I don’t disagree with what you are saying at all but I’m also wondering if there isn’t going to be a lot more discovered about young developing brains getting jarred around from heading a soccer ball.
World Cup Thread
- Thread starter StuBlue270_uk
- Start date
I’m completely fine if I never see Pulisic play soccer again.
True. Heading is already linked to CTE. Perhaps heading should be banned until a certain age.
Played soccer all my life coached at high levels. I played when I was in college and everytime I put my head on a ball I would get tunnel vision and nearly black out. At first I stopped heading the ball but my coaches figured it out fast. I finished out the season but had to quit the game at the time. That’s when I went directly into coaching. I’ve played men’s league and some other things but I never head a ball again. There’s no doubt heading the ball can lead to concussion symptoms. Players with strong necks and occipital seem to be able to head the ball no problems. Unfortunately that isn’t many soccer players
After thinking about it for a couple days, I have concluded this was a big missed opportunity. We have not progressed and we were very lucky that we were given a very weak group, and a weak B&H team. The first real team we played was Belgium and they totally smoked us.
Nothing has improved since the last time the WC was in the USA. We do not develop young kids into world capable stars, and we are far behind Europe. Europe may have 4 and at least 3 teams in the semis.
Something has to change. Lots of people not usually interested in soccer got interested for a few weeks, and then watched the USA get drilled in a match that wasn't close at all, and played with no sense of urgency from the US players.. Americans do not like crap like that. They saw a lot of diving, and frankly, some poor American play.
Not sure where we go from here, but we probably don't get out of the group stage next WC. Or heck, maybe we don't even qualify like 2018.
Nothing has improved since the last time the WC was in the USA. We do not develop young kids into world capable stars, and we are far behind Europe. Europe may have 4 and at least 3 teams in the semis.
Something has to change. Lots of people not usually interested in soccer got interested for a few weeks, and then watched the USA get drilled in a match that wasn't close at all, and played with no sense of urgency from the US players.. Americans do not like crap like that. They saw a lot of diving, and frankly, some poor American play.
Not sure where we go from here, but we probably don't get out of the group stage next WC. Or heck, maybe we don't even qualify like 2018.
Dude had a terrible showing at the WC (played decent the first game until his injury). But the best players in the world stepped up to the plate and have showed out in these games.
Pulisic all but disappeared and for us to get past historical finishes or better we have to have our best players shine. Malik Tillman sure helped himself and has a very bright future!
Every sport in America is way too expensive to play. Soccer is European countries is played by poor kids. A ball, two sticks in the ground for a goal and they are playing. It’s in their culture, not USA. Go to the inner city in London and small kids will be in an ally kicking balls against a brick wall.
Bold take since their fifa rankings are 1/2/3/4
Sitting here watching Spain - 1 France - 0 - so far.
I had France vs. Argentina in the world cup title game, France winning it all, but so far, Spain is outplaying France and they have a knack for beating them. M'Bappe and company have to step it up!
America underachieved - it was basically setup for them to finally get into a final 8.... but no. One of these days, they are going to have to get it together and beat one of the European teams like the Germans, Dutch, Belgium France Spains Portugal.... not to mention lil' ole' England - to get there.
Everyone knows I watch soccor and they asked me "why not USA?" '
I said in a short facebook post so they could all see it and be recorded in history (LOL) :
" Why not USA ? Because there are better teams."
Now the average American will basically go back to sleep on the World Cup for 4 years. All rip van winkle like.
It would have been too easy to have gone straight chalk and pick Spain France, Argentina and England this year, I had Brasil instead of England in the final 4. Love how England has played this year. Argentina is truly defending.
In the end, although I picked France, I want Argentina to win it, or England is a fine second pick for me. Messi should go out as a back to back champ. I'd lve to see that.
He's taken the baton from Pele and the other greats, and now even they have to say : "He IS the little Maestro." The Mozart of our time : Messi.
Not Babe Ruth, or Pele, or Michael Jordan or LeBron James, not Wayne Gretzky, not Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, or any other legend that you immediately know the sport they played when you hear their name ....
He has redefined greatness in every way I see it. I remember Pele. He was for me, before Messi, the one single greatest name - him with Muhammad Ali, the greatest one - two punch I got to live to see ! Wherever they went, they reciecved respect, adulation and love with the greatest comapssion that is the best in all things being human.
But enough of my ramblings and musings.
Almost all +6 minutes in added first half time, and it's still Spain 1 - 0 .... enjoy !
This is a good post.
I disagree, but it's a good post.
To me, the best way to assess a player's greatest is how much better he is than his contemporaries.
Is there anyone you'd pick in the NBA over Jordan during his prime 10 years? Babe Ruth was like twice as good as everybody when he played. Tiger absolutely dominated who he played against during his first 10 years or so. Gretzky, same thing. Those four guys were by far the greatest in their respective support using the one way you can judge: who they played against in their time. Btw... confused where to put steroid era Bonds in all this. Ha.
Now you mentioned Ali. I agree he was the best heavyweight of his generation, but dudes like Holmes weren't that far behind.
Your post was about Messi. I don't watch enough soccer to know how great he is, but from what I've seen / heard, he's not further ahead than Jordan, Tiger, Ruth or Gretzky. But I'm fine to put him in that group.
That didn't go the way I expected. Spain was just better. Controlled the game.
Soccer is kind of a dumb sport. Just more chance than anything
People always ask why not the USA? The USA is not some foreign land filled with athletic unicorns. We’re a country of 350 million living in a world of 7 billion. The most athletic people in the world are in every country, not just America. Now that the NBA is fully international you have people like Jokic, Doncic, Webenyana, and the Greek freak that are arguably as athletic or freakish or good as any American. The US isn’t going to be the top 3 of any sport with their 3rd or 4th level athletes, which is exactly what soccer players are. The best athletes in America choose basketball, football, sometimes baseball and even hockey before soccer, they just do. That’s not going to cut it versus other countries who’s best of the best choose soccer. I find it funny that Antonio Freeman’s son is one of the best USA men’s players and Dennis Rodmans daughters is one of the best women’s players.
Spain kept France on the wrong foot all game. A very impressive performance. Hats off to them. If they take the title, it will be well deserved.
For me, anybody but Kane, who looks too much like this punchable face.
Also Serena scoffs at your short list of greats (though I’ve always suspected she was doping.)
For me, anybody but Kane, who looks too much like this punchable face.
Also Serena scoffs at your short list of greats (though I’ve always suspected she was doping.)
With tournament expansion to 48 teams, and very possibly 64 teams by 2030, it’s very unlikely we ever fail to qualify again, and it’s more and more likely we make it out of our group.
We’ll also have world cup qualifying to hone our roster and develop chemistry, which may actually be better for us than auto-qualifying as hosts.
I think we may be better served too if Pulisic is more of a complementary player in the next world cup, and that may happen naturally as he’ll be in his 30s and injury prone. That might be the last major tournament of his career.
England choking it away. Subbed to get defenders in to hold onto the 1 - NIL lead .... then gives up 2 goals at the 86th and 91st minute....
They must feel cursed ...
Argentina willing themselves to the finish line !
They must feel cursed ...
Argentina willing themselves to the finish line !
England bunkered down too soon.
Somebody dropped in and I quit watching when it was 1-0. Argentina has magic.
Messi ! That assist to get the equalizer was inevitable. Either that, or directly off his foot.
That is why they are defending world champions. While it's not surprising to see the world's #1 vs. the world's #2 teams play for the World Cup Final, Spain would be the one to give them the best game. My pick, France, played the worst game of the tournament against Spain, and that was because : they played against Spain. France played at best a C game ( for them, a D or F level game ... ) when you bring that kind of game to the biggest stage on Earth, it won't get it done. So no third straight finals appearance for le Blues.
Argentina was my choice from this side of the bracket. They have been behind before in this tournament. They were the best team today and they won.
Now, we get a real treat of a final Sunday.
I am thoroughly behind Argentina now, which will probably be the kiss of death for them, but I kinda' thought England might do it today. But no !
To see Messi, that "little man" - that "Little Maestro" - go out in his last world cup game in his last world cup appearance ??? Sad to see it end either way. I hope he wins it. I just can't think of a better way to see it end than to see him go out a back to back world cup champ.
And if Spain wins it, hey, they're completely awesome & have been, for so long, and yet to only have won it 2010 ??? Yeah it already seems like Spain should have one more ... or two, for as great as they have been. I have loved watching the Spanish teams. The way they just get control of the ball and pass is ... remarkable.
So it's must see sporting TV as ever there was for a game to watch. Neither of these teams beat themselves. So it surely will be an epic game for the ages.
The world will be watching !!!!
Spain vs. Argentina
who ya got ?
That is why they are defending world champions. While it's not surprising to see the world's #1 vs. the world's #2 teams play for the World Cup Final, Spain would be the one to give them the best game. My pick, France, played the worst game of the tournament against Spain, and that was because : they played against Spain. France played at best a C game ( for them, a D or F level game ... ) when you bring that kind of game to the biggest stage on Earth, it won't get it done. So no third straight finals appearance for le Blues.
Argentina was my choice from this side of the bracket. They have been behind before in this tournament. They were the best team today and they won.
Now, we get a real treat of a final Sunday.
I am thoroughly behind Argentina now, which will probably be the kiss of death for them, but I kinda' thought England might do it today. But no !
To see Messi, that "little man" - that "Little Maestro" - go out in his last world cup game in his last world cup appearance ??? Sad to see it end either way. I hope he wins it. I just can't think of a better way to see it end than to see him go out a back to back world cup champ.
And if Spain wins it, hey, they're completely awesome & have been, for so long, and yet to only have won it 2010 ??? Yeah it already seems like Spain should have one more ... or two, for as great as they have been. I have loved watching the Spanish teams. The way they just get control of the ball and pass is ... remarkable.
So it's must see sporting TV as ever there was for a game to watch. Neither of these teams beat themselves. So it surely will be an epic game for the ages.
The world will be watching !!!!
Spain vs. Argentina
who ya got ?
excellent post !
Maybe it's just more of a "cult of personality like" thing that I see Messi in, in modern terms. Maybe more to be precise, "the how many people see him now" terms. More people in the world (now - and is it simply because there are simply THAT many more people in the world to begin with ?? Hell I dunno, I'm an old dude !) but it seems to me like they know Messi's name better than they seem to do anyone else. Maybe that's my own misperception of that.
Having said that, I've seen too many incredible things from Messi over the years, I just have never seen any athlete that tops his sport than any other, personally, at least for me. It seems like he can somehow make the impossible possible when he is out there.
I've never seen anyone more than him in every moment he has had. The two assists today were epic in every sense of the word.
Just a joy to be able to say ... I remember Pele and have lived to see the Little Maestro.
That can bookend it for me. And I hope to live much longer ! haha !
Argentina just finds a way to win.
England controlled the ball 12% of the time from the time they scored until the Argentina game winner.
England doing what they did to us at Yorktown: pissing down their leg and waving the white flag.
England doing what they did to us at Yorktown: pissing down their leg and waving the white flag.
That's funny because the better teams usually win. Like most every other team sport.
Amazing to watch him dribble between 3-4 opponents. NO ONE else does that near close to his frequency. And he put that winning cross right on the money with his off/right foot. And he looks like he just walked out of the corner bar or off the assembly line.
You aren't kidding he's so amazing and he's 39 years old. Dude doesn't look like he's losing a step at all looks like he could at least do it for another 10 years.
This is something I’ve noticed before about Messi. He scores his goals off his famous left foot, but his best assists very often come off his right foot. Almost like he has one shooting foot and one passing foot.
And with superhuman touch off both feet.