US SOCCER

[BDKJMU]

Well, they might want to try diversifying their fanbase. Just about everytime ESPN showed a fan gathering somewhere around the country it was overwhelmingly white. Example in Grant Park in heavily black Chicago before one of earlier games. Where are the black people?


You invoke NASCAR. Yet that looks whiter than a NASCAR race. If that had been a Republican rally some donk would have been talking about how it was all white folks..

I must see a lot more diversity in the crowds than you.








You keep on keepin on buddy

A representative crowd in Grant Park should be about 1/3 black and less than 1/2 white. Not remotely close.

[JMU DJ]

So we all realize that Michael Bradley wouldn't have EVER been on the USMNT, let alone even tried out, if it hadn't been for his father, right? MB was pretty bad when he first joined the team, and overall he was pretty bad in the WC. Yeah, nice assist yesterday and he hustled a few times. But he is supposed to be THE midfielder, THE General of the team that leads the transition from defense to offense and vice versa. He needs to go. Hopefully one of the youngin's will come up and take his place at the very start of WC 2018 qualifying.

IDK... I keep going back in forth on this. On one hand, the guy does play well (for club and country... just not in this tourney). Bradley was also one of the statistically better midfielders/passers/possession holders in the cup.


I mean, what other option do we really have in that position right now? Maurice Edu would have been nice to have this go round, but he'll be 32 next cup. Danny Williams?

On the other hand, he really F@cked up a few times.

[BDKJMU]

"Poll: World Cup a liberal's game; just 30% of nation following it

......according to YouGov.com poll published hours before the U.S. plays Belgium on Tuesday, liberals and moderates are tuning in far more than conservatives.

YouGov reports that 35 percent of liberals, 34 percent of moderates and just 27 percent of self-described conservatives are watching the World Cup.

As for soccer viewing when the World Cup is not being played, 24 percent of liberals, 21 percent of moderates and a tiny 14 percent of conservatives watch the sport.

Overall, 28 percent of the nation considers the sport the “most boring to watch.”

Strip politics out of the equation, and just 30 percent of the nation is paying attention to the World Cup, with 70 percent watching it "not closely" or "not at at all."
http://washingtonexaminer.com/poll-worl ... le/2550374" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DSUrocks07]

I suspected that Howard was an agent of the Illuminati at the start of the tournament, but I kept it to myself.

So we all realize that Michael Bradley wouldn't have EVER been on the USMNT, let alone even tried out, if it hadn't been for his father, right? MB was pretty bad when he first joined the team, and overall he was pretty bad in the WC. Yeah, nice assist yesterday and he hustled a few times. But he is supposed to be THE midfielder, THE General of the team that leads the transition from defense to offense and vice versa. He needs to go. Hopefully one of the youngin's will come up and take his place at the very start of WC 2018 qualifying.

I was told time and time again that Bradley was the "best player on the team" and that we would get blown off the field if he wasn't there. That none of the struggles were his fault AT all. People were drinking the kool-aid hard.

[DSUrocks07]

"Poll: World Cup a liberal's game; just 30% of nation following it

......according to YouGov.com poll published hours before the U.S. plays Belgium on Tuesday, liberals and moderates are tuning in far more than conservatives.

YouGov reports that 35 percent of liberals, 34 percent of moderates and just 27 percent of self-described conservatives are watching the World Cup.

As for soccer viewing when the World Cup is not being played, 24 percent of liberals, 21 percent of moderates and a tiny 14 percent of conservatives watch the sport.

Overall, 28 percent of the nation considers the sport the “most boring to watch.”

Strip politics out of the equation, and just 30 percent of the nation is paying attention to the World Cup, with 70 percent watching it "not closely" or "not at at all."
http://washingtonexaminer.com/poll-worl ... le/2550374" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder what the numbers are for other international events, like the FIBA tournament or the Olympics. I doubt that the so-called "conservative viewership" is much higher.

[MSUDuo]

When he's playing his position, he's one of the best field players we have, if not the best.

Go telling Manning or Brady to go play CB. Go tell John Wall to play center.

Bradley was not fit for the role JK placed him in. End of story. That falls on JK not Bradley but he'll get a pass

[Skjellyfetti]

So we all realize that Michael Bradley wouldn't have EVER been on the USMNT, let alone even tried out, if it hadn't been for his father, right? MB was pretty bad when he first joined the team, and overall he was pretty bad in the WC. Yeah, nice assist yesterday and he hustled a few times. But he is supposed to be THE midfielder, THE General of the team that leads the transition from defense to offense and vice versa. He needs to go. Hopefully one of the youngin's will come up and take his place at the very start of WC 2018 qualifying.

He is not supposed to be THE midfielder - he's supposed to be THE DEFENSIVE midfielder.

He was made to play a #10 role in central midfield (think point guard) which isn't his natural position. His passing isn't as precise and he doesn't hold the ball well enough at that position... but, he was our best option there...

Hopefully one of the youngins will be able to play #10 so he can play his natural position.

[bandl]

I suspected that Howard was an agent of the Illuminati at the start of the tournament, but I kept it to myself.

So we all realize that Michael Bradley wouldn't have EVER been on the USMNT, let alone even tried out, if it hadn't been for his father, right? MB was pretty bad when he first joined the team, and overall he was pretty bad in the WC. Yeah, nice assist yesterday and he hustled a few times. But he is supposed to be THE midfielder, THE General of the team that leads the transition from defense to offense and vice versa. He needs to go. Hopefully one of the youngin's will come up and take his place at the very start of WC 2018 qualifying.

I was told time and time again that Bradley was the "best player on the team" and that we would get blown off the field if he wasn't there. That none of the struggles were his fault AT all. People were drinking the kool-aid hard.

I've been against the Bradley's since the beginning. Never liked Coach Bradley's style, stubbornness and choice of players/substitutes/strategies (and inconsistencies). And I've always felt that Player Bradley had no business ever being on the team, period.
I never, ever, ever, ever considered him to be the best player on the team. Dempsey/Howard have always been the best recent players in my book.

[bandl]

So we all realize that Michael Bradley wouldn't have EVER been on the USMNT, let alone even tried out, if it hadn't been for his father, right? MB was pretty bad when he first joined the team, and overall he was pretty bad in the WC. Yeah, nice assist yesterday and he hustled a few times. But he is supposed to be THE midfielder, THE General of the team that leads the transition from defense to offense and vice versa. He needs to go. Hopefully one of the youngin's will come up and take his place at the very start of WC 2018 qualifying.

He is not supposed to be THE midfielder - he's supposed to be THE DEFENSIVE midfielder.

He was made to play a #10 role in central midfield (think point guard) which isn't his natural position. His passing isn't as precise and he doesn't hold the ball well enough at that position... but, he was our best option there...

Hopefully one of the youngins will be able to play #10 so he can play his natural position.

Oh bullshit. Defensive midfielder vs. attacking midfielder is not like comparing the point guard position to the center position. All it takes is a little brains and common sense to make the subtle transition between the two "positions". You've been brainwashed by that ginger Alexi Lalas.

[bandl]

Bradley was not fit for the role JK placed him in. End of story. That falls on JK not Bradley but he'll get a pass

I'll give you that about JK. He should have either outright benched MB or changed the formation so that JK could use the few strengths that MB has. Consistent passing (you know, the most important skill of a defensive midfielder) surely wasn't one of his strengths.

[Skjellyfetti]

Oh bullshit. Defensive midfielder vs. attacking midfielder is not like comparing the point guard position to the center position.

I didn't say that at all.

I was just making an analogy to the #10 to the point guard in basketball because I thought you were one of the dudes in this thread that doesn't know shit about soccer.

[bandl]

Oh bullshit. Defensive midfielder vs. attacking midfielder is not like comparing the point guard position to the center position.

I didn't say that at all.

I was just making an analogy to the #10 to the point guard in basketball because I thought you were one of the dudes in this thread that doesn't know shit about soccer.

Played soccer for many years and still play a pretty good pick up game (i.e. I can accurately pass/shoot the ball and still run circles around the ass clowns who come on the field thinking it's an easy sport ). But that's not the point here...
I get your analogy, but the fact of the matter is that the two "positions" aren't very different at all. A midfielder, and ESPECIALLY a midfielder playing for a national team like the U.S. (not like a midfielder for China/Fiji/Luxembourg) should be able to transition between both positions/styles rather easily. In fact, you see world class midfielders do it all the time based on whether or not they want to attack or defend based on the score/scenario/time left in the match/etc (it's not THAT simple of course, but you know what I mean). It's a different mindset, that's all. At this level, you should have all the skills necessary already. And my point is that MB doesn't, at least not with the consistency that is required.

I really hate Alexi Lalas

[93henfan]

Hey Andy,

The soccer nerds are fighting!!!

[bandl]

Hey Andy,

The soccer nerds are fighting!!!

You're a jerkbutt!

[93henfan]

You're a jerkbutt!

Oh no you di-in't!

[bandl]

You're a jerkbutt!

Oh no you di-in't!

SORRY.....SORRY....SORRY...

[BDKJMU]

Exciting finish, and Howard played a great game, but we got our asses handed to us.

No one goes into the match with a game plan that says, "Hey, goaltender...save 16 shots and we have a chance."

Seriously, at were the shot totals after regulation?

Our defenders looked like clowns out there...bad angles taken and simply beaten off one on one moves. And all through the tournament, we couldn't sting passes together. Most of the World Cup teams are stringing together passes but we were lucky if we made 3 in a row. And we lost some very simple passes...yet they were not even close to their targets.

The low scoring averages in soccer can give a team a chance, but what was clear was that we were not even close in talent, game strategy, or execution, to Germany or Belgium.

Agree with everything else you said. I was complaining about the same thing, then later in 2nd half and part of OT started counting how many passes in a row would make, and there were a # of times made 6-9 passes in row before losing it/missing shot. The most passes in a row was 10.

[dbackjon]

I must see a lot more diversity in the crowds than you.








You keep on keepin on buddy

Soccer is a suburban min-van sport in this country. Find me a competitive soccer league in the inner cities. You want to be more competitive in a World Cup, you get some of those kids to choose soccer over basketball or football. Get back to me when that happens.

Come to Phoenix, Tucson, LA, Houston, San Antonio, etc.

[BDKJMU]

"Poll: World Cup a liberal's game; just 30% of nation following it

......according to YouGov.com poll published hours before the U.S. plays Belgium on Tuesday, liberals and moderates are tuning in far more than conservatives.

YouGov reports that 35 percent of liberals, 34 percent of moderates and just 27 percent of self-described conservatives are watching the World Cup.

As for soccer viewing when the World Cup is not being played, 24 percent of liberals, 21 percent of moderates and a tiny 14 percent of conservatives watch the sport.

Overall, 28 percent of the nation considers the sport the “most boring to watch.”

Strip politics out of the equation, and just 30 percent of the nation is paying attention to the World Cup, with 70 percent watching it "not closely" or "not at at all."
http://washingtonexaminer.com/poll-worl ... le/2550374" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder what the numbers are for other international events, like the FIBA tournament or the Olympics. I doubt that the so-called "conservative viewership" is much higher.

Maybe. But I'm sure for the NFL, MLB, and NHL it is.

Soccer is the perfect liberal & gay sport. The players are light on their feet, full of flair, and over dramatize things.

Soccer is the perfect po folk team sport. it doesn't take much $ to play. Any po folk can play it (could say the same about basketball). Look at the equipment and expenses required for football, hockey, and baseball compared to soccer from youth, HS, and college.

[dbackjon]

I wonder what the numbers are for other international events, like the FIBA tournament or the Olympics. I doubt that the so-called "conservative viewership" is much higher.

Maybe. But I'm sure for the NFL, MLB, and NHL it is.

Soccer is the perfect liberal & gay sport. The players are light on their feet, full of flair, and over dramatize things.

Soccer is the perfect po folk team sport. it doesn't take much $ to play. Any po folk can play it (could say the same about basketball). Look at the equipment and expenses required for football, hockey, and baseball compared to soccer from youth, HS, and college.

Don't you have your sheets to wash for the Klan rally tonight?

[dal4018]

Exciting finish, and Howard played a great game, but we got our asses handed to us.

No one goes into the match with a game plan that says, "Hey, goaltender...save 16 shots and we have a chance."

Seriously, at were the shot totals after regulation?

Our defenders looked like clowns out there...bad angles taken and simply beaten off one on one moves. And all through the tournament, we couldn't sting passes together. Most of the World Cup teams are stringing together passes but we were lucky if we made 3 in a row. And we lost some very simple passes...yet they were not even close to their targets.

The low scoring averages in soccer can give a team a chance, but what was clear was that we were not even close in talent, game strategy, or execution, to Germany or Belgium.

Hey Howard kept Uncle Sam in the game with those 16 saves a modern day record I was asking ppl who does he think he is Ochoa!!!!

[dal4018]

Netherlands and Mexico are playing a great game it's tied 0-0 both goal keepers have made game saving shots!!!

Netherlands does not have a shot on goal yet. Almost did right before half but did not get it off.

Netherlands goalie had 1 save that may have looked good (and a couple of others) but it should have been easier. He has generally been playing like crap and has gotten very lucky since he has been out of position.

I'am going to switch my pick originally I picked The Netherlands to pull a major upset and win it all but their best player Nigel De Jong is out with a tear in his groin muscle.

[Skjellyfetti]

Look at the equipment and expenses required for football, hockey, and baseball compared to soccer from youth, HS, and college.

And stockcars for NASCAR! Whooo dawgie!

[Seahawks08]

I wonder what the numbers are for other international events, like the FIBA tournament or the Olympics. I doubt that the so-called "conservative viewership" is much higher.

Maybe. But I'm sure for the NFL, MLB, and NHL it is.

Soccer is the perfect liberal & gay sport. The players are light on their feet, full of flair, and over dramatize things.

Soccer is the perfect po folk team sport. it doesn't take much $ to play. Any po folk can play it (could say the same about basketball). Look at the equipment and expenses required for football, hockey, and baseball compared to soccer from youth, HS, and college.

So your point is what exactly? Are you trying to argue that soccer will not make it in the US because "conservatives" don't like it? Also, nice stereotyping.

[BDKJMU]

Maybe. But I'm sure for the NFL, MLB, and NHL it is.

Soccer is the perfect liberal & gay sport. The players are light on their feet, full of flair, and over dramatize things.

Soccer is the perfect po folk team sport. it doesn't take much $ to play. Any po folk can play it (could say the same about basketball). Look at the equipment and expenses required for football, hockey, and baseball compared to soccer from youth, HS, and college.

Don't you have your sheets to wash for the Klan rally tonight?

Don't you have your azzless chaps to wash for the gay pride rally tonight?