OT: We may win the World Cup in 2026

[RUChet]

Clueless take

A soccer pitch fits 3-4 hockey rinks while only having twice as many players on it.

What they have proposed is changing the rule to where only part of the body needs to be aligned with the last defender which will work fine.

That would help a bit for sure but I really would like to see the goal 5%-10% bigger

GKs have gotten bigger

 

[RUChet]

I generally like to watch games played at the highest levels due to the skill on display, but the diving and histrionics is a turn off. The refs don't discourage the behavior but it could be reduced if players were at risk of getting a yellow card. Many players rolling on the ground for effect, or holding their face in the palms, or grabbing at their legs/knees/ankles, are not injured in any way whatsoever. Why allow that behavior to be rewarded with foul calls or yellow cards that result in possession advantages, free/direct kicks, or worse yet when inside the box, penalty kicks.

When there are severe injuries, it's noticeable how the player is rarely compelled to play it up. Injured players won't roll around if their leg just snapped or their ankle got broken/crushed. They are potentially in a state of shock like that Canadian player who didn't even appear to visibly wince despite the ridiculous pain he must have been in.

The acting takes away some of the joy of watching these athletes perform. Just as it does in some other sports. Sure it's been going on since the beginning of time and any advantage players can gain they will try to exploit and even take it further, but especially moreso when there are no real consequences. Adjust the rules so that there are some...

Anyway, my token complaint post about the flopping. Carry on....and go USA!

Flooping is a problem as it is in the nba

maybe in the future they can add sensors to measure the impact and if below threshold the refs know it’s flopping

 

[RUChet]

No, don’t like that sorry

and the 3pt line has ruined basketball

what was once the exciting, exception shot has become the most typical shot

basketball becoming all 3’s or layups/dunks

mid range and elbow shots pretty much extinct

boring

 

[RU Cheese]

Can someone explain to me why Australia (a) subs its goalie right before PKs, and then (b) has 2 center backs and an 18 yo kid take its PKs?

 

[NickRU714]

No, don’t like that sorry

and the 3pt line has ruined basketball

what was once the exciting, exception shot has become the most typical shot

basketball becoming all 3’s or layups/dunks

mid range and elbow shots pretty much extinct

boring

Off topic but what makes a 17ft jump shot inherently more exciting than a 24ft jump shot?

 

[UMRU]

Once it was established that the ball grazed Matanovich's head, that meant Pasalic was offside. Nothing new there - and one didn't really need the chip to see it had hit his head visually. Brutal way to lose though.

You are kidding right? You think you saw the ball touch his head?

 

[UMRU]

That sure seems like a dumb rule to me. Who would not wanna see an offensive player with the ball and ahead of the defense challenging the goalie. ? Stupid, stupid rule. Let the defense catch up before you try to score ?

Without offside, soccer would not be a game. Teams could park multiple offensive players on the opposition's goal line, wait for a ball to arrive and turn around and score.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

That would help a bit for sure but I really would like to see the goal 5%-10% bigger

GKs have gotten bigger

Why, hockey hasn't changed their net size even though goalies and their equipment have become significantly bigger. They had the same net size for over a century.

 

[DJ Spanky]

STOP. It’s literally the biggest sport in the world why would you make a joke out of it with a two point arc? Come on brother!

Absolutely right! It should be a three point arc!

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

You are kidding right? You think you saw the ball touch his head?

Doesn't matter what you think you saw or didn't, the chip in the ball registered a touch. That's all that matters.

 

[NickRU714]

Absolutely right! It should be a three point arc!

Banana Ball Soccer would definitely have a 2-3pt line for scoring.

 

[RUChet]

Off topic but what makes a 17ft jump shot inherently more exciting than a 24ft jump shot?

You missed my point. When nearly every jump shot is a 3 it’s boring. I didn’t say I didn’t like the 3. It was great 20 yrs ago when used as the “exception shot”. Not it’s the typical shot

 

[RUChet]

Why, hockey hasn't changed their net size even though goalies and their equipment have become significantly bigger. They had the same net size for over a century.

Hockey doesn’t have a goal scoring problem At all. Not a lot of games end 0-0, 1-1 etc

 

[RU848789]

Messi continues to amaze.

 

[Doctor Worm]

Can someone explain to me why Australia (a) subs its goalie right before PKs, and then (b) has 2 center backs and an 18 yo kid take its PKs?

I will take a shot:

(a) They replaced their young keeper with a veteran who had been through many more shootouts. I guess they figured his experience would be beneficial.

(b) Taking penalty kicks is a unique skill set. No necessary correlation between that skill and the player's position.

 

[motorb54]

Explain it to me: Messi runs beyond the last defender and the ball is behind him;
Why is this not offsides?

 

[Doctor Worm]

Explain it to me: Messi runs beyond the last defender and the ball is behind him;
Why is this not offsides?

Offside is determined as of when the ball is played, not when it is received. When the ball was played, Messi was onside. He timed his run perfectly. He does a lot of things perfectly.

 

[Kbe4]

Without offside, soccer would not be a game. Teams could park multiple offensive players on the opposition's goal line, wait for a ball to arrive and turn around and score.

I've heard this before. I just don't see why no offside rule would lead to that.

 

[RU848789]

Can someone explain to me why Australia (a) subs its goalie right before PKs, and then (b) has 2 center backs and an 18 yo kid take its PKs?

Bad coaching.

 

[RUChet]

I will take a shot:

(a) They replaced their young keeper with a veteran who had been through many more shootouts. I guess they figured his experience would be beneficial.

(b) Taking penalty kicks is a unique skill set. No necessary correlation between that skill and the player's position.

Aust lost the PKs because 2 of their guys missed - no fault of their GK nor any major save by the Egypt GK

 

[RU848789]

Argentina has been sleepwalking most of the 2nd half and finally got burned. 1-1. If this goes to PKs anyone can win.

 

[RUChet]

I've heard this before. I just don't see why no offside rule would lead to that.

Are you trolling? You don’t understand that a team would just park a striker in front of the opponents goal and wait for a long pass. To prevent the other team would ga e to keep 2 defenders back to protect.

the game wouldn’t be able to function

same thing in hockey with no offsides - just put a big guy like Austin Matthews, Jack Eichel or Brady Tkachuk in front of goal and go for the long pass

 

[NickRU714]

I've heard this before. I just don't see why no offside rule would lead to that.

Your last two posts about soccer offsides seem to intimate you have a near zero even basic understanding of the rule.

What exactly is the question you are asking?

Think of a WR and a CB.
Offside is decided by when the QB throws it.
Not where the WR is when he catches it.

WR must be even with the CB when the ball leaves the QB hand.
If the QB leads the WR as he is running past a flat footed CB - all good.

Imagine a RB on a wheel play out of the backfield running past a LB.
QB must release the ball before the RB gets past the LB.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Hockey doesn’t have a goal scoring problem At all. Not a lot of games end 0-0, 1-1 etc

Ties lead to exciting PK shootouts.

 

[RU848789]

If CV wins this, it's probably the biggest upset ever in the WC (#67 vs. #1). This is insane. I really thought after Argentina scored quickly in OT to go up 2-1 it was over, but CV just won't quit and that last goal was one of the best you'll ever see.

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

Man, so much respect for Cape Verde. Brutal loss, but they really impressed with their grit.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

WOW….This tournament…… anyone who said 48 teams were too much was on the wrong side of this argument lol

 

[RUPete90]

If CV wins this, it's probably the biggest upset ever in the WC (#67 vs. #1). This is insane. I really thought after Argentina scored quickly in OT to go up 2-1 it was over, but CV just won't quit and that last goal was one of the best you'll ever see.

It may have been outside of the US beating England in 1950 or whatever it was. Really fun to watch down the stretch - CV still had chances to tie in the end.

 

[RUPete90]

WOW….This tournament…… anyone who said 48 teams were too much was on the wrong side of this argument lol

Yes for sure. Really has turned the WC into the new March Madness.

 

[Bagarocks]

What a GREAT Game Cape Verde. Pushed Argentina to the limit.
They had chances there at the end.
What a great game

 

[RU05]

I’ve actually dedicated legit time to 2 games this world cup. Congo vs England. Argentina vs Cape Verde

Such similar story lines.

Both great games.

 

[RU848789]

Just an incredible match. Incredible.

 

[RU848789]

WOW….This tournament…… anyone who said 48 teams were too much was on the wrong side of this argument lol

You are correct sir. Amazing WC so far, through this point - way more fun to have 12 groups and a round of 32 than 8 groups and no round of 32. Getting some more teams in has made the WC so much better. CV didn't get "lucky" to get here or to push Argentina to the limit - they really played great. Same has been true for a bunch of the extra 16 teams.

 

[RU05]

You are correct sir. Amazing WC so far, through this point - way more fun to have 12 groups and a round of 32 than 8 groups and no round of 32. Getting some more teams in has made the WC so much better. CV didn't get "lucky" to get here or to push Argentina to the limit - they really played great. Same has been true for a bunch of the extra 16 teams.

Opens up the potential of the cinderella teams ala the NCAA tourney.

 

[RU05]

Just looking through all time winners list.

Unless im mistaken not only is every winner from either Europe or South America but every finalist is from those 2 continents.

North america at a disadvantage given only 3 countries.

But as of yet no Africa. No Asia.

 

[T2Kplus20]

What a GREAT Game Cape Verde. Pushed Argentina to the limit.
They had chances there at the end.
What a great game

Winning or losing a game on penalty kicks is beyond asinine. That's like an NBA game going down to free throws or the NFL kicking field goals.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Winning or losing a game on penalty kicks is beyond asinine. That's like an NBA game going down to free throws or the NFL kicking field goals.

Acting like you know what you're talking about.....priceless.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Acting like you know what you're talking about.....priceless.

We all know you know it's true. You don't need to pretend otherwise. LOL!

 

[seansherm]

A

+1
Stupid rule that brutally penalizes a team for doing something that literally has no impact on the game or specific play. This needs to change for the sport to advance.

Advance? From most popular sport on planet to most popular in galaxy?

 

[seansherm]

Soccer needs a two point arc too. It needs to be Americanized. It’s not really changed with the times.

This is dumber than all the other dumb ideas here, congrats