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

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I don't think the draw means much more Mexico. Brazil and Croatia should both beat Cameroon, IMO. Which means that they'll still need a result against Croatia. It's nice for them to be able to go through with a draw, but it was always going to come down to that last game against the Croats.

 

[El Floppo]

Huge props to Mexico. They played Brazil straight up. No bunkering, Herrera's got balls

holy hell av of the year so far....

 

[Joe Bryant]

Dumb questions.

How respected is the Mexico goalie? Seemed great today.

How happy is Mexico just to get a draw there? How bummed is Brazil?

J

He's OK, nothing great. But damn if he didn't stand on his head today.

Brazil = meh, but they'll be a HUGE favorite over Cameroon and only need a tie to advance.

Mexico = happy. Mexico will also need a tougher draw against Croatia in the last game.

Thanks. That's even more fun knowing the Mexico Goalkeeper came up like that.

J

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Ochoa had fallen out with previous national team coaches, but by all accounts had stellar last two seasons for Ajaccio in Ligue 1. He's been rumored to move to a bigger club in the last two or three windows, so it's a bit of a surprise he made it out of contract.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Dumb questions.

How respected is the Mexico goalie? Seemed great today.

How happy is Mexico just to get a draw there? How bummed is Brazil?

J

Not sure how respected going in but after this performance the Mexico Goalie moves way up in stature.

Mexico is ecstatic with the result. Basically a draw with Croatia should get them through in the last game, this result essentially serves as the tiebreaker for all intents and purposes with Croatia. (The expectation would be that Cameroon will lose to Croatia I would think - even if Cameroon wins that game though, i plays out the same way).

While I think there will be plenty of criticism from Brazillian fans it really doesn't change anything for them. The expectation will be that they'll crush Cameroon and clinch their spot in the next round and will do so as group winners. It'll be seen as a bump in the road I think.

-QG

 

[Eephus]

Dumb questions.

How respected is the Mexico goalie? Seemed great today.

How happy is Mexico just to get a draw there? How bummed is Brazil?

J

He's OK, nothing great. But damn if he didn't stand on his head today.

Brazil = meh, but they'll be a HUGE favorite over Cameroon and only need a tie to advance.

Mexico = happy. Mexico will also need a tougher draw against Croatia in the last game.

Brazil is still Brazil. They have to be disappointed to have only scored two goals from open play in two games. There will be a lot of Brazilian media negativity between now and their final group game next Monday.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

One thing that I won't miss with ESPN losing the WC in 2018, they use the same freaking music on every intro/outro.

I must have heard that "I'm the man" song 40000 times during the NFL draft and whatever little tune they play over that animated cartoon this time around is approaching that number.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Skysports reporting that Coentrao has been ruled out for the remainder of the world cup.

I know that makes things "easier" for the US... but damn, I hate hearing about injuries pre and during the world cup. These guys spend their entire lives trying to get here- so sad to see them have to miss out once they are.

How important is the World Cup to the players compared to their club play? If a guy played in the EPL and he could have either an EPL championship or a WC championship in his lifetime, which would he take?

I think most would choose the WC.

Thanks. By how much? WC just a little better or a lot more?

J

World Cup by a lot. Not just because it's your country, but because of the rarity of winning it.

In club soccer, you've got a lot of competitions to win. At a big English team, there's not only the EPL, but the FA Cup and the Champions League. Most world-class players will win some significant trophies over the course of their career. But the World Cup is once every 4 years and very few players are lucky enough to get their hands on it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

ESPN ticker saying JK optimistic Jozy may play Sunday.

ETA: could be coachspeak smoke and mirrors, but still...

 

[Eephus]

One thing that I won't miss with ESPN losing the WC in 2018, they use the same freaking music on every intro/outro.

I must have heard that "I'm the man" song 40000 times during the NFL draft and whatever little tune they play over that animated cartoon this time around is approaching that number.

At least the song will drown out Gus Johnson

 

[gianmarco]

Skysports reporting that Coentrao has been ruled out for the remainder of the world cup.

I know that makes things "easier" for the US... but damn, I hate hearing about injuries pre and during the world cup. These guys spend their entire lives trying to get here- so sad to see them have to miss out once they are.

How important is the World Cup to the players compared to their club play? If a guy played in the EPL and he could have either an EPL championship or a WC championship in his lifetime, which would he take?

I think most would choose the WC.

Thanks. By how much? WC just a little better or a lot more?

J

World Cup by a lot. Not just because it's your country, but because of the rarity of winning it.

In club soccer, you've got a lot of competitions to win. At a big English team, there's not only the EPL, but the FA Cup and the Champions League. Most world-class players will win some significant trophies over the course of their career. But the World Cup is once every 4 years and very few players are lucky enough to get their hands on it.

There are elite players that haven't even scored a goal in the WC, let alone be in a position to win.

WC easily.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Full update coming in a minute.

 

[Eephus]

Skysports reporting that Coentrao has been ruled out for the remainder of the world cup.

I know that makes things "easier" for the US... but damn, I hate hearing about injuries pre and during the world cup. These guys spend their entire lives trying to get here- so sad to see them have to miss out once they are.

How important is the World Cup to the players compared to their club play? If a guy played in the EPL and he could have either an EPL championship or a WC championship in his lifetime, which would he take?

I think most would choose the WC.

Thanks. By how much? WC just a little better or a lot more?

J

World Cup by a lot. Not just because it's your country, but because of the rarity of winning it.

In club soccer, you've got a lot of competitions to win. At a big English team, there's not only the EPL, but the FA Cup and the Champions League. Most world-class players will win some significant trophies over the course of their career. But the World Cup is once every 4 years and very few players are lucky enough to get their hands on it.

The World Cup makes legends

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Every time I see the little Brazil animated bumper, I wonder what Russia 2018 will look like. Just a bunch of dour Russians eating borscht while watching the World Cup?

 

[Celph Titled]

Every time I see the little Brazil animated bumper, I wonder what Russia 2018 will look like. Just a bunch of dour Russians eating borscht while watching the World Cup?

Abramovich's yacht going back and forth ftw.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Con

Ca

Caf!

Con

Ca

Caf!

 

[ffldrew]

ESPN ticker saying JK optimistic Jozy may play Sunday.

ETA: could be coachspeak smoke and mirrors, but still...

Can't be just "optimistic" - we either need a result or else we are in - in the former JK can't take the chance and then waste a sub and in the latter he rests JA no matter what.

 

[Premier]

That little cartoon kills me every time. They should show that little kid going back home to nothing right after they blast off the fireworks over their dozen new stadiums.

 

[Norman Paperman]

Ives Galarcep @SoccerByIves
No actual update on Altidore's injury. Klinsmann's comments sounded more wishful thinking than based on any prognosis of the injury.

 

[Celph Titled]

Flopping thread is genius.

 

[Steve Tasker]

That little cartoon kills me every time. They should show that little kid going back home to nothing right after they blast off the fireworks over their dozen new stadiums.

They forgot to animate the parts about the favelas with no running water or electricity.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Every time I see the little Brazil animated bumper, I wonder what Russia 2018 will look like. Just a bunch of dour Russians eating borscht while watching the World Cup?

Matryoshka Dolls, imo

 

[Celph Titled]

Little animated Brazilian construction workers falling to their deaths would be pertinent.

 

[Jaysus]

I've found all sorts of GFYcats if anyone wants them.

I'll just leave this here in the meantime:

girls 1

girls 2

girls 3

girls 4

girls 5

girls 6

girls 7

girls 8

girls 9

girls 10

girls 11

 

[El Floppo]

ESPN ticker saying JK optimistic Jozy may play Sunday.

ETA: could be coachspeak smoke and mirrors, but still...

 

[El Floppo]

Skysports reporting that Coentrao has been ruled out for the remainder of the world cup.

I know that makes things "easier" for the US... but damn, I hate hearing about injuries pre and during the world cup. These guys spend their entire lives trying to get here- so sad to see them have to miss out once they are.

How important is the World Cup to the players compared to their club play? If a guy played in the EPL and he could have either an EPL championship or a WC championship in his lifetime, which would he take?

I think most would choose the WC.

Thanks. By how much? WC just a little better or a lot more?

J

World Cup by a lot. Not just because it's your country, but because of the rarity of winning it.

In club soccer, you've got a lot of competitions to win. At a big English team, there's not only the EPL, but the FA Cup and the Champions League. Most world-class players will win some significant trophies over the course of their career. But the World Cup is once every 4 years and very few players are lucky enough to get their hands on it.

There are elite players that haven't even scored a goal in the WC, let alone be in a position to win.

WC easily.

There are elite- top 20 ever- type players who never even got to play in the World Cup, let alone score a goal or win it.

 

[El Floppo]

Every time I see the little Brazil animated bumper, I wonder what Russia 2018 will look like. Just a bunch of dour Russians eating borscht while watching the World Cup?

Abramovich's yacht going back and forth ftw.

This

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I've found all sorts of GFYcats if anyone wants them.

I'll just leave this here in the meantime:

girls 1

girls 2

girls 3

girls 4

girls 5

girls 6

girls 7

girls 8

girls 9

girls 10

girls 11

Wow, Gareth Bale has A LOT of Brazilian girlfriends.

 

[Celph Titled]

I've found all sorts of GFYcats if anyone wants them.

I'll just leave this here in the meantime:

girls 8

If she doesn't see the need for protection for her phone...

 

[Joe Bryant]

Skysports reporting that Coentrao has been ruled out for the remainder of the world cup.

I know that makes things "easier" for the US... but damn, I hate hearing about injuries pre and during the world cup. These guys spend their entire lives trying to get here- so sad to see them have to miss out once they are.

How important is the World Cup to the players compared to their club play? If a guy played in the EPL and he could have either an EPL championship or a WC championship in his lifetime, which would he take?

I think most would choose the WC.

Thanks. By how much? WC just a little better or a lot more?

J

World Cup by a lot. Not just because it's your country, but because of the rarity of winning it.

In club soccer, you've got a lot of competitions to win. At a big English team, there's not only the EPL, but the FA Cup and the Champions League. Most world-class players will win some significant trophies over the course of their career. But the World Cup is once every 4 years and very few players are lucky enough to get their hands on it.

That makes sense.

Another dumb question - how is Olympic Soccer seen?

Seems like it would be very much like World Cup but I don't hear much about it in comparison.

J

 

[Celph Titled]

#9 might be the best GFY cat URL ever.

 

[El Floppo]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

 

[Eephus]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Especially since Mexico won

 

[SmoovySmoov]

#9 might be the best GFY cat URL ever.

I'm not sure really what it was that did it for me, maybe it was the threat of violence, but #7 really turned me on while I was watching.

 

[Celph Titled]

#9 might be the best GFY cat URL ever.

I'm not sure really what it was that did it for me, maybe it was the threat of violence, but #7 really turned me on while I was watching.

Who knew that Sarah Silverman was Brazilianed?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Why did the Olympics do that? You'd think they'd want a big event.

J

 

[El Floppo]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Especially since Mexico won

 

[El Floppo]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Why did the Olympics do that? You'd think they'd want a big event.

J

I'll let the guys with more FIFA-is-Corrupt info fill in you in... but my guess- because FIFA is corrupt and didn't want anything else getting in the way of it's cash-cow, especially if it's run by a competing sports authority.

 

[Norman Paperman]

Anyone from RM having a good Cup?

 

[Celph Titled]

Anyone from RM having a good Cup?

Bale got some golf in.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Especially since Mexico won

The Olympics although not nearly as significant as World Cup and Euro Cup it still offers up young players a big platform to play for their country. I think the fact that Mexico won the Olympics and now finally getting a result (with their draw today) against Brazil after being #### pumped in 3 other games it shows that it at least serves a purpose.

 

[grateful zed]

cool header

 

[Norman Paperman]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Why did the Olympics do that? You'd think they'd want a big event.

J

I think it was a FIFA decision more than an Olympics decision. FIFA international schedule for men's team is already crowded with WC qualifying, toss in various federation championships, and it gets tougher to schedule Olympic qualifiers into the schedule (teams have to qualify for the Olympics).

Unlike almost all other professional sports - these guys play professionally for clubs, but at set dates throughout the year, they are released to play in FIFA sanctioned events - often in the middle of the club season.

Playing youth teams in the olympics also serves as a development squad - in the US's case, we did not qualify for the last Olympics, and only Mix Diskerud was chosen from that squad for the USMNT in Brazil.

 

[El Floppo]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Especially since Mexico won

The Olympics although not nearly as significant as World Cup and Euro Cup it still offers up young players a big platform to play for their country. I think the fact that Mexico won the Olympics and now finally getting a result (with their draw today) against Brazil after being #### pumped in 3 other games it shows that it at least serves a purpose.

Absolutely- not trying to discredit any but the most recent gold medal in the Olympics.

and fwiw- Mexico won the u17 World Cup with pretty much this group of players.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Sorry for another dumb question but you guys are super helpful.

How good are these WC teams compared to the club teams?

And I guess that ties to the next question of - is this the highest level soccer?

J

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Haven't heard a Russian anthem that spirited since Nilolai Volkoff.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Olympics are for players under 23 (plus 3 over-age players). Nowhere near as important as WC or top club trophies.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Why did the Olympics do that? You'd think they'd want a big event.

J

I think it was a FIFA decision more than an Olympics decision. FIFA international schedule for men's team is already crowded with WC qualifying, toss in various federation championships, and it gets tougher to schedule Olympic qualifiers into the schedule (teams have to qualify for the Olympics).

Unlike almost all other professional sports - these guys play professionally for clubs, but at set dates throughout the year, they are released to play in FIFA sanctioned events - often in the middle of the club season.

Playing youth teams in the olympics also serves as a development squad - in the US's case, we did not qualify for the last Olympics, and only Mix Diskerud was chosen from that squad for the USMNT in Brazil.

Thanks.

J

 

[Christo]

Sorry for another dumb question but you guys are super helpful.

How good are these WC teams compared to the club teams?

And I guess that ties to the next question of - is this the highest level soccer?

J

The truly elite club teams are better than the national teams. The highest level of soccer has to be the Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaampions!

 

[The Gator]

Sorry for another dumb question but you guys are super helpful.

How good are these WC teams compared to the club teams?

And I guess that ties to the next question of - is this the highest level soccer?

J

This year's Real Madrid could beat any of these teams easily except for Germany/Argentina imo

It's just so difficult to get these guys to click in such a short amount of time. There's not as much chemistry on national teams as there is on club teams.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I've found all sorts of GFYcats if anyone wants them.

I'll just leave this here in the meantime:

girls 1

girls 2

girls 3

girls 4

girls 5

girls 6

girls 7

girls 8

girls 9

girls 10

girls 11

Wow, Gareth Bale has A LOT of Brazilian girlfriends.

#5 and #9....