quote:

Originally posted by ibanda:
Halftime, we are getting out butts kicked. I only watch soccer during the world cup. I know soccer is not the US's sport but it's frustrating to watch. We have a population of 330 million, every kid plays soccer for a few years and it looks like we don't even belong on the field with the Dutch that have 17 million people.

Historically, soccer has not been a lucrative sport to play in the US. As such, the best athletes had a selection of 4-5 better options for professional sports.

And don't even think its the 6th best athlete that plays soccer, because 2-3 are selecting each of the other major professional leagues.

This is changing a bit, with more US soccer players working abroad, and MLS even paying some substantial salaries. But it remains an interesting study.

Come on Australia!! Please beat the everlasting fuck out of Argentina. Everyone is assuming Argentina will skate past Australia. Cmon lads prove em wrong!!!

Time to put on my Australia national team jersey that I got when I was in Sydney.

Well, as I said before I didn’t expect the USMNT to advance to the knockout stages.

For a young team it was a fair result.

Today’s game showed that they are not ready to beat the best teams. Not a surprise.

All in all it was a good run for this young team.

Remember that the old guard didn’t even qualify for the last World Cup.

quote:

Originally posted by ibanda:
Halftime, we are getting out butts kicked. I only watch soccer during the world cup. I know soccer is not the US's sport but it's frustrating to watch. We have a population of 330 million, every kid plays soccer for a few years and it looks like we don't even belong on the field with the Dutch that have 17 million people.

A country with as big a population as the US, it is confounding that we're not able to get past the 2nd round or, put together a strong team. Like every other country, playing at the WC-level, these players love the game so much, they're willing to sacrifice everything; that attitude or, ethos, you don't find in kids that are more affluent or, have other choices. The Wynalda/Harkes conflict highlighting the lack of win at all costs attitude that US teams lack. It's getting better but, its small generational gains. Consider Germany, a great history, win the whole thing and the next two tournaments get booted in the 1-rd, the humiliation has got to be stifling.

For most of these countries, soccer is the ONLY professional sport that's viable as a career. Euro basketball pro leagues have grown but, its limited and let's face it, those players were deemed too tall to play soccer, and volleyball & swimming aren't lucrative enough for career opportunities. If you're an athlete in any other parts of the world, soccer is the only sport to consider. Everyone else who wants to pursue their sports, usually come to the US; look at the Olympics, nearly half the competitors in the Summer games, are either students in US or, do a majority of their training/competing in the US.

I worked with a gal from Bavaria, she was a huge soccer junky, she and her b/f would spend entire weekends watching Bundislega matches. I asked her, if soccer is the most popular sport in Germany, what's #2....Soccer; what about #3....Soccer; what about #4....either Handball or, Cycling.

quote:

Originally posted by prj:
Historically, soccer has not been a lucrative sport to play in the US. As such, the best athletes had a selection of 4-5 better options for professional sports.

And don't even think its the 6th best athlete that plays soccer, because 2-3 are selecting each of the other major professional leagues.

This is changing a bit, with more US soccer players working abroad, and MLS even paying some substantial salaries. But it remains an interesting study.

I keep hearing this argument, but how many athletes have we seen who could play more than one sport professionally? Call me crazy, but I think soccer has to recruit its best from not just kids with specific backgrounds but kids with specific strengths.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
A country with as big a population as the US, it is confounding that we're not able to get past the 2nd round or, put together a strong team.

It isn’t about how many people live in a country, it’s about how many people there play at a high level.

The USA has 5 times the population of the UK.

The USA soccer league system has 95 teams this year, its most ever. The UK league system has literally THOUSANDS of teams.

A positive from today's loss is that means there is less money the simps will have to split with the dikes.

Okay FOX, you can turn off the nauseating hype machine.

Nice interview with Matt Turner. He didn't bullshit or try to spin things. Spoke the truth.

He's my USMNT player of the tournament. I'm glad he played well in all four games he played. He'll have a lot more confidence if he has to play for Arsenal if Ramsdale is hurt.

Second match:

Matt Ryan, OUCH!

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
I keep hearing this argument, but how many athletes have we seen who could play more than one sport professionally? Call me crazy, but I think soccer has to recruit its best from not just kids with specific backgrounds but kids with specific strengths.

An athlete is an athlete. Modern professionals athletes have specialized in their specific and chosen sport since children, and many could achieve like elite-status in one or more other sporting endeavors. Of course, a 7' NBA center is unlikely to excel at soccer, or football. But who can't imagine just about any 6'-6" NBA small forward/wing player being one of the best goal keepers imaginable with a lifetime of training? Or a 6'-0" PG, one of the quickest positions in sport, as an elite striker?

Kylian Mbappé Is really something to watch. Talk about your worst nightmare as a defensive player. He has surgical accuracy and incredible speed. As a whole, France looks legit.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Come on Australia!! Please beat the everlasting fuck out of Argentina. Everyone is assuming Argentina will skate past Australia. Cmon lads prove em wrong!!!

Time to put on my Australia national team jersey that I got when I was in Sydney.

0-0

I was waiting for that post.

I am with blackmore. Could not give a sh-- less for soccer. Glad it is over for the US.

I’m proud of the US team. They performed well on the world stage and I’m sad to see them eliminated.

No, they didn’t win it all but they showed maturity and most importantly improvement over the previous USA team. It is a team with a lot of potential going forward and that makes me smile.

This round is separating the wheat from the chaff.

All the #1 seeds have won so far.

It’s showing the difference in quality of play.

Brazil showed who was BOSS today. 4-1 easy victory over S. Korea.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I am with blackmore. Could not give a sh-- less for soccer. Glad it is over for the US.

Actually I'm a junkie for the European Big 5 leagues + love watching the World Cup, Euros, Copa America...

What I couldn't stand was the jingoism from FOX. Reaching the knockout round was an overachievement and Mr. 3G Gregg was outcoached by the Netherlands' LvG - a real manager. Yeah, there are some talented kids on the USMNT, but not having to qualify (as hosts) for 2026 is going to stunt their improvement. There's a reason only 8 countries have ever won a World Cup and those are countries with a futbol culture that goes back decades and more.

Brazil's first half demolition of S. Korea which gave them the chance to rest key players is why I think they're on their way to a sixth cup.

The good old Babylon Bee at it again


Nation Relieved To No Longer Have To Pretend To Like Soccer

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:
This round is separating the wheat from the chaff.

All the #1 seeds have won so far.

It’s showing the difference in quality of play.

Absolutely. I'm upset with Japan and their poor showing in PKs, I was hoping they'd advance. Croatian Goalie was an animal.

I think France vs England is going to be the big match for me, England's D is a little bit stronger with Maguire and that may be the difference for ENG.

I also agree that Mbappe is by far the best player. He's the best striker and the best ball striker IMHO, and he's still a baby.

Morocco beat Spain in PK’s

Upset in my book.

Morocco was a #1 seed of their group.