World Cup Thread.

Angry Man said:

No you aren't alone in remembering the 2002 run. I think due to the fact that there's far more attention to soccer now than there was in 2002 - and the typical short term memory of Americans who probably don't even remember how we advanced in 2010 - that suddenly this USA vs Germany game is now the "biggest game."

Today's game wasn't pretty to watch. Too many blown chances on our offense when we had our chances. And we're lucky Germany apparently can't aim very well at the goal outside of their one lucky goal. Yeah the conditions at the game were pretty bad with the rain and field condition but if you are playing you gotta play the hand you are dealt. Glad we are advancing but... just like Coach Klinsmann I feel we could of played better.

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It was the biggest game for cultural reasons.

The MLS is averaging 3 times the attendance they had 10 years ago and the US TV ratings are up 30% over 2010 (and have been the most watched programming ever on ESPN outside of American football - - yes, that is YOU being dissed, baseball). If there is any time for a breakthrough, this is it. Every additional game they play will reap rewards years later. There is a lot of money at stake, just ask the Mayors of Somerville, Revere, Boston or Foxborough.

You are right, though. Soccer-wise, it was not the biggest game in Americn history. Culturally/timing-wise, it was. And Tuesday will be bigger.

JMC00 said:

Completely disagree. Had this been his first time doing it I might agree but he has a history.

But FIFA is well within their right it happened at their biggest competition. Also let's remember English FA is part of UEFA and UEFA is part of FIFA. So instead of getting suspended by the Dean of Students, he got suspended by the Principal

And it is not similair to if the WBC suspended a player. Because the WBC was created by MLB, MLBPA, and other international baseball leagues.

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I don't disagree that he deserves the punishment. I disagree with who is handing it out. FIFA is within their rights to ban him from international football. Any punishment outside of that should be levied by the respective FA. UCL should be by UEFA and EPL should be by the FA. You don't see UEFA impose disciplinary matter outside their competitions. An Euro or UCL suspension to a player or stadium sanctions against clubs don't carry over to their respective leagues unless the corresponding FA feels it should. Neither it should with FIFA. Especially FIFA. The most corrupt organisation is sports should not tell its member FAs how to impose internal disciplinary matters.
LFC and the FA should suspend him on their own accord and not let FIFA butt in.

FIFA govern the entire sport, they're free to impose what they want. In fact, it's there in the rules that he could have up to a 24 month long global ban - players have received these 24 month global bans before (usually for drugs though).

UEFA have imposed fines & transfer embargoes on teams which have obvious ramifications on domestic competitions.

The English FA have no jurisdiction over Luis Suarez whilst he isn't competing in or for a team covered by them (England national team, any team playing in the English leagues) so they couldn't ban him for what he did at the World Cup.

Liverpool, however, if British law permits would be well within their rights to withhold any payment to Suarez during the 4 months he isn't allowed to be associated with the team. Losing out on £200,000 a week for 4 months sounds a pretty meaty punishment - especially when you compare it to the £66,000 fine from FIFA.

Major ********** said:

I don't disagree that he deserves the punishment. I disagree with who is handing it out. FIFA is within their rights to ban him from international football. Any punishment outside of that should be levied by the respective FA. UCL should be by UEFA and EPL should be by the FA. You don't see UEFA impose disciplinary matter outside their competitions. An Euro or UCL suspension to a player or stadium sanctions against clubs don't carry over to their respective leagues unless the corresponding FA feels it should. Neither it should with FIFA. Especially FIFA. The most corrupt organisation is sports should not tell its member FAs how to impose internal disciplinary matters.
LFC and the FA should suspend him on their own accord and not let FIFA butt in.

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I respectfully disagree with you and BritPat on this, much though I appreciate both your informative posts.

I think that, in a logical world, FIFA should function just like a national FA. When I played the game at a low level in Germany I had a DFB "Spielerpass", just the same as Gerd Müller or Franz Beckenbauer. No pass, no game. If there was a ban it was for every game under the DFB jurisdiction.

Of course, FIFA are a bunch of vile, opportunistic crooks. But, in principle, they should have the authority.

Is it unprecedented to ban Suarez domestically? I'm sure you know more than I do but, when Cantona was banned for jumping into the crowd to attack a spectator who had abused him, I think he was banned from all football, not just the Premier League.

Is it justified? To my mind, what Suarez did was worse than what Cantona did, though Roy Keane breaking Haaland's leg was worse than either. I'd have banned him for life.

Mike the Brit said:

though Roy Keane breaking Haaland's leg was worse than either. I'd have banned him for life.

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That was a complete & utter scum challenge, just because Alfie injured Keane (the fact he did it playing for Leeds is always something that sticks, considering the rep the team has all the way back to the days of the Don) - in that nutters head going all out to end the guys career in a predetermined attack should have seen him banned for life.

But he played for Man Utd so that was never going to happen.

shmessy said:

It was the biggest game for cultural reasons.

The MLS is averaging 3 times the attendance they had 10 years ago and the US TV ratings are up 30% over 2010 (and have been the most watched programming ever on ESPN outside of American football - - yes, that is YOU being dissed, baseball). If there is any time for a breakthrough, this is it. Every additional game they play will reap rewards years later. There is a lot of money at stake, just ask the Mayors of Somerville, Revere, Boston or Foxborough.

You are right, though. Soccer-wise, it was not the biggest game in Americn history. Culturally/timing-wise, it was. And Tuesday will be bigger.

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Not to look too forward, but if the US wins Tuesday, that leads to a Saturday showdown against Messi and Argentina! That would break serious records!

Ivan said:

I don't mind Portugal and I liked Figo As a player, I just really dislike Ronaldo, even though he did make the sweetest pass I have ever seen when he was at Man U.

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I can def see why people hate Ronaldo, no question. But if he's on your team, you'd love him!

shmessy said:

Mike, you really are reaching for the bottom of the barrel if you're going to link to her writing. She doesn't even believe in what she is writing. .

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Hate to interject but anyone who has ever see "Ann" Coulter's Adams apple knows damn well "she" is not a she.

Just sayin'

Now back to your regular programming........

AzorianPats said:

I can def see why people hate Ronaldo, no question. But if he's on your team, you'd love him!

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I agree, a player that good on your team gets maximum slack, and Ronaldo is an amazing player. And an easy argument could be made that he had a greater role in the fortunes of the US team than any american did.

And FTR I am a big time Messi Fan, and that too colors my views on Ronaldo. he's really really good, but he's no Messi............

AzorianPats said:

Not to look too forward, but if the US wins Tuesday, that leads to a Saturday showdown against Messi and Argentina! That would break serious records!

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I honestly can't think beyond Belgium, I do however like the fact that they have already played three top notch teams going into it and are definitely ready for this kind of challenge.I doubt Altidore will be ready but it would be a big boost if he could get into the match.

AzorianPats said:

Not to look too forward, but if the US wins Tuesday, that leads to a Saturday showdown against Messi and Argentina! That would break serious records!

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I do agree that US Argentina would set some ratings records but they have a tough match to win to get through to it.

shmessy said:

It was the biggest game for cultural reasons.

The MLS is averaging 3 times the attendance they had 10 years ago and the US TV ratings are up 30% over 2010 (and have been the most watched programming ever on ESPN outside of American football - - yes, that is YOU being dissed, baseball). If there is any time for a breakthrough, this is it. Every additional game they play will reap rewards years later. There is a lot of money at stake, just ask the Mayors of Somerville, Revere, Boston or Foxborough.

You are right, though. Soccer-wise, it was not the biggest game in Americn history. Culturally/timing-wise, it was. And Tuesday will be bigger.

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Oh I absolutely agree with you on this. And excellent point on it being the biggest game culturally which is something I didn't think about until now. The further we America get in this World Cup the more that can help the cause of building the sport here in America. Now do I ever expect it to take over the NFL in popularity? No. But I feel that soccer will have its place in our country and this World Cup is going to really help establish it's place.

On that note I must say former Revs player Taylor Twellman has really developed into a great analyst for ESPN.

And on that note.... I highly recommend everyone who doesn't already to start following the Revs. The next game is this Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 PM EST on Comcast Sports Net New England. Those outside of the New England area can watch it either through MLS Direct Kick (cable/sat out of market package for MLS) or MLS Live (online out of market package). There's a ton of great talent coming up on the current Revs team that I feel could potentially someday be on the US National Team including:

- Andrew Farrell (defender, very fast and speedy)
- Kelyn Rowe (midfield, very dynamic and can work multiple positions including attacking midfield, winger, and forward)
- Lee Nguyen (midfield, arguably one of the best players in MLS right now)
- Patrick Mullins (forward, very dominate physical forward)
- Diego ***undez (forward, very fast on the field and reminds me at times of Cristiano Ronaldo)

Ivan said:

I agree, a player that good on your team gets maximum slack, and Ronaldo is an amazing player. And an easy argument could be made that he had a greater role in the fortunes of the US team than any american did.

And FTR I am a big time Messi Fan, and that too colors my views on Ronaldo. he's really really good, but he's no Messi............

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We'll agree to disagree on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate. But I have to admit so far, Messi really stepped it up this WC. While unfortunately Ronaldo is now going home. Dead shame that Portugal doesn't have anyone to pick up the slack for him. Not fair to Ronaldo that we've become so reliant on 1 player these last couple of years....

I think every one can agree that both are unquestionably the 2 best players in the planet, and by a wide margin. I think what's even a more remarkable achievement is how long they've both been at the top of their game.

Ivan said:

I honestly can't think beyond Belgium, I do however like the fact that they have already played three top notch teams going into it and are definitely ready for this kind of challenge.I doubt Altidore will be ready but it would be a big boost if he could get into the match.

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Belgium will be tough. They have some good players that play in big clubs. But I don't think Belgium is as battle tested as a team like the US is.

Forget the Germany game yesterday. That was played in horrible conditions, 3 days after a game in the Amazon. The US is a team that's gonna fight til the end. A great GK, with a MF, they might not make the smooth passes, but will outwork any other MF in any game, and you have a very opportunistic player in Dempsey, that can put the ball in the back of the net. Not to mention, Klinsman is a great international coach. This team will be ready.

Tuesday will be tough, but its a very winnable game for the US!

Wow! This thread was a whopper. Here are the thoughts of this non-soccer fan.

I don't care to be told that I should like soccer when TO ME it's the most boring thing on earth to sit through.

America could put it's greatest athletes from all sports on one soccer team and I still wouldn't watch. It's the sport that's lousy, not the players.

If the field was smaller and there was more scoring I could possibly grow to like soccer.

The rest of the world is entitled to their opinion of american sports, and I'm entitled to mine of soccer, especially when the topic is being discussed on an NFL message board.

The SB lasts about 3 hours and the World Cup lasts about a month. Which has more viewers?

Rugby is much closer to football than soccer, yet the soccer fans want to lump it in with their sport. How does that work?

I don't follow soccer, but I know that I like the player called Ronaldo because he was named after Ronald Reagan.

All that's missing from many of the soccer fans now are their pink hats.

AzorianPats said:

I can def see why people hate Ronaldo, no question. But if he's on your team, you'd love him!

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Assuming Argentina beats the swiss...

1960Pats said:

The SB lasts about 3 hours and the World Cup lasts about a month. Which has more viewers?

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You're not serious, are you? Do you really want to compare the world wide viewing audience for soccer to the US based audience for the Super Bowl?

Angry Man said:

Oh I absolutely agree with you on this. And excellent point on it being the biggest game culturally which is something I didn't think about until now. The further we America get in this World Cup the more that can help the cause of building the sport here in America. Now do I ever expect it to take over the NFL in popularity? No. But I feel that soccer will have its place in our country and this World Cup is going to really help establish it's place.

On that note I must say former Revs player Taylor Twellman has really developed into a great analyst for ESPN.

And on that note.... I highly recommend everyone who doesn't already to start following the Revs. The next game is this Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 PM EST on Comcast Sports Net New England. Those outside of the New England area can watch it either through MLS Direct Kick (cable/sat out of market package for MLS) or MLS Live (online out of market package). There's a ton of great talent coming up on the current Revs team that I feel could potentially someday be on the US National Team including:

- Andrew Farrell (defender, very fast and speedy)
- Kelyn Rowe (midfield, very dynamic and can work multiple positions including attacking midfield, winger, and forward)
- Lee Nguyen (midfield, arguably one of the best players in MLS right now)
- Patrick Mullins (forward, very dominate physical forward)
- Diego ***undez (forward, very fast on the field and reminds me at times of Cristiano Ronaldo)

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I'd be interested to see the change in attendance and tv ratings for the Revs after all this.

It would be absolutely brilliant for them to move to Assembly Square in Somerville with the new Green Line station going in there. I live in Maryland and have no dog in the fight, but from afar it makes too much sense. They have the opportunity, it is up to the Krafts to take it.

1960Pats said:

Wow! This thread was a whopper. Here are the thoughts of this non-soccer fan.

I don't care to be told that I should like soccer when TO ME it's the most boring thing on earth to sit through.

America could put it's greatest athletes from all sports on one soccer team and I still wouldn't watch. It's the sport that's lousy, not the players.

If the field was smaller and there was more scoring I could possibly grow to like soccer.

The rest of the world is entitled to their opinion of american sports, and I'm entitled to mine of soccer, especially when the topic is being discussed on an NFL message board.

The SB lasts about 3 hours and the World Cup lasts about a month. Which has more viewers?

Rugby is much closer to football than soccer, yet the soccer fans want to lump it in with their sport. How does that work?

I don't follow soccer, but I know that I like the player called Ronaldo because he was named after Ronald Reagan.

All that's missing from many of the soccer fans now are their pink hats.

Click to expand...

I wish I could dislike this multiple times.

1960Pats said:

Wow! This thread was a whopper. Here are the thoughts of this non-soccer fan.

I don't care to be told that I should like soccer when TO ME it's the most boring thing on earth to sit through.

America could put it's greatest athletes from all sports on one soccer team and I still wouldn't watch. It's the sport that's lousy, not the players.

If the field was smaller and there was more scoring I could possibly grow to like soccer.

The rest of the world is entitled to their opinion of american sports, and I'm entitled to mine of soccer, especially when the topic is being discussed on an NFL message board.

The SB lasts about 3 hours and the World Cup lasts about a month. Which has more viewers?

Rugby is much closer to football than soccer, yet the soccer fans want to lump it in with their sport. How does that work?

I don't follow soccer, but I know that I like the player called Ronaldo because he was named after Ronald Reagan.

All that's missing from many of the soccer fans now are their pink hats.

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No one has "told you to like" anything.

YOU came in HERE to register your dislike of soccer. No different than the pathetic wailings of Shank Shaughnessy, Anne Coulter and John Dennis.

If you don't like it, go somewhere else. It is an active and obnoxious move to inject yourself in someone else's discussion to register your dislike of what they are discussing.

People who enter threads to complain about the subject discussion deserve all the abuse coming to them.