Women's World Cup

[The Jackal]

Apply the definitions of choke to both US Soccer and the Cubs - failure to win a game in which you're heavily favored, to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation - they're both classic - 23 in a row, two shut outs within the last month - a bunch of blithering, blundering buffoons in the waning moments of the biggest game in a lifetime.  Call it what you want - snap your WHIPs - both chokes.

No, the US Women weren't HEAVILY favored...it was the #1 against the #4 seed...and if you would have actually watched the WC, you would have seen that Japan was clearly the technically superior side. The US hype was actually quite unwarranted and based, in part, on past reputation. Both Brazil and Japan played technically better soccer, as did Germany.

What did the US in was lack of skill/technique (both in conceding the tying goal and putting away numerous chances to secure victory)., not any "choke" job you seem hell bent on maintaining. They simply weren't good enough...and were damn lucky to even be there.

Nor were the Cubs "heavy" favorites. Not only do I believe the Marlins had a better regular season record, but position by position they absolutely trumped the Cubs almost through the entire diamond. Cabrera, Pierre (in his prime), Conine, Lowell, Gonzalez (the right one), Castilla, Lee, Rodriguez. And their pitching staff was almost as good. Compare and contrast.

The Cubs were the only team to take them to 7 games. If you want to find a real choke job, look at the overhyped, overpaid Yanks in that years World Series. Got their asses spanked in rapid fashion.

[Bonster]

As for regular season records, check the recent stats on Wild Card WS appearances, and WS wins.  Once the regular season ends, it's anybody's game.

At best it's the hottest team going into the playoffs.. that would be the Marlins, not the Cubs who barely got in there.  They had the worst record, and were not on any kind of streak heading into the playoffs.  

You know, you're right - WHIPs tell the story.  It explains the 2.6 ERA, the run he gave up against Atlanta, the three after leading the Marlins 11-0, and the three hit shut out he took into the 8th in game 6.  

You stated he was the most dominant pitcher.  Sorry, facts are facts.  He was riding high on luck and HGH, and his career beyond '03 proved it.  The Marlins were a great team that won it all.  Did you even watch?  You want dominance?  Josh Beckett.  Nuff said.  Ask the Yankees if you're still in disbelief.

[The Jackal]

The fact we even made it to the finals over countries that live and breathe soccer, a sport that defines who they are like we do baseball and football, is an accomplishment in itself.  We had a good team, they went the distance, and hopefully they will continue to make their country proud.

Actually, the US also lives and breathes soccer, especially on the womens side. The US had more or less been the standard bearer in womens soccer worldwide, in no small part because other countries were not as progressive in promoting and supporting womens athletics. That is slowly changing. Nonetheless, the US women traditionally have been a world soccer power. And as far as the men go, soccer is as popular a sport as there is in this country. Now whether or not the US media and sporting establishment allows it to gain a foothold on the American sporting public opinion is another story altogether.