[Taylah Haines]

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AMERICAN-STYLED FOOTBALL

Just a friendly reminder - we're not interested in having discussions about what the game "should" be called, be it "soccer" or "football" or whatever, so please don't bring that kind of nonsensical arguments into here. We've gone though 14 threads of having at least one argument-per-thread, and frankly the mods are sick of having to moderate and clean up the place for flaming/trolling. So please, just leave those discussions to PMs if you really feel the need to express your opinion on it.
Anyone who ignores this warning will be reported and subsequently dealt with by the mods.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1100126-football-thread-world-cup-special-vii/

An extra note people, keep this thread nice. Everyone is welcome to have an opinion. They are entitled to that opinion. You can think that they're an idiot for having that opinion, but please, please, don't post about it in the thread.

[Emily Shackleton]

Quick Note: I am a U.S fan, and am in rant mood.

One major reason I don't think (Soccer/Football/Who care what you call it) will catch on in the United States is because of what you saw at the end of the game. All due respect to Ghana, they won a tight game that could have gone either way. However, the injury faking in order to stall time is something that you will NOT see in any American sport. Try and imagine an American Football player doing that in a football game. Endless ridicule.

Anyways, I personally really enjoyed the world cup. And all of you other fans that are laughing about Americans jumping off the bandwagon, know that is not the case for most of the people I've talked to. I know you wish it were true, but everyone is very excited about how our team battled this World Cup, and can't wait for our next opportunity.

[Amelia Pritchard]

The US team has been disappointing, despite its clutch goals. Except for when they were behind they played a lot like England for most of the games.

You really need to get that chip off of your shoulder. You don't foster interest by being rude.

Don't worry about it.

[Isabella X]

Yes I am a American and yes I may be a bit too hopeful and positive.


Ill be honest I never expected the world cup to garner my attention as quickly as it did. I started watching it the first day and immediately was hooked. I also will admit to football (soccer) bashing prior to my interest in the World Cup, I always felt as if it was a "sissy" sport, with little contact, excitement, and lacking something that sports like football, baseball and basketball contained. As an American football was a sport for every kid between the ages of 4-12 to play before school sports took over but now I see differently.

Football and more importantly the World Cup always meant something special to almost every nation in the world with the exception of the US. It was almost as If we couldnt relate to the nations of Europe, Africa, South America and Asia in regards to their love of football. It almost felt as though we looked down on the sport as a whole as we watched the riots, the flops and the low scoring from afar. With the first game of the World Cup i immediately felt the passion and global impact of this event. The games represented more to the people than just wins and losses, results and scores. It was the same sort of international connection felt during the Olympics but even more so as each country felt that they could win the coveted cup. When the US went down 1-0 in the first game I was about to turn off the television as I felt that the US would just collapse and couldnt match up to the skill I had seen throughout the cup, but as they fought back to a tie with a miraculous break I felt a little bit of pride in my country, even if the goal was a little undeserved. Then as the US ramped up the drama in each and every match the game caught fire and I immediately fell in love with the sport. I began to notice the nuances of the game that made it so special throughout the world. Off course I am sad about the result of todays match but the outcome of it is far greater than a 1 goal difference.

Now this may seem a little insane to some but this is how i truly feel. With the participation and interest displayed by the US supporters it almost feels as if we are closer with the rest of the world. We share a common interest in a sport that is followed so passionately by Europeans,Asians, Africans and South Americans. I no longer feel like the sport holds no place in the country, that today we share some sort of bond with a football crazy world. The interest in United States football will continue to grow in the coming months and I guarantee that the interest holds. So when the time comes for the MLS to pick up play ill be watching in support in the hopes that we can further our connection with the world through football.

[Veronica Martinez]

Go Ghana! Haven't seen the match, 'cause I was busy watching Toy Story 3 (go see it, now!), but I'm glad Africa is still being represented.

As for tomorrow, Germany - England is a great match on paper, but so is Portugal - Brazil, and we all know how that turned out. I'm not getting my hopes up for this one, looking forward more to Argentina - Mexico.

[Liv Brown]

Quick Note: I am a U.S fan, and am in rant mood.

One major reason I don't think (Soccer/Football/Who care what you call it) will catch on in the United States is because of what you saw at the end of the game. All due respect to Ghana, they won a tight game that could have gone either way. However, the injury faking in order to stall time is something that you will NOT see in any American sport. Try and imagine an American Football player doing that in a football game. Endless ridicule.

Anyways, I personally really enjoyed the world cup. And all of you other fans that are laughing about Americans jumping off the bandwagon, know that is not the case for most of the people I've talked to. I know you wish it were true, but everyone is very excited about how our team battled this World Cup, and can't wait for our next opportunity.

With all due respect, I don't think you are correct about faking injuries in American sports. It is done, but it is done to stop time rather than waste it, because the major American sports (except baseball) are stop-time games. If you are out of time-outs or need to conserve them, taking a dive will create a time-stopping distraction. You can count on it happening at least once in any closely contested pro football (American football) game.

[Kaylee Campbell]

I was expecting the USA to go through with a narrow win (and horrible footie, but that goes for Ghana as well) so I'm surprised by the outcome. Like someone said in the last thread, the USA were a bit overachieving here and a place in the quarterfinals would've been a tad much. But again, that goes for Ghana as well.

Oh well, just one more day till the Neths crush the Slovakians. Should be fuuuuun.

[Breanna Van Dijk]

With all due respect, I don't think you are correct about faking injuries in American sports. It is done, but it is done to stop time rather than waste it. If you are out of time-outs or need to conserve them, taking a dive will create a time-stopping distraction. You can count on it happening at least once in any closely contested pro football (American football) game.

I wont act like it doesn't happen occasionally. But it's never been nearly as bad, or prevalent as it is in soccer.

[Samantha Mitchell]

I wont act like it doesn't happen occasionally. But it's never been nearly as bad, or prevalent as it is in soccer.

If you want to improve your acting take lessons from Basketball players.

[keri seymour]

Its a part of the game that exists and people dont like it, just like the end zone dances in football. Players are now beginning to get carded for play acting and referees can actually order the team to stop stalling, but like other controversial issues it really is left up to the referees point of view.

[Flesh Tunnel]

Go Ghana! Haven't seen the match, 'cause I was busy watching Toy Story 3 (go see it, now!), but I'm glad Africa is still being represented.

As for tomorrow, Germany - England is a great match on paper, but so is Portugal - Brazil, and we all know how that turned out. I'm not getting my hopes up for this one, looking forward more to Argentina - Mexico.

I rooting for Argentina. That should be a good game, I just need to be sure to catch it when it's on.

[Sara Johanna Scenariste]

If you want to improve your acting take lessons from Basketball players.

It's not even close. Soccer players lay on the ground for 2 minutes crying then get up and play as if nothing happened. Basketball players never roll around unless they are actually hurt. Sure, they exaggerate fouls, but they don't fake cry.

[Jhenna lee Lizama]

Great job by Ghana, they deserved to go trough after playing much better then the Americans. (especially their goaltender, what an amazing player he is, he made some awesome saves) :icecream: :clap:

Now I cant wait for the Germany vs England game, I have no idea at all of how it'll end. But I have a feeling it might be one of the best games of the round.

[Elizabeth Davis]

It's not even close. Soccer players lay on the ground for 2 minutes crying then get up and play as if nothing happened. Basketball players never roll around unless they are actually hurt. Sure, they exaggerate fouls, but they don't fake cry.

As an England fan, I don't particuarly like diving or feigning injury either. Stereotypically, it has always been a "dirty foreign trick", and it's deplored by pundits and fans across the UK.

However, I've come to think the "cheating" stigma has been banded about somewhat unfairly. People demand players stay on their feet, but that's just not the nature of the sport. For one, players are taught to pick their feet when being tackled to avoid getting their legs broken. That often means they take a tumble, even from just anticipating a tackle (even if it never comes). Examples of what an otherwise "fair" tackle can do to a player's leg when his studs are in the turf can be seen here: http://arsenalist.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/eduardo-da-silva-arsenal-birmingham-injury-3.jpg

It's impossible to compare football with American football and basketball in the "diving" respect. A basketball player falling to the ground under slight contact would of course look ridiculous and is utterly needless - but in many footballing circles it's regarded as a fair means of gaining an advantage. If you're quicker and smarter than the tackling player, it's considered the foul is well earned. There's not always a need to grimance and let a player fly into your ankle studs-first. If you can get out the way AND win the free-kick, you're considered to have done well.

But there are many people who would agree with you, that diving and feigning injury has gone too far. There are certainly some blatant instances of that being the case.

[sexy zara]

USA were using outdated players and outdated tactics 442 for the first half. Hence their defeat. If Ghana stopped trying to score from 30 yards out they'd have scored more without the need for extra time, in which they dominated again.
Uruguay are better than the other three teams in this part of the draw anyway.

[KU Fint]

Cant sleep got pre-match nerves but i am going to stick my neck out and say
England 2 Germany 1. England are also slight favourites with the bookies as well.

[Darlene Delk]

Oh well, just one more day till the Neths crush the Slovakians. Should be fuuuuun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7FFjUpVLg
Although Slovakia has a team we can loose from, if they bring their A-game. Which of course they ought to do, it being the worldcup and all......

If you want to improve your acting take lessons from Basketball players.

or third base coaches having at it with the umpire

[BEl J]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7FFjUpVLg
Although Slovakia has a team we can loose from, if they bring their A-game. Which of course they ought to do, it being the worldcup and all......

Haha, that's a bad joke As if we'd lose. All the other teams can just pack their things and go home, footie is coming to her adopted home!

[DeeD]

Cant sleep got pre-match nerves but i am going to stick my neck out and say
England 2 Germany 1. England are also slight favourites with the bookies as well.

I'm bricking it, mate. Think we can do it though, but it's gonna be tough and it's gonna be close

Even if we do win, our likely next matches are going to be:

Germany -> Argentina -> Spain -> Brazil :mellow: (I think that's right anyway, assuming the favourites win their matches).

So, if we do well in the tournament, we would have earned it at least.

[Stephanie Kemp]

Gerrmany will beat England, the Dutch will beat Slovakia, Argentina will beat Mexico, Brazil will beat Chile, unsure about the last two matches but I'd give a slight edge to Japan and Spain.

Edit: And for the record, I'm now cheering for the Dutch to win the world cup. Mostly this is because I'm half Dutch, but they're also a very good team. They haven't shown all that much in the group stage, but I belive they've been saving themselves and playing with 70% power max. Also, all their potential matches except the finale are going to be fought at sea level, which for the Dutch is practically home teritory.

[jessica sonny]

Also, all their potential matches except the finale are going to be fought at sea level, which for the Dutch is practically home teritory.

Nothing to laugh about this one. The air in South Africa causes Jabulani to act up oddly, if you are to believe one swedish gentleman in the pre-match studio.

/sarcasm

[Matt Bigelow]

Regarding the future of American Soccer:

In his thirties now, I think Landon Donovan should retire, but be a sort of inspiration. Bradley can step up to captain.

What Team USA needs are some young and BIG guys at the back who have good agility as well. I've noticed that we tend to be outmuscled at the back. If we can't be outmuscled, outhustled, and outjumped at the back, we can put more effort into our midfield and offense.

Then we also need at least two free kick artists - preferably three. The way Japan scored from their free kicks made a deep impression on me.

What we need to keep, though, is the sense of camaraderie and never-say-die that 2010 team USA had. It would be sad if in four years time we grew a bunch of world-class stars, only for them to imitate and emulate the prima donna bad habits of their European and South American Colleagues. Or their counterparts in other American Sports, for that matter.

[Ebony Lawson]

Everyone in Scotland has been eagerly following our Bruzil campaign (the genius interbreeding of Brazilians and Scots), so I thought I'd share it with you lot too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V23WFKUYx4 I'll be looking forward to seeing Robertsinho. Anyone who fractures their forehead scoring too many headers against England is already a legend in my mind :laugh:

[how solid]

[censored]ting my pants now.


Here we go! :bonk:

[Auguste Bartholdi]

I feel fairly optimistic. 3-1 to us I think.

Possibly...