OT - World Cup 2018 Thread

What a waste of a chance.

Everything high for Brazil.

Observer said:

What a waste of a chance.

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Couldn’t have gotten a better opportunity. These players are so tight.

Neymar goes to ground way too easily at times.

1960Pats said:

It doesn't appear that our country's youth likes the game all that much.

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Could not be more incorrect. The issue is with pay-to-play youth development systems that lead to vast swathes of the best young soccer players in the US being denied the opportunity to play with good coaches, thereby stunting their growth. Hint: the USMNT is mostly upper middle class white kids; do you think that's what the average soccer player in the US looks like?

Jonathan Gonzalez is the exemplar. Second-generation, California born, represented the US at every level but ultimately decided to play for Mexico and has an international cap already at age 19. There's a lost player who will probably be in Mexico's starting 11 by the time the World Cup comes home.

Mexico's goal celebration against Germany causes an earthquake

Mexico's goal celebration against Germany 'causes an
EARTHQUAKE' as fan reaction sparks seismic activity

Get rid of that damn haircut. That’s bad luck charm.

Omfg, how did he miss that rebound?

Brazil getting opportunities. That Swiss goalkeeper made a heck of a stop.

My goodness, another close call. Disappointing show by Brazil in front of goal.

Poor sportsmanship by the Swiss. They have decided to play Neymar instead of the ball.

What a blown opportunity. Once countiho scored they got too comfortable.

Well, I'm 7-4 on picks this weekend. Pretty good overall if I say so myself. NAILED the upset pick of Mexico over Germany. It was more of a hope than a pick but it happened.

Picked Iceland to beat Argentina, Brasil to beat Switzerland, Peru & Denmark to draw, and Costa Rica to beat Serbia. Missed the mark, but otherwise I've done alright on picks.

Overall I'd say this is a pretty enjoyable WC. Can't wait for the group H matches!

So far this WC. Out of all the favorites. The one that has impressed the most was by far Spain...

More than that, this WC is wide open. There’s no team in my mind that’s made any separation from the pack.

AzorianPats said:

So far this WC. Out of all the favorites. The one that has impressed the most was by far Spain...

More than that, this WC is wide open. There’s no team in my mind that’s made any separation from the pack.

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Still hoping Portugal goes to the round of 16. I can dream lol.

AzorianPats said:

So far this WC. Out of all the favorites. The one that has impressed the most was by far Spain...

More than that, this WC is wide open. There’s no team in my mind that’s made any separation from the pack.

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I was impressed by Mexico today. Could this finally be the year they get out of the round of 16?

PatriotsNumero1Fan said:

I was impressed by Mexico today. Could this finally be the year they get out of the round of 16?

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Mexico have always been decent, but they just don’t know how to score. Even today they could have scored two more against Germany. I didn’t see them being any better in the striking department compared to years past.
Even Brazil seems to have turned into a team that try to pass the ball into the net - not enough confidence in long range shots.

Thing about Mexico is more or less their entire side is like 28-30, so it's an entire team of guys who are in their second or third World Cup... and also likely their last World Cup. But you have a generation ripe in their prime. So this is it, all-in for these guys.

PatriotsNumero1Fan said:

Still hoping Portugal goes to the round of 16. I can dream lol.

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Call me a homer, but after all the “big teams” played their first game of the group stage (minus Belgium and England) I think the semi final is possible for Portugal.

Still way to early but none of Germany (who’s looked like poop all year), Argentina, or Brazil have impressed. Portugal can play with all these teams, especially with a Ronaldo that’s on fire.

Now it’s also the Portugal thing to do to drop points vs Morocco and Iran and be knocked out of the group stage lol. Mas Eu acredito!!

AzorianPats said:

Call me a homer, but after all the “big teams” played their first game of the group stage (minus Belgium and England) I think the semi final is possible for Portugal.

Still way to early but none of Germany (who’s looked like poop all year), Argentina, or Brazil have impressed. Portugal can play with all these teams, especially with a Ronaldo that’s on fire.

Now it’s also the Portugal thing to do to drop points vs Morocco and Iran and be knocked out of the group stage lol. Mas Eu acredito!!

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The way CR7 is playing and leading the team anything is possible with them. Not much talent like the powerhouses but they play with a lot of grit and heart and if they keep games close, Cristiano can be the difference.