Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Forza Azzurri, post: 4496680, member: 1452"] So I wanted to give my thoughts on this topic. First of all, let's define a deep run in the World Cup. I would define it as making the semis. Why? I believe that making the semis, for the most part, takes luck of the draw out of the equation. What do I mean by luck of the draw? US in 2002 is a great example. Finished 2nd in their group and got to play Mexico, instead of Italy, in the round of 16. Things happen at World Cups and the result, for the knockout stages, is that you sometimes get really favorable draws (Italy, in 2006, only had to beat Ukraine and Australia to get to the semis - having it that easy is really rare; Italy, in 1982, was drawn with Argentina and Brazil in the group knockout stage with the group winner making the semis - that is definition of tough). In order to make the semis, most of the time you have to beat at least one team who is really tough. What defines teams that make deep runs? I would say that the two characteristics that define a team that makes a deep run in the World Cup: You either have a World Class goal scorer , a world class play maker, or both. Obviously, it goes without saying that the supporting cast also has to be good enough (Lewandowski, for example, is a world-class goal scorer but his supporting cast is putrid.); other key players need to stay healthy; there needs to be enough depth; squad chemistry needs to be good; coaching needs to be good etc. There are clear exceptions to the above (Morocco in this World Cup is one) but, if you look back at semifinalists and, especially finalists and winners, I believe those are the characteristics that a team needs to allow it to make it to the very end of the competition. In that regard, unfortunately, I believe the US still falls woefully short. We clearly do not have someone who can consistently put the ball in the back of the net (like an Mbappe, Kane, Mueller, Villa, Ronaldo, Romario, Maradona, Paolo Rossi, Mario Kempes, Gerd Muller, Pele etc..) and, although we have some very talented players, we do not have a Messi, a Zidane, a Modric or a Pirlo. We do not have that standout talent. Perhaps playing at home can carry us; perhaps we can find that same magic, as a team, that Morocco did in Qatar; perhaps we get the same luck coming out of the group stage that Italy had in 2006 but, unless one of the two above things changes, the odds are against us, right now, to make my definition of a really deep run in 2026. Right now, I put us in the same league as Switzerland or Mexico. Good, solid, talented team. Should make it out of group. Advancement beyond that contingent upon whom they play. Unlikely to really make a deep run. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?