Soccer, Sports and Politics - Part Deux

superdave · Nov 12, 2025

stanger said: ↑

Am I now one of the "old" guys?
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Yes

argentine soccer fan · Nov 12, 2025

Auriaprottu said: ↑

Because of recording tech, and changing musical tastes, ability to sing isn't the factor it used to be, no. So you're not gonna get many average looking female singers at the very very top anymore.

Plus, Dave listed pop stars. Pop is now a female driven art form, unlike the 60s and 70s and 80s. Men aren't making those ladies famous. My guess is that less attractive women still have a shot in serious genres where autotune isn't yet a thing.
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Right. I think we need to differenciate between types of artists. I know it's subjective, but I'll give my examples.

We have great female songwriters, like Jony Mitchell, Alanis Morisetti, Lady Gaga maybe, if you want a contemporary example. Then we have great singers with great voices, like Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Whitney Houston. Then we have women who put on a great show because they are hot, can dance sensually, have great costumes, and put it together with a somewhat decent energetic song, which now can even be aided by the latest technology to make them sound like decent singers.

And as far as entertainment goes, as a heterosexual male consumer, I see nothing wrong with that last category.

Auriaprottu · Nov 12, 2025

argentine soccer fan said: ↑

Right. I think we need to differenciate between types of artists. I know it's subjective, but I'll give my examples.

We have great female songwriters, like Jony Mitchell, Alanis Morisetti, Lady Gaga maybe, if you want a contemporary example.
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Joni Mitchell (and Carole King) is an order of magnitude above Morrissette and Gaga. I can answer that without having heard either of the last two.

Then we have great singers with great voices, like Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Whitney Houston.
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These voices do not move me. Nina Simone's does, tho, when she's being real

Then we have women who put on a great show because they are hot, can dance sensually, have great costumes, and put it together with a somewhat decent energetic song, which now can even be aided by the latest technology to make them sound like decent singers.
And as far as entertainment goes, as a heterosexual male consumer, I see nothing wrong with that last category.
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Agreed completely. That said, I look but I can not listen. I haven't heard a song by Bey or Taylor or Gaga that I can identify as such. My radio hasn't been on in a few months, and when it is, it's on classic rock (which is now 70s. The punk and keys heavy 80s was a fad, and so was the grunge heavy 90s)

Cascarino's Pizzeria · Nov 13, 2025

rslfanboy said: ↑

Yes. You will. You have NO choice in the matter.

This is the way.
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The Price Is Right rules always apply

Cascarino's Pizzeria · Nov 13, 2025

superdave said: ↑

Here’s an off topic question.

Of the female pop megastars, are there any who aren’t a 9 or a 10? Like, every time one of them is in SNL, she’s more flawless than the last one. Dua, Beyoncé, Taylor, Sabrina, they all look like Miss America runners up.

I personally don’t think Miley Cyrus is in that category, but the rest of them? All 9s and 10s.

I’ll bet it would make an interesting study to see if advancements in recording technologies are directly correlated to how hot female pop stars are. My theory is that the easier it is to make mediocre singers sound great, the easier it is to find a super hot girl who is a mediocre singer.
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Take it to the music thread.

Cascarino's Pizzeria · Nov 13, 2025

Boo!

LA28 released the competition schedule for the 2028 Olympic Games that will likely draw worldwide criticism for failing to maximize the exposure and competitive opportunities for arguably the Games’ biggest star.

The Games’ track and field schedule makes it all but impossible for American sprinter/hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the two-time Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion and reigning world champion in the 400 meters, to attempt an unprecedented sweep of the 400 and 400 hurdles gold medals.

The schedule also eliminates one of McLaughlin-Levrone’s back-up plans – a 400 hurdles and 200 double.

“The world’s loss,” said Bob Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone’s coach.

https://www.ocregister.com/2025/11/...ydney-mclaughlin-levrones-double-gold-dreams/

msilverstein47 · Nov 13, 2025

stanger said: ↑

I wouldn't call Lady GaGa or Jewel 9 or 10. Or Christina Aguilera either.

But that's just me.
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Or Lizzo

soccernutter · Nov 13, 2025

superdave said: ↑

Here’s an off topic question.

Of the female pop megastars, are there any who aren’t a 9 or a 10? Like, every time one of them is in SNL, she’s more flawless than the last one. Dua, Beyoncé, Taylor, Sabrina, they all look like Miss America runners up.

I personally don’t think Miley Cyrus is in that category, but the rest of them? All 9s and 10s.

I’ll bet it would make an interesting study to see if advancements in recording technologies are directly correlated to how hot female pop stars are. My theory is that the easier it is to make mediocre singers sound great, the easier it is to find a super hot girl who is a mediocre singer.
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A 9 or 10?

Taylor and Sabrina do nothing for me. They are fine people, and I sometimes enjoy their music. But in terms of what ever criteria you are judging women by (and let me point out how sexist this is by scoring them), it's not for me.
Dua Lipa is whatever, in terms of looks. Not interested in her music.
I'm more likely to find Beyonce attractive. But just looking at women is a passing thought. I'd rather have somebody whom I can talk to, who I find interesting, not who is made up to look like they could or should be. Yes, there does have to be a physical attraction, but that is not the basis.
But, beyond that, I'm not judging them on how they look on SNL or some talk show. It's a presentation and they are going to look how they are promoted. Taylor will have more personal control over this, as will Beyonce, but they are more the oddity than the norm.

And I'm not scoring anybody. I either find somebody attractive or I don't.

Also, as for everybody looking the same? I've heard this comment since the 1990s, or maybe even earlier.

superdave · Nov 13, 2025

soccernutter said: ↑

A 9 or 10?

Taylor and Sabrina do nothing for me. They are fine people, and I sometimes enjoy their music. But in terms of what ever criteria you are judging women by (and let me point out how sexist this is by scoring them), it's not for me.
Dua Lipa is whatever, in terms of looks. Not interested in her music.
I'm more likely to find Beyonce attractive. But just looking at women is a passing thought. I'd rather have somebody whom I can talk to, who I find interesting, not who is made up to look like they could or should be. Yes, there does have to be a physical attraction, but that is not the basis.
But, beyond that, I'm not judging them on how they look on SNL or some talk show. It's a presentation and they are going to look how they are promoted. Taylor will have more personal control over this, as will Beyonce, but they are more the oddity than the norm.

And I'm not scoring anybody. I either find somebody attractive or I don't.

Also, as for everybody looking the same? I've heard this comment since the 1990s, or maybe even earlier.
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I included the numeric ratings system for two reasons.
1. Numbers are clear, 10 is more than 9 is more than 8, whereas if I described them as stunning or beautiful, those are subjective and miss the point I was making, that these pop stars are at the far, far end of the bell curve.
2. I was thinking of you and wanted to give you a chance to be self righteous, which is what sustains you. You’re welcome!

Cascarino's Pizzeria · Nov 13, 2025

Still early...but so far Parrott's soaring above Ronaldo & Pawchickle

Sounders78 · Nov 13, 2025

Cascarino's Pizzeria said: ↑

Still early...but so far Parrott's soaring above Ronaldo & Pawchickle

View attachment 316043
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And a red card for Ronaldo!

feyenoordsoccerfan · Nov 13, 2025

roby said: ↑

Oh...and in '06 the 2 usual suspects, Portugal and The Netherlands, decided not to play and instead brawled for 90 minutos. 16 Yellows and 4 reds!!

Ps....Ref got blamed for losing control!
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The ref some time, well alot time later told about it that after the match the Dutch and Portuguese players were interacting quite friendly with each other and told the match wasnot that violent, that he the ref sort of overreacted with all the cards

superdave · Nov 13, 2025

feyenoordsoccerfan said: ↑

The ref some time, well alot time later told about it that after the match the Dutch and Portuguese players were interacting quite friendly with each other and told the match wasnot that violent, that he the ref sort of overreacted with all the cards
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Ok, but we all saw the match, and both sides deserved that many cards. It was like an NHL game from the 1970s, just two teams thugging it up.

Cascarino's Pizzeria · Nov 13, 2025

Sounders78 said: ↑

And a red card for Ronaldo!
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First in his international career. Now has something on common with our recently departure WOKE friend

They lose to Armenia yet blank Portugal.

Sounders78 · Nov 13, 2025

Seattle's Pedro de la Vega one of the ten finalists for the Puskas award this year for the Sounders' 7th goal against Cruz Azul. FIFA blocks the video from being shown here, so I've provided a link:

video link

superdave · Nov 13, 2025

Sounders78 said: ↑

Seattle's Pedro de la Vega one of the ten finalists for the Puskas award this year for the Sounders' 7th goal against Cruz Azul. FIFA blocks the video from being shown here, so I've provided a link:

video link
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I think most of us predicted that at the time.

It should win just based on Bretos’ goal call. That call was the GOAT.

Ooch a ma Gooch! All creatures great and small! The Sounders have scored the extra point!

if we’re including the pass, judging the whole play, it’s got a chance.

Sounders78 · Nov 13, 2025

superdave said: ↑

I think most of us predicted that at the time.

It should win just based on Bretos’ goal call. That call was the GOAT.

Ooch a ma Gooch! All creatures great and small! The Sounders have scored the extra point!

if we’re including the pass, judging the whole play, it’s got a chance.
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I actually preferred the Spanish-language announcers calling the goal - they basically screamed in utter disbelief. Bretos just didn't make any sense to me - I got the extra point reference, but the rest of it was irrelevant nonsense in my mind.

superdave · Nov 13, 2025

Sounders78 said: ↑

the rest of it was irrelevant nonsense in my mind.
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That’s what I found so awesome!

Sounders78 · Nov 13, 2025

Here's the Spanish broadcast of both of his goals in the game.

soccernutter · Nov 13, 2025

superdave said: ↑

I included the numeric ratings system for two reasons.
1. Numbers are clear, 10 is more than 9 is more than 8, whereas if I described them as stunning or beautiful, those are subjective and miss the point I was making, that these pop stars are at the far, far end of the bell curve.
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It's still subjective. And still being a male and putting a number on female, which ultimately is objectivizing.

2. I was thinking of you and wanted to give you a chance to be self righteous, which is what sustains you. You’re welcome!
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Which says that you knew what you are doing was sexist, yet you did so anyway.

superdave · Nov 13, 2025

soccernutter said: ↑

Which says that you knew what you are doing was sexist, yet you did so anyway.
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No, it means I knew you’d decontextualize it.

roby · Nov 13, 2025

superdave said: ↑

I think most of us predicted that at the time.

It should win just based on Bretos’ goal call. That call was the GOAT.

Ooch a ma Gooch! All creatures great and small! The Sounders have scored the extra point!

if we’re including the pass, judging the whole play, it’s got a chance.

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Sorry...nothing tops this!

Ps...apologies to ASF for the reminder!

Pps...Legend says the commentator still shouting Denis Bergkamp 27 years later!

Deadtigers · Nov 13, 2025

msilverstein47 said: ↑

Or Lizzo
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I give her an 8 but I am the "She can't be lady if she don't way 180(lbs.)" Type.

Deadtigers · Nov 13, 2025

ESPN reporting MLS moving to European Calendar.

Deadtigers · Nov 13, 2025

Something just came to mind that annoyed me from about a year ago I don't know how many of you remember it. One of the posters Bravo 11 or something like that said he was leaving the board because he wasn't allowed to express his conservative views. I almost want to take that bread back up and say well now that you guys have all three branches and kids will be yanked out of building in the middle of the night and citizens are being arrested and detained unjustly I'm sure it's still hard to be a conservative in America