FIFA World Cup 2014

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Lineup prediction against Ghana:

                           Howard

Johnson         Besler         Cameron       Beasley


Jones            Bradley        Bedoya          Beckerman


                   Dempsey         Altidore

I thought they are going with that Diamond Midfield? With Bradley moved a little more forward and Beckerman behind him?



                           

[Casperian]

Obviously they underachieved in 2006. 

Not sure if (/how) serious...
With that squad? It was a miracle we made it that far, home team or not. Only a handful of players from 2006 would make today's team.

[Celtics18]

Lineup prediction against Ghana:

                           Howard

Johnson         Besler         Cameron       Beasley


Jones            Bradley        Bedoya          Beckerman


                   Dempsey         Altidore

I thought they are going with that Diamond Midfield? With Bradley moved a little more forward and Beckerman behind him?



                         

Will that still be a 4-4-2?  Do you think those are the starters, even if it's shifted a bit?

Is Niskerud in the mix (pun not intended)?  Zusi?

[AngryAndIrritable]

It's amazing that Germany seem destined to underachieve with so much potential yet again. They remind me of England about 10-15 years ago, filled with great midfielders and defenders but absolutely no clinical edge up front.

When did Germany underachieve? 2004?

2002 finals, 2006 semis, 2008 finals, all with relatively weak teams. 2010 semis with the youngest squad in the tourney, lost to Spain, one of the best sides in the history of the game. 2012 semis, still with a young team, lost to Italy, which is no shame at all. If anything, Germany overachieved.

Sorry, might have been a bit unclear in my post. I expect them to underachieve this time out, not saying they underachieved before.

But Germany usually have a habit of proving the doubters wrong.

[Who]

Own goal by Brazil 10 minutes in. Massive pressure on Brazil now.

[KGs Knee]

How the heck did Neymar sneak that by the keeper!?

Weak goal for Croatia to give up there.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

How the heck did Neymar sneak that by the keeper!?

Weak goal for Croatia to give up there.

Agreed.

The own goal gave them all the momentum and they gave up an easy goal.

[Celtics18]

I can't tell what I'm rooting for in this match yet.  I like Croatia as the plucky underdogs, but on the other hand, it would be devastating for Brazil if they were to lose this game. 

Such drama, already!

[Yoki_IsTheName]

What happened to Mario Mandzukic???

Edit:

Nevermind. Forgot he had a 1 game ban.

[D.o.s.]

I can't tell what I'm rooting for in this match yet.  I like Croatia as the plucky underdogs, but on the other hand, it would be devastating for Brazil if they were to lose this game. 

Such drama, already!

I'm rooting for Croatia, but Brazil is really, really good.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Oscar's ball control is superb. WOW.

[hpantazo]

Croatia is a dirty, gritty team. So many fouls and tackles so far and so little possession by them.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I dont think Mexico will get out of this group.

Those spots are for Brazil and Croatia's to lose. Croatia's playing gritty football, and I don't the Mexicans have any shot againts that. Especially since they could not handle Bosnia, who's pretty much the same team.

[KGs Knee]

Wow!

Totally bogus PK call there

[Yoki_IsTheName]

OH THAT WAS A BS CALL BY THE REF.

No way that's a penalty.