Day 2: England vs Iran | Senegal vs Netherlands | USA vs Wales

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

I thought Bale retired from football 3 years ago.

Nah, just moth balled

 

[mav_9me]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

No real surprises other than Sargent starting.

Maybe it's just me but I was surprised to see Aaronson not start

 

[Sly]

No Freddie Adu?

Or Alexi Lalas. Strange

 

[WI_Red]

Maybe it's just me but I was surprised to see Aaronson not start

Not really for me. Weah, when healthy, was our best attacking option all during qualifying and he is not going to start over Weston at the "10".

 

[Eplel]

Only 2 Tims?

 

[That_Bloke]

That's what it is mentality, Holland were average and Mendy basically gifted them 2 goals. So so frustrating

So typical. Always had a soft spot for african teams, yet they never failed to break my heart since 1990.

If Algeria didn't royally screw up against Cameroon, we'd have at least one african team playing to win.

 

[Smacky The Frog]

Same

it's upsetting. They (I'm mostly thinking Senegal and Ghana here) always look dangerous without ever actually looking like they're going to score and then some boring pragmatic experienced side take advantage of some dumb mistake and do the basic minimum, and game over. i don't even know if this is true but it just feels like it's been the case for years.

 

[Shiva87]

Very good game that. Enjoyed the energy of the Senegal team.

Gakpo doing no harm to his price tag with that

 

[mshnsh]

One thing for sure is that Netherlands won't win the world cup. Despite the win, they were second best for long stretches of the game. Senegal lack a killer upfront. Otherwise they are very good.

 

[Kopral Jono]

On the dot, like I said, African teams often give this illusion of being able to compete but the results against better teams is often the same

Why is this? Inferiority complex? I always want to see African teams, or to be specific West African teams (for whatever reason I have an irrational dislike for North African teams), to do well in World Cups. On the flip side I've always felt Asian sides tend to punch well above their weight.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Neutrals, are we supporting the Red Dragons or Bald Eagles tonight?

 

[Forest Red]

If it's that, the World Cup is over for him already and who knows when he'll be back for your team

At this rate of attrition we’ll have half the first team crocked for the trip to Old Trafford first match back!

 

[mshnsh]

it's upsetting. They (I'm mostly thinking Senegal and Ghana here) always look dangerous without ever actually looking like they're going to score and then some boring pragmatic experienced side take advantage of some dumb mistake and do the basic minimum, and game over. i don't even know if this is true but it just feels like it's been the case for years.

That is African teams in a nutshell. Although I expect Senegal to reach atleast the round of 16.

 

[Smacky The Frog]

I still like Ecuador to go through after what I saw from Senegal today.

Ecuador played against what looked like the worst WC team of all time

 

[kouroux]

Neutrals, are we supporting the Red Dragons or Bald Eagles tonight?

The closest player I have a soft spot for is Dan James

 

[Sly]

it's upsetting. They (I'm mostly thinking Senegal and Ghana here) always look dangerous without ever actually looking like they're going to score and then some boring pragmatic experienced side take advantage of some dumb mistake and do the basic minimum, and game over. i don't even know if this is true but it just feels like it's been the case for years.

Sometimes they are tactically naive but this time I think the Senegal manager did a good job only to be screwed by the Gk. Even so I still think that Senegal will be the last African team to be eliminated. For obvious reasons won't root for Ghana and Cameroon doesn't convince me as a team (will root nevertheless)

 

[kouroux]

Why is this? Inferiority complex? I always want to see African teams, or to be specific West African teams (for whatever reason I have an irrational dislike for North African teams), to do well in World Cups. On the flip side I've always felt Asian sides tend to punch well above their weight.

I wish I knew. Senegal should not be losing by 2 goals against this Holland team. If the opponent is very good on the day then there is not much to do but accept

 

[Forest Red]

Neutrals, are we supporting the Red Dragons or Bald Eagles tonight?

USA - anything to get the three Forest lads home asap (and not on crutches).

 

[Smacky The Frog]

I can't support the USA. Let's go Wales. Looking to go 0 for 3 today.

 

[Deery]

Been told this USA side are decent and to look out for Aaronson.

 

[Sly]

Neutrals, are we supporting the Red Dragons or Bald Eagles tonight?

I hope for an entertaining high scoring game. I will root for Wales since I lived some years there. Always root for them on football and rugby.

 

[Marzo]

All right, I am ready for the next game, Wales/USA, Dan James to score first for Wales !

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Controversial opinion : Roy Keane has had more good makeovers than Beckham. A huge variety of hair and beard lengths, accompanied by an assortment of clothing choices…

Rarely misses.

 

[kouroux]

I can't support the USA. Let's go Wales. Looking to go 0 for 3 today.

You really thought Iran was gonna win ?
edit: not gonna lose

 

[duffer]

Come on Wales! Ampadu hat trick please.

 

[That_Bloke]

Go Wales!

 

[Eplel]

I think U.S.A will win 1-1.

 

[That_Bloke]

I think U.S.A will win 1-1.

Absolutely.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Neutrals, are we supporting the Red Dragons or Bald Eagles tonight?

United States only for betting purposes.

 

[PoTMS]

Hopefully, a high scoring draw with a few red cards.

 

[mav_9me]

Not really for me. Weah, when healthy, was our best attacking option all during qualifying and he is not going to start over Weston at the "10".

I didn't know Weston plays as a 10. I thought he was a box to box midfielder

 

[Smacky The Frog]

Been told this USA side are decent and to look out for Aaronson.

He has been annoyingly good every time I've watched Leeds play (which is a grand total of three times, so this is an expert opinion).

 

[redshaw]

Aside from the dodgy keeper, Senegal had about 15 mins to go for it being one down and nothing to lose but just never happened.

 

[WI_Red]

I didn't know Weston plays as a 10. I thought he was a box to box midfielder

Hence the quotes. He is the most advanced of the midfield 3 and arrives late into the box. Reyna/Aaronson would have been true 10's for us.

 

[Smacky The Frog]

You really thought Iran was gonna win ?
edit: not gonna lose

Oh no, I meant in terms of rooting interests.

 

[bosnian_red]

One thing for sure is that Netherlands won't win the world cup. Despite the win, they were second best for long stretches of the game. Senegal lack a killer upfront. Otherwise they are very good.

Wouldn't say that. It's the first game, they won 2-0 against the African champs and will only build confidence from this. First half they controlled and should have scored a couple, but then it turned into a scrappy game and 2nd half wasn't good. They are much better with Memphis and he'll start when it matters more (today didn't matter much). They have a very good defense as well. We'll see how it goes, but they're still one of my top 3 picks to win it.

 

[WeePat]

Is Pulisic even USA's best player anymore?

 

[That_Bloke]

Going to watch it on Fox Sports and bathe in their pundits tears.

P.S: Any team I support in a tournament generally loses.

 

[WI_Red]

Been told this USA side are decent and to look out for Aaronson.

Of the starters, Musah is the name to watch out for. 19 yo mid who starts for Valencia. Came up in Arsenal's academy and captained Englands youth teams.

 

[WI_Red]

Is Pulisic even USA's best player anymore?

No, I think that would be Reyna now and maybe Musah in the coming years.