World Cup 2018 --Pre and Group Stages

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:11 am

brian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:56 am The problem with rooting for Mexico is what is your endgame? I mean, you don't really want El Tri to win the freaking World Cup I hope, right?

With the way they are playing now? Lots of quick attacks, minimal shenanigans - I’d be fine with it.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:39 am

Tony Meola sounds like Troy Aikman to me.

duff · Post by **duff** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:47 am

brian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:56 am The problem with rooting for Mexico is what is your endgame? I mean, you don't really want El Tri to win the freaking World Cup I hope, right?

Just this match.

Post by **brian** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:51 am

That’s different to me. That makes more sense.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am

Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:54 am

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.

No way.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:33 pm

Feels like there was a clear pro-Trump vs anti-Trump divide on this one. Easy to root for Mexico for two hours.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:39 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:33 pm Feels like there was a clear pro-Trump vs anti-Trump divide on this one. Easy to root for Mexico for two hours.

You think Germany is pro-Trump?

ETA: also, Trump fans don’t like soccer.

RSmith · Post by **RSmith** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:40 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:33 pm Feels like there was a clear pro-Trump vs anti-Trump divide on this one. Easy to root for Mexico for two hours.

I mean no offense at all, but...good God man, do Americans now see *everything* in terms of pro/anti Donald Trump? Honest question...

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:58 pm

Most things.

(No, I don’t think Germany is pro-Trump. I think any domestic trump supporter watching the WC was rooting for Germany.)

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 12:59 pm

Sabo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:44 am
duff wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:36 am Am I unAmerican if I am cheering for el Tri over Germany?
You’re either that or you're Landon Donovan.

And getting paid by Wells Fargo...

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:21 pm

Beautiful goal by Coutinho vs Switzerland.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:26 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:54 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.
No way.

Solidarity with a bunch of folks whom my country is shitting on.

Plus, I’ve never been vehemently anti-Mexico in the World Cup. “Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousin, me and my brother and my cousin against the world.” I think in soccer terms, Mexico is at least our cousin if not our brother.

Post by **brian** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:29 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:26 pm
sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:54 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.
No way.
Solidarity with a bunch of folks whom my country is shitting on.

Plus, I’ve never been vehemently anti-Mexico in the World Cup. “Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousin, me and my brother and my cousin against the world.” I think in soccer terms, Mexico is at least our cousin if not our brother.

Whose fans are pretty much the biggest assholes in the world.

Post by **brian** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:13 pm

Books here vastly overrated Brazil. The Swiss are no chumps and were still +1.5 -155.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 3:56 pm

The bookies must have made a killing today.

The casual world soccer fan bet on Germany. Then doubled down on Brazil.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:17 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:55 am I can’t pull for Mexico.

I have historical reasons for rarely cheering for Germany.

But more seriously, I realize most of you guys hate the Mexican team, but that was an incredible, dare I use a bogus cliche?, inspirational performance.

The feed of the Brazil-Switzerland game here featured an English announcer who spent the time up until the Swiss goal basically slobbering over the great Brazilians. And while they looked really strong for the first half hour, if their offence is going to run through Neymar and Neymar alone, when he is that easy to defend - I mean, he goes down easier than (insert prostitution related punchline here).

The Swiss are clearly pretty good, and really well coached.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:19 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 3:56 pm The bookies must have made a killing today.

The casual world soccer fan bet on Germany. Then doubled down on Brazil.

Good point. Combine with Argentina's draw...

Is it crazy that I think the best team I've seen so far is Spain?

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:05 pm

brian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:29 pm
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:26 pm
sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:54 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.
No way.
Solidarity with a bunch of folks whom my country is shitting on.

Plus, I’ve never been vehemently anti-Mexico in the World Cup. “Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousin, me and my brother and my cousin against the world.” I think in soccer terms, Mexico is at least our cousin if not our brother.
Whose fans are pretty much the biggest assholes in the world.

Yeah, I read they’re rapists and murderers too.

I’m trying to be done with shitting on an entire country because of the bad acts of a few.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:33 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:05 pm
brian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:29 pm
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:26 pm
sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:54 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:52 am Now it’s time to drive to the west side of the city and find me a Mexico jersey.
No way.
Solidarity with a bunch of folks whom my country is shitting on.

Plus, I’ve never been vehemently anti-Mexico in the World Cup. “Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousin, me and my brother and my cousin against the world.” I think in soccer terms, Mexico is at least our cousin if not our brother.
Whose fans are pretty much the biggest assholes in the world.
Yeah, I read they’re rapists and murderers too.

I’m trying to be done with shitting on an entire country because of the bad acts of a few.

There's a very long history of Mexican fans chanting homophobic slurs (they did it today) on goal kicks, and of throwing bags of piss on Americans lining up to send in corners. Additionally, Wells Fargo is using Landon freaking Donovan and Alexi Lalas in "my second team is Mexico" ads that has caused quite an uproar amongst other former USMNT players.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:34 pm

Pruitt wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:19 pm
degenerasian wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 3:56 pm The bookies must have made a killing today.

The casual world soccer fan bet on Germany. Then doubled down on Brazil.
Good point. Combine with Argentina's draw...

Is it crazy that I think the best team I've seen so far is Spain?

Not crazy. They're great.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:28 pm

Go Sweden and South Korea.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:32 am

My favorite part of the weekend was the shot of the Mexican fans in Germany jumping up and down after the goal and all of the Germans in the park turning an look at them like WTF.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:38 am

Sweden and Korea experiencing shitty Concacaf reffing

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:39 am

Korea's goalie made a great save early in the half. But wow the speed on the right side of Korea is going to cause fits for Sweeden.

and Dr. Joe adds nothing to the commentary for me.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:42 am

How common a last name is Forsberg in Sweden? I know Peter, Anton, and Flip are not related

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:33 am

brian wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:04 pm Pique just referenced Steve Fisher taking over for Bill Frieder before the 1989 NCAA title as an example of why Spain fans should not despair their chances.

I mean... Wow. Not sure what Google search led him there...

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:50 am

sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:05 am The announcers are pulling for Mexico. Which irritates me a bit.

On the other hand, despite having more reasons to root for Germany, sometimes I catch myself on Mexico’s side, as they’re the underdog. So conflicted.

Fox and Landon are basically playing to the money here. I can't get too mad about it, but it's pretty fucking gross on a level that's difficult to articulate.

All of that said, I found myself pulling for them against Germany. And they absolutely deserved that result.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:04 am

Pruitt wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:17 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:55 am I can’t pull for Mexico.
I have historical reasons for rarely cheering for Germany.

But more seriously, I realize most of you guys hate the Mexican team, but that was an incredible, dare I use a bogus cliche?, inspirational performance.

The feed of the Brazil-Switzerland game here featured an English announcer who spent the time up until the Swiss goal basically slobbering over the great Brazilians. And while they looked really strong for the first half hour, if their offence is going to run through Neymar and Neymar alone, when he is that easy to defend - I mean, he goes down easier than (insert prostitution related punchline here).

The Swiss are clearly pretty good, and really well coached.

Yeah, I don't understand people dismissing ANY European team that got to the WC. But the Swiss have proven over time to be an extremely tough out. To be fair, though, Brazil were very dangerous and unlucky not to be up by 2 or 3 goals by the time the Swiss scored.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:09 am

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:50 amFox and Landon are basically playing to the money here. I can't get too mad about it, but it's pretty fucking gross on a level that's difficult to articulate.

Like the commercial where Ortiz puts on the Yankees hat. Its an ugly sellout move.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:50 am

Maybe it's time to kick Asia out of the World Cup.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:55 am

Pruitt wrote: ↑Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:50 am Maybe it's time to kick Asia out of the World Cup.

IRAN LEADS THE GROUP!

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:58 am

I'm just hoping for a MEX:RUS knockout stage game.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:03 am

degenerasian wrote: ↑Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:55 am
Pruitt wrote: ↑Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:50 am Maybe it's time to kick Asia out of the World Cup.
IRAN LEADS THE GROUP!

Iran doesn;t count as there's an embargo on them.

(And I completely forgot)

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:43 am

I'm so fat I'm just going with "i love tacos" as an excuse to why I rooted for Mexico yesterday.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:44 am

The Panamanian keeper has a heck of a leg.

rass · Post by **rass** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:45 am

Giff wrote: ↑Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:43 am I'm so fat I'm just going with "i love tacos" as an excuse to why I rooted for Mexico yesterday.

Giff le gusta El Tri

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:03 am

I thought about the Ortiz commercial but it was WAY better executed—the whole point of it was to make fun of how worked up people get over rivalries.

Taking the money and doing that promotion was tacky, but not really worse than that. Landon’s bigger problem is that he hit way below the belt in playing the shame game with Bocanegra. It’s nothing that can’t be forgiven and forgotten over time, but that was a seriously bad call. Boca is doing really well for himself these days, but he’s not a celebrity, and therefore he can’t respond in kind. Just a bullying move by Landon.

If Mike Piazza wore a Yankee hat all around during October, 2001, and picked fights with Mets fans who didn’t feel like crossing over, that would be a closer analogy.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:05 am

And, as stated by DiS above, it's fucking Wells Fargo.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:07 am

Does FOX cheering for Mexico even a money making strategy? There are ZERO Mexican fans watching the world cup on FOX. They have Andres Cantor!