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

[El Floppo]

What line up changes do we think we'll see? Almost seems like the prudent thing is to get some fresh legs in there, but not sure where we can afford to sub in.

I could see Wondo in the line up, was also thinking Mix in for Beckerman, and pushing Bradley to the back, but just not sure Mix is strong enough to battle the Germans in the midfield.

Beckerman has to play. We might be able to get away with less defensive wingers because Ozil is a very different type of threat than Ronaldo or Atsu.

Wet Beckerman is like 40lbs heavier- slowing him even further.

 

[Jayrod]

All three Gunners :(

What does this mean? (soccer n00b here)

The three Arsenal (Gunners is the nickname) players from Germany are all starting.

Ozil, Mertesacker, and Podolski(has been on the bench the first two games).

I'm an Arsenal fan, so it will suck cheering against them.

OK....I thought maybe it was some kind of formation/strategy thing that you disapproved of.

 

[Guest]

well i have to stay at work but i've carved outn time to watch the game, i'll call that a win

unfortunately i appear to be in the same boat....

as long as you can watch!

I wouldn't have taken the day off, but will be watching at work.

 

[Christo]

All three Gunners :(

What does this mean? (soccer n00b here)

3 Arsenal players starting for Germany.

 

[B Maverick]

well i have to stay at work but i've carved outn time to watch the game, i'll call that a win

unfortunately i appear to be in the same boat....

as long as you can watch!

That i can!!! and I may even be yelling a bit! (small office)

 

[El Floppo]

Is there really evidence that heavy rains decrease goal scoring? Seems like it would just make the games sloppier.

If there are puddles of water, the ball just stops in them. Pretty tough to score in those conditions.

It is also tough to defend and play keeper in those conditions.

It's easier to defend, because the offense can't do the things they normally want to do passing and dribbling-wise. GK- a little tougher, yeah- especially with balls skipping low on the grass.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Ghana suspended 2 players before Portugal game. Good for US right?

Probably good for us, but it's hard to say with all the different possible outcomes. Prince and Muntari sent home.

 

[El Floppo]

Is there really evidence that heavy rains decrease goal scoring? Seems like it would just make the games sloppier.

If there are puddles of water, the ball just stops in them. Pretty tough to score in those conditions.

It is also tough to defend and play keeper in those conditions.

actually easier to defend. have you ever tried kicking a ball sitting in a puddle of water?

I've played soccer on wet fields in the rain plenty of times. Offensive and defensive players fall down, the ball squirts in unexpected directions, goalkeepers have trouble holding on to the ball. People still score goals, they're just really ugly goals.My games didn't involve world class players -- most of the players sucked. I don't know whether the same would apply to a World Cup game. So far nobody has pointed me to any sort of study or whatever indicating there are fewer goals scored. Mostly it's just "hey, it's hard to kick in the rain."

These guys rely on their skills to move the ball forward. Those skills are compromised in crazy rain/poor field conditions. Defenders don't need to rely on those skills, so nothing on their part of defending the ball or runs is compromised.

This one seems easy to me.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Odds that Omar is listening to Aloe Blacc?

 

[B-Deep]

Ghana suspended 2 players before Portugal game. Good for US right?

Probably good for us, but it's hard to say with all the different possible outcomes. Prince and Muntari sent home.

shouldn't matter at all for us, just beat Germany

 

[jonessed]

Ghana suspended 2 players before Portugal game. Good for US right?

Probably good for us, but it's hard to say with all the different possible outcomes. Prince and Muntari sent home.

Muntari was suspended anyway and Boateng didn't even start in the US game. I don't think we should read too much into it.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

No Goatse?

 

[Steve Tasker]

All three Gunners :(

What does this mean? (soccer n00b here)

The three Arsenal (Gunners is the nickname) players from Germany are all starting.

Ozil, Mertesacker, and Podolski(has been on the bench the first two games).

I'm an Arsenal fan, so it will suck cheering against them.

Prediction:

USA 9, Germany 8

Poldi with 6 goals, all assisted by Ozil, Ozil with 1, and the Big Mother####ing German gets a header off a corner.

 

[El Floppo]

I have a GOOD feeling about today...win the group kind of Good Feeling.

#IBelieve

If we beat Germany and win the group I will be speechless. I may even cry - Joe B. > hi.

oh god this.

 

[jonessed]

Is there really evidence that heavy rains decrease goal scoring? Seems like it would just make the games sloppier.

If there are puddles of water, the ball just stops in them. Pretty tough to score in those conditions.

It is also tough to defend and play keeper in those conditions.

actually easier to defend. have you ever tried kicking a ball sitting in a puddle of water?

I've played soccer on wet fields in the rain plenty of times. Offensive and defensive players fall down, the ball squirts in unexpected directions, goalkeepers have trouble holding on to the ball. People still score goals, they're just really ugly goals.My games didn't involve world class players -- most of the players sucked. I don't know whether the same would apply to a World Cup game. So far nobody has pointed me to any sort of study or whatever indicating there are fewer goals scored. Mostly it's just "hey, it's hard to kick in the rain."

These guys rely on their skills to move the ball forward. Those skills are compromised in crazy rain/poor field conditions. Defenders don't need to rely on those skills, so nothing on their part of defending the ball or runs is compromised.

This one seems easy to me.

It definitely hurts technical skills and the majority of the German players are more technically gifted. I think it helps

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I guess Omar is in for his heading ability, but I sure do hate to see it. He's good for a big gaffe or two pretty much every game. Maybe the rain will help keep the linking play stuff he has trouble tracking to a minimum?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm in the tank top.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Will Ferrel showing off his goal face

 

[El Floppo]

well i have to stay at work but i've carved outn time to watch the game, i'll call that a win

unfortunately i appear to be in the same boat....

as long as you can watch!

That i can!!! and I may even be yelling a bit! (small office)

I decided to take a long lunch- I work with mostly gay men and single non-sporty women... my freaking out yelling at the screen and carrying on like a giant, whiny, miserable, drunk baby if I stay won't go over too well.

 

[Sinn Fein]

I guess Omar is in for his heading ability, but I sure do hate to see it. He's good for a big gaffe or two pretty much every game. Maybe the rain will help keep the linking play stuff he has trouble tracking to a minimum?

Well arguably Cameron made just a couple of gaffes in the Portugal game...

 

[B-Deep]

sorry if it is a honda...

Neymar's underoos are being investigated

http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2014-06-25/neymar-underwear-briefs-fifa-investigation-brazil-world-cup-2014-speedo

 

[El Floppo]

Is there really evidence that heavy rains decrease goal scoring? Seems like it would just make the games sloppier.

If there are puddles of water, the ball just stops in them. Pretty tough to score in those conditions.

It is also tough to defend and play keeper in those conditions.

actually easier to defend. have you ever tried kicking a ball sitting in a puddle of water?

I've played soccer on wet fields in the rain plenty of times. Offensive and defensive players fall down, the ball squirts in unexpected directions, goalkeepers have trouble holding on to the ball. People still score goals, they're just really ugly goals.My games didn't involve world class players -- most of the players sucked. I don't know whether the same would apply to a World Cup game. So far nobody has pointed me to any sort of study or whatever indicating there are fewer goals scored. Mostly it's just "hey, it's hard to kick in the rain."

These guys rely on their skills to move the ball forward. Those skills are compromised in crazy rain/poor field conditions. Defenders don't need to rely on those skills, so nothing on their part of defending the ball or runs is compromised.

This one seems easy to me.

It definitely hurts technical skills and the majority of the German players are more technically gifted. I think it helps

agree- sloppy field conditions always help the team that is expected to have less possession and/or control of the game.

 

[B Maverick]

well i have to stay at work but i've carved outn time to watch the game, i'll call that a win

unfortunately i appear to be in the same boat....

as long as you can watch!

That i can!!! and I may even be yelling a bit! (small office)

I decided to take a long lunch- I work with mostly gay men and single non-sporty women... my freaking out yelling at the screen and carrying on like a giant, whiny, miserable, drunk baby if I stay won't go over too well.

I got 2 guys and a girl in my office and at this point i think they pretty much expect "my freaking out yelling at the screen and carrying on like a giant, whiny, miserable, drunk baby" !

9am pst doesnt make for an easy "long lunch" excuse unfortunately.

 

[charvik]

Alright, 40 minutes to go... time to shut this down and head to a bar.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I guess Omar is in for his heading ability, but I sure do hate to see it. He's good for a big gaffe or two pretty much every game. Maybe the rain will help keep the linking play stuff he has trouble tracking to a minimum?

Well arguably Cameron made just a couple of gaffes in the Portugal game...

Arguably? Arguably, Jeffrey Dahmer was a bad man.

 

[El Floppo]

I guess Omar is in for his heading ability, but I sure do hate to see it. He's good for a big gaffe or two pretty much every game. Maybe the rain will help keep the linking play stuff he has trouble tracking to a minimum?

Well arguably Cameron made just a couple of gaffes in the Portugal game...

wait... Gonzalez is starting instead of Cameron? ... wtf?!

 

[Native]

Im so nervous. Want to throw up.

 

[El Floppo]

well i have to stay at work but i've carved outn time to watch the game, i'll call that a win

unfortunately i appear to be in the same boat....

as long as you can watch!

That i can!!! and I may even be yelling a bit! (small office)

I decided to take a long lunch- I work with mostly gay men and single non-sporty women... my freaking out yelling at the screen and carrying on like a giant, whiny, miserable, drunk baby if I stay won't go over too well.

I got 2 guys and a girl in my office and at this point i think they pretty much expect "my freaking out yelling at the screen and carrying on like a giant, whiny, miserable, drunk baby" !

9am pst doesnt make for an easy "long lunch" excuse unfortunately.

long brunch?

 

[Jayrod]

Will Ferrel showing off his goal face

New desktop background

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Wearing a USA rugby jersey to the game. Douchey?

Not me, BTW

 

[El Floppo]

Im so nervous. Want to throw up.

I've got the same pre-game jitters I used to get in playing days: I've pissed 16 times in the last hour, my foot is tapping out 280 bpm, and my stomach is in tiny multicolored knots

 

[The Gator]

Gonzalez in for Cameron

Davis in

I'm going to be sick

 

[B Maverick]

anybody going to be posting here during the game? or will i be talking to myself?!?!

 

[El Floppo]

Oh! turned on ESPN Sportscenter last night before bed... saw that Lincecum threw a nohitter. Also saw that in his locker-room celebration, he was wearing a USMNT team shirt. It's everywhere.

 

[Jayrod]

Gonzalez in for Cameron

Davis in

I'm going to be sick

In JK we trust. Chill gents.

 

[Sammy3469]

Wearing a USA rugby jersey to the game. Douchey?

Not me, BTW

I'd break out my signed 2002 Clint Mathis jersey except for the fact I won it at a USA-Germany watch party in 2002.

 

[El Floppo]

Gonzalez in for Cameron

Davis in

I'm going to be sick

wait... no... joking, right? no. No. NO. NOOOOO., NOOOOOOOO

 

[rockaction]

Oh! turned on ESPN Sportscenter last night before bed... saw that Lincecum threw a nohitter. Also saw that in his locker-room celebration, he was wearing a USMNT team shirt. It's everywhere.

Saw that. #55. And some knight's armor. Pretty awesome stuff. One of the more colorful sports personalities around.

 

[culdeus]

anybody going to be posting here during the game? or will i be talking to myself?!?!

I'm going to send all my posts to shuke through PM during the game.

 

[El Floppo]

Ok... heading out for lunch at my GB's.

First I'll piss a couple dozen more times. See you lot afterwards for the celebration/wake.

C'MON USA!!!!!!

 

[Sinn Fein]

Weird watching the US warm-up - they are doing their warm ups off the pitch beyond the end line - presumably to not put any more wear and team on the field.

Previous games had the US warming up on the field - starters on one side, bench on the other side of the US half.

 

[B-Deep]

anybody going to be posting here during the game? or will i be talking to myself?!?!

i will be

watching on the pc anyway

 

[Steve Tasker]

Heading home to pour way too many beers and watch the game. I'll be around.

C'mon boys....

 

[Native]

Good luck brothers!

 

[charvik]

Wearing a USA rugby jersey to the game. Douchey?

Not me, BTW

I think it's ok. At least he's wearing the colors.

 

[Guest]

Does anyone have a link to the Unavision live feed?

 

[Sinn Fein]

Bradley, Jones and Beckerman look ready to play

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Hopefully this won't be like 2002 when we were down to Poland 3-0 and had to rely on a goal in the other game to go through. I might not survive.

But advancing out of this group is a huge achievement no matter how it goes down. It's really the only thing that matters.

 

[Jobber]

Where can a guy without ESPN watch the game?

 

[Jayrod]

Does anyone have a link to the Unavision live feed?

Here you go