General Chat / World Cup '10

^Haha yeah, Americans don't really care for football (or as you Americans call it, soccer).. Is that changing btw, or will it always be American Football/Baseball/Basketball you guys are interested in?

SF

Yes, it is changing. A good indicator of this is the fact that ESPN has picked up a ton of soccer coverage over the past few years. This year alone they added an EPL game on Saturday and a La Liga game on Sunday. Also, MLS teams are starting to build soccer-specific stadiums around the country, which is a huge step forward.

Great to hear that from you as well!
I just remember how it was for me last year when I was in the USA. My high school which was pretty small by the way had a soccer team which actually surprised me. Everything was really nicely managed so I was really happy about that but the players need to step up their game a bit! It's just a sad fact, that the soccer coaches suggest families to get exchange students so that they can help out for soccer! That's how it was in my case but I guess my host family liked the idea of having an exchange student anyway. It really seemed to me like interest in soccer is growing in the USA but the coaches (talking about my coach) need to have a little more knowledge about soccer and how to actually teach the kids to play it. That's the only way for not only letting interest in soccer grow but for also having soccer teams that play on a higher level. Me and the other exchange student that was in my team pretty much had to initiate every attack and were directly connected to every goal that was scored which is another sad fact.

I actually, based on the teams and our almost legendary ability to be super-efficient in tournaments just at the right point, think that Germany will win the cup.

Great to hear that from you as well!
I just remember how it was for me last year when I was in the USA. My high school which was pretty small by the way had a soccer team which actually surprised me. Everything was really nicely managed so I was really happy about that but the players need to step up their game a bit! It's just a sad fact, that the soccer coaches suggest families to get exchange students so that they can help out for soccer! That's how it was in my case but I guess my host family liked the idea of having an exchange student anyway. It really seemed to me like interest in soccer is growing in the USA but the coaches (talking about my coach) need to have a little more knowledge about soccer and how to actually teach the kids to play it. That's the only way for not only letting interest in soccer grow but for also having soccer teams that play on a higher level. Me and the other exchange student that was in my team pretty much had to initiate every attack and were directly connected to every goal that was scored which is another sad fact.

Ever consider that...

A: One experience is not indicative of all of them?
B: You were only offered this experience because you were that good?
C: You might just be that good?
D: You were on a shitty team?

I love me a good America bashing as much as... well, no one, but let's not get carried away. True, soccer/football is not very popular in the US, but we did just get second last last year in the world. I'm sure there's shitty teams everywhere in the world.

It should be noted that soccer is actually the most popular youth sport in America, it's just a matter of continuing that interest into adulthood. A lot of the older folks in this country don't give a rip about soccer, but many many kids do. I see kids around campus wearing Liverpool, ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern, Barca, etc, jerseys all the time. It's only a matter of time until the first real "soccer generation" grows up, and then you'll see legit American support for soccer.

I think Fisch is on the right track about coaching though--it's pretty rough. In fact, my dad coached rec for a few years, and he never even played growing up.

I think we have a decent chance this time. But meh we still wont get far enough.

Yeah, interest is growing in soccer. too bad mls is basically the minors for the rest of the world..realistically though, I could see us doing well, as far as advancement in the finals, I'd say not very likely.

Group A: South Africa, 2.Mexico, Uruguay, 1.France
Group B: 1.Argentina, 2.Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: 1.England, USA, Algeria, 2.Slovenia
Group D: 1.Germany, Australia, Serbia, 2.Ghana
Group E: 1.Netherlands, Denmark, 2.Japan, Cameroon
Group F: 1.Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, 2.Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, 2.Côte d'Ivoire, 1.Portugal
Group H: 1.Spain, 2.Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

a1-b2 France - Nigeria ( 1 )
c1-d2 England - Ghana ( 2 )
e1-f2 Netherlands - Slovakia ( 3 )
g1-h2 Portugal - Switzerland ( 4 )
b1-a2 Argentina - Mexico ( 5 )
d1-c2 Germany - Slovenia ( 6 )
f1-e2 Italy - Japan ( 7 )
h1-g2 Spain - Côte d'Ivoire ( 8 )

1-2 France - England ( 1 )
3-4 Slovakia - Portugal ( 2 )
5-6 Argentina - Germany ( 3 )
7-8 Italy - Spain ( 4 )

1-2 England - Portugal ( 1 )
3-4 Germany - Spain ( 2 )

Final: England - Spain
3rd Place: Portugal - Germany

I think we have a decent chance this time. But meh we still wont get far enough.

Don't think like that Louis! we have the best chance this year. Our team is too strong. As our group goes I'm really glad we got the group we did yet we could have dealt with a harder group. I will give my predictions at a later date.

Damn you people, Messi sucks so badly, he doesn't know the meaning of "team play". And maradona...well no words, just hope he's not in charge of the team by the time the world cup starts. I do want Argentina to win though.

i love how the world is gonna go crazy

Also note how the British Grand Prix is on the same day of the final.

Hmmmm...great day for British sport methinks

Force Portugal !!!!

I do not want to predict, because when there are always several surprises in this competition.

It will be a great world cup !!!!

RCTfan, look at some more Barca games and you'll regret saying Messi is not a team player. His vision and passing is right up there with Xavi and Iniesta, he is a world class playmaker. But I guess he doesn't really bring that (or Xavi and Iniesta, for that part) to Argentina...

My underdog favourite: Japan

Messi sure has great passing skills but that doesn't make him a playmaker.
Just look at where he plays at Barca. That's not where a playmaker would play at all. Still his teamplay definitely isn't as bad as RCFanB&M said but no wonder Argentina isn't doing so well with that coach!!

RCTfan, look at some more Barca games and you'll regret saying Messi is not a team player. His vision and passing is right up there with Xavi and Iniesta, he is a world class playmaker. But I guess he doesn't really bring that (or Xavi and Iniesta, for that part) to Argentina...

My underdog favourite: Japan

That's what argentinians hate about Messi...he's so brilliant when he plays for barca, but when it comes to argentina, all those skills seem to disappear.

Fisch, I know he doesn't play in a playmaker position, but in yesterdays game agaisnt Kiev, for example, he was more like an attacking midfielder (he was all over the pitch really) and he directed basically every attack. They employ him like this from time to time and I think it's then his incredible talent really is displayed. I bet he'll be on fire for the world cup though, he really wants to win it.

Does anybody know if Deco is gonna be playing in this one

Yeah probably. Oh my God I want a soccer thread so badly but I'm afraid too few people really care about soccer here.
Did you see the Juventus game?


@Comet:
Pretty sure he is.

Edited by Fisch, 10 December 2009 - 10:32 AM.