World Cup 2014

Oh yeah, one other highlight of the trip so far was getting to play some beach soccer with some guys from Ghana. Can't do that everyday.

 

So... if I got this straight... some of you guys got snookered, by the first few games, into thinking the level of play would be elevated.

This is why the non-soccer fans snicker at the phrase "The Beautiful Game" cuz too often, it is no such thing. But I recall some Super bowls where both teams couldnt finish in the Red Zone.

-30-

 

Glad to hear you're alive and 'kicking' Lax. I think sports fans are generally smart. I believe they know the difference in quality in most sports. What's an advertisement for the NBA? A Milwaukee v Orlando game or Spurs v Thunder game. The NFL? Titans v Jags or Seahawks-Niners? This WC has been riveting so far, with 32 countries involved there are a few teams that are going to painful to watch. Greece has had the entertaiment value equivalent of getting root canal done forever (even when they won the Euros in '04).

 

Did Bryan Ruiz just score against Italy....with a header?

 

Agree with the snoozefest that was Japan-Greece, but glad to see you made it Sir Lax-A-Lot!
Hey, look who scored for the Ticos! Was about to say it sure looked like they got rooked on a legit penalty shout, but the as yet to be seen replay may prove otherwise. Glad your still alive down there! Keep on representin'!

 

Costa effin' Rica.
And Bryan effin' Ruiz.

 

CONCACAF 1 - Spain/England 0 :lol:

And Mexico is on the verge of advancing as well.

 

Vamos Ticos!!! They have thoroughly earned both their victories, and now in the 'Group of Champions' either Uruguay or Italy will be getting on a plane early. While I feel for Roy, there isn't a single player on the 3 Lions I root for and given the choice between them or CR advancing, give me the Ticos everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. What a win for Concacaf!

 

:text-+1:

 

Relative to the three standard bearers Honduras has looked pretty poor Don. They run out of ideas very quickly in the attacking third of the field and their defense looks pretty sketchy.

 

The first two games today were terrific. Dejagah was the best player on the pitch for large portions of Iran vs Italy then Germany and Ghana put on a show especially in the second half.

 

They were all pretty good games today I thought. Tough tournament for Ashkan and his lads and the Bosnians. I really thought the latter would fare better based on their US friendlies, but they just had no luck. Was hoping for some modest success for them and their war weary countrymen. As for Iran, I think it's obvious Dejagah is the goods. I hope we can a) keep him and b) get 90 minutes from him in the Championship next season. There's barely been a handful of snoozers so far in this World Cup, which should attract more fans amongst our countrymen. Ideally a deep run into the knockout stage by our boys would be icing on the cake. And if we miraculously made it to the final, well, Katy bar the door. But let's beat that poser and his mates from Portugal first.

 

Who do we like in the first two today? Looks like our (former) man Dembele has lost his starting spot to Fellaini. I think the Belgians have their feet under them now and should handle the Russians.
South Korea and Algeria? A toss up for me, but on paper, the Africans should win. On paper. Don'tcha just love futbol!

 

I think Jermaine Jones is our player of the tournament so far. Deuce and Tim have been, well, Deuce and Tim, but Jermaine has been his best ever without risking being carded. His play has made up for subpar performances from Bradley and Cameron. His goal yesterday and pass to Clint for the 30 second goal against Ghana have been huge. He's been active and positive, and I shudder to think where we'd be without his improved play.

 

Mexico's win over Croatia was impressive today!

 

I'm still alive.

Went through hell and back to get to Manaus. The travel company who put our trip together has been a giant shitshow. I have been lucky enough to be on "Plane 1", but "Plane 2" for our group has had the life sucked out of them. Ended up spending a portion of the night trying to sleep on the floor of the Manaus airport with 500 other US fans. We looked like a bunch of bums. My plane at least got to fly out at 5 AM while the other plane was stuck there until noon or so.

As for Manaus. As hot as advertised. The inside of the stadium was a furnace. My shirt was soaking wet from sweat from standing. I drank two waters before even getting to my seat before the game. They also have moths the size of bats. Our bus driver told us "If you do something bad on Earth, you go to Hell. If you do something bad in Hell, you go to Manaus".

So yesterday was basically me sleeping in my room all day with the AC cranked on high as soon as we got back from the airport.

As for the game, 30 fucking seconds away from advancing. If you would have told me before the tournament that we would have four points after two games, I would gladly take it, but it sucks with the way it went down.

 

Saw in today paper that ESPN is reporting that WC viewership is up 50% over 2010. I didn't realize we had let that many foreigners into the country in the past 4 years Seriously though I think that is great and shows how far the sport has come in the past 4 years and how it continues to grow. They said that the US-Portgual match was the most watched in US history with well over 40mil viewers.

 

Good news indeed Jim. Univision ratings for the US team doubled as well. The President of that network said it's due to the US becoming more and more Latinos second favorite team. Was talking to a couple El Tri supporters who prefer Univision coverage (Lalas haters) who saw a big piece on Clint's background (how raised, sister's death, etc.) on that network.

Watching Italy - Uruguay... When all they need is a draw the Italians are in a word..BORING!!! 0-0 in the 55th, can't believe I'm hoping for a Suarez goal

EDIT: Red card Italy, now it's a total bunker in.