In my opinion, this was a statement game in pool.
"Statements" don't help us qualify for the Worlds. Advancing does. Advancement had been clinched after the 3rd of 5 1st round games, and there was absolutely no reason to do anything but TIE last night.
Winning last night's game had absolutely no bearing on whether or not we advanced, or how far we advanced. Building enthusiasm was the only thing to accomplish last night, and we did so.
It may not mean a whole lot (and means a whole lot less since the "ahem" belt was gone by the time of the match)
Right, in favor of a new format that is much more inclusive (and one in which Brazil likely starts off with one of the belts).
but it sure would of went a long way into the NT coach claim for better results.
We simply will not value a meaningless 1st round game over qualifying for the Worlds. The only result to be achieved this season is winning an Americas semifinal. Building enthusiasm last night was the way to achieve that goal, not to waste it by Normalling.
Granted, I am not in the inner circle of the thought process so there may of been talk there to the ones that are, and I have sure not cared about regular season matches at times, so I can't argue with the logic.
No one needs to be in any "inner circle" to realize what the proper strategy was last night. Are you tellimg me that if you had clinched a playoff spot, and could not better yourself in your last game, you'd do something besides TIE to make some sort of "statement"?
We should of beaten them.
Given the fact that we TIEd against a Normal and lost by only 13, it suggests to me that if we really wanted to win at the expense of enthusiasm, we could have.
Talking about what we are going to do to you is different than doing it and so far the results do speak for themselves.
We're in the 2nd round with maximum enthusiasm - the best possible outcome there is for the USA.
That's a set-in-stone fact.
NO ONE at this table ordered a rum & Coke
Charles: Penn has some good people
A CT? Really?
Any two will do
Any three for me
Any four will score
Any five are live