The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

I am still trying to digest the men's team having a set pieces coach.

 

Meh. Europe is getting three more so they aren’t losing out on anything. Germany and Belgium were down. Wales did as well as any from CONCACAF would have done. Serbia couldn’t beat Cameroon. I think the amount for UEFA is fine. And a team like Panama or Honduras being able to go up to Mexico to see their teams play don’t hurt anything.

 

except Panama and Honduras are dregs.
You think they're better than Italy or Slovakia?

 

It doesn't matter. It's called the World Cup. Not the UEFA/Plus a Couple Teams for You Western Hemisphere Peasants Cup.

You get a tournament with the best European teams every four years. It's called the Euros.

 

CONCACAF is not that shallow. After the US, Mexico and Canada, we're probably looking at Costa Rica, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Something like that.

 

Women's World Cup is in Australia and New Zealand next year. And, based on recent results, three in a row is NOT a given for the U.S.

 

Yes. Costa Rica made this WC. Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have made it before.

 

No but keeping them out for teams that can’t make it through a qualifier in a confederation with the most qualification spots is not better. Italy had a chance. It missed. Tough shit.

 

Pretty much my point. CONCACAF isn't UEFA - the latter's overall depth is unmatched, though CONMEBOL has a lot of depth relative to the number of countries - but CONCACAF isn't exactly garbage. And some of the places sides end up going to during qualifying are the sort of stories either UEFA sides have never experienced and/or think that people are just making up.

 

Yes. It will be great to see a team like Panama get blown out. Just like they did in the last WC

 

What marking? On every one of the goals, the scorer had all day to set up and shoot.

No questioning the quality of the Dutch. But throw in defensive lapses of that caliber, and you give yourself zero chance.

 

On the third goal, there is zero communication between Turner, Ream and Jedi. We had 2 defenders and the both guarded the same player. Unforgivable.