USA beat Spain in Soccer today!!!!

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**whatwhat**

MY point was the fact fifa sanction it doesn't mean anything.

Put it this way. England is football mad. It is the number one national sport. Where can we watch the confederate cup? on a second rate channel nobody watches. Want to know why? Because they don't put it on the good channels because people would rather watch soap operas and bad reality tv than see the quality of football being played in the confederate cup.

**youngblood**

That's rubbish. Pure rubbish. The English are far too pretentious about their football. Blast you whatwhat! Just give the confed cup some credit so I can feel good about my Nats, ok?

**whatwhat**

heres a fairly good article which in most I agree with...

After an exhausting 59 games, Xavi, the man of the match during last month’s European Champions League final, would be forgiven for needing a couple of months break from football.

It has been a fantastic 2008-09 for the tireless Spanish central midfielder. It all started in June 2008, when he helped Spain to an historic Euro 2008 title. Only 10 months later he had a La Liga, a Copa del Rey and a Champions League medal to add to his collection.

Yet instead of relaxing for a couple of months, preparing to defend his club titles and the dawning of World Cup 2010 on the horizon, Xavi is being exposed to the heat of Southern Africa.

The Confederation’s Cup is a truly pointless competition. It involves the champion’s of each continent, as well as the World Cup holders and the next World Cup hosts. In theory the tournament should provide fans with some great games.

In reality this is simply not the case. The South American champions, European champions and World Cup holders regularly plough through the weaker opposition from Oceania and Asia.

A prime example: Spain versus New Zealand. Less than 17 minutes into the game, Liverpool ace, Fernando Torres had grabbed himself a hat trick and Villa promptly added another before half time. A tame second half followed, with the match ending 5-0 to Spain as they demolished the Kiwi’s.

It highlighted the problem of the tournament. The Confederations Cup is effectively a glorified friendly tournament. It has as much appeal as watching the Emirates Cup every August. Sure, it’s great to see some of football’s global stars but at the end of a tired season, they are far from firing on all cylinders.

In some cases, weakened squads participate, as countries prefer to focus on the World Cup finals a year later. It is also a chance for the host country to do a dress rehearsal, insuring all the necessary requirements are ready, on and off the pitch.

It is also an opportunity for the minnows of the competition to come up against the World’s best teams like Brazil, Spain and Italy. There are the occasional upsets, but the big teams normally overcome the smaller nations with unerring ease.

So as Xavi, Iniesta et al will be running up and down a hard South African pitch sweating in the searing heat, John Terry and his team mates will be resting up. It can surely only be a benefit for the English and Irish squads as many of the World’s top players run themselves into the ground at the Confederations Cup.

Come June 2010, let’s hope the Brazilians, Italians and Spanish will be suffering from a bout of fatigue after a shortened summer break in 2009 and a gruelling fixture list in 2009/10.

**youngblood**

I agree, although I am going to be an American ass and point out that NBA players have 82 regular season games plus another 16 to 28 Playoff games and then they still manage to have the energy to stomp other country's nat teams. I know, apples and oranges.

At the end of the day, the Confed Cup is sadly inconsequential for established teams such as Brazil, Italy, etc but for teams looking for validation (such as the US) the wins and games are important.

**Redbeard**

whatwhat wrote:Redbeard just forget it. I cannot back up my claims, so I will continue to ask you to prove a negative.

Fixed that for you.

**Mad Rabbit**

Ok whatwhat. The US beat Spain. The context really doesn't matter. How about you let us have this one? We finally won a big game, regardless of your high and mighty opinion. That's all that really matters.

**whatwhat**

Redbeard wrote:
whatwhat wrote:Redbeard just forget it. I cannot back up my claims, so I will continue to ask you to prove a negative.

Fixed that for you.

hahahahhahaNO

I can't really see where I made any claims. You were the one coming up with all the "indians dont play cricket until their 17" which to anyone who knows even the slightest about cricket, would find insanely laughable. And trust me, I've had a fair share of laughs about it myself. And how did you "back them up" by telling me you worked with some indians who for all I know, probably don't exist.

**youngblood**

And the thread jacking continues...

Sure wish you guys would go threadjackOFF.

I've bitched more about this than anything in my life. Wow.

**Lord Bingo**

Football always brings out the worst in people.

**youngblood**

As it should.

**Lord Bingo**

Bloody hell people do like to bitch about football. At the end of the day it's a game! The best football is probraly lower leagues in England, where most clubs don't have stupid amounts of money and the same club dosen't always win *cough*premier leauge*cough*

**youngblood**

Nah, the best soccer is in America's A league! I think the best team was my Ft. Wayne Fever! Best boots in the world!

**Black Blow Fly**

I must call bull hockey on this... This a young Brazilian team and they are playing European style tactics.

G

youngblood wrote:
Casper wrote: Our "stars" mostly play for MLS, which is terrible to watch. Until we get more of our "star" players playing in Europe (and getting minutes), we won't have any real "stars" and US soccer will still be a 2nd tier sport.

Clearly you aren't familiar with our national team. Out of the starting 11 yesterday, only 2 (clark and donovan) play in the MLS. Also, keep in mind that the Brazil that plays today is not the Brazil of the 2002 or 2006 World cups. This Brazil team is a bit older and not as fast as they are used to being. Overall, I've not been that impressed with them compared to previous years. I think the final will be much closer than one might expect. The US is playing some great defense with both keepers (Howard and Guzan) in top form.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

halonachos wrote:The US has a soccer team?

Triple Post?

Triple Post?

Triple Post?

**youngblood**

The median age for brazils starting 11 is 27. That's not very young, especially for Brazil who has been known for having younger teams (25 and below). Brazil's played pretty awful the whole Confed Cup. Not playing near their potential. I think that Brazil will probably beat us 3-1, but have well over 55% possession.

**Black Blow Fly**

Whatever.

**whatwhat**

youngblood wrote:The median age for brazils starting 11 is 27. That's not very young, especially for Brazil who has been known for having younger teams.

which isn't a bad thing. Football players usually are in their prime between 26 and 29.

**Gwar!**

whatwhat wrote:
youngblood wrote:The median age for brazils starting 11 is 27. That's not very young, especially for Brazil who has been known for having younger teams.

which isn't a bad thing. Football players usually are in their prime between 26 and 29.

Lies. Between 19 and 25 is where it is at. Anything else for a non-Goalkeeper is too old

**whatwhat**

Thiery henry, ronaldhinio, steven gerard, frank lampard, david beckham...the list goes on...they all disagree with you.

**Gwar!**

whatwhat wrote:Thiery henry, rnaldhinio, steven gerard, rank lampard, david beckahm...the list goes on...they all disagree with you.

They are all rubbish

**whatwhat**

ur rubbish!

**thedarkside69**

I want to go back on topic and congratulate the U.S for taking spain. I dont know why but I am rooting for them in the final vs brazil.

**Mad Rabbit**

Snap! I think whatwhat wins this round.

Anyway, I'd like to add Zidane to that list. I hope I can headbutt like him when I'm that old.

**Keyasa**

I wish to congratulate the US for the victory. As an englishman I wish WE could stuff the top teams every now and again without choking and forgetting how to play.

(Re: Brit- I detest the word "Brit". I am not a "Brit". Sounds more like a nickname for an effeminate fanboy who jiggles around to the "music" of a certain shaven-headed pop-princess. Man, I hate pop.)

Spain are one of the best, if not the best football team in the world at the moment. Nicely done yanks *cheer*

**Black Blow Fly**

This just shoz US is an up and coming world soccer power now.

G

**youngblood**

whatwhat wrote:Thiery henry, ronaldhinio, steven gerard, frank lampard, david beckham...the list goes on...they all disagree with you.

Every single one of those players are past their prime. Try the top players like Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and Fernando Torres. Henry was definitely in peak performance 5 or 6 years ago. (Still a great player, just not prime anymore). Ronaldo sucks now. Lazy fat bastard. Beckham came and played in America for god sakes. Gerard is solid but nothing spectacular.

**whatwhat**

youngblood wrote:
whatwhat wrote:Thiery henry, ronaldhinio, steven gerard, frank lampard, david beckham...the list goes on...they all disagree with you.

Every single one of those players are past their prime. Try the top players like Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and Fernando Torres. Henry was definitely in peak performance 5 or 6 years ago. (Still a great player, just not prime anymore). Ronaldo sucks now. Lazy fat bastard. Beckham came and played in America for god sakes. Gerard is solid but nothing spectacular.

Well for one I wasn't saying they were all in their prime I was backing up my point that players go through their prime between 26 and 29. And indeed all those players reached their prime in that age range. Whatsmore if you think gerard and lampard are out of their prime your off your rocker.

my advice... always read back b4 a panic attack...

whatwhat wrote:
Gwar! wrote:
whatwhat wrote:
youngblood wrote:The median age for brazils starting 11 is 27. That's not very young, especially for Brazil who has been known for having younger teams.

which isn't a bad thing. Football players usually are in their prime between 26 and 29.
Lies. Between 19 and 25 is where it is at. Anything else for a non-Goalkeeper is too old

Thiery henry, ronaldhinio, steven gerard, frank lampard, david beckham...the list goes on...they all disagree with you.

**youngblood**

I read what you said. I just disagree with what you said. Except for Lampard. He's been playing absolutely stellar.

**whatwhat**

So your'e disagreeing that henry, ronaldinhio and beckham went through their prime between 26 and 29?

**youngblood**

In retrospect (adding years up), I guess I don't. Dismiss my previous remarks. I will throw this out there, it seems that more and more young (25 and below) players are being regarded as the best players in the world. Example: Christiano Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year last year and Messi came in second both years. Alexandre Pato is another example of fantastic young player.

**whatwhat**

Who's to say they have even reached their prime yet?

+ nothing has changed. The best players in the world at the moment still comprise of more players in their late twenties. And top class youngsters are nothing new anyway, biggest example being pele himself.