Just spent the last hour out on the pitch, reflecting.

[Akrazotile]

After the agony and the ecstasy of what we just saw unfold down in Brazil, I felt like I needed to just get out there and get a few touches in and clear my head. We are, after all, one nation and one team, so I think it's important to gather ourselves, collect our thoughts, and just try to settle down in the aftermath of that wild roller coaster of emotion.

Obviously, when you are recognized internationally as GOAT country, there is a certain target on your back. And we saw that today, with Portugal playing as if this were the WC championship match, rather than the second match of group play.

I didn't want to dwell too much on what is now the past, but as I was juggling the football around and giving the match a mental once-over before changing course and focusing on Germany, something occurred to me:

Ronaldo's cross at the end was within range of a Tim Howard punch out, BUT... he would have had to charge out hard, and because the ball was placed right on the outstretched head of Valera who was charging IN... the result would have been disastrous for Valera... perhaps career-ending. Howard is a train and the potential collision involved if he'd have gone for that ball could have very well broken Valera's neck. Howard elected to pull back, putting the life of another human being ahead of a goal in a football match.

IMO, this is what embodies the American spirit. Leadership. There are some third world nations out there as well as some Euro nations who would have committed the sort of callous savagery required to defend such a cross but Howard showed an abundance of class there. He has his priorities in order, and that's something you know the Soccer Gods will take notice of.


We are ready for Germany. We need a draw, but we'll go for a win. The United States needed a wakeup call in the form of a fourth minute goal this match, but from there they were dominant. The contest against Germany will not require such an alarm. We will be ready from the get-go. We are going to demonstrate what leadership and freedom are all about.


See you on Thursday, boys. :applause:

[nathanjizzle]

i have no idea what you are talking about, but thanks for sharing.

[bladefd]

I don't know what you're talking about either.. I'm with you first 3 paragraphs and last long one but the in-between part IDK what you're talking about.


http://i.minus.com/ixpytEcEc5PiR.gif

[fsvr54]

You're a good writer my nikka (if that in fact is original)


Anyways, go Germany

[Akrazotile]

I don't know what you're talking about either.. I'm with you first 3 paragraphs and last long one but the in-between part IDK what you're talking about.


http://i.minus.com/ixpytEcEc5PiR.gif


Thanks for postin the gif :cheers: you can see quite clearly he takes an initial step out, but realizes Valero is going to stretch forward for a header just outside the six. If Valero were going to jump vertically for the header Howard contests it and clears it with ease. But because he sees the trajectory of the cross will lead Valera to challenge it horizontally and leave his head/neck exposed, Howard decides not to literally put his opponents life in peril by bull-rushing the same spot Valera is utterly vulnerable. Howard could have EASILY made the goal-saving play there, but it would have been a ghastly collision that might have done irreparable harm to the Portuguese attacker.


It wasnt a real goal basically, just a fluke situation where the USA elected to demonstrate a valiant show of sportsmanship, rather than brute savagery for the sake of an extra two points. This is why the USA is universally hailed as the leader of the free world :applause:

[Done_And_Done]

Thanks for postin the gif :cheers: you can see quite clearly he takes an initial step out, but realizes Valero is going to stretch forward for a header just outside the six. If Valero were going to jump vertically for the header Howard contests it and clears it with ease. But because he sees the trajectory of the cross will lead Valera to challenge it horizontally and leave his head/neck exposed, Howard decides not to literally put his opponents life in peril by bull-rushing the same spot Valera is utterly vulnerable. Howard could have EASILY made the goal-saving play there, but it would have been a ghastly collision that might have done irreparable harm to the Portuguese attacker.


It wasnt a real goal basically, just a fluke situation where the USA elected to demonstrate a valiant show of sportsmanship, rather than brute savagery for the sake of an extra two points. This is why the USA is universally hailed as the leader of the free world :applause:

:lol Nice

[ArbitraryWater]

Thanks for postin the gif :cheers: you can see quite clearly he takes an initial step out, but realizes Valero is going to stretch forward for a header just outside the six. If Valero were going to jump vertically for the header Howard contests it and clears it with ease. But because he sees the trajectory of the cross will lead Valera to challenge it horizontally and leave his head/neck exposed, Howard decides not to literally put his opponents life in peril by bull-rushing the same spot Valera is utterly vulnerable. Howard could have EASILY made the goal-saving play there, but it would have been a ghastly collision that might have done irreparable harm to the Portuguese attacker.


It wasnt a real goal basically, just a fluke situation where the USA elected to demonstrate a valiant show of sportsmanship, rather than brute savagery for the sake of an extra two points. This is why the USA is universally hailed as the leader of the free world :applause:


:roll: :roll:


Your writing skills are top notch

[Nick Young]

This draw against a horrible UEFA team was embarrassing but we will redeem ourselves vs Germany.

USA plays better the better the competition. I am confident we can get a win against the team that could only manage a tie vs Ghana.

[KevinNYC]

Howard could have EASILY made the goal-saving play there,

Except, that this is not true and anyone who ever played soccer can see that.

Other than that, it's a well-written theory.