***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Sand]

DC led the country in the combined overnight ratings for the WC at a 14.4.

Well, yeah. It's called government work for a reason.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Glory, glory Man United!

Thanks Moyes

Can't begrudge me some gentle Man U trolling.

damn, i gave you a like for it too...

I'd actually like to see a team just play him as a target forward for a whole season.

 

[Sand]

Algeria is the top FIFA ranked African side coming into the WC.

wow... had no idea.

I know the least about them, so figured they were dreck. Who was in their qualifying group?

They beat Burkino Faso in the playoffs to get in.

Their group was Mali, Benin, Rwanda (not quite a murders row )

It would be surprising to me if they were better than Ghana or Ivory Coast but I will admit that I have not seen them play to really be sure.

I'd pick either Ivory Coast or Ghana as the best African team. (Though an argument can be made for Egypt, who went undefeated in their group and still somehow had to play a tiebreaker and lost).

 

[ffldrew]

Nice weight on the ball from Hazard

 

[The Gator]

SUPER SUB

 

[NewlyRetired]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Three good ones in Friedel, Howard and Keller. Very hard to choose between them.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

How do you like Dries's Nuts?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Algeria just couldn't hold 'em off. Good job by Belgium as this is sort of win over adversity that brings a young team together.

NOW we'll see Algeria open up I think.

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

Beautiful run by the 2nd guy on the break there... drew the defenders in with him and left that 3rd runner wide open... great pass, great shot- boom.

 

[TenTimes]

That turned fast.. Algerians in the stands are like

 

[QuizGuy66]

In the grand scheme of things, a 2-1 loss isn't the worst result for Algeria though - if Belgium takes all 9 points the Desert Foxes could make it if they spring an upset in their other 2 games.

-QG

 

[B Maverick]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Three good ones in Friedel, Howard and Keller. Very hard to choose between them.

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Cant go wrong with any of the three. Would probably take Friedel as well. And I can say I played vs him in college.

A strong argument could be made for Howard, but since Freidel has been playing EPL longer I would go with him.

 

[onionsack]

Brooks coming on for Besler according to twitter.

OOF

Never want to see a starting CB leave the game.

Even aside from the goal, Brooks looked good. Excited about his potential.

No, no...totally agree with you, I think everybody had the same reaction. Just funny given how it all turned out.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

 

[NewlyRetired]

(Though an argument can be made for Egypt, who went undefeated in their group and still somehow had to play a tiebreaker and lost).

It was not a tie breaker.

African qualifying is organized like this:

10 groups of 4.

The ten group winners are the seeded into two pots, creating 5 match ups.

The winner of those 5 match ups qualify for WC

Egypt had bad luck in drawing Ghana at this last stage.

 

[Joe Bryant]

For Joe, this is the kind of game that puts the lie to possession statistics. The Algerian strategy is akin to a boxer doing the rope-a-dope. Belgium will carry the play but Algeria will look to make the most of the breakaways that they get. It may look bad statistically but it's basically a strategy of holding your positioning and forcing Belgium to be very precise in order to break them down.

-QG

Thanks.

J

 

[El Floppo]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

 

[Joe Bryant]

http://screamer.deadspin.com/america-reacts-to-game-winner-against-ghana-1591737963/1591941752/+kylenw?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

That stuff gives me chills. Am I the only one that tears up with this kinda crap?

Chills every time...

Now you guys are just taunting me, right?

You don't enjoy vids like those?

I think they show why sports a great. Look at the KC crowd, that is awesome.

I think it's honestly kind of odd the fascination soccer folks seem to have taking video of themselves watching games.

Sure, it's nice to see a bunch of happy people. But no where near "chills" or "tearing up".

People are serious about tearing up for these?

J

Seriously? You don't think these exact same videos exist of fans watching football games or baseball games or other sports?

Common in college football.

Common in everything. It is just the technology we have now that everything can be recorded and posted instantly.

How anyone can think this is soccer only is very strange to me.

This.

Odd to me to think it's odd.

Fair enough.

J

 

[NewlyRetired]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Possibly 4th, but there is a large gap between the top 3 and Meola. Meola is hurt by not having a top league on his resume.

 

[Norman Paperman]

Shep Messing imo

 

[El Floppo]

For Joe, this is the kind of game that puts the lie to possession statistics. The Algerian strategy is akin to a boxer doing the rope-a-dope. Belgium will carry the play but Algeria will look to make the most of the breakaways that they get. It may look bad statistically but it's basically a strategy of holding your positioning and forcing Belgium to be very precise in order to break them down.

-QG

Thanks.

J

And basically the US's strategy as well.

 

[Eephus]

Algeria is the top FIFA ranked African side coming into the WC.

wow... had no idea.

I know the least about them, so figured they were dreck. Who was in their qualifying group?

They beat Burkino Faso in the playoffs to get in.

Their group was Mali, Benin, Rwanda (not quite a murders row )

It would be surprising to me if they were better than Ghana or Ivory Coast but I will admit that I have not seen them play to really be sure.

I'd pick either Ivory Coast or Ghana as the best African team. (Though an argument can be made for Egypt, who went undefeated in their group and still somehow had to play a tiebreaker and lost).

Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations last year

 

[Celph Titled]

I really can't root for Kevin De Bruyne ever since he kept Jesse Pinkman as his meth slave.

 

[Eephus]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Possibly 4th, but there is a large gap between the top 3 and Meola. Meola is hurt by not having a top league on his resume.

Marcus Hahnemann

 

[NewlyRetired]

Algeria is the top FIFA ranked African side coming into the WC.

wow... had no idea.

I know the least about them, so figured they were dreck. Who was in their qualifying group?

They beat Burkino Faso in the playoffs to get in.

Their group was Mali, Benin, Rwanda (not quite a murders row )

It would be surprising to me if they were better than Ghana or Ivory Coast but I will admit that I have not seen them play to really be sure.

I'd pick either Ivory Coast or Ghana as the best African team. (Though an argument can be made for Egypt, who went undefeated in their group and still somehow had to play a tiebreaker and lost).

Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations last year

To be fair, that was a year and a half ago.

To put that in perspective the Hex had not even started yet.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

How much more does Brad Guzan have to do to get into the conversation?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Possibly 4th, but there is a large gap between the top 3 and Meola. Meola is hurt by not having a top league on his resume.

Marcus Hahnemann

Meola was better at club and country imo.

 

[El Floppo]

Shep's Messing imo

fyp

 

[NewlyRetired]

How much more does Brad Guzan have to do to get into the conversation?

He has to hope Howard retires from international soccer next month.

 

[El Floppo]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Possibly 4th, but there is a large gap between the top 3 and Meola. Meola is hurt by not having a top league on his resume.

Marcus Hahnemann

Meola was better at club and country imo.

way better.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.

Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

 

[QuizGuy66]

For Joe, this is the kind of game that puts the lie to possession statistics. The Algerian strategy is akin to a boxer doing the rope-a-dope. Belgium will carry the play but Algeria will look to make the most of the breakaways that they get. It may look bad statistically but it's basically a strategy of holding your positioning and forcing Belgium to be very precise in order to break them down.

-QG

Thanks.

J

And basically the US's strategy as well.

Depending on the opponent - against a team with a lot of speed and scoring talent like Ghana, yes. If Algeria sneaks through somehow and the US plays them the situation will be completely reversed.

Horses for courses.

-QG

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

It's almost impossible to pick the "best" African teams because African teams seem to always have something going on besides just the talent on the roster. I also think that injuries play a huge role in African football. Its a huge dropoff from Yaya Toure to Chiek Tiote to whoever the 3rd best Ivorian center mid is. Its a massive dropoff for Nigeria if they're not starting Emminike, but instead Shola freakin' Ameobi.

 

[Norman Paperman]

lol - Andy bringing some Shea heat to the board

 

[Joe Bryant]

Common in college football.

Thanks Gump. Now that I think about, you're exactly right - we saw this a good bit with the Auburn - Alabama game last year.

But that's exactly my point.

Maybe the question is better phrased like this: Is Soccer Fan with USA beating Ghana yesterday on the same level as Auburn Fan beating Alabama in the 2013 Iron Bowl?

That's cool if it is. In fact I hope it is as it tells me things about this market.

But I wouldn't think it would be. But that's why I ask you guys stuff.

J

 

[Eephus]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Possibly 4th, but there is a large gap between the top 3 and Meola. Meola is hurt by not having a top league on his resume.

Marcus Hahnemann

Meola was better at club and country imo.

Hahnemann was in strong form the first year Reading was up in the EPL

 

[NewlyRetired]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

He had a long career in MLS and his last US cap came in 2006. Very good keeper for many years.

1994 made him and Lalas two big names.

 

[QuizGuy66]

It's almost impossible to pick the "best" African teams because African teams seem to always have something going on besides just the talent on the roster. I also think that injuries play a huge role in African football. Its a huge dropoff from Yaya Toure to Chiek Tiote to whoever the 3rd best Ivorian center mid is. Its a massive dropoff for Nigeria if they're not starting Emminike, but instead Shola freakin' Ameobi.

There's also the fact that they are a large confederation. Picking the best team in Europe is similarly difficult. Looking at CONMEBOL, you're only picking between like 10 teams. CONCACAF has about 3 dozen but so many of them are tiny that it's really not the same situation as well.

-QG

 

[Eephus]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.

Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

not surprising, he was kind of fat

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Jesus BBQ For the Homeless is my favorite Spoon album.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Common in college football.

I don't know how to compare them. The team works for 4 years to get to these games so they magnify emotions for the fans.

 

[Joe Bryant]

For Joe - this is something I was trying to find yesterday but couldn't. This is cool analysis in terms of how a game is being played.

Heat zone maps for individual players to give you an idea of where they were generally at - it can be an abstract for how the game is going.

This site has a lot of deeper stats too (but ones that are understandable IMO).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/matchzone/index.html#s2013-c4-m731780

-QG

Awesome. Thanks. I can already see it lends itself to a lot of data analysis stuff. Moneyball for soccer. Nice.

J

 

[The Gator]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

He has a radio show on Sirius XM and does some studio work for Bein

 

[Norman Paperman]

Shep's Messing imo

fyp

The Cosmos were, for a brief spell in the seventies, as hot as Reggie Jackson. They played soccer, yes, but they also partied at Studio 54, hung out with models and Mick Jagger, and otherwise exemplified the hedonism of the era. Their stars were Pelé from Brazil, Franz Beckenbauer from Germany, Giorgio Chinaglia from Italy—and Shep Messing from Roslyn (Long Island).

So before Pelé showed up, you were the most famous Cosmo—but not for anything you did on the field.

Uh, that’s true. This pitcher for the Yankees I knew, Jim Bouton [who wrote the notorious tell-all Ball Four], called me and said there was a magazine called Viva looking to do a nude layout of a pro athlete. He didn’t want to do it, but thought maybe I would. I said, “How much?” and they said $5,000, which was a lot more than I was making at soccer.

Did posing nude turn you into a star?

No, it got me fired. Before Pelé came, it was the most publicity the team had ever had, but they said I violated a morals clause in my contract, and I got cut. I had to play in Boston for two years.

How did you get back to New York?

When Pelé first signed with the Cosmos, we played them twice, and I made a bunch of saves, including a penalty kick. When their goalkeeper got hurt, Pelé was like, “I want that guy.”

Not only does Pele, do this, this, this, and score - he wants that guy...

 

[TheIronSheik]

Common in college football.

Are you suggesting that Auburn-Alabama is bigger than our country v. another country?

I can't imagine many things bigger in sports than watching our country win on an international level. And I'm not even a big soccer fan. If there were smart phones in 1980, I'm sure the crowd reactions to Miracle on Ice would have been epic.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

He has a radio show on Sirius XM and does some studio work for Bein

I imagine sitting next to Phil Schoen is good for the old self-esteem.

 

[El Floppo]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.

Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

Played for the MetroStars and then retired. He pokes around as an analyst... not sure what more he's supposed to do staying-on-the-earth-wise.

The GK from my college team was his HS teammate- Tony played forward in HS (and was all-state, IIRC). Meola used to come to our college games and cheer/heckle us and his friend. Just heard a story last night that my GK teammate gave the speech inducting Meola into some kind of Hall of Fame in DC.

 

[El Floppo]

Common in college football.

I'm with you, obviously- but I get that college football fans are absolutely nuts about their team in a very specific way that US soccer fans are only beginning to approximate (for the nats more than say, MLS)

 

[TheIronSheik]

Who's the best US goalie of all time?

Its a complicated question. At his peak, Brad Freidel, IMO. But Freidel had a short national team peak compared to Keller and Howard.

Where's Meola rank?

Right behind those three... but could make a case for being there too.

I just remember him as the first goalie I knew of on a US team. He was kind of a rockstar for a short time. So much so he signed with the New York Jets, I believe.

Haven't heard his name mentioned since. Just fell off the face of the Earth.

Played for the MetroStars and then retired. He pokes around as an analyst... not sure what more he's supposed to do staying-on-the-earth-wise.

The GK from my college team was his HS teammate- Tony played forward in HS (and was all-state, IIRC). Meola used to come to our college games and cheer/heckle us and his friend. Just heard a story last night that my GK teammate gave the speech inducting Meola into some kind of Hall of Fame in DC.

I didn't mean it like a bad thing. I'm not really a big soccer guy. I just meant that he's no longer out there like I see Lalas or Brandy Chastain.