FIFA World Cup 2014

[matante]

No. It only really matters if you make it to the last four.

Come semi-final day, I'll bet most people don't remember who the last 16 were.

They'll remember that England didn't make it.

 

[chuck norriss]

heartbreaker now I know how england feels!!!
wish we had jozy
dempsey asleep the whole match or what o well good show usa better next time

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Oh. My bad. In my little experience seeing rugby on television it looked like they were all big bodybuilder types.

Different positions require different physical properties, you generally don't want a tall and heavy scrum half. Though you don't want a light prop and you don't want a short second row!

 

[MartinG1957]

They'll remember that England didn't make it.

I would be more likely to remember the humiliation of the reigning World Champions.

 

[jrthebassguy]

Well, it was a heartbreaking end, but as I said before the world cup: Getting anything past the group stages was good for us. We had our chances, and Timmy H put on the performance of a lifetime. We were beat by a better side, and I can never complain about that. Sad, but I have my head held high and am proud of my country's performance.

Silver linings: Julian Green is going to be an absolute force to be reckoned with in 2018. He is the future of US soccer.


I also appreciate the well-wishers from our non-USA TBers, with exception of Titus, who took quite the grumpy attitude towards our side from the get-go. I still love you anyway, Titus.

 

[MartinG1957]

TBOT WORLD CUP PREDICTION GAME

Right!
Good night's football that!

So how does it leave us after the Last 16?
Wonder no more herewith the League Table, followed closely by the Quarter Final Match List, get 'em in guys!

 

[Darkstrike]

Hard luck America, well fought.

I just meant generally sticking a pin in a map of the uk.

I thought as much, still, mad bantz and that.

I would be more likely to remember the humiliation of the reigning World Champions.

Aye, to be fair, everyone expected England to suck, except the English.

 

[matante]

57. 1-2
58. 2-1
59. 1-2
60. 2-1

Almost all the neutrals will root for Brazil, Germany, Argentina, and Holland. Yuck!!! Same ol' same ol'.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Aye, to be fair, everyone expected England to suck, except the English.

I don't think that's a fair assessment.

Even the English expected England to suck this year.

 

[MartinG1957]

In like Fint matante, lads I'll hit like to let you know that I have them in, if I miss you by any chance, yell at me!

 

[matante]

Aye, to be fair, everyone expected England to suck, except the English.

The casual American fan thinks England is a powerhouse due to the way they are marketed over here. :***:

 

[Darth Handsome]

We have a different perspective. I still say, show me another team sport where a couple of slow, skinny, short guys like Iniesta and Xavi can be two of the best players in the world. That says something about the nature of the sport itself.

You pretty much just dismantled your own Jose Canseco argument.

Anyhoo, it's moot. The most skilled team sport is curling. Everyone knows that. You have to be able to, y'know, sweep.

 

[matante]

You pretty much just dismantled your own Jose Canseco argument.

Not at all. Enlighten me.

 

[Gaolee]

I'll be rooting for Costa Rica now. If they fall, I'll root for Columbia. If both of them fall, I'll quit paying attention.

 

[jrthebassguy]

57. 2-1
58. 1-2
59. 2-0
60. 3-0

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

57 - 2-1
58 - 2-1
59 - 1-0
60 - 1-0



57 - Brazil will be favourites, and I think they'll probably win, but they haven't been playing all that well. Colombia on the other hand have been excellent so far! (plus, they are my remaining team in a work sweepstake)

58 - As much as I'd like a Germany - Netherlands final, France have been playing better, Germany have been too inconsistent. I don't think they'll get away with that against an on-form French side.

59 - While I predict an Argentina win, if Belgium can actually finish some of their shots, they're the more dangerous team.

60 - I think the Netherlands will have their work cut out here, narrow win.

 

[matante]

I'll be rooting for Costa Rica now. If they fall, I'll root for Columbia. If both of them fall, I'll quit paying attention.

Yep. Ideal final now would be Colombia v Costa Rica.

 

[cheezewiz]

US will play better in the second half.



The best futebol players are not the best because of their athleticism. Football is about skill more than any other team sport, and being a big guy is actually a disadvantage. Once guys get bigger than about 6'3" or 6'4" they're noticeably clumsy compared to the shorter guys.

As an example, look at Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. Do you think they are great due to their athleticism? Do you realize there are tons of athletes all over the world who are big, strong, fast, and can jump high but couldn't make it as footballers even though they grew up playing the sport?

The US will get better when more of our kids play the sport in in a serious, dedicated way, and with better coaching. We're not going to win the World Cup with a bunch of buffed 6'6" guys on the field.

I agree. The comments about Randy Moss and LeChoke as footballers just didn't ring true to me. With thier size, the quickness required just isnt possible. Would they score a few headed goals? Sure, but so does Peter Crouch.

 

[cheezewiz]

How many yanks are aware that Howard, Lukaku and Mirallas are all team mates?

Or that he and Fellaini roomed together for years?

Me

 

[MartinG1957]

Me

You don't count, you're an honorary Brit.