Soccer question (perhaps stupid)

[AFDawg]

I've watched a few EPL games and am enjoying the World Cup, but for the most part I know nothing about soccer and haven't followed it.

Here's my question: how does the talent level on your top-tier European teams compare to World Cup teams. Could, for example, Manchester City beat Spain? Or, for example, how would the USA fare against Real Madrid? Honduras versus the Queens Park Rangers?

Educate me.

 

[Philly Dawg]

The top club teams would be better on paper than most international teams. Only teams like Spain and Germany have more talent than one club team could amass. Real Madrid could likely beat any team at the World Cup this year.

 

[AFDawg]

Gotcha. That was sort of my guess. Much obliged.

 

[GratefulDawg.sixpack]

The top club teams would be better on paper than most international teams. Only teams like Spain and Germany have more talent than one club team could amass. Real Madrid could likely beat any team at the World Cup this year.

What Philly said, but you have to factor in the amount of game time and practice time that the clubs get as well. Vincent Kompany knows what Pablo Zabaleta is going to do much more than he knows what Vertonghen's typical movements are.

 

[FallAmericanDawg]

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are the two best clubs in the world. There's not a doubt in my mind that those two clubs could and would beat every team at the World Cup.

 

[MSUDC11]

Bayern Munich's starting 11 is basically Germany's starting 11 plus Arjen Robben.

The Top 4 teams in England would spank the English national team.

Our team is basically an MLS All-Star team plus Tim Howard and a few guys that play in Germany.

You also have to factor in that some of the world's best players are from countries that didn't qualify for the World Cup. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is an absolute freak of a striker from Sweden, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are from Wales, etc.

So if you're looking at pure talent, the UEFA Champions League probably has more purely talented teams than the World Cup. But nothing matches the fanfare and pure emotion of a World Cup.

 

[esplanade91]

There were like 3 MLS goalies in this year's World Cup. That tells you everything you need to know.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Goalie is the one position where the USA really stands out. Howard, Guzan, and Rimando are as good as any three out there, even if there are a very few better than Howard like Lloris, Neuer, and Courtois.

 

[MSUDC11]

I actually think Guzan is more consistent than Howard. But when Timmy is at his best, he is incredible. They love him at Everton.

 

[patdog]

Guzan didn't really impress me this season at Aston Villa. Of course, it may have had a lot to do with how bad his team sucked.

 

[esplanade91]

Goalie is the one position where the USA really stands out. Howard, Guzan, and Rimando are as good as any three out there, even if there are a very few better than Howard like Lloris, Neuer, and Courtois.

Kasey Keller before that, too.

 

[patdog]

Brad Friedel too. He's still playing with Tottenham. Oldest player to ever play in the EPL. He was a damn good goalkeeper in his day.

 

[RebelAlumnus]

Howard will keep you in a game by making saves that a GK probably shouldn't. The rebound save against Portugal is a good example. I can't say that about Guzan, though he is incredibly consistent.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Guzan is more fundamentally sound, but Howard is more athletic and makes more instinct saves.

 

[Philly Dawg]

He is definitely still good enough to play in the EPL and just signed a one year contract for next year. He'll probably play a lot of cup games.