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Portugal vs USA . . . . I think US losing Josy is less than Portugal losing Cristiano, yes!
. . . .
Does anyone see a retroactive Red Card for Assou Ekouto coming?
I've never heard of a player getting a Card for attacking his own teammate.
Wow.
Either way -- it's something else for us to add to the Tottenham-hate-chants next year! (Assuming Totty brings him back from loan)
. . . .
Columbia is good! That's a heckuva good Group.
. . . .
Gruumash is Great.
Hey, my PC in our new Wrath of the Righteous game is named Ozil.
Attacking anyone - opponent, team mate, referee, ball boy, or spectator is an automatic red if the ref sees it.
I think Newcastle had someone do it a number of years ago.
That Suarez is a pretty decent attacker, ain't he?
That Suarez is a pretty decent attacker, ain't he?
jep, not too bad
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I just read an article, I think on ESPN.com though I'll never be able to find it again, that begged the question of American sports culture hating things like diving -- and most of our athletes' refusal to participate.
In the US our sports culture absolutely reviles diving and other cheesy, bs shenanigans -- and does that actually hurt us in football games?
As an American product of our sports culture I despise what Muller did: pretend Pepe actually hurt him with his itty-bitty baby bump -- but I'm with everyone else that Pepe still can't then kneel down to tell Muller to stop acting like a petty baby and get up, and then give him an itty-bitty head-bump for acting like a baby. The itty-bitty head bump was deserving of the Red Card. But as you also said, it wasn't Zidane (which soooo many other people compared it to).
Either way, Arsenal FC still rules the world.
That just shows that you don't understand football.
Football has a strange grey-area in the rules about contact.
In many ways it is a non-contact sport but a certain amount of leaning is allowed.
If you didn't have diving then football would be a skill-free zone in which power was everything.
I would prefer rule changes to sort it out but until then... going down like you've been shot keeps rough-house players honest.
Now that the game is professional we have very strong laws and video referees to stop any rough stuff instead.
In the amateur days there was a famous Lions tour of South Africa in which the team had a 99 call. Basically, if the opposition had crossed the line then the Lions captain would shout 99 and every single lions player would attack the nearest opposition player.
They only had to do it once: it ruined that match but the message was clear: dont effing start or we'll finish it.
Nowadays a 'bit of niggle' gets you banned for a number of games and you're not worth employing. Plus, a hefty fine in a sport with wages far below football or american football.
Good game by the Charruas against the Brits!
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Attacking anyone - opponent, team mate, referee, ball boy, or spectator is an automatic red if the ref sees it.
I think Newcastle had someone do it a number of years ago.
Lee Bowyer.....it's always Lee Bowyer
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Pepe's head-butt foul less horrible than the world seems to be screaming. Red Card, I suppose; equal to a Luis Suarez bite or a Zidane head-slam -- not even close.
(and Muller wins the Oscar for best actor falling down for no reason)
he clearly hit Müller in the jaw while they fought for the ball (not a red card foul but a very clear foul)
the headbutt was not brutal but a red card without any question, nothing like zidane did but what a game would it be if every foul is masured against that oneand if Müller would have wantd to act he would have done it after the headbutt, you can see that he thought about it and than did not do it
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... and here's the dark horse we've been looking for. Considering group pairings in the round of 16, Costa Rica has a real shot at reaching quarter-finals.
It's been a good World Cup so far! Let's see how Argentina and France fare in the second round of the grop stage; among the major teams, only the Netherlands have won both games, though Australia really gave them a run for their money.
[EDIT]Forgot about Germany. Probably the best team in the tournament, in my opinion.
And I really expected more of you, Japan.
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It has been a great World Cup so far, and full of upsets! Who would have thought Spain and England would be pretty much out of it before they even play their third Group stage game?
I'm really excited to watch the US vs Portugal on Sunday. I think we really have a good shot at beating them and moving out of the Group stage!
Well, I guess Akinfejev's soap gloves aren't the mistake of the tournament any longer.
Giroud scores 1-0 for France, and on the kick-off Switzerland gives the ball away and BOUF - 2-0.
Lee Bowyer.....it's always Lee BowyerAttacking anyone - opponent, team mate, referee, ball boy, or spectator is an automatic red if the ref sees it.
I think Newcastle had someone do it a number of years ago.
A Leeds fan would know, I guess.
Well, I guess Akinfejev's soap gloves aren't the mistake of the tournament any longer.
Giroud scores 1-0 for France, and on the kick-off Switzerland gives the ball away and BOUF - 2-0.
But not 3-0. Benzema's penalty is saved, and Cabaye hits the rebound against the bar despite having an open goal.
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Portugal vs USA . . . . I think US losing Josy is less than Portugal losing Cristiano, yes!
. . . .
Does anyone see a retroactive Red Card for Assou Ekouto coming?
I've never heard of a player getting a Card for attacking his own teammate.
Wow.
Either way -- it's something else for us to add to the Tottenham-hate-chants next year! (Assuming Totty brings him back from loan). . . .
Columbia is good! That's a heckuva good Group.
. . . .
Gruumash is Great.
Hey, my PC in our new Wrath of the Righteous game is named Ozil.
True Cristiano is a bigger loss as far as Portugal goes but it is a tough loss for USA no one can really do what he did for them with his size and ability they will need to change their game some and not sure how they will hold up. Portugal is banged up too and we can only hope the U.S can get another quick goal.
Gruumash is Awesome ;)
I love that you named your character after Ozil what is he for a class?
WE aren't you a big Greyhawk guy too? (sorry to get off track here.)
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I am a BIG GH guy.
My Wrath of the Righteous PC is Gestalt Paladin of Iomedae / Inquisitor of Metatron (apocryphal Angel, risen from Enoch in Genesis). Ozil's family name is Winterburn, partly because of Nigel and mostly because as a descendent of a Lord in the Linnorm Lands, "Winterburn" sounded cool. Ozil Winterburn, Viking Paladin / Inquisitor fighting in the Worldwound!
Arsenal rules.
Holy Cow Spain AND England!
Way to go Costa Rica (How 'bout that Joel Campbell!)
Nederlands will beat Brasil in Q-Finals. (Like I said in Dec.)
France, Argentina, Germany -- can't wait for Q-Finals & Semi-Finals!
USA
USA
USA
USA
Klose had been on the field for 15 seconds when he scored.
And with that goal he's moved up into shared first place in number of World Cup goals scored. The other player to have scored 15 times is the real Ronaldo.
Only problem with that for me is that I want both Ghana and Germany to advance from the group, and now Ghana is in serious trouble.
damn, that was nerve-wrecking
2-2
Germany vs Ghana was a desperate battle that was kind of fun to watch; although I doubt anyone was predicting Germany wouldn't win, but would instead tie.
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Wow!
Algeria have three against SOuth Korea inside 38 minutes.
SK are really weak dealing with big forwards who come onto crosses with decent timing. I guess there league is more of an intricate-passing-on-the-floor affair?
Algeria good at upsetting their shape as well: demand SK go one-on-one or they'll dribble into the space and challenge the defence.
Okay U.S.A. let's put Portugal away.
ARG!
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I love language difference.
In the UK 'tie' would usually only be heard during the action, once the game was done it would be called a draw.
'Tie' is more common in sport as a synonym for fixture.
Agreed. The subtle differences in languages are facinating.
My pet difference is how many Europeans will say Spain are out of the tournament instead of Spain is out of the tournament, or England have a difficult game ahead instead of England has a difficult game ahead. Hearing these said the European way really stands out to me as being grammatically incorrect :)
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I love language difference.
In the UK 'tie' would usually only be heard during the action, once the game was done it would be called a draw.
'Tie' is more common in sport as a synonym for fixture.
Agreed. The subtle differences in languages are facinating.
My pet difference is how many Europeans will say Spain are out of the tournament instead of Spain is out of the tournament, or England have a difficult game ahead instead of England has a difficult game ahead. Hearing these said the European way really stands out to me as being grammatically incorrect :)
They're collective nouns: they represent a plural just as much as a noun phrase like 'the girls'.
That's the reasoning, it especially makes sense with places and their teams: if Manchester are out of Europe, that doesn't mean that Manchester is outside Europe now...
Businesses in the UK are drifting toward the US version.
I feel the same way as you though: the other way just feels wrong.
I am so sad. I wanted a win for the USA vs Portugal... this isn't horrible but a win would have made our advance a certainty. We were awesome that game I think.
I can't get into soccer. I don't understand why people go nuts when people are able to kick something the size of a soccer ball into a huge 24 foot by 8 foot opening.
My suggestion, watch it on the Spanish channel. The English speaking channels are so dry and boring. Even if you have no idea what they are saying, you can still feel the excitement. Listening to people talk about a game they are not really excited about is bound to make the game unexciting.
Never thought that US folk cared about football so much.
We don't, but we do like to beat other countries at sports. :D
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Actually soccer is growing in popularity each year here in the US. It's actually become pretty popular - certainly not on the level of football or baseball but I recently saw that soccer has surpassed hockey (in terms of popularity, TV viewership etc)
In fact, the MLS is going through another round of growth and expansion - additional teams, brand new stadiums, big name signings ...
Soccer is slowly becoming a pretty big deal here! :)
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And now we have to root for Portugal to beat Ghana -- yet only by a goal difference that keeps our goal difference ahead of Ghana (not hard)
And we must keep our upcoming loss to Germany close (so we don't lose goal diffeerence vs Ghana & Portugal)
Portugal 2-0 Ghana
Germany 1-0 USA
Those scores look viable and get us through to the Round of 16.
Or maybe we'll be lucky and Germany will just give us a draw -- I mean, "tie." (Ain't language great?)
A draw would be good for Germany and the USA not only the USA. Maybe we will give them the draw.
*cue the ball just puttering around the field for 90 minutes*
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Soccer is slowly becoming a pretty big deal here! :)
I've actually wondered why this didn't happen a long time ago, especially since most immigrants to the U.S. came/come from countries where soccer is a pretty big deal.
Does anyone have an idea about this?
I can't get into soccer. I don't understand why people go nuts when people are able to kick something the size of a soccer ball into a huge 24 foot by 8 foot opening.
Because this sounds much easier than it is in reality (especially if there are any opponents on the field).
Personally I think it's because of its inherent randomness. David winning against Goliath seems like an impossibility in most other sports, but in soccer it happens all the time (Costa Rica being the most recent example).
I tend to compare it to roleplaying games. It's much more exciting if you can't be sure you'll be victorious and if character death is an actual possibility.
Doesn't naturally change the fact that Germany will win the Cup this time, though being one of the favourites from Day 1. :D
My suggestion, watch it on the Spanish channel. The English speaking channels are so dry and boring. Even if you have no idea what they are saying, you can still feel the excitement. Listening to people talk about a game they are not really excited about is bound to make the game unexciting.
We've been alternating between Univision for live games and ESPN for replays. Univision is defs more exciting; it's radio-style broadcast where you don't need to be looking to feel the excitement. The ESPN coverage has been fun too, though—the announcers know their stuff and are super scathing when players are phoning it in or taking dives.
Also, although the Pope has promised not to pray for Argentina to win, Argentinian tv ads shamelessly claim his authority. :P
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On USA and football:
For us, until our best atheletes stick with it as kids, instead of leaving it for American football, basketball and baseball, we will not get better and there will be no incentive for fans to learn the game until we have great players playing it.
Right now our best young atheletes, if they even play football, quit by age 14-15 to play American football and basketball and such. Thus MLS sucks, overall talent-wise.
Thus none of the regular sports pundits here know anything or care anything about it. And the 40+ age crowd won't care until Tony Kornheiser and Mike Greenberg and Woody Paige and Mitch Albom and Jim Rome and Mike Wilbon, etc., etc., care enough about it to learn it. Example: Bill Plashke proclaims to be a new Arsenal fan and probably couldn't tell you much more about Arsenal than that the colors are red and Thierry Henry (because he plays in NY now) used to play for Arsenal.
Only a tiny few of us, slowly and not very steadily, are getting into football over here.
On USA and football:
For us, until our best atheletes stick with it as kids, instead of leaving it for American football, basketball and baseball, we will not get better and there will be no incentive for fans to learn the game until we have great players playing it.
Right now our best young atheletes, if they even play football, quit by age 14-15 to play American football and basketball and such. Thus MLS sucks, overall talent-wise.
Right now the us produces an astounding number of good athletes. We dont actually need our 'best' athletes to stay with soccer. Just more. And while the mls isnt on par with the best world leagues yet, one thing it is doing, is paying out a couple big(all relative ofcourse) salaries each year. And the overall quality of the league is improving. While I wish they would move faster, there is definately a slow steady but constant upswing in the quality of play and profitablity.
And in the end, that last part will matter most. If soccer makes money, it will grow. If it grows, salaries will go up. If salaries go up, fewer early soccer players will switch to other sports. Because I am pretty sure unless you are the next great thing in football/baseball/basketball, Thiery Henry's Contract with the Redbulls looks pretty sweet to most kids growing up playing soccer right now.
Thus none of the regular sports pundits here know anything or care anything about it. And the 40+ age crowd won't care until Tony Kornheiser and Mike Greenberg and Woody Paige and Mitch Albom and Jim Rome and Mike Wilbon, etc., etc., care enough about it to learn it. Example: Bill Plashke proclaims to be a new Arsenal fan and probably couldn't tell you much more about Arsenal than that the colors are red and Thierry Henry (because he plays in NY now) used to play for Arsenal.
I think you underestimate how much the mls has grown. I mean yes, casual soccer fans wont know much about european teams, but that isnt what is going to make the difference. What will make the difference is the amount of fans that watch American Soccer. And that growth has actually been considerable. Look at teams like seatle, and portland, relatively new, but with packed houses every night, and rabid fans. Even fun traditions like the portland mascot with the chainsaw. THAT is what is going to change the face of american soccer.
Mind you it would help if the Redbulls werent such a disappointment most of the time. New York is still Americas biggest sports market, and has a MASSIVE potential for soccer fandom (tons of immagrants and children of immagrants). Several dozen national teams from around the world can sell out giant stadium if they turn up for a game (and have done so), and even the metrostars packed it early on. The region is hungry for soccer, they just need a reason to watch.
And also, as for the over 40 crows, you are probably right. But for the 30 and down, many of them grew up playing soccer. Its the biggest youth sport in the country right now. That is new territory for the US. Mostly because of the nature of the game. There is no physical requirement for soccer besides fitness. Not to mention, it is one of the few sports where gender matters relatively little. Tall, Short, Fast, Slow, Big, Slender, everyone has a place on the pitch.
And actually, its kind of funny, but the truth is the US national team could and should be better then it is. Right up to college I played soccer at pretty much the highest levels, so did my brother. Injuries (me knee, him hip) meant we didnt continue, but I grew up with people that SHOULD be playing pro soccer right now. Things like injuries, or simply not having the guidance they needed, kept all but one out of pro soccer. He wasnt the most talented among that generation of players by a long shot. And that was literally one peer group in one corner of one city. Those kids didnt move on to different sports, they just werent found, or didnt know how to get found. Most of them werent college material, and even those that made it didnt really get what they needed out of it. The US college soccer system is pretty aweful.
So they are now restaurant owners, accountants, software engineers, fireman etc. Thats a loss of talent that has nothing to do with losing players to other sports.
We now have actual academies that players can go to instead of getting stuck in a college system that doesnt know the sport at all (and eats up prime years in the sport). We also have a national team coach that is interested in the entire development process. Those are very real changes that will affect talent levels more then anything else.
Only a tiny few of us, slowly and not very steadily, are getting into football over here.
You obviously go to different bars then I do. I needed to nearly fight a guy to get them to put on the stanly cup finals (in new york) before the current world cup games post game show was over. I see alot of people interested in watching soccer. I see alot of people playing soccer. This is a legitimate height for US soccer, and its on the Rise.
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Very well said Kolokotroni, I agree! I too thought W E Ray was pretty pessimistic and over dramatic (no offense intended W E Ray!! :)
The MLS continues to get better and better and, honestly, it's getting closer to the levels of the top leagues every year. It's really only a matter of time. Soccer is getting more and more popular - it's actually a pretty great time to be a soccer fan in the US!