2010 FIFA World Cup

[ViperOverLord]

I feel sorry for Mexico. They play Argentina in the final 16, and if they manage to win there, they'll most likely face Germany in the quarter finals (unless England somehow beats Germany). US gets Ghana and then either Uruguay or South Korea. I'd say the US has somewhat reasonable chances of getting to the semi-finals (not great, but far better than if they played Germany and then Mexico/Argentina!).

If it was Brazil/Spain I'd see your point. But Argentina is over-rated and their group was not a challenge. Germany's best player is out with injury. And Mexico was not the greatest team to begin with. No sympathy is necessary for Mexico. They were lucky to have not lost to SA and be in the 2nd round.

[the.killing.44]

Honestly, what is your problem with Argentina?

[Pedronicus]

Do Americans (in general) now understand how much more exciting a low scoring game is than a basketball game type score.

I don't mean Americans already talking in this thread, maybe guys you work with / go to school with.

Both games today were edge of the seat games until the final whistle. We had to avoid Slovenia equalising and USA needed a goal to go through.

[Pedronicus]

Honestly, what is your problem with Argentina?

He's also got a massive problem with Mexico.

[the.killing.44]

The real reason I think people characterize soccer games as unenjoyable because of the lack of scoring is because Americans who only see the scoreline and don't watch the games think they're boring. I'm a soccer fan, so I realize how intense the result of the degree of difficulty in scoring and the amount of so-close opportunities (viz. today's USA game, with so many frustratingly close opportunities). So, while people who see the many 1-0 scores on the ticker while watching a basketball game may think it's boring compared to the 100-100 NBA game on, to sit through the full 90 minutes with so many close chances is more exciting than basketball's high percentage of chances capitalized—IMO.

And good lord was that US game frustrating.

Honestly, what is your problem with Argentina?

He's also got a massive problem with Mexico.

Viper, do you hate all Latin American countries?

[silvanricky]

Do Americans (in general) now understand how much more exciting a low scoring game is than a basketball game type score.

I don't mean Americans already talking in this thread, maybe guys you work with / go to school with.

Both games today were edge of the seat games until the final whistle. We had to avoid Slovenia equalising and USA needed a goal to go through.

I get your point and it is well taken. However, being an American I do love high scoring games. Scoring points in any type of game to me is more exciting. Yeah, there's a lot to admire with all the work that goes into scoring a goal, but watching 95% of the kicks get booted into the crowd at the stadium is not exciting. I hear the announcers nearly jizz in their pants because someone came close to scoring while somebody up in row 20 has a souvenir ball. It's like watching LeBron James shoot the ball 35 times and hit the rim and people getting excited about it, and then he makes one basket and everyone goes hog wild while he does some type of dance at half court.

I know you're going to say that's crap, but that's what we like over here. There is some truth to what you say because hockey & American football also have many moments when someone almost scores. There's a lot of hitting and shoving though in those sports, a lot more than in soccer.

[the.killing.44]

Do Americans (in general) now understand how much more exciting a low scoring game is than a basketball game type score.

I don't mean Americans already talking in this thread, maybe guys you work with / go to school with.

Both games today were edge of the seat games until the final whistle. We had to avoid Slovenia equalising and USA needed a goal to go through.

I get your point and it is well taken. However, being an American I do love high scoring games. Scoring points in any type of game to me is more exciting. Yeah, there's a lot to admire with all the work that goes into scoring a goal, but watching 95% of the kicks get booted into the crowd at the stadium is not exciting. I hear the announcers nearly jizz in their pants because someone came close to scoring while somebody up in row 20 has a souvenir ball. It's like watching LeBron James shoot the ball 35 times and hit the rim and people getting excited about it, and then he makes one basket and everyone goes hog wild while he does some type of dance at half court.

I know you're going to say that's crap, but that's what we like over here. There is some truth to what you say because hockey & American football also have many moments when someone almost scores. There's a lot of hitting and shoving though in those sports, a lot more than in soccer.

a) your Lebron analogy is not comparable because it's so much harder to score a soccer goal than make a basket.
b) speak for yourself, the World Cup is getting higher ratings than the NBA Finals did
c) seeing how those sports are contact-based, I would sorely hope there is more hitting and shoving involved.

[silvanricky]

a) your Lebron analogy is not comparable because it's so much harder to score a soccer goal than make a basket.

Of course it is. That's what I'm saying. The Lebron analogy is just reflecting my bias as an American who enjoys sports where there's more scoring. It's fun to watch soccer for what it is, but I'm just saying that I get more enjoyment out of watching someone actually score than getting off on someone almost scoring.

b) speak for yourself, the World Cup is getting higher ratings than the NBA Finals did

Yeah, because it's the World Cup and has more of an international audience. There's also a lot of people who come and work in America who are rooting for their home countries.

c) seeing how those sports are contact-based, I would sorely hope there is more hitting and shoving involved.

This is something I didn't bring up before, but I think part of the reason that Americans like other contact sports more is because there are less faked injuries. It makes me sick to watch a player [from any county] try to get a yellow card on the opposition by screaming and holding their leg in agony. When the yellow card doesn't come out they are all of a sudden healed of whatever ailed them and continue on. My friends feel the same way. At least in the games I've watched there are more attempts by players to fake injuries to either get a free kick or a yellow card on the other team.

[the.killing.44]

a) your Lebron analogy is not comparable because it's so much harder to score a soccer goal than make a basket.

Of course it is. That's what I'm saying. The Lebron analogy is just reflecting my bias as an American who enjoys sports where there's more scoring. It's fun to watch soccer for what it is, but I'm just saying that I get more enjoyment out of watching someone actually score than getting off on someone almost scoring.

bold = everything. There's no way to come to a consensus.

b) speak for yourself, the World Cup is getting higher ratings than the NBA Finals did

Yeah, because it's the World Cup and has more of an international audience. There's also a lot of people who come and work in America who are rooting for their home countries.

Sorry, I meant to clarify that it's getting a higher rating in America than the NBA Finals did. Though, rechecking my source, that was the USA-England game. In any case, there's a 75% rise in popularity from 2006. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/17 ... p-20100617
with 3 more million watching on Spanish TV
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2 ... uble-.html

c) seeing how those sports are contact-based, I would sorely hope there is more hitting and shoving involved.

This is something I didn't bring up before, but I think part of the reason that Americans like other contact sports more is because there are less faked injuries. It makes me sick to watch a player [from any county] try to get a yellow card on the opposition by screaming and holding their leg in agony. When the yellow card doesn't come out they are all of a sudden healed of whatever ailed them and continue on. My friends feel the same way. At least in the games I've watched there are more attempts by players to fake injuries to either get a free kick or a yellow card on the other team.

Yeah, I know. But if you read this thread (not that I expect you to go all the way back), European soccer fans are also up in arms about how stupid the flopping is. This is the strongest argument I think.

Has anyone seen the replay of Kaka's second yellow card? This is the kind of thing that gives football a bad name. What a pathetic excuse for a man Keita of Ivory Coast is, I hope he loses sleep about his lowlife cheating tonight.

Kader Keita should get punished for his unforgivable swindling, and Kaka has his second yellow card removed. Absolutely ludicrous...

About this, and I hope this doesn't sound like rampant patriotism, I noticed that the Americans didn't flop as easily as other countries. I saw guys get run and bumped into, drawing a foul without falling down. Speaks volumes about soccer in America.

[nietzsche]

Completamente de acuerdo killing, aunque los Estados Unidos tienen un equipazo en comparacion al apoyo que reciben. Donovan es una riata.

Juegan muy bien, se paran bien tacticamente, y si no fallaran tanto les iria mejor. Yo creo que tienen chance de llegar a semis, tienen facil la llave, no como Mexico que tiene que enfrentar a Argentina y luego si pasa, al ganador de Inglaterra vs Alemania.

[Night Strike]

The USA-England game got so high ratings because the NBA sucks.

The US doesn't flop around the pitch because we know that 1) it's cheap and 2) we'd get carded for it. Heck, we get carded for fouls that didn't even happen (Findley's "handball") and don't get protected when people get backhanded in the face (bloody lip in the box).

[nietzsche]

The USA-England game got so high ratings because the NBA sucks.

The US doesn't flop around the pitch because we know that 1) it's cheap and 2) we'd get carded for it. Heck, we get carded for fouls that didn't even happen (Findley's "handball") and don't get protected when people get backhanded in the face (bloody lip in the box).

Es parte del futbol. Si no hay sangre no es falta.

[ksslemp]

First off, lol at the fact that an American is making this thread. You Brits must be furious!

Secondly, only 10 days to go and either I'm blind and there's no World Cup thread? What's up with that!

So, who's going to win it?

Personally, I route for France though I'm American and have absolutely no French blood in me (it's a long story). They'll make it out of their group fine but beyond that...I see trouble.

I think the Americans have more will power than the English this year and they'll get farther in the tournament.

If France somehow doesn't win it all, I put my money on Spain.

DO YOU EVEN FOLLOW FUTBALL? FRANCE?.... SPAIN??
HOW ABOUT "BRAZIL", EVER HEARD OF THAT TEAM?

MY AMERICAN TEAM WONT GET FAR ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE THEM TO OF COURSE. BEING AMERICAN!

I'D LOVE TO SEE PARAGUAY WIN IT, GREAT TEAM TO WATCH..LOTS OF TALENT.
ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GERMANY/ENGLAND MATCH... It will be a Blitzkreig!

[the.killing.44]

First off, lol at the fact that an American is making this thread. You Brits must be furious!

Secondly, only 10 days to go and either I'm blind and there's no World Cup thread? What's up with that!

So, who's going to win it?

Personally, I route for France though I'm American and have absolutely no French blood in me (it's a long story). They'll make it out of their group fine but beyond that...I see trouble.

I think the Americans have more will power than the English this year and they'll get farther in the tournament.

If France somehow doesn't win it all, I put my money on Spain.

DO YOU EVEN FOLLOW FUTBALL? FRANCE?.... SPAIN??
HOW ABOUT "BRAZIL", EVER HEARD OF THAT TEAM?

MY AMERICAN TEAM WONT GET FAR ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE THEM TO OF COURSE. BEING AMERICAN!

I'D LOVE TO SEE PARAGUAY WIN IT, GREAT TEAM TO WATCH..LOTS OF TALENT.
ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GERMANY/ENGLAND MATCH... It will be a Blitzkreig!

DAMN STRAIGHT MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[parker4s]

I as an American think my fellow people i work/ school with are retarded. The only real people that appreciate the game are the ones who play or have family in it. Most Americans think its soooo simple to score and school others... but they are just retarded. Sure i like a good close knit basketball game... college basketball that is. The NBA has way too many games and chances for me to watch. Soccer is in its own league of greatness and no American sport will evvvvvvvvvvvvvvver come close to being as great. Best sport in the world. My favorite along with tennis... Speaking of tennis OMG ISNER AND MAHUT STILL NOT DONE AFTER 108 games just in the 5th set. This might come about with someone saying watching tennis is boring. I will argue that they just dont understand it because they dont play it. You are more interested in a sport if you've had hands on experience and can respect the athletes for it.

[Phobia]

I as an American think my fellow people i work/ school with are retarded. The only real people that appreciate the game are the ones who play or have family in it. Most Americans think its soooo simple to score and school others... but they are just retarded. Sure i like a good close knit basketball game... college basketball that is. The NBA has way too many games and chances for me to watch. Soccer is in its own league of greatness and no American sport will evvvvvvvvvvvvvvver come close to being as great. Best sport in the world. My favorite along with tennis... Speaking of tennis OMG ISNER AND MAHUT STILL NOT DONE AFTER 108 games just in the 5th set. This might come about with someone saying watching tennis is boring. I will argue that they just dont understand it because they dont play it. You are more interested in a sport if you've had hands on experience and can respect the athletes for it.

That tennis match was great yesterday, I couldn't decide what to watch, that or Germany v Ghana, chose the tennis in the end

Isner was just about ready to collapse in the last hour or so. Roll on tomorrow.

[The Bison King]

Sorry Australia, I was hoping you'd make it

BTW can anyone give me a link to a site with a decent up to date bracket?

[Timminz]

Great day of matches.


Today's prediction for the later rounds:

USA will lose to Uruguay in the quarters.

[The Bison King]

Do Americans (in general) now understand how much more exciting a low scoring game is than a basketball game type score.

I don't mean Americans already talking in this thread, maybe guys you work with / go to school with.

Both games today were edge of the seat games until the final whistle. We had to avoid Slovenia equalising and USA needed a goal to go through.

Football or soccer has steadily been rising in popularity in the states, however this year it seams like people care WAY more than they ever have in the past. World cup fever seems to be sweeping (especially now that we have advanced) I'm not really a sports type person (I'm not watching ESPN and checking the sports page in the newspaper) so I'm just speaking about my experience with the people I meet that talk about sports.

Me personally, I think Basketballs super boring because It's all scoring, American Footballs kind of ok, if you think about the strategy that goes into it, but I think Soccer and Hockey are the best sports out there.

Oh yeah, and Baseball just sucks.

[the.killing.44]

Sorry Australia, I was hoping you'd make it

BTW can anyone give me a link to a site with a decent up to date bracket?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/ ... 901&ver=us

[grifftron]

YES!

States gets Ghana...

England gets Germany lol... have fun with that, either way i win on that game, lose 1 team but whatever... Cheering for England but if Germany actually brings their A game with em its over... superstars can't even fight against that!


-griff

[Army of GOD]

First off, lol at the fact that an American is making this thread. You Brits must be furious!

Secondly, only 10 days to go and either I'm blind and there's no World Cup thread? What's up with that!

So, who's going to win it?

Personally, I route for France though I'm American and have absolutely no French blood in me (it's a long story). They'll make it out of their group fine but beyond that...I see trouble.

I think the Americans have more will power than the English this year and they'll get farther in the tournament.

If France somehow doesn't win it all, I put my money on Spain.

DO YOU EVEN FOLLOW FUTBALL? FRANCE?.... SPAIN??
HOW ABOUT "BRAZIL", EVER HEARD OF THAT TEAM?

MY AMERICAN TEAM WONT GET FAR ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE THEM TO OF COURSE. BEING AMERICAN!

I'D LOVE TO SEE PARAGUAY WIN IT, GREAT TEAM TO WATCH..LOTS OF TALENT.
ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GERMANY/ENGLAND MATCH... It will be a Blitzkreig!

ALL CAPS HURTING FACE!!! =(

[Army of GOD]

If I had to watch either basketball or soccer...it'd depend.

If it were club soccer or basketball regular season, I'd take basketball.

If it were World Cup or basketball non-finals, I'd take soccer.

If it were World Cup non-final or basketball finals, I'd take basketball.

If it were World Cup final or basketball finals, I'd take soccer.

Inb4 stupid people not understanding that I have different tastes than them.

[the.killing.44]

FA Cup championships = club soccer. Would you watch that over Nets-Knicks?

[Army of GOD]

FA Cup championships = club soccer. Would you watch that over Nets-Knicks?

Yes.