World Cup 2014

[DoctorUnne]

Are people getting pumped?!

I'm not sure this is new but it was new to me and it's awesome.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ilwoEBL_KLU

[Back]

USA! USA! USA!

[DoctorUnne]

Forgot to add the brunette chick in the car is so incredibly hot

[Back]

OOHSAH! OOHSAH! OOHSAH!

[DoctorUnne]

Holy shit Back that has to be the fastest response to a thread ever. I immediately typed up my second post following my first, and you still were in before me.

[Back]

Hoping we get further this year. Such a great competition.

[Drew]

Hoping we get further this year. Such a great competition.

Our draw is brutal. If we make it out of group play I'll be shocked.

[SHAFT]

Our draw is brutal. If we make it out of group play I'll be shocked.

We're going to own this group! Shit, they better recognize

[Back]

Is anyone here actually going to Rio?

[DoctorUnne]

I might go if the US plays in a city that it doesn't take a week to get in and out of

[Keller]

I'll be happy if we win a game in group play. No way is the USA going to advance to the knockout round.

[Keller]

Glad Donovan didn't make the 23-man roster. There is obvious nostalgia, but I'm glad we've got a coach with the guts to leave a doughty, unfit Donovan off the roster.

[Latrinsorm]

The word I think you're looking for is doughy. Doughty means brave. But I'm gonna be honest, I only follow women's soccer so maybe 'don-Don is a courageous fella.

[DaCapn]

This group affords a rare opportunity: The US could eliminate Portugal and cause the ultimate anguish of Ronaldo The Lesser. I don't know about anyone else, but I treasure every moment this man wallows in defeat.

I haven't had a chance to really think about the roster but based upon our draw, the only thing on Klinsmann's mind had to be "what can get us through this group?" It's such a tough group that you can't really think any further than that. If you get through, anything else is just icing.

[Back]

Amazing head shot goal by the Netherlands!

[Ker_Thwap]

I read a quote that that if you flop in soccer, it's like you can be rewarded with a 25 pt free throw. It kicks me out of my groove.

[Gelston]

I just watch it for the Brazilian riot videos.

[SHAFT]

It's hard for me to get excited about the World Cup. I want to, I really do. I can't get over the idea of the whole thing being majorly corrupt, plus these guys and their flopping and fake injuries. Futbol players make vlade divacs look like an amateur. I wish I had some of the stuff they put in their spray bottles to heal injuries however. Few sprays and you're back to normal.

[Latrinsorm]

Stick with the Lady World Cup. All jogo bonito, plus America is really good at it.

[diethx]

I can't get over the idea of the whole thing being majorly corrupt

You mean you're not ok with the Brazilian police evicting, beating, killing people for the sake of the World Cup? What's wrong with you?!

[Back]

Here is that header by Perie.

http://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/robin-van-persie-flying-header-against-netherlands-a.gif?w=1000

[DoctorUnne]

USA! USA!

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH65jS-EseQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uEpcfonkt4

[Androidpk]

Got to hand it to Ghana, the assist on their goal was magical.

MURICA

[Nilandia]

I could swear Ghana was playing dirty football. Who kicks their foot that high when going for a header?

[DaCapn]

To those who complain about diving: Do you even watch this game? Or are you just pundit-parrots?


I could swear Ghana was playing dirty football. Who kicks their foot that high when going for a header?

Obviously he nailed Deuce in the face (the possible broken nose was evidence of that) but really these things have a way of looking crazy in replay when they're actually pretty reasonable. He's off-balance, trying to stick limbs out to right himself. A foul is a foul but in most of these cases, I don't think there's real intent to cause harm.

I'll be insanely surprised if they don't go 4-2-3-1 against Portugal with Jones/Beckerman as holding midfield and Bradley as the attacking playmaker. We need designated holding players. How many times did we just let Ghana walk the ball to the top of the box from the wings? I'm just glad that Altidore is apparently okay (I'm expecting him to play the target man up top). No ill will to anyone (well almost anyone) but I really hope Coentrao is out for our next match. Both matches were a huge step towards our placement in the round of 16!

[Ker_Thwap]

I'm probably a step below a casual soccer fan, but damn, Ghana looked like they were on better steroids than the US. Both in muscle mass and endurance. That game would have been a blowout if their strikers didn't send about ten balls high over the crossbar.

[Keller]

People are making way too big a deal of Ghana's opportunities. In reality, they only had a few real opportunities. Our entire strategy that game was to clog the middle of our defensive third and make Ghana take crosses. It worked nearly to perfection. Ghana's only goal was on a defensive breakdown in the middle of our third. None of their other opportunities were that dangerous.

Our fitness is an issue. That's not a good sign going forward against more technically sound teams.

[Kembal]

Spain out? Who called that before the World Cup started?

[Latrinsorm]

Is it getting Chile in here, or is it just Spain? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[DaCapn]

Spain out? Who called that before the World Cup started?

José Mourinho. But probably only to be a dick about it.

[Back]

Spain out? Who called that before the World Cup started?

We need a poll based on who is left.

[Keller]

Is it getting Chile in here, or is it just Spain? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Their only goal was on the worst PK call of the Cup so far. They should be out with a 6 goal differential after 2 games. I haven't seen that kind of collapse from a reigning champion since . . .

[Latrinsorm]

Their only goal was on the worst PK call of the Cup so far. They should be out with a 6 goal differential after 2 games. I haven't seen that kind of collapse from a reigning champion since . . .Oh, you!

Can you even imagine if the Heat hadn't reached the Finals, let alone lost in the first round? I say this a lot, but for real this time: Skip Bayless' head would EX-PLODE.

[Kembal]

The second half of the Germany-Ghana game was fantastic. Interestingly, the US has a shot at winning the entire group now.

[Nilandia]

I gotta hand it to the Iranians. They were really doing well against Argentina.

[SHAFT]

What a beautiful goal to put the US up 2-1. Right there with Messi's.

[subzero]

http://www.ctemploymentlawblog.com/files/2014/03/football.jpg

[Nilandia]

I think I had a heart attack there for a while. USA is doing surprisingly well, even if we ALMOST HAD IT.

[SHAFT]

I blame Kranar.

I've actually had a lot of fun following the World Cup. The lack of football, hockey, and basketball probably has something to do with it. Lots of goals however.

[Androidpk]

Germany never should have gotten that goal in. Didn't catch his name but that American defender jumped out of the way when he could have easily blocked it.

[Gelston]

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/30/66/25/6514008/3/628x471.jpg

GO VANDY!

Their very first men's sports national title.

[DaCapn]

Germany never should have gotten that goal in. Didn't catch his name but that American defender jumped out of the way when he could have easily blocked it.

If you want to know who actually made the biggest mistake leading towards that goal, it was Brad Davis for leaving his position at the near post. Once he saw that Germany were playing a short corner, he left his position to go pressure the ball. If it's your job to mark a post, you do not leave until the ball is cleared.

You can't blame the defenders for failing to block the shot. I think Besler was nearest to Müller and he was something like 6-8 yards away. Gonzalez (who was probably the most critical US player during that match) tried to throw a leg up but was late. There's not enough time to position yourself very well in those circumstances and before pressuring the ball, you still need to check that the man you were assigned to mark is sufficiently covered. I would say that their positioning, movement, and shape wasn't very good while defending the corner, though.

It was actually a great example as to why Germany will be so successful off of corners in this competition. Everyone knows that they have some of the tallest players. Mertesacker is 6'6" and Mats Hummels is 6'4". I'd actually rate Hummels as the best center back in the world and probably the best header-winning defender. Height is always a factor but I wouldn't even say it's the main factor. Smart positioning is usually more important. Their height gives them lots of options for direct headers into goal off of corners. This is going to be the main thing teams will prepare for against German corners, and they'll use heavy marking in the box. But in addition to height, they have an impressive spread of technical players who are very capable as attacking playmakers and goal scorers so they can take very good short corners as well.

Watch the replay and see how calculated this corner is. When their header-winning players in the box are clogged with defenders, the header-winners drift to the far side of the box from the corner. The person taking the corner takes it short, draws defenders from the near post, creating space. The Germans in control of the ball play the ball into this space just as the header-winning players are drifting into it (this was Mertesacker's chance). They keep players positioned at all of the usual places to capitalize on deflections and loose balls. Müller was probably the first player on either team to set himself up for this play at the far corner of the 18 yard box.

Look at where Müller placed the ball. Just inside the post Brad Davis was assigned to mark! If he placed the ball more towards the center of the goal, Tim Howard would have reached it (and there were too many potential deflections). If he placed it at his near post, he risked Besler blocking the shot.

[DaCapn]

No one has anything to say? Tim Howard was such a beast.

Belgium deserved that win, though. I haven't followed Belgium but I really think they'll beat Argentina in the next round. Their attacking transitional play is probably the best out of all of the teams left, I think. France is also quite good.

[Gelston]

Nope. Our team of foreigners lost to another team of foreigners.

[Androidpk]

Howard was a beast indeed. It's unfortunate the rest of the team wasn't playing as awesome as he did.

[Gelston]

If soccer games were only composed of the last 10-20 minutes, they'd all be awesome.

Hurry the fuck up Football season. I'd even take preseason games now.

[Back]

If soccer games were only composed of the last 10-20 minutes, they'd all be awesome.

Hurry the fuck up Football season. I'd even take preseason games now.

How about you shut the fuck up about how you hate soccer. We get the fucking point.

[Gelston]

How about you shut the fuck up about how you hate soccer. We get the fucking point.

I've said it twice total? Stop being a whiny little bitch.

All you ever do is cry cry cry, whine whine whine. OMG They said REDSKIN! OMG! They don't like Obama! Racists!

Fucking bitch.

Oh, btw, before tonight.... My last comment on soccer was you know... How I used to play it for my High School. So, there is that.

[Back]

I've said it twice total? Stop being a whiny little bitch.

All you ever do is cry cry cry, whine whine whine. OMG They said REDSKIN! OMG! They don't like Obama! Racists!

Fucking bitch.

Oh, btw, before tonight.... My last comment on soccer was you know... How I used to play it for my High School. So, there is that.

I sense a lot of anger in you, young padawan.

[Gelston]

How about you shut the fuck up about how you hate soccer. We get the fucking point.


I sense a lot of anger in you, young padawan.

Mmmhmmm...

[Androidpk]

How about you shut the fuck up about how you hate soccer. We get the fucking point.



I sense a lot of anger in you, young padawan.

Okay.

[Back]

I just watch it for the Brazilian riot videos.


http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/30/66/25/6514008/3/628x471.jpg

GO VANDY!

Their very first men's sports national title.


Nope. Our team of foreigners lost to another team of foreigners.


If soccer games were only composed of the last 10-20 minutes, they'd all be awesome.

Hurry the fuck up Football season. I'd even take preseason games now.


I've said it twice total? Stop being a whiny little bitch.

All you ever do is cry cry cry, whine whine whine. OMG They said REDSKIN! OMG! They don't like Obama! Racists!

Fucking bitch.

Oh, btw, before tonight.... My last comment on soccer was you know... How I used to play it for my High School. So, there is that.

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

[Gelston]

1st one wasn't bashing soccer. 2nd was Vandy winning NCAA Baseball, and not bashing soccer. 3rd was mostly a statement of fact and not bashing soccer. 4th was sorta bashing soccer, but you have to admit, the extra time of the US Belgium game was you know, when both sides finally scored. The 5th one was stating a fact.

BTW, the 3rd comment was tonight, the one before that was quite a few days back, and I did have a comment concerning soccer in another thread where I called soccer players athletes.

So sorry, I was wrong. I bashed soccer once. Sorta.

[Ker_Thwap]

1st one wasn't bashing soccer. 2nd was Vandy winning NCAA Baseball, and not bashing soccer. 3rd was mostly a statement of fact and not bashing soccer. 4th was sorta bashing soccer, but you have to admit, the extra time of the US Belgium game was you know, when both sides finally scored. The 5th one was stating a fact.

BTW, the 3rd comment was tonight, the one before that was quite a few days back, and I did have a comment concerning soccer in another thread where I called soccer players athletes.

So sorry, I was wrong. I bashed soccer once. Sorta.

Stop not liking things that I like! (Seriously, that's all that Back is saying. Why would you wasted time responding to such cluelessness?)

As to the world cup, it was entertaining enough. Can't say I was emotionally invested, I wasn't really raised on the sport.

[DaCapn]

Howard was a beast indeed. It's unfortunate the rest of the team wasn't playing as awesome as he did.

I think we played to our limits and did well overall. Tim Howard actually set a record for most saves in a World Cup match (16).

Couch-coaching, I'd say we should have kept the same formation we played against Portugal (with a few changes in the back line, perhaps). We don't really have flexibility in our midfield. I think the idea was to swap Beckerman out for Cameron for more height. We didn't really get victimized by high balls (as Klinsmann would have expected?) and Belgium was largely permitted to just transition to attack without much difficulty.

[DaCapn]

On to the semi-final:
Brasil/Netherlands
Germany/Argentina

Some pretty amazing matches the past couple of days. I honestly had Columbia picked and was hoping for Costa Rica but still have Germany to win.

Now any time I see a good performance from a keeper, it's going to be in context of Howard. BBC commentators were continuously applauding Navas against the Netherlands (8 saves). Obviously Ochoa didn't top Howard's 16 against Brasil and everyone was raving about his play. The most saves I can remember seeing in a full match before that was Willy Caballero with 11. Speaking of which, why is he not the starting keeper for Argentina? Why was he not even called up? He had something like the 3rd best goalkeeping stats in La Liga despite Málaga getting buried in the middle of the table.

[Ker_Thwap]

On to the semi-final:
Brasil/Netherlands
Germany/Argentina

Some pretty amazing matches the past couple of days. I honestly had Columbia picked and was hoping for Costa Rica but still have Germany to win.

Now any time I see a good performance from a keeper, it's going to be in context of Howard. BBC commentators were continuously applauding Navas against the Netherlands (8 saves). Obviously Ochoa didn't top Howard's 16 against Brasil and everyone was raving about his play. The most saves I can remember seeing in a full match before that was Willy Caballero with 11. Speaking of which, why is he not the starting keeper for Argentina? Why was he not even called up? He had something like the 3rd best goalkeeping stats in La Liga despite Málaga getting buried in the middle of the table.

I watched the second half of the Costa Rica/Netherlands match. Costa Rica looked like the were playing in the wrong weight division. It's got to be stressful having a good portion of your strategy reliant on the offsides official being attentive. I was also pleased to see that the floppers weren't rewarded (this time.)

[Kembal]

My guess is Germany and Argentina in the final. Brazil's missing Neymar, and I think Klose is going to come up big. Argentina seems able to score early and dominate the match, and the Netherlands doesn't seem able to score until the last minute.

As to who's going to win, I dunno. Never has a World Cup in the Western Hemisphere been won by an Eastern Hemisphere team. At the same time, in that final, you know every Brazilian will end up rooting for Germany. They dislike Argentina that much.

[Androidpk]

I'd like to see a Germany and Argentina match up as well, with Germany winning.

[Nilandia]

I'm honestly not sure what Neymar's impact will be now. He was a big part of the team, sure, but now he's become something of a rallying point for the rest of the team. Win one for him, and the like.

I'll be rooting for Germany, as I usually do, but I'm not too impressed with their last few games. It's like their heads weren't in the game. Regardless, I hope Klose gets the record. I don't think he has another World Cup in him.

[Kembal]

Well, either Germany flipped on the overdrive or Brazil is throwing the game. 5-0, at halftime. Who the heck expected that?

[Tsk Tsk]

I wonder if Poland is sending Brazil their condolences.

[Ardwen]

I bet you didn't know Neymar played defense and was the goalkeeper

[Keller]

Most convincing domination since San Antonio made Lebron's ass quit.

[Back]

Germany found Brazil's weakness in defense. Watch the plays... Germany rushes in with two or three strikers, passes between them, then kicks the ball back to another guy who is lined up right in front of the goal. While Brazil is scrambling to ward off the attack Germany tosses it back and the guy just kicks it right in. Unbelievable game.

[Androidpk]

Germany found Brazil's weakness in defense. Watch the plays... Germany rushes in with two or three strikers, passes between them, then kicks the ball back to another guy who is lined up right in front of the goal. While Brazil is scrambling to ward off the attack Germany tosses it back and the guy just kicks it right in. Unbelievable game.

Absolutely brilliant gameplay.

[Kembal]

Brazil was missing Thiago Silva, who got his second yellow card for possibly the stupidest reason during a World Cup. (he ran into Colombia's goalkeeper while the goalkeeper was kicking the ball away)

[Lady Sylvan]

Im wearing my Muller football shirt with pride. Go Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After the second goal, and I seen that poor Brazilian woman crying, I couldn't help but laugh and cheer at the next 4 goals.

[cwolff]

The Favela's going to burn tonight. Man I bet those Brazilians are pissed now. All that money spent on the games and they get absolutely humiliated.

[Lady Sylvan]

I will have to paint my face when I watch the world cup championship.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes it is wrong to be a southern girl, being a Germany fan. But it feels so right. :)

[tyrant-201]

Brazil didn't "Believe that they can win"

[Androidpk]

It wasn't a soccer game, it was a porno.

http://i.imgur.com/fUostqs.jpg

[DaCapn]

Germany found Brazil's weakness in defense. Watch the plays... Germany rushes in with two or three strikers, passes between them, then kicks the ball back to another guy who is lined up right in front of the goal. While Brazil is scrambling to ward off the attack Germany tosses it back and the guy just kicks it right in. Unbelievable game.

Yeah, Brasil was totally disorganized. Germany has the largest and strongest collection of attacking playmakers. This was a pretty severe demonstration of what they can do against a disorganized defense. When the opposition is packed too tight in the box, they easily drop the ball to someone in space near the top of the box. This situation is perfect for these players because that supporting position is so natural for every single player. The spread of scoring players highlights this as well.

It was almost as if Brasil hadn't considered Germany as a team at all. I think that not going through qualifications ended up being a real disservice to them. There always seemed to be some kind of "destined to win" mentality as if they were the protagonists in some movie. They've been carrying along almost as if the whole thing was a series of pickup games. It got them through a lot of the dark horses but this was their first major contender.

The match was okay but it was just way too much. Obviously Germany had to make a meal out of it (and good for them) but it wasn't that exciting. So far, Costa Rica has had one of the most organized defenses. I really wish I could have seen them face off with Germany. Kind of crazy that Klose broke Ronaldo's (the real one) scoring record. Müller is looking like a potential follow-up record breaker next time and a potential golden boot recipient this year. Anyone else catch Müller with his shinguard shenanigans? He likes to wear them really low. Sometimes they flop around and he takes them out and pushes his socks down. It looks ridiculous. At one point in this match he was running with them in hand. Just silly.

Pulling for Argentina tomorrow but it'll be a tough battle without di María.

[DaCapn]

Brasil/Netherlands in about 40min here. Last chance for the hosts to regain some honor.

[DaCapn]

Brasil/Netherlands in about 40min here. Last chance for the hosts to regain some honor.

EDIT: DERP! 4pm EST, not 3pm (50min as of edit)