World Cup in Brazil (2 Viewers)

[Phantom Warrior]

Uruguayan soccer officials claim the picture of Giorgio Chiellini clutching his tooth-marked shoulder was, in fact, altered to make the bite marks look worse than they actually were.

So URG admits there was a bite. Not the defence I would go with.

Terry

 

[Sentaapua]

The U.S. defense did a great job this first half, and the marking is perfect!

 

[jazzeum]

Things are getting a bit dicey as Ghana has tied the score.

 

[lancer]

This impresses me as a big game of keep-away with the Germans being very good at it. US can't get the ball or keep it if it does come their way. What needs to happen for the US to advance, besides an outright US win, which appears impossible? -- Al

 

[Warrior]

This impresses me as a big game of keep-away with the Germans being very good at it. US can't get the ball or keep it if it does come their way. What needs to happen for the US to advance, besides an outright US win, which appears impossible? -- Al

WE LOST!!!.................Oh well, nice try boys, get em in 2018.................Wait; Portugal won?!?!?!?!?

WE'RE ADVANCING................WHA HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USA, USA, USA, USA.........

Even when we're losers, we're winners.

Soccer fever; catch it baby........................

 

[Combat]

WE LOST!!!.................Oh well, nice try boys, get em in 2018.................Wait; Portugal won?!?!?!?!?

WE'RE ADVANCING................WHA HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USA, USA, USA, USA.........

Even when we're losers, we're winners.

Soccer fever; catch it baby........................

If we continue to lose at this rate, there is no limit to how far we might go. Scoring zero goals seems to be the key. I bet we can do that every game against even the best teams in world.

 

[sammy719]

WE LOST!!!.................Oh well, nice try boys, get em in 2018.................Wait; Portugal won?!?!?!?!?

WE'RE ADVANCING................WHA HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USA, USA, USA, USA.........

Even when we're losers, we're winners.

Soccer fever; catch it baby........................

and here I was thinking you were talking about the AL East!!!!^&grin^&grin...Sammy

 

[jazzeum]

Thank god for Germany beating Portugal 4-0 and putting Portugal in a bad goal differential and for Ronaldo scoring in the 80th or so minute today (after he had helped set up the goal that cost the US on Sunday). In these group phase matches, goal differential is everything.

Awaiting now on Belgium or Algeria.

 

[jazzeum]

If we continue to lose at this rate, there is no limit to how far we might go. Scoring zero goals seems to be the key. I bet we can do that every game against even the best teams in world.

Starting Saturday, every game has to have a result, that is, there has to be a winner or loser: it's winner go on and loser go home. There are no ties. If the game is tied after 90 minutes (plus stoppage time), there are two 15 minute periods and if still no winner, then penalty kicks.

 

[Sentaapua]

Awaiting now on Belgium or Algeria.

The Belgians IMHO will be a tougher opponent, but against either one it will be a great game, and the US by the football it has been displaying and its continuous improvement since game 1, has good chances to proceed!

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, I agree about Belgium. Ian Darke (the ESPN announcer, who is excellent) said that the US lost to Belgium in a friendly last year, 4-2. I would much rather face Algeria.

 

[Warrior]

If the game is tied after 90 minutes (plus stoppage time), there are two 15 minute periods and if still no winner, then penalty kicks.

I love how you play for 120 minutes then the game is decided by shooting at a goalie who's a sitting duck; the ball either goes in or the shooter gags and whistles it wide or high, OR, the goalie falls in the right direction and the ball hits him................USA, USA, USA, USA, USA.................

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I love how you play for 120 minutes then the game is decided by shooting at a goalie who's a sitting duck; the ball either goes in or the shooter gags and whistles it wide or high, OR, the goalie falls in the right direction and the ball hits him................USA, USA, USA, USA, USA.................

Even worse, it's spread to the NHL. (sarcasm alert)

Terry

PS - I don't like shoot outs as a game decider in any sport.

 

[Warrior]

Even worse, it's spread to the NHL. (sarcasm alert)

Terry

PS - I don't like shoot outs as a game decider in any sport.

Agreed, but at least in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they eliminate the shoot out and play sudden death OT, next goal wins.

That's how they should do it in soccer, play 15 minute quarters if you will until someone scores, it should be sudden death after 90 minutes with the next goal winning it; to decide who moves on or worse yet, who wins the whole thing on a shootout is moronic on a number of levels.

 

[jazzeum]

I think the problem is that after 120 minutes the players are exhausted. Unlike hockey you can't freely substitute so a fitness problem is magnified, particularly for the winner, who may lose people to injury. In addition, some of the venues in Brasil are very humid and this only magnifies the fitness issue. I don't know that there is a good solution to the problem.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think the problem is that after 120 minutes the players are exhausted. Unlike hockey you can't freely substitute so a fitness problem is magnified, particularly for the winner, who may lose people to injury. In addition, some of the venues in Brasil are very humid and this only magnifies the fitness issue. I don't know that there is a good solution to the problem.

There is a solution. After 90 minutes plus injury time go to sudden death with unlimited substitution

Terry

 

[kogu]

Had a great time today, watching the game.
Germany won and advanced :salute::
The U.S. lost, but still advanced {bravo}}
So it was all good :smile2:
Konrad

 

[Combat]

Agreed, but at least in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they eliminate the shoot out and play sudden death OT, next goal wins.

That's how they should do it in soccer, play 15 minute quarters if you will until someone scores, it should be sudden death after 90 minutes with the next goal winning it; to decide who moves on or worse yet, who wins the whole thing on a shootout is moronic on a number of levels.

If they played some of these soccer games until someone actually scored many of the fans would die of old age before it ended. That would be absolutely brutal to watch. They could grow a playoff beard during the game.

 

[Warrior]

I think the pace would be a lot different if the next goal wins vs a team up 1-0 and then dicking around the rest of the game.

 

[hotel3alpha]

Warrior,

I understand your points, but you may have to reach out to some the British Brothers on the forum and air this one out. They love to argue futbol rules and regulations and how they were the ones who "organized" the game. One of the reasons why this game is beautiful is how the game is set up. Not that the Brits should be given all the credit for soccer, but that is how it has been played for a VERY long time. That frame work has transcended through out the world and when Nations meet in the World Cup the regulations, the rules and the players can meet on one field and battle it out regardless of origin. The World Cup is the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Series and NBA finals all wrapped up in one, However, the caveat is that this game it is only played every 4 years. Imagine watching the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl every four years! Every fan of that particular sport would be salivating to watch the games and that is how it is for soccer fans.

So, write a letter to FIFA and let them have it and let them know how you really feel about the structure of the game. They may answer you as they answered the outcry over Suarez. Who by the way is a classless player who crossed the line once and for all.

John from Texas