Issue #8.2.1 "Early Exit Polls" (After Round of 16)

 Archive

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 

Dailies: Aug 5-6-7-8 

CHAMPS DOWN; ENGLAND SURVIVES; TOP TEAMS DAZZLE
Kds911-2 maintains 1-point lead but Lavelle Lover has best chance to win pool

HOME, CA (smt) --  Showing that their 4-0 loss to 1C-Japan was just a fluke, 2C-Spain exploded to a 4-1 halftime lead (scoring all 5 goals since 1A-Switzerland's goal was a Spanish own goal) to reach the quarterfinal in a 5-1 rout while JPN methodically broke a 1-1 halftime tie in a comfortable 3-1 win over 2A-Norway in a battle between #11 JPN and #12 NOR.  A potential rematch between JPN and ESP in the semifinals looms but they will have to win their quarterfinal matches first. 1F-France easily beat #72 2H-Morocco 4-0 and host 1B-Australia took care of business winning 2-0 over 2D-Denmark, that saw the brief return of Sam Kerr.  1E-Netherlands took advantage of winning the group beating #54 2G-South Africa, 2-0.

What wasn't a fluke?  2E-USA not being able to score.  Despite more controlling play, a stifling defense that only allowed one shot on goal, and lots of opportunities (21 shots, 12 on goal), USA went a full 120 minutes against 1G-Sweden scoreless (extending the goalless streak to 238 minutes) and then missed (not saved) three penalty kicks to lose 5-4.  A goal line technology "goal" showing the whole ball crossing the line by a hair was emblematic of USA's story this WWC.   That the highly reliable Meagan Rapinoe skied a penalty (years since she missed?) shows this WWC just didn't fit right with the USWNT, with odd substitutions, soft second yellow cards (not in this match though, the ref let them play), and talent on the field that looked more like an all-star team playing for the first time rather than a team.  If you look at it, USA only allowed two shots on goal the whole tournament.  Only allowed one goal (tied for best).  They tied and lost in the PSO to the #3 team in the world (not Nigeria, not Colombia).  #3.  They will finish 9th in this WWC as the best of the R16 losers but it doesn't make it any better (though Germany, Canada, and Brazil will say what about us?).

Unforced Errors (8/6)

HOME, CA - Half the quarterfinal field is set and it will be without '95 champion Norway, 2-time champion ('03 and '07) champion Germany, and now, without 4-time champion ('91, '99, '15, and '19) 2E-USA who were ousted 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout to 1G-Sweden.  Only '11 champ 1C-Japan is still alive.  There was no switch to turn on as USA went the last 238 minutes without a goal and missed four penalties (3 in the PSO).  They played much better against #3 SWE and lost in the most bizarre way, a goal line technology on the last kick indicating the entire ball crossed the line by a hair, giving SWE the win.

For me, tie goes to the runner so even if you can't see the hair between the ball and line, I'm good calling it a goal. USA outshot SWE 21-8 but couldn't get it past GK Zecira Musovic, who made 11 saves but ironically, none in the 7-round penalty shootout, because the U.S. completely missed the goal in 3 of their last 4 kicks.  Bizarre.  

Who didn't miss for the U.S.?  Alyssa Naeher who had one save and scored one goal in the PSO.  The bright spot for the Americans is the defense as they limited SWE to just 3 CKs (SWE had 4 goals off corners) but geez, why is a SWE free kick near the mid-field circle so much more dangerous and nerve-wrecking than a Megan Rapinoe corner kick or free kick outside the box.  Poor set piece deliveries and skying high a penalty kick will be the last moments of her stellar WWC career.  

An entertaining first half with saves galore saw 1E-Netherlands get two fortunate goals, one off a rebound and one that went through the GK's hands to make the 2-0 win more comfortable than it should be.  This was the first time 2G-South Africa didn't take the lead (or score) but tried in having more shots (14-12) and shots on goal (7-5) with just 27% possession.  RSA's Thembi Kgatlana had 5 of her 7 shots saved by NED's GK.

Of course, by not winning their group, the SWEvUSA was a 2 am PDT kickoff vs a 7 pm kickoff (NEDvRSA).  And of course, this was the one game the past two days going to extra time, making it a 3-hour game.  Wore my red/white/blue 2014 USA away jersey while casting to my brand new 3-laser short throw projector upstairs (had to move down to my OLED since my son was sleeping upstairs.

34 had SWE and 9 had NED making the quarters but 46 lost USA (including 26 who pegged them as champions).  43 went 1-1 with 4 going 0-2.  No change at the top with Kds911-2 in first (77 pts) and More$ is second (76).  Tiny Destroyer still in last (48).

Finally, I have the possibilities table.   With 11 matches left, just 15 entries have been eliminated, leaving 32 vying for one to the top 4 prize spots.  We don't have enough entries to do a Bonus but should be an interesting finish.  17 can still win first, despite USA (picked by 26), GER (6), and BRA (1) out.  ENG (5), ESP (5), FRA (2), and SWE (2) are still in it.  Leader Kds911-2 has the best chance to win the pool (18.5%) and win money (52.5%).  Of those who can't win the pool, 3am Down Under (22nd-Tied, 69) has the best chance to win money (12.6%).  Flying Elvi is tied for 10th (73) but can't win the pool while GenX99er is tied for 28th but can still be champion.  Panama Red and The Ghost of Mia Hamm each have 67 pts (25th-T) but are eliminated while, ironically, Rapinoe's Last Stand is tied for 39th (62) but can still finish 2nd.

Issue #7.1.6 "Can't Complain" (After Group Stage)

 Archive

Friday, August 4, 2023 

Dailies: Aug 2-3 

GERMANY, BRAZIL OUT; MOROCCO, JAMAICA, SOUTH AFRICA IN
Vlatko Better Win leads with 65 points and 6 lost GER as their champ

H MART, BUENA PARK, CA (smt) --  Living in the Los Angeles area, it is hard to complain about things.  It's been high 80s with 60% humidity which I describe as "pungent hell" (one of the very few times we ever got feedback on our Major League Soccer score sheets in the early days was one time we described the weather at the Rose Bowl as not "sunny" or "humid" or "hot", but our use of "pungent hell" --- the note was quickly followed with "but that's exactly what it felt like" so we had a good laugh), but someone from Boston will say hey, it's 105F and humid here or Orlando will say it's 99% humid here.  LA had like a dozen atmospheric rivers drench the area from December-March but then someone in Tampa will say we had to evacuate due to a hurricane or Vermont is flooded.  We're known for some famous "bad" areas here but them someone from Chicago will talk about constant gun violence.   LA is also famous for smog but can't complain because the Northeast is suffocating under the Canadian wildfire smoke out.  We can only complain about high taxes... anyone top that?  Anyone?  Darn.

Issue #6.1.5 "Let's Reset" (After 42 Matches)

 Archive

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 
Dailies: Jul 30-31 Aug 1 

START STRONG, LITTLE DRAMA... EXCEPT FOR USA-PORTUGAL
Hawkeye and Vlatko Better Win take over 1st with 5 groups complete

HOME, CA (smt) --  After 42 matches, Groups A, B, C, D, and E are complete, leaving 10 teams fighting for the final 5 Round of 16 spots.  Needing to win and leave no doubt, B1-Australia (1A) scored in the 9' and whipped B4-Canada, 4-0, in a battle of top 10 teams, A2-Norway (2A) scored in the 6' to demolish A3-Philippines, 6-0, C4-Japan (1C) scored in the 12' to embarrass #6 C1-Spain (2C), 4-0, to top Group C, E3-Netherlands (1E) scored in the 8' to wallop my wife's home country of E2-Vietnam, 7-0, and D1-England (1D) found their scoring touch scoring in the 4' to blow out #14 D4-China PR, 6-1.  AUS, NOR, NED, ENG left nothing to chance with their blowouts while JPN took their few opportunities (8 shots/6 on goal) to win Group C.  D3-Denmark (2D) opened scoring "late" in the 21' to beat D2-Haiti, 2-0, to advance.  In the one match that didn't matter, C3-Zambia scored their first-ever WWC goal in the 3' in beating C2-Costa Rica, 3-1.  So very little drama in these games and spots were secured without any nervousness.

Saved by the Post (8/1)

HOME, CA - Geez, didn't think I would need to pull out a USA jersey this early, choosing the 2019 authentic home jersey post-WWC win with FIFA winners badge and 4th gold star as E1-USA still had not clinched a spot in the
Round of 16.  Got a pic with the USA flag waving outside the Boys & Girls Club in Cypress where my son was having a Boy Scouts meeting.  Seems like this jersey just provided the 2-3 inches to make the ball bounce off the post instead of in the goal ;-)

Again, an inspired first few minutes quickly gave way to stagnant play for the rest of the game and it brought back bad memories of Sunday's LA Galaxy Leagues Cup match as passes were intercepted, quick plays forward gave way to wayward passes too long, tiring out our players.  I love Alex Morgan, but every time they show her she just looks tired and exhausted and, gulp, old?  With no chance to catch E3-Netherlands, who led 3-0 within 20 minutes en route to a 7-0 thrashing of E2-Vietnam, USA just needed to see the draw, yet, there was no running into the corner to draw a foul, no quick passing in the back trying to draw E4-Portugal out (who needed to win), just lots of running and bad passing that POR quickly recovered on.

And the final scoresheet will show POR with zero shots on goal but the one breakaway POR had, the shot was rifled past USA's GK and hit off the right post in the 90'+1, saving USA's bacon.  This was the first time USA did not win at least two games in the group stage in surviving the 0-0 draw.  FOX hyped up this would be the greatest upset ever but POR was ranked #21 and only allowed one goal to NED, who is ranked #9.  The biggest upset would be not qualifying at all but luckily, USA did, but as 2nd in Group E.  The criticism came hard and fast (see this post :-) with Carli Lloyd's being the most liked and bantered around.

How lucky is 2C-Spain, who didn't win their group as expected but now avoids #12 1A-Norway in R16 and if they win, avoids USA in Quarterfinals.  Maybe 1C-Japan shouldn't have won.

In Group D, D1-England finally found their mojo in beating D4-China PR, 6-1 to win the group and D3-Denmark took care of business beating D2-Hati, 2-0, to take second.

Group E concluded with only Rutin4Putin getting the USAvPOR draw.  43 picked NED's win as 43 went 1-1 and 4 went 0-2.  All 46 who had USA in the Round of 16 had them as 1E, not 2E, but it doesn't matter as it is 3 points regardless and the downside is your bracket is now upside down.  42 had NED in R16 as 41 got both R16 teams and 6 got 1 of 2.  39 got 7 of 8 possible points while Of-Course-it's-US only got 3 of 8.

Group D concluded with 35 getting both ENG (picked by 36) and DEN (44) wins while TroJenn and TroJenn2 missed both.  46 had ENG in the R16 and 31 DEN with 31 getting both and 16 getting 1 of 2.  25 got all 8 points in Group D while TroJenn and TroJenn2 only got 3 of 8.

Combined, 23 got 15 of 16 possible points while Rutin4Putin and Kung Fu Master Kai each got 8 of 16.  Hawkeye and Vlatko Better Win are still tied for first with 54 points with Kds911, Kona Coast Sliders, and More$ tied for 3rd with 53.  Kung Fu Master Kai takes over last with 35 points.

Issue #4.1.3 "Underdogs Roar Back" (After 24 Matches)

 Archive

Thursday, July 27, 2023 
Dailies: July 25-26-27 

PHILIPPINES AND NIGERIA STUN CO-HOSTS; USA DRAWS
Eggman 2 takes the lead with 19 points

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) --  After 24 matches, underdogs put on a show with #46 A3-Philippines (two California-born players leading the way) stunning co-host A1-New Zealand 1-0 and #40 B3-Nigeria rallying with three straight goals to beat co-host B1-Australia, 3-2.  B4-Canada had to rally to prevent #22 B2-Rep of Ireland from an upset, winning 2-1.  C4-Japan scored twice in two minutes in the first half but settled for a 2-0 win over C2-Costa Rica which allowed C1-Spain to edge JPN on goal differential when they put up 5 against C3-Zambia.  ESP and JPN both advance to the Round of 16 but ESP holds the GD edge to win the group if they tie in their last match.

In the competitive matches between teams just ranked 8 spots apart, both matches drew with #20 A4-SUI and #12 A2-Norway producing the third nil-nil draw and #9 E3-Netherlands allowing a second-half goal to tie #1 E1-USA, 1-1 (in the first of 3 matches between top 10 teams (upcoming CANvAUS and F1-France vs F3-Brazil)).

USA came out strong in the first 10 minutes and then listed in the first half as NED struck first in the 17', the first time USA has trailed in a WWC match since 2011 (17 matches).  USA uncharacteristically made just one sub the whole match, but Rose Lavelle's halftime entry seemed to spark the team, even picking up a yellow in the 51' and providing the corner kick assist to Lindsey Horan in the 62'.  Horan was just taken out hard by club teammate (Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)) Danielle van de Donk (no foul as Donk got to the ball first) and a shoving match ensued. But on the next play, she scores off the corner (interestingly, Horan is the only USA player to not play for the NWSL). 

Host Hangover (7/27)

THE BURGER DEN (aka, DENNY'S), EL SEGUNDO, CA - Host B1-Australia suffered the same fate as co-host A1-New Zealand, losing to the worst team in the group after winning their first match.  AUS actually scored first against #40 B3-Nigeria but NGR quickly tied it at 1 in the 45'+6 heading into halftime.  Two quick strikes 7 minutes apart stunned AUS and although AUS got a late stoppage time goal (+10), it was too late in falling 3-2.  NGA gave Africa their first win of the tourney (1-4-1) and are 2nd in Group B.  With B2-Rep of Ireland already eliminated, B4-Canada, NGA, and AUS are fighting for the two spots.

E3-Netherlands scored in the 17' against a listless E1-USA team, the first time USA has trailed in a WWC since 2011 (17 matches).  A hard no-call tackle on Lindsey Horan fired her up and seconds later scored a header off a corner kick in the 62' to tie it at 1.  A more inspired USA team, despite making only one sub, nearly netted the game-winner (offsides).  The 1-1 draw snapped USA's WWC record win streak at 13. 

E4-Portugal had reasons to smile getting 28 shots off against E2-Vietnam, but only managed to win 2-0.  VIE, without a shot against USA, got their first shot in the 3' and first shot on goal in the 43' but were the 4th team eliminated in this WWC.  Assuming both USA and NED beat up POR and VIE, USA currently has a +2 goal differential lead to win the group.

Wore my 2016 Vietnam home jersey (after visiting in 2019) and took a peak at the Toyota Center for Innovation in STEM Education on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills while walking to the LA Galaxy-Leon Leagues Match, that was postponed from Tuesday.

8 went 2-1 leaving Eggman 2 on top with 19 pts.  Jolly Old England and Tiocfaidh Ár Lá!!! are tied for 2nd with 18 pts.  Four went 0-3 including my 3am Down Under (25th-Tied, 15).  Tiny Destroyer is still last with 9 pts.  40 got POR and 7 got the USA-NED draw.  Two kids in our pool, Kung Fu Master Kai (44th-T, 12) and Pink Penguino (25th-T) were the only two to get NGA's win correct.

Issue #2.1.1 "USA Sleepwalks to Win" (After USA-VIE)

 Archive

Saturday, July 22, 2023 
Dailies: July 20-21-22

NO ROUT THIS TIME, VIETNAM HOLDS USA TO 3
Our 3rd Women's World Cup pool gets record 47 entries

DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK, WREXHAM TOUR, CARSON, CA (smt) --  #32 E2-Vietnam, 1 of 8 teams making their WWC debut, was determined not to lose by a lot and came out aggressive, frustrating #1 E1-USA as the ref was letting them play.  USA broke through after a great flick by Alex Morgan found a speedy Sophia Smith who struck the ball under the 5'-5" GK's legs in the 14'.  USA benefited from 2 VARs, the first in the 41' resulting in a PK but Morgan's attempt was saved and the second in the 45'+7 where offsides was taken away, keeping the goal.  USA had 26 shots and great chances but other than the first goal, there wasn't much clever attacking as VIE's defense held firm.  VIE had zero shots and rarely put the ball in the final third.  Hard to say if this was good or bad for USA as they face #9 E3-Netherlands next, in a rematch of the 2019 WWC final.  Win and we'll forget about not building up a big goal differential.  But a 3-0 win is a 3-0 win.

Redos and Stuggles (7/22)

CATALINA CLASSIC CRUISES, LONG BEACH, CA - Like C1-Spain, E1-USA dominated its opponent yet struggled to score.  The 3-0 win is a far cry from their 13-0 rout vs Thailand in 2019's WWC opener as E2-Vietnam held firm on defense, fouling early (the ref let them play) to frustrate the Americans.  USA held VIE without a shot (soon to be joined by C3-Zambia) and was working at slow speed most of the match, despite having 26 shots.  One of their few pushes forward resulted in a great goal with Alex Morgan making a great flick to Shopia Smith who ran down the ball and put it under the legs of VIE's 5'5" GK, the first of her 2 goals.  Her second goal got through a mass of bodies and also went under the legs of the GK.  Hopefully, goal differential won't be a factor.

C4-Japan also had 26 shots but scored 5 times and also held ZAM without a shot, which on paper was the most uneven match (JPN #11, ZAM #77 -- difference of 66 spots).  JPN's Mina Tanaka had 2 goals taken away via VAR (offsides) but Hinata Miyazawa did score twice.  JPN is currently in 1st in Group C due to goal differential (hint, hint, USA) over ESP.  

Group D completed play with D1-England struggling and needing a retaken PK (also happened for JPN's 5th goal) to edge out #53 D2-Haiti, 1-0.  In the most competitive match on paper thus far between #13 D4-China PR and #15 D3-Denmark, DEN got their only shot on goal in the 90' which went in to sneak out a 1-0 victory.  This was the 9th game of the WWC and first to not feature VAR and the first to not have a penalty kick attempt.  There were 4 VARs in JPNvZAM match.

Didn't think USA needed any help so wore my 2023 Home Inter Miami pink jersey (took them so long to go pink) and watched Messi's debut on Univision live and when he got the stoppage time free kick attempt, like when David Beckham came to the LA Galaxy, you had a feeling he was going to score, and he did (both did it in non-MLS matches, Beckham's first real FK attempt was a goal in a SuperLiga game, this one a Leagues Cup game).  So awesome and great for MLS's profile.

In the pool, 25 went 4-0 with Jolly Old England and ShrimpOnTheBarbie tied for 1st with 8 points.  All 47 barely got ENG, 46 USA, 42 JPN, and 29 DEN.  7 are tied for last with 5 pts.

Issue #1.0.1 "Can USA Three-Peat?" (Kickoff Issue)

 Archive

Thursday, July 13, 2023 

USA TRIES TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK
Our 3rd Women's World Cup pool down under creates crazy start times for West Coast

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) --  The Women's World Cup has expanded from 24 to 32 teams, matching the Men's World Cup (until 2026 when the men's go to 48 teams) as the women's game has grown exponentially.  This has allowed Europe to send more teams (12), all in the top 22, but also allowed teams like H2-Morocco (#72) and C3-Zambia (#77) to sneak in.  E1-USA is still #1 and will try to become the first team to 3-peat in a very competitive field.  Their first match last time was against #34 Thailand which they scorched 13-0.  Vietnam, their first match opponent, is ranked #32.

With the expansion to 32 teams, 8 teams are making their first WWC appearance and D3-Denmark returns for the first time since 2007.  Being co-hosted by B1-Australia and A1-New Zealand, while some group games like USA-VIE will start at 6 pm PDT, most knockout stage matches will start between midnight and 3 am PDT!  It'll be tough to follow the games and not get spoiled to who won.  H1-Germany is #2 and will try for their 3rd title while other European powers G1-Sweden, D1-England, and F1-France right behind.  Players playing in Europe also dominated with 18 players from Barcelona and 17 from Chelsea.  Nine USA players from 2019 made the cut with five trying to 3-peat.  Japan's 2011 win is so far away, only one player from that team made the roster. 

Issue #6.2.1 "That Would Be Me" (After Round of 16)

 Archive

Wednesday, December 7, 2022  ***NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY***

IT'S THE USUAL SUSPECTS BUT MOROCCO CUTS IN LINE
Five tied for 1st; 57 entries still alive and 21 can win the pool

HILTON AT THE BALLPARK, SAINT LOUIS, MO (smt) -- After a fun and crazy group stage that saw teams like 1E-Japan and 1F-Morocco win their groups and four-time champion E3-Germany,  two-time champion (4 if you include pre-WC Olympic titles) H3-Uruguay, and #2 F1-Belgium eliminated, the Round of 16 was shaping up to be a Europe/South America vs North America/Africa/Asia competition.  But the soccer powers rose in stature but there would be one team that defied the odds to make the Quarterfinals.  That would be MAR. 

While favorites 1A-Netherlands (3-1 over 2B-USA - where USA had more possession and shots, but couldn't finish while NED were precision strikes), 1G-Brazil (4-1 over 2H-Korea Rep - Neymar returning for a PK goal), 1B-England (3-0 over 2A-Senegal), 1D-France (3-1 over 2C-Poland - Kylian Mbappe getting his 2nd brace), and 1H-Portugal (6-1 over 2G-Swiss - Goncalo Ramos netting the tourney's 1st hat trick) all rode multi-goal easy victories and 1C-Argentina controlling a 2-1 win over 2D-Australia (where ARG scored for AUS, the tourney's 3rd own goal), you would expect 2E-Spain to have an easy time over MAR.  Even 2018 runner-up 2F-Croatia was able to keep European power in play easily winning in the penalty shootout 3-1 (1-1 draw) over JPN thanks to GK Dominik Lilakovic's three (3!) PK saves.

ESP nearly had 1,000 completed passes and yet just had one shot on goal as MAR battled them to a 0-0 tie after extra time, the tourney's 7th nil-nil draw.  In penalties, MAR GK Yassine Bounou saved 2 PKs and went the right way on another (where ESP hit the right post) to help his team seal a 3-0 PSO win, the last goal by Achraf Hakimi, born in Spain, with a hard panenka down the middle. 

Issue #5.1.4 "The Axe Forgets" (After Group Stage)

Archive

Friday, December 2, 2022  

GHANA AND USA EXTRACT REVENGE, BEL & GER OUT
Kankleiscious is alone in 1st; no eliminations until end of Round of 16

WORK FROM HOME (smt) -- Although it has been 24 years since B2-IR Iran shocked B3-USA and 12 years since H2-Ghana lost in Quarters to H3-Uruguay on a sure game-winning goal nullified by a blatant handball by Luis Suarez, there is an African proverb that is used in Star Wars: Andor - the axe forgets but the tree remembers.  USA battled political questions at press conferences and US Soccer sabotaging players and survived IRN 1-0 to advance to the Round of 16 for the 4th time in their last 5 WCs.  A first-half goal on a crushing run by Christian Pulisic was just enough to erase the 1998 memories.  GHA, after going down 2-0 early with slim hopes of advancing, bunkered down and played spoiler, preventing URU from the R16-clinching 3rd goal as URU may have won 2-0 but were eliminated.  Like the 2010 QF vURU, GHA missed a PK that started their downfall.

While just 11% of teams who lose their first match make the R16, 3 of the first 5 teams (60%) advanced (A3-Senegal, C1-Argentina, D2-Australia).  The last 6 teams did not make it so it ended up being 3/11 (27.3%).  On the flip side, just 16% of teams who win their first match fail to qualify and 2 of the first 5 (40%) did miss out (A2-Ecuador, C2-Saudi Arabia).  Just 1 of the final 6 teams failed to qualify (F1-Belgium, ending that Golden Generation) so it ended up being 3/11 as well (27.3%).  5 teams (C3-Mexico, D4-Tunisia, E3-Germany, G4-Cameroon, and URU) did win their last match but also failed to qualify. 

A4-Netherlands and B1-England picked up easy wins while 3 teams who had already clinched lost (D1-France 0-1 to TUN, G1-Brazil 0-1 to CMR, and H1-Portugal 1-2 to H4-Korea Republic).  ENG actually finished with the best record (7 pts, GD+7) as no team won 3 games for the first time since 1994.  There was just one tie in the last 16 matches (F4-Croatia 0-0 to BEL).

Dum-founded! (12/3)

WHITTIER, CA -- 1A-Netherland's Denzel Dumfries had two excellent low crosses that led to goals, one early (10') and a dagger before halftime (45'+1'), and then scored himself in the 81' on a wide open strike to lead NED to a 3-1 win over 2B-USA.  USA had a 54%-33% possession advantage, but that was by design as NED's first two shots on goal were goals.  Clinical finishing.  USA missed a point blank open shot in the 3', NED finished theirs.  USA did outshot NED 18-11 (7-6 on goal) but spent a lot of energy early.

NED was getting sloppy and USA finally capitalized on a Christian Pulisic cross that happened to hit the back of Haji Wright's foot and the ball leapt over the 6'-8" GK and into the goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.  But that only lasted five minutes as Dumfries scored to seal the victory.  NED is now unbeaten in their last 19 matches and USA is now 0-4 against UEFA teams in the R16.

Lionel Messi scored for 1C-Argentina early and an AUS GK gaffe extended the lead to 2-0 in the 57'.  But an own goal off a deflection pulled 2D-Australia within one in the 77' and unlike the USA, they didn't allow the killer 3rd goal.  While ARG blew some chances, AUS had a few of their own including at the end (point blank but straight at the GK) and ARG goes to the Quarters winning 2-1.

Wore my authentic 2002 USA Home jersey in hopes of rekindling USA's QF run in 2002.  I kept my thoughts on the blog:

USA v NED - Live!

as the match wore on.  Had to wash the loss down with one SoCal's iconic taco shop, Arturo's Puffy Taco in Whittier.  If you haven't been, the classic ground beef taco is excellent and has been featured on the Food Channel.  It's one of those foods that you cannot find anywhere else.  You would think someone would mimic the formula so I wouldn't have to drive there when I have the craving.  

98 had ARG and 88 had NED in their QF.  Two (Cicero (86th-Tied, 58 pts) (who was tied for 1st on Nov 29) and Ugh, as If! (67th-T, 60)) lost USA as their champ.  81 got both ARG & NED while 4 got none.  Kankleiscious still in 1st with 74 points while Markofthebeast is last with 42 pts.  

USA v NED - Live!

HOME -- Woke up just after 7 after a long night, put on my 2002 USA Home jersey, the same one where USA won their R16 (vMEX), freshened up, put on a cup of coffee... and...

• 18' - Turned on TV - Boo!  NED 1-0.  Not stressed though like IRN match.
• [Start: No Sargent available.  No Reyna sighting but on bench.  Ferreira (MLS)?  2' - Save! USA needs a goal early.  Wide open.  10' - NED goal 1-0]
• 35' - NED playing great defense allowing USA possession but no passing lanes.  Interestingly, when USA GK has the ball, lots of orange jerseys in the area clogging outlet pass.
• 43' - "Zimmerman (MLS) mishits that ball" - yeah, I'm drunk already from his play.
• 45'+1 - With just +1', NED scores off another wide-open cross from the right in the box.  Duplicate of first goal.  NED 2-0.
• 46:40 - End half.
• 8:02 am - Start half.  I do hope Reyna is healthy as he enters match replacing MLS player (Ferreira).  Still not nervous though probably would be if at a Watch Party (e.g., Tom's Watch Bar)
• 49' - Ream can't get enough right at goal line.  USA still struggling to finish.
• 50' - NED another cross from right, closer to goal and nearly an own goal ("save" by Turner).  Whew.
• 53' - Why can't USA players hit it first time?  McKinnie on cross settles first then skies shot.  Both NED's goals were first-time clinical finishes.
• 8:11 am - Hmmm... my FOX stream on TV seems to be a full minute behind (FIFA+ app).  Going to restart stream.  Still behind.  Oh, well, eyes on TV.
• 60' - First yellow, this to NED.  Another USA free kick (Pulisic) and another to a NED defender.
• 64' - Robinson on the ground injured.  Time ticking away.  Wright (can he redeem himself?) and Aaronson ready to come in.  Players tired but winner of this match will get 5 full days of rest (opponent ARGvAUS will only get 3 full days of rest).  Put it all on the line!
• 69' - Aaronson run right off the ball then commits foul.  Child's play.
• 71' Turner double-save.  Time running out.
• 75' - Misplay by NED, but it's to Wright, who predictably instead of hitting it first time, has a touch too long, and barely gets a slow ball on goal, easily cleared off.
• 76'- Wright??  The pass is just behind him and he mishits but bounces high and into the net.  NED 2, USA 1.  I'll take it.  
• 78' - NED passes are getting sloppy, NED GK comes out to prevent another one-on-one attempt.  This GK only started for NED in the WC?  Crazy.
• 80' - USA corner, first of 2nd half.  Can they do well like their CKs against MEX in Gold Cup?  Higher this time but GK catch.
• 81' - Wide open header, NED 3-1.  Wide open.  All 3 goals NED players had free shot on goal.  All one-touch finishes.
• 86' - Weak bicycle by Zimmerman goes wide left.
• 87' - NED yellow to stop a counter.  Smart.
• 90' - Just six minutes of stoppage.  Where is our +10? :-)
• 90'+2 - Moore (MLS) on... too late? 
• 90'+3 - NED subs (will take a while).  USA players waiting for runners, got to pass faster.
• 90'+4 - Aaronson dribbling unnecessarily.  Is this a skills competition?  As George Lucas would say "faster, more intense".
• 96:08 - Game over!  Good effort but USA could not allow a goal early and couldn't allow a goal before halftime and failed at both.  Just momentum killers, especially for this young team.  It really came down to finishing as NED were clinical on crosses and USA could not convert some open looks.  Reyna had time to adjust this time and did nothing.  Maybe stop letting the fans pick your lineup.   GK Turner had no chance on any of the 3 NED goals.  Both teams missed 2018 and NED will give their hesitant fans back home hope and USA will take this memory into hosting in 2026.
• 9:00 am - Nice to see USA go toe-to-toe with soccer powers ENG and NED.  It used to be absorb and get lucky on a counter.  But whereas IRN missed their shot opportunities, NED finished with precision.  Until NED started getting sloppy before stoppage time, their defense was solid, as USA had too much dribbling and not many one-touch passing.  

Thank you USA!

+9 (11/29)

WORK, EL SEGUNDO, CA -- While A4-Netherlands and B1-England had easy victories over A1-Qatar (2-0) and B4-Wales (3-0), respectively, to win their groups and qualify for the Round of 16, the second-place slots were nerve-wrecking.  Each game had a high 9 minutes of stoppage time as A3-Senegal and B3-USA had to protect one-goal leads to advance.  A2-Ecuador had tied it before SEN went back up three minutes later in the 70'.  With ECU needing only a draw, SEN's defense held up for those long 9-10 minutes.  

USA's only option was to win (no dependency on ENGvWAL) and although they didn't get an early goal they did get a late first half goal thanks to future star finally showing up and putting his body and soul into the play giving USA a 1-0 lead in the 38'.  But Christian Pulisic suffered a bad injury (either he getting kneed in the stomach/groin area by GK while he braced himself on the GK's groin) and left the match at halftime.  

All of USA's effort was marred by poor touches and bad decisions, especially in the last 15 +9 (actually ten) minutes, and while you can blame fatigue considering how hard USA played, a good number of these misfires were coming from subs Shaq Moore and Haji Wright.  Luckily, like E2-Costa Rica did against E4-Japan, they constantly challenged IRN players just inside midfield (not letting them get too deep in USA's end) forcing IRN to play backwards at times. But going into a defensive shell does mean lots of IRN possession and when IRN did break through, strong shots not on frame hurt them (USA GK Matt Turner was only credited with one save (FIFA updated: 2) though several shots got past him).  

There were two instances in the +9 stoppage time where IRN wanted a handball and a foul, but luckily both plays weren't 50/50 calls so no call was the obvious correct call.  Add to that this ref let a lot of physical play happen (there were 4 yellow cards ( with 1 to a IRN bench player and 1 to IRN for shirt pulling not a tackle) but could have easily been 8 or more), no way he would call those fouls.  Boy the stress though!  

Issue #4.1.3 "One Way Out" (After 2 of 3 Matches)

 Archive

Monday, November 28, 2022  

TWENTY-ONE TEAMS KNOW WHAT TO DO TO MAKE R16
Four are tied for 1st with 20 points but next four days can earn 16 points each day

MISTLETOE WRAPPING IN CYPRESS, CA (smt) -- Of the 21 teams who know what they need to do to guarantee themselves in the Round of 16, only the B3-USA has one way out - win or be eliminated.  No backing their way in like in 2002 or 2014.  No slim chance if they didn't win vs Algeria in 2010.  26 of 27 eligible teams can make the Round of 16 (joining D1-France, G1-Brazil, and H1-Portugal) with some help if necessary.  USA gets no help.  No need to watch the D1-England-D4-Wales score.  Doesn't matter.  Win and in.

Only 2 teams have been eliminated (host A1-Qatar and F2-Canada) and just three have qualified leaving an unusually high 27 teams still alive fighting for 13 spots.  E3-Germany has the most difficult guarantee to make the Round of 16, and that is beating E2-Costa Rica by 8 or more goals... considering E1-Spain beat CRC 7-0, maybe possible (though CRC shocked E4-Japan 1-0)?  Otherwise it's win and hope for a good result from JPNvsESP.  WAL and C3-Mexico are in if they win their matches by 4 or more goals.  ENG can lose by 3 goals and still qualify.  All 6 teams that do not control their destiny still need to win for any chance of making the R16. 

High Kick (11/25)

NERVOUS @ HOME - It seemed like D3-USA was using E4-Japan's strategy of absorbing pressure and saving energy for the second half but midway through the first half, the D1-England dominant possession gave way and USA had the better of chances.  Unlike against D4-Wales, USA kept the possession and pressure in the second half but could not finish, settling for a 0-0 draw, USA's first-ever 0-0 WC draw (35 matches).  With D2-IR Iran's two stoppage time goals against 10-men WAL, USA controls their destiny and need a win against IRN.  If you can't beat IRN, you don't deserve to be in the Knockout round.  

WAL had the first red card of the tourney as their GK came out and his high kick knocked the IRN player down way outside the box in the 86'.  IRN's second of two stoppage-time goals was in the 90'+11', the latest goal in regulation... of course, this WC, refs are putting all missing time back in resulting in unusually high added minutes (this match had +9 officially).  With the free-flowing injury-free ENG-USA second half, just +4 was put up, one of the lowest this WC (for 2nd half).  The first half was just +1.

ENG had one last chance in stoppage time thanks to another errant pass by Walker Zimmerman (the same one who dumbly committed the foul in the box to allow WAL to tie USA) but Harry Kane's clear header went wide left.  You could have a drinking game whenever there is a missed pass towards midfield, and if it was Zimmerman, take a shot.  You may get drunk quickly.  Luckily, Zimmerman plays well when defending to stay a starter.

A2-Ecuador got a second-half equalizer to tie A4-Netherlands 1-1 as both sit atop Group A with 4 points while host A1-Qatar got their first goal but A3-Senegal scored 3 and eliminated QAT for the Round of 16.  QAT is the second host to not make the Round of 16 (South Africa in 2010) and will try to not become the first host to finish the group stage with zero points.

I guess my 2010 home USA jersey worked as this jersey was the same type worn in USA 1-1 tie with ENG in 2010.  Since USA needs a win in their last match like 2010 (they somehow fell into 1st in 2014), I guess it'll be the 2010 away USA jersey on Tuesday.

In the pool, only SEN's win was picked by more than 19 entries (73).  19 picked IRN, 17 had ENG-USA draw, and only 6 had NED-ECU draw.  Eggman (30th-T, 10 pts) was the only one to go 3-1 while 23 went 0-4.  This left three at the top with 13 points (Cicero, Kankleiscious, and Walloon) with Markofthebeast and Meli tied for last with 6 pts.

Issue #3.1.2 "Announcement" (After 1 of 3 Matches)

Archive

Thursday, November 24, 2022  ***HAPPY THANKSGIVING*** 

GIANTS FALL, ASIA RISES, & USA SETTLES FOR TIE

Nine are tied for 1st but will ARG or GER break the pool?

TURKEY DINNER @ HOME, CA (smt) -- With one match down for each team, a few teams made an announcement to not underestimate them because they don't come from Europe or South America as Asian Football Confederation's #53 C2-Saudi Arabia rallied with two early 2nd half goals in 6 minutes to stun two-time champion #3 C1-Argentina, 2-1, and AFC's #24 E4-Japan rallied with two late 2nd half goals in 9 minutes to defeat 4-time champion #11 E3-Germany, 2-1.  ARG was riding a 36-match unbeaten streak and had not lost in their last 40 WC matches when scoring first.  Big underdog African teams D4-Tunisia and F3-Morocco secured scoreless draws against top 12 European teams D3-Denmark and F4-Croatia, respectively.  AFC's #28 H4-Korea Republic tied #14 H3-Uruguay in a match that saw no shots on goal (thus, ended nil-nil).

So considering KSA beat ARG and JPN beat GER, USA's 2-0 loss to JPN and 0-0 draw to KSA this fall right before the World Cup wasn't so bad after all.  But B3-USA still has to be disappointed to commit a reckless tackle in the box to allow B4-Wales to tie it 1-1 with a PK in the 82'.  CONCACAF didn't fare any better with #13 C3-Mexico not taking advantage of ARG's loss in a 0-0 draw with #26 C4-Poland, F2-Canada missing a PK and outshooting #2 F1-Belgium 21-9 but still losing 1-0, and E2-Costa Rica going shot-less in an embarrassing 7-0 loss to E1-Spain.

I Got Your Back (11/21)

EL SEGUNDO, CA - B3-United States players ran into the back of B4-Wales' Gareth Bale twice, one which led to a late match-tying PK and one that prevented a killer mid-field attempt by Bale at an empty goal (a la Patrik Schick's mid-field strike in the Euros) almost 10 minutes into stoppage time.  USA dominated the first half but only got one goal (their only shot on goal) as WAL pushed in the second half and got their opportunity and Bale hit a great PK strike to tie the match at 1 in the 82'.  

Getting a 1-1 tie feels like a loss considering how strong USA came out.  Walker Zimmerman's silly foul going through Bale, whose back was against the goal, in the box was costly even though WAL was playing better.  This likely means USA will need to score a few goals against B2-IR Iran in their last match, much less winning.  

Had a meeting that went over by 45 minutes so I got to watch the worst of USA, with 10 minutes + 10 minutes stoppage left at the lobby of the Toyota Sports Performance Center (zero soccer fans) wearing the 2021 USA away kit.  Eventually just watched the end in my car.

B1-England quieted doubters in routing IRN 6-2 in an indoor soccer type of score line.   A4-Netherlands needed two late goals to pick up 3 points against A3-Senegal and keep pace with A2-Ecuador.  

What is with all these crazy long stoppage times?  10 minutes put in at end of ENG-IRN match (that went nearly 13 minutes) and 9 for USA-WAL.  There was also more than 10 minutes in the first half of ENG-IRN due to a GK injury.  With FIFA trying to keep the ball "in play" longer, the numbers being put up by the refs are unusually high.  In one aspect, fake or real injuries during play will be cumulatively added so that the losing team will get that extra time but that also means players are on the pitch longer and players are already cramping up (in mild temps, not the summer heat).

In the pool, 23 entries got all 3 matches correct while Markofthebeast missing all 3.  He also is the only one with zero points while 13 have four points.  107 of 109 got ENG, 97 NED, and 19 picked the USA-WAL tie.

Issue #2.1.2 "Reckoning"

 Archive

Sunday, November 20, 2022

QATAR EXPECTATIONS HIGH, SHATTERED IN FIRST MATCH
Our 7th World Cup pool hits record 109 unofficial entries with South American teams favorites to win it all

VANCOUVER, BC/HOME, CA (smt) -- This 22nd FIFA World Cup has brought controversy with human-rights issues, alleged bought votes, the smallest country with a team that has never qualified for the World Cup, moving the tourney to late fall, and fan/reporter troubles leading to the opening match.  But there was hope that Qatar would keep it together and that the team, which stayed together and played entertaining matches in the Asian Cup and Gold Cup, would surprise and make people talk about success and not about all the issues.  Nope. 

Not only did A1-QAT get thoroughly outplayed in the first half against A2-Ecuador in losing 2-0, their "fans", which seemed to wear free or souvenir shirts (not the jerseys), abandoned them as well as the 2-0 halftime scoreline caused swaths of the sold-out stadium to feature empty sections in the second half.  That left the cheering of ECU fans as that is what a reckoning sounds like as QAT became the first host to lose their opening match.  This was a traditional opening match by the host that was bizarrely scheduled as the second match of the day.  Only 3 months ago, it got moved up a day so it can be, you know, the opening match.