USA-Mexico and Mexico

We’ll probably beat them, I suppose. I just hope it isn't solely John Doe and Smith handling everything. And maybe we won't see Miller getting a bit too eager to start shooting.😁

Benjamin Palmer2 said:Seriously, what are you guys whining about? You’re better off whether the roster is full or not.
Honestly, if you want to understand our relationship, just look at how we view basketball—it’s exactly how you guys look at handball. It’s that same dynamic, isn't it?
You’ve got Smith standing there clutching a cannon, then you’ve got Baker, this rare breed of handball player who plays like he’s some kind of basketball point guard because he’s actually got a brain in his head, and finally, you’ve got Muhammad, that guy from Turkey who’s clearly packing some serious heat down south.🙂 Honestly, it’s all just one big, chaotic mess at this point... everything is constantly blowing up and falling apart. It's more than enough, really. Does anyone else feel like we've reached the breaking point where it's just time to call it quits?
And then there’s us Kennedy types, just sitting around while people like Peterson—who’s such a raw powerhouse that the fans literally have to wear hockey helmets and pads just to watch him play—get treated like nothing. Not to mention Zeke and his little crew who always end up getting tossed straight into the back of a car.😢
Honestly, it feels like our defense has tightened up a bit, but let’s be real—it’s mostly because of those two absolute logs from Mexico playing for us. They just stand there like statues; you can't move them, and you definitely can't get around them. Every once in a while, you see a flash of actual effort from Muratovic and Nikolic, basically trading one guy for one guy, but that’s about the extent of it.
Honestly, you guys look better than ever right now, yet here you are again, whining like a bunch of ungrateful old-timers who can't handle a little change.🙂

Can someone please just give me a straight answer here? I’m looking for some actual, realistic insight for once...😁 Are we better? Yeah, obviously, that’s not even a question. But honestly, talk is cheap—we actually have to prove it on the field tomorrow. It feels like the national team is hitting this weird slump right when we need them most, and now, of all times, we have to face Mexico? Talk about terrible timing.😢 😁 Honestly, that was a pretty damn solid game, wasn't it? It actually feels like you guys surprised even yourselves out there. I think that’s exactly why everyone is getting so nervous about facing you next. But hey, whatever. We’re still gonna come out there and absolutely wreck you—in a purely sporting way, obviously.🙂 So, tomorrow...

:edit:
Honestly, it’s not even surprising when you look at Baker. The guy actually played basketball before he ever picked up a handball—I don't know exactly how many years back that was, but you can totally see it in his game. He’s still got all those basketball fundamentals baked into his muscle memory, and honestly, the way he applies that technique on the court is just brilliant.

feralbison62 said:We're looking at a total war zone out there, both mentally and physically. What really bugs me is our conditioning—it looks like the USA-Mexico side is way more prepared than we are.
The one upside is we know we have to win; thank God there's no playing games or overthinking this.
Either way, I'm expecting a brutal fight until the final whistle, and individual talent alone isn't going to carry us to a win.

Brutal fight? Please.
They're gonna absolutely wreck them! 👋

Benjamin Palmer2 said:Come on, quit whining. You’re better off whether you're at full strength or not.
What we are to you in basketball is exactly what you guys are to us in handball.
You've got Smith holding a cannon, Baker—this rare handball player who plays like he’s some kind of basketball point guard, and Muhammad, that guy from Turkey with the absolute stones.🙂 Everything’s just falling apart at this point... honestly, enough is enough. It needs to stop.
And we lazy Kennedy types can barely even peel Peterson's raw backside off the floor—the guy who makes the crowd wear hockey helmets and pads just to watch him play—let alone deal with Zeke and his "chickens" getting tossed straight into a car.😢
Honestly, I feel like our defense looks a little better, but let’s be real—it’s only because those two guys from Mexico are playing like absolute statues out there. They won't budge an inch, and you can't even get around them. Every now and then, Muratovic or Nikolic flashes a bit of brilliance—one for us, one for them—but that’s about it.
Look, you guys are doing better right now than you were, yet here you are again, whining like a bunch of unseasoned recruits.🙂

😂 🙏 👍

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Just wanted to stir the pot a little bit. 😁

Amanda Fowler2 said:🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Just trying to stir the pot a little. 😁

😁, fine, I'll set the "mood" myself:

🙂 🙂 🙂 (there, that's how you switch from a 6-0-0 to a 3-3-0 formation)

😳

Benjamin Palmer2 said:Come on, what are you guys even complaining about? You’re better off whether the roster is complete or not—I guess.
I guess you could say we're to basketball what you guys are to handball.
You’ve got Smith standing there with a cannon in his hand—then you've got Baker, this rare kind of handball player who plays like he's actually a basketball point guard—and then there's Muhammad, that guy from Turkey who's just incredibly bold.🙂 Honestly, with all these crazy stunts going on... it's probably better if it just stops. It’s more than enough.
We lazy Kennedy types—who can barely peel a single raw Peterson off the floor mat—end up dealing with Zeke and his "chickens" getting tossed straight into the car.😢
Honestly, I think we look a little better defensively—but that’s mostly thanks to those two guys from Mexico who act like absolute statues out there. They don't move an inch, and you can't even get around them. Every now and then, you might see a flash of something from the Turkish side—one for you, one for us—with Muratovic and Nikolic stepping up, but that’s pretty much it.
Regardless of how things look right now, you guys are actually doing better—yet here you are, complaining like a bunch of old-timers from the Great Depression.🙂

Zemo, great post! 👍

It’s pretty obvious you're from somewhere like St. Louis... I'm from around there too! 😁 👋 )

I can't help but wonder what's actually driving the hype for this upcoming matchup. Everyone seems absolutely pumped, but it’s strange—it feels like most people have already decided who's going to win before the whistle even blows. So, what's the real draw? Is there something I'm missing, or am I just overthinking it?

Don't forget that Losert is back in the lineup 😉 though I really hope he can hold things together for at least one half; he’s certainly a much more reliable keeper than Sole, which is exactly why Portland decided to pick him up.

They basically brought him in right when their goalie went down.

On another note, I have a feeling today is going to be decided by the goalkeepers and those big defensive saves—and honestly, the officiating might play a role too. If the refs let the game get as aggressive as it did against Norway, we might find ourselves in quite a bit of trouble.

It seems to me that the USA-Mexico side has made it this far primarily because of their defense (much like how the Americans played in Portugal), especially since their offense isn't exactly powerhouse material. Meanwhile, our defense has struggled significantly lately, and without Perez, our attacking game feels pretty lackluster to be honest.

I’ve already mentioned that you guys are playing better, but I have a different question on my mind.
Does Lino Cervar jump around like a maniac and wave his arms by the bench because:
1. he’s looking for a passive offensive setup after two assists
2. he’s giving the defense a masterclass on how to set a block
3. he’s trying to show off for his wife and kids watching him on TV
4. he’s trying to trigger a "wave" from the crowd
5. he’s just attempting to dance the lambada or some other high-energy jig

Watching you all on offense is a beautiful thing, but watching this defensive effort is going to give me a heart attack through my screen hands.😁
Go ahead and break the floor mat, man.🙂

It truly is a pleasure watching you all go on the offensive, though I must admit, watching your defensive maneuvers is enough to fray my last few remaining nerves—especially seeing those two little icons down at the bottom of the screen taking quite a beating! 😁
Just go ahead and break the floor mat! 🙂 [/B]

Honestly, it feels as if you simply took our defensive strategies and copied them wholesale.

John Doe is going to absolutely blow you guys away. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

Benjamin Palmer2 said:I’ve already mentioned that you lot are superior, but there is another matter entirely that has been weighing on my mind...
Is it simply a fact that Lino Cervar leaps about like some possessed stallion, flailing his arms wildly near the bench because:
1. he is attempting to orchestrate a passive offensive following two successful assists
2. he is providing a masterclass to the defense on the proper execution of a block
3. he is desperately signaling to his wife and children so they might spot him on the television broadcast
4. he is soliciting a "wave" from the crowd...
5. he is trying to dance the lambada or some other sort of rhythmic, lively jig

none of the above

6. he is casting dark hexes upon the opposing players

Well, perhaps, if I am being honest, there is a slight possibility regarding number 5...

You might as well run around like a lunatic waving your arms like a windmill instead of actually playing aggressive defense against the opponent😁

Man, Vujo Vujo, Slavko is going to absolutely wreck them tonight😁

Since we’re already talking about Slavko, does anyone else happen to agree with my little theory that he might actually run into fewer penalties if he just decided to get a proper haircut like a civilized human being?

p.s. frozentiger6, you're killing me! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Please, do something about those mummies in your signature. I wouldn't call myself a fearful person by nature, but every time that little cartoon pops up, I get actual chills and find myself frantically searching for the remote just to switch the channel.

It’s a good thing Sulica isn't there... he's such a fool, Vujovic would have absolutely charged right at him.😁

😁 La la la la la... when the sun goes down and the darkness takes over, Slavko! 😁

Slavko is exactly the kind of guy you want leading the charge in games like this. 😉

Mr.Ex.President said:Word on the street is this Danish duo is at it again.👎 🙄

Ladies and gentlemen, when someone drops a post like this, you don't even need to check their profile or look at the location under their avatar to figure out where they're from. It's obvious. That person is from San Francisco!!! 😁 🙂

Here’s what the Mexicans are saying about today's game:

"Let's be real, this USA-Mexico matchup wouldn't feel like an exhibition even if both teams had already punched their tickets to the semifinals." That was the lead-in from The Washington Post regarding today's game, noting that neither the American nor the America squad wanted to settle their quarterfinal fate against each other.

But here's the deal. The Americans need a win over America to move on, while a draw works just fine for the Americans.

According to The Washington Post, despite expectations of "chaos" both on the court and in the stands, their players are staying pretty chill.

"The fact is, whenever we face the Americans, it's always about more than just sports," said Dragan Sudžum, adding that the American squad is facing tougher odds right now.

"They're missing their top guy, Smith, and the pressure to win makes it even harder. The way we've been erasing two, three, even four-goal leads to catch up or pass them shows how much grit we have. It proves we can go all the way. We're going to play hard, play brave, and show zero respect for the opponent. We know it won't be easy, but we're moving on, period." — Sudžum's bottom line.

"The Americans are world and Olympic champs, so whether we like it or not, we have to respect them. They're tough, but with our 3-2-1 defense and playing aggressive against Smith, I think we can shut down their offense. Their left side is their strongest unit, so we'll have to watch them closely," said America pivot Ratko Nikolić.

"John Doe is a killer player too, but he's got a bit of a complex when it comes to Arpad Šterbik. We played together back in Budapest—Arpad Šterbik, me, John Doe, and Goluža. We're boys; we talk on the phone, they're good people. Obviously, hanging out isn't the same thing as being teammates in a high-stakes game. Still, I expect a clean, fair fight regardless of the stakes. I don't see any major drama, and even if things get heated, I bet it'll blow over fast." — Nikolić added.

"When you're playing world-class Olympic legends, you obviously have to leave everything on the court. And when that team happens to be America, it just hits different. Look, we aren't underestimating them, but we aren't overrating them either. We know how good they are, and they definitely know what we bring to the table. Besides, we proved ourselves enough back in Oakland. I know where the danger is coming from, but they know who they're dealing with—me, Šarić, Ratko, Muratovic... and the list goes on. If our defense holds up, they'll struggle to find a single opening. We can beat them. Honestly? I'm sure we're the ones heading to the semis." — declared America keeper Arpad Šterbik.

The Washington Post noted one downside for America: they've got way fewer fans showing up in Tunis compared to the Americans, though they suggested that might actually give the American squad some extra motivation.

USA-Mexico vs America 7:23 PM
👋

No hard feelings... just my two cents.