OT: We may win the World Cup in 2026

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,334
44,365
113
Haaland is just a scoring machine - what a beast and now I can root for him, lol (hate Man City, so never rooted for him there).
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,334
44,365
113
Hat trick now and tied for the all-time WC scoring lead with Klose from Germany - is there any doubt he's the GOAT?
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,334
44,365
113
Pele has something to say about that. And then there is Maradona.

but Pele is the best ever IMO
He's definitely better than Maradona, but I can agree Pele and Messi are the two best - very different eras in soccer, so hard to compare them.
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,984
149,036
113
Actually three wins - Scotland, Germany, and Sweden. Europe's cumulative record is 3-5-2 which I agree is disappointing. But it's very early.
I love seeing Euros lose. Go whoever is playing England! Unless it’s Mexico, Canada, or the Islamic Republic of Iran. F them.
 

MCRU93

All-Conference
Mar 18, 2024
721
1,881
93
Very few care about the stadiums. Sure, nicer is better, but everyone is showing up for the world cup no matter what the venue is like. The one issue with the US is that you can be a five hour flight away from one venue to the next. Could do in Europe with never a five hour drive.
Think we are using 11 stadiums in the US w 5 others in Mexico/Canada. Japan and South Korea used something like 22 stadiums when they hosted theirs, and think Spain years ago used more also. Many countries have plenty of stadiums, they may not all be as modern, but the Scottish don't care where they are headed!

Id argue there’s a nice appeal to easier travel, walkable cities, better public transit, etc. I wouldn’t be shocked if businesses around East Rutherford don’t see a significant spike in business. Meanwhile a lot of European stadiums have walkable areas and accessible public transit.

Not to poopoo how the US is hosting. Just highlighting differences.
 

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
15,045
15,809
113
Visitors definitely care. The Euros seeing places like SoFi and Atlanta are completely blown away. I am sure the player experience, with the incredibly ample highest level training grounds we have, are as excited. I feel bad for the teams not getting the American experience. My English friends are bummed they've been banished to Mexico City.
Fair, great stadiums are a bonus. Many of the players play at some of the biggest clubs in the world and are always on training grounds like they find here. Even many national team set ups are above what they get here. Haiti is based at Stockton State or remove the state now. You think that's special to them?
Not sure why your English friends were banished to Mexico City, my English friends followed the team to their chosen base of Kansas City, then to Dallas for today's match, then Boston and NJ. They don't go near Mexico City.
 

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
15,045
15,809
113
Id argue there’s a nice appeal to easier travel, walkable cities, better public transit, etc. I wouldn’t be shocked if businesses around East Rutherford don’t see a significant spike in business. Meanwhile a lot of European stadiums have walkable areas and accessible public transit.

Not to poopoo how the US is hosting. Just highlighting differences.
yeah, I think both have their big plusses and make for great experiences. Cali is right in that it's great that people are getting to experience an America they may not hear about, but the experience is awesome everywhere. I'd take being inside a premier league stadium experience over an NFL stadium experience every day of the week. Totally different vibes, even if the stadium not as nice, although my Tottenham's stadium can match up with any.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCRU93

RUChet

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2023
2,187
2,681
113
yeah, I think both have their big plusses and make for great experiences. Cali is right in that it's great that people are getting to experience an America they may not hear about, but the experience is awesome everywhere. I'd take being inside a premier league stadium experience over an NFL stadium experience every day of the week. Totally different vibes, even if the stadium not as nice, although my Tottenham's stadium can match up with any.
Too bad they don’t play in on campus college stadiums! Although some are in remote areas too…
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,984
149,036
113
Most Euro soccer stadiums are too small. They wouldn't be able to handle the size crowds we are seeing. And there is no way Tottenham's stadium compares to Sofi, Atlanta, Las Vegas (though no games there) or Dallas.

We have such an abundance of riches we can let a stadium as great as Las Vegas sit empty.
 

-RUFAN4LIFE-

Heisman
Feb 28, 2015
33,385
51,896
113
Most Euro soccer stadiums are too small. They wouldn't be able to handle the size crowds we are seeing. And there is no way Tottenham's stadium compares to Sofi, Atlanta, Las Vegas (though no games there) or Dallas.

We have such an abundance of riches we can let a stadium as great as Las Vegas sit empty.
They will consider it once we start calling it football. 😉
 

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
4,034
3,387
73
Most Euro soccer stadiums are too small. They wouldn't be able to handle the size crowds we are seeing. And there is no way Tottenham's stadium compares to Sofi, Atlanta, Las Vegas (though no games there) or Dallas.

We have such an abundance of riches we can let a stadium as great as Las Vegas sit empty.
Most Americans take for granted the embarrassment of riches US sports enjoy at both college and pro level.

I played soccer at University College London and we had to find our own shirt sponsor (a topless bar), pay for transportation to away games, and pay the referee (£2 per player in 1998). Best was our home field was the Arsenal training ground and we got a free bus there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Anon1753410373

RUChet

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2023
2,187
2,681
113
Wow, another impressive performance by a non-Euro, non-South American team! I think DR Congo looked the equal of Portugal in good chances. Possessions means nothing if it doesn’t create good chances. It’s like possession or yards gained in football. Who cares if your gain a million yards between the 20’s!
 
  • Like
Reactions: patk89

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
15,045
15,809
113
Most Americans take for granted the embarrassment of riches US sports enjoy at both college and pro level.

I played soccer at University College London and we had to find our own shirt sponsor (a topless bar), pay for transportation to away games, and pay the referee (£2 per player in 1998). Best was our home field was the Arsenal training ground and we got a free bus there.
Isn't college soccer in England basically intramural?
 

Postman_1

Heisman
Mar 12, 2017
8,296
13,278
113
With the days that games are played in philly and at Giants stadium the state workers get to work from home. I find this insane. My wife who works for the state just told me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EddieWilsonLives

MCRU93

All-Conference
Mar 18, 2024
721
1,881
93
With the days that games are played in philly and at Giants stadium the state workers get to work from home. I find this insane. My wife who works for the state just told me.
It’s a couple of days. Will it really hinder their work to do that (wfh) ?
 

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
15,045
15,809
113
With the days that games are played in philly and at Giants stadium the state workers get to work from home. I find this insane. My wife who works for the state just told me.
Yeah, strange. They were warning about all the traffic yesterday and it was my quickest commute home from NYC in months.
 

RUChet

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2023
2,187
2,681
113
Despite a slow start, UEFA doing the best so far in terms of winning %.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1829.png
    IMG_1829.png
    21.2 KB · Views: 4

AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
124,088
58,100
113
Most Euro soccer stadiums are too small. They wouldn't be able to handle the size crowds we are seeing. And there is no way Tottenham's stadium compares to Sofi, Atlanta, Las Vegas (though no games there) or Dallas.

We have such an abundance of riches we can let a stadium as great as Las Vegas sit empty.
IT IS NOT HAPPENING….period….the WC will never, ever, EVER, only be played here AS AWESOME as that would be. Move on brotha!
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUChet

RUChet

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2023
2,187
2,681
113
Switzerland looks good but Bosnia isn’t that great

Mexico-S Korea is the match of the day to watch