All things Football (soccer) related

[Chickenboy]

A shocker yesterday for the US Men's team against Trinidad and Tobago.

I recall a discussion on this forum a year or two ago with some that saw the explosive popularity of American FIFA or other league soccer in this country. I told them they were off their nut and that soccer always had been and was-for the foreseeable future-an afterthought in the US sporting world consciousness.

This comical loss will set American FIFA efforts and interest back 20 years. It's a disaster for those that invested heavily in the sport in this country. It portends further ill descending on the sport here.

So, enjoy Russia, comrades! [8|]

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: Orm

Panama got lucky. Sad to see that 'incident' close to the goal line be awarded as a goal.[:(]

The chap who was trying to head the ball across the line was having his shorts pulled off by the defender. So maybe not a goal but a good shout for a penalty. And things always happen like that in football. We all remember the Hand of God that bore an uncanny resemblance to the hand of Maradonna.

Here's some of the US reaction...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFh729L2oA

Best wishes,
Steve

That crap happened before doesn't make me like crap better now. I do expect better from a referee team. However, my main disappointment is because another reason. Why wasn't there some sort of technical aid to tell the referees it wasn't. I thought football, at this level. was better than that by now. [:(]

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

A shocker yesterday for the US Men's team against Trinidad and Tobago.

I recall a discussion on this forum a year or two ago with some that saw the explosive popularity of American FIFA or other league soccer in this country. I told them they were off their nut and that soccer always had been and was-for the foreseeable future-an afterthought in the US sporting world consciousness.

This comical loss will set American FIFA efforts and interest back 20 years. It's a disaster for those that invested heavily in the sport in this country. It portends further ill descending on the sport here.

So, enjoy Russia, comrades! [8|]

And I predict that this will only make football stronger in USA. You just wait a year and we will see.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

A shocker yesterday for the US Men's team against Trinidad and Tobago.

I recall a discussion on this forum a year or two ago with some that saw the explosive popularity of American FIFA or other league soccer in this country. I told them they were off their nut and that soccer always had been and was-for the foreseeable future-an afterthought in the US sporting world consciousness.

This comical loss will set American FIFA efforts and interest back 20 years. It's a disaster for those that invested heavily in the sport in this country. It portends further ill descending on the sport here.

So, enjoy Russia, comrades! [8|]

And I predict that this will only make football stronger in USA. You just wait a year and we will see.

You mean womans soccer in the US.

[Orm]

Nope. When I say football I mean football.

Edit: Real football. Not that American stuff where you use the hands almost all the time.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Orm

Nope. When I say football I mean football.

Edit: Real football. Not that American stuff where you use the hands almost all the time.

I say football because 'sock-her' has unfortunate connotations.

[VPaulus]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I recall a discussion on this forum a year or two ago with some that saw the explosive popularity of American FIFA or other league soccer in this country. I told them they were off their nut and that soccer always had been and was-for the foreseeable future-an afterthought in the US sporting world consciousness.

It's just a question of time, sooner or later, you'll see the light! [;)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Congratulations to Panama but ... what on earth have the USA been up to? Their qualifying campaign has been dreadful. Worrying...

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Well unless you're Germany (qualified for all World Cup competitions entered) or Brazil (competed in every World Cup), every country has had at least one failure, even former winners Italy, Argentina, England, Uruguay and France. It happens, the key thing is to quickly recover or your ranking goes down and down. I don't know to what extent that is so much of an issue in CONCACAF, but its a bitch in Europe as the lower the ranking, the more chance of facing top teams, the less chance of qualifying, the lower the ranking etc etc

The US absence isn't great - for both the national team and, to some extent, the tournament, but then maybe it will turn out to be a long-term positive and the US will re-double efforts next time.

I only see things from afar, but I cannot believe the US will not continue to progress in world football terms - the game is just too big, too popular, it is the world's game.

[VPaulus]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I only see things from afar, but I cannot believe the US will not continue to progress in world football terms - the game is just too big, too popular, it is the world's game.

And it involves a lot of money... [;)]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: VPaulus

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I only see things from afar, but I cannot believe the US will not continue to progress in world football terms - the game is just too big, too popular, it is the world's game.

And it involves a lot of money... [;)]

Aye. It involves a lot of money. IF you've got a dedicated, sizable and lucrative fan base.

The simple fact of the matter is, compared to NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA basketball and football, Nascar, PGA, NHL, boxing, UFC / MMA, Tennis, Equestrian sports, (some) Olympics, martial arts, "professional wrestling" WWF, etc. etc. the recreational viewer has a very full very competitive plate of options BEFORE soccer is considered. Soccer's furtive rise in this country will have to contend with the shifting vagaries of the other larger and more potent sports franchises and leagues competing for 'eyeballs' and wallets.

While soccer is still very popular amongst young kids as a recreational activity, the interest has never translated beyond youth sports. Kids' interests 'graduate' before their teens to other sports that captivate them more and have a more permanent lock on their viewing interests into adulthood. As a result of this, there are few good 'farm teams' akin to Minor League Baseball or the NCAA college powerhouses that will direct young talented players into developmental leagues for MLS.

There are a number of people that feel passionate about craft beers in this country. But that atomized industry cannot come together as a cohesive whole and compete on the world stage beyond our borders. Likewise, there are some that really like some of the European soccer leagues / teams (many of the same 'artsy' types [:D] that feel strongly about craft beers). But the numbers really aren't there in terms of interest in building an indigenous soccer league in this country.

Yes, MLS attendance is up nationally. In some areas it's pretty solid, actually. But attendance at live events has not and shows no signs of extending into something with national viewership base.

The elimination of the US men's team from the World's Cup has resulted in a blood bath for Fox Sports. They paid $425MM for the broadcast rights for the 2018 and 2022 in English in the United States. Since the elimination of the US team from contention, they've gotten pole-axed by the ratings agencies, who have cut guidance. This pain has been doubled from comparatively poor NFL ratings this year. If major sports networks can't make coin on broadcast rights, it will cripple the economic underpinnings of the leagues. You think anyone is going to bid the rights for 2026 much higher when they see what happened to Fox?

MLS and a professional soccer league in this country has too many competitive headwinds. The loss of interest for the US Men's World Cup efforts will exacerbate that in the short to medium term. Reprisals of 'you'll see' and 'just wait' are hollow. They assume that nothing else will step into the breach to siphon off interest. They assume that there's an infinite patience with the system and an infinite number of investors / sponsors clamoring to thrown their money down a hole.
When you get the kleptocratic nature of FIFA and international soccer thrown into the mix, it's just not going to happen.

So, I'll offer this to my friends abroad: Name your metrics and let's wager on the outcome. I say that men's World's Cup and a competitive international-quality soccer league (complete with broadcast sponsors) has been set back tremendously by the recent men's loss. This loss will be measurable and long-lasting. Anyone that thinks otherwise is welcome to accept my wager.

[warspite1]

Thanks for the interesting perspective and commentary from the other side of the pond. To be honest I am not sufficiently fussed to make a wager. Personally I think that US football will come through this but as said, I am speaking from this side of the Atlantic and am not that close to what is going on, so may be I've got it wrong.

End of the day, the US is of a size that makes their participation something that is wanted more than not, it adds value. But like F1 (and even more so), football is sufficiently well established all around the globe that the sport doesn't need US participation to remain strong and growing.

So perhaps my comment was more in hope than founded in reality, but either way, and as a certain diva once warbled, I (Association Football) will survive [;)]

[shunwick]

Every Premier League Fan in 90 Seconds...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz5D_sETnas

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

A shame that Dortmund got that equaliser [:(]

Now, the big question - will Spurs be Spursy and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory (qualification for the knockout stages).

I suspect its going to come down to the final round of matches. Spurs will lose the next two games (Real Madrid (home) and Dortmund (away) and so have to beat Apoel....at home.... no pressure....but then hope Dortmund don't beat Madrid.

Most supporters of normal teams would look at the table this morning, off the back of a great result at the Bernebeu, and be happy and confident of progression. However I support Spurs. I hate football [:(]

[shunwick]

Second thoughts. Inappropriate post.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Second thoughts. Inappropriate post.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Well I appreciated it [:)][:(][&:] Funny old world when we can't laugh anymore for fear of offending someone.

[warspite1]

I must have missed the World Cup play-off draw!

Sweden vs Italy - that's a bit of a shocker. Come on Sweden!

Northern Ireland vs Switzerland - tough one for the Irish, but then any draw would have been.

Croatia vs Greece - would be a shame not to have Croatia's great kit at the World Cup.

Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - I suppose I have to want the Irish but Eriksen is a Spurs player [&:]

[shunwick]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Second thoughts. Inappropriate post.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Well I appreciated it [:)][:(][&:] Funny old world when we can't laugh anymore for fear of offending someone.

It was one word.... bleeped out in English but later I realized that it wasn't bleeped out in German. Since this is family friendly forum I thought it best to remove the link to the video. It was a very funny video though ...

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Second thoughts. Inappropriate post.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Well I appreciated it [:)][:(][&:] Funny old world when we can't laugh anymore for fear of offending someone.

It was one word.... bleeped out in English but later I realized that it wasn't bleeped out in German. Since this is family friendly forum I thought it best to remove the link to the video. It was a very funny video though ...

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Fair point.

[warspite1]

Why doesn't Slaven Bilic give the obvious tactical teamtalk?

"Right lads, all you have to do in the other 36 games you play, is to play like you do vs Spurs - you know, when you really try and run your little socks off and put in bags of effort and stuff"

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: shunwick
It was one word.... bleeped out in English but later I realized that it wasn't bleeped out in German.

Was it 'anschluss'? I bet it was anschluss.