World Cup Soccer

[ventura ace]

I've had a passion for soccer ever since I first saw an Olympic match on TV when I was a kid, though hardly anybody within 500 miles of my hometown in SC new anything at all about the sport in the early 1960's. It's a sport of tremendous speed and continuous action, probably moreso than any other team sport. Hockey is probably the closest, comparitively, though hockey has its fair share of stopped action. American television has had a hard time learning how to telecast soccer, since air time has to be paid for with commercials every few minutes. This works fine for other sports, but not for soccer.

I never got a chance to play soccer as a kid, teenager, or young adult, since it just plain was not offered. I did, however, raise my kids on soccer, and volunteered in every way that I could (coaching, reffing, organizing, fund raising, etc), which meant that I ended up learning some of the skills, and finally got a chance to play in a men's league.

I could go on and on about this sport, but I won't, since I don't want to offend those that just don't like it. But I will say that I love the sport, as I do another sport that Americans don't generally understand: Cycling!

Alvon

[adrians]

The really interesting game will be Australia Vs Gemany on Monday morning (our time)

Go Aussies !

Germany 4 - Australia 0

Well congratulations Snoopy ..... however there was some very good acting happening when the Germany players tripped over and a bloody red card for Cahill.

Hopefully Australia will play it's 2 key players in the next round.

Well done Germany !

[ITA124]

Hopefully Australia will play it's 2 key players in the next round

Judging by the way they played this morning, the Aussies are going to need more than key players. Hopefully they will play an attacking game against Ghana (challenging without Cahill). Leave the defensive game for the Azzurra. They love to scrape through their group matches. See how they go tomorrow morning.

As for the USA v's England game. "The hand of Glod" Good thing Green is not playing for Columbia (Andrés Escobar own goal 1994)

[stefhahn]

The really interesting game will be Australia Vs Gemany on Monday morning (our time)

Go Aussies !

Germany 4 - Australia 0

Well congratulations Snoopy ..... however there was some very good acting happening when the Germany players tripped over and a bloody red card for Cahill.

Hopefully Australia will play it's 2 key players in the next round.

Well done Germany !

Wow, thats a true sportsmans spirit! Thanks!

Well, even being german I did not expect such a good german team - but they did really well and played like a real team.

And - I did watch the game with some neighbours and friends in our garden and we did agree that the red card for Cahill was not ok, at max this should have been a yellow - strange referee though.

ciao,
Stefan

[Exit98]

We love soccer in our family. Go USA, but whatever teams advance we will be watching all the way through to the Finals.

Soccer is a true world sport.

[baltobernie]

You know ESPN 12...the channel that shows old Harlem Globtrotter games when Meadowlark Lemon was playing with them.

Oh No! The Washington Generals lose again! Speaking of Washington, it should be a dream city for a soccer team owner. Virtually every country in the world has a presence here. Despite winning the US Open pro soccer tourney in 2008, they average only 15,000 fans per game in the very intimate, spectator-friendly RFK stadium. Since most pro and college sports are virtually year-round activities, it's tough to be a sports franchise.

Soccer in these parts seems to be the domain of kids whose moms don't want them to get injured (although they do, with surprising regularity). Lacrosse is the big "non-traditional" sport around here, and probably out-draws either professional or amateur soccer

[Europa]

And - I did watch the game with some neighbours and friends in our garden and we did agree that the red card for Cahill was not ok, at max this should have been a yellow - strange referee though.

ciao,
Stefan

I too thought the ref was a bit quick to pull out the red card. I didn't feel the foul was malicious.

I am a bit surprised how many times the Germans went past the Aussie defenders with ease.

[swede]

I’m surprised to see how many of you that actually watches the soccer world cup, had a feeling that it was more or less only European immigrants that was looking.
I taut baseball was you biggest national sport, guess I have to re-evaluate that feeling now after reading this.

[ITA124]

I taut baseball was you biggest national sport

I still don't understand the 'World Series"

[ventura ace]

I taut baseball was you biggest national sport

I still don't understand the 'World Series"

I think it may be because one or more of the teams could be from Canada, as well as the USA. And the Canadians are pretty worldly. Shoot, they even have French speaking folks in one of their states (that they call provinces).

Alvon

[Jimb]

The "World Series" started with the (I believe it was) New York based newspaper, called "The World" sponsored the tournament back at the turn of the last century.
It evolved from there until it became much more grandiose to think of the competition as an actual challenge of the worlds best.
However, like the super bowl calling itself world championship....you really should invite someone else in the world to be a world champion.

Cheers,
Jim

[james124]

Great game for USA against Slovania. Should have won the match - bad luck. Germany unfortunately suffered an embarrassing defeat. My money is on Italy for the second consecutive championship. James

[Jimb]

That call was definatley referees error. But that's the nature of the sport....all calls are at the discretion of the referees without video replay.
Kudos to the US coach for keeping his composure when many would have ranted on and on about something that could not be altered.
Jim

[adrians]

Another "F&%#en" RED Card for Australia, I don't believe it, for God sake it hit his shoulder not below the elbow are these referees totally blind, did he wait to see the replay on the big screen which everyone else on the field was looking at ! ! !


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxfcNKMdb_0

[ITA124]

Adrian,

I'm a staunch Aussie supporter, but even with Green and Gold glasses, Harry's defence looked sus. That's it for the Socceroos this WC.

You Americans where short changed against Slovania.

Italy and New Zealand tonight