***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Frostillicus]

Thanks guys. Assuming you can gamble on it I'm going to give this Euro thing a shot if I remember it's happening.

 

[Frostillicus]

I love watching futbol. I have no idea why I get so into the world cup but can't remotely get into stuff like the EPL.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love watching futbol. I have no idea why I get so into the world cup but can't remotely get into stuff like the EPL.

You might like the country vs country aspect.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thanks guys. Assuming you can gamble on it I'm going to give this Euro thing a shot if I remember it's happening.

Yes you can gamble on it.

Don't sleep on the Copa America in 2016. Since it will be in the US it will likely dwarf the Euro Championships in the ratings especially if all the stars come as expected.

 

[Jayrod]

I love watching futbol. I have no idea why I get so into the world cup but can't remotely get into stuff like the EPL.

I'm pretty much like you, but I got into the last Euros in 2012 and loved it. A very WC like feel.

 

[Jayrod]

Thanks guys. Assuming you can gamble on it I'm going to give this Euro thing a shot if I remember it's happening.

Yes you can gamble on it. Don't sleep on the Copa America in 2016. Since it will be in the US it will likely dwarf the Euro Championships in the ratings especially if all the stars come as expected.

Is there a schedule of dates and cities for this yet? If there is anything in St. Louis or KC I'd love to go.

 

[Frostillicus]

Alright, Euro/Copa thing 2016 I'm in. Probably.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thanks guys. Assuming you can gamble on it I'm going to give this Euro thing a shot if I remember it's happening.

Yes you can gamble on it. Don't sleep on the Copa America in 2016. Since it will be in the US it will likely dwarf the Euro Championships in the ratings especially if all the stars come as expected.

Is there a schedule of dates and cities for this yet? If there is anything in St. Louis or KC I'd love to go.

No, not yet. Probably some time in 2015.

They still have some details to work out with FIFA to make sure it is on the official calendar so that all players can be released from their clubs. Once that is set, they will choose the cities and get some dates locked in.

 

[BassNBrew]

I am not a soccer fan at all. Never watch outside of the World Cup. The World Cup, however, I love. Absolutely love it. I can't keep up with this thread because it moves too fast and most of it is over my head, but I try to check in when I have time and I learn some stuff. Keep it up. It's a great sport even if I can only get into it every four years. But I've gone from one of those soccer hater guys to learning to have a true appreciation of the game and I've watched almost every match, even finding streams to watch at work. The WC is just so much fun.

Sorry for ####### noob questions, but what's the "Euro" thing they reference a couple of times in the WC fantasy thread? Like the WC only just Europe? Is it fun?

Yes and very yes

It's a higher concentration of talent. You don't get Brazil, Argentina and the like, but you don't get Australia, the Asians or other not quite up to the top levels.

One could argue based on the results this year that Europe is dragging down the WC talent.

eta - By talent, I mean players good at winning, not soccer skills.

 

[El Floppo]

Floppo, this is the guy I was talking about from Columbia. He might have graduated in 1982 though, a year before the final 4 run.

http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19810923-01.2.11&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------

Yeah- their run to the finals happened in 83'.

I also became familiar with a lot of those guys because they stuck around NYC and came to games and alumni games. Todd was off my radar. Weirdly, it turned out that my BIL was on the JV team during that run, which we only found out much later.

 

[El Floppo]

all athletes everywhere complain about calls. weird thing to be bothered by in soccer. Hell, it made John McEnroe a legend.

I won't speak for Hugh above, but I really think it's it the injury/dive embellishment that most US sports fans hate the most- soccer nerds included.

Like Andy, I'm happy people give the sport a try... and IMO finding new things to be isolate as problems- like surrounding the ref- shows that they're at least taking the sport in a bit, even if not fully processing how similar some of these gripes are to every sport.

It's amazing the sport is at a place where proselytizing isn't needed- the fanbase is there and growing as is exposure to high quality soccer (even if it's just on TV and not local).

 

[jon_mx]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

 

[jon_mx]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

 

[jon_mx]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

 

[jon_mx]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

 

[El Floppo]

Question - how many goals off of free kicks are scored by about this time in WC tournaments? I can remember one so far this WC. That seems incredibly low..

I don't remember seeing a stat for it in previous tournaments but I agree it seems low as well.

Ironically the shaving cream line should have helped.

That being said, there have been plenty of set piece goals so far this tournament.

I've been wondering if any of the guys are using the shaving cream like pitchers use vaseline to help put movement on the ball... somehow.

 

[El Floppo]

Thanks guys. Assuming you can gamble on it I'm going to give this Euro thing a shot if I remember it's happening.

Pretty sure gambling is illegal in Europe. HTH.

 

[El Floppo]

I love watching futbol. I have no idea why I get so into the world cup but can't remotely get into stuff like the EPL.

You might like the country vs country aspect.

that. also, for me at least, it's that teams/players have been working for 3 years to get to this place- struggling through years of qualifying as a team and as individual players- so each game carries all that pressure with it.

plus, #### Mexico.

 

[El Floppo]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

I hate to say it- but in a perfect soccer world (which teams have played the most consistently and best) it should be Ghana and Germany. But I really, really, really hope it's the US. Like, REALLY.

 

[Ned]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

I hate to say it- but in a perfect soccer world (which teams have played the most consistently and best) it should be Ghana and Germany. But I really, really, really hope it's the US. Like, REALLY.

Ghana looks so much better (to me) than their record and the 538(?) rankings suggest. I really dig their style.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an apparent breach of art. 48 and/or art. 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ match Italy-Uruguay played on 24 June 2014. The player and/or the Uruguayan FA are invited to provide with their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant until 25 June 2014, 5pm, Brasilia time.

According to art. 77 lit. a of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention. Furthermore, according to art. 96 of the FDC, any type of proof may be produced (par. 1), in particular are admissible, reports from referees, declarations from the parties and witnesses, material evidence, audio or video recordings (par. 3).

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Sitting with an Azurri fan club at a local bar. Covertly rooting for Uruguay.

Did you order a Negroni?

It was an Irish pub. Weird.

Did see a guy still wearing his Italia jersey on the street last night. He politely declined my offer of a hug.

 

[roadkill1292]

Hard not to like Ghana. Always attacking with flair and energy. Would be nice not to meet up with them next WC.

 

[gump]

Adidas reported that they've sold roughly 6 million World Cup jerseys, with Germany leading the way by country with 2 million units.

That's comparable to top-selling NFL players on a yearly basis...a few players usually hit 2+ million, topping out around 3 million each.

That's way more than the top MLB players sell...which usually is well under 1 million per.

The only caveat is I'm not sure how the WC breaks down with players. If you combine all Yankees for example, you could approach the Germany number.

 

[berndog]

This lineup keeps our best players on the field but returns Bradley to a spot he has been so good for us in and might be more comfortable in. If you had asked me about this lineup 2 months ago I would have shot it down instantly but with Jones playing out of his skull, this might work and puts Dempsey in a spot where he won't get the hell beat out of him but can still get forward as much as he wants.

...............................Howard

Fab..............Cam.............Besler.............DMB

........................Bradley............Becks

...Zusi....................Dempsey....................Jones

............................Wondo

I wouldnt hate this lineup and Wondo looked solid in his limited time on Sunday. I still think Klinsmann needs to get more fresh legs on the field. Every team that has played in Manaus has lost their next game and looked gassed. Maybe a variation of lineup that would look like this:

...............................Howard

Fab..............Cam.............Besler.............Chandler

........................Bradley............Becks

...Zusi....................Mix....................Jones

............................Dempsey

Chandler scares me as he seems to have one critical mistake every game but can Beasley's 32 year old body recover? The same goes for Dempsey and Jones but no way they are coming out of the line up.

 

[Norman Paperman]

I think too much is being made of the teams that lost after playing in Manaus.

England - lost to a better Uruguayan Team

Italy - lost to a team they should have beaten, though Costa Rica is punching above their weight this WC

Cameroon - lost to a better Brazilian team

Croatia - lost to a better Mexican team.

So, 3 teams lost games to better teams. If the US loses to Germany it won't be because of Manaus.

 

[Premier]

Our guys are more used to that humidity too. 3 of those teams are from Europe. They've probably never seen anything like Manaus.

To the Americans that's just a day in Florida or Texas.

 

[berndog]

I think too much is being made of the teams that lost after playing in Manaus.

England - lost to a better Uruguayan Team

Italy - lost to a team they should have beaten, though Costa Rica is punching above their weight this WC

Cameroon - lost to a better Brazilian team

Croatia - lost to a better Mexican team.

So, 3 teams lost games to better teams. If the US loses to Germany it won't be because of Manaus.

What concerns me is all those teams looked gassed. Croatia had a great opportunity to advance and by the 65th minute they were dead tired. Italy had no energy in the Costa Rica game. The US doesnt have great depth in the midfield so I don't anticipate big changes so I really hope you are correct on the Manaus effect.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So... before the game kicks off tomorrow...

Would you rather see the US park the bus, Italy-style, and go for a 0-0 draw? Which could potentially have the advantage of convincing the Germans that 0-0 is a good result for them too and why rock the boat?

Or do you want to see attacking tactics and the US go for the win?

I'm sort of on the fence, but feel like attacking is a little naive. Wouldn't mind seeing something like...

--------Howard

Fab Cameron Besler DMB

----Beckerman Jones

Zusi--Bradley--Bedoya

-------Dempsey

Where Jones and Bedoya are asked to stay at home more, and we're not as aggressive with our fullbacks. If Bradley, Zusi and Dempsey can steal a goal -- great. But basically adopt a conservative posture while the game is tied.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This lineup keeps our best players on the field but returns Bradley to a spot he has been so good for us in and might be more comfortable in. If you had asked me about this lineup 2 months ago I would have shot it down instantly but with Jones playing out of his skull, this might work and puts Dempsey in a spot where he won't get the hell beat out of him but can still get forward as much as he wants.

...............................Howard

Fab..............Cam.............Besler.............DMB

........................Bradley............Becks

...Zusi....................Dempsey....................Jones

............................Wondo

I wouldnt hate this lineup and Wondo looked solid in his limited time on Sunday. I still think Klinsmann needs to get more fresh legs on the field. Every team that has played in Manaus has lost their next game and looked gassed. Maybe a variation of lineup that would look like this:

...............................Howard

Fab..............Cam.............Besler.............Chandler

........................Bradley............Becks

...Zusi....................Mix....................Jones

............................Dempsey

Chandler scares me as he seems to have one critical mistake every game but can Beasley's 32 year old body recover? The same goes for Dempsey and Jones but no way they are coming out of the line up.

I could see changes like this.

Chandler on the left though continues to scare me. He is clearly uncomfortable there. Fab plays on the left just as well as the right. If Chandler does start I hope he puts him at RB instead and puts Fab out left.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Also, forgot to ask after the game -- but is there anyone who would be unhappy if Omar Gonzalez was pretty much passed over in favor of Brooks going forward? It just seems like nothing good ever happens defensively when he's in the game.

 

[Sammy3469]

So... before the game kicks off tomorrow...

Would you rather see the US park the bus, Italy-style, and go for a 0-0 draw? Which could potentially have the advantage of convincing the Germans that 0-0 is a good result for them too and why rock the boat?

Or do you want to see an attacking tactics and go for the win?

I'm sort of on the fence, but feel like attacking is a little naive. Wouldn't mind seeing something like...

--------Howard

Fab Cameron Besler DMB

----Beckerman Jones

Zusi--Bradley--Bedoya

-------Dempsey

Where Jones and Bedoya are asked to stay at home more, and we're not as aggressive with our fullbacks. If Bradley, Zusi and Dempsey can steal a goal -- great. But basically adopt a conservative posture while the game is tied.

That's what we should do, but who knows if we actually will. As much as people were trashing the Italian's that's exactly what we should do. 0-0 for as long as possible is a great result for us especially since GD potentially kills us. Our goal should be 0-0 at halftime and see where we stand (ie if Portugal is up, we can open it up a little). Hell, I wouldn't mind a good ole X-mas 4-3-2-1 tree or even a dedicated 5-4-1.

Whatever the formation, it should have 5 in the midfield as we would get eaten up by Germany without that coverage.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Also, forgot to ask after the game -- but is there anyone who would be unhappy if Omar Gonzalez was pretty much passed over in favor of Brooks going forward? It just seems like nothing good ever happens defensively when he's in the game.

I agree.

The only small issue is whether Brooks and Besler could play on the field together comfortably with both being left footed. Once we see that is possible, Brooks/Cam/Besler should see us at least to the start of the hex at worst.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Our guys are more used to that humidity too. 3 of those teams are from Europe. They've probably never seen anything like Manaus.

To the Americans that's just a day in Florida or Texas.

I don't mean to make light of the "Manaus effect", but ESPN kept going on and on about how the temperatures were in the mid-80s with 80% humidity. We play probably 1/2 of our men's league summer games in those conditions, and I don't live in Florida. It really shouldn't faze most teams - including the US.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

That's what we should do, but who knows if we actually will. As much as people were trashing the Italian's that's exactly what we should do. 0-0 for as long as possible is a great result for us especially since GD potentially kills us. Our goal should be 0-0 at halftime and see where we stand (ie if Portugal is up, we can open it up a little).

That's pretty much why I'm asking. It was ugly and no fun to watch yesterday, but especially given our GD advantage I hope we do the same thing at the start -- and adjust if needed.

Unless Ghana is winning and we're losing we should be happy at halftime. Portugal needs to make up five goals, Ghana only has to make up two.

 

[jon_mx]

In a perfect world US and Ghana would advance, but that is not likily. I like The Ghana team.

I hate to say it- but in a perfect soccer world (which teams have played the most consistently and best) it should be Ghana and Germany. But I really, really, really hope it's the US. Like, REALLY.

Ghana looks so much better (to me) than their record and the 538(?) rankings suggest. I really dig their style.

IMO, Ghana outplayed both the US and Germany and has managed only a point. US outplayed Portugal, but only got a point in that match. Germany obviously outplayed Portugal and got 3 points. The US play so far is not that far behind how Germany has played, so the US should have a chance at winning and a decent chance at a tie. I think Ghana is going to take down Portugal, but hopefully it is a close match. I rate the US chances of advancing as slightly better than a coin toss.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I normally go to sleep around 2:30am but tonight I am going to try and go to sleep around 4:30ish so that I can hopefully sleep later tomorrow morning and wake up close to game to to reduce anxiety. :(

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am going to watch the US on TV and the Ghana game on the Univision stream on my Ipad.

Back in 2002 we were in a very similar spot having to watch 2 games at the same time but one of them (the US game) quickly became a lost cause with the US going down 3-0 that we really needed to only focus on one game.

I hope that both games stay some what in range tomorrow so that two paths to advance remain open in the second half.

I greatly fear Portugal might fold up the tent if Ghana gets an early lead and smell blood. Hopefully Ghana is as inefficient coming forward against Portugal as they were against the US since Portugal might have the skill set to punish them on the counter better than we did.

 

[Sammy3469]

I am going to watch the US on TV and the Ghana game on the Univision stream on my Ipad.

Back in 2002 we were in a very similar spot having to watch 2 games at the same time but one of them (the US game) quickly became a lost cause with the US going down 3-0 that we really needed to only focus on one game.

I hope that both games stay some what in range tomorrow so that two paths to advance remain open in the second half.

I greatly fear Portugal might fold up the tent if Ghana gets an early lead and smell blood. Hopefully Ghana is as an efficient coming forward against Portugal as they were against the US since Portugal might have the skill set to punish them on the counter better than we did.

Might? I assume Essien will be plugged in for Muntari. Not sure how that will work out for them. My guess is Mountiho will have a ton of time to pick out even a gimpy Ronaldo and Nani (or at least that's what I'm hoping). That and for Pepe to not be a complete moron for once.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Updated odds for Portugal/Ghana... 538.com -- Oddschecker

Portugal win: 36% -- 44%

Draw: 29% -- 25%

Ghana: 35% -- 31%

 

[Premier]

I thought Portugal would fold the tent if we got ahead of them and they didn't. No real reason to expect it tomorrow.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Our guys are more used to that humidity too. 3 of those teams are from Europe. They've probably never seen anything like Manaus.

To the Americans that's just a day in Florida or Texas.

I don't mean to make light of the "Manaus effect", but ESPN kept going on and on about how the temperatures were in the mid-80s with 80% humidity. We play probably 1/2 of our men's league summer games in those conditions, and I don't live in Florida. It really shouldn't faze most teams - including the US.

Yeah, I realize that I wasn't sprinting, but I've run seven miles in those types of conditions several times this summer. And I'm obese. I'm sure Manaus sucked. Besler looked like he was entering a wet t-shirt contest (or a wet golf shirt contest with those kits). But of all four teams that were supposedly subject to the "Manaus" effect, only Italy losing to Costa Rica was a result that I would say went against any expectation. Every other match had an outcome that would have been completely plausible with fully-rested and fit teams.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Our guys are more used to that humidity too. 3 of those teams are from Europe. They've probably never seen anything like Manaus.

To the Americans that's just a day in Florida or Texas.

I don't mean to make light of the "Manaus effect", but ESPN kept going on and on about how the temperatures were in the mid-80s with 80% humidity. We play probably 1/2 of our men's league summer games in those conditions, and I don't live in Florida. It really shouldn't faze most teams - including the US.

Yeah, I realize that I wasn't sprinting, but I've run seven miles in those types of conditions several times this summer. And I'm obese. I'm sure Manaus sucked. Besler looked like he was entering a wet t-shirt contest (or a wet golf shirt contest with those kits). But of all four teams that were supposedly subject to the "Manaus" effect, only Italy losing to Costa Rica was a result that I would say went against any expectation. Every other match had an outcome that would have been completely plausible with fully-rested and fit teams.

Manaus is not just the weather.

But when you combine the weather, with the extended travel to and from Manaus and the shorter turn around for both Portugal and US, it puts both teams at a slight disadvantage for the last game imo.

Hopefully the US will not have any mental issues to add to that group and can put the difficult ending behind them. I also fear for Portugal's mental attitude.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Also, forgot to ask after the game -- but is there anyone who would be unhappy if Omar Gonzalez was pretty much passed over in favor of Brooks going forward? It just seems like nothing good ever happens defensively when he's in the game.

I'd be ecstatic. We've been waiting years for Omar to learn to read the game. I don't think it's going to happen. I mean, the guy is behind a guy with virtually zero reps as a center back (and I do think Cameron is better suited as a CB than a modern full back, but he hasn't played there).

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am going to watch the US on TV and the Ghana game on the Univision stream on my Ipad.

Back in 2002 we were in a very similar spot having to watch 2 games at the same time but one of them (the US game) quickly became a lost cause with the US going down 3-0 that we really needed to only focus on one game.

I hope that both games stay some what in range tomorrow so that two paths to advance remain open in the second half.

I greatly fear Portugal might fold up the tent if Ghana gets an early lead and smell blood. Hopefully Ghana is as an efficient coming forward against Portugal as they were against the US since Portugal might have the skill set to punish them on the counter better than we did.

Might? I assume Essien will be plugged in for Muntari. Not sure how that will work out for them. My guess is Mountiho will have a ton of time to pick out even a gimpy Ronaldo and Nani (or at least that's what I'm hoping). That and for Pepe to not be a complete moron for once.

I said "might" because they have not displayed it in any great fashion so far this tournament.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I thought Portugal looked dangerous early against Germany. Maybe even having the better of play before letting the first goal in and still looking a threat to score before Hummels' header. But once they went 2-0 down and Pepe reminded us that he's Pepe, all bets were off. Of course, that was with Coentrao, and I don't see Portugal having another player they can trust covering Ronaldo (I'd consider playing Ronaldo on the right and benching Nani for Varela, who I think is at least a little better two way player).

Hard to know what the absence of Muntari will do. One reason why I think the criticisms of Bradley from Sunday are weird is that I thought it was obvious that the US really destroyed Portugal's control in the middle of the field. Portugal completed a high percentage of passes, but very few incisive ones. Moutinho was passing sideways all night. Muntari did a great job pressuring Bradley, Lahm and Khadira in the first two games, so its safe to assume he could have taken Moutinho out of his comfort zone. I don't think 2014 Essien has that in him (but I didn't think 2014 Muntari had that in him before the cup, based on his club form).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Also, forgot to ask after the game -- but is there anyone who would be unhappy if Omar Gonzalez was pretty much passed over in favor of Brooks going forward? It just seems like nothing good ever happens defensively when he's in the game.

I'd be ecstatic. We've been waiting years for Omar to learn to read the game. I don't think it's going to happen. I mean, the guy is behind a guy with virtually zero reps as a center back (and I do think Cameron is better suited as a CB than a modern full back, but he hasn't played there).

I think you mean Cam has not played there in a while.

When Cam was at Houston he got into a massive fight with Kinnear. Dom wanted to move Cam from the midfield to center back. He finally convinced him and it changed Cam's whole career path. He went from a decent MLS midfielder to a top MLS central defender. It was that change in position that open the door to the EPL.

 

[Native]

I normally go to sleep around 2:30am but tonight I am going to try and go to sleep around 4:30ish so that I can hopefully sleep later tomorrow morning and wake up close to game to to reduce anxiety. :(

Love this

 

[Mjolnirs]

The good news is at least one of my favorite teams will advance to the knockout round.

The bad news is one of my favorite teams may knock the other out of advancing to the knockout round.

Here's hoping for a USA victory and a result in the POR/GHA match that sees Germany through as well.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The good news is that I get to watch the US play a quality opponent in a game that matters. And that I'll be getting hammered.