Oh yes, that's right, it's happened. In the amazing clash between the United States and England in the World Cup, no one could wait to see who would win. Yes, the winner would have bragging rights for years and years.That, or they could tie. Even with this 1-1 tie, the U.S. is the clear winner. England is a strong enough team to contend for the World Cup title this year, and the U.S. played them to a draw, something that could even lead to the U.S. winning the group with strong play the rest of the way. The importance of this cannot be downplayed; this would give the U.S. a much easier second round opponent rather than having to play another group winner.
Yes, the U.S. goal was a ridiculous fluke caused by perhaps the most hilarious goaltending I've ever seen in the hundreds of thousands (read: four) soccer games I have watched. But a win is a win, and a tie is a win, which makes no sense but it's still awesome. The U.S. national team (which needs a cool nickname like all the other countries have; might I suggest the Screamin' Eagles?) is certainly riding the high that comes with tying a world power right now, and deservedly so. Now let's go beat Algeria and Slovenia by at least thirty goals and win this group on goal differential.
And yes, being excited about a tie and the importance of goal differential is stupid. But hey, if the U.S. is gonna win, I can live with having to put up with ties.
I think soccer is funny because it is a sport where a tie can be a victory for one team and a lose for the other while a tie in the standing and record books. The USA game isnt the only one that has been this way. Examples:
ReplyDeleteItaly vs paraguay 1-1 Victory for Paraguay by tying the defending champs.
Portugal vs Ivory Coast 0-0. Victory for Ivory Coast by shutting down one of the world best players in Christano Ronaldo.
Mexico vs South Africs 1-1. Victory for South Africa whose team wouldn't be in this tourney if they were not hosting.