Szumi

Ouch. While that was a foul, surely, it seemed a tad harsh to give him the second yellow there.

Because we don't expect to win, we don't take ourselves seriously? No, we're realistic. We realize that despite improving as a soccer nation, we are still underdogs against upper tier teams. Against England, Brazil, Spain, Holland, Argentina, etc., we are underdogs. That's just how it is. We don't evenly match up in terms of talent. Are Denmark supporters not taking their squad seriously if they don't expect to defeat Holland? We, America, should get out of the group, and I expect us to. If we have to face Germany in the Round of 16, I know we're underdogs. I'm realistic. I support my squad, and I hope we do well in the World Cup, but I don't expect us to win, or make the semi-finals. Very few squads have a realistic chance of winning the whole thing. Does that mean the other 20-something nations who don't stand a good chance of winning the World Cup don't take themselves seriously? I'm pleased with the scoreline. We only needed a draw tonight, and that's what we got. We're favorites for our other two matches, so this is great for getting out of the group, which we should do. Tim Howard was great tonight, and despite the nonstop bashing of Howard by someone in this thread, he's a great goalie. He would certainly be England's number one keeper, in my opinion. While that may not say a lot considering Green's performance, I maintain Howard's one of the tpo keepers in the Prem. Reina, van der Sar, and Given, better than Howard. But he's right there with Cech, Friedel, and Schwarzer in terms of other top keepers. We definitely did not deserve the win, despite what some will say. England was the better team, by far. We scored on a fluke goal, although Altidore should've put his chance away in the second. England had many chances too, far more than us. However, Howard was great, Gooch and Demerit were class, and Cherundolo and Bocanegra did their job well. We take our point, knowing we could've easily lost, but still with a good opening point.

Sorry England, I take back what I said about Green having the talent. What a fucking blunder.

Wow. I cannot believe Bradley is starting Findley over Buddle. That is fucking awful. Findley has pace, and that is it. He cannot pass well, and he cannot finish to save his life. Buddle has good size and strength, and can actually finish, something the USA will need if they're going to draw England. For anyone who follows US soccer, it is decisions like these as to why Bradley has had so many critics over the past year and a half. I just cannot see how Findley does anything for America, although I would love to be proven wrong, as I want to escape this opener with a point. I'm so happy to see Green in goal, especially as I've seen him bashed so much lately. I know David James has the experience, and is better at communicating, but Green's the better talent, and as a Hammers supporter, always good to see a Hammer starting at the World Cup. Surprised to see Milner starting - I thought Joe Cole deserved it more - but I think he could definitely cause him problems. While I want USA to win or get a draw, I'm going with England, 1-0, or 2-1. Wayne Rooney will absolutely rape Jay Demerit and an un-fit Gooch. Tim Howard may be a phenomenal keeper, but I cannot see him saving America here. America's only chance is to catch England on the counter, especially without Barry in the line-up, and Glen Johnson bursting up the right a lot.

Awful defending by Nigeria on the set piece, although to be fair, one of the Nigerian defenders who could've potentially got to the challenge and blocked it was CLEARLY being held by I believe Veron.

Well, it worked well for therockbox, so that must mean good things are coming if he would be Rafa's replacement (Y)

Outfield players, I think Donovan is the best all-around player, just edging out Dempsey. Both play in the midfield, but Donovan is far better than Dempsey at tracking back and helping to defend... and Donovan isn't even that good at it. Bradley always wants to play both in the midfield, but it makes us a lot more vulnerable. Best overall player though? Tim Howard, definitely. Howard is incredibly valuable to the national team, and was the key figure in our Confederations Cup last year. I feel like he's really underrated as a keeper; great quality keeper. While I think we can keep the England game close, I don't see how we could ever actually beat England. Our back line is so injury-plagued right now, Wayne Rooney's going to be having a field day. Gooch played for the first time in 7 months on Tuesday, and needless to say, looked poor. His movement is awful. Carlos Bocanegra and Jay Demerit are both battling injuries right now too, meaning our top three centre backs are struggling right now. Not the kind of back line you want heading into the World Cup.

Donovan plays on the wing, usually the left, for the US. And HttK, I'm with you dude. I have no idea how Findley got selected over Ching. Johnson didn't deserve to go - he did nothing to impress me last night at all. Findley though, meh. What does he offer? Speed? Sure, but he's not even fit right now anyways, so the speed isn't worth a thing. Add in he's been out of form all MLS season... doesn't deserve a place. I'm glad Heath Pearce got cut though, especially since the first 2 second half goals allowed by the USA came from his own errors. Dude's awful. Bornstein didn't earn his place; Pearce gave it to him. I'm not convinced that Beasley earned a place either. At this point, I rather would've given Robbie Rogers the slot. He outplayed Beasley last night; gave a much more influential performance. Gomez and Buddle definitely earned their place though. Overall, I'm not convinced we will get out of the group. I still don't see how we get anything from the England game. Rooney will tear our back line up, especially since Gooch, Bocanegra, and Demerit are all not fully fit. Algeria should be a win for us, but I don't think we can beat Slovenia. The Americans lack the creativity to break down such a great defensive unit.

Yeah... don't read if you aren't watching.

So The Ring...

If you're France, why worry about the keeper? I mean, I know Lloris is young and doesn't have a lot of international experience, but the kid's been dynamo in big games. When it matters, he has seemed to come up big, time and time again. I can't comment on a lot of his stuff from the domestic campaign, but for France and the Champs League, he certainly impressed me. I'd be more worried about the other end, scoring the goals. An aging Henry, an out of form Ribery? Who is going to come up big for the side? Anelka and Malouda certainly could, but they need other options in the attack.

I almost wish West Ham was never bought out than have Sullivan in charge of the club. With each passing day and the news/rumors I see, I find myself turning more and more against what the club is doing. Fans are going to be fucking pissed if/when they sell Carlton Cole, as will I. Here was your only real striking option the whole season, and you're going to sell him right away. While Ilan scored quite a few needed goals, almost all came from a Carlton Cole assist, with the only exception being that great diving header against Everton. Plus, he has no desire to return to the club, if I remember correctly. So now you're going to lose your only two strikers. The other thing that makes me cringe, is a Soccernet article from today. Now if of course it's actually true, the plan for West Ham is to approach Big Sam for the managerial position of Avram Grant turns it down. Now I mean this with no disrespect to Blackburn supporters, but who the fuck would want Big Sam as a manager? Anti-football kind of tactics a lot, and he just always came off like a douche to me. Not really the manager I want for the club I love. He might be able do what's necessary to avoid relegation, but he'll also be boring everyone to death in the process.

Fucking internet.

Fucking internet.

Yeah, no surprise Zamora didn't get in, especially with the Achilles injury. It's nice to see Joe Cole at least get a shot with the national team, and I'm thrilled Scotty Parker is at lest getting invited to the camp. I'm not going to expect much in terms of him actually making the squad, but after the season he's had, he certainly deserves to be in that camp. I'd rather have seen Ashley Yong get the nod over SWP, or maybe even Walcott, since Walcott's been inconsistent/injured/poor for a lot of the season. Ah well. Hopefully Green keeps the starting spot, and Upson makes the squad (Y)

They certainly have the Spurs mighty scared.

See, I'm with therockbox on this one. Regardless of what happens with the ownership, stadium, manager, etc., I totally agree there are certain key players who need the club needs to get rid of. The most controversial - but ultimately wisest - choice? Torres. Right now, he's at his peak, and every club in the world wants him. But here's the thing: if he stays at Liverpool, especially playing as a lone striker, he's going to continually having injury-plagued seasons, and Liverpool keeps suffering because of it. They could easily get 40 million for Torres, and if you get a silly club coming in, 60-75 million. Torres himself knows his body can't keep up with Premier League play, especially as a solo striker. If I was Liverpool, I'd be trying to sell him before everyone else realizes it and he becomes the Spanish Michael Owen. Would Liverpool be a weaker club without Torres? Of course, that's obvious. But if club can use the money to invest in new players who can blend well, and stay fit, it will help Liverpool in the long run.

Oh, I know. The first one wasn't at all, and the second was suspicious. Hard to tell. Even if the second was in, it looked liked Rodallega put it in with his arm. Thankfully Parker scored a wonder goal to put us back up. Seriously, all he does is save our asses time after time.

Wow, TWICE Wigan have scored on corner kicks where the ball wasn't inside the quadrant all the way, and the second one sure looked like it went in of Rodallega's arm. Great referee, Alan Wiley, you are.

Wow. That was some class by Nani. Excellent little chip.

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet: So yeah, thoughts? I'm sure many were expecting it, and I know quite a few here are probably pleased with it (I don't know about you, rockbox, but I know certainly am).

FUCKING RIGHT~! That victory was absolutely huge, and we deserved all 3 points against Sunderland. Add on that Burnley just beat Hull, as we're now 4 points up on both of them. Thank you Burnley, and thank you Ilan <3

As a West Ham fan, we were extremely lucky that Everton didn't get a penalty when it was 1-1. Da Costa kicked Saha right in the chest. It was a penalty. But a fabulous response from Faubert and Ilan after going down. What a vital, vital point, especially with Hull hosting Burnley next week. We needed that point, and even more did we need the confidence boost that comes with a point on the road.

GET BENT, 'ARRY~! While it was great to see Bent score against Spurs, less than 40 seconds in too, it was an awful goal. Poach a rebound, when Gomes probably should've done better with it anyways.

Yeah, I have no idea how the assistant missed that. That was clear as day offside.