The 2010 FIFA World Cup thread (will contain spoilers)

[MJ4H]

That 4th (I think it was the 4th one, the one on a quick counter) was gorgeous. Lakers-Showtime. Ridiculous outlet pass, nice set-up, power-finish.

I want that.

[stevew]

Does Nike have to stop running their commercials since practically their whole squad has now been eliminated.

Roo-ins indeed.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I'd imagine that watching soccer full-time would drive me insane. I love the tension that a simple 1-0 score produces. I cannot stand how much power referee's have in this sport and--more importantly--the acceptance of soccer players feigning career-ending injuries every single damned time they are asked to challenge a loose ball. Now, if the referee's were armed with revolvers and were authorized to put the "injured" players out of their misery, I *might* take the risk and be an actual fan.

The problem is that the incentive to dive, cheat, etc. is a zillion times more prominent in tournament soccer. In a league, you really don't see this stuff too much. In a tournament that is short-term and only once every four years, the stakes are very high.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

That 4th (I think it was the 4th one, the one on a quick counter) was gorgeous. Lakers-Showtime. Ridiculous outlet pass, nice set-up, power-finish.

I want that.

Especially the nerve and vision by Özil to wait, wait, wait until Müller catches up (and then conciously playing through Johnson´s legs). And Müller also basically said in an interview that he knew he will get that ball when he just manages to get there on time, thus he kills himself on that sprint, scenes like that really show that a team is working.

Has anyone recognized who made the long pass to Özil there ? Pretty sure it was Khedira, but not 100% sure. That was a brilliant pass really.

The 2:0 wasn´t too shabby either :



Also Neuer´s outlet throws are ridiculous, he throws it like 20 metres into the other half at times

Rule of thumb i guess is that you should really avoid to go down against this german team.

[cthomer5000]

Hopefully Mexico lose later. England and Mexico both going out is the closest thing I can get to a spirit-lifter after our loss yesterday.

[whomario]

Klose now with 50 international goals, which only 30 other people ever and worldwide have done and he has scored the most international goals since his debut and also of any player since 2000 (Jan Koller with 45 and Drogba with 43 are next there).

Also in the quarter final will be the 8th german player to have played 100 matches, is 2nd to score 50 goals (3rd if you count east german team games).

Again, for a guy that was playing amateur division soocer until age 22 that´s not a shabby career at all

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

The problem is that the incentive to dive, cheat, etc. is a zillion times more prominent in tournament soccer. In a league, you really don't see this stuff too much. In a tournament that is short-term and only once every four years, the stakes are very high.

I would imagine that is correct. However, if not for the concept of the World Cup (which is an awesome concept), I would never actually watch this sport (I'm a typical American).

So when I do actually sit down to watch this sport (every four years), I am in awe of the internationalism of it...the goodwill...the priviledge to play against other nations...simply just the honor of it all. And then after the "show" is over and they get down to playing, I watch all these noble players collapse like little school girls over and over and over again. I mean, it's just horrible.

So in the end, I walk away...once again...thinking that the World Cup (pro soccer) is bested only by fake wrestling and Formula 1 racing at Indianapolis.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I would imagine that is correct. However, if not for the concept of the World Cup (which is an awesome concept), I would never actually watch this sport (I'm a typical American).

So when I do actually sit down to watch this sport (every four years), I am in awe of the internationalism of it...the goodwill...the priviledge to play against other nations...simply just the honor of it all. And then after the "show" is over and they get down to playing, I watch all these noble players collapse like little school girls over and over and over again. I mean, it's just horrible.

So in the end, I walk away...once again...thinking that the World Cup (pro soccer) is bested only by fake wrestling and Formula 1 racing at Indianapolis.

+1

[sovereignstar]

Dutch and tarcone aren't on board. FUCK, I'M OUT!

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by whomario

I find it ridicolous to question a GK because of one (half)mistake ... The guy is worldclass, period.
I agree that a shitload of teams would take him in a heartbeat. Germany propably not because quite frankly our 5th best Keeper would still start on half the teams here, but i wouldn´t mind him either definitely

It's ok to critize players for errors, even good ones...I get everyone makes mistakes - see Casillas last year, but he's not worldclass period when the Ghana GK would have easily saved the shot he let in.

He is a great goalkeeper and is a victim of a terrible defense, but there's no arguing that he was out of position on the first goal and got caught with his pants down.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

It's ok to critize players for errors, even good ones...I get everyone makes mistakes - see Casillas last year, but he's not worldclass period when the Ghana GK would have easily saved the shot he let in.

He is a great goalkeeper and is a victim of a terrible defense, but there's no arguing that he was out of position on the first goal and got caught with his pants down.

criticize is ok, question whether he should remain in goal/thinking about a replacement isn´t. I mean, every goal keeper makes fatal mistakes, even the very best. That´s the trouble with that position, every mistake gets noted. No one cares if Messi fails to stop a ball or if a striker misses a shot (as long as he makes the next one)
Every keeper on this level can make world class saves here or there or have an amazing game, putting Kingson into the same category as Howard is like saying every player that ever scores off a great run is as good as Messi.

Kingson has had at least half a dozen major mistakes this tournament alone, luckily for him only 1 leading to goal. And that was a tournament where he played way above what everyone expected from him There´s a reason why he played a whopping 40 club games since 2004 with 35 of those coming for a midtable turkish and a midtable swedish team and a whopping 5 games coming between 2007-2010.

It´s not only about making a few great saves, it´s about consistently making good saves.

[MrBug708]

Interesting comments from both Klingsmann and Lalas about the future of Bradley

[whomario]

rooting for Argentina here. With all due respect to Mexico, but a matchup against Argentina is just a great, great prospect even though it´s obviously the tougher one to win (then again, if mexico would win they then obviously have quality) .

[Jon]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Interesting comments from both Klingsmann and Lalas about the future of Bradley

I missed it. What did they say?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I would imagine that is correct. However, if not for the concept of the World Cup (which is an awesome concept), I would never actually watch this sport (I'm a typical American).

So when I do actually sit down to watch this sport (every four years), I am in awe of the internationalism of it...the goodwill...the priviledge to play against other nations...simply just the honor of it all. And then after the "show" is over and they get down to playing, I watch all these noble players collapse like little school girls over and over and over again. I mean, it's just horrible.

So in the end, I walk away...once again...thinking that the World Cup (pro soccer) is bested only by fake wrestling and Formula 1 racing at Indianapolis.

I can get that. I personally enjoy watching when I can (not enough to shell the extra bucks to see it more often. Sorry Comcast). The World Cup is even better to me, but I can totally get why someone would be turned off by the floppy-flops. It reinforces the wrong-minded prepective that Americans have that this a sissy sport. It is actually a very physical, tough sport that takes as much or more athleticism as any more traditionally American sport does. But players rolling around on the ground acting like they had been stabbed when no one touched them makes it look like a sport for wimps.

[PilotMan]

My hatred of the Argentine coach and their decision to put him there lends me to cheer for Mexico in this one. It feels odd. So I cheer for Messi (humble and honest) and Mexico.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Dutch and tarcone aren't on board. FUCK, I'M OUT!

Give me time, I moved to America to convert the country to soccer ... one at a time if necessary

PS - I've always hated diving/acting myself; part of the problem with the game in that respect now is that its 'accepted' ... commentators talk about someone 'winning' a foul for instance, to me if you kick the ball past a defender and run into him that shouldn't be a foul, thats a stupid play ... bah humbug.

(its also annoyed me that while the play above is a 'foul' holding a player off while a ball rolls out of play for a goal-kick isn't - it SHOULD be according to the rules of the game (you don't have the ball under control even if its close enough that you could and imho its DEFINITELY unsporting behaviour, its gamesmanship as poor as fouling someone who's through on goal) ... again for some reason its become accepted and no one even mentions it these days, strangely though in lower league play both rarely happen because the game is played as it was intended to be played ... its imho also why in the FA Cup in England a fair few of the big clubs get their come uppance, its a bit of a shock to them if they get a decent ref and find they aren't as molly coddled as they expect )

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Jon

I missed it. What did they say?

Lalas commented that you keep Bradley if you like the direction the US is going with the players.

Klinsmann said that the US needs to go to the hood for their talent as they are doing it backwards. (IE, not enough minorities on the team and too many rich white kids playing soccer)

[Abe Sargent]

Well, that's one goal for Argentina

[MJ4H]

Do they have to fuck up every goal? I mean, when is the last time there was a game without a fucked up ref decision on a goal?

Christ, this one wasn't even close. I'm almost the opposite of a lot of people. I'm a huge soccer fan and this shit is about to turn me from the game. Get your shit together FIFA. My GOD.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Lalas commented that you keep Bradley if you like the direction the US is going with the players.

Klinsmann said that the US needs to go to the hood for their talent as they are doing it backwards. (IE, not enough minorities on the team and too many rich white kids playing soccer)

Jurgen Klinsmann?

I wanted him to get the job the last time. Too bad he decided to just take time off instead.

It would be interesting to see if he would be interested now. He still lives in Newport Beach.

[DaddyTorgo]

Seriously - this is so fucked up. Can they really blow two CLEAR calls in one day?

Honestly I don't even know if I can watch this tournament anymore - it's a fucking joke.

[PilotMan]

FIFA FTW! fuckers.

[cthomer5000]

FIFA - "Looks like i picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue"

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Seriously - this is so fucked up. Can they really blow two CLEAR calls in one game.

Honestly I don't even know if I can watch this tournament anymore - it's a fucking joke.

Agreed. This is horrible.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Jurgen Klinsmann?

I wanted him to get the job the last time. Too bad he decided to just take time off instead.

It would be interesting to see if he would be interested now. He still lives in Newport Beach.

Ya. Apparently he wanted control over the youth teams and we told him no thanks

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Jurgen Klinsmann?

I wanted him to get the job the last time. Too bad he decided to just take time off instead.

It would be interesting to see if he would be interested now. He still lives in Newport Beach.

He didn't decide to take time off. The USSF wouldn't give him the control that he wanted and allow him to call up senior USMNT players for a couple tournaments before qualifying. Also didn't see eye-to-eye with him on the youth teams. Basically the USSF was power-hungry.

[PilotMan]

That wasn't the impression I got Bug. He said that the base of football needs to start in the inner cities, it won't work because of the number of sports we have here. In other countries the best athletes play soccer, but here it doesn't pay like the other three, so they don't play.

He was saying that if you can change the culture and develop those players into soccer stars that is how you improve the team the best.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

That wasn't the impression I got Bug. He said that the base of football needs to start in the inner cities, it won't work because of the number of sports we have here. In other countries the best athletes play soccer, but here it doesn't pay like the other three, so they don't play.

He was saying that if you can change the culture and develop those players into soccer stars that is how you improve the team the best.

He's right.

[DaddyTorgo]

Welp. This game is over. Shame that Mexico got fucked by that bad call - otherwise there's no telling how this would have played out.

[Abe Sargent]

Dman it, cable went out under a tornado watch

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Ya. Apparently he wanted control over the youth teams and we told him no thanks

Well, if Hitler taught us anything, it is not to give a German control over the youth.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Instant Replay at WC 2014. Guaranteed.

We finally get the 'caught with their pants down' moment FIFA needed to make it impossible not to respond to.

Geez, after the blown call in the Mex-Arg game, If we get one more fuck up in the next game or two, im predicting replay for this year's final.

[PilotMan]

So if Mexico doesn't lose their composure because of the bad goal, they don't press and they don't allow another?

[Abe Sargent]

And I can;t watch it live on ESPn.com, they aren;t offering it

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

That wasn't the impression I got Bug. He said that the base of football needs to start in the inner cities, it won't work because of the number of sports we have here. In other countries the best athletes play soccer, but here it doesn't pay like the other three, so they don't play.

He was saying that if you can change the culture and develop those players into soccer stars that is how you improve the team the best.

I paraphrased without the PC crap

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

So if Mexico doesn't lose their composure because of the bad goal, they don't press and they don't allow another?

quite probably.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Geez, after the blown call in the Mex-Arg game, If we get one more fuck up in the next game or two, im predicting replay for this year's final.

I'm all for instituting it by the second half of this game.

Fuckers.

[cthomer5000]

Klinnsman's comments pretty much had me thinking he might be able to do more good as the head of US Soccer than as our coach.

[MJ4H]

Honestly I think Argentina runs a train on Mexico regardless of that goal, but that awful officiating just pisses me off.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Klinnsman's comments pretty much had me thinking he might be able to do more good as the head of US Soccer than as our coach.

that's true. unfortunately gulati is a power-hungry fuckwad.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Klinnsman's comments pretty much had me thinking he might be able to do more good as the head of US Soccer than as our coach.

this

We need something like that. Someone that isn't afraid to see the problems and address them.

[PilotMan]

Pedi-bear could coach Argentina to this point of the tournament.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

He didn't decide to take time off. The USSF wouldn't give him the control that he wanted and allow him to call up senior USMNT players for a couple tournaments before qualifying. Also didn't see eye-to-eye with him on the youth teams. Basically the USSF was power-hungry.

Hmm, hadn't read that. Disappointing, really. I knew he and USSF couldn't come to an agreement, but I thought in the end it was just his own desire not to immediately get back into managing (there was a lot of talk while he was with Germany about his refusal to move from Newport Beach--I wouldn't either, frankly--and he seemed to make a big deal about being around his family and wanting to keep them where they were).

My impression had been that USSF didn't really pursue him that hard and settled on Bradley. But just an impression, not really backed with anything but vague recall.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Klinnsman's comments pretty much had me thinking he might be able to do more good as the head of US Soccer than as our coach.

Seemed like he was auditioning for the job on tv. Hell, I thought he was going to say he's taken the position as USMNT Head Coach

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Hmm, hadn't read that. Disappointing, really. I knew he and USSF couldn't come to an agreement, but I thought in the end it was just his own desire not to immediately get back into managing (there was a lot of talk while he was with Germany about his refusal to move from Newport Beach--I wouldn't either, frankly--and he seemed to make a big deal about being around his family and wanting to keep them where they were).

My impression had been that USSF didn't really pursue him that hard and settled on Bradley. But just an impression, not really backed with anything but vague recall.

There are definitely specific quotes from Klinnsmann saying he sought assurances from US Soccer on a few things (widely believed to be about player availability for the back-to-back Gold Cup and Copa America tournaments in 2007). He basically said something like once it become clear things "weren't going to the way he felt they needed to" that he just whithdrew his name from the running.

[cthomer5000]

Klinsmann and USSF president Sunil Gulati discussed player availability for the 2007 Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"There were different opinions, you know, what players could get the permissions in MLS, what role it plays," he said. "And I thought here, it's not going the right directions in that specific moment. ... So I said, 'You know, it's OK, move on.'"
Gulati then hired Bob Bradley, who is preparing to coach the U.S. in the World Cup next month.
Klinsmann, who moved back to California with his family in December, wouldn't say whether he would be interested in coaching the U.S. one day.
"I don't know what happens, you know, over the next couple weeks, you know, or even in a year from now," he said. "But I think it's not correct if you discuss something that involves somebody that is actually in charge. And I hope he will stay in charge for a long, long time."

Klinsmann Broke Off US Talks Partly Over MLS - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

That wasn't the impression I got Bug. He said that the base of football needs to start in the inner cities, it won't work because of the number of sports we have here. In other countries the best athletes play soccer, but here it doesn't pay like the other three, so they don't play.

He was saying that if you can change the culture and develop those players into soccer stars that is how you improve the team the best.

Actually, that can work here or at least be an improvement. Remember, we have been inundated with emigres from Mexico, and most are not wealthy and live in these very same inner cities. A strong support system for soccer in these areas would be a boon for soccer (it's also a reason why it's even more critical for baseball to keep up its efforts to do this, although their focus seems to be more on African-Americans).

Obviously, this would also be a boon with respect to recruiting African-Americans to the sport, but that's a tougher cookie to crack. African-Americans are (of course) long time Americans and are infused with a belief that basketball and football (and possibly baseball) are the ways out of the inner city (at least if you're male and have athletic talent).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Klinsmann Broke Off US Talks Partly Over MLS - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Oh I don't doubt what you guys are saying. I just didn't remember how it all went down. My vague memory as it were didn't meet with what you guys said, but I knew it was, indeed, very vague in my mind.

[rowech]

Does anyone find Harkes as annoying as I do? His fake accent, his overuse of the word strike, and his offering nothing but overwhelming generalizations do nothing to further the broadcast.