***Official 2022 World Cup Thread***

Even though I'm not a regular soccer fan, I always love to watch the World Cup. I do have a question for those more familiar.

It seems the internet pulse is that the US losing to England is a forgone conclusion. At a approx +330 line to win or draw, the odds are long, but far from clear cut. Are upsets not very common to high level soccer?

We can sneak a draw out of that game for sure.
 
Even though I'm not a regular soccer fan, I always love to watch the World Cup. I do have a question for those more familiar.

It seems the internet pulse is that the US losing to England is a forgone conclusion. At a approx +330 line to win or draw, the odds are long, but far from clear cut. Are upsets not very common to high level soccer?

England is a veteran team that is among the favorites to actually compete for the Cup. The US, on the other hand, is the youngest team in the tournament (at least in terms of qualifying), where it is widely considered if we make it to the knockout round we've had a good showing. Further, our coaching is widely considered suspect and could actually drag the young team down (as seen in the second half today).

All that said, it's not foregone conclusion that England wins this game, and if the US were to pull it off it wouldn't even be in the conversation with US over Colombia in '94 as the biggest US upset ever. Not to mention the US tends to show up for the England game.
 
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We wasted every single corner and set piece, not that we’re great at them anyways, but they didn’t even have a chance.
One of the most frustrating things is they have to be out there. My sons team lost a match 5-3. One of the opposing players scored off two corner kicks. Curled them into the center of the goal while the team ran distractions. He was 8 years old.
 
We wasted every single corner and set piece, not that we’re great at them anyways, but they didn’t even have a chance.

I remember a time when our corners and set pieces were feared at the international level, because with as good as Tim Howard was, all it took was one mental slip against one of our team's biggest strengths and that was enough to steal the game for us.
 
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I think we made it out of the group every time since ‘94 2008 not withstanding? Maybe we missed one other time? People’s expectations are so warped on soccer.

I mean just look at this **** where people are basing results off of population. It’s wacky. That’s not how sports works. What group is India in?
Gunner you are throwing fire and truth today. Kudos sir as I have been loving your rationale thoughts throughout many threads today.

A better country than India with a massive population and actually cares about soccer is Russia. Top-10 world population and they are just good at making it to the World Cup but that’s it.
 
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Well, yes, but I mean consistently getting out of the group stage at the very least.
Well we just got passed by 44 million population spain in FIBA rankings and finished 7th in the last fiba world cup and we invented the sport. Sports aren’t linear.

The number of young US players playing in Europe’s top leagues has never been higher. We’re the second youngest world cup team. It’ll be tough to advance with the draw but the sport of soccer is very healthy in the US.
 
I think we made it out of the group every time since ‘94 2008 not withstanding? Maybe we missed one other time? People’s expectations are so warped on soccer.

I mean just look at this **** where people are basing results off of population. It’s wacky. That’s not how sports works. What group is India in?

This is just so wrong. First there wasn't a WC in 2008. Hard to tell if you meant 06 or 10.

Second 1998 was a disaster. It started with roster selection and then play in the group was a huge disappointment. Last in group.

2006 was a massive let down. End up last in the group off a quarter final in 2002.

So this is just wrong.

I wasn't a part of this thread earlier so I don't know context, just saw this post full of BS.

About today, we had an opportunity that we let slip away and our job is much tougher now because of it. Everything still to play for tho
 
This is just so wrong. First there wasn't a WC in 2008. Hard to tell if you meant 06 or 10.

Second 1998 was a disaster. It started with roster selection and then play in the group was a huge disappointment. Last in group.

2006 was a massive let down. End up last in the group off a quarter final in 2002.

So this is just wrong.

I wasn't a part of this thread earlier so I don't know context, just saw this post full of BS.

About today, we had an opportunity that we let slip away and our job is much tougher now because of it. Everything still to play for tho

I meant 2018. So I said maybe one other time and it’s actually GASP twice. Holy **** you’re on a message board not Jeopardy Alex trebek.
 
I meant 2018. So I said maybe one other time and it’s actually GASP twice. Holy **** you’re on a message board not Jeopardy Alex trebek.

Lol gets basically every fact wrong in his post and then throws a fit when he gets called out. Classic Gunner.
 
I guess I don't see where we will ever be "good". Youth soccer has been huge for some time but our elite athletes are so spread out. We as a Nation of 331 million just drew with a country of 3 million.

This is supposedly our golden era and we are very, very mediocre.
That's the good ol American spirit! If we aren't the best at something let's just throw our hands in the air and give up!
 
So if anyone thinks we are in panic mode, I present to you Argentina. An actual soccer power who is about to lose to Saudi Arabia.
 
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Walker Zimmerman would like a word with you. We need new center backs. Really missed guys like Brooks today.
Walker Zimmerman is fine. He had a bad moment - yes - but the man has been our best center back - or at least top 2.

And Brooks? I like Jon Brooks but I might possess more speed than he does. There's a reason the man doesn't play much anymore. I'd have brought him for the experience and leadership he provides and his physicality - he would have been good to have to bring in against Kiefer Moore etc - but the idea that he improves our speed and athleticism is rather funny.

He's played twice all year for Benfica.


Who we really missed is Miles Robinson and Chris Richards. I really liked the Zimmerman and Richards pairing.
 

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