Bob Ley covered 1982 Espana for ESPN, interestingly enough. Though I take your point what with Lalas.

Not completely on point, but sort of related to the grueling nature of soccer:

I am keenly aware of this....But were not really talking about a Cahill header but a Van Persie header and header's generally.

As a former striker at a decent level, personally, the volley on my off foot would be easier to both see and execute than the header. Traffic can obviously make things more difficult but it also can be tuned out. (It is why its not unusual for players to botch things when there is no pressure or traffic.) The reason I…

Not sure that I agree. While I don't think a left footed volley for many right footed players inside the 18 with great technique is easy, I don't think it is necessarily more difficult than essentially chipping a keeper who is on his 6 with enough touch and pace to both get it over him and under the bar....while also…

Beasley didn't get beat inside. He funnelled Atsu to the sideline where he forced in a bunch of poor crosses.

People forget 2006 when the Karel Bruckner let the US have the ball against Czechia. We had a majority of the possession and by design Bruckner let us have it, knowing that we would not have the tactical nous to be able to unlock them over 90 mins. And other than a Reyna shot off the post, he was right. I am not…

Greg, I like your stuff.

who can argue with any of that? I will admit defeat graciously and slink back to America, land of stratified soccer, transparent motives, the MLS and garbageman strikers.

Whatever you may think of Bigsoccer is irrelevant. I note you did not address the data. While I do not disagree that Jozy's game as deficiencies and that the "vague specifics" you seek to have stand in as representative of an entire body of work might have grains of truth in some instances, the "historic run of…

Only 4 players made more appearances this season than Jozy and only Borini played more minutes at forward.

well put. and Getafe, Udinese, Napoli, Granada, Leicester City [hey, they're coming up!]

I actually think they will finish second behind Belgium. They are a much better side than Australia, Los Catrachos, South Korea [not good at all this go around] and Iran. I would also put them on a par with Ecuador and Russia and think on their day they could handle other teams. CAF qualifying is an unforgiving grind…

Advocaat's coaching staff included both of Martin Jol's brothers.

bunch of Zhirkov's on this team...pfft.

Despite "sucking" Jozy played a crucial role in Sunderland's escape, with excellent performances at Newcastle and of course off the bench in that victory at Stamford Bridge.

"Backup" Courtois started 56 games this year for the Spanish champions.

What do you think is insane? The assertion that the present team is not the greatest ever? That 2002 was arguably better? Do you have anything specific to argue?

and dont forget mathis, the x factor. If he took his career more seriously in terms of fitness and discipline, he really could've been something special. The ACL did rob some of his explosiveness but I think it was more bud light and cheetos...People forget that Bayern tried to acquire him only to have that move…

Group B as presently constituted is not worse simply because the worst team in it is decidedly poorer than the others.