World Cup Soccer

[NaCl H2O]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

I think that most americans don't appreciate good soccer because they don't see it. I'm sorry but the MLS is a joke compared to the elite leagues of the world. We will never be competative on the world stage unless more US players start playing their club soccer overseas, which will in tern have a negative effect on the MLS and a negative effect on the sport in this country - a no win situation. I love soccer and wouldn't go to or even watch an MLS game on TV if you paid me.
I'm an England fan (big fan of the EPL so I know about the players and Ihave some English blood in me) and they've looked terrible this Cup but they keep winning. Once they go up against a team with some creativity and finishing ability (two things the US lacked completely), read Portugal, they'll be out. Germany, Portugal (provided Ronaldo is fit) and Argentina all look good and very capable of giving Brazil a run. Argentina has been fun to watch so far.

I'll grant you that the MLS is not the EPL but I've heard English soccer fans compare MLS to the English league 1 (actually the second division). It's a lbit rough to watch on TV partially because the production is not quite up to par with the big European leagues. It can be entertaining though, especially watching it live at Foxboro. Hell.. I've seen entertaining U12 matches at some of the tournaments around here.

[Surfcastinglife]

i think it's entertaining to a fan of the sport, to a casual fan it can be tedious. people who don't appreciate the sport are turned off my MLS as it isnt a very good product to draw in new fans. ill use my father as an example, a few years back, he'd never watched football on tv never bothered with it just thought it was a waste (much like a lot of folks think of soccer) one day i sat down to watch a pats game and he sat with me, we went the whole game with me giving him a rundown of the rules and the general jist of the game, he never misses a game now ;P. it's all about product, and if and when MLS becomes a decent product on the field comparable to the other worldwide leagues more fans will be drawn to it.

[Clogston29]

I can't believe that France beat Brazil with how bad the French looked the first couple of games. Germany looks poised to take it, almost flawless technically and very disciplined, even if they are not always the most fluid or entertaining team to watch.

[Surfcastinglife]

france deserved that one, parreira was so reluctant to move cafu who's now 34 and just doesnt have the same speed he did a few years ago. he was getting beaten every play by ribery and vieira. brazil played terribly this whole world cup, didnt even put the team out there that shouldve taken the field. awful cup for them

[Skip N]

I enjoy all the fake injuries. A guy will be down screaming holding his ankle for 5 minutes and suddenly he gets up like nothing ever happened. Yeah, i love soccer and thier fake injuries

[janiejones]

I am all about Portugal (being full-blooded Portuguese!) I was on the edge of my seat for the entire 3 hour game against England. Those Brits are bloody bitter - they're completely dissing my boy Cristiano Ronaldo!

[spence]

Originally Posted by Skip N

I enjoy all the fake injuries. A guy will be down screaming holding his ankle for 5 minutes and suddenly he gets up like nothing ever happened. Yeah, i love soccer and thier fake injuries

Well, while there certainly are a lot of dives, it's no different than selling a foul like in Hockey. And remember if the ref thinks it was a real dive he can give a yellow for the insult.

A lot of time they simply stay down to eat the clock, get some rest etc...

Portugal is especially bad at using dives to kill the other teams momentum. The past few games it was like if their opponents had any offence building you'd see a Portugal player on the ground not a few moments later

Some good matches this last round...My money's on France

-spence

[Surfcastinglife]

if football, basketball, hockey didn't have 45 minute long halves with no breaks you'd see alot of "fake" injuries too ;P its just a chance to grab some water and a little break