OT - World Cup 2018 Thread

1960Pats said:

Worldwide, soccer is king (a real king, not a self proclaimed one like LeBron). Maybe soccer fans in the USA are a bit defensive because some of us haven't taken to it as much as they have.

As a youth sports coach for many years in the past I have the opportunity to talk about soccer to some former players. The common theme among them is that soccer is a sport they liked as kids but didn't enjoy as they got older.

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I believe that one day soccer will overtake American football as the # 1 sport.

Concussions will eventually doom the NFL and the sport. Not to mention the next CBA where its going to be a blood bath.

Soccer is gaining in popularity every year as these young kids start playing at an early age all the way to graduation and sometimes college. The minor league team here sells out like crazy and it doesnt cost a fortune to go. Soccer teams in Mexico, South America and Europe are like the Patriots and Yankees here. Everyone knows who the players are and the fans are devoted to the franchise.

A soccer team like that hasnt happened here yet for fans to rally behind.

I think France could take it... Brazil are definately the exciting team. My England doesn't have the steel to make it into the quarters!

Triumph said:

I believe that one day soccer will overtake American football as the # 1 sport.

Concussions will eventually doom the NFL and the sport. Not to mention the next CBA where its going to be a blood bath.

Soccer is gaining in popularity every year as these young kids start playing at an early age all the way to graduation and sometimes college. The minor league team here sells out like crazy and it doesnt cost a fortune to go. Soccer teams in Mexico, South America and Europe are like the Patriots and Yankees here. Everyone knows who the players are and the fans are devoted to the franchise.

A soccer team like that hasnt happened here yet for fans to rally behind.

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Soccer is growing and the USA has the potential to become a powerhouse internationally, but the academies and soccer organizations in the country should invest more in players that have talent not just money. We have the best athletes in the world and with a population of 300 mil plus there is no excuse to put a solid 23 man roster that can compete with the best.

The way in which this WC and the next one were awarded have taken the shine off them a bit for me, but i’m sure once it starts i’ll get into it.

Germany or Brazil to win for me. Brazil aren’t the Neymar-reliant team of 2014, there are a lot of good young players going forward especially.

Would love to see my England reach the Quarters but just to get out of the group would be an improvement.

On USA - you guys have the best facilities, natural athletes and attitude to sports in the world. As soon as you start taking soccer seriously i’d expect to see some world class players coming from there and also a strong WC contender in the future.

Triumph said:

I believe that one day soccer will overtake American football as the # 1 sport.

Concussions will eventually doom the NFL and the sport. Not to mention the next CBA where its going to be a blood bath.

Soccer is gaining in popularity every year as these young kids start playing at an early age all the way to graduation and sometimes college. The minor league team here sells out like crazy and it doesnt cost a fortune to go. Soccer teams in Mexico, South America and Europe are like the Patriots and Yankees here. Everyone knows who the players are and the fans are devoted to the franchise.

A soccer team like that hasnt happened here yet for fans to rally behind.

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I am quite opposite to your statement even though I am from the Europe. I know it is a pipe dream but I believe one day American Football will overtake soccer in the old continent. Just let me dream

ToonPatriot said:

The way in which this WC and the next one were awarded have taken the shine off them a bit for me, but i’m sure once it starts i’ll get into it.

Germany or Brazil to win for me. Brazil aren’t the Neymar-reliant team of 2014, there are a lot of good young players going forward especially.

Would love to see my England reach the Quarters but just to get out of the group would be an improvement.

On USA - you guys have the best facilities, natural athletes and attitude to sports in the world. As soon as you start taking soccer seriously i’d expect to see some world class players coming from there and also a strong WC contender in the future.

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England will get out of the group. They got Tunisia, Panama, and Belgium. England and Belgium advance. I think they make the quarters and potentially upset one of the big teams to make the semi’s, but that’s the end of the line unfortunately. Not enough talent to win it all.

ToonPatriot said:

The way in which this WC and the next one were awarded have taken the shine off them a bit for me, but i’m sure once it starts i’ll get into it.

Germany or Brazil to win for me. Brazil aren’t the Neymar-reliant team of 2014, there are a lot of good young players going forward especially.

Would love to see my England reach the Quarters but just to get out of the group would be an improvement.

On USA - you guys have the best facilities, natural athletes and attitude to sports in the world. As soon as you start taking soccer seriously i’d expect to see some world class players coming from there and also a strong WC contender in the future.

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Well they needed neymar when he got injured. I think they will bounce back. I think Portugal has a good job of getting to a QFs. Interesting to see how they play against Spain in their opening match.

Spain just fired their manager, who had taken the Real Madrid job yesterday...first game on Friday.

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui sacked ahead of World Cup 2018 after Real Madrid appointment | Goal.com

Very weird decision. Probably Hierro leads the team but to fired the coach just before the first game of the season might bring some confusion amongst the players.

Breaking: US wins bid to host 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico

U.S., Mexico, Canada to co-host 2026 World Cup

Clonamery said:

Spain just fired their manager, who had taken the Real Madrid job yesterday...first game on Friday.

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui sacked ahead of World Cup 2018 after Real Madrid appointment | Goal.com

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oceansizer said:

Very weird decision. Probably Hierro leads the team but to fired the coach just before the first game of the season might bring some confusion amongst the players.

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I love it!

AzorianPats said:

I love it!

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I am not surprised at all

Clonamery said:

Spain just fired their manager, who had taken the Real Madrid job yesterday...first game on Friday.

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui sacked ahead of World Cup 2018 after Real Madrid appointment | Goal.com

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Spanish football is like Game of Thrones -- everyone is bad, but some are more evil than others.

TommyBrady12 said:

Breaking: US wins bid to host 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico

U.S., Mexico, Canada to co-host 2026 World Cup

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US is now guaranteed to be in a World Cup ...
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...in 8 years.
So we have that going for us.....which is nice

the 2022 WC will have 48 teams - if you don't qualify for the 2022 WC your team really ****ing sucks - looking at you Italy, Netherlands!

this thread is in the wrong forum. We have a forum called "other sports". Why post it in the main forum?

get off my lawn

Boston Boxer said:

this thread is in the wrong forum. We have a forum called "other sports". Why post it in the main forum?

get off my lawn

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You have been here for a long time ... like myself so you know we have traditionally allowed off topic discussions in the main forum as long as they comply with forum rules between the period of the last OTA and camp ... it's no big deal. You can use the ignore thread feature if it bothers you that much.

When camp begins all of these OT's will be moved to the appropriate forums.

IcyPatriot said:

You have been here for a long time ... like myself so you know we have traditionally allowed off topic discussions in the main forum as long as they comply with forum rules between the period of the last OTA and camp ... it's no big deal. You can use the ignore thread feature if it bothers you that much.

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bah

Portugal should take advantage and steal one against Spain while they are in a flux. Losing their manager 1 day before the tournament does not bode well for Spain.

ArchAngel007 said:

Portugal should take advantage and steal one against Spain while they are in a flux. Losing their manager 1 day before the tournament does not bode well for Spain.

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They should still advance in that group with Spain. If they don’t it would be a major fail.