2014 World Cup

[alfred russel]

It doesn't take Vince Lombardi to tell you that you can't play a half-field game and expect to win.   Shit, doesn't take the Duke of Lombardi to tell you that either.  Or Guy Lombardo, for that matter.

Stupid ass game.   I blame the filthy Kraut coach.  Next time use Bill Parcells, people.

Parcells would take one look at that field and realize the other team is basically lining up 11 kickers. He'd call a pass over the middle to Mark Bavaro, and there won't be a man on the field that could bring him down.

[Monoriu]

Overall, pretty good result for the round of 16.  The majority of the matches went according to plan.  The only real disappointment is Costa Rica advancing, but I never had high hopes for Greece to beat them.  All 2 African teams and 2 out of 3 North American teams are out.  The other slight disappointment is Columbia advancing instead of previous winner Uruguay.  But given that Columbia will face Brazil in the quarterfinals anyway and that Columbia is located in S. America, it is not a huge problem.  All the other 6 winners (Germany, France, Brazil, Belgium, Netherlands, and Argentina) are fine for now. 

Although Europe only get 6 spots in the final 16, they have 4 spots in the quarterfinals.  That's a pretty good argument for retaining the number of European spots in future WCs.  All Asian teams are wiped out in the group stage.  Among the 12 matches played by the 4 Asian teams, there was no win, 3 draws, and 9 defeats.  Despite FIFA's favouritism for Asia for commercial reasons, I really don't see a good argument for Asia to get more than their current 4.5 spots.  Let's face it, the only way for China to qualify in the next 10 years or so is to substantially increase the no. of Asian spots.

Back to the quarterfinals. 

Brazil - Columbia.  This is really important.  From what I've seen, Columbia plays better than Brazil so far.  Columbia is a real threat to the WC that we need to guard against.  This is probably one of the weakest Brazilian teams that I've seen.  That's why it is so important for Brazil to win this one.

France - Germany.  No strong view on this one. 

Netherlands - Costa Rica.  Come on.  This should be the end of this ridiculous situation that we have here.  The final match to declare stage 1 victory for the status quo.

Argentina - Belgium.  This is crucial.  Argentina is the only previous WC winner competing for the other final spot.  If Argentina goes, at least one of the final spots will be taken by a team that has not won a WC before. 

Brazil, Germany (3 WCs vs 1 WC), Netherlands, Argentina.  Then Brazil and Argentina for the final. 

[alfred russel]

I don't get the optimism about the future for the US. Maybe in 8 or 12 years, but not in 4. The team is not good save for 1 bona fide star in Tim Howard, and he may be retired by the next world cup. Clint Dempsey is also be winding down.

I know there is young talent coming along, but there is a lot of talent going away too. It isn't likely that in 4 years a guy we have never heard of is going to come along and put this team on his back and play with true international superstar talent. I think in 4 years we are going to be right where we are now. Hoping to get out of the group stage (expecting if the draw isn't too tough), and then get some breaks to possibly get into the quarterfinals. The same place we've been for the past 3 WCs.

[Savonarola]

Well, I will never leave the bar again.

Dylan Thomas said the same thing.   

[Monoriu]

I don't get the optimism about the future for the US. Maybe in 8 or 12 years, but not in 4. The team is not good save for 1 bona fide star in Tim Howard, and he may be retired by the next world cup. Clint Dempsey is also be winding down.

I know there is young talent coming along, but there is a lot of talent going away too. It isn't likely that in 4 years a guy we have never heard of is going to come along and put this team on his back and play with true international superstar talent. I think in 4 years we are going to be right where we are now. Hoping to get out of the group stage (expecting if the draw isn't too tough), and then get some breaks to possibly get into the quarterfinals. The same place we've been for the past 3 WCs.

But the trend is disturbing.  From 1954 - 1986, the US didn't qualify.  They have qualified in every tournament since 1990.  It is now generally expected that the US will qualify, and that it is no surprise if they reach the round of 16.  The US has such a huge population and market that if the sport becomes more popular over there, in the long-run the US has potential to become a powerhouse. 

[Grey Fox]

The US should be acceptable to you Mono, it finish in 3rd at the first world cup.

[alfred russel]

But the trend is disturbing.  From 1954 - 1986, the US didn't qualify.  They have qualified in every tournament since 1990.  It is now generally expected that the US will qualify, and that it is no surprise if they reach the round of 16.  The US has such a huge population and market that if the sport becomes more popular over there, in the long-run the US has potential to become a powerhouse.

I think the most popular sport for really young kids in the US is soccer. Basically because it is so easy to toss a ball onto a field and have small kids chase it for an hour. But once kids get a bit older they move into football, baseball, and basketball.

You want me to scare you? There has been a shitload of safety concerns regarding head injuries in football, and participation is dropping considerably at around the 10-12 age range. It is a very small movement, but some high schools have even made moves to drop teams. Football is the king of American sports, and if kids move away from football, some will go to soccer. That won't impact the next world cup, but in 10 years it might.

[CountDeMoney]

Big push over head trauma and soccer at the school level too, so once soccermoms get wind that little Junior can run the risk of ALS in 40 years, its popularity will drop as well.

[Ed Anger]

I doubt if I'll let my sons play football. I nearly went nuclear last year when a coach told one of my nephews to lead with his head on a tackle.

Fucking piece of shit.

[alfred russel]

Big push over head trauma and soccer at the school level too, so once soccermoms get wind that little Junior can run the risk of ALS in 40 years, its popularity will drop as well.

Lets be real though. The kids with parents too scared of head injuries to let them play football and soccer were never going to amount to anything anyway.

[Ed Anger]

Gee, thanks.

[alfred russel]

I doubt if I'll let my sons play football. I nearly went nuclear last year when a coach told one of my nephews to lead with his head on a tackle.

Fucking piece of shit.

And this is why the big 10 is going to suck even worse in 10-15 years than it does now. You think parents in the inner city of Miami or Atlanta are worried about that shit? Or in Hoover Alabama?

[Ed Anger]

Go run over your foot again.

[alfred russel]

Gee, thanks.

You aren't keeping them from soccer too, are you? I did say football and soccer.

But fuck soccer. Get them into baseball or basketball. Raise Americans, not wannabe europeans. 

[Monoriu]

The US should be acceptable to you Mono, it finish in 3rd at the first world cup.

Netherlands finished 2nd 3 times, is in Europe, and it is still not acceptable