2023 World Cup

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:24 pm

How do you think Dutch TV feels? They have to play at 2AM CET now instead of 10AM just because the US sucks so bad.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:23 pm

Of course it bears noting that even if the US had beaten Portugal 4-0, we’d have finished behind the Netherlands, on goal differential.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:36 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:23 pm Of course it bears noting that even if the US had beaten Portugal 4-0, we’d have finished behind the Netherlands, on goal differential.

The Netherlands let up in the 2nd half because they knew the US weren't going to score more than 1 or 2. They could have scored 20 today if they wanted to. Vietnam could sort of handle the US and Portugal but couldn't handle the Dutch who are all a foot taller in the 3rd match.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Aug 01, 2023 4:14 pm

(If you'll recall, I pointed out after the Vietnam game that the failure to capitalize on set pieces/headers was a troubling sign. This team needs to score on those plays against Sweden to have a chance.)

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:38 am

Finally watched the game. I have to give Portugal a ton of credit, they were disciplined in defending in numbers. Ultimately backfired as they needed a win and didn’t open up and go for it soon enough. But, they were the width of a post away from executing brilliantly.

I think the blame has to go on the coach. They clearly aren’t prepared and when the tactics clearly aren’t working, there is no plan B. And his lack of using subs is confounding. Lavelle is the only one creating in midfield, and it’s going to be damned tough to win without her unless the make a major switch.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Aug 02, 2023 7:12 am

The Sybian wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:38 am Finally watched the game. I have to give Portugal a ton of credit, they were disciplined in defending in numbers. Ultimately backfired as they needed a win and didn’t open up and go for it soon enough. But, they were the width of a post away from executing brilliantly.

I think the blame has to go on the coach. They clearly aren’t prepared and when the tactics clearly aren’t working, there is no plan B. And his lack of using subs is confounding. Lavelle is the only one creating in midfield, and it’s going to be damned tough to win without her unless the make a major switch.

Kinda wish she hadn't been gifted Paul Scholes and the Art of the Tackle as a little girl, but otherwise she at least seems to care.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:12 am

What a World Cup. South Africa and Jamaica have advanced!

Canada, China, Italy and Brazil are going home.

The Italy-South Africa match was crazy, wide open.

rass · Post by **rass** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:18 am

degenerasian wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:12 am What a World Cup. South Africa and Jamaica have advanced!

Canada, China, Italy and Brazil are going home.

The Italy-South Africa match was crazy, wide open.

Add Morocco to the first list and Germany to the second. Wow.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:20 am

Maybe that parity discussion from when this all kicked off has more legs.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:21 am

Auf wiedersehen

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:27 am

A_B wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:20 am Maybe that parity discussion from when this all kicked off has more legs.

The athleticism of the some of the teams has been a pleasant surprise. Morocco is the most amazing story. First Arab country to qualify for a women's world cup. They were a longshot even in the African championships. The team was only established in 1998 and these girls probably take great risks to play. And lost their first game 6-0 to Germany, who are going home.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:26 am

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:58 am

degenerasian wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:27 am
A_B wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:20 am Maybe that parity discussion from when this all kicked off has more legs.
The athleticism of the some of the teams has been a pleasant surprise. Morocco is the most amazing story. First Arab country to qualify for a women's world cup. They were a longshot even in the African championships. The team was only established in 1998 and these girls probably take great risks to play. And lost their first game 6-0 to Germany, who are going home.

Having watched the Netflix tennis show, Ons Jabeur is one of our (wife) favorite players to root for... And, yeah, it's complicated. The show documents how she was given a heroes welcome after reaching the finals of a major, yet the country overall is still very regressive socially.

Also making an obvious statement: The Moroccan men's team was by far the break away standouts in Qatar... What a run they are having as a soccer nation!

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:13 am

Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:21 am Auf wiedersehen

The German replacement-level Carli Lloyd is probably going on a tirade at this very moment...

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:16 am

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:13 am
Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:21 am Auf wiedersehen
The German replacement-level Carli Lloyd is probably going on a tirade at this very moment...

That's Ariane Hingst, she's working for FOX and was on the broadcast. She was actually happy for Morocco.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:42 am

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:58 am
degenerasian wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:27 am
A_B wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:20 am Maybe that parity discussion from when this all kicked off has more legs.
The athleticism of the some of the teams has been a pleasant surprise. Morocco is the most amazing story. First Arab country to qualify for a women's world cup. They were a longshot even in the African championships. The team was only established in 1998 and these girls probably take great risks to play. And lost their first game 6-0 to Germany, who are going home.
Having watched the Netflix tennis show, Ons Jabeur is one of our (wife) favorite players to root for... And, yeah, it's complicated. The show documents how she was given a heroes welcome after reaching the finals of a major, yet the country overall is still very regressive socially.

Also making an obvious statement: The Moroccan men's team was by far the break away standouts in Qatar... What a run they are having as a soccer nation!

BTW, I'm an idiot... Ons is Tunisian.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:28 pm

Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:21 am Auf wiedersehen

The reaction from the Morocco players and staff is...pretty damn great

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:58 pm

tennbengal wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:28 pm
Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:21 am Auf wiedersehen
The reaction from the Morocco players and staff is...pretty damn great

Here's a story abut Pedros. He's the French Southgate. Missed the only penalty in the 1996 Euro semifinal shootout and never heard from again, until now. 22 penalties were successful on that day in 1996, only Pedros and Southgate missed.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ki ... ald-pedros

Post by **brian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:03 pm

It’s still a matter of degree though. As regressive as Morocco may be (and is), it’s positively enlightened by standards of Muslim nations.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:16 pm

brian wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:03 pm It’s still a matter of degree though. As regressive as Morocco may be (and is), it’s positively enlightened by standards of Muslim nations.

We had a stop in Tunisia on our honeymoon. The cruise line and travel guide had my wife a little concerned with all the talk of women needing to cover their arms and legs and needing to show deference to men etc... Granted we were mainly in touristy areas, but I saw a lot of local women dressed with arms and legs showing, and we felt perfectly comfortable walking around. My wife was actually able to speak to a lot of the people using her high school level French, and shop keepers appreciated the effort. We had a cab driver take us on a tour of the area surrounding Tunis, and even out of the tourist zones, it didn't feel repressive at all. The only hint of misogyny was the cabbie telling us, as we drove past the Presidential palace and he referenced the number of wives the President had, about his wives (yes, plural) and complaining about dealing with TWO women, and he couldn't imagine the hell of 6 (or however many the President had). My wife was a bit offended, but I think the guy was totally full of shit and trying to shock or impress us.

ETA: Just looked up the President of Tunisia at the time, he had two wives, but divorced the first years before remarrying. I knew he was full of shit.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:29 pm

One of my daughter’s best friends is a French girl who was raised in Tunisia. I’ll ask her what her friend has said about it. My daughter is very liberal and I’m sure they’ve discussed it.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:12 am

D'oh!!!

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:19 am

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:12 amD'oh!!!

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 9:00 am

I believe that is the second OG from Spain, both with similarly ridiculous back-passes to the goalie.

That said, i stated early in the tournament how much I liked Spain. Beyond that howler, they absolutely destroyed the Swiss today.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:32 am

Ok I'm feeling like USA today

rass · Post by **rass** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:19 pm

HaulCitgo wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:32 am Ok I'm feeling like USA today

Brightly colored and laying unnoticed on a hotel room floor?

Hey speaking of US Soccer and hotels I’m going to have to sneak down to the lobby of this place to try and watch the game so I do t wake up my kid. Worst case I find it on the shitty little TV on one of the treadmills in the fitness center.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:03 am

Who’s up let’s go. Had to convince the overnight hotel clerk the game is on Fox and not FS1.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:21 am

rass wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:03 am Who’s up let’s go. Had to convince the overnight hotel clerk the game is on Fox and not FS1.

I am...barely...

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:24 am

Here.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:29 am

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:43 am

US looks pretty good so far. Sweden tight as hell which is in their DNA. Game really needs a goal.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:50 am

Pretty good so far…

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:02 am

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:50 am

Musovic is unreal tonight.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:18 am

Giff wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:50 am Musovic is unreal tonight.

She's on a heater. Not a good omen for PK's...

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:22 am

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:25 am

Rapinoe has been awful.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:30 am

Pucker time...

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:39 am

Giff wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:25 am Rapinoe has been awful.

And awfuler.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:42 am

I don't think I've ever seen the keeper take one that early...