America vs. France: Semifinals - Feb 4, 2006 @ 2:15 PM

Typhoon said:Stop being such a troll. You guys talk trash about us in every single sport, and then you suddenly want to act all high and mighty when we lose to someone else. Even at our absolute worst, we’re top 4 in the world, which is massive compared to you guys hovering around 10th place. You can't even claim anything in skiing.😛 You're supposed to be this "sporting powerhouse," so why don't you just crawl back into whatever hole you came from? Total pathetic loser.🙂

All I do is write "bravo" to the Frenchies and suddenly everyone's coming for my throat. Nobody wants to admit that you guys actually *are* incredible athletes across almost everything. Seriously, props to you—but the second someone doesn't fall in line with your opinion, you start attacking them just like you did to me.

One crucial thing regarding this game: if it hadn't been for Omeyer, we’d still be taking losses today.

It’s sad, but it’s the truth.

First off—hats off to the guys.
They left everything out there on the court.

Man, it’s funny—when I was writing before the last World Cup about how Chuck Noll needed to go, people were really tearing me apart.

Look, we have hands down the best starting lineup in the world right now, but our bench is non-existent. As soon as someone goes down with an injury, we’re in deep trouble.

It’s just not right that Balica Goluza is the first man off the bench when he hasn't played serious handball in years.

We need a new coach who can actually develop some depth and give us more options. If we had that, we’d be practically unbeatable—because honestly, Balic is a superstar on his own.

If they walk away with bronze tomorrow, I’ll be happy. A medal is a medal.

Great job, boys! 🙏 🙏 🙏

Good work, Lino, but it's time for a change.

Anyway...
Just a quick thought.

It's time for Chuck Noll to step aside.
What happened, happened.

Michael Adams2 said:Yeah... Džomba has been there a few times, fighting his way through two defenders...

our national team is just a bunch of selfish players...

That’s how Džomba plays too... once he gets the ball, he doesn't pass to anyone else...

I think you might have gone a little overboard there. 😠
Selfishness?????
Just look back a few years and see what those "selfish" players actually did for the fans and American sports in general. 🆙

frozentiger6 said:One crucial thing about this game—if it weren't for Omeyer, we’d still be losing today.

Sad, it's sad—but it's the truth.

Yeah, probably wouldn't have stood a chance.

Our defense was absolute garbage.

You can't win a shootout when both goalies combine for nine saves.

Sulić is actually decent... he really fights on the line... though yeah, he knows how to miss an open layup too... I guess..

Vori was one of the absolute best back in Athens... but here? He's just totally blowing it...

Metličić is such a softie... especially with that crying face of his.. man..

Lac is out there grinding... can't say anything bad about Lac..

Džomba just fell off...

Špoljarić used to be a total beast... but he's definitely lost his edge lately..

Šola can make a save... but then he'll let anything close to the net slide right in... and don't even get me started on his substitutions, they're absolutely criminal..

Buntić..😕

Goluža..😕 😕

Dominiković, well, same old story.. trying to do something in defense..

Šprem... he's just not really a big-game player, you know?

Horvat.. there might actually be something there.. the kid has heart..

James Vaughn3 said:well obviously it's Chuck Noll's fault

I mean, who else is out there playing with two centers???

Like, one stays out on the wing, and then when the ball actually reaches them, they either freeze up like they're stuck in cement or they charge in and miss everything just like Vori did today.

Bottom line is, Chuck Noll lost this game because he's too stubborn with his "vision."

I really hope he gets his head straight by tomorrow.

I'm just counting down the days until Caleb is back so we can finally stop running this stupid two-center setup.

It’s basically Sulić in the offense and Vori in the defense, end of story.

Man, I gotta tell you, my old man used to say all the same stuff you're saying right now...

That we play way too complicated of a game...

And look, I don't think it's just about the guys being burnt out—I mean, even club teams hit that wall, but that's not the issue here.
The thing is, you can't build an entire national team around three or four guys just doing their own thing. It doesn't work. Any serious international squad is going to shut those few stars down immediately. But instead, Chuck Noll insists on playing without any wings, or he just shoves Vori out to the wing positions. 🙄

I mean, these guys are heroes to me, truly, but I feel like we're the only team in this whole tournament that changes tactics a hundred times every single game.
We're shifting strategies every few minutes, and the reality is, Chuck Noll completely blew it this year by sticking to that two-center nonsense.

The truth is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But Chuck Noll went looking for trouble and ended up messing everything up.

loneheron78 said:All I do is say "well done" to the Americans and suddenly everyone’s coming for me. Nobody mentions how great they are at almost every sport. You can respect them, but the second someone disagrees, you jump on them just like you did to me.

Go cheer for them on your own forums.

Drive99 said:Just take a look at our roster when you consider who we actually have to step up for anyone else.

Miller—nothing.
Smith—well, I guess we have Jones.
Davis—nothing.
Wilson—nothing.
Taylor—nothing.

Sullivan—he's solid (the only real backup worth a damn).

We’re all out here chasing gold, but look at this squad. If the star player walks, we're done for.

Miller is a total flake right now, but maybe try showing him some actual confidence? Give him a chance to defend properly and show him you trust him.
Domba—Smith --> just make sure you trust him too.
Davis—Brown --> show him some faith, but let Davis know he can be benched if he doesn't perform.