SOCCER NATION!

[AngraRULES]

Until last night i was totally against goal line technology

Yeah....got my ass handed to me by the French in the semifinals

Hahahaha don't tell me they scored after a hand goal by Henry?

Obviously if the second goal was allowed its a completely different second half....England have momentum and don't have to push up and leave themselves exposed at the back for those deadly german counters. The first goal was an embarresment...(who plays long ball game Franz?) but all game they made the most of a very slow English backline. Hopefully England take a good look at the squad for Euro 2012 and don't use the disallowed goal as an excuse for this WC performance.

Going for Spain or Netherlands now due to Liverpool connections....can't cheer for the Argies no matter how much i like Mascherano though.

Come on now, here's proof that the supposed goal wasn't really a goal:

I thought England wasn't all bad. The defense was very slow, Rooney apparently is afraid to score when playing for the national team, and yes, had the second goal been allowed, it would've been a different game. Same thing with the Argentina game, that first goal was outrageous and it changed the game (Mexico had momentum). However, Tevez' third goal was beeeeeeeeeeeautiful. I was applauding it. Even though I'm Brazilian and we love to hate them, Tevez has played for my favorite team (Corinthians) and he's one of my favorite players. Ever.

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

the first Argentina game that I miss and Tevez scores 2 goals in it.

 

[Taliwakker]

The defense was very slow, Rooney apparently is afraid to score when playing for the national team

I think we'll find out he hasn't been fit since getting injured against Bayern Munich in the UCL....but selfishly played on. He had no trouble scoring for England during qualifying.
I was a bit troubled by the squad selected by Capello...he picked players on form throughout qualifying but left out some guys that should have been there and played a few key players out of position.
Gerrard should play in the middle even if it means leaving Lampard out of the starting XI...not on the left wing. They should have brought Adam Johnson who is naturally left footed, can take on defenders and won't drift into the middle.
Milner (though played well against Slovenia) shouldn't have been on the right....another player out of position....Walcott should have been in the squad.
Emile Heskey has no business pulling on a white (or red) shirt...he rarely started for Aston Villa last season and is as likely to score for England as Jamie Carragher.....Rooney should have been up top by himself with Gerrard behind him. They usually combine well (probably because they both speak scouse and no one else understands them).
Joe Cole should have started every game.
Crouch should have got some more game time.
Should have brought Darren Bent.

 

[Guardian of the Blind]

Out of curiosity, how many of you guys actually follow the MLS, go to games, etc.? I'll admit that I don't, but I think I'm gonna start watching games on a regular basis. I just watch them when they're on really, for some reason the MLS never really grabbed me. Maybe it will now?

I started watching soccer during the last World Cup and I got hooked. For some reason I didn't watch the US team and I needed a team to watch so I picked the Germans (it was totally because of Blind Guardian and Edguy). And since then I started watching the Bundesliga and following the German team. It's a good thing that I have GolTV so I can watch games every weekend.

I live about 30 minutes from where the Chicago Fire plays and I went to my first game about a week after the last World Cup was over. The MLS is not as attractive as the Bundesliga (or probably any other league) but I watch it since it's a local team and it's since to see the game live. I go to about 5-6 Fire games a year and have a blast. The funny things is that out of all the games I have gone to, I have only seen the Fire win once and probably over half of them were ties. My co-workers do not get that fact that a game can end in a tie and have never gone to a game with me for that reason. I just love going and seeing soccer live. I like how the MLS are starting to get some of the European teams to come play friendly games hear. I actually just seen the Fire play AC Milan about a month ago.

I'm not for sure if the MLS 'grabbed' me like the Bundesliga but it is fun (since it's local). One thing I don't like is how they try to Americanize it by having the two Conferences and have the playoffs. I'd much rather have it where the team with the best record wins.

 

[Guardian of the Blind]

I thought England wasn't all bad. The defense was very slow, Rooney apparently is afraid to score when playing for the national team, and yes, had the second goal been allowed, it would've been a different game. Same thing with the Argentina game, that first goal was outrageous and it changed the game (Mexico had momentum). However, Tevez' third goal was beeeeeeeeeeeautiful. I was applauding it. Even though I'm Brazilian and we love to hate them, Tevez has played for my favorite team (Corinthians) and he's one of my favorite players. Ever.

That above picture is great.

I think that the momentum might have changed, but I really don't think England would have still won. Germany was the better team. I was a little worried about the Germans this World Cup since Ballack and Frings were not on this team and the fact that they were starting Özil. Werder Bremen is my favorite club team and I wouldn't even start him. They are giving him more credit than he deserves. I would have started Gomez. But... now that a few games are in, the Germans look pretty good. I still don't think Özil is that great but he's done alright. I knew they would beat England but I'm a little worried about next week.

Still.. it's a shame that England didn't get that goal. But that's soccer.

 

[Taliwakker]

Still.. it's a shame that England didn't get that goal. But that's soccer.

No....its not a shame....its a travesty

 

[J-Man]

Has anyone seen this. It is the actual North Korean broadcast that theri people saw and what they were told. according to them North Korea is World Champions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZzz0OjHQ6I&feature=player_embedded


Reminds me of the 96 Olympics when I was in Saudia Arabia, and their news was reporting that Saudi atheletes had won 10 medals, and that was on the first day(Opening Ceremony)

 

[Saladbar]

Good games today. I'm glad the better teams won. The Germany - Argentina match is gonna be great.

After today's games I ended up arguing for hours with a couple of friends who never watch soccer that watched the games with me about not having replays. I'm pretty much never going to argue this point again, trying to explain it to people who've watch NFL football all of their life is a waste of time and incredibly frustrating so blegh.

I'm remaining neutral for the rest of the tournament although I would like someone from this continent to win (and I mean ALL the Americas).

 

[Cheiron]

Ozil has been one of the best left forwards (at least I think that is his position) in the World Cup this year. I love watching him play. Great insight, and great touches on the ball. Germany was just flat out stronger and more precise.

I didn't see Argentina against Mexico... at least not until it was 3-0.

 

[AngraRULES]

Has anyone seen this. It is the actual North Korean broadcast that theri people saw and what they were told. according to them North Korea is World Champions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZzz0OjHQ6I&feature=player_embedded


Reminds me of the 96 Olympics when I was in Saudia Arabia, and their news was reporting that Saudi atheletes had won 10 medals, and that was on the first day(Opening Ceremony)

Here's another link (the video you posted was removed):

 

[Guardian of the Blind]

After today's games I ended up arguing for hours with a couple of friends who never watch soccer that watched the games with me about not having replays. I'm pretty much never going to argue this point again, trying to explain it to people who've watch NFL football all of their life is a waste of time and incredibly frustrating so blegh.

I hear you. I have this discussion regularly and it's so pointless.

One thing that they say is that every sport has some form of replay. But does it? I don't know. Maybe all of the sports played in the US but I'm not for sure if all other sports world wide have replays.

 

[AngraRULES]

I hear you. I have this discussion regularly and it's so pointless.

One thing that they say is that every sport has some form of replay. But does it? I don't know. Maybe all of the sports played in the US but I'm not for sure if all other sports world wide have replays.

I'd say it's mainly US. For instance, the US Open was the first Tennis major to introduce it. Other than that, I think only Australia adopted the measure (after a lot of pressure by the USTA). Wimbledon and Roland Garros have not and probably will not.

As much as it's controversial, I still want no digital/tech/auto replay for soccer. For instance, in Formula 1, they can alter results of the races AFTER the race is over, after they review certain things that happened during it. Isn't that ridiculous? Plus, imagine how much money it would cost for FIFA to add that to pro soccer. Lastly, can you imagine how many times the games would be interrupted *every game* for the refs. to review plays, etc.? That would RUIN the sport, just as "TIME OUTs" would (another ridiculous thing).

 

[Force10]

By the way, any chance any of you *may* wanna take a trip up here and catch Brazil x USA after the WC? Game will be played at Giants Stadium I believe. I'm so there.

That would be awesome - but I can't do it - game is on a Tuesday I think and I've about used up my vacation...

Out of curiosity, how many of you guys actually follow the MLS, go to games, etc.? I'll admit that I don't, but I think I'm gonna start watching games on a regular basis. I just watch them when they're on really, for some reason the MLS never really grabbed me. Maybe it will now?

I used to live outside Washington DC and had DC United season tickets from 1996 when the league started until I moved away in 2002.
I still casually follow DC United and will watch any MLS game when it's on if I'm sitting on the couch.

 

[No-Mercy]

the argentina/mexico game was awesome to watch.

and i also found that watching the spanish channel is so much better for soccer. ESPN announcers have no hype or enthusiasm...the dude on telemundo was going nuts for everything.

 

[Saladbar]

Here's another link (the video you posted was removed):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7TIMpCy8jo

That video is fake but funny.

Check this one out.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXH49p018Ho&feature=related[/ame]

 

[AngraRULES]

Funny video, Jose!

So, did any of you all watch today's games? I didn't see the Netherlands game, but obviously watched Brazil, who actually played like Brazil. Very good game. Brazil x Netherlands on Friday morning will be a great match to watch. Although I respect the Dutch and I think they have a fantastic team, the way they play is good for Brazil's game style. In retrospect, we do better against teams with better technique that actually try to attack as opposed to defend the whole time. I'm looking forward to this game and hopefully we'll make it through to the semi finals.

Argentina x Germany will be a *hell* of a match too!! I can't make a prediction because both teams are doing very well, but I have a feeling the hermanos will win.

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

very excited about that Germany-Argentina game, looks it should be great. the neterlands-Brazil should be good, Netherlands have looked really strong but I dont see anyone beating Brazil, except for maybe Germany or Argentina.

 

[Cheiron]

Netherlands is tough. But Slovakia had some scoring chances that didn't fall in. Will be interesting to see how Brazil does. Brazil has such great touches inside the box that it will be a most glorious battle

Germany-Argentina is going to be a really interesting game to see.

 

[Taliwakker]

I dont see anyone beating Brazil, except for maybe Germany

I don't think the Germans have what it takes to go much further in the comp.....they looked good against a crap 10 man Australian side and benefitted against England from the refs call and possibly the slowest and worst central defense showing in World Cup history...3 goals on the break and a long ball...no one home. Thats not gonna happen against the Argies and definately not going to happen against Lucio and co. at the back for Brazil. Not sure if the krauts can break down a more resolute and disciplined defense.....looking forward to it though.

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

I don't think the Germans have what it takes to go much further in the comp.....they looked good against a crap 10 man Australian side and benefitted against England from the refs call and possibly the slowest and worst central defense showing in World Cup history...3 goals on the break and a long ball...no one home. Thats not gonna happen against the Argies and definately not going to happen against Lucio and co. at the back for Brazil. Not sure if the krauts can break down a more resolute and disciplined defense.....looking forward to it though.

I am actually hoping that they cant do it against Argentina