think it's a group where all four teams have the opportunity to take points from one another.

[beckhamismyidol]

USA have their fair share of "geizers" as well, the likes of Pope, McBride, Keller, Cobi Jones( if he still gets a look in), and Reyna aren't too young themselves, I'm sure there are a few others around that age but most teams mix their experienced players with promising youth and there's nothing wrong with that, especially if it's players of a caliber of Totti, who wouldnt want him in their side

[usasoccerboy]

beckhamismyidol said:

USA have their fair share of "geizers" as well, the likes of Pope, McBride, Keller, Cobi Jones( if he still gets a look in), and Reyna aren't too young themselves, I'm sure there are a few others around that age but most teams mix their experienced players with promising youth and there's nothing wrong with that, especially if it's players of a caliber of Totti, who wouldnt want him in their side

Cobi Jones has no chance of making it. 2002 was his swan song. He should feel good that he is still in the game. He will probably be a broadcaster after his long career is done. Don't knock Cobi. He was the first legitimate USA soccer player in the EPL. He came out and played a season or two before Keller and Freidel had asserted themselves as fulltime starters. He is also the USA's most capped player and ranks among the most capped players in world soccer history.

McBride still doing well in the EPL, so he is not incapable of producing at the WC level. For keepers, I have always thought that the best performances by WC keepers are when they are older around 36 years age. That is the age of Freidel and Keller will be 35, so they are not too old for their position. To me they are in their prime. Reyna, I will agree is pretty much done with. His career is sort of a disappointment in that he suffered too many injuries that seemed to slow him down, yet still, when he is healthy, he starts at Manchester City, so he can't be that bad. The guy is a genius in holding the ball and distributing. The USA are loaded at midfield so, he may not have to defend as he did so brilliantly in 2002 against Mexico. Reyna will be decided upon in May. Arena is deeply connected with Reyna since Reyna played for him in college at Virginia.

Pope has been showing well lately and isn't as old as the others that you mentioned. He is young enough to keep up the intense deamand imposed on his body, but experienced enough to deal with all the extraneous and intrinsic demands of performing at the game. He is not Jeff Agoos.

Totti, just got hurt, but is expected to be healthy enough to play in the world cup opener, but he will just be trying to play himself in shape.

[beckhamismyidol]

I wasn't knocking Cobi, I've seen him play for the USA and although the game was 0-0, he is incredibly quick. I am impressed by McBride this season for fulham and he should be on the field for the USA as he finishes his chances well. I don't think there's a problem with playing older players because they give your team experience and they know how to battle as they have been around the game long enough. The only reason I said what I did was because somebody said Italy are a team of geizers too, but if you look at it, a lot of teams are, I think I'd rather an experienced player than some 18 year old who may be overawed by the atmosphere