Comments on: Confederations Cup 2009: Why The US has a Realistic Shot versus Italy http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:33:01 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marco http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-14123 Marco Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:10:00 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-14123 Heya everyone from an italian dude ^^ I think US got his chances against Italy in this match. The italian team is almost the same as the 2006 one, just with 3 years more (and in 2006 our team was still quite old). The biggest talents we have (Cassano and Balotelli) are at home, because Lippi can't (or does want to) manage "hot-heads". Add that US in 2006 made a good match against us, and that since 2006 we are not playing the best soccer I ever seen in my life, and you ll see that the chances are not so small. Good luck everyone and may the best one win ^^ p.s. sorry about this, but still I'll say FORZA ITALIA! :p Heya everyone from an italian dude ^^
I think US got his chances against Italy in this match. The italian team is almost the same as the 2006 one, just with 3 years more (and in 2006 our team was still quite old). The biggest talents we have (Cassano and Balotelli) are at home, because Lippi can’t (or does want to) manage “hot-heads”.
Add that US in 2006 made a good match against us, and that since 2006 we are not playing the best soccer I ever seen in my life, and you ll see that the chances are not so small.
Good luck everyone and may the best one win ^^
p.s. sorry about this, but still I’ll say FORZA ITALIA! :p

]]> By: Special K http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-14089 Special K Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:45:36 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-14089 A Realistic Shot versus Italy? perhaps their only chance at something but not very realistic. Italy has too much depth but where the US will benefit is Lippi's inability to find a strike partner for Toni and/or come to the conclusion the Azzurri should play without the big man and give someone else his place. Scoring should be low, possibly a 1-0 winner for Italy check us out at http://www.serieaweekly.com A Realistic Shot versus Italy? perhaps their only chance at something but not very realistic. Italy has too much depth but where the US will benefit is Lippi’s inability to find a strike partner for Toni and/or come to the conclusion the Azzurri should play without the big man and give someone else his place.

Scoring should be low, possibly a 1-0 winner for Italy
check us out at http://www.serieaweekly.com

]]> By: Earl http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-14021 Earl Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:45:26 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-14021 Yankee Hooligan is right about Bradley. These previous games were under Gansler, Bora and Arena, coaches who despite their limitations had some idea how to pick a team and set up tactically. Bradley is clueless. Yankee Hooligan is right about Bradley. These previous games were under Gansler, Bora and Arena, coaches who despite their limitations had some idea how to pick a team and set up tactically. Bradley is clueless.

]]> By: Yankeehooligan http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-14018 Yankeehooligan Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:34:08 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-14018 All those nice historical statistics mean very little when you are led by a coach with a 6-8-1 record away from the States. And three of those wins are against subpar CONCACAF competition (Cuba, Guat, Barbados), the others were Poland, Sweden and S. Africa. The embarrassment at the Copa America in 2007 should have been Bradley's last tournament. He's an OK strategist but he is absolutely terrible at player selection and positioning. Beasley at left back? C'mon. A stiff wind blows him over. I liked seeing Torres out there against the Ticos but not in an away qualifier when you need experience. Sigh. Am I the only Bradley hater out there? Somebody tell me I'm wrong about him and he's not going to end up putting guys like Eddie Lewis and Danny Califf on the 2010 team. All those nice historical statistics mean very little when you are led by a coach with a 6-8-1 record away from the States. And three of those wins are against subpar CONCACAF competition (Cuba, Guat, Barbados), the others were Poland, Sweden and S. Africa. The embarrassment at the Copa America in 2007 should have been Bradley’s last tournament. He’s an OK strategist but he is absolutely terrible at player selection and positioning. Beasley at left back? C’mon. A stiff wind blows him over. I liked seeing Torres out there against the Ticos but not in an away qualifier when you need experience. Sigh. Am I the only Bradley hater out there? Somebody tell me I’m wrong about him and he’s not going to end up putting guys like Eddie Lewis and Danny Califf on the 2010 team.

]]> By: Seybold http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-14001 Seybold Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:18:53 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-14001 Kartik is correct that European teams struggle outside of Europe. Remember Korea/Japan '92? Was it that non-European teams were playing better? Or that European teams, accustomed to playing only in Europe, were a long, long way from home? European teams have won ZERO World Cups outside of Europe. In any case Italy is likely to go a bit experimental here, because the team they have now isn't good enough to win a world cup, and their coach knows it, so there will likely be Italian players who just aren't familiar with one another on the pitch. Like when we beat Argentina 3-0 in Copa American in 1995. The poor Argies looked like they weren't even on a first-name basis. Not that I think we have any chance at all, but this won't the all-conquering Italy of 2006--which incidentally was playing very, very close to home. I don't agree with Kartik's expectation of a draw, but he's not off-base in his analysis. Kartik is correct that European teams struggle outside of Europe. Remember Korea/Japan ‘92? Was it that non-European teams were playing better? Or that European teams, accustomed to playing only in Europe, were a long, long way from home? European teams have won ZERO World Cups outside of Europe.

In any case Italy is likely to go a bit experimental here, because the team they have now isn’t good enough to win a world cup, and their coach knows it, so there will likely be Italian players who just aren’t familiar with one another on the pitch. Like when we beat Argentina 3-0 in Copa American in 1995. The poor Argies looked like they weren’t even on a first-name basis.

Not that I think we have any chance at all, but this won’t the all-conquering Italy of 2006–which incidentally was playing very, very close to home. I don’t agree with Kartik’s expectation of a draw, but he’s not off-base in his analysis.

]]> By: Larry http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-13989 Larry Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:19:12 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-13989 No chance. No chance.

]]> By: AVR http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-13977 AVR Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:51:57 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-13977 Good post! I agree with many of your points and sentiments. The question is will our team show the fight that 1999 team you profiled did or continue to underwhelm. By any objective standard this team is falling well below their ability. Good post! I agree with many of your points and sentiments. The question is will our team show the fight that 1999 team you profiled did or continue to underwhelm. By any objective standard this team is falling well below their ability.

]]> By: Les http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-13976 Les Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:33:35 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-13976 Kartik has gone native, USSF suck up on us. You may try and delude yourself mate, but we have no chance. NONE WHATSOEVER. As far as history, the 1992 and 2006 teams were better than this current team and the 1990 team bunkered and was disciplined. This team has more talent than any of those teams but no leadership and a sorry excuse for a coach. We get killed. Kartik has gone native, USSF suck up on us.

You may try and delude yourself mate, but we have no chance. NONE WHATSOEVER.

As far as history, the 1992 and 2006 teams were better than this current team and the 1990 team bunkered and was disciplined. This team has more talent than any of those teams but no leadership and a sorry excuse for a coach. We get killed.

]]> By: Thomas Skull http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-13970 Thomas Skull Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:17:55 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-13970 kartik, from your mouth to god's ears. let's all hope so! kartik, from your mouth to god’s ears. let’s all hope so!

]]> By: Mike http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/confederations-cup-2009-why-the-us-has-a-realistic-shot-versus-italy/4075#comment-13959 Mike Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:27:25 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4075#comment-13959 Wow, I have to disagree. The bulk of your argument for why the U.S. ties Italy is an historical one? I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of comparing 1984 to 2009. Granted, Italy may not play well off the continent, but you know what? They've got loads more talent than the U.S. does; they're seasoned, sharper and better and that gives them the edge. The U.S. is not at its best right now while Italy is cruising in its WC 2010 qualifying (granted, it's against a weakish group). Italy beats the U.S. because it's better. That's all. http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/ Wow, I have to disagree. The bulk of your argument for why the U.S. ties Italy is an historical one? I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of comparing 1984 to 2009. Granted, Italy may not play well off the continent, but you know what? They’ve got loads more talent than the U.S. does; they’re seasoned, sharper and better and that gives them the edge. The U.S. is not at its best right now while Italy is cruising in its WC 2010 qualifying (granted, it’s against a weakish group). Italy beats the U.S. because it’s better. That’s all.
http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/

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