2014 World Cup

[DannyInvincible]

Best game of the World Cup yet. I was egging the US on to score. Heart racing. Immense.

[Razors left peg]

Feck, the US deserved to make it to pens after the way they fought back. Fantastic heart. Totally outclassed for most of the game but never gave it up

[osarusan]

I thought that was fantastic stuff - as much the tension as the skill, granted, but just great to watch.

[DannyInvincible]

If the US had someone other than Wondolowski up front, it might have made a difference. He was pretty non-existent and made a mess of the two glorious opportunities he had. Even Altidore might have finished them!

[bennocelt]

Shearer made another one of his good insights at 90 minutes, makes you wonder if a team like the USA can play with such heart and drive and for their country............

Also imagine if they had a striker

[DannyInvincible]

Shearer made another one of his good insights at 90 minutes

Why, what was his other one?

[Stuttgart88]

TOWK had to throw in that one because this game doesn't suit his narrative that the MLS is sh1t. The USA buried so many stereotypes tonight. Bradley used to be ridiculed here years ago. I hope Tim Howard lynches Ann Coulter in public.

We and the Brits laugh at the language they use but I'm thinking maybe they "get it" better than we do.

Cracking soccer matchup and the better team overall was the winningest, just.

I loved that replacement right back the USA brought on.

[bennocelt]

Why, what was his other one?

He is on commission, one a game

[osarusan]

TOWK had to throw in that one because this game doesn't suit his narrative that the MLS is sh1t.

More like his troll clock had hit zero and he needed oxygen.

[DannyInvincible]

I think Bradley is awful

He's the bald Pirlo.

That Right back for the USA is immense though.

Great attitude and endeavour from him. There was concern when Johnson went off but Yedlin certainly stepped up to the plate. He plays for the Seattle Sounders.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Let's not go mental. The US only started clicking after going two behind, and their midfield was pretty dire all night (except for Yedlin). They couldn't contain Origi when he was on or Lukaku afterwards. Upfront, it took an impact sub to finally put away one of several close range chances. Imagine if they were playing Columbia - the game would have been dead and buried by 60 minutes with their defence playing like that. They certainly made it interesting in the final few minutes, but the Belgians deserved the win.

[geysir]

USA just ran out of affirmations, but a stupendous performance all the same.
De Bruyne looks a handy player, he injected the bit of outstanding skill to turn the extra time period.

[Razors left peg]

If Fellani wins a World Cup Im giving up on football!

[bennocelt]

He's the bald Pirlo.



Great attitude and endeavour from him. There was concern when Johnson went off but Yedlin certainly stepped up to the plate. He plays for the Seattle Sounders.

He plays like he has lead in his boots,. God if he had only looked left, 3 free rather than right!!!!

Fair dues go to Belgium, also played their part.

Now that we have seen the top 8, who do ye guys fancy?
I like the look of Colombia, Costa Rica (if they can recover in time) and this Belgian team look decent esp every time Wilmots starts bringing on a sub. Well thats the three i am rooting for thats left.

[DannyInvincible]

Let's not go mental. The US only started clicking after going two behind, and their midfield was pretty dire all night (except for Yedlin). They couldn't contain Origi when he was on or Lukaku afterwards. Upfront, it took an impact sub to finally put away one of several close range chances. Imagine if they were playing Columbia - the game would have been dead and buried by 60 minutes with their defence playing like that. They certainly made it interesting in the final few minutes, but the Belgians deserved the win.

Ah yeah, I don't think anyone could deny Belgium's dominance throughout. I think the US resurgence just came as such a welcome surprise, which is why people have been so impressed/excited by it. They were all but dead and buried.

[DannyInvincible]

...the MLS...

We and the Brits laugh at the language they use but I'm thinking maybe they "get it" better than we do.

According to an American friend of BBC commentator Steven Wilson, Americans laugh at us when we say "the MLS". When you think about it, I suppose it is like saying "the Major League Soccer", which sounds a bit daft. Wilson advises one should simply refer to it as "MLS".

[Charlie Darwin]

If the US had someone other than Wondolowski up front, it might have made a difference. He was pretty non-existent and made a mess of the two glorious opportunities he had. Even Altidore might have finished them!

He set up Jones for what should have been an equaliser moments after they went back to 2-1. He fluffed a couple of chances but he was anything but anonymous - had a real effect on the game.

[osarusan]

Football is all about opinions, I think Bradley is awful, but there you go.

I thought he was excellent. Played deeper, cut out lots of promising Belgium attacks before they had a chance to really get started, played lots of simple but smart passes to help USA keep position and at times slow them down so they wouldn't get too frantic. His deliveries into the box were poor, but apart from that I though he did really well.

[bennocelt]

I thought he was excellent. Played deeper, cut out lots of promising Belgium attacks before they had a chance to really get started, played lots of simple but smart passes to help USA keep position and at times slow them down so they wouldn't get too frantic. His deliveries into the box were poor, but apart from that I though he did really well.

How many because Howard was pretty busy tonight.

[NeverFeltBetter]

In other news, Ottmar Hitzfeld has retired after the Swiss exit. He's been a seriously brilliant manager in his career (8 German titles, 3 German Cups, 2 Champions Leagues), and its a shame its ended today.