2022 World Cup Thread

[brewcity77]

Now USA has to at least draw England to have any real hope of advancing.

If USA loses & Wales draws Iran...

England 6
Wales 2
USA 1
Iran 1

England, already having won the group, can rest all their starters and hands Wales the result.

If USA loses & Wales beats Iran

England 6
Wales 4
USA 1
Iran 0

A 0-0 scrub draw for England & Wales guarantees both advance.

I know everyone is sugar coating this result, but the scheduling puts us in a position where we have to get something out of Friday or hope Iran wins.

[tower912]

No one is sugar coating anything.

[Its DJOver]

Let's also not pretend that England's second XI couldn't beat Wales too.  There was a lot of talent that was either left on the bench or only played 20 minutes today.

[withoutbias]

Which is why ties suck.  Play to win the game.

[JWags85]

Which is why ties suck.  Play to win the game.

Who even talks like this

[lawdog77]

Who even talks like this

low hanging fruit

[withoutbias]

Who even talks like this

Sorry.  Forgot this is the beautiful game I am talking about.

[BM1090]

Now USA has to at least draw England to have any real hope of advancing.

If USA loses & Wales draws Iran...

England 6
Wales 2
USA 1
Iran 1

England, already having won the group, can rest all their starters and hands Wales the result.

If USA loses & Wales beats Iran

England 6
Wales 4
USA 1
Iran 0

A 0-0 scrub draw for England & Wales guarantees both advance.

I know everyone is sugar coating this result, but the scheduling puts us in a position where we have to get something out of Friday or hope Iran wins.

I agree the scheduling is a disadvantage but I strongly disagree that they need a point on Friday to have a shot.

In scenario 1, even England's backups would be heavy favorites vs. Wales. And they would have fresh legs.

In scenario 2, a draw guarantees both advance but England would still have motivation to go for the throat and win the group. Playing for 0-0 and allowing a late winner would pit them against Netherlands (probably) in the R16.

Unless Wales beats Iran and we get waxed vs. England, I like our chances.

Edit: Netherlands, not Argentina. Mixed up the groups.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Nothing like non-soccer people weighing in.   

[withoutbias]

Nothing like non-soccer people weighing in.   

*Futbol.  Please don't disrespect the beautiful game like that.

[Golden Avalanche]

Can see why Ferreira was selected. He's really dynamite in Greg's system.

Hopefully Wright can extricate himself from the milk carton and get some rest for Friday.

Adams, Ream, and Turner were the standouts which is quite an indictment.

[jesmu84]

I hated everything about the way the US chose to attack in the final 1/3

[MuggsyB]

It sounds like this was a bad tie for the USA.

[jesmu84]

Whoa

[tower912]

That is enormous.

[21Jumpstreet]

Didn't think the 4am alarm for a should be drubbing would have been worth it. Wow, I was wrong

[StillAWarrior]

For those of us who don't follow soccer too closely, what would be a comparable upset to seeing USA beat England on Friday? I'm assuming it's not Miracle on Ice territory? Is it UMBC/UVa? Jets/Colts? I'm just looking for a little perspective -- preferably non-hyperbole.

[Its DJOver]

For those of us who don't follow soccer too closely, what would be a comparable upset to seeing USA beat England on Friday? I'm assuming it's not Miracle on Ice territory? Is it UMBC/UVa? Jets/Colts? I'm just looking for a little perspective -- preferably non-hyperbole.

Well FIFA's ranking (which everyone will tell you is at least somewhat flawed) has England as the #5 team in the world, and the US as #16.  England is a legitimate title contender and I actually think 16 is just about right for us.  So probably about a 4 seed beating a 1 seed in the S16, to put it in a CBB perspective, give or take a little.  Significant, but certainly not at the level of this morning's upset.

[The Sultan]

To put it in college football perspective, I would say this would be like Iowa beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game. Not completely unheard of but a pretty rare occurrence.

Saudi Arabia beating Argentina though is like Ohio State losing non conference to Bowling Green.

[StillAWarrior]

Well FIFA's ranking (which everyone will tell you is at least somewhat flawed) has England as the #5 team in the world, and the US as #16.  England is a legitimate title contender and I actually think 16 is just about right for us.  So probably about a 4 seed beating a 1 seed in the S16, to put it in a CBB perspective, give or take a little.  Significant, but certainly not at the level of this morning's upset.

To put it in college football perspective, I would say this would be like Iowa beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game. Not completely unheard of but a pretty rare occurrence.

Saudi Arabia beating Argentina though is like Ohio State losing non conference to Bowling Green.

Thanks for the responses. Reading the thread, I was getting the impression that it was a much bigger upset than I was thinking. The rankings often tell an incomplete story because if you don't follow closely it's hard to know where the huge drop offs occur. What you guys are saying is about where I, as a very casual soccer fan would expect -- pretty unlikely but not earth shattering.

[shoothoops]

I hated everything about the way the US chose to attack in the final 1/3

I was scrolling for this.

There weren't many surprises. 5-3-2 shell for Wales. After working to get the first goal, you put your foot on the gas instead off taking it off of the gas.

Wales, as expected, changed tactics, personnel (Moore) and alignment which meant more direct play from them, a little less possession for the U.S. (which was fine) a little more defending from the U.S. (which was also fine).

But it created several counters, opened space, and too often the final third connecting pass wasn't good enough, quick enough, or even taken at all. Lots of pulling back, and playing to hold on for 75 minutes. Sometimes you get the result for which the way you play the game.

Overall it was fine, but the opportunity was there to play for 2 or 3 to zero, etc...before possibly conceding a goal.

[withoutbias]

I was scrolling for this.

There weren't many surprises. 5-3-2 shell for Wales. After working to get the first goal, you put your foot on the gas instead off taking it off of the gas.

Wales, as expected, changed tactics, personnel (Moore) and alignment which meant more direct play from them, a little less possession for the U.S. (which was fine) a little more defending from the U.S. (which was also fine).

But it created several counters, opened space, and too often the final third connecting pass wasn't good enough, quick enough, or even taken at all. Lots of pulling back, and playing to hold on for 75 minutes. Sometimes you get the result for which the way you play the game.

Overall it was fine, but the opportunity was there to play for 2 or 3 to zero nil, etc...before possibly conceding a goal.

FIFY.

[The Sultan]

Thanks for the responses. Reading the thread, I was getting the impression that it was a much bigger upset than I was thinking. The rankings often tell an incomplete story because if you don't follow closely it's hard to know where the huge drop offs occur. What you guys are saying is about where I, as a very casual soccer fan would expect -- pretty unlikely but not earth shattering.

And I would be happy with a draw.

[tower912]

Tunisia dodged one with that VAR review.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Tunisia dodged one with that VAR review.

Was a handball, but the foul on Denmark occurred before the handling.

I'm glad that the ref went to look at the monitor vs just letting the VAR officials telling him it was a foul/penalty.   Gives VAR a bit more credibility, IMO.