6.10.14
ASN Morning Read: Breaking Out of the Cage
Finally in Sao Paulo, the boys get right down to business; Tim Howard had some awesome things to say; Much to the horror of U.S. fans, Ghana puts on a show in front of Jurgen Klinsmann.
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
June 10, 2014
7:45 AM
FIFA.com had an extensive Q&A with Tim Howard. Money quote: "The goal is to put our heads down and break out of the cage."
Another: "Defining success isn’t easy. My brain works like this: anything less then winning the World Cup leaves room to doubt what you did. If you don’t win the whole thing, then it’s hard to say it was a success."
Upon arrival in Brazil, the team got to training at Sao Paulo FC's grounds, where the team spent some time in January. “It’s been fantastic,” Tim Howard said of the team's first day in Brazil. “We haven’t had any problems, other than the traffic.” Better get used to it.
With Jurgen Klinsmann in attendance, Ghana destroyed South Korea 4-0 in Miami. Jordan Ayew had a hat trick and Asamoah Gyan added a goal in Ghana's final tune-up before the showdown with the U.S. on June 16.
Andre Ayew: "Everyone says we are going to beat the USA. We beat them in 2006 and 2010 and you can be sure that for that reason, they will want to avenge those defeats now, and that makes it dicey.”
Speaking of that... Who do you think should be in the U.S. starting XI for the Ghana game?
Howard is one of the stars of Nike’s absolutely insane animated film:
The debate surrounding dual-nationals rages on. While some figures are skeptical (Arena, Bruce), this year’s World Cup squad seems to embrace their teammates. “For me, America, that’s who we are,” Kyle Beckerman said. “We’re a mixed bunch. We’re from all over. The guys who live in Germany grew up there. We feel they’re just as American as we are. So they play with pride, wearing the crest and supporting our colors. It’s just who we are.”
Ian Darke, perhaps as a nice little jab at FOX and Gus Johnson: “If somebody asked me to commentate on college football or baseball, I’d say no,” Darke said. “Not because I don’t like those sports – I do – but because within 30 seconds of opening my mouth, people would realize that I don’t have enough knowledge about them.”
Strong candidate for headline of the year comes courtesy of the Daily Mail: "Who cares if they can't win: US soccer team arrives at luxury base ready to enjoy Michelin starred chef's food, calming Thai massages and a pool that appears to be filled with orange Fanta"
Goal-line technology!
We will continue talking about formations.
Nate Silver has Brazil as the favorite to win the tournament at an overwhelming 45.2 percent. Argentina is second at just 12.8 percent.
Worlds colliding in New Jersey as Portugal trains at the Jets’ facility and Cristiano Ronaldo throws an (American) football. Manager Paulo Bento is remaining tight-lipped on the status of Ronaldo’s injury, but he might play tonight against Ireland.
Finally, let's look at this picture again just to remind us why we love Kyle Beckerman:
