The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Let's hope Gus is better at calling the Beautiful Game than the Sweet Science or MMA. I think he's best suited for CBB but I don't mind him on NFL either. Every broadcaster can improve, though.

Anyone else excited for Honduras Wednesday? Literally dangerous atmosphere, Grant Wahl was mugged there (at gunpoint I believe) a few years back and security is incredibly high. Think the Honduran govt. declared it a half-day holiday for the game. Weather going to be hot and muggy. Exciting to see guys like Timmy Chandler likely cap-tied to U.S. Plenty of other good friendlies too on ESPN networks and FSC along with CONCACAF WCQs.

 

My gut says USA loses 2-0.

 

Something I learned the other day: Like the Jules Rimet trophy, the current World Cup will go permanently to the first nation to win six times, thereby putting just a bit more pressure on Brazil.

 

I'm thinking 1-1. These BeiN sports game suck for this Fios subscriber.

I dislike Gus and doubt his style will be right for soccer.

 

I'm thinking an unexciting draw, 1-1 or 0-0. Klinsmann will pack the midfield with Bradley, Jones and Edu shielding a back four and two of Dempsey, Torres or Kljestan tracking back, leaving Altidore alone up front. The Sexy Euroball promised by Klinsi's arrival will have to wait for ... well, who knows?

The good news is that the US has a good track record in Honduras -- just three losses in 18 meetings, one in a 2010 Camp Cupcake friendly and one in the 2001 DC Debacle -- and the Catrachos are hardly on fire coming into the game. Honduras drew 1-1 with El Salvador and Panama, beat Belize 1-0 and lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in last month's Copa Centroamericana.

 

I'm not so sure. His goal calls would likely inject a much needed enthusiasm into domestic announcing of this sport. If they have a knowledgeable person working with him to help him along with the technical aspects, he might not be over his head.

 

Soccer announcing is about the slow buildup, the slightly raised voice and the recognition that the pass before the pass may lead to something dangerous. Gus's shrieking could lead to some nice goal calls, but I'm not sure i want the full fom him.

 

Why always him? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/06/mario-balotelli-racist-remark-milan

 

As an Inter fan, Balotelli at Milan has all to makings of a spectacular soap opera.

This is so unfathomably stupid, I have no idea what to make of it.

 

I'm hoping for USMNT 2, Honduras 0.

But I suspect we'll see 1-1 with Timmy Howard giving "If it was legal I would stab you with an ice pick" glare to one of his defenders who botches a simple play and allows a goal.

 

Have another announcer do the game proper, then Gus grabs the mike when the attack reaches the final third.