CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: SFBadger96 on June 15, 2026, 04:51:58 PM
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No thread for this? Come on, fellas, even our boys look pretty good this year...
The exciting finishes and surprising results are starting to roll in. Japan had a great equalizer against the Dutch yesterday.
The joy Curacao had after tying it up against the Germans was fun to watch...even if the Germans steamrolled them in the end. For that one moment, Curacao had something to be proud of.
Spain--one of the overall favorites--tied Cape Verde today. Egypt is giving Belgium all it can handle. Morocco stole a point from perennial contender Brazil.
And the US men played what I think is the best US men's game I've ever seen. I'm used to our team grinding games out, winning or losing by the smallest of margins. But on Friday they played with freedom and joy, playing beautiful soccer to break down a stingy defense. It was just one game, but it bodes well for the next few games and making a run in the knock outs.
Of course four years ago Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the group stage...and went on to win the whole thing. So like early season college football games, it's probably best not to overreact.
So far, it's been a fun tournament. And I'm going to the Austria/Jordan game tomorrow with SFGopher, my brother, who has been an expat living in Austria for 18 years--and his step-son, who is Austrian and was a toddler the last time Austria was in the World Cup. So that should be cool.
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:88:
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I had to look up Cape Verde. Spent the weekend in Sedona and one of the group is a big soccer fan. Was watching it all the time.
I'm curious about the classification of do you have to be an actual country to compete in the World Cup? Some of them seem (to me) like territories or some other such designation. Like Cape Verde. Is that an actual country? Is Scotland? If Scotland is, was it an actual country 40 years ago? Could Puerto Rico qualify for the World Cup? Is it an actual country? Is Curacao? I guess everywhere is a country now. I'm still used to all the little Caribbean kids in the LLWS playing for the Netherlands, lol.
Also, I come to find there are water breaks. So we have flopping/acting and now water breaks. It's like viewing repellant, lol. It's really hard to respect them. I know they're great athletes and I couldn't do any of that, but jesus christ, man. Fucking man up.
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Also, I come to find there are water breaks. So we have flopping/acting and now water breaks. It's like viewing repellant, lol. It's really hard to respect them. I know they're great athletes and I couldn't do any of that, but jesus christ, man. Fucking man up.
I'm always amazed at football v. soccer. In our football the players get a break after every play and don't even play half the time. I feel like we need to man up too.
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Matt Mitchell weighed in.
"It's soccer. We ain't gonna call it football 'til one of y'all wins an SEC Championship."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dZ8dqyDsgg
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I'm always amazed at football v. soccer. In our football the players get a break after every play and don't even play half the time. I feel like we need to man up too.
That's adorable.
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That's adorable.
The constant subs do bother me after seeing soccer. Definitely feels like football players could handle being a little tougher. We'll probably never find out
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The constant subs do bother me after seeing soccer. Definitely feels like football players could handle being a little tougher. We'll probably never find out
Well 2-platoon football was less about a lack of toughness and more about elite/effective play.
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yes, like Travis Hunter
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yes, like Travis Hunter
Yep, just need about 1500 more of him.
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Well 2-platoon football was less about a lack of toughness and more about elite/effective play.
If you think about it, the game today is much more complex with much larger playbooks and the 2-platoon structure allowed that. If guys had to play both ways then they'd have to learn both the Offensive and the Defensive playbooks and their assignments within those playbooks and the coaches would necessarily have to simplify things.
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Well 2-platoon football was less about a lack of toughness and more about elite/effective play.
Well sure. If you only have to play a third of the time, you will be more effective. But it's at the expense of toughness.
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Well sure. If you only have to play a third of the time, you will be more effective. But it's at the expense of toughness.
I'm 99% sure the players wanted to stay 1-platoon. But tired tough guys in the 4th quarter aren't very fun to watch.
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I like American football the way it is, and I like soccer the way it is. They don't need to be the same. I enjoy them uniquely.
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Well sure. If you only have to play a third of the time, you will be more effective. But it's at the expense of toughness.
I'm not sure how you got from players subbing to making the argument that football players lack toughness...
...and especially in a WC thread where you can compare them to THIS level of toughness!
(https://media.tenor.com/pTJNrsQOFlQAAAAM/gabriel-jesus-soccer.gif)
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I'm not sure how you got from players subbing to making the argument that football players lack toughness...
...and especially in a WC thread where you can compare them to THIS level of toughness!
(https://media.tenor.com/pTJNrsQOFlQAAAAM/gabriel-jesus-soccer.gif)
Because toughness is being able to keep playing when you are tired, or sore, or mentally beat. Pretending to get fouled is annoying but has nothing to do with toughness. Football players pretend to have injuries so the game slows down, which is also annoying and has nothing to do with toughness.
The proverbial "wear them down in the fourth quarter" is the definition of toughness. Also a bit of a throwback because the style of pro football doesn't lend itself to that much anymore.
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I'm 99% sure the players wanted to stay 1-platoon. But tired tough guys in the 4th quarter aren't very fun to watch.
Well that's when we see who is tougher.
In any event, I've always felt football is overcoached and while that is part of the game, I wouldn't mind rules that helped it be a bit more player controlled.
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I see no point in running down the soccer guys. I used to be that guy --- soccer guys are wimps!
Anyone that can run the pitch for 90-100 minutes straight has my respect. Oh no, they got a drink of water --- pansies.
Do we expect them to drop dead on the field?
Relax....
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International football players could stand to flop less, but there's a reason they do it--fouls are a little more precise / nuanced than in other sports, and they want "to help the referees see the foul." That's unfortunate. But the game is beautiful and exciting when played well. And it's being played well right now. Because of the low scoring nature of it, it makes underdogs feel like they have a chance (even when they really do not). The global nature of the game is also remarkable. There is no tournament like it, not even the Olympics.
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I see no point in running down the soccer guys. I used to be that guy --- soccer guys are wimps!
Anyone that can run the pitch for 90-100 minutes straight has my respect. Oh no, they got a drink of water --- pansies.
Do we expect them to drop dead on the field?
Relax....
I'm perfectly calm, dude.
No one is dying, they get subbed out. Easy. You know, a 2nd platoon.
Anyway, if acting is part of your sport, your sport isn't tough.
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I'm perfectly calm, dude.
No one is dying, they get subbed out. Easy. You know, a 2nd platoon.
Anyway, if acting is part of your sport, your sport isn't tough.
We prove our toughness by not playing when we hit adversity
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Also, I come to find there are water breaks. So we have flopping/acting and now water breaks. It's like viewing repellant, lol. It's really hard to respect them. I know they're great athletes and I couldn't do any of that, but jesus christ, man. Fucking man up.
Are you saying you believe they're having these water breaks because the players need them?
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I'm perfectly calm, dude.
No one is dying, they get subbed out. Easy. You know, a 2nd platoon.
Anyway, if acting is part of your sport, your sport isn't tough.
CFB in a nutshell these days.
The acting is having to be legislated out. So......
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Because toughness is being able to keep playing when you are tired, or sore, or mentally beat. Pretending to get fouled is annoying but has nothing to do with toughness. Football players pretend to have injuries so the game slows down, which is also annoying and has nothing to do with toughness.
The proverbial "wear them down in the fourth quarter" is the definition of toughness. Also a bit of a throwback because the style of pro football doesn't lend itself to that much anymore.
I do get angry at the pretended injuries in football.
That said, I don't think you can compare the two. Football is about extreme exertion for short bursts. Futbol is about a long endurance effort with spurts of heavier output.
One of the Peloton ride types I've done is called "Sprint Interval Training". These are short bursts where you're supposed to push high enough output that you're reaching failure at the end. One of the recent 45 minute rides has (2) 30s bursts, (2) 20s bursts, (2) 15s bursts, and (6) 10s bursts in the main set (after warmup). So in 33 minutes of that main set, you're only doing 3 minutes and 10 seconds of hard effort, with the rest being recovery effort.
Another 45 minute ride type I do is called "Power Zone Endurance". After warmup, a recent ride with a 32 minute main set is spent with zero recovery. You alternate between two different cardio endurance levels (zones 2 and 3), and you're putting out constant output for that entire 32 minutes.
Which one do you think leaves you more exhausted?
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I do get angry at the pretended injuries in football.
That said, I don't think you can compare the two. Football is about extreme exertion for short bursts. Futbol is about a long endurance effort with spurts of heavier output.
One of the Peloton ride types I've done is called "Sprint Interval Training". These are short bursts where you're supposed to push high enough output that you're reaching failure at the end. One of the recent 45 minute rides has (2) 30s bursts, (2) 20s bursts, (2) 15s bursts, and (6) 10s bursts in the main set (after warmup). So in 33 minutes of that main set, you're only doing 3 minutes and 10 seconds of hard effort, with the rest being recovery effort.
Another 45 minute ride type I do is called "Power Zone Endurance". After warmup, a recent ride with a 32 minute main set is spent with zero recovery. You alternate between two different cardio endurance levels (zones 2 and 3), and you're putting out constant output for that entire 32 minutes.
Which one do you think leaves you more exhausted?
I get your point but the Sprint Interval Training is much closer to soccer than the other one. It's really much closer to soccer than it is to football.
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I see no point in running down the soccer guys. I used to be that guy --- soccer guys are wimps!
Anyone that can run the pitch for 90-100 minutes straight has my respect. Oh no, they got a drink of water --- pansies.
Do we expect them to drop dead on the field?
Relax....
Yeah, I'm not trying to denigrate soccer players.
I was more just picking at Sam for insinuating football players are somehow less tough.
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Also, don't like soccer/international football, no need to comment on the World Cup thread.
But as someone who does like international football (and American football), I'm annoyed at the three minute advertising breaks in the middle of each half. I'm fine with hydration breaks when the weather demands it, but programming it in? That's FIFA searching for advertising dollars. The game I'm going to tonight will not be hot enough to demand a hydration break, let alone two.
FWIW, OAF, in international football, once subbed off, one cannot sub back on.
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I see no point in running down the soccer guys. I used to be that guy --- soccer guys are wimps!
Ronaldo looks pretty big and freaking jacked. he could probably beat the absolute fuck out of any keyboard warriors calling him a wimp. just my guess.
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International football players could stand to flop less, but there's a reason they do it--fouls are a little more precise / nuanced than in other sports, and they want "to help the referees see the foul." That's unfortunate. But the game is beautiful and exciting when played well. And it's being played well right now. Because of the low scoring nature of it, it makes underdogs feel like they have a chance (even when they really do not). The global nature of the game is also remarkable. There is no tournament like it, not even the Olympics.
no one, and i mean no one flops like NBA players. NBA is basically unwatchable now because of it.
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I just didn't know the water breaks/commercial breaks were a thing.
But the acting like you have an open fracture when a guy almost comes in contact with you? Embarrassing.
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I was with a person in my industry (at a conference) who is a serious soccer watcher. He admitted he's part of the snobby set that is pooh poohing the proliferation of 'set plays' in soccer. In his words, it's the baseball TTO version of soccer. (three true outcome). apparently historically it was a sign of unserious/gimmicky soccer to run 'set plays' and now one of the zillion EU leagues started doing this as the metrics suggest it is 'the' way to maximize goal scoring, a lot more and now everyone copies. I guess the corners/throw ins have become much more formal in their strategic execution...
these are all this guy's words.
i kept wondering,....this is bad.....why?
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I was with a person in my industry (at a conference) who is a serious soccer watcher. He admitted he's part of the snobby set that is pooh poohing the proliferation of 'set plays' in soccer. In his words, it's the baseball TTO version of soccer. (three true outcome). apparently historically it was a sign of unserious/gimmicky soccer to run 'set plays' and now one of the zillion EU leagues started doing this as the metrics suggest it is 'the' way to maximize goal scoring, a lot more and now everyone copies. I guess the corners/throw ins have become much more formal in their strategic execution...
these are all this guy's words.
i kept wondering,....this is bad.....why?
Maybe traditional soccer is more like jazz and this set play way is like written music? A more boring strategy being best makes it less fun to watch (tto ~ baseball)?
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Three true outcomes. Guys trying to hit home runs, walk pitchers trying for strikeouts.
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But the acting like you have an open fracture when a guy almost comes in contact with you? Embarrassing.
LeBron James
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Messi is ridiculous
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watched most of that match last night at the Tallgrass Taphouse
I'd have rather watched the CWS but not enough to bother the bartender to change the channel
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Maybe traditional soccer is more like jazz and this set play way is like written music? A more boring strategy being best makes it less fun to watch (tto ~ baseball)?
Soccer is a players' sport, not a coaches' sport. It is about open space and free flowing decision making in the moment. That said, there is no professional team in the modern game that doesn't run set plays on restarts (free kicks, corners, etc.). And yes, there is more and more work going into designing them, but they all break down pretty fast once the ball is in play. Likewise, despite the freedom and player-based decision making, all professional teams are running a strategy; some are very deliberate (it's a chess match based on control, e.g., Spain, tends to be more boring), some are more direct (anything to get the ball in front of goal as fast as possible, more exciting, but also more dangerous), but they all have a system; it's just not as rigid as play-calling in American football, the NBA, or even modern baseball.
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Also, I went to the Austria vs. Jordan game last night. It was everything an international sporting event should be. Both fan bases were so happy to be there; first time ever for Jordan, first time in 28 years for Austria. The shared joy in and around the stadium was visceral. It was awesome. Probably culturally anticipated, the Jordan fans were more ebullient than the Austrians, but both fan bases were so very positive. I was there supporting Austria (with my brother, an ex pat who lives in Austria, and his step-son; a 30-ish year old Austrian, who was close to what we would consider a college-level soccer player and long ago played against some of the current Austrian stars), but sitting around mostly Jordan fans, it was really fun. When an Austria supporter accidentally knocked over a Jordan fan's cocktail, he immediately went down to the bar and bought a replacement--and even before he did so, the Jordan fan, while frustrated, was also gracious. When Jordan scored its first-ever World Cup goal, the celebratory eruption was something to behold.
I've been in other sporting environments that had a similar feel--the 1993 Badger game against Michigan comes to mind, as does the Badgers' 1994 Rose Bowl; I'm sure the 2010 Badger win over Ohio State was one, but the shared joy by both fanbases, and the mixing of cultures was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was really, really cool.
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LeBron James
I don't watch basketball, but I have a hard time believing anything Lebron James does is anywhere close to what soccer players do on the regular. James mostly whines, right?
How often does he writhe around on the ground like his lower leg is dangling at a right angle from the center of his shin after barely being touched?
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More than a few times a month during the season
Gigantic Deutsche bag
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Can't believe they didn't have a Brit on the call for England-Croatia.
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British accents on a call for anything is rough.
Golf would be muted on my TV if not for Jim Nantz.
Ever try to talk with a Brit on the phone? May as well be a German.
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Man I love hearing British commentators for international sport like soccer and Formula 1. It doesn't sound right otherwise IMO.
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volume muted
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British accents on a call for anything is rough.
Golf would be muted on my TV if not for Jim Nantz.
Ever try to talk with a Brit on the phone? May as well be a German.
This is un-American
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So is soccer.
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No offense intended, but if you hate soccer, why are you even following this thread?
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I'm a pain in the ass.
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Also, so happy that America plays on Juneteenth. Making a whole day of it.
Also, the move to 48 is more entertaining than I expected. Talk of moving it to 64, which actually makes a lot of sense and would be even more fun.
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64 is fine for World Cup.
When they do it to college football, I'm out!
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Also, so happy that America plays on Juneteenth. Making a whole day of it.
Also, the move to 48 is more entertaining than I expected. Talk of moving it to 64, which actually makes a lot of sense and would be even more fun.
Which part?
Canada? Mexico? Brazil? Chile?
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Which part?
Canada? Mexico? Brazil? Chile?
Pretty sure he's talking about the Estados Unidos.
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Which part?
Canada? Mexico? Brazil? Chile?
The Free Part
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Freedom's just another word for "nothin' left to lose."
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The Free Part
Haiti?
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(https://i.imgur.com/9Htq6z5.png)
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Haiti?
West Iran apparently
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https://youtu.be/LfduUFF_i1A?si=55s8tEnpaXlc7qye
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Beautiful day to beat the tar out of Australia.
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Beautiful day to beat the tar out of Australia.
Can they do that?
I admit to not following all that much, but the Naples FC team here has me looking at soccer a little differently than I used to. It's kinda fun.
(When I wrote that it was un-American, I was being a sarcastic pain in the ass.)
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well, it's certainly not American
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Neither is hockey, but we kick ass and take names in that sport.
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we should be able to dominate soccer and I wish we would
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Can they do that?
I admit to not following all that much, but the Naples FC team here has me looking at soccer a little differently than I used to. It's kinda fun.
(When I wrote that it was un-American, I was being a sarcastic pain in the ass.)
They can win, but they might be down one of their top players in Christian Pulisic.
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Neither is hockey, but we kick ass and take names in that sport.
Do we?
Better than soccer for sure, but the top level is also smaller. Just won our first gold medal in 46 years, in a tournament Russia didn't participate in
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Do we?
Better than soccer for sure, but the top level is also smaller. Just won our first gold medal in 46 years, in a tournament Russia didn't participate in
Hockey is a Southern sport now.
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Wemby in goal, Tyreek Hill scoring, Cooper DeJean defending, SGA scoring on headers, Bobby Witt Jr in midfield, etc.
Except we don't raise kids to put on an acting show in the middle of the action. Tons of kids play soccer, but the physicality of football is more fun. Dunking is fun. Hitting bombs is fun.
Running around for 90 minutes to score twice is lame. Just because the rest of the world loves it doesn't mean it's good. They simply don't have football. They don't have baseball. Introduced baseball to Japan....obsessed. To the Caribbean...obsessed.
Everyone plays soccer because no matter how poor you are, you can find something to kick around. You need zero equipment.
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Nice start
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apparently 'Own Goal' is now tied as the all-time goal scorer (with five) for the US in WC history.
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First time in WC history a team has benefitted from an OG in consecutive games. Lady Luck is wearing stars 'n stripes?
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better to be lucky than good
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(https://i.imgur.com/k350lKR.png)
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Clinched top of the group with Paraguay’s win over Türkiye
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Happy Father's Day! It's the first day of summer, and man, it's been just wonderful. Weather has been great. World Cup on all the time. And today, the family can't even bug me for dinner!
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The stars were sensational yesterday. Ronaldo gets to fight the charges that he's washed today. Also, more Harry Kane. If Fox has a soul they will put a Brit on the call.
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Games have been awesome. Crowds too.
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Just catching up on the day. It's nice to see someone other than the USA getting Ghana'd.
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England got away with two calls that should have gone against them. Their keeper fouled Ghana's attacker just outside the 18, and their defender absolutely fouled the Ghana attacker in what should have been a PK towards the very end of the game. That stuff happens, and better in the group stage than in the knockouts, but those were lucky/unlucky depending on your rooting interests. Personally, I'm opposed to VAR; I think it's made the game worse. But if we're going to use it (and "we" do), I can't explain why the tackle in the box that should have led to a PK didn't get sent to review.
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https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/2070329782462554600
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did we beat the turkeys last night?
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did we beat the turkeys last night?
Nope. Lost 3-2, they scored the game winner at the very end of stoppage time in the second half.
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damn
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Nope. Lost 3-2, they scored the game winner at the very end of stoppage time in the second half.
Hope they didn't lose their mojo by playing the scrub chickens.
Loved that term coined by Skicat back in the early days of message board world.
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I Google'd the result utee referenced, and got this from AI:
The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) fell to an already-eliminated Turkey 3-2 in their final Group D match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the last-minute defeat, the US had already secured the top spot in their group and advances to the Round of 32.
For those of us who don't follow or understand soccer, could somebody explain why an eliminated team is still playing games, and what the consequences are for a team losing to a team that's already eliminated?
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I Google'd the result utee referenced, and got this from AI:
The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) fell to an already-eliminated Turkey 3-2 in their final Group D match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the last-minute defeat, the US had already secured the top spot in their group and advances to the Round of 32.
For those of us who don't follow or understand soccer, could somebody explain why an eliminated team is still playing games, and what the consequences are for a team losing to a team that's already eliminated?
World Cup turnament, and other tournaments like it, start with "Group Play." Generally it's 4 teams per group, and the top 2 teams (sometimes top 3) advance beyond group play, into elimination play. In group play, much like most soccer leagues around the world, you get 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. Highest point-earners advance to the elimination round.
Based on their finishing spot in the group, they are paired up against teams from other groups, in the elimination round. So in the first elimination round, the team that finishes #1 in one group, will play a team that finished #2 (or even #3) in its group. From that point on it's a single elimination tournament.
So based on its two previous victories in its group, and also based on the results of the other 3 teams in the group versus each other, the USA had already clinched the #1 spot. Which means the result of that game was irrelevant for the USA. Which is why the USA coach thought it was okay to play a different lineup, in order to get some new guys some experience in the Cup, and also to rest some injured players, and also to rest some players who had yellow cards from the previous match.
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So I guess my question is, if the USA has already clinched the #1 spot in its group, Turkey is already eliminated, and the game doesn't matter either way, why play that game?
Seems an odd format to me. It'd be like the CWS having a bracket winner play one of the eliminated teams for grins and giggles.
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So I guess my question is, if the USA has already clinched the #1 spot in its group, Turkey is already eliminated, and the game doesn't matter either way, why play that game?
Seems an odd format to me. It'd be like the CWS having a bracket winner play one of the eliminated teams for grins and giggles.
Because every team gets 3 games, the schedule is established months or years in advance. They have no idea at that point, who's going to win, and who's going to lose.
In college baseball terms, you can think of Group Play more like those early season invitational tournaments. Like say, LSU, Texas, and Washington, all travel to a tournament in Honolulu at host-team Hawaii. Except it's not set up a a tournament, but rather as a roundrobin, where every team plays every other team, there's no elimination. Hawaii would potentially go 0-3 in that tournament, but they're guaranteed all three games regardless.
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Of note, since Brazil did it in 2002, no team that has won the world cup has won all of its group stage games. This isn't that big of a deal. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in a game that actually mattered (their first) in the group stage last time around. No one cared once they got to the knockout stages. The U.S. B-team lost to Turkey in a meaningless game (for both teams), where Turkey was playing for pride, and the U.S. B-team was playing to avoid injury. Did they want to win? Of course they did. Did losing on a last second goal leave a bitter taste in their mouths? Sure did. Is it possible that it will give them extra motivation for the Bosnia Herzgovinia game coming on Wednesday? Yes, it's possible. As Tim Howard said on his socials this morning: relax; that game didn't matter, and in some ways losing the way they did may help them.
The game that matters is on July 1.
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So I guess my question is, if the USA has already clinched the #1 spot in its group, Turkey is already eliminated, and the game doesn't matter either way, why play that game?
Seems an odd format to me. It'd be like the CWS having a bracket winner play one of the eliminated teams for grins and giggles.
Sold tickets, full stadiums.......money.
And just because it's fun.
I am really enjoying this World Cup, and I think the USA is doing a bang up job hosting it.
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Of note, since Brazil did it in 2002, no team that has won the world cup has won all of its group stage games. This isn't that big of a deal. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in a game that actually mattered (their first) in the group stage last time around. No one cared once they got to the knockout stages. The U.S. B-team lost to Turkey in a meaningless game (for both teams), where Turkey was playing for pride, and the U.S. B-team was playing to avoid injury. Did they want to win? Of course they did. Did losing on a last second goal leave a bitter taste in their mouths? Sure did. Is it possible that it will give them extra motivation for the Bosnia Herzgovinia game coming on Wednesday? Yes, it's possible. As Tim Howard said on his socials this morning: relax; that game didn't matter, and in some ways losing the way they did may help them.
The game that matters is on July 1.
I also heard they had 4 guys who were one yellow card away from having to sit the next match, but those reset after group play, so the also wanted to avoid those guys picking up a yellow
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Of note, since Brazil did it in 2002, no team that has won the world cup has won all of its group stage games. This isn't that big of a deal. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in a game that actually mattered (their first) in the group stage last time around. No one cared once they got to the knockout stages. The U.S. B-team lost to Turkey in a meaningless game (for both teams), where Turkey was playing for pride, and the U.S. B-team was playing to avoid injury. Did they want to win? Of course they did. Did losing on a last second goal leave a bitter taste in their mouths? Sure did. Is it possible that it will give them extra motivation for the Bosnia Herzgovinia game coming on Wednesday? Yes, it's possible. As Tim Howard said on his socials this morning: relax; that game didn't matter, and in some ways losing the way they did may help them.
The game that matters is on July 1.
Yeah agree with all of this.
The game didn't matter but I still wanted to see the USMNT come out and dominate. The loss, and especially the manner of the loss, leaves a very bitter taste. And I'm just a fan-- I can only imagine how the US players feel about it.
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I also heard they had 4 guys who were one yellow card away from having to sit the next match, but those reset after group play, so the also wanted to avoid those guys picking up a yellow
Yup, the yellow cards affected the lineup, as did Puli's injury. Even when he came on later in the game, I suspect he wasn't playing at 100%.
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Yup, the yellow cards affected the lineup, as did Puli's injury. Even when he came on later in the game, I suspect he wasn't playing at 100%.
Even still not 100%, he provided some energy and a boost. I hope he gets to 100% -- could be a real difference maker.
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Yeah agree with all of this.
The game didn't matter but I still wanted to see the USMNT come out and dominate. The loss, and especially the manner of the loss, leaves a very bitter taste. And I'm just a fan-- I can only imagine how the US players feel about it.
Exactly this. We can say this game doesn’t matter, and maybe in the end it won’t, but let’s be honest about it. The US looked pretty shaky at times and had momentum before this game. The question is will they have good momentum or bad mojo after this game.
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Exactly this. We can say this game doesn’t matter, and maybe in the end it won’t, but let’s be honest about it. The US looked pretty shaky at times and had momentum before this game. The question is will they have good momentum or bad mojo after this game.
Hopefully it will serve as an eye opener, after riding high, and getting the hype after the first two matches.
Believe in yourselves, but a clunker is possible if you aren't locked in.
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I Google'd the result utee referenced, and got this from AI:
The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) fell to an already-eliminated Turkey 3-2 in their final Group D match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the last-minute defeat, the US had already secured the top spot in their group and advances to the Round of 32.
For those of us who don't follow or understand soccer, could somebody explain why an eliminated team is still playing games, and what the consequences are for a team losing to a team that's already eliminated?
A. They play groups stages. So like little divisions, not a tournament. It’s the same reason all the NFL teams play on the last week of the regular season.
B. I don’t think there’s any penalty? If they clinched their group, I think it doesn’t affect too much going forward.
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Because every team gets 3 games, the schedule is established months or years in advance. They have no idea at that point, who's going to win, and who's going to lose.
In college baseball terms, you can think of Group Play more like those early season invitational tournaments. Like say, LSU, Texas, and Washington, all travel to a tournament in Honolulu at host-team Hawaii. Except it's not set up a a tournament, but rather as a roundrobin, where every team plays every other team, there's no elimination. Hawaii would potentially go 0-3 in that tournament, but they're guaranteed all three games regardless.
Okay, so if I understand correctly, this isn't strictly a tournament finale to a season, it's more like it has some "regular season" included in it. All the teams play a set number of games no matter what, see how things shake out, then advance (or not) from there. Kind of like the regular season + post-season in sports I'm familiar with.
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Okay, so if I understand correctly, this isn't strictly a tournament finale to a season, it's more like it has some "regular season" included in it. All the teams play a set number of games no matter what, see how things shake out, then advance (or not) from there. Kind of like the regular season + post-season in sports I'm familiar with.
Yeah, sure. It's a VERY short "regular season" of only 3 games, but yeah, it's a pool play and not elimination play, for those first 3 games.
But also, every country has gone through an extensive round of games and tournaments just to qualify for the World Cup. Not every country in the world gets in. This year 48 countries got in, which is expanded from the 32 teams that previously made it in. There are various soccer "federations" around the world, which you can think of loosely as "continents." Each federation/continent/geo has games and tournaments to determine which teams will make it into the World Cup, and which teams will sit home.
Right now, sort of infamously, Italy is sitting home and didn't make the World Cup tournament. This is the 3rd World Cup in a row they failed to qualify for, which is pretty shocking for a country that historically has been quite successful and has won 4 of them total, which ties them for second place all-time
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Right now, sort of infamously, Italy is sitting home and didn't make the World Cup tournament. This is the 3rd World Cup in a row they failed to qualify for, which is pretty shocking for a country that historically has been quite successful and has won 4 of them total, which ties them for second place all-time
And, the next opponent for the USMNT is:
Italy was eliminated by Bosnia & Herzegovina in the UEFA World Cup playoff final on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in a dramatic playoff final against Bosnia & Herzegovina on 31 March 2026.
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it is really hard for me to wrap my head around Italy not being in WC, but.....Tunisia is....Cuaracao is....etc. in this bloated field. I understand (sort of) the methods of qualification.
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need instant replay in soccer - to stop the flop
guys flopping, holding their right calf, but reply shows no contact with the right calf area............ penalty - colored card!!!
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need instant replay in soccer - to stop the flop
guys flopping, holding their right calf, but reply shows no contact with the right calf area............ penalty - colored card!!!
They have it, and have even used it to yellow card an opponent of the US for a flop. But IMO VAR (Video Assisted Review) has actually made the game worse, not better, and I'm glad they don't slow the game down to review all the flopping. It would be a grind. Instead, just don't call penalties when you think it's a flop.
This referee may have only carded one or two flops in his 500 or so games, but when I see what I suspect is flopping from a player, it becomes much harder for me to call a foul against a player challenging him or her (but it's mostly him; the girls flop less).
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Is this still going on?
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We were resting on our trip in the hotel and I flipped on the TV and watched a bit of soccer. I think in about five minutes I saw 3 players obviously doing a Lebron. It really turns me off, so I turned the channel.
It's is THE WORST thing about soccer these days IMHO.
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Hell of a finish for Brazil
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Is this still going on?
Could be worse...I ask this about baseball at the end of June every year
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When the Tigers are eliminated?
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When the Tigers are eliminated?
Them and the Reds
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They have it, and have even used it to yellow card an opponent of the US for a flop. But IMO VAR (Video Assisted Review) has actually made the game worse, not better, and I'm glad they don't slow the game down to review all the flopping. It would be a grind. Instead, just don't call penalties when you think it's a flop.
This referee may have only carded one or two flops in his 500 or so games, but when I see what I suspect is flopping from a player, it becomes much harder for me to call a foul against a player challenging him or her (but it's mostly him; the girls flop less).
That VAR reversed a game winning goal Iran scored against Egypt. Dude's big toe was shown to be "offsides."
The sport is just absolutely flawed with that rule, imo. Combine that with all the fakery, it's just Un-'Merican.
But I will watch some more, I guess.
The $100 I spent to watch the Royals hasn't panned out very well. Promising season turned sour with the injury bug and the 3/4 hitters around the Mendoza line (one of which caught an injury anyway.)
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Is this still going on?
It's an accepted part of the game.
It is nothing like flopping in basketball, where the guy just falls back trying to draw a foul.
They writhe, scream, and put on a hell of an acting show, just to be up and sprinting full-speed moments later. It's a SKILL players develop.
This is exhibit 193513053452375 why soccer isn't big-time in the US.
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It's an accepted part of the game.
It is nothing like flopping in basketball, where the guy just falls back trying to draw a foul.
They writhe, scream, and put on a hell of an acting show, just to be up and sprinting full-speed moments later. It's a SKILL players develop.
This is exhibit 193513053452375 why soccer isn't big-time in the US.
I don't think it has anything to do with popularity. For soccer, they don't want to call fouls unless it impacts the play, but if they don't go flying like a rocket ship, it didn't impact the play. So that's why it goes that way. Have to live with it.
Football has similar problems on the contact they allow on passing plays. Basketball has foul baiting being a constant annoying issue. Such is life.
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Paraguay!
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Paraquat
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That VAR reversed a game winning goal Iran scored against Egypt. Dude's big toe was shown to be "offsides."
The sport is just absolutely flawed with that rule, imo. Combine that with all the fakery, it's just Un-'Merican.
But I will watch some more, I guess.
The $100 I spent to watch the Royals hasn't panned out very well. Promising season turned sour with the injury bug and the 3/4 hitters around the Mendoza line (one of which caught an injury anyway.)
Yeah, this is one of the problems I have with VAR reviews. How accurate is that? In the Premier League there is a 5 cm leeway given, but not in the World Cup. I think the leeway makes sense. And speaking as a referee of games that don't and never will have VAR, it's silly to ask referees to see something that is arguably within a computer's margin of error.
That said, assuming that you believe the system they use, there is no question it was an offside offense.
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Paraguay!
Can't say I'm surprised. Germany's been teetering on the edge of disappointemt all tourney long.
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I feel for the Dutch goalie. Morocco won on penalties and he blocked one but accidentally knocked it in anyway. Rough.
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he had one job!
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I feel for the Dutch goalie. Morocco won on penalties and he blocked one but accidentally knocked it in anyway. Rough.
You feel bad for him?
(https://media1.tenor.com/m/FMCilV-eEqYAAAAd/the-dutch-amsterdam.gif)
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I haven't spent a whole lot of time watching WC, but I ended up catching both of last night's games.
It seems a bit weird... You have four teams who have spent years even qualifying for WC play. They've survived 3 games of group play to make the knockout round. They spend 90 minutes battling to a tie in normal time, and then another 30 minutes continuing to fight to remain still in a draw.
And then they advance or go home based on... Penalty kicks? Which are nearly as arbitrary as whether the goalie guesses correctly which way to dive?
I mean, it was still exciting b/c you knew how much was on the line, but it also seems a bit like you're taking the result of years of effort and reducing it to something that's a series of coin flips, not really representative of the true strength of either team...
Since I'm not a soccer fan... Do soccer fans find it disappointing when matches end this way? Or is this something that you all find completely normal and appropriate as a way to end these knockout round games?
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Since I'm not a soccer fan... Do soccer fans find it disappointing when matches end this way? Or is this something that you all find completely normal and appropriate as a way to end these knockout round games?
Yes and no. It is basically a series of coin flips and has little to do with the game. That is true. But I'm not sure there is anything more dramatic in sports. So at least it is entertaining. Plus it gives you some certainty on when a game will actually end. A man needs his sleep.
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I'm not sure how else you'd do it. If they went straight to PKs after regular time, then I suppose that would be weird.
But they actually add another 30 mins of "normal" game-play.
If it's not decided by then, then what else are you supposed to do? Adding even more "normal" game-play could start to get dangerous from a fatigue-induced-injury perspective.
You've played to a tie after 120 minuts of gametime, and it's becoming unsafe to continue. So a coinflip is as good a way as any to decide the outcome. And PKs are a very exciting form of coinflip.
Just my opinion anyway.
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Yeah, the problem is that after playing 2 hours, you need an ending and perhaps this is the best of all the other sub-optimal ways to do it...
Appreciate the feedback. Seems like it's something that even soccer fans may not "love", but accept.
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Yeah, the problem is that after playing 2 hours, you need an ending and perhaps this is the best of all the other sub-optimal ways to do it...
Appreciate the feedback. Seems like it's something that even soccer fans may not "love", but accept.
Let me introduce you to college football, where we assume possession in OT -- in scoring range.
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Never been a big soccer guy, but do really enjoy the WC, mostly because my sons got me into it some years back, and I really enjoy sharing things, and experiences with them -- -things that excite them.
However, I hate the offside rule, don't fully comprehend it, and if anything is unAmerican in soccer -- the offside rules are it!
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I feel for the Dutch goalie. Morocco won on penalties and he blocked one but accidentally knocked it in anyway. Rough.
He also had a hand on the tying goal at the end of regulation, but couldn't knock it away.
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I'm okay with the idea of offsides, but I think it should be more like the way they do it in hockey. Once the game play is "in the zone" then there shouldn't be any offsides, until the ball is cleared out of the zone. Maybe use the 18-yard box for that.
I really can't stand watching the ball and the entire game go on right along the endline, and then the defenders step up a few steps and suddenly the offense is somehow offsides, when the entire play was happening within a yard or two of the endline prior to that.
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Also, I've been watching the WC on Telemundo (Thanks Peacock). Even though my Spanish is pretty bad, their production is so much better than Fox. And they have Andres Cantor.
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Let me introduce you to college football, where we assume possession in OT -- in scoring range.
I don't mind that, although I think it would be better from the 40 yard line than the 25. But even from the 25, there's strategy and you're playing real football. You're just in range that your typical "bad" outcome is settling for a field goal rather than scoring a TD.
The penalty kicks are more akin to the more recent rule that after 2OT, they basically set the teams up on the 2 1/2 yard line for a single "go for two" play each way.
But even then, it's different. It's one kicker, one goalie. Whereas even in CFB after 2OT, it's 11-on-11 even if it's still a single play.
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I don't mind that, although I think it would be better from the 40 yard line than the 25. But even from the 25, there's strategy and you're playing real football. You're just in range that your typical "bad" outcome is settling for a field goal rather than scoring a TD.
The penalty kicks are more akin to the more recent rule that after 2OT, they basically set the teams up on the 2 1/2 yard line for a single "go for two" play each way.
But even then, it's different. It's one kicker, one goalie. Whereas even in CFB after 2OT, it's 11-on-11 even if it's still a single play.
I get it, and I'm used to it.
I do prefer the NFL model of overtime, however. (One of the only things I think the NFL does better)
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I'm okay with the idea of offsides, but I think it should be more like the way they do it in hockey. Once the game play is "in the zone" then there shouldn't be any offsides, until the ball is cleared out of the zone. Maybe use the 18-yard box for that.
I really can't stand watching the ball and the entire game go on right along the endline, and then the defenders step up a few steps and suddenly the offense is somehow offsides, when the entire play was happening within a yard or two of the endline prior to that.
Yep, at least in hockey offsides has to do with the puck having to cross the line before the player, in soccer a clever (and sneaky) defender can just move up a little bit on purpose and mess up the attack.
As stated, "if" the tech is accurate, it is a rule violation....but what the hell advantage did the guy have by a small portion of his foot being "offside?"
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I don't think anyone loves the PKs to resolve a match--most people hate it, but think it's better than the alternatives. By the end of 120 minutes, everyone on the pitch is exhausted, so playing longer isn't a good strategy. Over the years people (and minor and recreational leagues) have toyed with other systems, like removing players every few minutes (which is what they do in world 7s, I think, but a smaller field there, which makes a big difference). All of them end up being pretty arbitrary ways to end a well contested game. I also wouldn't mind implementing a golden goal in extra time, which makes sense in low-scoring games, but less so when a match heads to ET tied 3-3 or 4-4, etc. Of course, most soccer games are low scoring, at least at the higher levels.
As for the offside law, it's an interesting theory to use the hockey system. I'm thinking through how difficult it would be to implement. Using the lines already on the pitch, you could make it that the players must be onside before crossing the 18 (the penalty area), but once the ball is across the 18 without an offside, no offside between the 18 and the goal line. But the way passing in soccer works, that would be too small a space to really implement it. Maybe a new 35 yard line?. I'd be curious to see someone test that for a season to see how it impacted play. It would bring a dramatic change to how team defending works. Currently, defensive strategy is designed with the offside law as it is, so this would be a dramatic change.
The offside law really isn't that complicated (compared to, say, pass interference and what is a "catch"), but TV announcers don't make an effort to understand it, so they misinform people on a regular basis. American TV announcers are generally terrible about how the laws of the game work.
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Also, I've been watching the WC on Telemundo (Thanks Peacock). Even though my Spanish is pretty bad, their production is so much better than Fox. And they have Andres Cantor.
I know the game well enough that other than players' names, I rarely need the English-speaking announcers input, and the Spanish-language announcers are just so much more fun.
One commentary on English announcers (as opposed to English-speaking) is that if players scored every time they seem to think it was a major blunder not to score, teams would regularly score more than 5 goals each.
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I don't think anyone loves the PKs to resolve a match--most people hate it, but think it's better than the alternatives. By the end of 120 minutes, everyone on the pitch is exhausted, so playing longer isn't a good strategy. Over the years people (and minor and recreational leagues) have toyed with other systems, like removing players every few minutes (which is what they do in world 7s, I think, but a smaller field there, which makes a big difference). All of them end up being pretty arbitrary ways to end a well contested game. I also wouldn't mind implementing a golden goal in extra time, which makes sense in low-scoring games, but less so when a match heads to ET tied 3-3 or 4-4, etc. Of course, most soccer games are low scoring, at least at the higher levels.
As for the offside law, it's an interesting theory to use the hockey system. I'm thinking through how difficult it would be to implement. Using the lines already on the pitch, you could make it that the players must be onside before crossing the 18 (the penalty area), but once the ball is across the 18 without an offside, no offside between the 18 and the goal line. But the way passing in soccer works, that would be too small a space to really implement it. Maybe a new 35 yard line?. I'd be curious to see someone test that for a season to see how it impacted play. It would bring a dramatic change to how team defending works. Currently, defensive strategy is designed with the offside law as it is, so this would be a dramatic change.
The offside law really isn't that complicated (compared to, say, pass interference and what is a "catch"), but TV announcers don't make an effort to understand it, so they misinform people on a regular basis. American TV announcers are generally terrible about how the laws of the game work.
Yeah something at 35 would probably be good. But honestly I'm less worried about plays coming in from the far goal and working into an offside position. The rules as they currently stand are fine IMO. For me it's more about when an ongoing play is occurring deep in the defense's territory, almost all players from both sides are deeply committed, and then just the mere movement of a couple of feet by the deepest defender suddenly renders an offside for the offense.
I just look at that and say, "Nope. The entire play was deep, both sides were committed to being deep, and as long as the ball stays in the zone, then there can be no offsides."
Obviously that's just my opinion but I think it would be a better rule, for the same reason that I like the way hockey does it.
I do thoroughly understand why there's offsides in both soccer and hockey, and for similar reasons I'm also okay with basketball rules against offensive players camping out in the lane.
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I'm thinking through the offside problem, and one issue with implementing it is referee positioning. Without walls, you need referees to run the lines to determine the ball in and out of play, and who played it out, which means that unlike hockey, where a linesman can wait on the blue line (the line of offside demarcation), you can't do that in soccer, at least not without adding referees. That would be difficult, to say the least, given the already severe shortage. Under the current law, the assistant referee runs with either the ball or the second to last defender, whichever is closer to the goal line. That puts him or her in a good position to judge the ball going in and out of play.
Another thing that could simplify the offside law would be to take the keeper out of it, and instead make it the last "field" player, not the second to last defender (where ordinarily, the keeper is the last).
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Yeah something at 35 would probably be good. But honestly I'm less worried about plays coming in from the far goal and working into an offside position. The rules as they currently stand are fine IMO. For me it's more about when an ongoing play is occurring deep in the defense's territory, almost all players from both sides are deeply committed, and then just the mere movement of a couple of feet by the deepest defender suddenly renders an offside for the offense.
I just look at that and say, "Nope. The entire play was deep, both sides were committed to being deep, and as long as the ball stays in the zone, then there can be no offsides."
Obviously that's just my opinion but I think it would be a better rule, for the same reason that I like the way hockey does it.
I do thoroughly understand why there's offsides in both soccer and hockey, and for similar reasons I'm also okay with basketball rules against offensive players camping out in the lane.
You're not wrong that it would be easier to understand, but it might be pretty difficult to implement, and have just as many seemingly arbitrary decisions about when to stop looking at what is or is not offside. And, as noted above, it would change the defensive strategy a fair amount.
Speaking as someone who regularly enforces the offside law with a backdrop of parent-spectators who have made little effort to understand it, I don't think it's especially complicated, but like all calls that go against a supporter's team, it seems unfair when it goes against the supporter's team.
My bigger complaint about the law is the precision that is used with VAR to enforce it because there is literally no way to replicate that in 99.9% of the soccer played in the world; it can only be done with massive camera and tech support that is only available at the highest levels of the game. If that's the case, the law should be massaged a bit so that it is realistic for the game worldwide, not just the elite pros (because it isn't even just the pro game, it's the elite pro game where it's available). Which gets me back to my problem with VAR in general. My view boils down to leaving the decision to the assistant referee, which demands (1) that the assistant referees are well positioned, and (2) if we have VAR, even at the elite level, the call is only overturned if it is grossly unfair, which would not be for an infraction of a few centimeters, but rather, an obvious situation where the attacker is closer to the goal line than the second to last defender. I don't think it would be that hard to implement such a system, with the default rule being what is called on the pitch.
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You're not wrong that it would be easier to understand, but it might be pretty difficult to implement, and have just as many seemingly arbitrary decisions about when to stop looking at what is or is not offside. And, as noted above, it would change the defensive strategy a fair amount.
Speaking as someone who regularly enforces the offside law with a backdrop of parent-spectators who have made little effort to understand it, I don't think it's especially complicated, but like all calls that go against a supporter's team, it seems unfair when it goes against the supporter's team.
My bigger complaint about the law is the precision that is used with VAR to enforce it because there is literally no way to replicate that in 99.9% of the soccer played in the world; it can only be done with massive camera and tech support that is only available at the highest levels of the game. If that's the case, the law should be massaged a bit so that it is realistic for the game worldwide, not just the elite pros (because it isn't even just the pro game, it's the elite pro game where it's available). Which gets me back to my problem with VAR in general. My view boils down to leaving the decision to the assistant referee, which demands (1) that the assistant referees are well positioned, and (2) if we have VAR, even at the elite level, the call is only overturned if it is grossly unfair, which would not be for an infraction of a few centimeters, but rather, an obvious situation where the attacker is closer to the goal line than the second to last defender. I don't think it would be that hard to implement such a system, with the default rule being what is called on the pitch.
Yeah I don't find it to be complicated. I just think it's a bad rule and the hockey rules are better and more sporting.
Enforecement is another issue of course, but I'm not overly concerned about that since I don't expect it to ever change anyway. Just voicing my opinion on a rule change that I think would make the sport better. Same thing I do for American football, basketball, and anything else I bother to spend my entertainment minutes observing.
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How dare you post on an opinion about a sport on a site meant for opinions about sports. So arbitrary.
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I think there is a chance the offsides rule does get changed. They have experimented with making it onsides if any part of your body is level, instead of all of your body being level.
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Ok all I know is these matches have been fun as hell and exciting.
And- I like the PKs!
Also- the fans have been AMAZING! So passionate!
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Why Norway ever doesnt wear their flag jerseys in beyond me
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Match Day!
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So, how are we doing?
Since the World Cup is here this time, and it's about to be our 250th bday, I figure I might as well jump on the bandwagon.
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can the USA play a match vs England on the 4th of July, please???
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can the USA play a match vs England on the 4th of July, please???
Sadly that can't happen. Woulda been cool though.
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who the heck is in charge? Major screw up!
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Blame Canada.
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It would have a different outcome.
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It is weird that the path for the Group D winner wasn't to play in the July 4 game in Philly
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The World Cup is like a cultural hurricane to non-soccer fans.
3.75 years, everything is fine. No soccer in your life. It's fringe enough that it's safe to watch ESPN and what-not.
The only place in your life soccer exists is maybe going to a friend's kids' soccer game before brunch.
A big nothing.
And then BAM!!!! 24/7 coverage, everyone talking about it, people watching it no matter where you are. It's all around you. Should have boarded up your windows. Should have loaded up on canned goods and hunkered down.
People who don't even like sports are talking to you about Ecuador's midfielder and shit. You learn every acquaintance's ancestral homeland.
It's not safe! But it's inescapable!
Help!
:93:
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I watch a lot of soccer and enjoy both the professional and international versions of the sport.
But, you're not at all wrong, when it comes to the USA in general.
I guess it's sort of like the Olympics?
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It’s on steroids because it’s here.
And it’s great.
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It’s on steroids because it’s here.
And it’s great.
Definitely. But even in previous years, it still gets way more attention within the US than the sport receives during the preceding 46 months...
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Definitely. But even in previous years, it still gets way more attention within the US than the sport receives during the preceding 46 months...
Without question. I am a prime example.
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The World Cup is like a cultural hurricane to non-soccer fans.
3.75 years, everything is fine. No soccer in your life. It's fringe enough that it's safe to watch ESPN and what-not.
The only place in your life soccer exists is maybe going to a friend's kids' soccer game before brunch.
A big nothing.
And then BAM!!!! 24/7 coverage, everyone talking about it, people watching it no matter where you are. It's all around you. Should have boarded up your windows. Should have loaded up on canned goods and hunkered down.
People who don't even like sports are talking to you about Ecuador's midfielder and shit. You learn every acquaintance's ancestral homeland.
It's not safe! But it's inescapable!
Help!
:93:
(https://www.threads.com/@theonion/post/DaN7cDbFB5S/media)
(https://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/729080418_17973743925114605_2896781470166370084_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ig_cache_key=MzkzMTA1OTQ2MjMyOTM0MzU3MA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTA4MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=2trmw37CFe0Q7kNvwHg7FM7&_nc_oc=Adrp2LZw95ugGCgkoCnljKSj9KaxDtqu5zyW18_PGUCMThSHdGwFxkHuCILI6U_Zt24&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=aklDx8Q9Qp9cGLQD_hs6qw&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQAzDrUgf8yzxgCws6daNwNz3udhnBwj1SOK-8-eS3kGEg&oe=6A4AFA52)
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So, how are we doing?
Since the World Cup is here this time, and it's about to be our 250th bday, I figure I might as well jump on the bandwagon.
Pretty good. USA advanced from its group as the #1 team, which means it gets a lesser team from another group in its opener in the knock-out stage (elimination round). "Experts" have the US as a 70% favorite against the opponent, Bosnia and Herzegovina. That game is tonight at 7 PM Central in Santa Clara, CA (bay area).
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I won't be watching. Win, lose, OK with me. I get somewhat "amused" when some favored team loses a game, end of the world fire the coach etc.
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Definitely. But even in previous years, it still gets way more attention within the US than the sport receives during the preceding 46 months...
It's like going 4 years without Christmas stuff/decor/music and then on an otherwise mundane November 1st, you go to a Walmart or a mall and KABLOOEY! It's all over your face!!!
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Annoyed I have to be at work during the England game. But I can rig up Telemundo in my office so we'll see how they call Harry Kane.
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Blame Canada.
thanks for the tip
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That game is tonight at 7 PM Central in Santa Clara, CA (bay area).
if that game is on at my local pub I'll glance a few times while eating wings and slurping Budweiser
hopefully, someone there will forcibly remind me that it's time for the old man to go home at 8pm
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Annoyed I have to be at work during the England game. But I can rig up Telemundo in my office so we'll see how they call Harry Kane.
Ehhhhh, did you not get the memo? We totally committed treason 250 years ago....
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I was informed that FIFA decides which color jersey is to be worn by each team. Not a choice of the country
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I think the winning side didn't commit treason for doing the exact thing the losing side did.
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HARRY KANE
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Up 1 at the half. Had a hell of a chance for another one. Plus another called back. Hopefully that doesn't bite us.
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Red card was bullshit, hopefully rescinded by FIFA. Still won, and Belgium is full of old men.
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https://twitter.com/jarvis_best/status/2072435259803885795?s=46
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Red card was bullshit, hopefully rescinded by FIFA. Still won, and Belgium is full of old men.
Yeah that red card was complete crap. Really hope to see it rescinded on appeal.
But man what a way to kill off that man-advantage for Bosnia. That was great.
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Red card was bullshit, hopefully rescinded by FIFA. Still won, and Belgium is full of old men.
Yeah that red card was complete crap. Really hope to see it rescinded on appeal.
Yeah, that's not a thing. No appeals. No corrections.
It was funny to see the youtube live simulcasts of the game, where they can't show it, but they do play-by-play and have graphics and stuff. They spent the whole time explaining rules to all the American fans watching. And then after the red card, explaining all about that and then directing the viewers to focus on the game at hand and stop worrying about the next game. Up only 1 and a man down, they had to keep encouraging them to focus on the game being played.
Our soccer IQ as a country is sub-80.
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Yeah, that's not a thing. No appeals. No corrections.
It was funny to see the youtube live simulcasts of the game, where they can't show it, but they do play-by-play and have graphics and stuff. They spent the whole time explaining rules to all the American fans watching. And then after the red card, explaining all about that and then directing the viewers to focus on the game at hand and stop worrying about the next game. Up only 1 and a man down, they had to keep encouraging them to focus on the game being played.
Our soccer IQ as a country is sub-80.
(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.faedbfd968deae67575b5f3f916f2500?rik=O7Dn0VIj1UxZ2w&riu=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.tumblr.com%2f00b5c1ac99dd46b74053b23b2906495b%2ftumblr_inline_mrfzv24szE1qz4rgp.gif&ehk=azLpXM0zRuZvHTeobf19pey2yJ%2b1HyyXTSk9uKgcWNw%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
It IS a thing in professional league soccer like the EPL, and even USA's coach Pochettino speculated after the match about a possible appeal. A red card suspension is obviously a seriously punitive penalty, which is why the appeals process exists in professional soccer.
That it doesn't exist in World Cup international play is disappointing but not surprising.
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That was a great win for United States.
Tough call on that red card, but they show a lot of grit going ahead by another goal and getting the win.
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USA's manager Pottechino has the most wins in USMNT history with 3.
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Yeah, that's not a thing. No appeals. No corrections.
We'll see. Apparently there is no challenge to say the ref was wrong. But they may be able to challenge it in other ways, like if VAR messed up. It is very confusing. They have taken away yellow cards and you can appeal suspensions of some red cards.
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Our soccer IQ as a country is sub-80.
Beisbol been very-very g-o-o-d to me - Chico Escuala
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Well, even if there is somehow an appeal, I don't have much faith they'll reverse it. That's just not the sort of thing that seems to happen with large bureaucratic governing bodies like FIFA.
USMNT is just going to have to make sure they score without him.
Belgium is one of my normal rooting interests since I spent a lot of time there and really love the country... but... not this time, mijn vrienden!
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Once the game is over in World Cup play, nothing is being changed. Period. I don't like soccer and I'm no authority, but it's just the facts. This "yeah, but"-ism is silly.
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Once the game is over in World Cup play, nothing is being changed. Period. I don't like soccer and I'm no authority, but it's just the facts. This "yeah, but"-ism is silly.
"I'm no authority. In fact, I have no idea what I'm talking about. But no one should question my conclusion."
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Our soccer IQ as a country is sub-80.
Eh, I disagree.
IQ measures ability to learn. For most Americans our soccer IQ is TBD because we have never tried.
Our soccer knowledge is nearly nonexistent because we don't care.
I clicked on this post because I couldn't believe we had 13 pages of discussion of soccer so I wondered if we were talking about something more interesting like . . . Anything else.
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"I'm no authority. In fact, I have no idea what I'm talking about. But no one should question my conclusion."
😂😂
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"I'm no authority. In fact, I have no idea what I'm talking about. But no one should question my conclusion."
Question it all you like. But exactly - even me, with zero interest or special knowledge of the game took the 4 seconds out of my day to look it up and am (gasp) sharing the knowledge with you here.
How dare I.
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Question it all you like. But exactly - even me, with zero interest or special knowledge of the game took the 4 seconds out of my day to look it up and am (gasp) sharing the knowledge with you here.
How dare I.
Well you still got it wrong so congrats?
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I hated that offsides call on Croatia. If you missed it, basically they used "ball technology" to show Croatia touched the ball, even if it was imperceptible on television.
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This Argentina game is freaking crazy
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Unbelievable run by Cabo Verde. Argentina’s goalie robbed the late free kick to tie it.
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Damn fine match.
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Well you still got it wrong so congrats?
I guess we'll see when the US plays. Want to make a wager? A ban bet? lol
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I guess we'll see when the US plays. Want to make a wager? A ban bet? lol
Sure. If the US plays, you get banned from this thread. Put up or shut up
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Do you think there was some confused non-sports-watching analyst at Wikipedia yesterday wondering:
"Why the f&$^ is Cape Verde's page suddenly getting all this traffic?!"
:57:
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Sure. If the US plays, you get banned from this thread. Put up or shut up
I sure don't miss this method of interaction.
Sigh.
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I enjoyed watching Stu Holden gradually get more and more agitated by Paraguay's antics
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Wow Paraguay was acting like a really shitastic typical South American piece of shit cheater team.
And yet France got 3 yellows and none for Paraguay even with spikes-out intentional stomping that was way way worse than Balogun's unintentional accidental touching of the Bosnian player and should have been an easy red-card call against Paraguay.
Go figure.
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the refs suck???
whoda thunk?
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Couples bangers tonight. In honor of Mexico made some Chuy's inspired jalapeno dip (it's basically just ranch dressing blended with cilantro, green salsa, and pickled jalapenos. I'm sure it's all the rage in Mexico. Also may make some palomas. Still rooting for England though.
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so, bangers & mash?
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so, bangers & mash?
I'm more into fish n chips. But that requires more work and isn't as festive.
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Rumors that Baloguns red card has been rescinded
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Rumors that Baloguns red card has been rescinded
Athletic has confirmed
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Rumors that Baloguns red card has been rescinded
Literally impossible.
But hell yeah!!!!!
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Athletic has confirmed
They took a page from targeting enforcement.
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Does this mean he can play the second half of the last game too?
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No way, I was assured on this very thread by someone that knows absolutely nothing about soccer, that this could never happen.
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Sure. If the US plays, you get banned from this thread. Put up or shut up
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What's a red card, how do you get it, and what does it mean?
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Nobody knows how to take a bribe like FIFA. You don't bribe your way into making them create an award for you, just to have them sit your leading goal scorer. Money well spent I say
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Nobody knows how to take a bribe like FIFA. You don't bribe your way into making them create an award for you, just to have them sit your leading goal scorer. Money well spent I say
We are finally a proper country
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https://twitter.com/bykevinclark/status/2073843219670929774?s=20
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"If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'."
-Barry $witzer
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I was wrong. I was under the assumption things would go as they've always gone.
Adjectives on reports of this:
shady
unprecedented
niche ruling
The US never even appealed..because you can't.
Maybe we're a proper soccer nation now?
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Couples bangers tonight.
What you and the wife do is your business.
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Got dang Haaland what a soccer player
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I was wrong. I was under the assumption things would go as they've always gone.
Adjectives on reports of this:
shady
unprecedented
niche ruling
The US never even appealed..because you can't.
Maybe we're a proper soccer nation now?
Things did go the way they've always gone. You just don't know enough about soccer to understand that this is nothing new or unique.
It's hardly unprcedented, FIFA suspended Ronaldo's three-game ban before this tournament even started, he only served one game of it before World Cup play. FIFA wanted him in the tournament and so they suspended the remaining two games.
Shady? Everything with FIFA is shady. The refereeing in that game was shady AF and biased heavily against the USA which is why they booked him with a red card in the first place.
None of this is any different than a thousand other decisions FIFA makes on an annual basis.
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However, I do admit that I'm surprised they made the decision to suspend the ban, I was skeptical they would make any changes. I stated before that even if they reviewed it I didn't believe they'd change it. I'm delighted they corrected the problem and made the right decision though.
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That Norway-Brazil game was good as hell.
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Got dang Haaland what a soccer player
He looks familiar to me and it took me a long while to figure it out.
He reminds me of the character Theokoles from the Spartacus show. The Shadow of Death (for Brazil)!
(https://i.imgur.com/k8JMNjL.jpeg)
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That Norway-Brazil game was good as hell.
He looks familiar to me and it took me a long while to figure it out.
He reminds me of the character Theokoles from the Spartacus show. The Shadow of Death (for Brazil)!
(https://i.imgur.com/k8JMNjL.jpeg)
Yeah he's an absolute beast. And he was having the time of his life out there, it was infectious.
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What a half from England-Mexico
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Jesus, Mexico is given gift after gift
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(https://i.imgur.com/vD3shWB.png)
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Hell of a game. Go England
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That was quite a match. Gutsy result by England being a man down.
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(https://i.imgur.com/vD3shWB.png)
Is this how it is in all soccer games? Have the fans not learned to wait to be excited until they KNOW it's a goal?!? They go ape shit and like 60% of the time, it's offsides.
American football fans have learned to assume a kickoff return TD is probably getting called back thanks to a penalty, but NONE of these soccer fans wait for conformation.
Food me once, shame on you, fool me all the other times....strike three!
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Viking row > singing 30 year old Oasis song
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Viking row > singing 30 year old Oasis song
“And I won’t back down….”
ironic.
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“And I won’t back down….”
ironic.
It wasn't long ago that UT's nitty gritty dirt band was playing Rocky Top just for a big orange first down, so.....
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It wasn't long ago that UT's nitty gritty dirt band was playing Rocky Top just for a big orange first down, so.....
You could just say….Oh yeah, our thing is also a 30 year old rock song. Haha
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That Norway-Brazil game was good as hell.
Hell is not good.
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https://twitter.com/theathleticfc/status/2074024394171580587?s=46&t=e2ReDV-yjo7MPCzlX2TjVA
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DRAMA!
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So....there's no appeals....unless FIFA decides a team can appeal.
And, there's no appeals, but you can bribe FIFA to undo a decision themselves.
So it's basically like a communist country....these are the rules, they are absolute, until they aren't, or unless you know the right people.
Is that it? Have I FIFA'd correctly?
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Reason #949248238 soccer sucks.
FIFA should be boxing judges, West German figure skating judges, and run North Korea.
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I think the Red Card tossed on the English player last night was also BS!
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Reason #949248238 soccer sucks.
FIFA should be boxing judges, West German figure skating judges, and run North Korea.
That'd be East Germany, grasshopper.
The good 'ole Deutschland Democratic Republic.
Socializm is great, they just didn't know how to do it right.
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Western Kansas is doing it right!
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How about this for a soccer question?
Why is there ONE ref out there, acting like God in short pants? In the real football, there's a crap-ton of zebras on the field, not the flag girls on the sideline 60 yards away.
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https://twitter.com/theathleticfc/status/2074024394171580587?s=46&t=e2ReDV-yjo7MPCzlX2TjVA
And what a bunch of cowards...don't you want to beat the other team's best?
Fake floppery doesn't end at the sideline!
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I think the Red Card tossed on the English player last night was also BS!
That one was legit and should have been booked immediately. That game was wild. At some point you would have thought the Mexican strikers had to start actually putting shots on the net instead of chucking up one terrible cross after another.
As for the first game: I readily admit I know very little about the tactics employed by various soccer teams. @SFBadger96 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=51) and @utee94 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=15) have forgotten more about soccer than I ever will. Plus a friend is married to a Big Ten soccer referee. That said, even I knew it was unwise to leave the EPL's leading scorer and all-around freak of nature alone, unmarked and unbothered, wandering around the crease.
The bigger question: after the WC is over, what are we going to do? Having 4 matches a day for a month was a ton of fun.
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The bigger question: after the WC is over, what are we going to do?
I hear the Sox are decent. Might get MLB and watch them.
We enjoy watching golf on weekends too.
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https://twitter.com/Badgers_44/status/2073959838279962754 (https://twitter.com/Badgers_44/status/2073959838279962754)
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That one was legit and should have been booked immediately. That game was wild. At some point you would have thought the Mexican strikers had to start actually putting shots on the net instead of chucking up one terrible cross after another.
As for the first game: I readily admit I know very little about the tactics employed by various soccer teams. @SFBadger96 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=51) and @utee94 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=15) have forgotten more about soccer than I ever will. Plus a friend is married to a Big Ten soccer referee. That said, even I knew it was unwise to leave the EPL's leading scorer and all-around freak of nature alone, unmarked and unbothered, wandering around the crease.
The bigger question: after the WC is over, what are we going to do? Having 4 matches a day for a month was a ton of fun.
Yeah I agree, the red card on England's Quansah looked pretty textbook to me. It was nothing like Balogun's completely accidental and unintentional leg mix-up with a player who ran up from behind him, initiated the contact, and that he never even saw.
And yeah, they really did seem to let Haaland roam dangerously free. But also, he just completely dominated and manifested those outcomes. He had a fantastic game and was fun as heck to watch.
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5 star +???
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The story first came to light after The New York Times reported that President Trump had asked FIFA to review Balogun’s suspension before the governing body announced its decision.
Later on Sunday, Trump confirmed the report while speaking at the White House.
According to BBC Sport, Trump said he spoke directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino because he did not believe Balogun deserved to be suspended.
“I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled,” Trump said.
He added that he only asked FIFA to review the incident and did not tell the organization what decision it should make.
“I can’t tell them what to do,” Trump said. “I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
Trump also said he felt enforcing the suspension “would have left a big stain” on the World Cup.
FIFA said Balogun’s suspension was suspended under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, allowing him to play against Belgium while placing him on a 12-month probationary period.
The ruling has drawn criticism from several football organizations, including UEFA, which called it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
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UEFA didnt mind when they also suspended Ronaldos 2 game "automatic" suspension earlier in the tournament.
That said Im not expecting a favorable whistle tonight
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UEFA didnt mind when they also suspended Ronaldos 2 game "automatic" suspension earlier in the tournament
Nope they sure didn't, did they?
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Wait, so a guy was already suspended in this WC and had his suspension suspended (that term is stupid, they should say "lifted"), and OAM still argued that this doesn't happen?
That's delicious.
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Wait, so a guy was already suspended in this WC and had his suspension suspended (that term is stupid, they should say "lifted"), and OAM still argued that this doesn't happen?
That's delicious.
It's a slightly different case but the same basic result happened.
Back in November, Potueguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo got a red card in one of Portugal's World Cup qualifiers against Ireland, for a violent play where he deliberately elbowed an Irish player to the ground. It was determined by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee that it was worthy of not just a one-game ban like a normal red card, but rather a 3-game ban due to the violence and intent of the play.
He served one game of that ban in their final World Cup qualifier against a scrub team (Armenia) where he wouldn't be needed anyway. But then FIFA decided to "suspend" the final 2 games of the ban until sometime after the World Cup tournament, for the sole purpose of ensuring that one of the world's best players on one of the world's top teams, didn't miss the tournament.
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It's pretty funny how all of the "true soccer fans" from places like Mexico (who loves the sport perhaps more than any other country) and England (who invented the sport), who have been telling USA soccer fans for 5 days that we know nothing about the sport, we know nothing about what constitutes a red card, and we know nothing about how penalties are assessed and/or appealed....
...are now arguing online strictly along nationalist lines about whether the English Quansah penalty yesterday should have been a red card or not. Turns out it's never a red card if that would harm your side, and it's always a red card if that harms the folks you oppose or just plain don't like.
"Low soccer IQ" indeed. What a bunch of arrogant dipshit assholes.
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Turns out it's never a red card if that would harm your side, and it's always a red card if that harms the folks you oppose or just plain don't like.
Hmm...
Sounds like targeting :57:
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Hmm...
Sounds like targeting :57:
Yup, just so. And with similar aggressively punitive penalties that can not only affect the current game but also future games.
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sounds like sports
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sounds like sports
Yup. Exactly. Sports have officials, officials make subjective calls, fans complain about subjective calls, sometimes governing bodies uphold subjective calls, sometimes they repeal or rescind or "suspend" their outcomes. The fans that benefit from the outcome praise the decision, the fans that don't, criticize the decision and invariably villify their opponents as being corrupt or whatever.
Same as it ever was.
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Anyway, I'm getting excited about this match tonight. The loss to Turkiye with our B team notwithstanding, this will be our biggest test in the tourney so far.
Belgium could win, USA could win. Should be a lot of fun to watch.
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sometimes the calls aren't subjective , fans complain about all calls
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Wait, so a guy was already suspended in this WC and had his suspension suspended (that term is stupid, they should say "lifted"), and OAM still argued that this doesn't happen?
That's delicious.
No.
The Ronaldo situation happened before the WC, not during. I love how many people (Americans only) are pretending they're the same situation.
It's strange how passionate some people are about this, who don't give a shit about soccer the other 3.9 years out of 4.
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sometimes the calls aren't subjective , fans complain about all calls
Meh, sure, I guess.
But "severity" calls are always subjective by definition. And that's what we're talking abut here with respect to fouls, yellow cards, and red cards.
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(https://i.imgur.com/8md8K3K.png)
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No.
The Ronaldo situation happened before the WC, not during. I love how many people (Americans only) are pretending they're the same situation.
It's strange how passionate some people are about this, who don't give a shit about soccer the other 3.9 years out of 4.
Nope.
The entire thing is called the World Cup. Ronaldo was red-carded in a World Cup Qualifier, for which he was assessed a 3-game ban, that he only served one game of so far, and the other two were suspened until after the entire World Cup is complete.
What we are currently in is the World Cup Finals.
It's all the World Cup.
-
England's Rooney had a Ronaldo situation years back. Star player, some time served, pre-WC. Precedent.
A crooked world leader contacted a crooked sports governing body and something unprecedented was the result.
Why is it that all the usual suspects here are pretending it's okay?
You know, you aren't required to be blindly allegiant, right? You're allowed to keep your eyes open, even when BS benefits you and yours.
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Nope.
The entire thing is called the World Cup. Ronaldo was red-carded in a World Cup Qualifier, for which he was assessed a 3-game ban, that he only served one game of so far, and the other two were suspened until after the entire World Cup is complete.
What we are currently in is the World Cup Finals.
It's all the World Cup.
Verbal gymnastics.
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Verbal gymnastics.
It's all the World Cup. That's literally what the entire thing is called. As usual, your confidence in what you are saying is only exceeded by your ignorance of what you're talking about. It's quite remarkable that you can be so wrong, so often, and never ever question how you got that way.
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It's all the World Cup. That's literally what the entire thing is called. As usual, your confidence in what you are saying is only exceeded by your ignorance of what you're talking about. It's quite remarkable that youi can be so wrong, so often, and never ever question how you got that way.
Cool. It's all the world cup. But it isn't really. Is it.
I gladly acknowledge I'm not a soccer fan, aren't super-knowledgeable about it, etc.
But you're just being silly. Sure, technically, the qualifiers Argentina plays after qualifying already are part of the world cup. I guess. Letter of the law, you've got it.
But the reality is the 48-team _______ ____ is named that because.......why? Word salad = you've lost the plot
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The 48-team tournament (that was previously a 32-team tournnament before this year) is called the ____ ____ ____. Three blanks. The World Cup Finals.
So thank you for acknowledging that I'm right, but you don't like it. Got it.
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Cool. It's all the world cup. But it isn't really. Is it.
I gladly acknowledge I'm not a soccer fan, aren't super-knowledgeable about it, etc.
But you're just being silly. Sure, technically, the qualifiers Argentina plays after qualifying already are part of the world cup. I guess. Letter of the law, you've got it.
But the reality is the 48-team _______ ____ is named that because.......why? Word salad = you've lost the plot
If a CFB player commits targeting in the 2nd half of their CCG or their last regular-season game (if they're not part of the CCG) and then their team is selected to the CFP... Does the player play in the first half of the team's first CFP game?
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Anyway, it's time for me to go enjoy this Belgium-USA match of the World Cup Finals. Which is a continuation of the World Cup that began with the World Cup Qualifiers.
Geaux USA!
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You're so occupied with being right about an irrelevant point that what happened was bullshit, but hey, because it's for the US, who cares??
The lack of objectivity in this place is staggering.
-
If a CFB player commits targeting in the 2nd half of their CCG or their last regular-season game (if they're not part of the CCG) and then their team is selected to the CFP... Does the player play in the first half of the team's first CFP game?
I doubt it. Wrong football, though.
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Welp
-
Look tight and outclassed in the 1st 20 minutes.
-
Well. Shit
-
Well...
That didn't suck.
-
That did.
-
That's about as passively as you can defend
-
These people in their damn waffles.
-
That's about as passively as you can defend
Yeah, really just letting them have their way.
Gotta be way more aggressive in the second half.
-
Welp
-
Embarrassing
-
Meltdown. The moment just seems way too big for them.
-
Uncompetitive set pieces
-
Down 21-7 headed into the 4th quarter. Gonna take a massive effort to pull this one out.
-
https://twitter.com/i/status/2074305268595220498
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Down 21-7 headed into the 4th quarter. Gonna take a massive effort to pull this one out.
28-7 with seconds to play.
-
Truly a craptacular effort.
-
Okay.
1,433 days of apathy, and then it'll be a whole big thing again.
-
Okay.
1,433 days of apathy, and then it'll be a whole big thing again.
Seems unlikely the World Cup's popularity is rooted in U.S. success
-
Meltdown. The moment just seems way too big for them.
That's what I told my wife. Clearly not prepared, not ready to play, outclassed.
Just simply not ready for prime time.
Fire the expensive coach now?
-
They didn't play well, but I don't see any reason to meltdown. They played a more aggressive style and were clearly a bit wobbly on the back end. There is a reason the less talented teams play much more conservatively, and a reason we used to as well.
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They didn't play well, but I don't see any reason to meltdown. They played a more aggressive style and were clearly a bit wobbly on the back end. There is a reason the less talented teams play much more conservatively, and a reason we used to as well.
The meltdown was just all of the stupid mistakes and unforced errors. Terrible goalkeeper decisions. That sort of thing. Belgium wasn't directly responsible for all of that, it was very much a matter of the pressure of the moment.
But yeah, regardless of anything else, we knew Belgium was the more talented side all along.
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this thread will slip to the 2nd page soon
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this thread will slip to the 2nd page soon
Probably not while the tournament is still going on. That did nothing to change my interest
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this thread will slip to the 2nd page soon
Probably not while the tournament is still going on. That did nothing to change my interest
Yeah, I've followed soccer for decades. The USMNT has rarely been any good during that time. The exit of the USMNT was completely expected either during this round or the next. There's nothing surprising here and soccer fans will continue to be soccer fans.
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Probably not while the tournament is still going on. That did nothing to change my interest
Yeah this has the same value to me as Miami of Ohio getting clubbed in the NCAA tourney. We will always have Dayton. Now give me England v. Norway.
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That's what I told my wife. Clearly not prepared, not ready to play, outclassed.
Just simply not ready for prime time.
Fire the expensive coach now?
I bet if the USMNT committed to raining cash to attack the portal, Lane Kiffin is ready and all in.
-
Pochettino was hired on a two-year contract in 2024 specifically to coach the USMNT through this 2026 World Cup cycle. I don't believe he ever had any plans of staying beyond this.
-
There were rumors USA tried to extend him prior to the World Cup, and he declined to make any decision until after the tournament
Not sure what his interest is among elite clubs. His parting with Chelsea was pretty ugly
-
There were rumors USA tried to extend him prior to the World Cup, and he declined to make any decision until after the tournament
Not sure what his interest is among elite clubs. His parting with Chelsea was pretty ugly
Whatever they paid him, it seems he was worth it.
I'd like to see him sign an extension, but certainly don't expect it.
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Yeah this has the same value to me as Miami of Ohio getting clubbed in the NCAA tourney. We will always have Dayton. Now give me England v. Norway.
During that pee-down-our-leg showing last night, I was watching reels on my phone featuring Haaland. What a bad MF. And a good dude at the same time.
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During that pee-down-our-leg showing last night, I was watching reels on my phone featuring Haaland. What a bad MF. And a good dude at the same time.
Yeah he's great, so much fun to watch. He's always good but when he turns beast-mode it's a whole different level.
From here on out it's almost nothing but bangers. England-Norway is going to be fantastic. Spain-Belgium is also can't miss. Not sure about Morocco against France but heck, they made it this far.
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Absolutely ridiculous use of VAR to overturn an Egyptian goal
-
Absolutely ridiculous use of VAR to overturn an Egyptian goal
Egypt would not be denied a second time.
An Argentine loss in this round would be pretty shocking.
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Egypt would not be denied a second time.
An Argentine loss in this round would be pretty shocking.
Almost as shocking as their 3 straight goals
-
Yeah what a rapid turnaround. They've been my pick to win the whole thing, and there are some reasons why.
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What a win
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That was one hell of a game.
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But hey, nobody is paying attention right?
What a game
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Seems unlikely the World Cup's popularity is rooted in U.S. success
Hmm, was I referring to the whole world or us college football fans? :sign0144:
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(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/741106278_10215876275695885_8640443424324394897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1254x1254&ctp=p526x296&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=WfzfchSthh0Q7kNvwGdsOWY&_nc_oc=Ado0RPLDL42wbmgqzfdB29Ell2ge1DS8wGm8T6kgcrXkiJuQPv91U_aNoAqv8DgLIQU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&_nc_gid=eNFNJ1ggVXCVrbdCtvHUVg&_nc_ss=7a2a8&oh=00_AQAILuFWwEV6AnUQXi3OQIjZVLuwc7Zbs9QPt6zQnQobew&oe=6A53302A)
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But hey, nobody is paying attention right?
What a game
What???
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Yeah, I've followed soccer for decades. The USMNT has rarely been any good during that time. The exit of the USMNT was completely expected either during this round or the next. There's nothing surprising here and soccer fans will continue to be soccer fans.
I doubt that America will ever be great at soccer, three major reasons.
a) majority of the best athletes in the US play American football and basketball- because that's where the money is in American sports.
b) US has nowhere near the youth academy/farm systems that Europe has to develop young talent.
c) cost of entry way too high for most kids- it's just way too expensive for most families- can wind up costing tens of thousands of dollars a year for one kid to play in youth/travel leagues and go to camps.
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c) cost of entry way too high for most kids- it's just way too expensive for most families- can wind up costing tens of thousands of dollars a year for one kid to play in youth/travel leagues and go to camps.
Yeah, I heard that too.
I get there's travel expenses and whatever, but if the cost of entry is too high for a sport that requires only a ball and a goal, imagine the others.
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I doubt that America will ever be great at soccer
Hell I like Hockey better soccer,great game to play but snoozefest to follow IMHO
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(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/741106278_10215876275695885_8640443424324394897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1254x1254&ctp=p526x296&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=WfzfchSthh0Q7kNvwGdsOWY&_nc_oc=Ado0RPLDL42wbmgqzfdB29Ell2ge1DS8wGm8T6kgcrXkiJuQPv91U_aNoAqv8DgLIQU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&_nc_gid=eNFNJ1ggVXCVrbdCtvHUVg&_nc_ss=7a2a8&oh=00_AQAILuFWwEV6AnUQXi3OQIjZVLuwc7Zbs9QPt6zQnQobew&oe=6A53302A)
Not me. I was rooting for our American brothers to the South. It didn't work.
What a crappy way to decide a great game, by the way.
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Hell I like Hockey better soccer,great game to play but snoozefest to follow IMHO
I enjoy watching a no hitter in baseball, but not in soccer
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The remaining teams on a world map is as clustered as a US map showing the last 20 years of college football NCs (B1G teams playing the role of Argentina).
(https://i.imgur.com/efw1udp.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/thIpyIX.jpeg)
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Yes it's extremely concentrated. Only 8 teams have ever won the world cup.
Brazil - 5
Germany - 4
Italy - 4
Argentina - 3
Uruguay - 2
France - 2
England - 1
Spain - 1
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Not me. I was rooting for our American brothers to the South. It didn't work.
What a crappy way to decide a great game, by the way.
If you're talking about Mexio, yeesh. I love the country and the people, but their soccer fans are the absolute worst. You can think of them as the Philadelphia Eagles fans of international soccer.
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If you're talking about Mexio, yeesh. I love the country and the people, but their soccer fans are the absolute worst. You can think of them as the Philadelphia Eagles fans of international soccer.
Columbia.
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Yes it's extremely concentrated. Only 8 teams have ever won the world cup.
Brazil - 5
Germany - 4
Italy - 4
Argentina - 3
Uruguay - 2
France - 2
England - 1
Spain - 1
America: 10
Eurotrash: 12
Not terrible.
Be nice if the US of America could join the party. Needs structural reform and needs to be taken more seriously for that to happen.
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If you're talking about Mexio, yeesh. I love the country and the people, but their soccer fans are the absolute worst. You can think of them as the Philadelphia Eagles fans of international soccer.
I hate Brazil, and Mexico. (soccer teams)
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USA USA USA
U.S. Back In World Cup After Trump Deports Belgian Team | Babylon Bee (https://babylonbee.com/news/us-back-in-world-cup-after-trump-deports-belgian-team?utm_source=The Babylon Bee)
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Columbia.
hah, my son in-law's father is Columbian - intense regarding soccer
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Austin has a pretty hefty Brazilian sub-population, maybe the biggest demo after crackers and Mexican. I got to know quite a number of them while there. They sure did take their soccer seriously.
They seemed to anyway. I didn't know enough to have any clue if they knew what they were talking about or not. But they did like to talk about it while I nodded and silently wondered how long until kickoff.
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Yeah lots of Brazilians in Austin. A good friend married a Brazilian girl and our friend group was immediately adopted into their underground Brazlian mafia. I've watched a lot of soccer with them over the years.
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Yeah lots of Brazilians in Austin. A good friend married a Brazilian girl and our friend group was immediately adopted into their underground Brazlian mafia. I've watched a lot of soccer with them over the years.
Same happened with a buddy of mine, and what you're saying here is a real thing. He married a gorgeous Brazilian girl, and her mafia, as you say, adopted not only him, but me along with him. Best part of that was, she had a slew of gorgeous Brazilian friends who were single. I remember going to the houses of people I barely knew to watch soccer, and they were having these gigantic house parties. Every game was like the superbowl.
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Yeah, I heard that too.
I get there's travel expenses and whatever, but if the cost of entry is too high for a sport that requires only a ball and a goal, imagine the others.
And this is the converse of the rest of the world where they don’t start the spend until the kids have started to actually prove themselves, and the spend isn’t by parents, it’s by youth clubs incentivized to make money off of developed players, not W/L records.
in the US soccer is a suburban rich kid game. In the rest of the world it is the sport of the people. Kind of like basketball and football here.
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Anybody else dumbfounded by all these tens of thousands of people travelling across the ocean to come watch their national teams play these games here?
People from supposedly poor countries flying in, spending billions on hotels, staying for weeks, and then flying from one venue to the other?
My kid got to go with her bf's Dad and Step-mom to the Columbia game in KC last Friday, and they dropped over 4K for four tickets alone--in addition to temporarily having to buy 2 more because 2 of them were sold twice by FIFA. 6K to get into the game. Had Messi and Argentina been there, it would have been double that.
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KC is makin money
maybe they can buy a baseball team?
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Anybody else dumbfounded by all these tens of thousands of people travelling across the ocean to come watch their national teams play these games here?
People from supposedly poor countries flying in, spending billions on hotels, staying for weeks, and then flying from one venue to the other?
My kid got to go with her bf's Dad and Step-mom to the Columbia game in KC last Friday, and they dropped over 4K for four tickets alone--in addition to temporarily having to buy 2 more because 2 of them were sold twice by FIFA. 6K to get into the game. Had Messi and Argentina been there, it would have been double that.
I am stunned myself.
I think I heard somewhere that the foreigners tickets are subsidized, while us chump Americans pay the full freight.
Not sure if accurate, or not. But I'm doing OK --- but not World Cup game tickets OK.
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Not just the tickets, but the travel and the hotels. I know they put the groups into pods, so you weren't going back and forth across the country. But that's only so much. Argentina played their first game in KC, then 2 in Dallas, then Miami, then Atlanta, then back to KC for the next round. If they win, then back to Atlanta, then to NYC
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It ain't the poor folks coming from those countries. Similar to Formula 1.
It's at the very least middle class dudes coming from places like England and Scotland and France.
And the ones coming from Colombia and Brazil and Argentina tend to be above that tier.
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KC is makin money
maybe they can buy a baseball team?
Yer draggin' me in here and changing the subject.
Nevermind. But think I'll tune in to watch Jac in the HR Derby.
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Anybody else dumbfounded by all these tens of thousands of people travelling across the ocean to come watch their national teams play these games here?
People from supposedly poor countries flying in, spending billions on hotels, staying for weeks, and then flying from one venue to the other?
My kid got to go with her bf's Dad and Step-mom to the Columbia game in KC last Friday, and they dropped over 4K for four tickets alone--in addition to temporarily having to buy 2 more because 2 of them were sold twice by FIFA. 6K to get into the game. Had Messi and Argentina been there, it would have been double that.
I mean, just because a country might struggle doesn’t mean the top 20,000 people who live there are.
And as I learned in college, it was pretty interesting that my friend who seemed the least fiscally responsible also happened to have the nicest stuff.
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People from supposedly poor countries flying in,
You're better than this.
Aren't you?
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But think I'll tune in to watch Jac in the HR Derby.
Go Gators!
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https://twitter.com/i/status/2074831464026247415
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NFL, NFL, NFL!!!
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It ain't the poor folks coming from those countries. Similar to Formula 1.
It's at the very least middle class dudes coming from places like England and Scotland and France.
And the ones coming from Colombia and Brazil and Argentina tend to be above that tier.
Which makes it all the more interesting to me that those people are so thrilled with our A/C and the Buccees.
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And Ranch dressing.
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Which makes it all the more interesting to me that those people are so thrilled with our A/C and the Buccees.
Well it's kind of weird to me because although I know a lot of private homes in Europe don't have A/C, every single hotel, manufacturing site, and office building I've ever been to there, has. And it's not like my company was putting me up in the Ritz Carlton, just very average business hotels.
As for Bucee's, they seem to be most impressed at the scale, the variety, and the sheer commerciality, of the whole thing. More the spectacle than anything else. Honestly plenty of Americans feel the same way about it.
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Go Gators!
He certainly isn't going to be in any sort of Baseball IQ derby
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I'm hoping Morocco can pull this off against France today.
France is the heavy favorite so it's not gonna be easy for the African team.
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I'm hoping Morocco can pull this off against France today.
France is the heavy favorite so it's not gonna be easy for the African team.
I know it's unpopular amongst global international soccer fans-- and, well, pretty much everyone else-- but I spent a lot of time in France and really love the place. So I always root for the French as my #2 team.
Allez les Bleus!!!
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It's kind of like the NCAA basketball tournament. While MSU is still in, I want the toughest competition knocked out. But once MSU goes down, I generally prefer the better teams advance, for a better product
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I know it's unpopular amongst global international soccer fans-- and, well, pretty much everyone else-- but I spent a lot of time in France and really love the place. So I always root for the French as my #2 team.
After all the whining from Europe, I want them all to lose.
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After all the whining from Europe, I want them all to lose.
All countries around the world hate the US pretty much equally. As a longtime soccer fan, you get used to it.
It's no different than being a Texas Longhorn fan honestly. Everyone hates us no matter what we do. No point in worrying about it.
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Got my charcuterie, champagne, and Chambord ready.
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Got my charcuterie, champagne, and Chambord ready.
Gross.
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I've got some brie and chevre, a baguette, and a ten-year-old Bordeaux at the ready.
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All countries around the world hate the US pretty much equally.
Not based on my personal encounters.
Of course, when you're visiting and spending money, they may just all smile and nod.
I have, however, spent extensive time in Italy and have found that they seem to genuinely love the US.
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I've got some brie and chevre, a baguette, and a ten-year-old Bordeaux at the ready.
Gross.
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Not based on my personal encounters.
Of course, when you're visiting and spending money, they may just all smile and nod.
I have, however, spent extensive time in Italy and have found that they seem to genuinely love the US.
I'm talking about international soccer fans. I assumed that's what you were referring to with the "whining" comment.
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Why would international soccer fans hate a team that hasn't won anything?
I mean, nobody hates Vanderbilt.
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Bono Guardameta is going to have his hands full with the French.
Very much looking forward to England-Norway tomorrow.
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Bono Guardameta is going to have his hands full with the French.
Very much looking forward to England-Norway tomorrow.
Gonna have to go with the new Wisconsin tight end on that one.
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I'll be rooting for Norway but also I have to say I'd love a final 4 of France, England, Spain, and Argentina.
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All countries around the world hate the US pretty much equally. As a longtime soccer fan, you get used to it.
It's no different than being a Texas Longhorn fan honestly. Everyone hates us no matter what we do. No point in worrying about it.
Drastically different.
The Texas Longhorns have a long history of success.
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Drastically different.
The Texas Longhorns have a long history of success.
Not recent but sure. But that's not really my point.
I'm just talking about what it feels like, as a fan. Being hated no matter what. There's nothing you can do or say, no defense you can manage, no justification you can construct no matter how truthful or righteous, to oppose the forces of sheer ignorance and stupidity that align against you.
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Not recent but sure. But that's not really my point.
I'm just talking about what it feels like, as a fan. Being hated no matter what. There's nothing you can do or say, no defense you can manage, no justification you can construct no matter how truthful or righteous, to oppose the forces of sheer ignorance and stupidity that align against you.
I mean you could keep losing, and eventually you could be Minnesota :57:
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I mean you could keep losing, and eventually you could be Minnesota :57:
Yikes. Do NOT @GopherRock (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=47) on that one.
Oh wait...
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I mean you could keep losing, and eventually you could be Minnesota :57:
And still be hated.
:96:
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Not recent but sure. But that's not really my point.
I'm just talking about what it feels like, as a fan. Being hated no matter what. There's nothing you can do or say, no defense you can manage, no justification you can construct no matter how truthful or righteous, to oppose the forces of sheer ignorance and stupidity that align against you.
As my own self-coined saying goes, "Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, he'll just knock over all the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like he won."
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(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyNHE0NDN4YWJpbXNmMTFpZGtwNm5leHl6bHA1cjIzN2p6dmxxemw5ZiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/jBDkwmIgmihgc/giphy-downsized.gif)
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Pretty dominant effort, though Mbappe was a little gimpy at the end
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Enjoyed my fine cheeses and Bordeaux wine yesterday.
Today I'll be rooting for tapas and wine over waffles and beer.
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Gonna make some sangria and garlic shrimp. Maybe pick up some crusty bread. I must treat train my wife to watch sports.
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Gonna make some sangria and garlic shrimp. Maybe pick up some crusty bread. I must treat train my wife to watch sports.
Beautiful. If I had more time I'd make paella. Maybe if they make it to the semis.
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It's no different than being a Texas Longhorn fan honestly. Everyone hates us no matter what we do. No point in worrying about it.
Just since 2000 Bama,Jawja,Sooner,LSU,tOSU fans say hello. I was going to mention Clemson but Dabo the Douche deserves it
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Just since 2000 Bama,Jawja,Sooner,LSU,tOSU fans say hello. I was going to mention Clemson but Dabo the Douche deserves it
Eh, it's not really the same because the Texas-hate is not really about winning, it's more about the perception that UT is wealthy and arrogant and abuses its power-- which is very much the same perception international fans have about the USA. Which is why I drew the parallel.
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Well then it would be warrented :93:
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Everybody says so. No point in arguing about it or worrying about it.
Same goes for the USA, we'll be hated by the ignorant low-IQ dipshits of the world regardless, so no point in being troubled by it.
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That too may be warrented
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If you say so. Whether you believe it's warranted or not, it's the perception, and there's no use being troubled by it. Stupid people think stupid things all the time. I can't stop them.
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Anyway, none of that has to do with Espana v. Belgie.
Geaux Paella Pushers!
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If you say so.
Goldern sensitve Texican see the emoji
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Goldern sensitve Texican see the emoji
Apologies, on my work computer, many images are blocked. All I see is the text. :'(
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Well here we go.
¡Vamos, La Roja!
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Spain was dominant early but we have a game now
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Everybody says so. No point in arguing about it or worrying about it.
Same goes for the USA, we'll be hated by the ignorant low-IQ dipshits of the world regardless, so no point in being troubled by it.
Stop getting so political, please. Take it to Area 51.
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WUT?
Anyway, I didn't eat my Moules Frites.
F'ing Espana!!
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(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.751d0b1728e2debcd98898cf9c8ee3a8?rik=eY%2bBCdES8GWkDA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fbestanimations.com%2fFlags%2fEurope%2fWestern%2fSpain%2fspain-flag-waving-animated-gif-6-big.gif&ehk=KUV%2bHg7ln3Hc%2b9YlQF%2ffWSD%2ftSDNnNL0Uzl4%2bdf44AA%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
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(https://i.imgur.com/ozSTym3.png)
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(https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/laughing-spanish-soccer-fan-beard-red-jersey-laughing-spanish-soccer-fan-beard-red-jersey-isolated-white-211184506.jpg)
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It's fish n chips time tonight. Maybe. A little too much sangria yesterday.
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I'm pulling for Norway but I ain't eatin' pickled herring.
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I'm pulling for Norway but I ain't eatin' pickled herring.
https://thenorwayguide.com/norways-national-dish/
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I'll eat that
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Tourists from Japan having a blast in the US. Gotta love it!
(A Wisconsin hat??)
(https://i.imgur.com/jrashKZ.jpeg)
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I'll eat that
Me too, but probably needed to start cooking it yesterday to eat it today.
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I can wait until tomorrow
I'm golfing this morning
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I've got some Gruyere for the Switzerland-Argentina game tonight.
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Grilled skirt steak, chimichurri, asparagus and roasted fingerlings.
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Grilled skirt steak, chimichurri, asparagus and roasted fingerlings.
Argentina man
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Actually I won't be watching any of today's soccer. My i s c & a aggie wife and I are going downtown to celebrate our anniversary, I've got dinner reservations at her favorite very pricey Japanese sushi restaurant, we'll be doing the full omakase experience. Then live music from one of our favorite local Austin blues acts, then staying in a hotel downtown.
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It's pretty funny how all of the "true soccer fans" from places like Mexico (who loves the sport perhaps more than any other country) and England (who invented the sport), who have been telling USA soccer fans for 5 days that we know nothing about the sport, we know nothing about what constitutes a red card, and we know nothing about how penalties are assessed and/or appealed....
...are now arguing online strictly along nationalist lines about whether the English Quansah penalty yesterday should have been a red card or not. Turns out it's never a red card if that would harm your side, and it's always a red card if that harms the folks you oppose or just plain don't like.
"Low soccer IQ" indeed. What a bunch of arrogant dipshit assholes.
HA!!! so it's just not me - same thing with WWII history comment sections on youtube. I call these carnival barkers (prolly the same guys) Youtube Tommies. Act like Montgomery and his minions saved the USA's arse. And how Montgomery's absolute debacle of market garden was actually failure on two US Airborne divisions part that were sent by IKE by british request. When Monty himself never was at the battle and even fessed up fault - after the War when he couldn't get called on the carpet. Bunch of revisionist Redcoats they are
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Argentina man
Rooting for the Americans.
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Hell of a game. England marches on.
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At this level, all of these teams REALLY good and these matches are addictive.
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Norwegians and Englishmen playing 120 min in Miami in July.
k
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Norwegians and Englishmen playing 120 min in Miami in July.
k
Gotta play somewhere
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Ya not like either of those teams would have HFA considering the climate they come from
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Well we got the final 4 I was hoping for, and pretty much expecting. Not going out on a limb, of course, these were the top 4 in the world in the FIFA rankings before the World Cup Finals tournament began.
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HA!!! so it's just not me - same thing with WWII history comment sections on youtube. I call these carnival barkers (prolly the same guys) Youtube Tommies. Act like Montgomery and his minions saved the USA's arse. And how Montgomery's absolute debacle of market garden was actually failure on two US Airborne divisions part that were sent by IKE by british request. When Monty himself never was at the battle and even fessed up fault - after the War when he couldn't get called on the carpet. Bunch of revisionist Redcoats they are
Now all of these people that assured me that folks in the USA are just completely soccer-ignorant and we should leave the futbol talk to the futbol nations, and that they always know the rules which are absolute and inviolate, are arguing amongst themselves along strictly nationalist lines, about whether or not a ball touched an overhead cable and whether or not if it did, that affected the outcome of the play and ultimately the game, between England and Norway. Turns out it's always a factor if it would help your team, and it's never a factor if it helps the other team. And none of it has anything to do with whether or not the USA was involved in the game.
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So naturally FIFA president says 64 teams is not off the table
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So naturally FIFA president says 64 teams is not off the table
College football tourney soon to follow!
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So naturally FIFA president says 64 teams is not off the table
I actually support 64 teams. For one, I don't watch or care about qualifiers at all, so it's not like I am missing out on high drama games before the World Cup. For two, it would bring more drama back to the group stage. The group stage was fun this year but confusing on who would make it and what the games would mean.
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I actually support 64 teams. For one, I don't watch or care about qualifiers at all, so it's not like I am missing out on high drama games before the World Cup. For two, it would bring more drama back to the group stage. The group stage was fun this year but confusing on who would make it and what the games would mean.
Yeah honestly I don't disagree with this take. I really enjoyed this year's expansion to 48 and I don't think 64 would break the whole thing.
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I actually enjoy watching the qualifiers. But 32 to 48 sort of already made those blah anyway, so I don't care too much about watering them down even more.
I would prefer going back to 32, or even 24, and doing away with the continental qualifying format, and doing maybe annual summer staggered qualifying tournaments that were larger events. The whole thing could be the World Cup, with every 4 years just being the World Cup final tournament
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I actually enjoy watching the qualifiers. But 32 to 48 sort of already made those blah anyway, so I don't care too much about watering them down even more.
I would prefer going back to 32, or even 24, and doing away with the continental qualifying format, and doing maybe annual summer staggered qualifying tournaments that were larger events. The whole thing could be the World Cup, with every 4 years just being the World Cup final tournament
Well that's exactly what it is now, it's just that the qualifiers are intra-federation and not inter-federation.
And honestly I'm not sure the EPL and other professional leagues would be interested in taking longer international breaks than they already do, if you turned the qualifiers into inter-continental events.
And if the pro leagues and pro teams don't release their best players, then all qualifiers would be more like C-squads. Which I don't think would be all that fun to watch regardless.
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Well that's exactly what it is now, it's just that the qualifiers are intra-federation and not inter-federation.
And honestly I'm not sure the EPL and other professional leagues would be interested in taking longer international breaks than they already do, if you turned the qualifiers into inter-continental events.
And if the pro leagues and pro teams don't release their best players, then all qualifiers would be more like C-squads. Which I don't think would be all that fun to watch regardless.
I mean, yes, but it's not really presented that way.
I think it could be done with fewer international windows, if you did one international window in the summer and got rid of the others. You'd lose the Euros, but aside from that, I could live without the Gold Cup etc...
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I mean, yes, but it's not really presented that way.
I think it could be done with fewer international windows, if you did one international window in the summer and got rid of the others. You'd lose the Euros, but aside from that, I could live without the Gold Cup etc...
UEFA makes a ton of money off the Euros, and they're strongly considering breaking away from FIFA right now as it is. I don't see any way they'd agree to that.
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Yeah, I'm well aware it will never happen
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Plus I like the Euros. It's like the World Cup but without all of the scrub teams from the Americas and Asia and Africa. :57:
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(https://i.imgur.com/SChMZiH.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/SChMZiH.png)
Not sure the popularity of this opinion, but their flag jerseys rocked.
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(https://www.comprarbanderas.es/images/banderas/400/21677-france-allez-les-bleus_400px.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/SChMZiH.png)
He had me at #3
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wouldn't mind seeing Messi win back to back world cups and walk-off into the sunset. always cool with the all-time greats go out on top. much better than when they keep going on as a shell of themselves and lose. that's sad to see.
think France has it in the bag though. from someone who knows nothing about the game- eye ball test tells me they just look like the best.
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wouldn't mind seeing Messi win back to back world cups and walk-off into the sunset. always cool with the all-time greats go out on top. much better than when they keep going on as a shell of themselves and lose. that's sad to see.
think France has it in the bag though. from someone who knows nothing about the game- eye ball test tells me they just look like the best.
Ever drive down to Miami to see him play? We've thought about driving over.
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wouldn't mind seeing Messi win back to back world cups and walk-off into the sunset. always cool with the all-time greats go out on top. much better than when they keep going on as a shell of themselves and lose. that's sad to see.
think France has it in the bag though. from someone who knows nothing about the game- eye ball test tells me they just look like the best.
The French definitely win the eye test.
They're very good, they should win, but ya never know.
I'm honestly good with any of the remaining 4 teams winning, there are good storylines for each.
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does Messi take advantage of his stardom to flop more than usual?
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Not that I'm going to say that OAM is right about Americans not giving a crap about soccer...
...but they clearly scheduled these games right during the Americans' work day so that the Euros don't have to stay up too late to watch them :57:
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Not that I'm going to say that OAM is right about Americans not giving a crap about soccer...
...but they clearly scheduled these games right during the Americans' work day so that the Euros don't have to stay up too late to watch them :57:
Well, sure. Like we've said probably two dozen times over the past two weeks, it's no secret that soccer fans are in the minority in the USA. Nobody has ever asserted that soccer is a hugely popular sport here.
At the same time, it's also silly to assert that ALL Americans in the US are now going to ignore the sport for the next 3 years, 11 months, and 2 weeks. The soccer fans, are going to continue to watch soccer, and talk about soccer, all year long, every year, between now and the next one. Just as we have done for the past 4 years, 8 years, 12 years, and so on.
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Posh Spice's hubby in Dallas hanging out whilst getting ready for the upcoming England-Argentina match.
(https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.99422-6/747832989_1054602096906950_3730016168296409123_n.png?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx2880x3840&ctp=p526x296&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=F41b855HPrYQ7kNvwGePq-U&_nc_oc=AdoyM93C9XjECQezletV8cpR0JidQx1cx1-6kt-6Mlha0soDNEswIVpa54Safd0VUJo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&_nc_gid=WZHq0fZWyujetmT1POl84w&_nc_ss=7a2a8&oh=00_AQAjNHRPy36TboKRpG3Sb4-EDFHxHvwgt6_uFlQM9LLY4w&oe=6A5C29D5)
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Ever drive down to Miami to see him play? We've thought about driving over.
saw him play in Barcelona at Camp Nou 10 years or so ago when he was in his prime. now that was something. went back couple years later for the museum tour and to go walk on the field at Camp Nou and that was great too.
never really had any desire to go see Inter Miami but that has been in large part bc they have been playing in fort lauderdale out west in some old shitty stadium they put lipstick on a pig over since the expansion team started- not sure if the brand new state of the art billion dollar complex they built down in Miami is even open yet. When that opens I'd love to go check it out.
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Like others here- France looked best to me. But Spain has owned them solidly in this match.
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Pretty clinical.
The penalty reminded me of a classic 'rules are rules # stupid targeting penalty and ejection against a DB the. Induced by a wr. No doubt a clever maneuver by the Spain guy with the French players leg up in the air.
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Did not see that coming. Spain just solid everywhere, and by the next WC they'll have the best player in the world, and hopefully healthy this time
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Wow that was a dominant performance. Espana lookin' very soccery.
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Yup. A complete defensive choke out of Les Blues.
I don't think either England or Argentina has the ability to crack that on Sunday.
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British fans online worried that the rain and thunderstorms in Atlanta might delay the game... ~???
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British fans online worried that the rain and thunderstorms in Atlanta might delay the game... ~???
Doesn't that place have a roof?
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Doesn't that place have a roof?
:72:
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A bad thunderstorm could still delay the game due to transportation issues...
There was a great buildup here about this and as yet I have not noticed much of anything around us aside from a few folks wearing uniforms and bars draping large banners outside to watch the WC here. It's not more crowded somehow.
I understand downtown had some larger events outside the dome.
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But any time someone points that out to them, some other helpful Euro jumps in to say, "well, large metal structures and lightning don't mix. And thunderstorms in the US are no joke!"
Which is of course true, but that's also precisely why large structures like that are thoroughly grounded, isolated, and shielded where necessary. We don't stop playing indoors when there's lightning.
And then another helpful Euro stops in to say, "Well, it would be dangerous as the fans enter the stadium."
Which is really funny, as if FIFA or anyone else cares about the fans entering the stadium. TV time slot, viewership, and ratings, are what drive the decisions.
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A bad thunderstorm could still delay the game due to transportation issues...
There was a great buildup here about this and as yet I have not noticed much of anything around us aside from a few folks wearing uniforms and bars draping large banners outside to watch the WC here. It's not more crowded somehow.
I understand downtown had some larger events outside the dome.
Well I mean, if it delayed the teams and officials and camera crews, then sure.
If it delayed the fans? Ha.
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I recall an SEC basketball tournament in a dome in Atlanta that was 'delayed' and then some by a rather severe storm.
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I recall an SEC basketball tournament in a dome in Atlanta that was 'delayed' and then some by a rather severe storm.
Sure. If the teams and officials and camera crews aren't there, they'll delay it.
All of those folks other than the teams are almost certainly there already.
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Regardless, the idea that the game will be delayed or postponed due to inclement weather, in the same way an outdoor game would be, is what they are proposing. And it's just not going to happen. They're simply unaccustomed to these enormous domed stadiums that we have here in the US.
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I recall an SEC basketball tournament in a dome in Atlanta that was 'delayed' and then some by a rather severe storm.
But that just means more
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I recall an SEC basketball tournament in a dome in Atlanta that was 'delayed' and then some by a rather severe storm.
IIRC it was a power outage. But I think it was in Nashville.
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Hmm well now I just read an article that mentioned FIFA could be following a protocol regarding lightning strikes in the area regardless of indoor/outdoor. So there you have it. The Euros' fears are founded.
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IIRC it was a power outage. But I think it was in Nashville.
Storm that damaged Georgia Dome, Atlanta was a tornado - ESPN
(https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/champweek2008/news/story?id=3295046)It was a tornado, in Atlanta, and did a fair bit of damage.
SEC Storied: Miracle 3 - Southeastern Conference (https://www.secsports.com/news/2020/07/sec-storied-miracle-3)
On March 14, 2008, Alabama found itself trailing Mississippi State 59-56 in the final seconds of the first quarterfinal game of the evening session. Crimson Tide guard Mykal Riley sank a desperation three-pointer as time expired, sending the game into overtime. That shot not only extended Alabama's season for the moment, but it may have prevented thousands of fans from pouring into the city streets just as a tornado touched down outside the Georgia Dome a few minutes later.
Though no one in the Georgia Dome was injured, the building felt the effects of the twister. Enough damage was done to the Georgia Dome to not only delay the completion of the Alabama-Mississippi State game and eventually cause a postponement of the last quarterfinal game of the day, but also to force SEC officials to find a new home to finish the tournament on schedule. Ultimately the University of Georgia Bulldogs, who finished last in the regular season, managed to win three games in a 30-hour period to earn the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
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Storm that damaged Georgia Dome, Atlanta was a tornado - ESPN
(https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/champweek2008/news/story?id=3295046)It was a tornado, in Atlanta, and did a fair bit of damage.
SEC Storied: Miracle 3 - Southeastern Conference (https://www.secsports.com/news/2020/07/sec-storied-miracle-3)
On March 14, 2008, Alabama found itself trailing Mississippi State 59-56 in the final seconds of the first quarterfinal game of the evening session. Crimson Tide guard Mykal Riley sank a desperation three-pointer as time expired, sending the game into overtime. That shot not only extended Alabama's season for the moment, but it may have prevented thousands of fans from pouring into the city streets just as a tornado touched down outside the Georgia Dome a few minutes later.
Though no one in the Georgia Dome was injured, the building felt the effects of the twister. Enough damage was done to the Georgia Dome to not only delay the completion of the Alabama-Mississippi State game and eventually cause a postponement of the last quarterfinal game of the day, but also to force SEC officials to find a new home to finish the tournament on schedule. Ultimately the University of Georgia Bulldogs, who finished last in the regular season, managed to win three games in a 30-hour period to earn the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
I stand corrected. I don't remember the basketball tourney being in the Georgia Dome.
There were some weather fears a few years back in Nashville, I guess that's what is in my noggin.
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I stand corrected. I don't remember the basketball tourney being in the Georgia Dome.
There were some weather fears a few years back in Nashville, I guess that's what is in my noggin.
Much like world history started in 1776, to Aggies, SEC sports began in 2012
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Hmm well now I just read an article that mentioned FIFA could be following a protocol regarding lightning strikes in the area regardless of indoor/outdoor. So there you have it. The Euros' fears are founded.
Euros don't believe roofs are real
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Euros don't believe roofs are real
They don't believe AC is real.
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They don't believe AC is real.
:72:
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Hmm well now I just read an article that mentioned FIFA could be following a protocol regarding lightning strikes in the area regardless of indoor/outdoor. So there you have it. The Euros' fears are founded.
Wait, you mean you thought one thing, then learned new information, then changed your mind, instead of digging your heels in and explaining all the ways you were right anyway, or how stupid or corrupt things are?
How novel. I don't even know what to call that phenomenon.
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Wait, you mean you thought one thing, then learned new information, then changed your mind, instead of digging your heels in and explaining all the ways you were right anyway, or how stupid or corrupt things are?
How novel. I don't even know what to call that phenomenon.
Well I can still think it's silly, but yeah, I can admit I was wrong and modify my perceptions. It happens so rarely that I almost don't recall the words, but even a broken squirrel finds a nut twice a day. Or something.
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Well I can still think it's silly, but yeah, I can admit I was wrong and modify my perceptions. It happens so rarely that I almost don't recall the words, but even a broken squirrel finds a nut twice a day. Or something.
“I thought I was wrong once,” Seldom said, “but I found out later I was mistaken.”
― Edward Abbey, The Monkey Wrench Gang (https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2803318)
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Also, its FIFA, thinking they are relying on anything other than how they feel is hilarious.
Also, if research shows that the ratings in Europe will be high either way, but moving it to primetime will substantially raise ratings in the Americas makes me MORE sure they will push it into primetime
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Is there any data to suggest that a match not involving the USMNT will do better on American TV in primetime vs. during the day?
And also is there any data to suggest that the European audience won't shrink as a result of kicking off at 11 PM instead of 8 PM? I know that F1 race audiences shrink when they're not broadcast in ideal timeslots in Europe, but admittedly I don't know anything about how international soccer does under similar circumstances.
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Well I can still think it's silly, but yeah, I can admit I was wrong and modify my perceptions. It happens so rarely that I almost don't recall the words, but even a broken squirrel finds a nut twice a day. Or something.
Hey, I have no difficulty admitting when I'm wrong...
...and if that day ever comes, I'll let you know.
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My 2 cents is worth 37 bucks and some change.
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We were going over some calculations at work one day, and it was an all hands on deck situation. At like 8 pm one guy said he figured out where the math was wrong. One of the new associates said he always got the math right. I said in fairness, we thought he was wrong one time, but it turned out it was math that was wrong. I won that night
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Is there any data to suggest that a match not involving the USMNT will do better on American TV in primetime vs. during the day?
And also is there any data to suggest that the European audience won't shrink as a result of kicking off at 11 PM instead of 8 PM? I know that F1 race audiences shrink when they're not broadcast in ideal timeslots in Europe, but admittedly I don't know anything about how international soccer does under similar circumstances.
NBC has been selling their Olympic ad inventory based on large ratings for events that start at 7AM CDT, and it sounds like they've been doing a fine job of it.
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I'm now convinced Argentina will repeat as Champs.
They can lose for 92 minutes and still win.
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I am sure I have been more excited watching a sporting event, but I can’t remember when.
That was incredible. Great match.
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I'm convinced the England coaching staff has experience at the University of Minnesota.
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The little 15 min highlight videos right after the games end on youtube are perfect for me. It's the absolute maximum amount of soccer I can handle, and I see the action without all the jogging around bits.
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maybe I should try that
nah
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No storms here today, yet.
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https://twitter.com/Ariannnyy_/status/2077342490961539439?s=20
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https://twitter.com/TrollFootball/status/2077505061807444156?s=20
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The little 15 min highlight videos right after the games end on youtube are perfect for me. It's the absolute maximum amount of soccer I can handle, and I see the action without all the jogging around bits.
Argentina has the same strategy
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The local morning drive time radio show was doing a comparison between goal calls... One was the Telemundo announcer (who is apparently from Argentina), and one was the local Argentine announcer.
Obviously these goal calls were crazy over the top, as is the custom...
But I was wondering. In the little bit of coverage I've watched, it seems QUITE common that goals are overturned--especially due to offsides.
Don't the announcers end up feeling silly for losing their goddamned minds calling a goal and then upon review... It's not a goal?
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How do you all feel about the Prevent Defense? That (the "Low Block" or "parking the bus") is what England tried for about 35 minutes yesterday. Bad move. And the coaching staff is taking the appropriate beating for it.
Looking forward to Spain vs. Argentina. Feel good about Spain's chances.
The third place match between France and England feels like it could be an absolute snoozer, or a really fun, free-wheeling game (at least from France).
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The local morning drive time radio show was doing a comparison between goal calls... One was the Telemundo announcer (who is apparently from Argentina), and one was the local Argentine announcer.
Obviously these goal calls were crazy over the top, as is the custom...
But I was wondering. In the little bit of coverage I've watched, it seems QUITE common that goals are overturned--especially due to offsides.
Don't the announcers end up feeling silly for losing their goddamned minds calling a goal and then upon review... It's not a goal?
They do not.
I listened to an interview with one of them and he basically said you should act like the Big play counts for an extended period and then pull back when you really know.
because the call of a cool Big play is probably gonna get re-broadcast and you don’t want the re-broadcast to include you waffling about it.
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Not only did they park the bus tactically with their on-field play, but they pulled attackers and replaced them with defenders. So then later when they needed to go back on the attack, they didn't have personnel on the field to do so.
So basically, our longtime adage from American football applies-- the Prevent defense just Prevents you from winning.
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How do you all feel about the Prevent Defense? That (the "Low Block" or "parking the bus") is what England tried for about 35 minutes yesterday. Bad move. And the coaching staff is taking the appropriate beating for it.
Looking forward to Spain vs. Argentina. Feel good about Spain's chances.
The third place match between France and England feels like it could be an absolute snoozer, or a really fun, free-wheeling game (at least from France).
Cost them the match, IMO, but I'm no expert.
As we say in football, the only thing a prevent defense prevents is winning.
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When Spain knocked France out of the World Cup, it made me think about how nobody could beat Nadal in the French Open, and so it made me think....hasn't France suffered enough at the hands of Spain?
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Not to mention his popularization of capri pants....
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I started watching some game and within five minutes three players had Lebroned. That was all I watched. I used to be a soccer ref so I know most of the rules, I dislike flopping intensely.
The women used to be better.
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Women flop more than they used to but still nothing like the men.
When Spain knocked France out of the World Cup, it made me think about how nobody could beat Nadal in the French Open, and so it made me think....hasn't France suffered enough at the hands of Spain?
France has lost the last 3 in soccer alone. You have to go back to 2021 for a France win. It'd be embarrassing... if soccer really mattered. ;)
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so, internet rumor says world cup fans booed Jerry Jones in this own stadium?
not surprising
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Cowboys fans boo Jerry Jones in his own stadium on the reg.
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as they should
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But I doubt there were many boos at a soccer game. American soccer fans would barely know who he is, and international soccer fans would have no idea. Sounds more like someone looking to manufacture some kind of story for clicks.
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My brother is in Argentina right now, he sent me a pic of the celebration
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But I doubt there were many boos at a soccer game. American soccer fans would barely know who he is, and international soccer fans would have no idea. Sounds more like someone looking to manufacture some kind of story for clicks.
a lot of Dallas Cowboy fans in Mexico
if Mexico was playing in the soccer match
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a lot of Dallas Cowboy fans in Mexico
if Mexico was playing in the soccer match
Mexican national team played all their matches in Mexico.
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OK, my buddy who spent many years living in Spain, is having us over to watch the Final match at his house on Sunday. He'll be making the paella, I'll bring the homemade sangria.
I'm all-in on España.
Which means Argentina will probably win. So get your bets placed now!
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America!
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Not MY America!
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Neither is Espana.
Messi plays in Miami.
America!
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Miami ain't MY America either, bub.
¡Vamos, la Roja!
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Miami, FL, USA.
Gonna be there in a few months, returning on a ship from... Espana.
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I like Spain a hell of a lot more than I like Miami.
¡Vamos, la Roja!
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Miami has good and bad, just as everywhere else. I like parts of it and some parts you just stay away.
The town where I live has an armpit, as does yours. Not many places have no armpit.
I've never been to Madrid or Malaga. Only Barcelona (X3), Valencia and Seville.
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Not talking about armpits, of course every place has them. You're off on some odd tangents today, I think you either need a snickers bar or a gin and tonic. Maybe both.
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Why don't you like Miami?
I don't want a Snickers. Maybe a taco.
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Fella needs a gummy.
Or three.
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It's not that I don't like Miami, I just like Spain a hell of a lot more. :)
Tacos sound good though. I'm about to head out and I think that'll be my lunch.
ETA: I've never had tacos in Miami OR Spain, for what it's worth.
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I've had fish tacos in Miami. They were great.
Does Spain do tacos? Not sure I've ever seen one there.
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I've had fish tacos in Miami. They were great.
Does Spain do tacos? Not sure I've ever seen one there.
I've never tried to find them, it's definitely not a Spanish thing so they'd just be attempting Mexican food and I strongly advise against eating any kind of attempted Mexican food in Europe....
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Tacos sound good though. I'm about to head out and I think that'll be my lunch.
Stay away from any lettuce til they get this bug fixed. Don't want weeks of explosive diarrhea.
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Fella needs a gummy.
Or three.
I was very tempted last weekend, hotel in Grand Junction, CO was right across the street from a dispensary.
But I probably would have had a stroke transporting them back home. Would try to tell myself I only see the dummies that get caught--that there's 100x more that don't...but I'm not very convincing in my own brain.
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Stay away from any lettuce til they get this bug fixed. Don't want weeks of explosive diarrhea.
I had some street tacos, barbacoa. No lettuce present, but it did have fresh cilantro so hopefully those greens weren't tainted.
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bad brown lettuce is bad
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bad brown lettuce is bad
(https://i.otto.de/i/otto/2f56cfc8-acb7-5f4a-ab60-6a1d5aebef10/woodstock-t-shirt-stay-away-from-the-brown-acid-t-shirt-mintgreen.jpg?$formatz$)
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I get up around seven
Get out of bed around nine
I don't worry about nothing, no
Because worry's a waste of my time
Show usually starts around seven
We go on stage around nine
Get on the bus about eleven
Sippin' a drink and feelin' fine
We've been dancing with
Mister Brownstone
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In Spain, a "taco" usually refers to a cube of meat or a swear word. However, "Spanish tacos" can refer to a fusion recipe blending Mexican tortillas with Iberian ingredients. These typically feature meats seasoned with smoked paprika (pimentón), sautéed peppers, and Spanish cheeses like Manchego.
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yumm
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It's funny watching the Euros talk about how Americans are shocked that there's a 3rd place game, as if we aren't completely familiar with the Olympics and other international tournaments and how this is common in team sport tourneys all the world around.
Even strictly American tourneys like the NCAA basketball tournament have had a 3rd place game. But of course, we scrapped that decades ago, because honestly, they're kind of silly and pointless.
And then you've got the fact that folks like Harry Kane aren't even starting and might not even play, which shows us all exactly how seriously the Euros themselves take this match...
Regardless, I'm still watching, because it's entertaining. Which is the point.
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This is just going to make England fans even madder
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Yeah did I say it would be entertaining? This is... well... a slaughter.
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Spoke too soon... again?
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It's not that I don't like Miami, I just like Spain a hell of a lot more. :)
Same lol. Barcelona just might be my favorite place in the world.
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Now this is how to make a good third place game
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This is freaking great. I love the futbol!
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I predict fewer goals tomorrow
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The Big 12 has invaded the World Cup
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I predict fewer goals tomorrow
Indeed. :)
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Would a good comp to twelving in futbol be the losing team has 3+ goals?
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Also, if a tie is like kissing your sister, what is a 3rd-place win like?
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Also, if a tie is like kissing your sister, what is a 3rd-place win like?
SEC championship
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SEC championship
The pinnacle of existence, got it.
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Alright the menu for tomorrow's watch party is set.
I'll be making brisket-and-chimichurri street tacos in support of Argentina, while my friend will be making seafood paella to prop up the Spaniards.
My i s c & a aggie wife is coming in strong with the homemade sangria. It'll be an international feast.
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Spain dominated and only won 1-0. That goalie for Argentina played the game of his life.
Spain’s defense is suffocating. Guess it still holds true in every sport- offense wins games- defense wins championships.
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Spain dominated and only won 1-0. That goalie for Argentina played the game of his life.
Spain’s defense is suffocating. Guess it still holds true in every sport- offense wins games- defense wins championships.
Spain is peak Alabama under Saban. Completely dominant and able to suck all joy out of a game
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I'm glad to hear it's over. There is some noisy watch party in the park with booming rock music, or maybe it's more not rock, just booming subwoofer now. The police presence has been impresssive, five GSP cars parked just on our street.
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Spain’s defense is suffocating. Guess it still holds true in every sport- offense wins games- defense wins championships.
well, if the opponent doesn't take a shot, or have a shot on goal..................
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Time to close the thread...
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Back to the WNBA I guess. I might turn baseball on if it were actually on television anymore. But it's not on a channel I get. Who would have thought it's easier to watch the WNBA than MLB?
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don't forget NBA summer league :34:
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Was at a family gathering in Houston yesterday where the game was on the big tv.
Vaguely watched them run around with no goals scored and then time expired with a 0-0 tie. We had to leave not long after.
Soccer is frickin' boring.
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On the plus side, one of my cousins husband did the brisket, and though he is a goofy Aggie, that dude knows how to smoke it right. Superb, and it should probably go on the Happy thread.
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Was at a family gathering in Houston yesterday where the game was on the big tv.
Vaguely watched them run around with no goals scored and then time expired with a 0-0 tie. We had to leave not long after.
Soccer is frickin' boring.
(https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15924687/beamer.0.0.1481900011.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,3.4699457796697,100,93.060108440661)
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Glad to see Espana win it.
And the brisket-chimichurri street tacos were delicious.
Now back to the real world I guess. At least college football is just around the corner.
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On the plus side, one of my cousins husband did the brisket, and though he is a goofy Aggie, that dude knows how to smoke it right. Superb, and it should probably go on the Happy thread.
You know the protocol send each of our Panel of junk yard dogs distinguished culinary palates a sample plate - then a ruling !!!
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(https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15924687/beamer.0.0.1481900011.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,3.4699457796697,100,93.060108440661)
Exactly.
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You know the protocol send each of our Panel of junk yard dogs distinguished culinary palates a sample plate - then a ruling !!!
The brisket, like the check, is in the mail.
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(https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15924687/beamer.0.0.1481900011.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,3.4699457796697,100,93.060108440661)
Outlier vs norm. We all know this.
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not in the Big Ten
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Outlier vs norm. We all know this.
(https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13366373/BamaLSU5.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100)
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That's 3-2 in soccer, hope you bet on the over!
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(https://i.imgur.com/e01726a.png)
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That's 3-2 in soccer, hope you bet on the over!
More like a 0-0 in soccer that goes to a shootout where everyone misses
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Keep 'em coming, they really negate the 900 games per season that aren't like that. Someone should study this board with the lack of sample size acumen. It's truly amazing.
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More like a 0-0 in soccer that goes to a shootout where everyone misses
k
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Seriously? You're all arguing over this?
I haven't done the analysis, but I'd say the number of CFB games that end with a combined score <20 points is tiny. Probably low single digit percentage.
OAM is right. Those games are outliers. OF COURSE they exist... But that doesn't mean they're representative.
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Seriously? You're all arguing over this?
I haven't done the analysis, but I'd say the number of CFB games that end with a combined score <20 points is tiny. Probably low single digit percentage.
OAM is right. Those games are outliers. OF COURSE they exist... But that doesn't mean they're representative.
Of course, this skips right past OAM's point that low scoring games are by definition boring, which is complete and utter nonsense. So we are just having a go at him like always.
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Seriously? You're all arguing over this?
I haven't done the analysis, but I'd say the number of CFB games that end with a combined score <20 points is tiny. Probably low single digit percentage.
OAM is right. Those games are outliers. OF COURSE they exist... But that doesn't mean they're representative.
apparently, you don't follow Iowa
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Of course, this skips right past OAM's point that low scoring games are by definition boring, which is complete and utter nonsense. So we are just having a go at him like always.
Wrong.
Soccer is boring. It also has many low-scoring games, like the WC final.
Soccer being boring is my opinion, which nothing you can post will negate.
So have fun with that.
I love baseball pitcher's duels. So yeah.
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Wrong.
Soccer is boring. It also has many low-scoring games, like the WC final.
Soccer being boring is my opinion, which nothing you can post will negate.
So have fun with that.
I love baseball pitcher's duels. So yeah.
Well this just shows you have bad taste, which we already knew
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k
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I switched off the game immediately after it finished, but apparently there was a kerfuffle afterwards with the Argentine players getting chippy. I'm gonna assume nothing will happen to them but some people on the internet are salty about it.
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k
that seems to be your cute catch phrase reseponse,come up with some new material,k?
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Be thankful for the 'k' it replaces all the stuff none of you want to hear.
It's a gift.
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I switched off the game immediately after it finished, but apparently there was a kerfuffle afterwards with the Argentine players getting chippy. I'm gonna assume nothing will happen to them but some people on the internet are salty about it.
Nothing will happen to the salty people either, they'll get over it
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Humor.
(https://i.imgur.com/6gx4QSA.jpeg)
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Nothing will happen to the salty people either, they'll get over it
or they won't
I'm over it and the salty people
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It was a dud of a game, about as interesting as last Tuesday's MLB all star game w 20+ ks and a couple weak hits.
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Soccer is ice hockey on a much larger grass field, minus the constant excitement and lightening quickness.
Oh, and add a heavy dose of flopping.
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For folks who don't like soccer y'all sure spend a lot of time on the soccer thread.
Personally I can't stand MLB-- which is why you don't see me posting on the MLB thread.
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For folks who don't like soccer y'all sure spend a lot of time on the soccer thread.
Personally I can't stand MLB-- which is why you don't see me posting on the MLB thread.
Hello everyone. Oh, I see you are enjoying a sporting event. Apparently, billions of people also enjoy this event. Well, I just want you to know that I don't enjoy it. I think it is really important for me to tell you this repeatedly.
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I enjoy watching soccer, for different reasons than I enjoy watching hockey, football, and college basketball. I haven't watched MLB since we moved here. Probably going on 15 years since I've looked at the NBA.
For most US citizens, soccer is an acquired sport.
Kinda like blue cheese for young people.
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I don't dislike soccer, just stating the Final was a dreadful bore.
There were no shortage of compelling knockout games, England v Mexico as an obvious example.
Of course the SB and CFP are not immune to lousy games.
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I wouldn't call myself a soccer fan. And I probably won't really watch much of it again until WC 2030.
But I got a fair amount of enjoyment out of it. It's sports. It's exciting because you know it's the pinnacle of the game, teams and their fan bases are invested, and a lot is on the line.
Could do without all the flopping, though.
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For folks who don't like soccer y'all sure spend a lot of time on the soccer thread.
Personally I can't stand MLB-- which is why you don't see me posting on the MLB thread.
I don't watch much B10 football, but I post here constantly.
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Could do without all the flopping, though.
That's the biggest thing to me. If there is an blatently obvious flop, show the yellow. That'll help stop it.
My wife said once: "Wow, I don't think he's gonna play again with the way he's rolling around in pain."
Me, 30 seconds later: "Look at how fast he's running."
She quickly learned.
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No discussion I've seen here about the red card the Argentine player got near the end of regulation. I don't watch enough soccer or know nearly enough about the finer rules to have a knowledgeable opinion, but curious what the soccer-followers here thought.
Knowing nothing more than I do, I thought it was an impressive somersault by a player who was acting, and who was athletic enough to pull it off, and I didn't like the red card. His leg got hit a little bit for sure, but there was no way he had to go feet-over-ass like that. He clearly flipped himself.
So if you get hit like that, is that a good foul(???....penalty? violation?) that should get a player ejected, or did his acrobatic gymnast-flip fool the officials into thinking it was worse than it was?
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Sure, I don't like the flopping either. The Euro teams (aside from Italy) have always tended to do it less than the South American teams, which is one reason I've tended to prefer Euro soccer. But these days they all seem to do it more than before.
Of course there are things I don't like about American football either-- including the fake injury/flopping we see from various teams' defenses when they're trying to slow down the offense. And terrible PI calls. And terrible roughing the passer calls. And terrible targeting calls. And terrible holding/lack of holding calls.
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It was his second yellow.
His first yellow was a dumb foul by him.
Two yellows equal a red.
I did not find it questionable really, but I'm no expert.
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I see. That makes more sense.
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Yup. It was hard and out of control, he clearly wasn't going to get to the ball before Spain did, and he kicked through it anyway. It was a definite yellow and because it was his second, it became a red and the dude got sent off.
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Speaking as a soccer referee, happy trails. He was fortunate not to get a second yellow earlier immediately after his first yellow for the initial dissent. The point of the yellow (a "caution") is to put you on notice that you are on thin ice. You can't make that play (the one that got him sent off) when you are already on a caution. No controversy at all about the send off (red, for the second yellow).
And bigger picture, Argentina was getting away with a lot of BS in that game. They could have had many more yellows, and likely one or two more reds. They lost because they played a better team, and they played dirty to try to even the game out. Which, unfortunately, worked. That, and Spain not having particularly good aim with most of its chances.
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Yup Argentina was playing some dirty South American ball for that game, and much of the rest of the tournament, at least the games I saw of theirs.
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I did watch most of the game, since I completely F'd up my hand and there was no going on the lake. Motor wouldn't turn over, so I grabbed some cruddy old pliers to tighten the battery cables, arced my wedding ring when I turned too far and hit both battery posts with the pliers.
My secretary said gold melts at 1000+ degrees. Never heard my own flesh sizzling before, interesting.
Anyhoo, I was glad Spain scored. It would have been tragic had the team that never even had gotten a single shot on goal to that point ended up winning on penalty kicks, after being absolutely dominated.
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Jeez man. How is the hand doing?
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Medium-rare?
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Jeez man. How is the hand doing?
Got talked into calling the local plastic surgeon. Originally was told he's booked through August, which would be a little frickin late.
His wife interjected and asked for pics. Then I got a call that he would see me first thing in the morning, which, was actually a little alarming. I don't have time for that shit. Nor the next big frickin bill.
But, after checking it out, should be ok if it doesn't get numb or turn colors for lack of blood flow in the next few days.
It actually doesn't hurt as bad as you would think by looking at it.
Glad I yanked it off, and was able to, even though it burned the tips of my fingers on my right hand doing so.
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Since the wedding ring caused it, feels like you have the forever trump card at least.
Glad you are getting in so quickly
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Since the wedding ring caused it, feels like you have the forever trump card at least.
Glad you are getting in so quickly
Thanks, he was a nice dude.
I had entertained getting a tattoo of a ring on that finger years ago, like this local pastor I know has.
Guess I got it branded like I'm in a black fraternity instead.
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Medium-rare?
Since this is the World Cup thread, has anyone noticed when travelling in Europe, all steak is either rare or well done? You say mid rare, it's rare. You say mid well, it's well. Pink is not an option, and I've eaten at some good places in England, Scotland, France, Netherlands, and Greece. It's essentially done, which is well done, or not done, which is rare
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I avoid steak in Europe, their beef sucks. It's fine for long-braising like boeuf bourguignon but for steaks it's just not worth it.
But on the rare occasions in France when I'd get steak, you could order it well-done (bien cuit) and it'd still come out rare.
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I think the beef in Tuscany is excellent, but the rest of Europe? Nah.
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same with pizza
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I did watch most of the game, since I completely F'd up my hand and there was no going on the lake. Motor wouldn't turn over, so I grabbed some cruddy old pliers to tighten the battery cables, arced my wedding ring when I turned too far and hit both battery posts with the pliers.
My secretary said gold melts at 1000+ degrees. Never heard my own flesh sizzling before, interesting.
Anyhoo, I was glad Spain scored. It would have been tragic had the team that never even had gotten a single shot on goal to that point ended up winning on penalty kicks, after being absolutely dominated.
good story on the finger! y'all know better, I hope. Silly Wildcats
why would the secretary know these things????
Yup, argentina was dominated. Spain shouldn't have let it come down to the last few minutes. Dumbasses.
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I think the beef in Tuscany is excellent, but the rest of Europe? Nah.
I've had it, it's okay. It's definitely not excellent. Mediocre beef in the US is better.
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Musta been a bad day for the chef or a bad cow.
I do wish they would cook it a little more. They won't.
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good cows can be hard to find
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Also tough to find a steak that is not rare to raw in Tuscany. They won't go anywhere past that, and many places will kick you out of you ask otherwise*.
Unless you're in a major tourist hub, where they might cook it to medium - tops.
* Kinda like asking for ketchup at a Chicago hot dog stand.
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I would be fine with that - as long as it's warm
I can actually eat it with a cool center and enjoy it.
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I like it rare that's not an issue. High quality beef is great rare.
European beef, is not.
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I don't like any beef cooked rare, regardless of origin. Neither does my wife. She'll go M-R, and I prefer M.
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I'll eat it raw if it's good enough. :)
(https://coleycooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/beef-carpaccio-11.jpg)
(https://www.aspicyperspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/steak-tartare-recipe-22.jpg)
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I've done that. It's not bad but I prefer tuna raw or salmon raw over beef raw.
My favorite raw food is Uni.
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I like 'em all.
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Mmmm.....salmon. Brought some smoked salmon for lunch today. Over yellow rice, broccoli with lemon pepper on the side.
Is it lunch time yet?
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It's always lunch time.
Eat what you want, when you want it.
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No way man.
I eat breakfast sometime between 7 AM and 9 AM and it can only be eggs and bacon.
I eat lunch between 11 AM and 1 PM and it must be a sandwich that has zero eggs or bacon.
And I eat dinner between 6 PM and 8 PM and it is always beef and potatoes.
To do anything else would be uncivilized.
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good story on the finger! y'all know better, I hope. Silly Wildcats
why would the secretary know these things????
That's a big part of life, right? Do stupid stuff, let it be a lesson for your friends and family by not being afraid to share the dumbness.
Secretary didn't know, but the google provides. I wouldn't have thought to check.
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(https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.99422-6/753857459_1990016944969605_9008407124447015855_n.png?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1080&ctp=p526x296&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=A-VsOcug9fsQ7kNvwFNY1oI&_nc_oc=Adp4TV_cKArf2RFvzmo9X4Tg_euWIIxRVEpBJlmui6yp528fZDyO4KlHGPCffkn2xr4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&_nc_gid=UsN8oOdeWjTGQVhFMDOOpQ&_nc_ss=7a2a8&oh=00_AQDUTVlj_-UtTCigZVFBIljygP1YdIdVIOFMhv3CYUswDA&oe=6A682875)
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And then of course:
(https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.99422-6/753356787_1581989053432551_8496950476119698328_n.png?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1350&ctp=s640x640&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=2kWDSUV1lc8Q7kNvwHejzNW&_nc_oc=AdrJrD2Qz7oHHtnH2uT1UvnGza0kpJQxQON7qggfatrR1OP2uvOp-5iG6UWKEEgvJSM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=si8qKxWiVBsb9Qog95ZtOg&_nc_ss=7a2a8&oh=00_AQC2sT7mtvBTiIbvWJNsMsL2ldRuEw-RvEDGqxi4e9wJ7w&oe=6A6862AD)
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No way man.
I eat breakfast sometime between 7 AM and 9 AM and it can only be eggs and bacon.
I eat lunch between 11 AM and 1 PM and it must be a sandwich that has zero eggs or bacon.
And I eat dinner between 6 PM and 8 PM and it is always beef and potatoes.
To do anything else would be uncivilized.
You joke, but...
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Dang, you guys can still get away with eating three meals a day? I'm down to one.
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I guess it's time to fire up the World Cup 2030 thread.
U.S. Soccer Federation and Mauricio Pochettino Agree to New Contract Through 2030
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/08/usmnt/mauricio-pochettino-head-coach-new-contract-through-2030
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Lock this. I am reliably informed nobody cares about soccer under current news-cycle conditions.
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English Premier League is into the pre-season friendlies. The true American soccer fans are invested in that, and the MLS, and on the women's side the NWSL and national team friendlies against Spain that are coming up.
And the FIFA/UEFA drama! But yeah, I suspect this thread has run its course.
/irony
:)
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Is there another soccer thread, a general one? We could drag that up.
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Or just change the name of this thread?