I am hoping "on paper" doesn't tell the whole story. France, Belgium, Brazil and a few others read like a who's who in world soccer. The US....not so much.

Here is to team moxy!

USA! USA! USA!

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I was right.

Rosters

http://www.sportingnews.com/us...cagctfesjt0zpjxctbdqha

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I was right.

US squad has been underperforming in their tune-ups. Inconsistent and sloppy.

Nevertheless, they still have a good shot at advancing through the group stage. Fingers are crossed!

Beyond that would be sweet but highly unlikely.





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Slide On

Edited: 11/11/2022 at 10:05 AM by WorldBFree

A very cringe opening ceremony. On the plus, the first game was good.

P.S. Alexi Lalas is still a twat.

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I was right.

Ecuador!

Draw with Wales. Not bad, but not too good either, considering Wales is average on the World stage.

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I was right.

That really was a tale of two halves.

US - powerful and on the attack for much of the first half. Wales definitely looked like the stronger side in the second.

Truely a fun game to watch as the USA valiantly tried to ward off the equalizer as Wales eagerly pushed forward.

I know it's Gareth "effin'" Bale but that defender DID NOT need to tackle him in the box. Force him to control the ball and turn. THEN make your move if it is necessary! Just maintain your position goal side and force him to do something special. Arggh!

So the view from the Laz-e-Boy is this: the two teams vying for the Group's second spot (after England) wind up in a draw. Will this group come down to who loses to England by a smaller margin?

Mundial!



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Slide On

Bale saw the opportunity and experience won out. I have an odd feeling about the England/Wales game, and I hope I am wrong.

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I was right.

Brazil is the one. It sounds redundant, but it is what it is.

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I was right.

The England game was nerve racking. A draw was as much as we could have hoped for coming into the tournament.

US side played hard and as a unit. I always like to see that.!

Pulisic tickled the wood with a laser off his left foot. That was impressive but we need more shots on frame.

Keeper was strong and in command! I also liked the work that Tim Weah put in. That kid is a good 'un!

A win vs Iran lets us advance. A shooters chance is all you can ask for. We'll see just who we are.

Fingers crossed. With advancement at stake, Iran wants to take out The Great Satan so motivation will be high for both squads.





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Slide On

Can they beat I Ran?

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Romans 8;18-32 John 3;16-18

And I ran...I ran so far away...

I always pull for Team USA.

Having said that...

I am humbled and impressed by the courage the Iranian team has shown in support of the protests taking place in their homeland.

That was a bold step they took to show their unanimity with the women of Iran.

By refusing to acknowledge their own anthem, the team now faces threats by the Ayatollah to their safety and that of their families at home.

Shameful behavior by a shameless regime.

Behavior I might add that flies in direct contrast to the ideal that the World Cup ostensibly represents; you know...inclusion.

Win, lose, or draw, those players are all right in my book.

Can't we all get along (board)?








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Slide On

Edited: 11/29/2022 at 07:17 AM by WorldBFree

It's EE-Ron, not I-ran. Something I learned today from an article of Iranian media interviewing USA players.

brazil obrigado

Very testy interview. E Ron is out.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Pulisic for the win!

That certainly was a helluva goal. If he hadn't put himself in harm's way, there was no way to complete that play. Impressive and courageous.

U.S. still struggles to get shots on goal but advances to the round of 16 anyway. I'll take it!

Bring on "The Orange"!



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Slide On

Anyone know this guy representing Melbourne FLORIDA?



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GOP:

Gaslight
Obstruct
Project

Edited: 12/01/2022 at 05:19 AM by Pagerow

Melbourne owes him some cash. A whole lotta people saw him and his scarf!

The next game will be at stress level 10. I think we can do it too.



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I was right.

Edited: 12/01/2022 at 06:20 AM by Cole

His name is Mike Reeves. Gotta a lot of local press coverage for that! Even I when watching the game had to pause it to make sure I read it right!

Very cool! Thanks!

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GOP:

Gaslight
Obstruct
Project

Japan beats Spain to take the top spot. Had the Ticos taken down Germany, both Germany and Spain would be out.

Morocco, Japan, US, Australia, Poland; all into the round of 16.

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I was right.

That last day of group play for the Spain/Japan/Germany/Costa Rica Group was really something.

At different points during the games, due to the current score at the time, each of the teams had put themselves into the final 16 only to see their hopes dashed or met. From the highs to the lows, that is what the Cup always delivers.

Does anyone else suspect a scenario by which Spain allowed Japan to win the top spot in order to ease their own route going forward?

The Group winner plays Croatia while the second finisher plays Morocco. I suspect gamesmanship on the Spaniards' part.

If so..looking at the big picture... it was a smart play.

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Slide On

I watched the game and it sure the hell didn't look like Spain was conceding anything to Japan

GAME DAY

USA, USA, USA

I am very optimistic. Got to get to the next round.

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So if you are a surfer I wish you the prosperity that allows you more time to pursue the salt water dream, and the true happiness that comes from warm water, clean waves and the companionship of your fellow surfers. If you are an internet troll just spewing bs then f off.

2 nil at the half. Same mistake twice.

A long row to hoe, but it ain't over yet.

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I was right.

Yes.

Our inexperience showed today and Holland pounced!

Still proud of our lads. This was a strong showing by such a young group.

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Slide On

Edited: 12/03/2022 at 09:11 AM by WorldBFree

A damn good fight. I thought we stall had a chance well onto stoppage time. The Dutch did too; not a single one of them looked comfortable.

Their third goal was a gimme... unmarked at the back post is school kid stuff.

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I was right.

The Aussies played well too. Argentina was kinda lucky with the win. The poor keeper won't sleep for the next year.

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I was right.

Edited: 12/03/2022 at 01:13 PM by Cole

The same cast of characters in a different year. I was hoping a David would step up this year, but alas, it's not to be.

Brazil and France.

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I was right.

Morocco!

Finally a little guy makes the cut.

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I was right.

Wow! Croats take out the Brazilian juggernaut in PK's.

Impressive victory for Croatia.

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Slide On

Messi dodges a shit ref to make the semi finals! Woot!


7 minutes of added time? Sure. 10 plus 1? Never.

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I was right.

Edited: 12/10/2022 at 06:06 AM by Cole

Morocco takes down the Portuguese diving team!

First African team to ever reach the semis. Well done.

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I was right.

The Marrakesh Express rolls on!

As Cole noted, this is a huge moment for African futbol.

Who doesn't love an underdog?

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Slide On

Edited: 12/10/2022 at 09:47 AM by WorldBFree

France vs. England was a well-played, enjoyable game to watch. Two fine teams that were pretty evenly matched.

Every man, woman and child in England would have confidently selected Harry Kane to attempt that second PK.

Like me, they were wrong.

Semi-final matches look very interesting.



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Slide On

Unfortunately for England, Kane has that in him.

The last two should be nail biters.

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I was right.

Argentina was surviving until last night. Now it looks like the gel has set and they are a force to reckon with; their timing couldn't be better. The Final's final should be one for the ages.

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I was right.

WOW! Brazil knocked out by Croatia!



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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

Go Morocco!

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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

Argentinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa oops

Edited: 12/14/2022 at 02:06 PM by StirfryMcflurry

Me gusta!

Stupid France, and their stupid great players.

Morocco made a hell of a run, and a Messi/France final will be a nerve racking experience to say the least. The whole bought and paid World Cup thing sucks, as does the timing, but the games have been decent for international play.

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I was right.

I'm all in for Argentina now. Sure was hoping Morocco would pull off the upset.



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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

AS far as a "Dream" Final, FIFA and Qatar got what they wanted/needed.

Europe vs South America. Gonna be a shit-ton of eyeballs glued to this one. Include me in that number.

I did hear that the French team is experiencing some sort of flu bug that has affected several team members. (Wonder if anyone will blame that on Fauci too? Haha.) Seriously though I hope that is cleared up and will not adversely affect their performance.

Pulling for Argentina but I see France as the better team (if healthy).

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Slide On

Argentina for me too, but France is a force. If they have Flu B, Argentina can let Leo sit out and walk to the Cup.

Croatia made easy work of Morocco for third. In Morocco's defense, I think about half the team was out injured.

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I was right.

Edited: 12/17/2022 at 03:56 PM by Cole

Pulling for France only because I was in Paris Feb/2022. Viva la France !

leo
Leo
LEo
LEO!

Sweet baby Jesus, what a nail biter!

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I was right.

Fun game to watch.

It is the best game I've ever seen. Hated to see France lose after such a heroic effort but it might have gone on forever otherwise.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

I agree, I've watched thousands of games and this one was nuts.

Was Argentina the best team? Nope. But this is why I like to follow the sport. Ya never know.

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I was right.

First Futbol match I've ever watched start to finish. I was absolutely lost with the time clock and when it was supposed to be over, they keep adding time. I am not a fan of all the flops and how they just lay there to kill time off the clock. I rooted for Argentina since Messi is one of about three soccer players I have ever heard of. GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL

Check out a few English Premier League games when you get the chance. Faster play, less drama and the game ends at 90 minutes. A win is 3 points. A draw is 1. A loss is 0. The team with the most points at the end of the season is the winner. No playoffs or finals; the highest total wins. The cool thing is relegation. The last three teams get the boot to a lower division, and the top three from the lower league get promoted. That makes a battle at the top, and at the bottom as the season comes to a close.



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I was right.

Edited: 12/19/2022 at 05:24 PM by Cole

I'm not a huge soccer fan, but that was a hell of a game.

Congrats Argentina!

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Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

da hell is wrong with you

Great job by Argentina!

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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".