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

The fact that he celebrated like he made contact was hilarious

 

Berhalter should have replied,

"Only Lebron James has that kind of power. Next question."

 

We need a goal early tomorrow. Or else Algeria 2014 vibes.

 

I played growing up and was all-conference in college. I can't watch as much soccer as I'd like, so I stick with the ones that are easy to see and that's English and Scottish matches on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

 

I had a small interest in the Premier League for a long time but struggled to get into it because I didn't have any real rooting interest. Sat with some English folks in town after the 2018 World Cup and decided it was time to actually pick a club to support. My caveat -- no big six club for me. So we talked it through and I settled on Watford, which has been a weird ride because the ownership is so damn dysfunctional. But I've been to a few matches over there, and the supporters were pretty cool about embracing a rando American jumping on board. I plan on attending another match in March when I head back over.

As for MLS, I'm really happy to see its growth in the U.S., but it's still a far inferior league talent-wise to anything in Europe. I think the MLS champ would struggle to stay near the top of the table in the EFL Championship, for instance. But MLS has stoked a lot of passion in its markets, and that's great for the continual building of the game here. Hell, even our little USL League One team in town was drawing 5,000 a night by the end of the season this year. Granted, they won the regular season and were an entertaining watch. I'll renew my season tickets for next year here soon.

Won't be able to watch today (work obligations), but to the point made earlier in this thread, the Americans desperately need an early goal. The longer it goes on at 0-0, the easier it will be for Iran to park the bus and grind for the draw. It's certainly the way I would play it if I was them.

 

Can we assume that music has plenty of ... bite?

 

boo this man

 

Qatar official says ‘400-500’ migrant workers died on World Cup projects

or

Revealed: 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since World Cup awarded

 

You take that back or Suarez will bite you.

 

The latter. They've tried to spin the former, but between the heat, deplorable conditions and all the other circumstances, it's why Qatar was called a "21st-century slave state."

 

I just stuck my toe out and the entire Argintina team started grabbing their faces and I got away