World Cup For Soccer Idiots

[Jerloma]

I'm all in this year after watching Welcome to Wrexham, but I have no idea what you nerds are ever talking about so if anyone wants to just tell me specifically who we're rooting for prior to every game, that would help tremendously. Also, any specific players, US or foreign, that I may like just because they're cool athletes that I'd enjoy rooting for would be appreciated.

Thx.

[sancarlos]

Most of us are rooting for the Americans. A couple of us are rooting for the Canadians. Tom roots for the Welsh.

[elflaco2]

Just watch.
watch all the matches you can.
love the game.
f the $ and politics. watch the games.

[Johnnie]

I thought the other thread would've been good for this video, but I think it works here too as a complement to the overall discussion:

[mister d]

This is the one time where hating Mexico is the right move.

[degenerasian]

Just watch. A team will pick you.

[Pruitt IV]

And when all else fails cheer geopolitically. For me, that usually means African teams whenever they play a colonizing power. Word War 2 events (I will never cheer for Poland, even when they play Germany), and democracies over dictatorships and monarchies.

[Jerloma]

This pitch is much larger than Wrexham's, no?

[Jerloma]

Are Mullin or Palmer playing in this thing?

[sancarlos]

Are Mullin or Palmer playing in this thing?

Same size pitch. No Wrexham players.

[Sabo]

This pitch is much larger than Wrexham's, no?

Probably. The pitch sizes can vary greatly, but there is a minimum and maximum size. I don’t know if all WC pitches are the same size though.

[The Sybian]

This pitch is much larger than Wrexham's, no?

Probably. The pitch sizes can vary greatly, but there is a minimum and maximum size. I don’t know if all WC pitches are the same size though.

Since they were all built at the same time...maybe?

[A_B]

I think they do dictate same pitch size for World Cup.

[Jerloma]

What's going on in the real soccer fans thread? Are we mad?

[govmentchedda]

Hilarious that you're self gate keeping.

[wlu_lax6]

I think they do dictate same pitch size for World Cup.

I think this was one of the challenges with some of the NFL and big college stadiums for the 2026 world cup hosting bids.

[Nonlinear FC]

I think they do dictate same pitch size for World Cup.

I think this was one of the challenges with some of the NFL and big college stadiums for the 2026 world cup hosting bids.

It sure was in 94.

[Nonlinear FC]

I'm almost positive that the length is between 110 and 120 yards and the width is between 70 and 80.

So, not all exactly uniform, but has to be within those parameters. Also has to be grass, which is why the women properly lost their shit when the WWC in Canada back a few cycles ago played a bunch of games on artificial turf.

[DaveInSeattle]

I think they do dictate same pitch size for World Cup.

I think this was one of the challenges with some of the NFL and big college stadiums for the 2026 world cup hosting bids.

It sure was in 94.

Isn't this an issue with the field at the new SoFi in LA?

Found it: FIFA Officials: SoFi Stadium’s Dimensions Are “Too Narrow” for World Cup

With USA, Mexico, and Canada set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, FIFA officials stated that SoFi does not meet the requirements necessary to stage a soccer game because the dimensions of its pitch are too narrow.

Kroenke and the Rams are reportedly “exploring options” to widen the surface as part of their bid but haven’t yet convinced FIFA officials.

Given SoFi’s dimensions, they would need to extend the width of the field by at least 63 feet. Thus, if Kroenke plans on hosting the World Cup as planned, he’ll need to dish out even more cash to redevelop the 70,000-seat stadium.

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah the problem with these football stadiums is that it's not just the actual 110 or 70 yard minimum, but you need at least another 10 -- and that's really pushing it for run-ups on throwins and cornerkicks. And from a player safety vantage point, they need enough run off room.

[Jerloma]

Can we beat England tomorrow? That a thing?

[A_B]

Can we beat England tomorrow? That a thing?

Sure. But I think it would take a fluky late goal or our goalie standing on his head. Or both.

[Jerloma]

Can we beat England tomorrow? That a thing?

Sure. But I think it would take a fluky late goal or our goalie standing on his head. Or both.

And if they lose? Do two teams from each group advance or just one?

[EnochRoot]

Can we beat England tomorrow? That a thing?

Sure. But I think it would take a fluky late goal or our goalie standing on his head. Or both.

And if they lose? Do two teams from each group advance or just one?

Two.

[Jerloma]

So if Wales beats Iran, we lose to England, we beat Iran, and England beats Wales, what's the tiebreaker?

[EnochRoot]

So if Wales beats Iran, we lose to England, we beat Iran, and England beats Wales, what's the tiebreaker?

Tickle fight.

[+] spoiler

Goal differential

[Nonlinear FC]

I believe after GD it's goals scored... I'll go check.

ETA - Yep, Group Points, Goal Difference, Goals Scored, Head to Head, then Fair Play (least amount of yellow and red cards, there's a point system).

[Jerloma]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

[brian]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

I don’t say this condescendingly at all though it might seem like it but that was just a well-played game on both sides. Both sides had some legit chances go wanting but it wasn’t a sloppy or choppy or mistake-filled game. If you want to see some sloggy 0-0 games watch a random MLS 0-0 game and compare them.

[duff]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

You still watch the steelers, right?

[brian]

(Which isn’t to say it was a super great game either, just entertaining).

[A_B]

It was the opposite of a bore draw.

[EnochRoot]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

Wait til Iran camps their entire squad on their side of the field in an effort to play to a draw on Tuesday.

[The Sybian]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

Imagine watching the Steelers in the Super Bowl playing in a well-played defensive battle, but if the NFL season was 4 years long and you had to wait four years to get to the Super Bowl. It was like that, but instead of your team, you were rooting for your country. I haven't been that into any game in 8 years (since the US last played in the WC). I couldn't sit, I was pacing around the room the entire game. My wife walked down and decided to leave the house rather than watch with me. Soooo, I didn't find it a slog at all. I did feel let down at the end. All that buildup and no finishing and despite being thrilled that we held off England, the point doesn't help much, as we still need a win against Iran, although it does make it so we don't need a result in the Wales/England match. Go, Go USA!

[Jerloma]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

I don’t say this condescendingly at all though it might seem like it but that was just a well-played game on both sides. Both sides had some legit chances go wanting but it wasn’t a sloppy or choppy or mistake-filled game. If you want to see some sloggy 0-0 games watch a random MLS 0-0 game and compare them.

Doesn't feel condescending at all. I'm certain I wouldn't know the difference.

[Jerloma]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

You still watch the steelers, right?

Haven't missed a game in like 25 years. Not only that, but I play tennis from 7-8:30 eastern every Thursday night. I not only have every TNF game set to record on Amazon, but when I get home, I watch them from the beginning so I don't miss a play.

I think it's because offensive progress just feels so much more permanent in this football.

It's almost definitely an ADHD thing. Probably why it took me so long to get into hockey as well.

[brian]

I’ll add that there are very few great 0-0 games in history. Like there’s some great ties in CFB when that was a thing but only because the tie was historic or fucked with history in some way.

Give me some scoring any time though it will raise your BP.

[The Sybian]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

You still watch the steelers, right?

Haven't missed a game in like 25 years. Not only that, but I play tennis from 7-8:30 eastern every Thursday night. I not only have every TNF game set to record on Amazon, but when I get home, I watch them from the beginning so I don't miss a play.

I think it's because offensive progress just feels so much more permanent in this football.

It's almost definitely an ADHD thing. Probably why it took me so long to get into hockey as well.

I totally get why the casual fan has a hard time watching soccer. There are so many minor little strategic moves going on that are very easy to miss. Not knowing the players makes it much less compelling, too. I love the beauty of the game, I get excited by creative passes that split defenders or when players try something unexpected and pull it off. Goals in soccer are incredibly exciting because they are rare. It's hard to get excited about a score in basketball. It's my favorite sport, but if you don't have the patience for it, I totally understand that.

[Jerloma]

I don't know, you guys. Watching that doesn't feel to you at all like just a complete and utter slog?

You still watch the steelers, right?

Haven't missed a game in like 25 years. Not only that, but I play tennis from 7-8:30 eastern every Thursday night. I not only have every TNF game set to record on Amazon, but when I get home, I watch them from the beginning so I don't miss a play.

I think it's because offensive progress just feels so much more permanent in this football.

It's almost definitely an ADHD thing. Probably why it took me so long to get into hockey as well.

I totally get why the casual fan has a hard time watching soccer. There are so many minor little strategic moves going on that are very easy to miss. Not knowing the players makes it much less compelling, too. I love the beauty of the game, I get excited by creative passes that split defenders or when players try something unexpected and pull it off. Goals in soccer are incredibly exciting because they are rare. It's hard to get excited about a score in basketball. It's my favorite sport, but if you don't have the patience for it, I totally understand that.

So the thing is I think I actually see the game fine. I played a couple years as a kid. I can see where there are openings and how there are chances you need to take to score and certainly the risk of flipping possession by not executing the those passes as opposed to the safer ones. I see the lanes. I see the risks for not executing those passes. I see how ridiculously precise you have to be to hit those lanes using only the extremity without the opposable thumbs. They just never seem to manifest themselves in anything beneficial or damning or even exciting.

But of course, I'm well aware I'm in the minority not only here but fucking globally, so I'm glad you guys have a thing you like because you're all wonderful and you deserve that.

[mister d]

J-Lo, you know I skew slightly pessimistic ; ) and I felt amazing throughout almost the entire match, save maybe the last 10:00 of each half. I know exactly what can happen against Iran because I’ve seen Greggggggg do it before, but I also see a path to me arguing we have a very good shot at the Netherlands in the knockouts. This was a really good draw, not a hang on for dear life draw. The kids carrying it versus relying on the dopey MLS subs felt like a huge moment for the program.