"Official" 2014 World Cup thread and poll, now with 100% more vuvuzelas

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momeNt

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2011
9,297
352
126
Home field advantage. Kinda like how England's only world cup win was when they hosted.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Was anyone else completely impressed by Yedlin? When he subbed in for Johnson the BBC talking heads were noting his relative lack of experience at the world cup level, but within a few minutes they were all fans. He handled the ball really well in the corner and had a few nice crosses.

Totally impressed, and not at all surprised. He was third place rookie of the year in MLS last season for a reason, and he was performing even better this year up until the break.

Kid's fast as all get out, has good touch and control, and he keeps it up for the full 90. I suspect Seattle will get offers.
 

cronos

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
9,380
26
101
I take my statistics from FIFA, since its the official source:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255951/match=300186497/statistics.html#nosticky

Shows you exactly where every shot went too, though somehow they count "on target" even when its slightly outside
Still, unbelievable number of shots on target in a single game

It's 27 total on target attempts, which includes 16 saves, 9 blocks and 2 goals.

I believe the 16 saves are Howard's, while the 9 blocks are from other players

Either way, you're right. That's some amazing numbers.
 

PokerGuy

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
13,650
201
101
Didn't get a chance to post yesterday, but the extra time of that game was unbelievable. Fantastic soccer. Howard was basically in a shooting gallery all day and was a superman. It's a miracle only 2 got in. The US seemed to play the "we'll hang in there and then maybe a miracle chance will appear" role until late when it got to 2-0, and then they went all out and put tremendous pressure on Belgium. Makes you wonder what would have happened had they played the more confident style earlier.

Still, not a bad showing this tournament for the USA, lots to build on for when we visit the ruskies.

This has also been an extremely entertaining world cup overall, especially the group stage. The round of 16 has been very exciting, but the results have been pretty much chalk all around (favorites end up winning every game), though it hasn't been easy for them.

Now I'll probably root for ze Germans.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
Was anyone else completely impressed by Yedlin? When he subbed in for Johnson the BBC talking heads were noting his relative lack of experience at the world cup level, but within a few minutes they were all fans. He handled the ball really well in the corner and had a few nice crosses.

Yedlin was great. He is young (20, I believe), so in the next world cup, this experience should pay dividends for us. I don't think we will still have Howard though (he will be 40 in 2018, IIRC).

Lemme guess, soccer fan every 4 years right?

Now that the USA is out, let's leave the thread to the rest of the people who actually give a shit about soccer. I bet a few of these guys in this thread can name the MAN U or Real Madrid rosters.

Our time is over. Time to wait another 4 years.

I couldn't name Man U's rooster except for Rooney. But Real Madrid? Lol, that's easy. Barcelona is easy as well, you just need to know the Spanish National team plus Neymar and Messi. >_< If you were attempting to imply this wasn't the best world cup in awhile, you would be correct. France's 2006 run was pretty good, similar to their 1998 run.


I think the US had a really good showing this year. They have certainly moved towards the large international talents. Hoping this really spurs more interest in soccer. I just wish Thierry Henry would transfer to Chicago, I'd have more reasons to go see them play.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I don't think we will still have Howard though (he will be 40 in 2018, IIRC).

Rimando will be too old as well. Guzan is no slouch, after him I'm not sure. I like Clint Irwin, but I'm biased since he's the Rapids keeper (and has done very well).
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,411
10
0
I could not believe how Yadlin chased down Hazard and stole the ball from him. WOW

Belgium def deserved to win, but man, US had the chances at the end of the game and in 2nd part of the overtime. Too bad they didn't capitalized. Perhaps Belgium misfortune on finishing spilled onto them.

I think Green would've finished all of those chances Wandachowski and Dempsey had if he was to start. Kid just looks AMAZING.

US future looks great IMO.

10-20 years and world cup is ours, mark my words.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,235
117
116
Oh weird, just heard some of the ESPN call. You guys have two dudes doing the commentary; very strange. I like it with just one guy who does the whole thing and can control the commentary, it flows much better.

KT
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
I think Argentina will win for a few reasons.

1. Belgian players were puking at the end of the match. They are exhausted.
2. Argentina gets 1 extra day of rest.
3. Argentina still hasn't played to their potential. Really, I expect them to pull their head out at some point.
4. It's nearly home field advantage for Argentina.
5. And of course, Messi.

Edit: That being said, I'm rooting for Belgium.

It is definitely not nearly home field advantage for Argentina. You may want to check out the intense rivalry between Brazil & Argentina. The Brazilian fans cheer for whomever Argentina's opposition is.

Also, it's true that Argentina hasn't played to their potential on offense. But even on their best day I think their defense is pretty weak - very vulnerable to good counter attacking teams.

But yes, Messi can trump all other factors if he goes on fire.
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
What? Argentina was very unimpressive in todays match and in the tournament in general. They are not even top 3 among South American teams.

Columbia should beat Brazil, another overhyped unimpressive team. People ranked them way to high because they beat Italy and Spain previously, but as we found out, both those teams are not World Cup finalist material this year. Looking like Netherlands v. Columbia for the final.

People are not rating Brazil high because of beating Italy & Spain. It's mostly because they're playing at home. Soccer is a low scoring game with fine margins. You can play well for 80 minutes, not take your chances, and lose the match due to one moment of brilliance from the opposition. Having the crowd behind you really helps in that regard.

Also, once you go deep into the tournament, experience matters. As impressive as James Rodriguez has been, I think the pressure will start to get to him.

Overall, I still think Brazil is more likely to make it into the semis, despite the relative performance shown between the 2 teams.

Edit: I'd love to be proven wrong. As a neutral fan I just want to see some cracking games!
 
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datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
I could not believe how Yadlin chased down Hazard and stole the ball from him. WOW

Belgium def deserved to win, but man, US had the chances at the end of the game and in 2nd part of the overtime. Too bad they didn't capitalized. Perhaps Belgium misfortune on finishing spilled onto them.

I think Green would've finished all of those chances Wandachowski and Dempsey had if he was to start. Kid just looks AMAZING.

US future looks great IMO.

10-20 years and world cup is ours, mark my words.

I think I would have finished some of those shots that Ski missed, but I digress

The game was exciting to watch, and it looks like some of our younger talent is good, so that gives me hope for the future.
 

ShadowOfMyself

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2006
4,230
2
0
Its Colombia not Columbia :| Starting to get annoyed at all the people who cant spell the name of the country properly

If you look at all the previous games so far Colombia are the favorites, but yeah, its still hard to believe Brazil will get knocked out before the final
Ironically though, the only world cup that took place in Brazil before, was won by Uruguay, so you never know

Im excited for the quarter finals, there isnt a single game that has an obvious winner, it really could go both ways with all of them
Holland vs Costa Rica is probably the most obvious one, at least if Costa Rica plays as badly as they did vs Greece, but you never know, there is a reason they placed first in a group with Uruguay, Italy, and England
 

HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
8,186
4
0
Its Colombia not Columbia :| Starting to get annoyed at all the people who cant spell the name of the country properly

If you look at all the previous games so far Colombia are the favorites, but yeah, its still hard to believe Brazil will get knocked out before the final
Ironically though, the only world cup that took place in Brazil before, was won by Uruguay, so you never know

Im excited for the quarter finals, there isnt a single game that has an obvious winner, it really could go both ways with all of them
Holland vs Costa Rica is probably the most obvious one, at least if Costa Rica plays as badly as they did vs Greece, but you never know, there is a reason they placed first in a group with Uruguay, Italy, and England

But a total disregard for apostrophes and periods are cool?
 

squarecut1

Platinum Member
Nov 1, 2013
2,230
5
46
My predictions for the QFs

France vs Germany - Germany

Brazil vs Colombia - Brazil

Argentina vs Belgium - Belgium

Netherlands vs Costa Rica - Netherlands
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
France has to advance. It wouldn't make any sense. 1998, won WC; 2002, did awful; 2006, WC finals and lost on penalty kicks; 2010, did awful. 2014 is their year!
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
France has to advance. It wouldn't make any sense. 1998, won WC; 2002, did awful; 2006, WC finals and lost on penalty kicks; 2010, did awful. 2014 is their year!

Meh. Germany has been in the semi-finals for the last 3 World Cups. They will continue that trend!
 

squarecut1

Platinum Member
Nov 1, 2013
2,230
5
46
Colombians remember Andrés Escobar who was killed exactly 20 years ago. His own goal led to Colombia's exit from the 94 WC. It is widely believed he was murdered by the cartel bosses who had bet heavily on Colombia. A tragic tale.

I hope Colombia can do something special against Brazil.
 
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