World Cup and European leagues

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

With all my predictions set, I can fill in the bracket based on my picks...

A1: Brazil                                                    Netherlands :B1
B2: Chile              |                           |              Croatia :A2
                       |                           |
C1: Colombia           |         |        |        |           Costa Rica :D1
D2: Uruguay                      |        |                   Ivory Coast :C2
                                 |        |
E1: France                       |        |                     Argentina :F1
F2: Nigeria            |         |        |        |          Switzerland :E2
                       |         |        |        |
G1: Germany            |                           |              Belgium :H1
H2: Algeria                                                         Ghana :G2

Final tally: 6 teams from Europe, 5 teams from S America, 4 from Africa, 1 from N America, and 0 from Asia

[OxyBob]

Greg Louganis and Max Bialystock could make a fortune as soccer coaches teaching diving and flopping.

OxyBob

[Stinger]

Greg Louganis and Max Bialystock could make a fortune as soccer coaches teaching diving and flopping.

OxyBob

Probably NBA and NFL too no?

[sac]

Somethings just have to shared......

[sac]

[jknezek]

Another day of awful refereeing. The Italy red was interesting, that could have gone either way. Missing the Suarez chomp was bad. He should be tossed for the tourney if not longer given his history. My twin 2.5 year olds don't bite as much as that nut job.  The penalty kick that sent Greece through was a disaster. I think the ref couldn't believe he tripped over himself that bad and assumed it had to be a foul. Just a bad day for the guys in the center. Really changed the two important games of the day.

[sac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM-3CdprY0s

The Ivory Coast defenders leg impedes the kicking motion, that's a foul and a penalty.

[jknezek]

Good catch. Never saw it real time or replays. Fair enough penalty

[sac]

Good catch. Never saw it real time or replays. Fair enough penalty

I had to watch it 3 times before I caught it.  Tough call.

[jknezek]

Not the game I wanted to see. Yes pre-tournament I would have killed for these 4 points and advancing, but... backing into anything is not good. No team has won following a game in Manaus, so I'm not surprised. We looked heavy and tired from the get go. We will have to play much, much better to take a shot at Belgium. Granted they haven't yet looked great in this tournament, but the missed passing and lack of a pressure relief outlet has to be resolved for the U.S.

[jknezek]

On another note, three of the four CONCACAF teams went through, despite two being in what were considered the toughest groups pre-tournament. Costa Rica and the U.S. were definitely global underdogs to go through, Mexico as well based on their recent play but it pays to remember they've made the last 16 something like 5 times in a row. El Tri never go any further, but they consistently get out of their group. The U.S. has now gotten out 3 of their last 4 tournaments and 4 of the 7 they've made in a row. Not a bad record for a team globally belittled.

On CONCACAF's bad side, Honduras was in the easiest group and was probably the worst team in the tournament, getting shelled in all 3 games. CONCACAF is not a particularly deep region, but we're showing up well in this cycle. Costa Rica has a real chance to get another game against Greece. Mexico is going to struggle with the Netherlands and the U.S. is very likely to struggle greatly against Belgium. But overall, pushing through 3 of 4 teams is better than anyone expected.

With all the talk of giving Africa more spots, 3 of 6 African teams are already out and Algeria may or may not progress. Asian teams are not worth talking about, as all 4 teams failed to progress. S. Korea, Iran, Japan and Australia have earned 3 ties between them with only the Belgium/S. Korea game to go.

UEFA has done their usual non-European mediocre job, 6 of 13 through with a chance for Russia to move on as well. CONMEBOL has been outstanding with 5 of 6 teams moving on. Not particularly surprising in a local World Cup. Poor Ecuador on the outside looking in...

[OxyBob]

Not a bad record for a team globally belittled.

This is why all real red-blooded Americans hate soccer: Blow lead in last 15 seconds and settle for tie. Lose next game by shutout. Advance to next round anyway. Storm field in celebration. Beep beep beep beep beep.

OxyBob

[jknezek]

Not a bad record for a team globally belittled.

This is why all real red-blooded Americans hate soccer: Blow lead in last 15 seconds and settle for tie. Lose next game by shutout. Advance to next round anyway. Storm field in celebration. Beep beep beep beep beep.

OxyBob

Check it out.  Soccer troll Ann Coulter has found our little board!  How exciting!

[casualfan]

Not a bad record for a team globally belittled.

This is why all real red-blooded Americans hate soccer: Blow lead in last 15 seconds and settle for tie. Lose next game by shutout. Advance to next round anyway. Storm field in celebration. Beep beep beep beep beep.

OxyBob

What's your definition of a "real red-blooded American"? Your opinion is not shared by any on this particular board nor the majority of other Americans at this time. Whatever sport you consider to be more American may lose more followers to soccer than you think. Take off the blinders and just support your country and it's talented team.

[woacfan]

Not a bad record for a team globally belittled.

This is why all real red-blooded Americans hate soccer: Blow lead in last 15 seconds and settle for tie. Lose next game by shutout. Advance to next round anyway. Storm field in celebration. Beep beep beep beep beep.

OxyBob

What's your definition of a "real red-blooded American"? Your opinion is not shared by any on this particular board nor the majority of other Americans at this time. Whatever sport you consider to be more American may lose more followers to soccer than you think. Take off the blinders and just support your country and it's talented team.

Why are Americans turning to the WC in record numbers?  It is because we want to be the best, and for the first time in history we can see an American team being the best.  We probably won't win this tournament, but we aren't all that far from the top teams.  The gap is closing.   

Americans who "hate" soccer are people who don't understand the game.  The European reaction to American football: boring.  Why?  They didn't understand the game and couldn't figure out why we stop for 30 seconds between each play.  We know the game, so we know better.  Football is a great sport.  So is soccer.

Those of us who don't drag our knuckles on the ground, know that soccer can be an extremely entertaining and exciting game....and America is pretty good at it!

One Nation...One Team....Go USA!!!!!!!!!!