Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Random World Cup Thoughts

  • I grew up watching Gerd Mueller, the all time leading goal scorer in World Cup History in his NASL stint with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. (where he played alongside worldwide greats Elias Figeroua, Nene Cubilias and George Best). Mueller's record of 14 World Cup goals is serious jeopardy of finally being broken in this World Cup. The thinking pre tournament was that Ronaldo who has 12 goals in world cup play would break it, but Ronaldo has looked out of shape and ineffective in Brazil's first two matches. But Miroslav Klose now very quietly has 9 goals and could score several more based on the freedom coach Jurgen Klinnsman (who himself has 11 World Cup goals) is allowing him to play with up front.
  • I'm rooting for Klose to break the record if not in this World Cup in the next. Why? Klose proves all the Soccer snobs are wrong: You don't have to be raised in the glamorous youth academies, get a national team call up as a teenager, play in the Youth World Cup or for a big club to be a world class player.
  • Trinidad's Cornell Glen of the LA Galaxy in MLS has become a much talked about striker in this World Cup. Considering Glen has bounced around MLS the last few years, will LA GM Alexi Lalas take note and make sure MLS locks him up long term. Let's hope Glen's first half injury against Paraguay today was not serious enough for him to miss substantial MLS time.
  • Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to bring a half fit Michael Owen to the World Cup will cost England dearly in the knock out stages. Consider Wayne Rooney isn't fully fit himself and Peter Crouch is well Peter Crouch, I'd seriously consider placing Steven Gerrard up top. The decision not to bring Shaun Wright-Phillips or Jermain DeFoe to Germany could be very costly for Sven's side.
  • Roger Lemerre is the only coach in history to win both the European Championships (with France in 2000) and the African Nations Cup (with Tunisia in 2006). Unfortunately, Lemerre is poised for his second consecutive first round exit from the World Cup. At least his current Tunisian side has scored a few goals unlike his France side in 2002 which went scoreless in three group matches.

30 comments:

Kartik said...

From Football 365, an English football site:

England Disappoint Yet Again
England's pathetic defending has cost them victory against Sweden. The Three Lions played well during the first half but were arguably fortunate to draw 2-2 considering that the Swedes could have scored every time they had a set-piece. We'll now play Ecuador

Anonymous said...

Football 365, a great site with a tabloid bent.

Anonymous said...

I agree about Sven. He should have brought Wright-Phillips.

Anonymous said...

Sven maybe a good tactical manager but he has no idea how to select players

Hernandez said...

Good observations. may the best teams win!

Hernandez said...

whom does klose play for in the german league?

Anonymous said...

Your point about Sven's selections are very well taken. Don't forget he has wasted a squad spot on Wolcott who now may have to play even though he has never played in the EPL. Shaun Wright-Phillips would have been very useful right about now.

Anonymous said...

Klose plays for Werder Bremen. He has 28 goals in 58 caps all since 2001.

I believe I heard he was born in Poland. It is always interesting to me when players have an option for which country they represent and their eventual choices.

Squad selection is crucial in a tournament like the World Cup. It always baffles me when coaches leave off players that helped the team in qualifying. Testing young players is what friendlies are for.

But with 3 games in 10 days, and with injuries and the abundance of card suspensions, a 23 man roster might not be big enough!

Anonymous said...

Joe Cole had the goal of the tournament so far!

Chest trap to full volley with keeper outstretched finds side netting from 40 yards......... OUTSTANDING!

Anonymous said...

I would not use Gerrard up top. He looked uncomfortable at a withdrawn forward position in the friendlies just prior to the World Cup. That means England may have to employ a single striker at times.

Anonymous said...

Is it Chelsea or the English MNT?

Anonymous said...

it should be totenham !

jenas
defoe
king
carrick
robinson
lennon

totenham is the backbone of what should be the english team

Anonymous said...

Chelsea is so un English it's not even humuorous. No self respecting England fan would cheer for Chelsea. Tottenham on the other hand is an english team through and through except for Robbie Keane.

Kartik said...

Rooney looked decent. Not fully fit and active yet but certainly not a waste like Owen.

Kartik said...

I thought Owen Hargreaves (sp?) was England's best player today. Given that he plays for Bayern Munich he should feel more at home than any other England player.

Kartik said...

Germany's issues at the back could be exposed by Sweden. That having been said, the finishing touch by the Swedish attackers continues to be subpar. Sweden I'm fairly certain has as many shots on goal as anybody in the tournament, yet only has 3 goals to show for it.

Kartik said...

Tim L, glad you are enjoying the Soccer. I know you are just a college sports fan, so this is actually a good time for you to watch soccer. For those americans who are into rpo sports the cup starts at a horrible time with the US Open, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup and French Open all coiniciding.

Hernandez said...

kartik, your man lavolpe is getting crushed this morning. mexico can do not right and are humiliating themselves without blanco in this world cup.

Hernandez said...

GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!


it's not over yet!

Hernandez said...

Great save by the Iranian keeper. wow! angola gets a goal there it becomes very scary for mexico.

Hernandez said...

anybody have any thoughts on the usa scenarios for the games tomorrow?

i think usa beat ghana 2-0 and hope italy can win 1-0. then usa will advance to face brazil who usa always plays tough.

Hernandez said...

Angola has scored and is pushing forward. We may not make it.

Hernandez said...

Our finishing hasn't been good tonight.

Hernandez said...

What are evryone's thoughts on the usa lineup for ghana? arena should play johnson and wolff and push the action forward. sit mcbride. he's washed up.

Hernandez said...

we lose. angola draws so we move on. we are dead men walking into the next round. we are finished. thank you lavolpe. now i will cheer for usa as well.

Anonymous said...

You guys go down to
ghana.

Kartik said...

Mexico will need to improve to beat Argentina or Holland. Too bad for Angola. They held a lead and had a golden chance to be the only African nation in this world cup to move on, but missed several chances to go up 2-0 and got caught flat footed at the back on a set piece and allowed Iran to score a late equalizer. Nonetheless, two results is a great first world cup for Angola, and despite the wars and famines back home they show great potential to be a factor in the future of African Football. They should be a strong side in building for 2010 if they can qualify.

Kartik said...

Mexico will need to improve to beat Argentina or Holland. Too bad for Angola. They held a lead and had a golden chance to be the only African nation in this world cup to move on, but missed several chances to go up 2-0 and got caught flat footed at the back on a set piece and allowed Iran to score a late equalizer. Nonetheless, two results is a great first world cup for Angola, and despite the wars and famines back home they show great potential to be a factor in the future of African Football. They should be a strong side in building for 2010 if they can qualify.

Anonymous said...

Argentina to face Mexico. Bye Bye Los Tres Colores......

Anonymous said...

Holland made some dangerous runs late, but as it was a match you'd expect between two sides trying to rest up for the next round.