Premier League

[windward]

The best sporting event in the world. I am world cup crazy and I plan on collecting some jerseys. First on my list is a France Pogba jersey.

Yep. First soccer game I ever watched was a World Cup match between the US and Czechoslovakia back in 1990. I've been an ardent follower of the tournament since. As television exposure in the US increased I've become an even bigger fan as I can follow players as they play in their domestic leagues.

 

[RastaRocket]

Yep. First soccer game I ever watched was a World Cup match between the US and Czechoslovakia back in 1990. I've been an ardent follower of the tournament since. As television exposure in the US increased I've become an even bigger fan as I can follow players as they play in their domestic leagues.

Going to a match is still on my bucket list. The great thing about the World Cup is I really don't care who wins. I have some teams I really like, but mostly I am just a fan of the game and usually like players from any team. Obviously US is who I root for but other than that I just enjoy the show.

 

[windward]

Going to a match is still on my bucket list. The great thing about the World Cup is I really don't care who wins. I have some teams I really like, but mostly I am just a fan of the game and usually like players from any team. Obviously US is who I root for but other than that I just enjoy the show.

Me too. I'll be pulling for Gerrard, Sturridge and Suarez to have success ( even though Uruguay and England are in the same group lol). I like the US of course even though it's hard to be optimistic on advancing this time around.

As far as bucket lists go for me as a soccer fan the top ones are :
1. Go to Anfield for a match
2. Go to Wembley for a match
3. Attend a World Cup match ( though I won't make it to Brazil this year and would rather not go to Qatar or Russia)

 

[MC KAos]

I'm hoping the 2026 World Cup is in the USA, Japan or Western Europe, I'd like to go watch a game, but I don't see myself going to any countries outside of that

 

[MC KAos]

Or canada

 

[jterrell]

Like US chance to advance... but upside is very limited. Top 8 would be glorious.

Dark horse title contender is Belgium. --really good at every level, GK, DEF, **, ST

Brazil still heavy favorite obviously with home field and insane talent.
GER, SP quite good but European teams in South America face challenges; especially as favorites.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't like the US's chance to advance past the group stage. Portugal and Germany are tough and Ghana has their number.

Belgium definitely have as much talent as any team in the tournament if not the most. They also have very little experience, which is probably going to prevent them from winning it all.

I don't agree that Brazil has insane talent. They do have talent as usual, but they are lacking a couple of things. They don't have a creative force up top or in the center of their mid-field. Their keeper is old and has not played for high level teams the last couple of seasons. He is in the MLS right now. Neymar is their creative player on the outside. He will be healthy in time for the WC and the offense will go through him. We will see if he can handle the pressure after having a lackluster first season with Barca.

This should be a pretty wide open competition. I see a significant list of potential teams capable of winning it all. And a few teams that are capable of upsetting one of the favorites along the way.

 

[RastaRocket]

I think Brazil is pretty stacked in all areas except GK, but they will be fine at keeper. Amazing defense, underrated midfield, and obvious gifted ability up front. In midfield you have Hernanes who doesn't get nearly enough attention as well as Oscar and Fernandinho. They have an athletic midfield that can play two ways. Everybody on their team has skill. Bernard is another name to look out for, he's incredible and young and should provide that creativity you mentioned.



And Hernanes is easily one of my favorite players in the world.

 

[MC KAos]

Anyone know what retail stores in the US (specifically north texas) sell panini World Cup stickers?

 

[joseephuss]

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...ivelino-20140506_1_rivelino-thiago-silva-pele

Brazil lack attacking threat of the past, says Rivelino

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Thiago Silva is the only current Brazil player that would find a place in the 1970 World Cup winning team, former midfield great Rivelino says, highlighting the Selecao's shift from an attacking force to one more defensively orientated.

 

[RastaRocket]

Anyone know what retail stores in the US (specifically north texas) sell panini World Cup stickers?

No idea, but I did buy a magazine the other day and it came with a sticker book. Thought about buying some haha.

 

[joseephuss]

Morinho is a brilliant manager, but he sure can be petty at times.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/...es-criticism-of-liverpool-striker-luis-suarez

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho continues criticism of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez

Mourinho has been a regular critic of the Liverpool striker, who won the PFA and Football Writers' Association awards, dubbing him as the king of penalties and describing him as an "acrobatic swimming pool" diver.

And now Mourinho has stated his belief that the player of the year should be either Suarez's Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard or Manchester City striker Dzeko, who has scored some vital goals in his side's end-of-season run.

 

[joseephuss]

 

[MC KAos]

We are the champions! Of England!!! (And wales, kinda)

 

[MC KAos]

Btw you can get panini stickers and books on amazon

 

[jterrell]

Brazil is plenty good at striker.
They have begun to forge a more defensive team which is smart considering they have the most technical skill in the world.
Borrowing the German style of building talent at all areas is key.
You don't need 5 strikers on the pitch at once.

Oscar, Hulk, Naymar and Fred make a talented scoring groups.
The insane defense behind them is new to Brazil.

I agree GK is biggest question mark.

 

[MC KAos]

I think Julio Cesar will be solid. Btw should we start a World Cup thread?

 

[jterrell]

I don't like the US's chance to advance past the group stage. Portugal and Germany are tough and Ghana has their number.

Belgium definitely have as much talent as any team in the tournament if not the most. They also have very little experience, which is probably going to prevent them from winning it all.

I don't agree that Brazil has insane talent. They do have talent as usual, but they are lacking a couple of things. They don't have a creative force up top or in the center of their mid-field. Their keeper is old and has not played for high level teams the last couple of seasons. He is in the MLS right now. Neymar is their creative player on the outside. He will be healthy in time for the WC and the offense will go through him. We will see if he can handle the pressure after having a lackluster first season with Barca.

This should be a pretty wide open competition. I see a significant list of potential teams capable of winning it all. And a few teams that are capable of upsetting one of the favorites along the way.

That's like saying the US has Portugal's number....

I like what Klinsman has done with the team and his planning for the World Cup.
The sched does the US a favor.
They play Germany last where a German side sitting on 6 points can coast and rest a few guys.

Ghana is going to be built around Essien and Boateng. Essien >30 is on downhill slope at this point in his career.
Boateng is solid but there's not a lot at Striker or in Goal for Ghana.
This is a softer Ghana team than 4 years ago.

Portugal is stronger than the US (but finished behind Russia and only qualified beating Sweden in a play-in series) but really based only on Ronaldo. And being on this side of the globe helps the US. Euro teams have generally struggled in South America. US dealing with Ronaldo will be the key to getting through the group. Klinsman has a lot of time to prepare for that though.

In sum, I think the US with Klinsman have an edge in the tourney being in the America's, with coaching and with schedule by playing Germany last.
That 2nd spot is there for the taking IMHO.

 

[jterrell]

I think Julio Cesar will be solid. Btw should we start a World Cup thread?

not a bad idea, tho it will probably be the same 6 of us

 

[jterrell]

And if the US does qualify I think they play Belgium in the next game and get dispatched fairly easily