World Cup 2014

Lovren grabbed Fred's arm when he was stepping forward to get the ball. Yes, it appears to be a dive, but I don't know how you tell how much force Lovren applied in his grab. It was at least enough that Fred felt it. It's this simple, don't grab a Brazilian arm in the box when they are hosting the World Cup if you don't want a penalty called. It is also an example of why previous world cup experience can matter, especially at the center back position. And the US has how many center defenders with world cup experience? ZERO. In fact, none of our defenders have world cup experience as defenders.

 

:text-+1:

And reacted late on both run of play goals. I'll cut him a LITTLE slack on the penalty, since even if you guess right, it's still darn tough to keep it out. Still, should've done better considering how much of the ball he got, no doubt.

 

Dudettes and dudes, we have Spain v. Holland today. That's awesome.

 

The ref choked under pressure on the penalty call. It was more deserving of a yellow than a PK and I didn't need to see a replay to figure it out.

The only US CB with experince sitting at home that might have been good enough to make the sqaud would not have been a starter anyway. I some how doubt having experience on Croatia's bench would have effected this call in any way.

 

Fred had a terrible first touch and realized that he wasn't going to get a second touch so once he felt the defender on his back, he decided to throw his legs out from underneath himself while simultaneously flailing his arms and screaming at the ref. That is the epitome of embellishment.

If that is why soccer is disdained in America, why is basketball still so popular?

 

That one's easy, 'Stro.....more scoring.

 

I haven't been a soccer fan very long, but if there's anyone that's ever been better than Van Persie at converting long, vertical passes up the pitch OUT OF THE AIR into goals, I am not aware of them. Dude is just SICK at picking balls out of the air over his shoulders. Amazing!

 

Absolute beatdown of Spain by the Orange. Craziness.

 

The reign of Spain stayed mainly on the plane

After all these years that line from "My Fair lady" makes sense.

 

I could start quoting "South Pacific" now (as that may as well be where Spain is right now...and sinking), but I'll leave the broadway to 'Mo!

 

Brilliant.

 

For the record, not my brilliance. But too funny not to share

 

Gigi's out for the Azzurri. Bad for them, good for Roy's men.

http://asia.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2014/buffon-doubtful-for-azzurri_sto4285781/story.shtml

 

:clap:

HD, you should throw on a few of the Casillas jokes, since there are plenty of non-FB people here. Love the bus joke.

Starting with the RVP goal, an unbelievable performance by the Netherlands (could easily have been 6 or 7). I'm glad Spain got worked, but I wish it was some other team than Holland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ882QYzr-M

Is it me or does Robben seem faster in his old age than he did while at Chelski?

 

Hey, Ruiz cut his hair! And he's starting for CR! Who'd of thunk it?

 

And not too many sides can replace a Luis Suarez with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, for goodness sakes. That's just wrong.