World Cup Matches

Yes, planning on watching as many matches as I can. "The Beautiful Game" is beautiful to watch. The required teamwork is magic to watch.

I hope the American team does well. The game today with England is a big test for them.

 

Just saw Korea's second goal. Will watch every moment I can. Ireland did not qualify due to an obvious French handball.

Down with French. Come on the Yanks!

 

I will watch USA/England, and will try to watch any match involving USA and some of the Mexican matches. I wanted France to get ZERO points and go home, so I'm already a little bummed :tongue3:

 

They did score 0 points and they're certainly not going home after 1 game. Buck up, Tom, there's still a chance that France will be eliminated after Group play. :wavey:

 

Don't you get one point for a tie?

 

I don't know. I guess they would have to, but I don't really know.

 

Sadly, France does get a point for the draw

 

Hence, my anguish. Like you, I believe justice would be a three and out for the French.

 

Can somebody tell me something? For years, we keep hearing about how soccer isn't as popular in the U.S. as it is around the world. Why is this such a terrible thing? Does anybody criticize Canada because hockey is more popular than soccer? Does anybody criticize India because cricket is more popular than soccer? Why do we get the criticism about soccer not being as popular as if this was such a horrible thing?

 

I don't think anyone is critical that the US does not consider association football a major sport. It is just a fact. The only sad thing is that with the potential talent the US could dominate world football.

What I find sad is the ridicule and mocking for those who do love the Beautiful Game.

Those who don't like it can simply ignore it.

 

You might be right, but my perception is that it has always been stated as criticism of the U.S.

Agreed. As a fan of a sport, Nascar, that routinely gets ridiculed, I know exactly what you mean.

 

I'm not a big Nascar fan, but who am I to be critical of those who are?

I live in Europe (duh) and the only comments I hear about the US and soccer is that it is not a major sport.

I think most countries are thrilled that the US does not take soccer seriously.

 

Rooting for USA oviosly, but Spain put on the best exibition of soccer I have ever witnessed against Ploand in a tune up match. Looking forward to watching them in the Cup.

Shocked that the USA played pretty much even with England in the second half.

 

England appear to be in disarray. Most of them seem more concerned with looking good themselves than with the team.

Waiting to see Spain. Have not seen them since their loss to the US in last years's Confederations Cup.

 

Watched the NBA Finals Game 5 last night with friends from church and I commented that the Celtics were likely to beat the Lakers because they played better team defense. One of the guys who followed soccer and seems to know what he's talking about said that's why the U.S. didn't lose to England in the World Cup. He said England has better individual players, but the U.S. played a better team game.

 

If you didn't see the game, you should know he is spot on. US played poorly at the start. They seemed very nervous and a bit afraid of making a mistake, which they did very early. After that they picked up a bit of confidence as the match went on. It was plain even for a non soccer fan to see that the US had very few that could play at the level of the Brits. Gooch, Donovan, Altidore, and Howard would probably be all. Maybe Dempsey and Bradley on a good night. But team played kept them alive. Second and third man defending was good.

Put Howard on England and you might see England win it all.

 

They looked a bit like Ohio State football, jump out to an early lead and expect the opponet to fold. Spoken by a Buckeye fan :thumbs:

 

I had planned on watching it and thought it started an hour later than it actually did. When I came in from mowing the grass, I picked it up literally 5 seconds after England's goalkeeper botched the save.

Why is this? What's the skillset that the U.S. players lack in order to compete at the highest level?

 

All the talent goes to the other sports, American football, baseball, etc. Americans are far use at rugby than they are at soccer because there just is not enough interest.

I support Irish soccer, but they are atrocious right now. They didn't qualify. I am a HUGE fan of Soccer USA. I would love to see them advance through this group and then win in round two to go to the quarter finals.

They did very, very well in the Confederations Cup last year, losing to Brasil 3-2 in the championship game. If the USA would ever set its mind on soccer they would indeed be a world power. It is promising that several US footballers are playing their club ball in Europe. Saying that, it may be good for them but it hurts the potential of MLS to be a training ground.

Pretty insipid matches today overall. I would have loved to have seen Paraguay hold on to beat the Italians