2018 World Cup

190 days until the big show. Not sure how interested I’m gonna be without our participation. Seeing more and more pub on the stadium in Ekaterinburg with the added seating OUTSIDE the stadium.

 

If the WC Draw viewership is any indication Fox is going to lose their shorts.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-s...-cup-draw-down-87-percent-from-previous-cycle

 

I watched my first World Cup match in 1986 - the final between Argentina and Germany. That afternoon my Dad wanted me to help him by hauling away grass clippings as he mowed the lawn. I tried to watch the game while listening to when the lawn mower stopped - a signal that I needed to go get the grass. Unfortunately the game had my full attention and I got in big trouble with a lot of piles of grass waiting for me in the yard. The USA had nothing to do with that World Cup, I simply wanted to watch the best soccer around. That won't change for me this year either. Sure I'm disappointed that the USA won't be in it, but part of me is relieved that won't have to worry about being jostled around by AO meatheads while trying to actually follow a match (not all AO's are meatheads, but enough to be irritating). My biggest concern is for Fox, the money they are likely to lose, and the possible negative side-effects for future support for television coverage.

 

We're now 1 month (29 days?) until kickoff between Russia and Saudi Arabia in Moscow at the Luzhiniki Stadium, 11:00 a.m. on FOX and Telemundo. Managers have been naming rosters in recent days, some final rosters, even though they're not due until June 4th. Provisionals were due yesterday. Brazil's coach submitted his final 23, along with Sweden, Iceland (Ragnar Sigurðsson is on the list) and Costa Rica (yup, 32 y.o. Bryan Ruiz is on the plane). Gareth Southgate is supposed to announce England's provisional tomorrow (May 16th) and Didier Deschamps the French the day after.

 

I also meant to mention Hart’s omittance. And Mario Gotze won’t get a chance to replicate his cup winning goal in extra time from ‘14. Low didn’t include him in the provisional squad.

 

Jonathon Gonzalez not named for Mexico. I wonder what he thinks now after having them dangle that carrot in his face to get him to transfer from the US.

I'm getting excited. Like MicahMan, I enjoy good soccer. I'm also excited that every match will be streamed on FoxSportsGo. So even if I'm not home to turn on the TV, I'll be able to watch.

 

In case you were wondering, Mitro is almost a lock cinch when the Serbian team is announced May 20th. He's already earned 35 caps and scored 13 goals for the Eagles, despite being only 23. Tied with Southampton MF Dusan Tadic amongst all current and recent call-ups for Serbia. He's on the plane.
But Southgate didn't include Ryan Sessegnon in England's final 23. The midfielders he did name have a whopping 6 goals among them in international play. Mistake? Time will tell, but I think it is. The kid's got the "X" factor, might as well go ahead and tap it.

 

Southgate also left Jack Wilshere off the England roster for Russia. I guess now he can go back to sneaking cigs while out on the town. 19 year old right back Trent Alexander-Arnold was a surprise addition.

 

NOTHING gets past you, oh Great One! Probably should have said "a suprise to many." The scribes seemed surprised. Anyway, you, and I hope others, will be pleased to learn the the Iranian Dempsey, Mr Ashkan Dejagah, has made it in Iran's final squad (at least for now...they've still got to cut one to get to 23).

http://www.espn.com/soccer/iran/sto...rovisional-squad-for-2018-world-cup-in-russia

 

Here’s a lovely article about the squads named so far from our friends at the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44083365

 

T-minus 10 days until kickoff. Final rosters were due today. Let's see if there are any more surprise omissions...or additions.
Apparently Joachim Low's decision to go with Julian Brandt instead of Citeh's Leroy Sane was newsworthy. I don't know much about Brandt, but Sane seemed a good choice after such a great season by his club. Oh well.
Mo Salah and Vincent Kompany included despite injuries, but they have up to 24 hours before the first match to decide if they'll be subbed. Kompany always seems to be hurt. Don't know how bad Salah's shoulder is, but I hope he's able to play. Breakout season at scousers, Egypt need him, and he's an exciting new player.

 

One last interesting note on squad selections: 38 year old Darren Cahill (who was last seen mugging Cairney and Fredericks at The Den) made the final Australia roster. And 39 year old Rafa Marquez (last seen mugging pretty much everybody) will feature in his fifth World Cup for El Tri.
And Mile Jedinak, who was last seen pushing Odoi toward the tunnel at Wembley AFTER he'd already been sent off and tried (and failed) to be Villa's enforcer and protector of Grealish, will also go with Australia to Russia. Life's not fair, but at least the Whites won at Wembley.

 

T-minus one week until the hosts kickoff against the Saudis. Caught a scant few of the lead up friendlies (watching replay of England-Costa Rica at the moment). There are a few more before the bulk of the WC schedule kicks in. To be honest, I haven't been impressed. I realize the intensity ain't the same, but nobody's really wowed. Germany and Brazil are favorites. I can't quibble with that, but, again, I just ain't been impressed. Although this tournament tends to be chalk, this might just be the year for an upset. But from whom? Belgium underperformed in Brazil, but many of them are back and, on paper, have as much, if not more, talent than anybody. Can Roberto Martinez realize that potential and get them over the hump? We shall see, but it doesn't seem as if the buildup for them is as big as it was four years ago. They might stay under the radar and get something done this time. I really thought Spain would repeat after their dominance in South Africa. Instead, they crashed out in the group stage, and rather meekly at that. I'm not sure if they've got the same swagger any more. Despite all of this, the winner will likely come from among the top 5: Germany, Brazil, France, Spain or Argentina. There just ain't no Cinderellas in this thing most years, and this year will probably be no different. But we can hope. I do know this much...this competition suffers without the USMNT. That's just a fact.
Let the games begin!

 

I’m sure when it starts I’ll watch w/great interest, but my immediate thought still goes to our non-participation...sigh.

It’s in Europe and so I’ll pick France to win (Germany is the other obvious choice, but it’s so difficult to repeat). A dark horse team that should be fun to watch and might now have the necessary experience to make a deep run is Belgium (Roberto Martinez knows how to guide an underdog to greatness)

 

I can hear the Newcastle cash register ringing every time Mitro scores.