Forum: soc
Page 269
Subject: 2010 World Cup Discussion


  Posted by: Mike D - [6421228] Fri, Jun 04, 2010, 22:32

The topic of the day: Injuries. I know they can happen anytime, but.....

At least Rio Ferdinand was in training when hurt. Jozy Altidore too, and not as bad.

I am just NOT a big believer in playing friendlies so close to the Cup, yet so many countries do it. To risk losing a Didier Drogba seems like absolute stupidity. Hindset is 20-20; but STILL. Andrea Pirlo? Calf injury Wednesday v Mexico. Crazy.

Now the USA has a friendly tomorrow with Australia. Time to take a deep breath.....and hold it.
 
1blue hen
      Dude
      ID: 710321114
      Tue, Jun 08, 2010, 16:48
Go USA
 
2Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Tue, Jun 08, 2010, 17:45
Excellent analysis. Lol! At least I'm not alone....

Crazy odds for the USA to win this thing---but why not?? A lot of teams are a mess right now.

From vegas insider:

2010 FIFA World Cup Future Odds

Outright Winner

Spain 4/1
Brazil 5/1
England 11/2
Argentina 9/1
Italy 11/1
Germany 12/1
Netherlands 12/1
France 16/1
Ivory Coast 25/1
Portugal 28/1
USA 50/1
Chile 50/1
Serbia 50/1
Ghana 50/1
Paraguay 66/1
Mexico 66/1
Cameroon 80/1
South Africa 100/1
Nigeria 100/1
Uruguay 100/1
Denmark 100/1
Australia 100/1
Greece 125/1
Switzerland 200/1
Slovenia 200/1
Slovakia 200/1
Japan 300/1
Algeria 300/1
South Korea 300/1
Honduras 500/1
New Zealand 1500/1
North Korea 1500/1

Group Odds

Group A

France 1/1
Uruguay 4/1
Mexico 7/2
South Africa 6/1


Group B

Argentina 1/2
Nigeria 9/2
Greece 6/1
South Korea 12/1


Group C

England 4/11
USA 4/1
Slovenia 12/1
Algeria 16/1


Group D

Germany 8/11
Serbia 7/2
Ghana 5/1
Australia 9/1


Group E

Holland 8/13
Cameroon 17/4
Denmark 9/2
Japan 12/1


Group F

Italy 1/2
Paraguay 11/4
Slovakia 13/2
New Zealand 66/1



Group G
Brazil 2/3
Ivory Coast 7/2
Portugal 3/1
North Korea 150/1


Group H

Spain 1/3
Chile 9/2
Switzerland 9/1
Honduras 25/1

 
3Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Tue, Jun 08, 2010, 22:22
50:1 on US. I'm going to bet on that. They almost won that other tournament in S Africa, and there were some good teams in that.
 
4Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Wed, Jun 09, 2010, 19:45
I think they are a dangerous team that could even win their group.
 
5Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Jun 12, 2010, 15:20
If that goalie Green was Colombian, he'd be shot before the end of the month.
 
6Farn
      Leader
      ID: 451044109
      Sat, Jun 12, 2010, 15:23
If that goalie Green was Colombian, he'd be shot before the end of the month weekend.

Fixed that for ya.
 
7Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Sat, Jun 12, 2010, 15:29
The crappy goalie on my daughter's team could have stopped that shot.
 
8Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Sat, Jun 12, 2010, 15:55
So far England has really outplayed us, butall I can say is scoreboard. 1-1 and we've also had some opportunities.
 
9Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 07:14
The draw is better for the US than England. I stick by post 4 that the US is a dangerous team and they could win this group. That would be huge. Finishing 2nd could match them with Germany. Not good.
 
10Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 07:15
Blame for the goalie error is being given to the World Cup ball which wobbles like a knuckler from Tim Wakefield. The exact same issues took place with the ball 4 years ago.
 
11The Beezer
      Dude
      ID: 191202817
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 08:31
Germany's not as dangerous with Ballack out. If U.S. and England go from group C, they will almost certainly be favored in both games.
 
12loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 11:31
What is frustrating about Team USA is their lack of ball control skills which was again apparent in the England game. I would love to see the US advance deep into the tournament, but if you compare its ability to trap and pass to any European or South American team you realize that is not going to happen. This also contributes to their lack of creativity on offense.
 
13Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 11:44
Agreed loki. I thought they were making strides at the last World Cup in the possession game. In the last few years, it changed very little, or even got a tad worse.

Beezer, agreed, Ballack out changes Germany. But they are still a strong squad and a tough out. I love your confidence----it seems to be even higher than mine, which is saying something. ;)
 
14Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 12:15
I didn't like USA this past match like I did last year.

The Ghana game was pretty good. Obvious PK that was successful.
 
15The Beezer
      Dude
      ID: 191202817
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 17:11
Wow, my comment already looks stupid and it hasn't even been 24 hours. That might be a record!
 
16Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 22:02
I'm gonna have Ref look it up........lol! Germany was all over Australia.....scary.
 
17loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Sun, Jun 13, 2010, 22:12
The USA cannot advance far if they try to play FIFA style football; they just do not have the skills. However if Bradley has the team play the MLS physical game, then who knows.
 
18JeffG
      Dude
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 13:32
I only watch soccer during World Cup time and am enjoying some of the games I have seen.

To me those blaring horns, or vuvuzela, are a huge detraction to the television coverage. Because TV is trying to reduce the crowd noise infused into the telecast, the home viewer cannot hear the sounds of the game on the field, the reaction of the fans, and can barely hear the refs whistles. They are also drowning out the chants or songs of the internation fans that add to the flavor of these telecasts.

I do not think they should be banned from the crowd if that is part of the local sports culture but it becomes a challenge watching these games.

I'll deal for a few more weeks and hope these do not catch on in the US.
 
19Nuclear Gophers
      ID: 7115138
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 15:23
With all the technology, you would think they could silence that noise coming through the TV.
 
20Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 15:25
They used to sing all the time. So these noisemakers as I call them aren't really in the culture. I used to lvoe them chant and sing--even though it was typically the same song all the time.

The organizer is seriously considering banning them with more complaints about them than ever.
 
21twolves
      Dude
      ID: 811161317
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 21:01
The noise is pretty bad as it appears the casual soccer fans are complaining. I have a number of friends who have commented on that rather than the soccer which is a bad sign. It is bad news for soccer in the US where complaints like this seem more common and the world cup should peak more needed interest here.

It is also interesting that players are complaining about communication which is essential for good soccer. IF it detracts from the way the game is played at the highest level it is not good for soccer in general.
 
22Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 21:51
Apparently thes noisemakers aren't soccer culture but they are in the South African culture. The biggest complaints though are from the residents in and around the communities where these matches are held.
 
23Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Mon, Jun 14, 2010, 23:09
hope these do not catch on in the US.

Actually, I'm sure that I would rather hear the vuvuzela than Yankees fans, so I, for one, would like to introduce them to Yankee Stadium!
 
24Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 00:19
Lol! A shipment is probably on its way!

I can't stand that noise either----BUT----it does remind me of some of the noise made in South American countries----like Brazil, where they pound on things, dance, and blow horns during sporting events.
 
25JeffG
      Dude
      ID: 01584348
      Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 09:32
Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy watching soccer once every four years as an outsider, but am going to sound like an arrogant American sports fan for a second.

Can we please fix the whole deal with stoppage time? Isn't technology at a point where the viewer at home and fans in the stands should be able to know how much time is really left in the game? I could not imagine watching basketball, hockey, or American football without seeing the drama of the game unfold with a clock counting down the waning moments.

(Sorry - I do not mean to hijack this thread with commentary not related to the game, team, players, and matchups).
 
26WTC Building 7
      ID: 51538158
      Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 09:44
These pansies would last about 10 minutes in an American football game. That, or the game would take about 7 hours.

The stoppage time was an advancement. They used to tell you nothing as to how much time the ref would add at the end.
 
27Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 10:12
Yeah, they wouldn't last a single round in American Gladiators, either.
 
28Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 17:12
RE 25 that's great. There is a device that the ref can use to stop the clock when needed. But I think the mystery and the inexact time is something people like so the ref can give a team a final chance to score when the time has run out.
 
29Electroman
      ID: 565182111
      Thu, Jun 17, 2010, 17:50
I can't believe that people are blaming girlfriends, present and past, for blunders. First the England goalie, now the Spanish!!! These guys are world class atheletes, and you can't tell me they can shut off their brain and concentrate for 2 hours?
 
30DWetzel
      ID: 278201415
      Thu, Jun 17, 2010, 17:59
Now you too can enjoy rotoguru.net with all the atmosphere of the World Cup!

www.rotoguru.net.... sort of
 
31Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Thu, Jun 17, 2010, 18:39
Hahaha! Nice.

That noise is, essentially, why I'm not bothering to watch the games. Extremely distracting.

 
32C.SuperFreak
      ID: 2311461823
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:58
Wow what a game. USA was on the receiving end of some very
bad refereeing today. Down 2 - 0 at the half they came back and
tied it, scored the go ahead goal and it was not allowed. Multiple
reviews can't clearly identify why the ref blew his whistle prior
the ball entering the net. Terrible. As a result a 2 - 2 final.

The ref was horrible. Too many yellow cards and as a result both
teams will have to play cautionary soccer in their final round
robin games due to the # of yellows issued in this match.

Tough for Slovenia because they'll face England. USA has the
weakest team in their last match, Algeria, but the number of
yellows will still be a factor.
 
33Farn
      Leader
      ID: 451044109
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:59
The officiating in the US/Slovenia game was god awful. Horrible yellow card on Findley and the late offsides to negate the US goal? Tim Donaghy is smiling somewhere.
 
34Tree
      ID: 248472317
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 12:19
brilliant game, awful officiating.

the disallowed goal was a tragedy. i believe Alexei Lalas called it "disgusting".

although post-game, USA coach Bob Bradley said the ref still hadn't told them why he disallowed the goal, apparently it was because of a penalty before Adu got the ball.

of course, the penalty wasn't called on any individual, and seems about as phantom as it gets. i am curious as to if there will be any sort of investigation into it.

either way, after a lackluster first half and a 2-nil deficit, the USA is glorious.
 
35Frick
      ID: 515111812
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 13:12
What makes the disallowed goal even more atrocious is seeing 2 US players being bear hugged so they can't get to the ball.
 
36Seattle Zen
      ID: 1410391215
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 13:24
Does FIFA review yellow cards - I thought I read that they did that for a German player and decided to let it stand so he missed his next match. If so, Findley's card will be overturned, he didn't do anything.

Horrible officiating. Just horrible.
 
37Khahan
      ID: 373143013
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 14:31
Frick, 35: I counted 3 Us players being bear hugged. Our guy who was called offsides was in a bear hug and half pulled/dragged sideways. Another guy was tumbling backwards over the guy bearing hugging him and a 3rd one was relatively stationary in a bearhug.
 
38Tree
      ID: 248472317
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 16:04
Team USA legend Eric Wynalda all but says the ref was on the take and calls for an investigation...
 
39Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 21:34
Surely the official will, at leas, be required to explain to FIFA what he thought he saw.
 
40Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 21:37
Is Wynalda right that every US free kick was wistled dead by the official?
 
41Frick
      ID: 515111812
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 21:39
Re: 39

According to the World Wide Leader, the ref is not required to explain his call and we'll most likely never know what he saw or thought he saw.

 
42Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 21:42
The referee who disallowed a potential game-winning goal for the United States will face an expedited performance review from FIFA and is likely to be excluded from the rest of the World Cup, according to a FIFA source

FIFA’s refereeing committee will review footage from the Group C clash on Saturday to evaluate Coulibaly’s performance after several USA players complained about the way he had struggled to control a fiercely contested match.

Every World Cup match is viewed live by an on-site assessor who monitors the referee’s performance. However, in this case, a deeper assessment will take place at the earliest possible opportunity. That this is happening so quickly suggests FIFA is taking the complaints about Coulibaly seriously and is likely to leave him unassigned to referee further matches, according to the source. He could still appear as a line judge or other supporting role.

“If he is found to have made a serious mistake, especially one that affected the outcome, then he would be highly unlikely to play any further part in the tournament,” said the source, who is close to senior figures on the refereeing panel. “FIFA is determined to keep refereeing standards high and does not want high-profile mistakes.”

 
43Great One
      ID: 47515621
      Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 11:23
So if USA wins their next game, they should be able to advance, right?

And if they can avoid the #2 seed, they will avoid Germany... that is unless Ghana beats Australia right now then they are likely #1 seed Ghana vs. #2 USA...

 
44wolfer
      ID: 253492512
      Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 15:02
Re 43

Yes. Here are the ways the US would advance
 
45Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 21:39
Is Wynalda right that every US free kick was wistled dead by the official?

I didn't know what he meant by that. But from his later comments, it sounded like the U.S. didn't get any set pieces. So, they didn't call any fouls against SLV near their own goal. All of the calls went against the U.S. I watched the game but can't remember if this is true or not. I do not recall any, though.

I saw 4 people holding U.S. players. It was almost as if they all knew a foul would not be called against them. And when that failed, the ref just made up some BS.
 
46Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 23:44
Definitely sucks. I think Wynalda is referring to the "quick start" free kicks being whistled dead preventing US transition and counters. I didn't see the game, but it sounds like it.
 
47Donkey Hunter
      ID: 20518209
      Sun, Jun 20, 2010, 10:18
I think what he was saying is that a foul was called on the US after they took their free kick each time. For example the goal that was called back. Any time we were free kicking the ball into a crowd of 15-16 players, he called a foul on USA because there is so much battling for position that call can easily go either way.
 
48Tree
      ID: 248472317
      Sun, Jun 20, 2010, 12:07
huge upset - one of the biggest in World Cup history. amazing. Nice go at it, New Zealand.
 
49Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Sun, Jun 20, 2010, 12:39
France is Team Turmoil. Love to see South Africa beat them and stay alive.
 
50Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sun, Jun 20, 2010, 12:44
I'm not certain France will even stick around if they are eliminated before they are due to take the pitch. Sounds like they might just walk..
 
51JeffG
      Dude
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 11:50
USA! Wow. Some finish.
 
52Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:20
 
53Seattle Zen
      ID: 1410391215
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:23
The soccer gods just couldn't stand it any more! Justice REIGNS!
 
54C1-NRB
      ID: 2911103011
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:29
The youtubers got that posted faster than ESPN showed a replay of it. I saw it happen on ESPN 3 but had to wait around for almost 10 minutes (through the end of game, obligatory crowd shots, postgame player reaction shots, a shot some bar in Seattle) for them to show it again.

Let's get a better director/producer on the game next time, ESPN.
 
55Great One
      ID: 2751238
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:33
So does US get the #1 seed out of the bracket? and if thats the case, they want to avoid Germany I suppose, so Germany winning today would be a good thing?
 
56PuNk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:33
Yes they are #1 in group C
 
57The Beezer
      ID: 0944216
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 12:43
Woohoo!!!!!!! Now to find a good place in Seattle to watch
the game on Saturday!
 
59Frick
      ID: 56502312
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:01
Great game, the US had numerous chances and had another goal disallowed that shouldn't have been.

Quick question for those who know soccer rules. Was Dempsey off-sides after on the goal? He was past any defender, let alone 2. Granted he was past them after he tripped and the balled had rebounded, trickled back out.
 
60Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:03
I'd have to see it again to see where Dempsey was, but it wouldn't matter since he was not involved in the play in any way. You can go stand offsides somewhere, but if no one passes you the ball, AND you are not a distraction to anyone on the other team where they have to "worry" about you etc, you are not offsides at that point.
 
61Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:07
That's called a passive offside. If he doesn't make a play for the ball (and he didn't) and doesn't block the view of the goalie then it isn't called offside.
 
62Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:08
That *might* be a FIFA-only rule, btw. I've never really run across it elsewhere but I don't follow soccer as closely as I once did.
 
63Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:24
Dempsey wasn't offsides. There were two opponents between him and the goal when the touch was made behind them.

What a goal. Wow! So many chances and two legitimate game winners already taken away in this and last game.
 
64Great One
      ID: 505322312
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:33
US game vs. the #2 seed out of the D bracket is 2:30 PM on Saturday.

That'll be Ghana, Germany or Serbia.
If Germany wins the game today (2:30) vs. Ghana we can avoid Germany and I would think that would be a good thing, right?

 
65Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:42
Dempsey was in the actual goal. You might be thinking of Donavan, Ref. When the ball was struck (5 seconds into that video) Dempsey was face-planted in the goal area.
 
66Great One
      ID: 505322312
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 13:43
Yeah, I was wondering if that was allowed... if a guy can actually be in the goal like that and they don't blow the whistle or whatever.
 
67loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 14:22
Tim Howard started the play with a throw down the right flank that resulted in Donovan's goal. This was barely seen on the replays. Dempsey was clearly even with the defender on his called off goal. The announcer said that FIFA rules state that in close calls such as that one the call should go to the offense. That was modified in the 2010 World Cup to exclude the USA.
 
68Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 14:23
If you are in the goal or over the goal line, you are not offsides.

If you are a USA fan, you want Germany to lose and get out of this tournament altogether.
 
69loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 14:45
The USA will play the 2nd place team from group D. If Germany wins today, that will not be them. However if Germany does not win, I think that we could end up playing them in the next round.
 
70JeffG
      Dude
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 16:31
USA will play Ghana next, and the winner of that match will play the winner of Uruguay and South Korea in the quarterfinals. No opponent at this point is easy, but avoiding Argentina and Germany who they could have met in those rounds is a bonus. It seems like USA has a nice path to make a run.
 
71Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Wed, Jun 23, 2010, 16:40
It's an awesome path. USA is dangerous. (see posts 2, 3, and 4!)
 
72Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Thu, Jun 24, 2010, 12:05
Arrivederci.
 
73astade
      Sustainer
      ID: 214361313
      Sat, Jun 26, 2010, 17:03
Good riddance, USA! They play such a poor style of soccer... Looking forward to watching the beautiful game again
 
74Farn
      Leader
      ID: 451044109
      Sat, Jun 26, 2010, 17:15
Yes astade, the world can now return to enjoying the "Ghana School of Acting and Stalling" (more credit to Simmons).

I love futbol but I loathe the flopping that goes on in the sport. Such a shame they can take a beautiful sport and flop around like the Spurs in the playoffs.
 
75astade
      Sustainer
      ID: 214361313
      Sat, Jun 26, 2010, 17:20
lol, Farn! It's a two way street. I saw Dempsey go down atleast twice with minimal contact. Ghana's midfielder (i think?) was called for a yellow card when Altidore tripped himself up and will miss the next game.
 
76Farn
      Leader
      ID: 451044109
      Sat, Jun 26, 2010, 17:28
Oh I agree, although I think in this particular game Ghana was worse. But yes, all of the teams flop. Its miserable to see, but just like the NBA, its the best way to get the advantage from an official.
 
77astade
      Sustainer
      ID: 214361313
      Sat, Jun 26, 2010, 17:35
Some really good match ups ahead of us. The three I have circled are:

Germany-England, Brazil-Chile and Spain-Portugal

 
78astade
      ID: 118611
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 01:54
Farn, to your point, this one (via Yahoo!) is hilarious:
 
79Farn
      Leader
      ID: 451044109
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 09:17
somewhere Vlade Divac is tearing up.
 
80Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 09:55
Its a sport made up of Anderson Varejaos.
 
81Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 10:19
78: He tripped him. His right knee clearly hits his foot. I agree that there is so much flopping and faking injuries, but it also doen'st take much to go down when you're running.

I didn't get to see the US game, butI've eben so unimpressed with the US in this cup. Watching the lowlights, the commentators kept talking about all the mistakes the US made with frequency.
 
82loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 10:20
The USA-Ghana match was another frustrating one to watch. There were 4 or 5 times when a US player was one on one with the Ghanain goalie and could not finish. The USA cannot compete at this level without a world class striker.
 
83Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 10:40
FIFA continues to refuse to allow any technology assistance whatsoever even on goal calls and England just got robbed of a goal because of it. That ball was at least a yard in the goal--they are saying 2 yards in and it was not counted.
 
84Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 10:42
Ref - I was about to post the samething. Inexcusable not to use video there.It's not the officials' fault, but England was robbed.
 
85C.SuperFreak
      ID: 2311461823
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 10:49
It definately was the linesmans fault. He missed it. A shot on net
and he was not in the position to make the correct call. It's a
beauty of a game so far.
 
86Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 11:23
Well that's that. Great transition by Germany for their third score--England looked like they stopped on their feet when the free kick was blocked.
 
87loki
      SuperDude
      ID: 4211201420
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 12:43
Re 85: The ref's assistant did miss the goal, but he was in the correct position so that he could see and call offsides.
 
88Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 16:21
Germany/Argentina on Saurday is shaping up to be a great game.
 
89Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sun, Jun 27, 2010, 19:27


HT: The Daily What
 
90Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Mon, Jun 28, 2010, 00:05
LMAO PD!
 
91skinneej
      Leader
      ID: 040625911
      Tue, Jun 29, 2010, 13:23
RE: 74, 79 & 80

I was telling friends last week of a hilarious commercial idea they should be using for the World Cup to poke a little fun at themselves. It should be a secret training facilily located in the former Soviet republics where flopping is taught. They should have past great soccer floppers shown teaching the basics to younger guys like Ronaldo and company while yelling "You gotta sell it!" At the end, they are shown walking by a door with a piece of tape labeled NBA and out walks Divac with Varejao under his arm...come on that would be classic!
 
92skinneej
      Leader
      ID: 040625911
      Tue, Jun 29, 2010, 13:41
78 and 81

While this may have been an accidental trip, the ref was seen to be watching the play in the near corner, turned and saw the end result and felt there was intent. As it was, Estrada had just moments earlier been spared a second yellow card on a dangerous slide tackle where he should have been shown both cards and sent off.

Of course, having played soccer for 26 years, I guarantee he was aware of where he was in proximity to the other player.
 
93Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Tue, Jun 29, 2010, 19:18
I loved that commercial idea bro.
 
94leggestand
      ID: 451119710
      Wed, Jun 30, 2010, 11:13
Euro 2004 Commercial

They actually had a similar commercial for what you are suggesting in England for Euro 2004. It shows the Italian team "practicing" for the Euro Cup, and the focus is on selling dives...
 
95skinneej
      Leader
      ID: 040625911
      Wed, Jun 30, 2010, 13:07
That's great! Of course I had to watch all the great dive videos like this one
 
96Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Wed, Jun 30, 2010, 14:09
I want to see more bookings for the dives and fake injuries which were supposed to be coming.
 
97Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 11:04
Speak of the devil, at 47 min mark the ref jsut booked a Dutch player for diving. Love it.
 
98Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 12:36
Huge win for The Netherlands!
 
99Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 13:08
Brazil toast. So much for the beautiful game.
 
100astade
      Sustainer
      ID: 214361313
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 21:48
Exciting game and finish in the Ghana-Uruguay match! wish i had the opportunity to watch it live.
 
101Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 23:00
No, astade, it was a HORRIBLE end of the game. The Uruguaian defender used his hands to stop a goal, it was outrageous and infuriating. I am so upset for Ghana, they were robbed. The ref should have the power to simply award the goal. How is this any different than a player hanging on the basketball rim and swatting away a basketball like he's King Kong?
 
102DWetzel
      ID: 33337117
      Fri, Jul 02, 2010, 23:08
How is it any different than hacking Shaq when he's about to dunk the game winner down 1 with 0.1 seconds left? We accept that all the time. We also accept hauling down open wide receivers by DBs willing to accept a pass interference penalty. It was a brilliant play, accepting the punishment of the penalty instead of watching his team lose the game 100% of the time.

I grant you it sucks if you were rooting for Ghana for some reason, but to call it infuriating and outrageous is a little bit ridiculous.
 
103astade
      Sustainer
      ID: 214361313
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 02:00
Seattle Zen, I was just a casual observer. I enjoy fun, exciting soccer (sorry B7, I know you like watching the US team ;). I wasn't rooting for Ghana so I don't share your sentiment. I appreciated the effort on both sides.
 
104Razor
      ID: 265539
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 10:55
There is a response for the foul that occurred at the end of the game, and Suarez received it. It's the most severe punishment that can happen within a game - a red card and a PK. These are the rules and as a long time soccer player, I am fine with what transpired. You are allowed to touch the ball with your hands in the box so long as you accept that you will be thrown out of the game, not allowed to play the next game (possibly more now) and you've given the opposition the best possible chance to score with a PK.
 
105WiddleAvi
      ID: 352232517
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 11:16
Can a soccer fan explain me the point of offsides. If you want to leave a player open behind the defense then you get whats coming.
 
106Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 11:30
Yeah--an even more boring game. Ensuring that the players move with the ball is one way the sport has more back-and-forth.

Pulling players (offense and defense) to park around the goals means fewer players in the middle = boring. (even more than usual).
 
107youngroman
      Donor
      ID: 02934823
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 11:33
What a game.

the Germans are already singing "Diego, Du kannst nach Hause fahren!"
 
108Mike D
      ID: 6421228
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 11:38
Where's Beezer?? The Germans used his posts as blackboard material! Lol
 
109Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 11:53
heh. Those guys look pretty damn good.
 
110Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 12:14
A Red Card at the end of play is not much of a punishment.

DWetzel - your examples all seriously understate the severity of the offense. The best example of this is bottom of the ninth, tie game, two outs, runner on second, single up the middle, runner rounds third. As he approaches the plate, the catcher, without the ball, runs up the line and hits him square in the chin, knocking him out. Centerfielder throws him the pitcher the ball, who then tags the lifeless runner, he's out, the game is still tied.

Oh, the catcher gets thrown out of the game, hell, he will likely miss the next game, but what he did was give his team a chance to stay in the game.
 
111DWetzel
      ID: 33337117
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 12:25
SZ--that's a really, really, really silly counterexample. Mine were a thousand times more apt, and you're making stupid ones up to feebly try to make a point which you epically fail in making.

1. The rules specifically prescribe a fair remedy for the play--which is that the runner be allowed to advance to the next base (or as far as the umpire adjudges him to have been able to go). In other words, the runner scores, game over--and there's no reason for the catcher to do it because there's no benefit. It would be like if the rules of soccer prescribed a red card and the referee could award the goal (instead of a PK)--then there's no reason for Suarez to do that. You can hate the rule, if you want, but don't hate the guy for accepting the punishment.

2. Nobody got physically injured by Suarez, obviously. THAT is a line that should not generally be crossed. Comparing touching a ball with one's hand to physical battery is completely LOL-worthy, and I think if you weren't overreacting you'd recognize that.

3. Is every single intentional rule infraction worthy of eternal scorn? Or are we just cherry picking the ones we decide we don't like? Because I'm pretty sure if we apply the same standards to everyone whereby any intentional rule infraction = scum of the earth, there'd be about one honest player on the field per game.

In fact, my example was COMPLETELY accurate, because a player has a choice between:

a) in which his team loses 100% of the time (OK, 99.9%, Shaq might miss the dunk), and
b) in which his team loses some percentage less than 100% of the time.

in a PROFESSIONAL SPORT on the highest level (so leave "I'd never do that in middle school/in a pickup game" out of it, AND nobody gets physically injured, AND it's a sport where the players don't enforce the rules on themselves (so leave golf out of this)... and you want the player to choose a).

This boggles the mind. How much money did you lose betting on Ghana?
 
112Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 12:26
Of course, the game would not go into extra-innings, the ump would count the run and the game would be over, which is exactly what should happen in soccer as well.

 
113DWetzel
      ID: 33337117
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 12:46
Fine, great, then change the rule! Don't hate the player for abiding by the rule.
 
114Razor
      ID: 265539
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 12:51
For a goal to be scored in soccer, the ball must cross the line. The sport should not get involved in the nonsense of awarding goals.
 
115WiddleAvi
      ID: 352232517
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 13:10
PD - Understood. But what about when everyone is around the goal and one player gets slightly ahead and is called offsides. I think a better idea for soccer would be to use hockey style offsides. Once the ball is passed a certain point on the field then there is no more offsides. For example the US goal that was called back. Even if he was offsides does that really change game play ? Everyone was around the ball anyway.
 
116Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 14:28
Yes, change the rule, and, no, I will hate the player for an appalling lack of sportsmanship, it's just not Cricket.
 
117Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 14:41
How much money did you lose betting on Ghana?

It's too bad in your world that someone cannot be extremely upset at the lack of sportsmanship in a game where he has no personal interest in either team.
 
118DWetzel
      ID: 33337117
      Sat, Jul 03, 2010, 15:32
It's too bad that in your world a completely standard rule was enforced in a completely standard manner and you feel the need to impugn a perfectly standard person's character.
 
119Building 7
      Leader
      ID: 171572711
      Wed, Jul 07, 2010, 20:24
Auf Wiedersehen.

Looks like there will be a new first time winner. Spain or Netherlands.
 
120Mike D
      ID: 35639722
      Wed, Jul 07, 2010, 23:40
An exciting matchup. Hopefully more of an open game, like the Dutch played in the semis.
 
121Seattle Zen
      ID: 1410391215
      Fri, Jul 23, 2010, 13:29
Re 101 - I ain't alone.
Q: Did the disallowed handball goal in the Ghana-Uruguay game go down as the most blatant exploitation of rules in sports history? It was like if goaltending was called on the game winning basket of a Game 7 and instead of counting the basket, the rules dictate that somebody has to make a free throw to win the game. Are there other rule loopholes like this?
-- Brad Armstrong, Indianapolis

SG: Only one that I could think of: If a player was running the winning touchdown down the sideline, then someone on the opposing sideline jumped onto the field and tackled him. But in college and pro football, I'm pretty sure that's an automatic touchdown. (This actually happened once: in the 1954 Cotton Bowl.) But that's the parallel. Seems like the easy rule fix would be this: If you commit a goal-line handball during extra time in the World Cup, it's an automatic goal. Since we can't even get instant replay for the World Cup, I'm not holding my breath.

Sports Guy.
 
122Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Fri, Aug 06, 2010, 15:33
Spam-related BUTT
 
124Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Mon, Aug 16, 2010, 10:26
spam butt
 
125Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Oct 16, 2010, 12:37
Has the cheater from Uruguay lost his hand yet?