Unless the USMNT just completely rolls over and gets waxed today by the Black Stars, which is definitely a legitimate possibility, and then I will be less exhausted husk and more very tired rationalizing philosophizing Alibi Ike.
The key for the USA today is the same as it always for them in the World Cup. They can not concede early goals in these matches. For whatever reason, and despite always having World Class goaltending, the USA's biggest weakness has always been conceding early goals in the World Cup. Much of that has to do with the fact that the US just has not been very good at producing and nurturing top flight defenders, and there probably is a mental thing/nerve sort of thing happening, as well.
I would like to think that coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, has helped the USA over that jitters thing, but we will not know until about twenty minutes in to today's contest with Ghana.
I am just going to have to see the games. The USA could very easily look like Honduras did yesterday, rack up a bunch of cards, have no attacking play whatsoever, and get seriously humiliated in this tournament.
Or, they could score some goals, get some lucky breaks, and make it to the Round of 16, or further.
One thing I can guarantee is that will not get any benefit of the doubt when it comes to difficult or crucial refereeing decisions. FIFA hates the USA, and always will, most likely. But I do not want to be like a whinging England supporter. It is never England's fault when they lose. They are always robbed of greater glory.
So, I accept the difficult situations, and I temper my expectations, and ultimately resign myself to answering the question: Am I proud of them? Did they acquit themselves in an entertaining classy way?
Today is the day. We will find out.
-- Ardent
No comments:
Post a Comment