The Soccer Thread (Version 8)

Slate fucking lives soccer.

 

It's one thing to lose 4-0 to Argentina. It's another to have players out of position and no tactical plan.

 

Didn't seem to be. I was concerned until I realized we were talking soccer, where every knock is a near-death experience. But it did look ugly initially. I love soccer, but that part of the game needs to go. And, yes, I realize this might not be the best time to make that point.

 

Italy vs. Spain is set for Monday in the Round of 16 at the Euros. Azzurri wondering which soccer god they pissed off to get that matchup.

 

Iceland!

 

Never change, Ireland. Never change.

Irish fans are now fixing dented cars in the streets of France

 

Some players have tenure. They are allowed to continue past their prime. They are relied on despite all signs pointing to their expiration dates. Because their storied pasts matter more than a shaky present, their teams' hopes suffer. Think Ray Lewis in the Super Bowl three years ago.
Kyle Beckerman and Michael Bradley are not Ray Lewis, and Argentina is not the 2012 49ers. These veterans have completely outlived their usefulness. How is it Landon Donovan got put out to pasture so soon, yet these two play on?

 

Bradley was good a few years ago. The move back to MLS hasn't helped his level of play. (Either that or he saw the writing on the wall and took the money while he was still marketable.)

Beckerman and Wondo have no place on a team with any kind of aspirations.

 

Man, the brackets for the rest of the Euros is insane. In the top half of the bracket, Belgium looks like it has pretty clear sailing to the Final. They really only have to get past chronically underachieving Portugal in the semis, although the Fighting Ronaldos won't have an easy time with or the winner of Switzerland-Poland, assuming they get past Croatia, which is no gimme. Wales-Belgium in the quarters might be an interesting, but I don't think the Welsh have enough firepower to overcome the Belgians.

The bottom half? Whoever wins between Spain and Italy gets Germany (don't see the Slovaks pulling an upset), and whoever wins that one is probably going to have to beat France at home to get to the Final. Whoever gets out of that bracket will have earned it. England? They'll be lucky to beat Iceland, and if they do, France will put them out of their misery.

 

Ye gods ...

Flare smuggled up rectum