So the U.S. lost their first game in the World Cup, to the tragic beat of 3 - 0. The U.S. team didn't play altogether poorly, but they surely didn't play as well as the Czech Republic. Of course, for me I find it pretty amazing that anyone can run around a field with a ball at your feet and not constantly fall over it.
I thought the night would end in fisticuffs as my ire mounted towards a group of Greeks down the street who kept cheering every time the Czechs made a goal. Of course, the Greeks might as well pick a team who knows how to play to cheer for, since their own team didn't even make it to the World Cup.
Two more games for the U.S. on the 17th (Italy) and 22nd (Ghana). Italy will be a tough competitor for sure, I can't really speak for Ghana. Here's hoping the U.S. can manage at least one win.
18 comments:
You can always cheer for Germany! Or go for the sure thing and become a fan of Brazil.
Mel,
Don't despair. You probably know (as I do) that most Americans would rather watch grass grow than watch soccer.
However, the last few world cups, the American team has improved tenfold. The goal keeper, Casey Keller who although I am not too proud of him right now is one of the best goal keepers in the world and plays for a German team during the season. Plus, not to make too many excuses for the USA team, but the Czech team is rated the #2 team in the world so hey if we have to lose it should be to the better team I suppose. Let's see what happens next game.
Another nugget for you is this year the USA is rated the #5 team in the world in Soccer, which is pretty darn good, and certainly a higher ranking than Greece. Greece may have won the European championship last year, but that was a different team for sure.
Now, regarding your comments about the Jerks down the street cheering against the American team. Maybe they were just cheering for their fellow European team? But, realistically, from what I've learned from living here and especially noted during the Olympics is that you can't really accuse the Greeks of displaying good sportsmanship. No one can forget the embarrassing display the Greeks exhibited during the Olympics. I attended one of the Dream Team basketball games and it was shameful the anti-American atmosphere myself and many Americans observed during the game. A group of Greek-Americans I was with yelled "Dropee" a few times to people behind me but to no avail. And of course, the "Kenteris", "Kenteris" "Kenteris" chanting incident speaks for itself. However, do you know that even when Cuba comes to America for a sporting event, that they (CUBAN Team) are actually even cheered sometimes, and certainly not boo'd. Now, that's an example of good sportsmanship.
At any rate, remember that Greeks have two favorite teams when it comes to sports.
1st: Greece
2nd: Any Team that plays the USA
Go U.S.A..... World Cup 2006
It is unfortunate that individual American athletes have to suffer through anti-American jeering. However, it is expected that people will jeer American teams because US popularity is very low around the world. A national team is not only a sports team but also a representative of a country, and is seen by others as representative of that country. If that country is loved, then the team will be cheered, otherwise it will be jeered.
Czech team is ranked nº 2? And USA is ranked number 5? In soccer?! where did you get that information, Scruffy? That’s bizarre.
And by your description, i guess you, being american, are pursued by a mob of angry greeks any time you put a feet on the sydewalk. You are in danger, my friend! ;)
Anon:
I got the World rankings from FIFA which the orginazation responsible for the World Cup.
Here's the link for the USA team and it's ranking:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/team/overview.html?team=usa
And here's the link for the Czech's team and it's world cup ranking.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/team/overview.html?team=cze
And, don't take my comments too seriously. I mainly just said them to make Melusina feel better as a fellow American. But, a lot of what I said regarding the Olympics was what I heard from Greek American friends who also attended the games.
You can't take the FIFA rankings very seriously. For example, Germany ranks very low because they've played mostly friendly games since the last World Cup because they didn't have to qualify for it and friendlies don't get counted towards FIFA points. The US can get a higher FIFA point score because all of their World Cup qualifier games count towards points but they don't play terribly hard teams in order to qualify.
And Casey Keller isn't much to brag on, I'm sorry to say. He plays for a German club, yes, but one that's well down in the first league table.
Let's face it...the US wasn't very good yesterday. They played much, much better in the 2002 World Cup. Yesterday they looked listless and disjointed. You can't expect to get out of the first round with play like that.
im like you..im amazed at soccer..i dont think that i could ever play it, but give a lot of respect to the people that do.
the US team..well..i also hope they at least get 1 victory out of all of this..but im looking for a new team to root for..
I heard an interview with Alexi Lalas (former US player) and he was quoted as saying that Kasey Keller was the number one Goalkeeper in the world. Maybe he was biased but I'm sure he must be one of the best even though he didn't do well last time. Ok, I'll give him another chance before I start doggin him.
There will always be naysayers who criticize FIFA and their rankings. But, there has to be some standardization to these games and the FIFA rankings are it. If one doesn't agree, that's their rights, but the rankings still stand. Brazil # 1, Czech #2, USA # 5 etc. We don't make the rankings just acknowledge them.
zardoz says :
ms MEL choose a winner choose KOREA,
SCRUFFY , youre absolutely right
both on the FIFA standings ,,
and the quest for all greeks
to be better sportsmen ,,
sports and policies of countries
parrallel many times,,
BUT that doesnt mean that all
athletes,, dont deserve
the respect of
all who come to cheer them on .
so :
GO.....KOREA
GO.....GHANA
GO .....U.S.A.
GO.....ARGENTINA
GO .....PORTUGAL...............
MY FAVORITES..........
Scruffy, Zardoz, really, no one gives a dam to that particular Fifa ranking, pardon my french. No american would care for a baseball world ranking made with the same criteria. Go Portugal! (thank you Zardoz!), Go USA! Go Brasil!
caramelo
Zardoz,
I'm glad to see we are on the same page on this one.
It's all for fun and I'm just glad America made it!!! I haven't been much of a fan of soccer but if America keeps doing well (overall), I think more peeps like me could take up Soccer's cause.
Let's hope they (USA) do better next time.
And by the way, I did root for Greece during their 2004 European Championship game, and probably would root for them if they were in the World Cup as well.
I'm curious how the fans are treating the US team in Germany. Any confrontations? Has anyone heard anything?
Go USA
Go England
Scruffy, I heard that the US team is in serious danger in Germany. Heavy confrontations, man! They had to hide in the US embassy, because people are shouting yankees go home, throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes, and stuff. And President Brejnev is sending the soviet tanks to invade West Berlim, and stuff. But the marines are on the way, don’t worry.
"The U.S. team didn't play altogether poorly"
Are you kidding?
They were AWFUL... couldn't keep possession, sending lazy crossing passes right to waiting defenders, couldn't defend (look at replays of the last goal... four defenders right near Rosicky, yet no one in position to challenge him)... I could go on.
But I won't 'cause I vented on some other message boards.
To Scruf: Keller might have been OK in his day, but he is definitely past his prime now; I wish Friedel hadn't retired. They should seriously consider Tim Howard for the next 2 games. And as others have said, that FIFA ranking (#5 in the world) is nonsense.
Ok, well, to me and my limited viewing of soccer thus far (which was basically a few Greek games in the Euro cup and the Greek qualifying games for the World Cup), the U.S. team didn't play badly. I'm used to the crappy playing of the Greek team which kept them out of the World Cup. Hell, I didn't even know the U.S. could play soccer, honestly.
As far as standings go, well, in the end it means nothing, because it all boils down (right now) to how a team does in the World Cup. I'll keep supporting the U.S., but I won't hold my hopes too high.
In the end, I guess I'll just look for the teams with the kyootest players. ;)
And yea, if Greece was in it, I'd be rooting for them, even against the U.S. You should have seen how pissed off I was when they played so horribly they didn't make it. Obviously, the Euro win was a fluke.
Oh I wouldn't call Greece's Euro win a fluke. They deserved their win. But national teams change over the years...how else do you explain France winning the World Cup and Euros and then drying up like a desert?
I'd love for the US to win but they're going to have to come together as a team with a style that works for them before that happens. It can happen.
You think you feel bad? The US is devastated: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/49524
I wouldn't call Greece's win a fluke either. Well deserved and especially when you consider its a small country. Take a look back at Greece's admired and respected history, achievements, inventions and most of all bravery, honour and heart. Greece has earned their respect especially where the Olympics and sports are concerned. If they are taking a little break now, its well earned and let someone else have a go at creating history and I am not talking of the kind USA make with their wars over money and oil.
Oh and if you wonder why Greeks don't take kindly to fools its because of the way some of your citizens act when visting their country. Been there enought times to see it firsthand. They are arrogant and aggressive and actually believe their own bull about being superior to anyone. When the US has done something to be proud of me you can shoot your mouth off then.
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