WC Stories

WC Stories: WTF Div

Hey, guys! Remember reading soccer articles by Paul Gardner?

No.. he still writes them, he didnt retire. For SoccerAmerica. No, it's still around, too.

But Gardner's latest article shows maybe why neither should be.
Bob Bradley, USMNT, Apartheid, and Harold MacMillan

Granted, the thread of the article is about Bradley's capacity to carry the team forward.. what is striking is the REACH of the ALLEGORY he uses.. as if he expects debate points for throwing in WC topical history.

- via DanLoneyBlog

No.. it's NOT an 'intriguing parallel'. But I disagree with Loney that it's especially 'odious'.
It's a freaking stupid overreaching attempt at a 'relevent' talking point. Same as if I had cited Jimmy Carter's Malaise speech to the decision USSF must make.

Oh... wait...
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Added:
I think everyone who's seen the studio postmortem on US might suspect who it was planted that seed in Gardner's mind. And I suppose he thinks he's clever for taking the focus off Klinnsman for saying that we -USSF- need to focus on inner city youth resources, instead of 'middle class pay to play'.
That's the subject of a whole 'nother debate. One that's not so easy to resolve as JK thinks it is.

 

The crawl is the exception to the old adage, 'no such thing as a dumb question'.

I wonder what the guys think of the studio set? Andy Gray is used to Sky Sports and their up to date sets. This thing looks like it's from the early 80's, kind of surprised they aren't sitting on folding chairs.

 

oh, man... the crawl. I been trying to forget the crawl. And never mind the dumb questions... it illuminates exactly why twitter is for twits.. and 'NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE SOCIAL PARTICIPATIVE SPORT FAN'.

All the reasons why I dont read the Offal, times TEN!

Dunno about the stills, Don.. recall I pointed out FSC was using video after the US went out? Maybe they were pushing the point and ESPN bit back.

Sets? An upgrade from just a year ago.

 

RE: Ya Gotta Love Mr. Blatter

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/ ... 901&ver=us

"...Blatter, who attended both matches, said he had apologized to English and Mexican soccer officials.

"After having witnessed such a situation," Blatter said, referring to England's non-goal against Germany, "we have to open again this file, definitely."

He said the International Football Association Board would consider changes at a July meeting in Cardiff, Wales.

"Naturally we will take on board again the discussion about technology," Blatter said, adding that the system could not be altered midway through the World Cup. "Something has to be changed...."

What, no apologies to the U.S.?

Well, I suppose if the FIFA directive is to intentionally screw the U.S. via poor officiating, then, it would be rather disingenuous for Mr. Blatter to offer the U.S. an apology...

 

RE: Ya Gotta Love Mr. Blatter

I would expect no less of that bladder for a brain nitwit.

 

Bud Bottler Bites Back

Well, not really but it reads good.
Remember the The Bud Beer Brew-haha in WC 2006?

InBev, who now owns Bud, made sure there was no repeat of the scandal. Yeah we see the Bud signs but German sensibilities are never likewise offended.

Brewer banishes Bud to crown Hasseröder official World Cup beer

 

DiCaprio and friends come first

DiCaprio and others' private jets cause Spanish fans to miss match due to airline diversion.
Private jet logjam delays fans at W.Cup semi-final

Financial Times has a more pointed article on it.. using Dicaprio as a target.