Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074648]Ruhskins is right. Watching Premiere League/La Liga/Serie A is totally different than watching the World Cup. Premiere League/La Liga/Serie A is like us watching the our favorite teams in football. Some teams suck, some teams are stacked. Probably won't mean much if you aren't a fan of the sport or one of those teams.

World Cup soccer on the other hand is amazing. The competition is spread throughout the teams and anything can really happen in the games as we've seen so far. When two NFL/NBA/MLB teams play each other, what are they playing for other than a mere "win" in the column? The World Cup is national pride, and it feels great when your home country wins a game against other countries. I've never walked away with the same feeling about a win from the Redskins as I have when the US team wins in the WC. It's not even remotely close. National pride trumps all. The closest would be if the Skins beat the Cowboys to win the division (like 2012) or if they win the SB.


The World Cup TV ratings have surpassed that of the NBA Finals and the World Series. That's saying a lot.

[url]http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/business/media/bigger-than-baseball-us-portugal-world-cup-match-outdoes-world-series-in-ratings.html?_r=0[/url]





I'm ashamed of you Matty. I expected more.

[IMG]http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/9/98586/2178217-giraff_gtfo.jpg[/IMG]


You guys need to get together with some friends at a bar and watch a US world cup match. It's electric when the whole place goes apeshit after a score. Sat with a guy who has never watched a WC game until Sunday and he loved it. Knew nothing about it, but walked away being a fan of WC soccer.[/quote]


To be fair the NBA finals and World Series were pretty boring the last 2 years. Except the 2013 NBA Finals.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Mattyk;1074724]Well it is Brazil[/quote]

true, i just never thought they would be so far ahead of the SEC football games.

Re: World Cup
 

I'm liking the US chances of advancing tomorrow; I think they'll be able to hold their own against Germany (maybe a1-0 loss) and I think Portugal will beat Ghana, but not by the 5 goals they need. Ghana will be without arguably their best player so far, Mubhari, who got his second yellow against Germany and has to miss the Portugal game.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=HoustonSkinsFan;1074758]I'm liking the US chances of advancing tomorrow; I think they'll be able to hold their own against Germany (maybe a1-0 loss) and I think Portugal will beat Ghana, but not by the 5 goals they need. Ghana will be without arguably their best player so far, Mubhari, who got his second yellow against Germany and has to miss the Portugal game.[/quote]

Portugal will still be short handed against Ghana so not sure they make it past them to be honest, and highly doubtful they get the goal count needed even if they do.




Also, this guy needs psychiatric help.

[IMG]http://a.pomf.se/phdzcy.gif[/IMG]

Re: World Cup
 

[url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=disciplinary-proceedings-opened-against-luis-suarez-2384766.html]Disciplinary proceedings opened against Luis Suarez - FIFA.com[/url]


Hopefully they ban this clown for a while.

Re: World Cup
 

big WC fan.

Hard to understand how a sports fan couldnt be.

Its like sports fans who dont like football (nfl), just hard for me to understand but to each his own.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=HoustonSkinsFan;1074758]I'm liking the US chances of advancing tomorrow; I think they'll be able to hold their own against Germany (maybe a1-0 loss) and I think Portugal will beat Ghana, but not by the 5 goals they need. Ghana will be without arguably their best player so far, Mubhari, who got his second yellow against Germany and has to miss the Portugal game.[/quote]


I back the USA ,I would love for them to move on but without Altidore and Dempsey playing with a broken face and while I think he has done ok Bradley I don't think can handle Germany, I just can't see it .If the USA keeps it to 2-0 for Germany it will be amazing.

Re: World Cup
 

[YT]DlJEt2KU33I[/YT]

Re: World Cup
 

[url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28035928]BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: Boateng and Muntari expelled by Ghana[/url]

Don't see this often, but it hurts their slim chances of advancing.




Also, your excused absence for the game today.


[IMG]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10416584_10154301889550436_1970062871711025388_n.jpg[/IMG]

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074763]Portugal will still be short handed against Ghana so not sure they make it past them to be honest, and highly doubtful they get the goal count needed even if they do.[/quote]

Why will Portugal be short handed? I must've missed something. Other than injuries they already have. They'll get Pepe back as well, but he's a knucklehead.

My earlier post I meant Muntari (not Mubhari, brain fart), who has been suspended and sent home along with Kevin Prince-Boateng. Interesting development, and I like Portugal there. Hopefully Ghana has enough pride to keep it close, but Muntari was a huge part of the draw against Germany.

The X factor is Ghana boycotting the match, and who knows what happens then! I doubt that will happen though.

Re: World Cup
 

Let's go USA!!!

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Giantone;1074805]I back the USA ,I would love for them to move on but without Altidore and Dempsey playing with a broken face and while I think he has done ok Bradley I don't think can handle Germany, I just can't see it .If the USA keeps it to 2-0 for Germany it will be amazing.[/quote]

Agreed, Germany is very good. I'm confident for two reasons, though. One, the US has looked great, despite their best player (Bradley) having a mediocre performance against Ghana, and although better, nowhere near his best against Portugal. Other players have stepped up big time, like Jermaine Jones. I'm not worried about Dempsry at all, he's good for two or three great chances per game, hopefully one finds the back of the net.

Two, Germany has no incentive to play hard against the US, as they win the group with a draw. They'll likely play a very conservative game, playing for the draw. And I wouldn't be surprised if their best striker (Mueller) sits out for this one, after that shot to the face he took against Ghana.

Either way, #IBelieve!

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=HoustonSkinsFan;1074840]Why will Portugal be short handed? I must've missed something. Other than injuries they already have. They'll get Pepe back as well, but he's a knucklehead.

My earlier post I meant Muntari (not Mubhari, brain fart), who has been suspended and sent home along with Kevin Prince-Boateng. Interesting development, and I like Portugal there. Hopefully Ghana has enough pride to keep it close, but Muntari was a huge part of the draw against Germany.

The X factor is Ghana boycotting the match, and who knows what happens then! I doubt that will happen though.[/quote]

Fabio Coentrao, Helder Postiga, and Hugo Almeida are all out for Portugal. When I made the statement, Boateng, Muntari suspensions hadn't occurred yet. It's probably a more even match now and even slightly in Portugal's favor.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074838][url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28035928]BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: Boateng and Muntari expelled by Ghana[/url]

Don't see this often, but it hurts their slim chances of advancing.




Also, your excused absence for the game today.


[IMG]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10416584_10154301889550436_1970062871711025388_n.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

hmmm, FIFA and the international soccer governing body as a whole is recognized by a wide margin as the most corrupt in the world. I wouldnt put it past them to use every opportunity to get the USA into the next round. Dont like it

Re: World Cup
 

Holy crap, two feet of water in the streets of Recife. Could be an empty stadium. Also, rainy conditions lend themselves to more conservative play... Looking more and more like a draw to me.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Chico23231;1074847]hmmm, FIFA and the international soccer governing body as a whole is recognized by a wide margin as the most corrupt in the world. I wouldnt put it past them to use every opportunity to get the USA into the next round. Dont like it[/quote]

FIFA isn't the one that suspended the Ghana players, it was their own soccer association that suspended them. They have some serious issues going on internally right now.


[url=http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/25/ghana-sends-plane-carrying-3-million-in-cash-to-prevent-forfeit-against-portugal-in-world-cup/]Ghana Sends Plane Carrying $3 Million+ In Cash to Prevent Forfeit Against Portugal in World Cup | World Soccer Talk[/url]

Re: World Cup
 

What would a forfeit do for Portugal? Just three points? It would pretty much eliminate them, right? They'd have to hope for a German 5-goal blowout of the US.

Re: World Cup
 

[url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28023882?ocid=socialflow_facebook]BBC Sport - Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker banned for four months[/url]


Adios Louis Suarez.


[quote=HoustonSkinsFan;1074851]What would a forfeit do for Portugal? Just three points? It would pretty much eliminate them, right? They'd have to hope for a German 5-goal blowout of the US.[/quote]

Correct. However, Ghana isn't going to forfeit since the cash arrived. :)

Re: World Cup
 

[IMG]http://images.teespring.com/shirt_pic/796283/FrontBig.jpg?v=2014-04-28-00-09[/IMG]

Re: World Cup
 

give me the early analysis...whats going on with this game

Re: World Cup
 

Germany is kicking our ass. Lucky to only be down 1

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074870]Germany is kicking our ass. Lucky to only be down 1[/quote]

yeah thats what i heard

pretty much we look like a bunch of scared bitches, that what my cousin said watching it at home

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Chico23231;1074871]yeah thats what i heard

pretty much we look like a bunch of scared bitches, that what my cousin said watching it at home[/quote]

No ball control. Shitty passing. Howard is carrying this team.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074872]No ball control. Shitty passing. Howard is carrying this team.[/quote]

2 shots on goal? thats pathetic

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Chico23231;1074873]2 shots on goal? thats pathetic[/quote]


They doubled their output in the last minute of the game to end up with 4 shots on goal. This is by far the worst game they've played so far. The looked like a bunch of scrubs out there for the most part. The only person that looked like he belonged on the pitch was Tim Howard. Dreadful performance and we are very fortunate it wasn't 5-0. They still have no sense of passing or controlling the ball. Very amateurish.

Time of possession:

US- 33%
Germany - 67%

Also of note, the refs were dreadful the 2nd half.



Also, we need to praise Ghana's goal keeper because he stopped Ronaldo on quite a few shots that normally would have been good.

Re: World Cup
 

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10432137_10100331522982479_5598282236359755254_n.jpg[/IMG]

Re: World Cup
 

US had some great possessions, and some great defensive plays. Worst game so far, maybe, but also the toughest opponent they've faced so far as well. That's no coincidence! All told, 0-1 was a great result against a side like Germany.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=HoustonSkinsFan;1074880][U][B]US had some great possessions,[/B][/U] and some great defensive plays. Worst game so far, maybe, but also the toughest opponent they've faced so far as well. That's no coincidence! All told, 0-1 was a great result against a side like Germany.[/quote]


Maybe two and that came in the last minute. Other than that Germany dominated the ball as noted by the time of possession. I will give the US team in that they played very good defensively, but that offense sucks balls.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1074881]Maybe two and that came in the last minute. Other than that Germany dominated the ball as noted by the time of possession. I will give the US team in that they played very good defensively, but that offense sucks balls.[/quote]

Come on, there were a few possessions in the first half where they kept the ball for several minutes. After that initial onslaught from Germany where their barely touched the ball, they looked much better. Germany controlled, but they're a much better side; you'd expect them to control.

The US offense was close a couple times, and were close to generating some great chances off those solid possessions.

Oh well, folks will always have different opinions. I thought they played a good game against a Cup favorite. Howard kept them in it, but that's what a strong goalie is supposed to do. :)

Re: World Cup
 

Missed the whole game I will try to get to it later . 1-0 is a good result against a team like Germany ,be thankfull and lets move on .:)

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Giantone;1074886]Missed the whole game I will try to get to it later . 1-0 is a good result against a team like Germany ,be thankfull and lets move on .:)[/quote]

Especially since they killed Portugal 5-0.

Re: World Cup
 

Fuck it, I'm moving to Germany.

[url=http://www.focus.de/sport/videos/750-sofas-auf-dem-spielfeld-das-wm-wohnzimmer-in-berlin-koepenick_id_3909953.html]750 Sofas auf dem Spielfeld: Das WM-Wohnzimmer in Berlin-Köpenick - Video - Video - FOCUS Online[/url]


[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/qHSDTPt.jpg[/IMG]

Re: World Cup
 

something about this sport i dont really like is the enthusism for "ties". Why no OT? Why not a 15 minute break before a 30 min OT period. I think that is some weak bs.

So far the lame:

1. Flopping over sissy injuries
2. Ties are good somehow, no OT
3. little to no scoring

Re: World Cup
 

Bring on Belgium! They might be the most talented roster at the World Cup, but so far they've lacked a cohesiveness and a sense of teamwork. They've only really been playing together for a year, however, so that's too be expected. I think in four years this team will be dangerous, but this year they're ripe for the upset. It will take much better possession than the USA had against Germany, and they'll need Bradley to get back to being Bradley. He's been terrible, with respect to his skill level. Probably need a "wow" moment out of Dempsey also.

Re: World Cup
 

Found this hilarious:

"Don't really understand soccer," tweeted KP Anderson, executive producer for the entertainment show the Soup. "[B]How many games do we have to tie or lose before we win the World Cup[/B]?"

[url=http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-28065500]BBC News - Winning by losing: The (un)American way?[/url]

Re: World Cup
 

I don't understand how people get their panties in a bunch about how the US got into the second round, when a lot of these scenarios take place in the NFL and other sports. Granted, that you don't see many ties in US sports, save for hockey. But there are a lot of playoff scenarios situations in all sports, where a team may still make the playoffs, even if they lose their last game.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1074950]I don't understand how people get their panties in a bunch about how the US got into the second round, when a lot of these scenarios take place in the NFL and other sports. Granted, that you don't see many ties in US sports, save for hockey. But there are a lot of playoff scenarios situations in all sports, where a team may still make the playoffs, even if they lose their last game.[/quote]

A lot of teams bench their starters the last two or three games of the season depending on their positions. Colts used to do that all the time with Manning. I think any reason people hate soccer can be applicable to any other sport.

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1074950]I don't understand how people get their panties in a bunch about how the US got into the second round, when a lot of these scenarios take place in the NFL and other sports. Granted, that you don't see many ties in US sports, save for hockey. But there are a lot of playoff scenarios situations in all sports, where a team may still make the playoffs, even if they lose their last game.[/quote]

But we tied or loss 2 outta the 3 games and advanced? Dafuq? So that was the group of death? Go USA

Re: World Cup
 

It's a point system ,no need for rocket science .There are shoot outs in some games put not in a tournament of this nature .If people remember the US women vs China in the world cup .


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx9zPMqkoEU[/ame]

Re: World Cup
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1074950]I don't understand how people get their panties in a bunch about how the US got into the second round, when a lot of these scenarios take place in the NFL and other sports. Granted, that you don't see many ties in US sports, save for hockey. But there are a lot of playoff scenarios situations in all sports, where a team may still make the playoffs, even if they lose their last game.[/quote]


It really boils down to ignorance. They have no clue how the tournament works so anything that deviates from their culture is frowned upon.



[quote=Chico23231;1074954]But we tied or loss 2 outta the 3 games and advanced? Dafuq? So that was the group of death? Go USA[/quote]

The World Cup is two parts. The first part is group play, which consist of 8 groups with 4 teams each. To make it to the next round, you have to be in the top two in your group. You win your group by a point system.

win = 3 points
tie= 1 point
loss = 0 point

Tie breakers are based on the goal differentials.


NFL/NHL has ties, and many times NFL playoff scenarios come down to different tie breakers (just like soccer). I'd say the NFL system was more complex than soccer.

Yes, we were in the group of death. Why was it called that? Well, we had the #2, #4, and #12 ranked teams all in the same group. Truthfully, they have Ghana severely underrated because they have them ranked lower than teams that didn't even qualify for the WC. We are fortunate that Portugal pretty much played with 3 starters down the entire time. Germany and Portugal realistically should have dominated this group.

[url=http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/]The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Ranking Table - FIFA.com[/url]


[IMG]http://s2.djyimg.com/n3/eet-content/uploads/2014/06/Screenshot-2014-06-26-at-2.56.02-PM.png[/IMG]

The 2nd part to the World Cup is the 16 team elimination round. Here it becomes like the NCAA tournament. You win, you advance. You lose, you go home. There are no ties in this round. If the match ends in a tie, the game is decided by penalty kicks.