On a side note Stallone just stopped a penalty kick to save the games for the Allies.
OT: Official 2018 World Cup Thread
- Thread starter Tango Two
- Start date
I don't know, I don't think athletes and athleticism is where we're lacking. It's vision, awareness, creativity and ease with the ball I think we lack more. If Lebron came up in whatever system is used to develop players now I'd see the outcome be no different than what he have now. Athleticism without skill and vision isn't all that valuable IMO. Like Hazard, a small dude but making some noise up front.
To me Lebron and the rest are so good because they organically developed those skills and vision playing on the playground or in the gym and maybe in somewhat unstructured leagues. I kind of feel if you don't have those skills and vision by the time you hit college you're not likely to get it.
My impression from prior threads in the past and this thread too is that soccer is too structured to the point that those skills and vision never develop organically when players are young kids and grow up in the game. So we can have all the athletes we want and I think we have enough frankly but without the accompanying skill and vision how much of a difference will it make. I don't think much.
Pretty much this. I'll be blunt. LeBron at his height playing soccer his whole life would probably be pretty useless.
Except goalie. Yeah he likely be a very good one there but until recently we weren't exactly hurting at that spot.
While it's true our best athletes play higher paying sports (in the US), that doesn't explain the lack of quality on our men's national team. We have a huge population compared to many countries smaller than us, population-wise, that continue to outperform us dramatically and regularly.
Other pro sports are our reality and surely drain away potential soccer players. But eliminate all the athletes playing those sports and we still have vastly more people than a lot of other, stronger, soccer nations.
My point being, we should be doing better than we are doing. We can't change the fact that there are so many competing sports in the United States. But we can do a better job finding and developing kids who want to play soccer.
If we were doing it right, lots more would be making a ton of money playing soccer in Europe. Which would attract more younger kids.
Can't disagree more. LeBron would be a superstar at soccer or hockey or football for that matter (but not necessarily baseball or golf, where the hand-eye coordination skills are more specialized). He has speed, strength, stamina, great vision and coordination for his sport and I see no reason why that coordination wouldn't translate to soccer if he grew up playing it hours per day like he did hoops. Perhaps his height is a bit of a disadvantage in the midfield, but as a goalie or center-forward or defender, I think he'd be great.
His height is a huge disadvantage - especially from an offensive perspective. I say that based on the fact that the US doesnt have a monopoly on tall athletes. Youd have more of an argument for Russell Westbrook or Steph Curry.
Belgium didn't even come close to scoring against France. What makes you think that being on the other bracket they would beat Croatia ? even if they did, they still wouldn't beat France in the final either.
Jeeze. Have you watched Belgium?? They can score against anyone just a down game. You can argue they aren't a great defensive squad than you don't have an arguement. But to say they wouldn't be a worthy team in the final is beyond stupid
Great. I’m talking about France, and a rooster (not exactly an Eagle, Hawk, Falcon etc) however lol!
@MadRU is just mad. Had money on Brazil [winking]
Excited for the match tomorrow. Where is @AreYouNUTS watching?
Their midfield is sorely lacking... sounds like their u18 team is v good with a potential playmaker in Foden.
England's attack is slow and methodical giving plenty of time for the defense to set up. Its not surprising they get v few goals in open play.
lol, and that wasn't anywhere near their only chance (that was an awesome save though)...
Looking at the comments I don't think that's Croatia. I think they said it's Pamplona, Spain during the running of the bulls.
Become indifferent on this game maybe even a little for Croatia, Mbappe's prior tactics and the first goal by France on a dive turns me off. Hope Croatia can even it.
Between the VAR review, injury in the box and other stuff only 3 minutes? Seems kinda short to me.
Oh well, that's all she wrote for Croatia. Solid goal by Mbappe looked like he was going outside but turned it back inside for the easy goal.
EDIT: Little lackadaisical there by the French, big lead making them feel a little too comfy. Still probably shouldn't change the final outcome though.
EDIT: Little lackadaisical there by the French, big lead making them feel a little too comfy. Still probably shouldn't change the final outcome though.
Very proud of my country-in-law. It’s the equivalent of North OR South Jersey putting 11 guys on the field and making it to the world finals.
Croatia pressed all game, but a few critical mistakes and the French counter attack killed them.
Was really hoping to send some pix of the insanity here if they had won. Maybe in 4 more years...
Croatia pressed all game, but a few critical mistakes and the French counter attack killed them.
Was really hoping to send some pix of the insanity here if they had won. Maybe in 4 more years...
The best team won, but luck was on their side, too. That first goal was questionable on the foul, plus it was very unlucky that Mandzukic's header actually went in. And while that was a pretty clear handball, it certainly wasn't intentional - was just unlucky it hit his hand. The other 2 French goals by Pogba and Mbappe were outstanding, while Croatia's first goal was great and their 2nd was just a horrific mistake by Lloris.
Vive le France! especially on the day after Bastille Day. @mildone and I were at a great annual Bastille Day party last nightthrown by friends of ours, where the husband was born in France - they always have awesome French food and drinks, plus they have a 15 foot high replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Vive le France! especially on the day after Bastille Day. @mildone and I were at a great annual Bastille Day party last nightthrown by friends of ours, where the husband was born in France - they always have awesome French food and drinks, plus they have a 15 foot high replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Will miss high class soccer. It was a very good Cup. Not great but enjoyable
What I wont miss is some of the soccer commercials. I have to admit the Progressive one, which was so overplayed, of the guy sliding on his knees was funny from start to finish. I chuckeld every time it came on. Corny and stupid but creative.
The countries in the cars trying to get US interested were awful.
What I wont miss is some of the soccer commercials. I have to admit the Progressive one, which was so overplayed, of the guy sliding on his knees was funny from start to finish. I chuckeld every time it came on. Corny and stupid but creative.
The countries in the cars trying to get US interested were awful.