World Cup, NCAA Style (Sweet 16)

So, there are people that actually think England would not choke and would win a knockout match?

Nobody thinks the US could beat Spain? Traitors...;-)

This whole concept is so stupid... I'm sorry, but I don't want to see this blog jump the shark.

hahahaa...I love that 'vote with your head and not heart' kind of comment from Goff towards the US bias. I'm glad people saw the light when it comes to playing Spain. I still think US went too far in being here instead of Cameroon.

Nobody thinks the US could beat Spain? Traitors...;-)

Posted by: DadRyan | March 25, 2009 10:16 AM

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I'm actually surprised that there are 16 people out there that thinks the US could beat Spain in a knock out game! National pride can be the only reason for those votes...

It was considered huge when we beat Portugal in 2002. Spain >>> Portugal.

Sigh. 6 of these 8 teams are from the European Conference. The mid-majors never get any love...

I picked the USA - mainly out of patriotism, but also to yank some chains.

It's a bit silly, but why not help Steve raise the web hits and make sure that Soccer Insider continues to be supported in this austere time for newspapers.

Seems like these are just getting interesting now.

What would a "neutral location" be for US-Spain, hmm. Couldn't be anywhere in Europe or any Spanish-speaking nation, right? I'll assume South Africa . . .

Although South Africa is not imaginary, now that I re-read the rules. But you know what I mean -- I don't think just any third country would be neutral enough for our thought experiment here.

How about the Philippines, that should be a clean slate for the US and Spain, right???

I'm just glad we were able to dodge that classic 5 v 12 upset and make it this far...

re: "This whole concept is so stupid... I'm sorry, but I don't want to see this blog jump the shark.

Posted by: RB1982 | March 25, 2009 10:18 AM "

You have jumped the shark. Goff's game is fun. Get over yourself.

25% are voting with the wrong head....

Italy-France really is the Duke-UNC of soccer, isn't it. They can't seem to avoid each other, and when they do play, the stakes, emotions, and drama are always sky-high.

USA over Cameroon has been the only upset as far as teams getting to the sweet 16, and it was a 5 over a 4... while this teams are the favorite, its hard to be realistic..

While Spain won Euro 2008 they can still poop the bed. US only lost by one late goal in the last friendly.
Again, the reason I like football is for the simple fact that anything can happen on any given Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday... Or Thursday, Friday, Monday, or Tuesday;-) I won't jock any team because of their dominance, and yes I'm going to pick my team because we do not come to bow, we come to conquer. Or at least that better be what they're thinking.

Re:
RB1982 | March 25, 2009 10:18 AM "

You have jumped the shark. Goff's game is fun. Get over yourself.

Posted by: Ron16 | March 25, 2009 10:56 AM

Seconded...I dig these match-ups.

Spain may have the weakest bracket. Brazil/Italy/France is the bracket of death!

While Spain won Euro 2008 they can still poop the bed. US only lost by one late goal in the last friendly.

Posted by: DadRyan

They haven't lost since 9/6/06 away to N. Ireland.

Doesn't mean it can't happen.

They haven't lost since 9/6/06 away to N. Ireland.

Posted by: Reignking | March 25, 2009 11:46 AM

Yes but prior to their Euro crown in 08, Spain was notorious for flaming out of international competitions, or pooping the bed, as DadRyan so eloquently put it.

You can't win them all.

how do you jump a shark?

how do you jump a shark?

Posted by: delantero | March 25, 2009 12:01 PM

Laterally.

And while I'm at it, I also voted with my heart and picked the USA over Spain in a huge honkin' upset. I am a Horizon League guy, after all...

On water skis.

... while wearing a leather jacket.

Heyyyyyyyyyy!

Here's how you jump a whale . . .

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01110/whalesurfer_1110915i.jpg

link doesn't seem to work, but it's off a kite surfer going over a whale . .

cool shot if you want to hit google images

Forget the Philippines - we can play the US-Spain match in Maine. That way, when it blows up in our face we can say they attacked us.

I voted with my heart, sorry Goff.

Ok, I guess to each their own...

Some may be forgetting that this is a hypothetical, NCAA tourney played in neutral locales... US are my Hoosiers, and someone's drunk dad will lead them all the way to the top!!!

Did someone say jumping the shark?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJYnbVtE

Very nice, DadRyan. As a young gun, I had no idea where that phrase came from or meant...

Quite a bit OT, but found this link on the same page as Fonzie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nzd0R_OeOc&NR=1

OT? No, that boat was flying a Mexican flag. Take home soccer message: The Mexicans are eaten up by their opponents at sea level.

Zing!!!
Talk about awesome FX...