OT: World Cup of Soccer and General Soccer Talk

[SniperHF]

Does anyone actually have BeIn Sports?

Apparently I do. I just have the sports package that gets you NHLN/MLBN and such. The channel is way up in the 300's on COX IIRC but it's not in an obscure package tier far as I can tell.

I also don't watch soccer so it's not all that useful .

 

[Bondurant]

Does anyone actually have BeIn Sports?

I think it's a standard channel on DirecTV. I only see it in bars.

 

[ClassLessCoyote]

A 1-1 draw.

 

[jacobhockey13]

A 1-1 draw.

My thoughts on the game from the soccer sub-forum

Bradley played very well against Honduras, but he was awful tonight. At this point, the USMNT is better when Jermaine Jones is out of the lineup. I'm content with a point from this one given how poor the U.S. were.

Still though, the refereeing was horrid. Somebody said that Honduras racked up 5 fouls in 10 minutes, something that would draw a yellow in any credible league in the world. The constant pushing and shoving was annoying. The U.S. struggles in the air, and that was a major factor in Panama's control. Altidore's a striker who thrives when he has service and is bad when he doesn't, so I hope Arena plays Pulisic in the 10 role regardless of circumstances. I think this night just showed how vital Geoff Cameron is. The back line is what it was but getting Yedlin back as somebody who can move the ball from the right back position will also help.

Also, it is rumored that Phoenix Rising have successfully signed Didier Drogba. He'll play for them this year but eventually transition to an ownership role in their bid to get into the MLS!!!

 

[PerpetualTankYear]

Ended up watching it on telemundo. Back line looked awful, but was decimated by injury. Bradley plays well when he's in a role that suits him. Don't think he thrives as a DM in a 4-2-3-1

Also don't like Jozy playing alone in that formation. Would have liked to see Clint move up into a 4-4-2.

 

[awfulwaffle]

http://www.90min.com/posts/4788609-...drogba-reportedly-signs-for-phoenix-rising-fc

 

[Dirty Old Man]

Drogba? Here?

Any other I'm On Setanta Sports/Special 1 TV fans from 8-10 years ago?

<thick Cote d'Ivoire French accent>
"No! Gaffer! please, come back!"

 

[ClassLessCoyote]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/06/us-canada-mexico-joint-world-cup-bid-2026

A joint bid from the US, Canada and Mexico to host the enlarged 2026 World Cup is expected to be finalised this year for submission to Fifa, according to Victor Montagliani, the president of the region’s Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf). Speaking to the Guardian before Saturday’s annual Concacaf congress on the Caribbean island of Aruba, Montagliani contrasted the prospect of the countries’ cooperating on a World Cup with the division represented by the wall along the border with Mexico planned by Donald Trump.

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“Canada, the US and Mexico are aiming for a joint bid, the idea has been around for a while, discussions are continuing and it is a very exciting proposition if it comes to fruition,” Montagliani said. “We have had nothing but positive remarks about it and it is a very strong sign of what football can do to bring countries together.”

A 3 country joint bid?

 

[Bondurant]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/06/us-canada-mexico-joint-world-cup-bid-2026



A 3 country joint bid?

It wouldn't be the first. Makes sense here because US and Mexico are locks to qualify. Plus the field is set to expand after Qatar. The flood gates are opening and the World Cup will be watered down.

 

[awfulwaffle]

Doesn't make sense to me. Could be beneficial in the long run to countries, in regards to bids and basically going bankrupt for the world cup or the Olympics just to build stadiums. But the US doesn't need Mexico or Canada to make a bid.

 

[Bondurant]

Doesn't make sense to me. Could be beneficial in the long run to countries, in regards to bids and basically going bankrupt for the world cup or the Olympics just to build stadiums. But the US doesn't need Mexico or Canada to make a bid.

True but US Soccer also needs to navigate the wanton corruption and geopolitical b.s. of FIFA. We had the most logical bid for 2018 & 2022 and still failed on both fronts.

 

[jacobhockey13]

It's official. Didier Drogba has signed with Arizona Rising while also becoming an owner. Great news and a great guy. Welcome Didier!

Interview with BBC asking about why he chose Phoenix and more

New York Times article

 

[ClassLessCoyote]

Another World Cup is about to start soon. This time for the players under 20.

 

[Summer Rose]

The World Cup sucks.

 

[awfulwaffle]

That Spain/Portugal game was awesome. Nacho has probably the best name ever. Serbia up on Costa Rica. Co-worker is from Serbia so rooting for them.

 

[Name Nameless]

Curious. Does people in the USA watch the world cup?

Not being qualified is a perfectly normal situation for some of us. My country, Norway, has not being qualified for a while, but the World Cup is still the number 1 subject the weeks it's on.

I guess you don't reach the Euro level, as soccer apparantly is not a big sport with you, but still: you hear talk about it? The Mexicans are hyped, I guess, at least?

 

[MIGs Dog]

Curious. Does people in the USA watch the world cup?

There are over 300 million of us, wait a minute and I'll ask. Seriously, many do, but probably down this year without team USA. I'm NOT a soccer fan, but I'll watch some games because I like high drama sporting events. Seeing Iceland "beat" Argentina was fun. Looking forward to Germany v Mexico.

The 2015 World Cup final match was the most-watched soccer event in US television history (men's or women's) with approximately 26.7 million viewers. (World Cup Fast Facts - CNN)

 

[Name Nameless]

You've heard you got it in 2026?

 

[MIGs Dog]

You've heard you got it in 2026?

That means we automatically qualify...right? Good, no pressure.

Edit: Automatic bid not automatic.
Wait, so which of the 2026 World Cup’s 3 hosts gets the automatic bid?

 

[Name Nameless]

That means we automatically qualify...right? Good, no pressure.

Edit: Automatic bid not automatic.
Wait, so which of the 2026 World Cup’s 3 hosts gets the automatic bid?

It will be easier for you, they give out more spots. Of course they want you to be qualified. Don't be nervous about that. So, this hasn't been mentioned? Earlier in this thread, also by others than me, don't count of course. I mean among the "general population".

 

[Bondurant]

That means we automatically qualify...right? Good, no pressure.

Edit: Automatic bid not automatic.
Wait, so which of the 2026 World Cup’s 3 hosts gets the automatic bid?

Odds are USA, Mexico and Canada will all be given automatic qualification. The tournament will be watered down with 48 teams. CONCACAF will be given extra spots and they'll probably just allocate 3 of them automatically to hosting nations.

 

[Heldig]

The World Cup sucks.

Whaaaaaat? Arguably the number 1 sporting event on the planet. If you mean you dont like football (ie soccer) I get that. It is not the best sport to watch if you dont like/understand the nuances of the sport.

 

[MIGs Dog]

... the nuances of the sport.

The diving is my favorite part.

 

[Bondurant]

The diving is my favorite part.

You don't like watching Neymar flop around like a fish and listening to the hack FOX commentators lecturing the referee for not "protecting" Neymar?

 

[Heldig]

The diving is my favorite part.

Yes, the diving / faking is bad. Worst aspect of the sport IMO. Still, I can watch the game for the technical and tactical skills of the sport.