2011 Gold Cup

[pstall]

i wished the matchups in Charlotte were reversed. i much rather see Costa Rica vs Mex than Mex vs Cuba and CR vs El Sal.

[Panthers128]

Russia and Japan aren't good? News to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_national_football_team

They haven't qualified for the past two world cups. As Russia, their best efforts are simply qualifying and playing in the group stage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_national_football_team

Japan's made it to the world cup 4 times straight. With that said they've only made it to the world cup 4 times...

On the other hand the US has 9 world cup appearances and a third place finish. They've also been to 6 straight world cups.

So basically is what you are saying is that because since not everyone in the US likes Soccer we can't be passionate about it? So there is no reason to be pissed about the Bobcats, they are not popular in other parts of the nation so there is no reason to get upset about them when they suck.

Not saying that at all. I'm just explaining why the US isn't dominant at soccer. I personally like soccer a lot and I have no problem with supporting mediocrity. My problem is people trying to bash the USA based on them having a mediocre soccer team while misstating facts.

[Panthers128]

sylvian you might want to do some research before posting on a sport in which you have limited knowledge. Both Russia and Japan are good international soccer teams. Their best players play on club teams alongside some of the best players in the world.

Soccer insignificant? locally unpopular? Tell that to the millions of youth players across this country. Tell that to the countless college athletes who put their heart and soul onto the pitch day in and day out.

Research was already done and I posted it. Just because they have a player on a good club does not make them great international soccer teams. Yao Ming plays in the NBA, it doesn't mean China is great at basketball.

As for being insignificant and unpopular, relatively speaking, that is the case. Obviously football and basketball are much more popular and even after that I seem to meet more people interested in baseball, hockey and nascar more than I meet people involved or interested in soccer.

College athletes play lacrosse but I'm not going to say it's a significant and popular sport.

I'm not trying to bash soccer. Just trying to put things into perspective.

[Happy Panther]

USA was ranked in the top 10 a few years ago. Still top 25.

Decent world cups despite obvious anti American bias.

and we beat Spain 2-0 2 years ago.

The best thing we have right now is the fact that a few MLS teams are getting 20k average attendance. They go apepoo on the West coast for soccer.

[JakeFlake]

Uptown is a madhouse. Walking around stadium soon and getting a burrito from some mexican lady who makes them out of her car and doesn't speak english.

[Delhommey]

Uptown is a madhouse. Walking around stadium soon and getting a burrito from some mexican lady who makes them out of her car and doesn't speak english.

Come to Texas. We have two of those on every street.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Uptown is a madhouse. Walking around stadium soon and getting a burrito from some mexican lady who makes them out of her car and doesn't speak english.

Those are the best kind to get. Not anything like the americanized version in "mexican" restaurants.

@ Sylvannialight

They still sound like excuses to me. Just saying.

[Brooklyn Bully]

BOA will see more insanity than the Panthers could ever muster tonight.

[JakeFlake]

5 Mexican players banned for testing positive for some kind of substance. Mexican media going apepoo.

One of the banned is Ochoa, the starting keeper. I think one Mexican writer is about to cry.

[Boltergeist]

5 Mexicans test positive for clenbuterol

[tarheelblue89]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_national_football_team

They haven't qualified for the past two world cups. As Russia, their best efforts are simply qualifying and playing in the group stage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_national_football_team

Japan's made it to the world cup 4 times straight. With that said they've only made it to the world cup 4 times...

On the other hand the US has 9 world cup appearances and a third place finish. They've also been to 6 straight world cups.

Not saying that at all. I'm just explaining why the US isn't dominant at soccer. I personally like soccer a lot and I have no problem with supporting mediocrity. My problem is people trying to bash the USA based on them having a mediocre soccer team while misstating facts.

Japan is 14th and Russia is 18th in the world rankings. Last time I checked being ranked in the top 20 outta hundreds of teams is kind of good.

Plus I guess you thought it was reasonable to leave out that Russia made it to the Semis in Euro '08.

I feel like you are only focusing on the WC, which you shouldn't be doing. Japan has won 3 of the 4 last Asian Cups and they made it past the group stage in last years WC which is an accomplishment in it self. They are an up and coming team that will be make a lot of noise in the coming future.

[Panthers128]

Japan is 14th and Russia is 18th in the world rankings. Last time I checked being ranked in the top 20 outta hundreds of teams is kind of good.

Plus I guess you thought it was reasonable to leave out that Russia made it to the Semis in Euro '08.

I feel like you are only focusing on the WC, which you shouldn't be doing. Japan has won 3 of the 4 last Asian Cups and they made it past the group stage in last years WC which is an accomplishment in it self. They are an up and coming team that will be make a lot of noise in the coming future.

Yes, seeing as though I live in North America and not Europe or Asia, I felt no need to include that. What I do get to watch is the World Cup and Russia wasn't there while Japan did no better than the US.

If people are going to bash the US team than I don't expect Russia or Japan to be considered any good either. US is like 22nd and from what I've read the Fifa rankings aren't reliable.

Guess it depends on how you look at the standings though. There are so many teams. Not sure where you'd draw the line on which teams are good, great, mediocre, bad. Imo, I'd say all the teams discussed so far in this thread are mediocre and that includes Mexico.

Teams like Brazil, Spain, Netherlands and Germany are great. Then you have the good teams like Portugal, England (although they're rebuilding), etc. Italy and France had disappointing years but they've strong football traditions.

I stand by my statements.

[Panthers128]

5 Mexicans test positive for clenbuterol

Not surprising.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Irony, 5 goals, 5 suspensions.