World Cup and European leagues

[lastguyoffthebench]

The main reason the US needs to get better in soccer is so we can get play-by-play announcers who sound like us.

There is no one better than Ian Darke...  If Bob Costas or even Gus Johnson commentated WC games, it would be a shame.

Pretty much the final four you could have hoped for.

I think Robben might end up winning this thing for Holland, he's been rampaging this whole tournament.

He was the only player with any urgency vs Costa Rica.  Holland couldn't break down 8 guys behind the ball, but that should change vs Argentina.   Robben could have a field day if he somehow gets into 4 v 4 or 3 v 3 situations vs that backline.

I still give the edge to the host nation even without Neymar and Silva.   Not bad when you can have Dante come off the bench or a workhorse like Willian or Ramirez come in with slightly changing some tactics.   Sure they are two big losses, but the crowd/atmosphere should be insane.  (Thought Brazil was going to be up 3-0 before I finished my 2nd beer during the Colombia game).

[sac]

The main reason the US needs to get better in soccer is so we can get play-by-play announcers who sound like us.

There is no one better than Ian Darke...  If Bob Costas or even Gus Johnson commentated WC games, it would be a shame.

FOX has already said they want Gus Johnson to be the #1 announcer for the 2018 World Cup.  He is just awful at soccer.

[Gray Fox]

I don't know anything about Gus Johnson, but naming the person four years ahead is really bad management.

[jknezek]

I don't know anything about Gus Johnson, but naming the person four years ahead is really bad management.

I'm thinking Fox is smiling right now. ESPN must be kicking themselves a bit having seen the ratings from this Cup. However, with Russia and Qatar on tap, the times for U.S. viewers probably won't be as friendly for the next two Cups. That could cut into viewership. Even worse if FIFA moves the Qatar Cup to American Football season. That will be a disaster for Fox and I fully expect them to sue for a reduction in fees.

[sac]

I don't know anything about Gus Johnson, but naming the person four years ahead is really bad management.

Five years actually.

basketball is where he belongs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB2KOhEceNM

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

The main reason the US needs to get better in soccer is so we can get play-by-play announcers who sound like us.

There is no one better than Ian Darke...  If Bob Costas or even Gus Johnson commentated WC games, it would be a shame.

FOX has already said they want Gus Johnson to be the #1 announcer for the 2018 World Cup.  He is just awful at soccer.

To announce soccer you have to strike a balance between calm/subdued and an exciting burst. Gus Johnson would be fine if he only announced the big scoring opportunities but for 85% of the game he'd be way too loud and trying to force excitement rather than let play speak for itself.



Not to change the topic, but I've heard there are a couple games coming up soon

Brazil vs Germany: Doesn't get much better than this. Two of the World Cup heavyweights with a spot in the final on the line. At this point I'm done doubting Brazil. They may not be the dominating side we're used to but they're at home and they keep finding a way and they'll do just fine against Germany. As I'm sure everyone knows by now, the last time Brazil lost any match at home was a friendly in 2002 to Paraguay in their first match after winning the World Cup when they had all their starters out early. The last meaningful loss was in the 1975 Copa America. All that being said, I think Germany has looked better all tournament and they aren't missing two of their top players. I think it will be a good match that could go either way, but I think Germany will make that extra one or two plays that will be the difference. Germany 2-1.

Netherlands vs Argentina: Netherlands are the longshots of the last four (horrible odds at 3/1 compared to the other three teams all at 5/2 ) but Argentina has had the longest wait between semifinals of the 4 teams (1990).  Argentina has won all five of their games by a single goal (including a trio of 1-0 wins) while Netherlands have scored at least 2 goals in 4 out of 5 games. Argentina has only beaten Netherlands once in 8 meetings, but it was a big one... the 1978 finals in Buenos Aires. I think it's 1-1 after regulation and Messi yet again saves the team with a goal in extra time. Argentina 2-1.

[sac]

The main reason the US needs to get better in soccer is so we can get play-by-play announcers who sound like us.

There is no one better than Ian Darke...  If Bob Costas or even Gus Johnson commentated WC games, it would be a shame.

FOX has already said they want Gus Johnson to be the #1 announcer for the 2018 World Cup.  He is just awful at soccer.

To announce soccer you have to strike a balance between calm/subdued and an exciting burst. Gus Johnson would be fine if he only announced the big scoring opportunities but for 85% of the game he'd be way too loud and trying to force excitement rather than let play speak for itself.

Gus Johnson's weakness is that he doesn't know the game well enough yet, the leagues or players.  He stumbles with names and player identification and can add absolutely nothing to any discussion about historical references made by his color guy.  Its just clunky all the way through a game.


There isn't much difference between his exuberance and someone like England's Martin Tyler who can lose it when the moments right.

Gus Johnson's FA Cup Final call of Wigan's 2013 Cup win.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5e8xRkT1g

Martin Tyler FA Cup Final call of Gerrard's blast to tie West Ham...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CWEHefhtZg

[lastguyoffthebench]

Brazil scores in the first 30 min by way of counter-attack and extreme crowd energy.   Holds on by diving, fouling, slow play to win 1-0.    I expect Oscar to play ACM role, with Willian on the right...   They will be more defensive and absorb pressure.  There is a chance Germany could equalize late...  Gonna be a doozy.

If Germany scores first... I cannot see Brazil equalizing.

[jknezek]

1-1. Brazil wins on PKs.

[Gray Fox]

This just in:  OxyBob decides he likes soccer after all.

Brazil would never had made it out of the group of death.

[sac]

This just in:  OxyBob decides he likes soccer after all.

Brazil would never had made it out of the group of death.

Not without Neymar and Silva.....apparently.

[jknezek]

That was unexpected. Brazil clearly panicked at 2 down and then Germany seemed to punish them on every counter. It is odd to see at this level but considering the circumstances it didn't much matter if they lost 4-0 or 7-1, so you can see the point of continuing to take stupid risks even as it kept ending badly.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

To tie this into the D3 world... did anyone else feel that Brazil were like Mount Union football 2013? Kept finding a way to win but not as convincing as expected then when the floodgates opened it got ugly. Four goals in six minute? Against Brazil? In Brazil? In a World Cup semifinal?
They did play better in the second half but it would have been rather hard to have played worse. Credit to Germany for taking advantage of the opportunities but I think it was more about the defense being completely useless without Thiago Silva to lead them. That back line was an utter mess.

[jknezek]

Well I don't think I'll take a stab at today's game except to say I don't think it will be 7-1. That being said, it's hard not to believe that this will be Europe's year to win a rare non-European World Cup.

[frank uible]

Was the outcome merely an anomaly or the just triumph of substance over style?