My wife and two daughters are in Buenos Aires (came in yesterday for a wedding next weekend). We watched both games in a bar/restaurant in the Boca section of town. The crowd was very happy when Croatia tied the score and even happier when Brazil lost the shootout. As you might imagine things were quite reversed when the Netherlands started lumping the ball into the box in their successful comeback attempt. Only to revive after the Argentinan keeper blocked the first two shots The city went crazy after the shootout despite a thunderstorm that drenched the entire city after the game. Major streets were closed and I can still hear occasional honking car horns at the B&B we are staying at in the Palermo district 3 hours after the game. I can't imagine what it would be like if they win the cup.
There are rumors that Grant Wahl collapsed and passed away during the Argentina vs Netherlands game. I hope it’s not true.
it seems to be true what a huge loss to his family and the US soccer community, he was a big part of my soccer upbringing, he will be sorely missed, RIP U.S. Soccer Statement On The Passing Of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/CBp1mCK1mQ— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022
Feeling really heartbroken. I’ve been reading his articles and stories since I can remember. Felt like someone I knew in real life. Seemed like a great guy. Never understood the hate he got. RIP.
I'm sick over the untimely passing of Grant Wahl. He was a great writer and so important to both the mens and womens games in the US. The tributes from people who knew him are devastating. What a sad loss.
Watched both of today's games tonight - the goalkeepers in both certainly played a huge role. Croatia's keeper is the only reason they made it out of regular time. I'm sorry to see Brazil leave the tournament, but they did get a great Neymar goal as consolation. Netherlands is a nasty team and they gave Argentina all they could handle (not to imply Argentina was all sweetness and light). I was holding a grudge from the US loss and rooting for Netherlands to go out. It was a suspenseful game with a lot of sloppy play. I suppose we'll see a lot of PK's in the knockout rounds. Not my favorite part of soccer.
Today I am Moroccan. Epic performances and they seem to be growing in confidence. There are often these Cinderella stories, but they’re largely fueled on a recipe of equal parts home country support, heart and luck. Morocco has a plan and the players to execute. Now send the other GOAT claimant home.
Talk about a team performance. Perfect execution of a game plan. I'm all onboard the Morocco train. The craziest stat of all - they have yet to allow an opponent to score in this World Cup - only giving up a single own-goal so far.... (And to think they fired their former coach and brought in their current coach in August. Talk about a bold move that has paid off!)
Well now I’m definitely on the Morocco/Croatia bandwagon. I don’t know why but a repeat of the last WCF doesn’t appeal.
England for example. Great game they gave but what is it with these guys and world cups? One of a handful of countries where the very best footie is played and yet they can't make one WC final outside their own shores for what, six decades now? I haven't checked BTW, have they made a final since playing in England? Morocco is crazy. Not only their first time in semis but the first African country to do so. I did not know they had replaced their coach close to the tournament. Even crazier. Maybe we should have replaced Berhalter? They have to be going nuts back home. Could they flip France?
Griezmann (not sure if that’s the spelling) has been quietly fantastic this tournament. He links that immense French midfield to Giroud, Mbappe, and Dembele. He’s been vital to their game all tournament long and it feels unnoticed. Does he have any desire to come play for the 5 time mls cup champs? We’d appreciate him here!
England are like the Galaxy for the first 5 years of MLS, even when they’re good they fail when it counts. Similarly with the US this go-round I had low expectations so not too fussed about them losing. Shame for Harry he’s far too good to finish his career with naught but runners’ up medals, but looks like it will.
One of my favorite players. Such an intelligent and crafty player. He can pass, finish, tackle; can play up top or in midfield. Like you said, he knits everything together, shows great vision, is unselfish, but has killer instinct when it counts. Thought he was fantastic in 2018 as well. Would love to have him here. I don't think England were outmatched significantly. You feel for Kane on that penalty, I think he was the best striker in the tournament. But I also feel France can almost score whenever they want, similar to in 2018.
Was thinking the same. For this match, he was so smooth and calm on the ball and 9n point with his link up play. Wasn't he in one of the Galaxy press boxes with Romain once? Would love to have him on the Gs, though not sure if he and Puig would take up the same position. However, also likely Puig won't be around much longer and assuming any deal for Antoine would be for 2024 since a winter transfer deal for this season is unlikely and the Gs are banned from international players during the summer window.
He’s a big fan of American sports. I can see him in the states within the next year or two. Hope we didn’t blow an opportunity to bring him in summer 2023 because of our FO’s incompetence.
I guess eventually the WC will come back to England and then they'll have more of a sporting chance at the cup. Still, the comparisons are a little numbing for a country with the highest level of competition worldwide at the club level. Is England so full of foreigners that they simply don't have the room to develop one whole national team that looks and performs anywhere near France? What is the deal? France is perhaps last in level of competition at the club level in Europe with a handful (if that) of world class teams but there they are, defending world champions and well on their way to making the back-to-back championship a reality. And keep in mind all the players France is missing. Benzema, Kante, Pogba, even their keeper ranks have been affected with the injury to Maignan. There are a couple others too that are support players but man! England can't do anything with that? PKs only? I wont even go into the Kane PK and how a player of this caliber shanks it out into the stands. Me and Chicharito just held each other for a moment on that one.
One thing I noticed while watching England play was that despite their abundant skill and athleticism their style of play was a lot like the US. A lot of receive pass, look up, make next pass, receive pass, repeat. It was the opposite of the impossibly quick free-flowing, constant interchanging movement of the Moroccans and, to a lesser extent, the French. It makes me wonder if the Anglo-Saxon predominantly left-brained logical mind isn’t more suited to writing great plays and Constitutions than it is to more right-brained creative, artistic expression and movement - including on the pitch. (I know - Shakespeare plays are creative. But even there logical wordplay is the bedrock. Anyway, am I cancelled yet?)
You are selling our FO short. They aren't just incompetent, they are cheaters as well. And not the clever, exploit the edges, wink-wink, cute type of cheating either.
Nobody's touching France in terms of player development except Brazil. Nations with Most U19 Minutes Played in Europe's Top 5 Leagues this season #USMNT🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/pv89O6y2ZO— US Soccer's Bot (@USSoccersBot) September 15, 2022
It could be. They choose a system that appeals to them and that they have had success with so they stick with until it comes up against another country that uses a different style of play more akin to the jogo bonito and the more athletic/rigid system falls short. But you see the Germans right. They have a similar system/style and they do much better at these WCs. They have the most World Cups along with Italy and are only beat by Brazil with 5. Germany has 5 WC final appearances even when they were just West Germany so something else is also going on with England. Maybe they just epitomize that style of play and the coaches they choose to implement it are rigid to a fault. I am not sure but I believe most coaches for England have been English.
Would be lovely to have a non usual suspect win this thing. But...starting to feel like this is France's tournament to lose. We shall see! Also - would have rooted for Messi but also wasn't a fan of the behavior post the Netherlands game.