OT: World Cup 2018

[GemParty]

Any AO members here? The Hartford Chapter President, Tom, is a huge UConn fan & visits the Yard. I’ve been considering joining if I can commit some time. They have their own clubhouse for watch parties.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

it was... They played very poorly together and the Federation was managed poorly

Fair. But the squad as a whole is one of the best in the world on paper. Any team that can leave Mauro Icardi home has some real talent. Their defense may let them down though.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Group stages don't seem too exciting at first blush. I want to say it will be a lot of chalk. Gotta wait til the games are played of course. Interestingly, no real Group of Death. I guess Group F (Germ/Mex/Swe/SKor) qualifies, but it doesn't feel like it.

Brazil;France;Spain;Germany. Pick em. I tend to like the teams with the top keepers. Really pays off in WC play with not everybody always in perfect sync.

Maybe Argentina or a team like Belgium--last chance for this group. Will their prior experiences finally pay off?

Portugal too old. Uruguay not quite enough. Colombia strong but not Champion strong. England too green

Portugal Spain tomorrow is appointment tv.

Uruguay and Egypt as well 8 am

 

[auror]

Devastating loss for Egypt. Undisciplined in the most crucial time.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Great header with seconds left

 

[Jaker]

Suerez had multiple chances to score.

 

[Jaker]

I am not betting against Germany in this tourney especially playing in Europe

 

[Bryan Lord]

Any AO members here? The Hartford Chapter President, Tom, is a huge UConn fan & visits the Yard. I’ve been considering joining if I can commit some time. They have their own clubhouse for watch parties.

My buddy is and goes to the tavern all the time.

 

[UConNick]

Now Morocco/Iran as a nice appetizer to the main entre of Spain/Portugal. This will be a defensive struggle, not the game to show someone if you're trying to get them into the sport. I can't see Morocco with that back line conceding anything to Iran. We'll see if the attack can get a goal or two.

 

[gtcam]

I'll be rooting for England but I know perfectly well that it isn't going to happen
France is the dark horse in this race - the talent on that team at every position is very high. The coaching though is suspect but the value of actual coaching at this level is over rated. Usually the bench managers and position managers are more important.
As far as the comments on the MLS being sloppy - the MLS is an infant compared to most any European/South American club team. That being said, there are a few MLS teams that would be quite competitive in the EPL, Bundesliga etc If you follow European soccer you will understand that as in most competitive sports, there is a plateau of strong teams and after that there is mediocrity throughout.
This World Cup should be interesting and full of upsets
The USA National team will be very good and prepared for the next WC - I have no doubt

The USA soccer team is in shambles. They play boring soccer. The whole system needs to be redone. From getting rid of the playoffs and having relegation and promotion, getting rid of he turf, allow creativity, etc.

This statement is mistaken in many areas . Having enough teams and enough talent to create a system to allow relegation process will take decades, there are teams in Europe who play on artificial turf but the real reason that they have grass in most European and S American stadiums is that these venues only have 1 purpose - soccer, not shared with baseball, football etc. How many cities/teams can afford to build a soccer only stadium in the MLS?
The US team appeared in shambles because of the rough patch it went through in the qualifying leg for the current Cup. Coaching stubbornness with player choices and some tactical approach not conducive to talent level was the culprit.
There is a wealth of talent in the 17 through 21 age group right now and the skill level of those playing in the ODP and higher levels now in the U- 14 through U-17 is very high in comparative to 4 years ago, although the numbers or those participating has definitely decreased.

 

[gtcam]

I’ll root for Colombia as well. A good little portion of my heart belongs to Colombia(ns)

In the 70's, a good part of my mind and lungs belonged to Columbian

 

[Rocktheworld]

In the 70's, a good part of my mind and lungs belonged to Columbian

In a follow up post to someone else I mentioned one of these girls in particular. We were seeing each other in 2014 when she was like 21 or 22, but her dad was 82(not a typo) at the time, definitely an 8 figure man given the Boston apartment he put her up in (and based on some of her tendencies as someone who clearly grew up super rich) and she told me he was a “pharmacist”. Gotta wonder if you were enjoying some of his prescriptions back then

 

[gtcam]

In a follow up post to someone else I mentioned one of these girls in particular. We were seeing each other in 2014 when she was like 21 or 22, but her dad was 82(not a typo) at the time, definitely an 8 figure man given the Boston apartment he put her up in (and based on some of her tendencies as someone who clearly grew up super rich) and she told me he was a “pharmacist”. Gotta wonder if you were enjoying some of his prescriptions back then

No, I was talking the organic type of "recreation" The "pharmaceutical" area I think was American or Asian!!!

 

[Waquoit]

I'm rooting for Messi, England and Belgium. Rooting against Mexico, Spain and Russia. And I can't be bothered with soccer haters anymore. It's their loss. But they really like to keep telling you they hate soccer, don't they?

 

[Waquoit]

Devastating loss for Egypt. Undisciplined in the most crucial time.

That foul to set up the free kick was so unnecessary.

 

[UConNick]

Now Morocco/Iran as a nice appetizer to the main entre of Spain/Portugal. This will be a defensive struggle, not the game to show someone if you're trying to get them into the sport. I can't see Morocco with that back line conceding anything to Iran. We'll see if the attack can get a goal or two.

Well, turns out Morocco can concede to Morocco. Tough way to drop a game.

 

[intlzncster]

Suerez had multiple chances to score.

That game should have been 3-0 or something. Egypt going with the risky strategy of essentially conceding the group, in hopes of picking off the lesser opponents with Salah back to 100%. Dunno about that. They might have poached one this game with him on the pitch.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

With the US out and India still figuring out what cleats are, VIVE LA FRANCE!

Also I met Gareth Bale at the Orlando airport on my flight to London on Tuesday night. That was an amazing moment. If Wales was in it, I’d say Wales.

 

[Bryan Lord]

This is a great match

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Ronaldooo

 

[ZenConn]

Damn. Absolutely perfect shot in a clutch moment.

 

[Kemba'sYogurt]

Just an incredible show put on by both Portugal and Spain. Similar to the Lebron and Jordan debate, Messi and Ronaldo (don't forget pele) both have their claims of being the best ever, but I just want to enjoy both players while they are both still competing at a high level. Today was Ronaldo's day and let's see what Messi can do tomorrow.

 

[intlzncster]

That was a dirty finish. So freakin precise. No chance.

What a game. Great showcase.

 

[intlzncster]

I really don't want to get up for the 6am match to watch Australia get curb stomped by France. But I'm obliged.

 

[Jaker]

What a FK by Ronaldo.