Football World Cup 2022

[Capt. Picard]

So, who's watching.

England just finished 6 - 2 against Iran.

Looking forward to the all the games.

Like most Americans I'm not a huge fan of soccer/football. But I appreciate and love a spectacle and therefor I love the Football World Cup.

[SD-[Inc]]

Today's USMNT is a must win or at least a tie. They can't lose to Wales and expect to get out of this group. It sucks to have the first game mean so much. Hopefully they bring their A game. But the qualifying rounds weren't very encouraging. Most of the press is already talking about 2026 for them. They are the second youngest team in the entire tournament. So, that is a good point. They got some decent depth up front. But the defense has a lot of holes in it. Here is hoping for a good showing today.

[huskylord]

As long as Italy doesn't win (I have too many Italian friends)............
































and yes I know that Italy is not in it.

[GSGRUNT]

Watched USA v Wales. Still don't see the appeal of spectator soccer. ;-(

[SD-[Inc]]

Watched USA v Wales. Still don't see the appeal of spectator soccer. ;-(

Not enough commercials for you? IMO the best thing about watching soccer is the flow of the game. No breaks in action. And when time is up it is over. Sports that have all this unnatural clock management techniques where the last 5 minutes of the game last 40 minutes with 4 commercial breaks drive me insane.

[Silent-Runner]

[Mangler]

I'm skipping this one, FIFA got too slimy with Qatar 2022.

[GSGRUNT]

Not enough commercials for you? IMO the best thing about watching soccer is the flow of the game. No breaks in action. And when time is up it is over. Sports that have all this unnatural clock management techniques where the last 5 minutes of the game last 40 minutes with 4 commercial breaks drive me insane.

College basketball and golf is what I watch and I rarely see commercials. I set a DVR and start watching an hour after start time then skip the commercials.
The way I understood that USA v Wales game there were 9+ minutes of injury stoppages, and some boos because the crowd thought is was clock management.

Different strokes for different folks.

[huskylord]

If you can watch golf, you can watch soccer.

[SD-[Inc]]

College basketball and golf is what I watch and I rarely see commercials. I set a DVR and start watching an hour after start time then skip the commercials.
The way I understood that USA v Wales game there were 9+ minutes of injury stoppages, and some boos because the crowd thought is was clock management.

Different strokes for different folks.

Players can get yellow cards for this kind of BS. So it is against the rules, as opposed to having rules that teams are encouraged to manipulate. The game ended with 9 minutes of extra time. The referee sorts through any injury time and adds it to the end of the game so the half is still exactly 45 minutes of playing time no matter what BS goes on the field. You can't mess with the clock. A half is always 45 minutes of playing time. In the US vs Wales game, both teams were playing for their life in the tournament. Losing that game was catastrophic and meant the only way to advance was a win against England. A tie left your destiny still somewhat in your control, a win would help cement your odds to advance. So, the players were giving 150%. I honestly think the Wales players had nothing left in the tank at the end is what was going on with the injuries late in the game. US had better subs and could absorb the pressure and punishment. The real question is what in the hell was the US defender thinking when he dove into an obvious penalty situation and gave up a foul so late in the game. That team is still young and full of boneheads ... ***sigh***

[Capt. Picard]

Japan 2 - 1 Germany

[SD-[Inc]]

Japan 2 - 1 Germany

Whoa, second big upset of a favorite. England is going down next!

[Silent-Runner]

most germans won't even watch this bs spectacle

[Capt. Picard]

most germans won't even watch this bs spectacle

Then why does their national team partake in it?

[Silent-Runner]

Then why does their national team partake in it?

because they are as spineless as the FIFA itself

[huskylord]

Can't say Canada didn't get their fair share of chances.

[GSGRUNT]

If you can watch golf, you can watch soccer.

I'm a golf nut and play most of the PGA tour courses in RL(if public) or in my simulator. Love to see how the pros deal with various locations and shots.

I understand that golf, for most, is snooze inducing. There are enough of us in the US that tune in so it is profitable to be broadcast most weeks.

On topic, I didn't fall asleep during the USA-Wales game (or is it a match or called something else?) and will try to watch the next USA v ??? contest.

[SD-[Inc]]

I'm a golf nut and play most of the PGA tour courses in RL(if public) or in my simulator. Love to see how the pros deal with various locations and shots.

I understand that golf, for most, is snooze inducing. There are enough of us in the US that tune in so it is profitable to be broadcast most weeks.

On topic, I didn't fall asleep during the USA-Wales game (or is it a match or called something else?) and will try to watch the next USA v ??? contest.

USA vs England is next. This is always a huge match for the US. It is the ultimate humiliation for the English team if they don't wipe the floor with the US. There is always a lot of tension in that one. The pressure is more on England to continue to perform after destroying Iran. Let's see if the US can scare them.

[KAC]

Some big upset matches lately. Really enjoying the cup.

[huskylord]

I'm a golf nut and play most of the PGA tour courses in RL(if public) or in my simulator. Love to see how the pros deal with various locations and shots.

I understand that golf, for most, is snooze inducing. There are enough of us in the US that tune in so it is profitable to be broadcast most weeks.

On topic, I didn't fall asleep during the USA-Wales game (or is it a match or called something else?) and will try to watch the next USA v ??? contest.

One of my best friends is off this week and went to Phoenix to play twice a day over the next seven days. So I get it....once golf gets you, it's got you.
Back on topic, I guess the one thing that goes along with World Cup which is true for every sport is that "its all on the line"....a baseball game in July is not the same as one played in October where every pitch counts. It doesn't get any bigger than World Cup and that energy is there. Lose and you wait four years. Win and you have glory forever.
I can't pretend that I'm a die hard soccer guy, but if it's your team in, you feel every moment.

[Silent-Runner]

I'm a golf nut and play most of the PGA tour courses in RL(if public) or in my simulator. Love to see how the pros deal with various locations and shots.

.

[SD-[Inc]]

That was best I have seen the USMNT play. Their midfield was shredding England. They clogged-up England's attack and was able to move quickly back into the attacking half of the field. If the US actually had a forward with big playmaking capability, they would have destroyed England. Very capable defense and amazing job by their midfield. I was pleasantly surprised. Now all they need is a win against Iran to move to the next round.

[Capt. Picard]

I read ... and agree with what you have to say, I think ... but I just can't get my eyes off this female golfer with her technical skills.

[nutcrackr]

woo we got through to the 16. Pretty rare for that to happen

[JZL]

USA , Saturday @ 10 EST v. Netherlands.

Or I can watch golf . . .

[Capt. Picard]

She can play with my club any time of the day.

[SD-[Inc]]

Oh well. US gave it a go. The Dutch really exploited the inexperienced US defense. The team played with heart. But it was no where near enough against the much more clinical Dutch team. At least it was clear exactly what they are missing if they want to advance further in four years.

[KAC]

US defense was looser than a hook… oh well. Someone gonna get their pant… oh crap. Yeah US didn’t play well and that’s all I am going to say about that.

But I enjoyed the destruction.

[Java Cool Dude]

What happened to the Swiss? That was a proper beating right there!

[Dengin]

For tomorrow's game (NED-ARG) I predict many cards and a lot of diving. In theory it should be an interesting game but this is for realsies as van Gaal calls it.

[SD-[Inc]]

For tomorrow's game (NED-ARG) I predict many cards and a lot of diving. In theory it should be an interesting game but this is for realsies as van Gaal calls it.

Did you predict Croatia beating Brazil. That was a shocker!

[KAC]

Brazil was quite unlucky. Croatia goalie is a monster.

[Dengin]

No definitely did not see that coming at all. Quite a game. Looks like it's over for the Dutch

Did you predict Croatia beating Brazil. That was a shocker!

[KAC]

Argentina facing similar luck as Brazil

[SD-[Inc]]

That was such an amazing game. I am rooting for Messi. But there are a lot of idiots on his team. Those dummies started getting so many unnecessary yellow cards late in that game. Dumb macho BS could have cost them the game. They were lucky not to have anyone sent off.

[KAC]

Agreed.

Ronaldo benched again.

[SD-[Inc]]

Didn’t help. Morocco is now the first African nation in history to make it to a World Cup Semi Final. The Moroccans played with some much heart. They made a fan out of me!

[SD-[Inc]]

Here is a video of Moroccan Fans and Team celebrating the win. (Ronaldo being super emotional too):

[KAC]

Portuguese coach must be fired.

[bob saget]

I want to throw some money away by betting on either Morocco or Croatia in the semis... who to go for... Morocco can surprise (again) I think.