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

We all have defense mechanisms over moments of failure.

Mine tends to be similar to Rapinoe’s. The “so this is how it ends” smile of frustration. I get it.

 

While paying lapdog Goodell $20 million.

 

Second in the group and out in the round of 16. They’ve reached parity with the men!

 

One of the best decisions I've made this weekend, it appears, was not staying up all night to watch this debacle for USWNT unfold. What a mess.

 

I can still value in the rest of the tournament. Or at least I could if it weren’t in the worst possible time zone.

 

This. I'm still interested in seeing who wins it. Occupational hazard from my days as a full-time sporto. But a) had a feeling the game would be another flustercluck for the US, and ii) knew I'd get a full, non-star-spangled account of things here.

 

The online vitriol for Rapinoe specifically and the team generally is pretty disheartening and expected.

 

No, in Munich we won the game but had it taken away from us.

 

The tennis lines and soccer goal lines never move, the ball is unobstructed and never has arms cradling it. Don't know if or how much easier that makes it than football. But it sure seems as though football may have a few more hurdles to make the technology work.

 

Netherlands over England. France wins third place.

 

I took France +1000 to win it all pre-tourney.

 

Disappointed in the loss. I’m still not 100% sure that ball fully crossed the line - but close enough. And F the “go woke, go broke” people blaming this on the players having a voice outside soccer.