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***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (4 Viewers)

wdcrob said:
NewlyRetired said:
Sinn Fein said:
So, I think we are generally rooting for Portugal to win - by 1 or 2 goals....
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I think we are rooting for the score to be level for as long as possible. The longer that game stays level the more the US chances increase since a draw automatically puts the US through and a low scoring win by either side also helps the US.
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But Ghana have give up four goals already, and Portugal have given up six so far. So could unfortunately be a goal fest.
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I agree. Watching this game on my ipad in Spanish while watching the US on TV in English might just cause me to have a break down trying to process the constant changes in scenarios.

 
Sammy3469 said:
BassNBrew said:
El Floppo said:
BassNBrew said:
wdcrob said:
Yeah, I was wrong to say what I did. Sorry all. I let the true trolls get the better of me there.

Trolls aside... it's very frustrating to see the US freakin' outplay Portugal in a game that couldn't matter more and all the newbies are doing is #####ing about minor stuff. We went down 1-0 to a pretty good team and roared back to take control of the game. After the first ten minutes, we were the better team. That's amazing.

#### like the last minute goal happens -- especially when every one of the guys who's gone 90 minutes can barely run. Our last goal was down to the Portuguese defender who fell being slow to get up and set the offside line higher. But it's hard to do. If Bradley was fresh maybe he holds onto the ball. :shrug:
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We didn't freakin' outplay Portugal. Portugal got a lucky goal and then tried to sit on the lead for the most part. If Portugal doesn't get that earlier break the game plays out entirely different (except for the weather). Portugal let us outplay them. Really not that much different than us conveniently taking it to Ghana anytime the score was level.

Furthermore, based on what we saw, neither team was a good team. What we saw yesterday on 2/3s of the field didn't resemble much in the way of good soccer.
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Some of what you're saying is true... the early flukegoal changed the innitial gameplan for both teams. But you're way off in not thinking the US played well the reat of the way. Some of their better flowing and attacking soccer. And I have to lol at Portugal "letting" the US play that well.
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The US played well in the Portugal end and defended well for the most part. What we saw from both teams in the middle of the field was pathetic. There were times that if you had hidden the ball from sight on TV you wouldn't have been able to tell who had possession. Both teams looked liked they were walking around in aimlessly quicksand or/and were disinterested in the game for huge chunks of time.
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This was the Manaus effect. Guys were just gassed. Italy-England was the same way.
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Actually Italy-England was worse - presumably because they expended too much energy earlier in the game. Portugal and the US pace themselves better for the conditions IMO. Both had enough to do some runs late in the game. England? Not so much.

-QG

 
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?

 
Did Howard have any realistic chance to come out and catch the cross on the equalizer? I don't really think so upon review but haven't seen it discussed in here just a ton and thought I'd ask.

 
Buck Bradcanon said:
Did Howard have any realistic chance to come out and catch the cross on the equalizer? I don't really think so upon review but haven't seen it discussed in here just a ton and thought I'd ask.
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It was a fairly quick pass, but given the distant he might have had time to get there. He would of had to anticipated how the play was developing and it would have been a risky move to try.

 
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.

Also, can you change the roster each round to account for injuries or is the initial roster set for the whole tournament?

 
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As good as we all feel heading into Thursday, Portugal's goal difference is not insurmountable. If anyone should know, it's the US who overturned a 6-goal swing in the final group stage of the 2009 Confederations Cup (US beat Egypt 3-0; Brazil beat Italy 3-0).

Bradley and Dempsey both scored in that game, and are the only 2 current starters who were starters in that game. Howard was on the bench (Guzan started), and Beasley was an unused sub.

I hope they keep that Egypt game in mind as they prepare for Thursday. There is no playing for a draw. You play to win.

 
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Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.
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I remember Dempsey limping off towards the end, but don't think I've heard anything else about him

 
MattFancy said:
Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.
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I remember Dempsey limping off towards the end, but don't think I've heard anything else about him
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He was just taking his sweet time, I'm sure he's fine.

Besler cramped up earlier in the second half but he played through it and looked to be fine. Hopefully he is fit because he was excellent last night.

 
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Was offline yesterday and now playing catchup through a lot of pages. Don't know if this question was asked about the finish yesterday, but...

On a long cross into the box, what goes through a keeper's mind when making the split decision to either sit back and let the play develop or charge out and try to punch the ball away as it arrives at the head of the forward? On shorter crosses I understand there probably isn't time to charge out. But on longer crosses it just seems like a challenge worth taking. Those headers from that close can come off at any angle, giving the keeper zero time to react. Even if the keeper doesn't quite make it to the ball, maybe by closing the distance the angle is significantly cut off and he gets a piece of it enough to knock wide/over.

Please note I'm not pinning blame on Howard. I just want to understand the game better.

 
MattFancy said:
Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.
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I remember Dempsey limping off towards the end, but don't think I've heard anything else about him
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It looked like he caught spikes to the ankle just earlier. I would think he'll be fine.

 
Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.

Also, can you change the roster each round to account for injuries or is the initial roster set for the whole tournament?
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You name a 23 man team, 20 field players and three GKs -- and that's it for the tournament.

 
pats3in4 said:
Was offline yesterday and now playing catchup through a lot of pages. Don't know if this question was asked about the finish yesterday, but...

On a long cross into the box, what goes through a keeper's mind when making the split decision to either sit back and let the play develop or charge out and try to punch the ball away as it arrives at the head of the forward? On shorter crosses I understand there probably isn't time to charge out. But on longer crosses it just seems like a challenge worth taking. Those headers from that close can come off at any angle, giving the keeper zero time to react. Even if the keeper doesn't quite make it to the ball, maybe by closing the distance the angle is significantly cut off and he gets a piece of it enough to knock wide/over.

Please note I'm not pinning blame on Howard. I just want to understand the game better.
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I think it's mostly instinctual, frankly. Keep in mind that Howard flapped at and missed at least one cross earlier and that he had plenty of numbers back. My sole virtue as a goalkeeper was that I was aggressive as hell at coming out and claiming balls, but I don't think I would have made a play on that one.

 
TheIronSheik said:
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?
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I believe so. There's soooooo much money going into soccer worldwide that it's helping produce better coaches/fields/facilities and by doing that, better players.

This world cup the mentality seems to be the biggest difference imo. Teams go out there trying to win rather than afraid to lose and it's been awesome.

The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster

 
pats3in4 said:
Was offline yesterday and now playing catchup through a lot of pages. Don't know if this question was asked about the finish yesterday, but...

On a long cross into the box, what goes through a keeper's mind when making the split decision to either sit back and let the play develop or charge out and try to punch the ball away as it arrives at the head of the forward? On shorter crosses I understand there probably isn't time to charge out. But on longer crosses it just seems like a challenge worth taking. Those headers from that close can come off at any angle, giving the keeper zero time to react. Even if the keeper doesn't quite make it to the ball, maybe by closing the distance the angle is significantly cut off and he gets a piece of it enough to knock wide/over.

Please note I'm not pinning blame on Howard. I just want to understand the game better.
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Generally speaking, the keeper will come of his line only when he is sure he can get to the ball. If he is not sure, its best to stay on the line.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
pats3in4 said:
Was offline yesterday and now playing catchup through a lot of pages. Don't know if this question was asked about the finish yesterday, but...

On a long cross into the box, what goes through a keeper's mind when making the split decision to either sit back and let the play develop or charge out and try to punch the ball away as it arrives at the head of the forward? On shorter crosses I understand there probably isn't time to charge out. But on longer crosses it just seems like a challenge worth taking. Those headers from that close can come off at any angle, giving the keeper zero time to react. Even if the keeper doesn't quite make it to the ball, maybe by closing the distance the angle is significantly cut off and he gets a piece of it enough to knock wide/over.

Please note I'm not pinning blame on Howard. I just want to understand the game better.
Click to expand...
I think it's mostly instinctual, frankly. Keep in mind that Howard flapped at and missed at least one cross earlier and that he had plenty of numbers back. My sole virtue as a goalkeeper was that I was aggressive as hell at coming out and claiming balls, but I don't think I would have made a play on that one.
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They just showed that highlight again, and Ronaldo had almost no windup for the cross. Plus he smoked it. Even less time than usual to react -- really was a great ball.

 
The Gator said:
TheIronSheik said:
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?
Click to expand...
I believe so. There's soooooo much money going into soccer worldwide that it's helping produce better coaches/fields/facilities and by doing that, better players.

This world cup the mentality seems to be the biggest difference imo. Teams go out there trying to win rather than afraid to lose and it's been awesome.

The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
Interesting. This is the first WC I've watched or followed every game. Last WC, I watched a lot, but not like this year. How exactly do you have a bad soccer ball?

 
wdcrob said:
NewlyRetired said:
I agree. Watching this game on my ipad in Spanish while watching the US on TV in English might just cause me to have a break down trying to process the constant changes in scenarios.
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What do the updated continental records look like?
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This is what I posted after the US game. I will update after the games today.

Confederation Records So Far*: W-D-L (points per game)

South America: 9-1-2 (2.3)

Africa: 3-2-5 (1.1)

UEFA: 5-4-7 (1.2)

Concacaf: 4-2-2 (1.8)

Asia: 0-3-5 (0.4)

*Europe vs Europe excluded

 
TheIronSheik said:
The Gator said:
TheIronSheik said:
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?
Click to expand...
I believe so. There's soooooo much money going into soccer worldwide that it's helping produce better coaches/fields/facilities and by doing that, better players.

This world cup the mentality seems to be the biggest difference imo. Teams go out there trying to win rather than afraid to lose and it's been awesome.

The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
Interesting. This is the first WC I've watched or followed every game. Last WC, I watched a lot, but not like this year. How exactly do you have a bad soccer ball?
Click to expand...
Not all balls are the same, aerodynamically.

http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/fifa-world-cup-goal-production-increasing-with-brazuca/

 
TheIronSheik said:
The Gator said:
TheIronSheik said:
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?
Click to expand...
I believe so. There's soooooo much money going into soccer worldwide that it's helping produce better coaches/fields/facilities and by doing that, better players.

This world cup the mentality seems to be the biggest difference imo. Teams go out there trying to win rather than afraid to lose and it's been awesome.

The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
Interesting. This is the first WC I've watched or followed every game. Last WC, I watched a lot, but not like this year. How exactly do you have a bad soccer ball?
Click to expand...
it was designed funny in terms of control which means players had a really hard time weighing their crosses and shots. It floated like a ******* if memory serves. The keepers hated it as well but I think it affected the field players more.

I have not seen one complaint about the ball this time which is nice. Granted we have some field, travel and weather issues so there is always some complaints going on no matter what.

 
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TenTimes said:
The Gator said:
The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
You mean as far as atmosphere and field affecting the ball? Or what's the difference?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Jabulani

Criticism

Even more than the Fevernova and Teamgeist at the two previous tournaments, the Jabulani received pre- and post-tournament criticism.[13] Brazil goalkeeper Júlio César compared it to a "supermarket" ball that favored strikers and worked against goalkeepers.[14] Other similar complaints came from Giampaolo Pazzini,[15]Claudio Bravo,[16] and Iker Casillas ("it is very sad that a competition so important as the world championship will be played with such a horrible ball.").[17] Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon said, "The new model is absolutely inadequate and I think it's shameful letting play such an important competition, where a lot of champions take part, with a ball like this"[18] while Brazilian striker Luís Fabiano called the ball "supernatural," as it unpredictably changed direction when traveling through the air.[19] Brazilian striker Robinho stated, "for sure the guy who designed this ball never played football. But there is nothing we can do; we have to play with it."[20]Joe Hart of England, after training with the ball for a number of days, said the "balls have been doing anything but staying in my gloves."[21] He did, however, describe the ball as "good fun" to use, even though it is hard work for goalkeepers to cope with.[22] English goalkeeper David James said that, "the ball is dreadful. It's horrible, but it's horrible for everyone."[23] It was suggested the ball behaved "completely different" at altitude by former-England coach Fabio Capello.[24] Denmark coach Morten Olsen, after their 1–0 friendly defeat at the hands of Australia, said, "We played with an impossible ball and we need to get used to it."[25]Argentina forward Lionel Messi stated, "The ball is very complicated for the goalkeepers and for us [forwards]."[26] Argentine coach Diego Maradona said, "We won't see any long passes in this World Cup because the ball doesn't fly straight".[27]

American Clint Dempsey was more favorable. He said that, "if you just hit it solid, you can get a good knuckle on the ball... you've just got to pay a little bit more, you know, attention when you pass the ball sometimes."[28]

It was suggested by The Guardian on 16 June 2010 that the Jabulani ball might be responsible for the goal drought in the first round of the tournament. The Guardian mentioned the FIFA representative, who was queried daily for his opinion on the goal drought, as saying it was probably too early to make a definitive judgment, though it would be hard to deny that the first round was more cagey and defensively minded than usual. Owen Gibson of The Guardian suggested that a lack of confidence in how the ball would travel could be affecting the number of shots taken.[29] Following Portugal's 7–0 victory over North Korea in the second round of the group stage, however, Portugal's coach Carlos Queiroz said, "We love the ball."[30]

In July 2010, ex-Liverpool FC footballer Craig Johnston wrote a 12-page open letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter outlining perceived failings of the Jabulani ball. He compiled feedback from professional players criticizing the ball for poor performance and asked that it be abandoned by FIFA.[31][32]
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TheIronSheik said:
MattFancy said:
Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.
Click to expand...
I remember Dempsey limping off towards the end, but don't think I've heard anything else about him
Click to expand...
It looked like he caught spikes to the ankle just earlier. I would think he'll be fine.
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I didn't think it was anything serious, but just remember him limping off at the end there.

 
TenTimes said:
The Gator said:
The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
You mean as far as atmosphere and field affecting the ball? Or what's the difference?
Click to expand...
TheIronSheik said:
The Gator said:
TheIronSheik said:
Are there other countries, other than us, that have been getting better in the past years? Could the rise in scoring be tied to better players all around?
Click to expand...
I believe so. There's soooooo much money going into soccer worldwide that it's helping produce better coaches/fields/facilities and by doing that, better players.

This world cup the mentality seems to be the biggest difference imo. Teams go out there trying to win rather than afraid to lose and it's been awesome.

The ball actually being really good is a plus, too. The 2010 ball was a disaster
Click to expand...
Interesting. This is the first WC I've watched or followed every game. Last WC, I watched a lot, but not like this year. How exactly do you have a bad soccer ball?
Click to expand...
The 2010 ball was like trying to place a beach ball in the corner of the net. I forget the actual technical issues with it, weight, pattern or what it was, but it wasn't good.

There's no way Cahill's volley goes in with the 2010 ball imo, it would just balloon into the stands

 
I think the weather might be affecting the scoring as well. The number of late goals is way up this tournament when many players are dragging.

If you look back in recent history, the last world cup that was this high scoring was WC1994, where it was also blistering hot in many locations.

 
also from that wikipedia page I linked above:

NASA studyWhen a relatively smooth ball with seams flies through the air without much spin, the air close to the surface is affected by the seams, producing an asymmetric flow. This asymmetry creates side forces that can suddenly push the ball in one direction and cause volatile swerves and swoops and this effect is referred to as "knuckling".[44] Older designs of the ball have a knuckle speed of around 30 miles per hour (48 km/h). NASA scientists at the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, concluded that the Jabulani, with its relatively smoother surface, starts to knuckle at a higher speed of 45–50 mph (72–80 km/h).[44] This coincides with the typical speed of a ball following a free-kick around the goal area making the effect more visible.
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NewlyRetired said:
I think the weather might be affecting the scoring as well. The number of late goals is way up this tournament when many players are dragging.

If you look back in recent history, the last world cup that was this high scoring was WC1994, where it was also blistering hot in many locations.
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Then Qatar should be a blast! ;)

 
MattFancy said:
TheIronSheik said:
MattFancy said:
Bronx Bomber said:
When should we expect injury reports? It was hard to keep track of who played through injuries and who left the game but it seemed like our guys were dropping like fly's at one point there.
Click to expand...
I remember Dempsey limping off towards the end, but don't think I've heard anything else about him
Click to expand...
It looked like he caught spikes to the ankle just earlier. I would think he'll be fine.
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I didn't think it was anything serious, but just remember him limping off at the end there.
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Mostly for show - late in the game the ref will encourage players to run off when being substituted, and could give a yellow card if the player continues to walk after being warned. By limping, Dempsey was selling that he was getting off as fast as he could given his "injury."

 
Without getting into too much detail, why the different ball every world cup? How long do players have to familiarize themselves with a new ball?

Doesn't it seem similar to if the NFL used the same ball all year, and then for each Superbowl they designed a different ball that flew and bounced differently? What reason would there be to do that, other than to sell merchandise?

 
TenTimes said:
Without getting into too much detail, why the different ball every world cup? How long do players have to familiarize themselves with a new ball?

Doesn't it seem similar to if the NFL used the same ball all year, and then for each Superbowl they designed a different ball that flew and bounced differently? What reason would there be to do that, other than to sell merchandise?
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Without too much detail - marketing. New ball = more sales.

Not sure how much time, but its not much - players are usually involved with testing a design, but I think it is pretty late in the game before teams are given a supply to work with. Others probably know in greater detail.

 
TenTimes said:
Without getting into too much detail, why the different ball every world cup? How long do players have to familiarize themselves with a new ball?

Doesn't it seem similar to if the NFL used the same ball all year, and then for each Superbowl they designed a different ball that flew and bounced differently? What reason would there be to do that, other than to sell merchandise?
Click to expand...
None whatsoever normally. But this time the balls have the goal line chip in them, which no other balls have. Still it's all about seling someone who already have five or six soccer balls one more (which won't have the chip, btw)

 
TheIronSheik said:
Here's a silly newbie question:

So once the ref determines extra time, can more extra time be added on? For example, they say 3 minutes of injury time is added on to the end of the game. But at the 91 minute mark a player is injured and lays on the ground for a minute. Will another minute be added on?
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YOU ####### ####### WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS

 
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