The World Cup Thread
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Doomsday101
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Not really a soccer fans but I watched a bit of the world cup over the weekend and enjoyed it, still far down the list of favorite sports but it was alright.
Coy
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For those of you who hate soccer, here is Peter King`s take on the world cup in his MMQB World Cup edition.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...iters/peter_king/06/13/wc.thoughts/index.html
5. I think the best thing I can tell you about the World Cup, compared to American sports, is that it's about three times as intense as the Super Bowl. I was sitting in this mid-sized stadium (no press box, just a row near the top of the lower level, covered, outside), about 15 minutes before the game, with no teams on the field, no immediate promise of players coming out of the tunnel to take the field, and the vuvuzelas were trumpeting at maybe 90 decibels by themselves, and the fans were screaming and chanting to add maybe 20 more decibels, and I'm thinking, "There's no one in sight, and the anticipation is so ridiculous that these people are screaming themselves silly.'' It's no knock on the NFL. I love big games in the NFL. But this -- with games in 20 or so town squares on huge screens EVERY day of the World Cup, and the nation taking the month off to watch them (not in person, maybe, but on these screens or on TV) -- is some great sport right here.
I think most of us are NFL fans first and foremost but this tournament is absolutely amazing, like nothing else in sports.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...iters/peter_king/06/13/wc.thoughts/index.html
5. I think the best thing I can tell you about the World Cup, compared to American sports, is that it's about three times as intense as the Super Bowl. I was sitting in this mid-sized stadium (no press box, just a row near the top of the lower level, covered, outside), about 15 minutes before the game, with no teams on the field, no immediate promise of players coming out of the tunnel to take the field, and the vuvuzelas were trumpeting at maybe 90 decibels by themselves, and the fans were screaming and chanting to add maybe 20 more decibels, and I'm thinking, "There's no one in sight, and the anticipation is so ridiculous that these people are screaming themselves silly.'' It's no knock on the NFL. I love big games in the NFL. But this -- with games in 20 or so town squares on huge screens EVERY day of the World Cup, and the nation taking the month off to watch them (not in person, maybe, but on these screens or on TV) -- is some great sport right here.
I think most of us are NFL fans first and foremost but this tournament is absolutely amazing, like nothing else in sports.
DallasDomination
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Spain has the best team in the WORLD. I cannot wait to see them play.
ZeroClub
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Those who are following the World Cup and who wish to get a better feel for the players and teams might find the following link to be of interest:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/teams/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/teams/index.html
jterrell
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The anti-soccer fan is no different than the 10th grade English teacher who gets all fussy because athletics get so much consideration in her (barely functional) academic institution.
I agree with Peter King in that the nature of the World Cup, because it is played worldwide, and has a tourney that takes years to qualify for leading a champ every 4 years makes it incredibly intense. It is like the Olympics in that regard.
Football is a better sport imho but there's nothing like the World Cup in American sports. Not enjoying this is just plain willful ignorance.
As to other thoughts:
Ironically the only team who wants to face the US is the one team most likely to see us: Germany
We match up horridly with their controlled backline but quick counter midfield. Germany is a heck of a team, and yes that was even before the 4-0 win over a fairly pedestrian Australian side.
My favorites for this tourney our Brazil and Germany... i.e. same as every other year basically. They just know how to impose their style on teams like England, Spain or Portugal.
The US has a chance because they have a good goalkeeper and back line with DeMerit handling powerhouses like Rooney and Gooch handling monstrously big guys like Peter Crouch. If the US plays a bit more like Germany with mid-field artistry and great back end defense they will have a chance to make it to the final 8. At some point we'll get outclassed but this team can challenge people.
BTW, Brazil and Spain had very solid squads in the Confederations Cup. It wasn't like the US playing without any of its top players during most of the qualifiers. Those teams have 20+ guys playing top level club soccer.
I agree with Peter King in that the nature of the World Cup, because it is played worldwide, and has a tourney that takes years to qualify for leading a champ every 4 years makes it incredibly intense. It is like the Olympics in that regard.
Football is a better sport imho but there's nothing like the World Cup in American sports. Not enjoying this is just plain willful ignorance.
As to other thoughts:
Ironically the only team who wants to face the US is the one team most likely to see us: Germany
We match up horridly with their controlled backline but quick counter midfield. Germany is a heck of a team, and yes that was even before the 4-0 win over a fairly pedestrian Australian side. My favorites for this tourney our Brazil and Germany... i.e. same as every other year basically. They just know how to impose their style on teams like England, Spain or Portugal.
The US has a chance because they have a good goalkeeper and back line with DeMerit handling powerhouses like Rooney and Gooch handling monstrously big guys like Peter Crouch. If the US plays a bit more like Germany with mid-field artistry and great back end defense they will have a chance to make it to the final 8. At some point we'll get outclassed but this team can challenge people.
BTW, Brazil and Spain had very solid squads in the Confederations Cup. It wasn't like the US playing without any of its top players during most of the qualifiers. Those teams have 20+ guys playing top level club soccer.
Coy
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jterrell;3433583 said:The anti-soccer fan is no different than the 10th grade English teacher who gets all fussy because athletics get so much consideration in her (barely functional) academic institution.
I agree with Peter King in that the nature of the World Cup, because it is played worldwide, and has a tourney that takes years to qualify for leading a champ every 4 years makes it incredibly intense. It is like the Olympics in that regard.
Football is a better sport imho but there's nothing like the World Cup in American sports. Not enjoying this is just plain willful ignorance.
As to other thoughts:
Ironically the only team who wants to face the US is the one team most likely to see us: Germany
My favorites for this tourney our Brazil and Germany... i.e. same as every other year basically. They just know how to impose their style on teams like England, Spain or Portugal.
The US has a chance because they have a good goalkeeper and back line with DeMerit handling powerhouses like Rooney and Gooch handling monstrously big guys like Peter Crouch. If the US plays a bit more like Germany with mid-field artistry and great back end defense they will have a chance to make it to the final 8. At some point we'll get outclassed but this team can challenge people.
BTW, Brazil and Spain had very solid squads in the Confederations Cup. It wasn't like the US playing without any of its top players during most of the qualifiers. Those teams have 20+ guys playing top level club soccer.
Great post
joseephuss
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Wow! Great goal by Maicon for Brasil.
joseephuss
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daschoo;3433944 said:
There is some doubt, but it looked pretty. Still, one of the top rules for goalies is you are not supposed to get beat near post. If the keeper covers that post instead of leaning in anticipation of a cross, maybe he stops the goal.