World Cup is awesome. I don't think the US stands much of a chance to win it all, but I'm definitely amped to watch their games. The hit to Altidore sucks! I've had a hamstring pull, and I can't imagine him coming back and playing. I will be cheering for Costa Rica and Mexico as well.
I haven't seen the Mexico hate, but I don't doubt that its there in Mexico (prob not from US Mexicans). I have a Mexican friend, so that is why I would root for them.
I don't care if there are young Ballers dribbling melons and coconuts in third world countries from infancy through adulthood and that this is the "world's pastime". You guys won't even support a tread bout American football during one of the NFL's banner seasons let alone a tread of playoff hockey. YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN LIKE "SPORTS" so why the tread?
I am an NFL fanatic bro. If you even knew the amount of Raven's, Orioles and Padres apparel that I have, you would be astonished. A lot of the guys on here do not care for "organized" sports as it were. But as the OP, I am not one of them. Dude, I average like 3 fantasy football league per year. I do MLB, even Fantasy Golf man.... I have WATCHESPN streaming at all times on the second screen in my office, and if I need both screens, I break the laptop out and stream that. My twitter feed is primarily all Orioles and Ravens, and surprisingly, they actually speak to me from time to time. I am an american football Junkie. I grew up playing basketball and soccer, but the NFL is the tits man. Nothing like it on earth. It makes EURO soccer look like a book club, and I love soccer. NFL, NBA playoffs (Have you not seen all my anti-lebron posts), MLB playoffs are it man. I will watch Capitals Hockey, but hockey is just as boring as soccer to watch until it matters. I LOVE Olympic hockey.... But man, it is what it is. The rest of the world ONLY cares about the World Cup. Period. So it is important for us to flex our muscles every 4 years and at least put out a good showing, because in international politics and opinions, how your nation's soccer team performs and is coached, is a direct reflection of your place in this world. If you can't play soccer competitively, you can't fight competitively either. People won't even fear us if we can't teach a bunch of guys to kick a ball in the back of the net. We have the world's largest talent pool of athletes in this nation. We SHOULD have a soccer program that OWNS everyone. But that is not the case. But we are far better than people give us credit for. America is a blend of the BEST of every corner of this nation. We come together, with deep roots from every inch of the world, and on a soccer pitch, we should be very dominant.
With ALL of that being said, I think my favorite sporting event to attend is MLB Baseball games. There is nothing like spending a day at the ballpark. Cheap seats, bleacher seats, good seats, dugout, whatever. Best day in sports is spent at a Baseball park for sure.
Italy killed their youth programs. Point in proof. BUFFON, WTF WAS THAT! Dude was an ace in his day....slowing down and making mistakes, no good man. Still soccer legend status, but that was a bad show on his part.
Yeah, WR deserved the win. Well played. Italy is still in the driver's seat to advance. That have a +1 GD on Uruguay. Win or a tie and they are in.
Italy always gets into second stage. That being said, they aren't going to do any damage looking how they look. They are on the better side of average with this squad.
Yeah, they need to reconfigure their starting line up and formation. There is young blood on the pine right now. But I also wouldn't put too much into one game. They looked plenty good against England. And England played a solid match. We will see what happens. Powerhouses don't give up with out a fight. And man, England claims to have the best soccer in the world, and these fools cant NEVER get outta any rounds in the WC. They are freaking terrible.
England is a shadow of their former selves. I think Italy really needs to try and work in some new life in the midfield. Defensively, solid. Buffon, despite his slip up, runs that team. Hell he runs any team. Dude is a genius. Doesn't change the lack of small ball they are playing. Chile played MEAN small ball midfield against Spain the other day. Made them look like children. Expect to see the same, but amplified, by Argentina. Only team IMO Argentina is going to have a hell of a time against is Germany. Sheer size alone, they won't win a single ball midfield. Germany plays a smart zone defense from the half and back. I love watching their defense work, engineered for lack of better terminology. Nothing organic about their style, very mechanical and perfect. Total opposite of Argentina. I love clashing styles like that. Finesse vs factory.
Yeah, hopefully they will both advance far enough for us to see that matchup. That would be sweet for sure. Germany is one of the most technical squads out there. And they are relentless in their attacks.
