Americans doing work in the 1st half, 3-0!!!!
World Cup Thread
- Thread starter StuBlue270_uk
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Americans doing work in the 1st half, 3-0!!!!
That was truly an epic performance. Absolute dominance. Does it translate vs better teams? No idea. But damn, that was really, really good.
No idea how this would translate against better teams, but the fact they are at least capable of this type of performance against decent teams is very encouraging.
The theatrics in soccer make it REALLY hard to enjoy. That yellow card on the US just now is example nine million. US guy didn‘t touch the Paraguay guy, but Paraguay guy took two steps, realized he should be flopping, and ended up being a fish on the dock flopping around.
It’s horrible to watch.
It’s horrible to watch.
And they reviewed that play, rook the yellow card away from the US and gave it to the flopper. The more replay can be used in that manner will greatly diminish the flopping IMHO
I had no idea this could be done in soccer, but it’s a giant improvement. I admittedly watch soccer only during the World Cup, but still, I appreciate the advancement.
Also, for those who know, hurling >>>> soccer.
Here's what they could do to make soccer watchable to me (understanding the Jim Cornette quote "you know what they are going to do to get me like golf, mess up golf for the people that like golf") but take at 3 least 3, maybe 4 players off the field and give them some room to move.
Offsides seems like a dumb rule to me. If you can beat your man down the field you shouldn't be penalized for it imo. I admittedly dont watch the sport unless im watching team USA so my opinion means little to nothing, just an observation though.
With that said, USA looks pretty good to me. Will the group get harder or is Paraguay considered 2nd best in the group?
With that said, USA looks pretty good to me. Will the group get harder or is Paraguay considered 2nd best in the group?
I don't know much about soccer but I do know that when 90% of the game is played on 1 end of the field, that team usually wins.
It keeps teams from just sitting behind the defense and having an unfair advantage for a goal.
Also you hate to give up a goal like that when every goal matters since plus minus goals determine tie breakers for the group and for tie breakers for seeding of round of 16.
A very strong outing, with room to improve. That’s a win-win for the coach. Very fun for the fans.
The field is larger than a football field. You would need to be a long distance runner to finish a game if they did that. Some of those guys already run 8 miles a game with no timeouts except for injuries.
The goal we gave up was due to a back (Richards I think.) letting himself get sucked out of position into the middle mixer vs. staying outside with his man. We do that **** over & over. When we lose, crap like that will be why. D is our weakness.
Two things:
- Those long over the top passes that often got us in position to score won't happen near so easily vs. top teams.
- Pulisic owned their right back. Guy was outclassed. Again, won't happen near so much vs. top teams.
Two things:
- Those long over the top passes that often got us in position to score won't happen near so easily vs. top teams.
- Pulisic owned their right back. Guy was outclassed. Again, won't happen near so much vs. top teams.
It's amazing! Everytime a player goes down, there is a look of agony on his face that you would sware every bone in his leg is a compound fracture, but somehow, they jump up and continue playing.
I sort of agree. Maybe it flows better eith a few less players. The hardest part for me is that in my mind soccer boils down to 90 minutes of broken plays. Team 1 gets the ball.. dribbles, dribbles, passes.. then turns it over. Repeat 100 times and maybe you get 1 or 2 goals out of it. And even then, it might end in a draw.
And hockey is kind of the same. I know they're not easy sports and theres way more nuance to what im describing.. but in the end to me, its a sport thats just filled with broken plays and chances. Not enough pay off for my liking.
Soccer is the blue balls of sports.
"Im gonna.. im gonna.. oh dammit."
"Im gonna.. im gonna.. oh dammit."
Yup the only people in better cardio shape than soccer players are cross country runners
Id say basketball players are right there. And while the court is much smaller, the play the whole thing. The center doesn't just get to hang back when the ball is on offense. Plus being an entire foot or two taller is even more impressive for their cardio, given how much the heart has to work with that size frame.
People crap on basketball for being soft (it is much of the time), but there isnt an ounce of fat on those bodies, with the exception of Harden and Eddy Curry.
A lot more stoppage in basketball. Free throws, timeouts etc. Plus you are comparing a 40 minute game to a 90 minute game.
That is true, there are more stoppages in basketball. I think there probably has to be though. I dont think a guy like Wemby could tun the floor like that otherwise, and not collapse or have his heart explode.
Those "boots" they wear are super thin in order to maximize feel for the ball; i.e., next to bare feet. Now have some run and plant their cleats right on your bare foot & tell me how you'd react. Pussies I suspect.
As much as I post here, I would be remiss if I didn't comment in a soccer related thread.
Since the nineties I've been a bonfide United Manchester fan ( ManU ), confirmed, card carrying, every bit as much as any BBN member. The only difference is that I was born into Kentucky basketball (circa 1969, and following with my own eyes since I was 4... ) and I only became a ManU fan ( and EPL devotee ) during Sir Alex Ferguson's incredible years ( I trace it back to 96' specifically )....
I think this year's team is the most talented team we could have for this world cup, it may prove to be one of the best USMNT ever. I'm glad to see America embrace soccer and would love to see an even better following. America has come a LONG way in paying attention to soccer. Especially the EPL. Having Pochettino coach is a god send for us. We're in very good hands.
I wakeup during the EPL season and have gameday Saturdays to wake up to ( 6am, just like I used to wakeup early to watch Star Blazers and then Looney Tunes ) so it feels like I was a kid again on saturday mornings ! haha !
USA network and NBC does a good job on coverage and I enjoy the commentary, which stands in stark contrast to so many NFL, NBA, and College basketball - football gmaes where I DON'T like the talking heads .... it's so bad I (long ago) synced up Goose and Tom during any televised broadcast so I WON'T have to listen to Bilas and Vitale or Fran ... or ....
well, you get it. But I digress....
I guess you can say I'm pro English Premiere League like I am pro SEC. I like to see the EPL teams do well on the biggest stage. There's always a lot to follow in the world of soccer, no matter what league or team or players strike your fancy. In most regards, I try to stay as much of a neutral, but in my heart, I have always loved ManU. ( I think Carrick is on the verge of coming in next season and crushing it, we shall see.... )
The world cup, to me, is the biggest sporting event and the most prestigious to win of any sport on planet Earth. It would be a dream come true to see our USMNT win the title game. It's a true worldwide event.
Peace & Harmony !
Since the nineties I've been a bonfide United Manchester fan ( ManU ), confirmed, card carrying, every bit as much as any BBN member. The only difference is that I was born into Kentucky basketball (circa 1969, and following with my own eyes since I was 4... ) and I only became a ManU fan ( and EPL devotee ) during Sir Alex Ferguson's incredible years ( I trace it back to 96' specifically )....
I think this year's team is the most talented team we could have for this world cup, it may prove to be one of the best USMNT ever. I'm glad to see America embrace soccer and would love to see an even better following. America has come a LONG way in paying attention to soccer. Especially the EPL. Having Pochettino coach is a god send for us. We're in very good hands.
I wakeup during the EPL season and have gameday Saturdays to wake up to ( 6am, just like I used to wakeup early to watch Star Blazers and then Looney Tunes ) so it feels like I was a kid again on saturday mornings ! haha !
USA network and NBC does a good job on coverage and I enjoy the commentary, which stands in stark contrast to so many NFL, NBA, and College basketball - football gmaes where I DON'T like the talking heads .... it's so bad I (long ago) synced up Goose and Tom during any televised broadcast so I WON'T have to listen to Bilas and Vitale or Fran ... or ....
well, you get it. But I digress....
I guess you can say I'm pro English Premiere League like I am pro SEC. I like to see the EPL teams do well on the biggest stage. There's always a lot to follow in the world of soccer, no matter what league or team or players strike your fancy. In most regards, I try to stay as much of a neutral, but in my heart, I have always loved ManU. ( I think Carrick is on the verge of coming in next season and crushing it, we shall see.... )
The world cup, to me, is the biggest sporting event and the most prestigious to win of any sport on planet Earth. It would be a dream come true to see our USMNT win the title game. It's a true worldwide event.
Peace & Harmony !
Great game last night. USA looked awesome. Love the attacking style.
With that said, by the FIFA rankings, Paraguay is the worst team in the group, so we had to get 3 points.
Should handle Australia, but Turkey is a concern. Hopefully we don't need a win in 2 weeks.
An injury to Pulisic changes everything.
With that said, by the FIFA rankings, Paraguay is the worst team in the group, so we had to get 3 points.
Should handle Australia, but Turkey is a concern. Hopefully we don't need a win in 2 weeks.
An injury to Pulisic changes everything.
Endurance vs explosiveness, with elements of both involved for each sport
I don't think there's any question that was the best game a USMNT has ever played. Paraguay was a "not a total chump" opponent, and they were on their back foot the entire game.
And that performance pretty much guarantees that the US is going to the knockout stage. Quarterfinals would be great, Semis would be spectacular, and neither is a pipe dream.