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FIFA World Cup 2014
- Thread starter GrumpiusMaximus
- Start date
This World Cup really seems to have captivated the whole of the US in a way I haven't seen in World Cups past. At my work, only myself and another colleague really follow the sport (and he's from eastern Europe, where he was born into it) yet my entire office is enticed by it all. I'm sure most will go back to not caring once it's all done and dusted, but it's a start.
And, according to the BBC, we're the 2nd best represented country in Brazil, behind Brazil itself: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27978699
You looked a lot closer to Germany than anyone expected, and were unlucky to only draw with Portugal who I'd imagine were fairly strong favourites. I won't be counting the US out just yet.
Also, in the continued saga of how much better for Darkstrike can this day get, reports that Luke Shaw is right now having a medical at Man Utd's training complex are popping up everywhere, from reliable sources.
That has been my experience as well. Soccer is making inroads to the traditional US sports fan like me who tends to pay attention to 2 or 3 of the Big 5 sports here (football, baseball, basketball, stock car racing, and hockey). There is soccer talk on the sports radio stations (not always particularly enlightening, but better than the ignorant sneering that soccer used to get on the airwaves). I can see the Mens National Team gaining some traction that will carry over and the publicity that all the MLS players are getting will likely give MLS a boost. Americans like winners and if the US can get to the point where we are consistently in that tier of countries just below the Germanys and Brazils, and I think we are close, that would be great progress.
It keeps on going, now they're saying Military Police had to remove Suarez from Uruguay's hotel...... Hahahahahahahahahahaha, please be true!
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Well just realized that's officially 3 teams that made it out of the group stages from the Concacaf which I think is a first in world cup history. Which is awesome because most talk is always about the European teams or the South American teams. In a way it's like "hey we're legit over here too".
I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of the Germany game, which (other than the final score) reminded me too much of "the old days" when the U.S. were routinely outclassed by good international competition: One team made the game look easy, the other made it look hard. However, I do share your optimism. For one, I'm going to chalk up the performance against Germany primarily to heavy legs: The U.S. played their previous match in the jungle (no team has won their next game after doing so); Germany had an extra day of rest; and the U.S. has logged more travel miles in Brazil than any team in the tournament. This all became evident in the second half, when the penalties started to mount up because they were always a half-step late to the ball. For another, I was seriously impressed with the match against Portugal, in which they really looked like they "belonged" (and which they probably deserved to win). If they get adequate rest between now and then, they should give Belgium (presumably) all they can handle.
Don't get me wrong mate, Germany were the better team, but the US held on and were undone by what could be argued was a "wondergoal", in a game where most expected Germany to put 5 or so past you. Even drained, and loosing(and not an enjoyable game) it was still a fine showing.
Almost any team in the world will make it "look hard" against Germany.
A Belgium tie certainly isn't a cut and dry affair.
I still believe that Germany and Brazil are the top 2 contenders in the WC.
So far it´s been a great World Cup with open strategies, lots of goals and several suprises (who could have said that ENG, ITA, POR and SPA wouldn´t pass 1st round).
There´s an interesting fact that shows that a European Team could never win a WC in America.
So far we have URU, COL, Costa Rica, BRA, CHI and ARG.
IMO, the most surprising team will be Colombia.
Solid playing (even without their best player) and a good Head Coach.
So far it´s been a great World Cup with open strategies, lots of goals and several suprises (who could have said that ENG, ITA, POR and SPA wouldn´t pass 1st round).
There´s an interesting fact that shows that a European Team could never win a WC in America.
So far we have URU, COL, Costa Rica, BRA, CHI and ARG.
IMO, the most surprising team will be Colombia.
Solid playing (even without their best player) and a good Head Coach.
I am honestly not sure Brazil will have an easy time against Chile or Colombia (not even counting on Uruguay anymore). They've been very shaky.
What's awesome about the bracket is that a South American team is assured one the first 4 places. I just hope it is a different one from last few times.
What's awesome about the bracket is that a South American team is assured one the first 4 places. I just hope it is a different one from last few times.
Korea should've played with this fire against algeria instead of allowing four goals now it's too little too late i'll be the first to admit it ted just admit it
Meh, RWC next year (and in a more appreciable time zone
).Not to mention it's a sport Scotland actually can compete in at that level . . . though hopefully getting past the group stages this time. . .
(also a sport that seems to be picking up more interest in the US, granted, not to the same extent as we see with football).
