The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

[Priceless]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

@IanDarke: No Michael Essien for Ghana v USA it seems - or Boateng we hear

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Wait... really?

Aside: I'm not getting excited about Portugal's implosion unless we win against Ghana.

 

[J.D.]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

have to admit, while i know we somehow lost to iran in '98...it boggles my mind that iran is "good" at soccer relatively speaking.

 

[Priceless]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

I'm picking the USA Dos a Cero

 

[Priceless]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Breaking down the US team, Onion-style
http://www.theonion.com/articles/br...n=LinkPreview:1:Default&recirc=sports-culture

 

[JF_Gophers]

have to admit, while i know we somehow lost to iran in '98...it boggles my mind that iran is "good" at soccer relatively speaking.

Equally boggling. How is India not good at soccer with their large population?

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Equally boggling. How is India not good at soccer with their large population?

Cricket and poverty?

 

[JF_Gophers]

Cricket and poverty?

Soccer is the sport of those in poverty. Costs nothing to play.

You'd think you could find 23 out of a billion.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

So there's an American-born player on Iran? He must be popular at parties.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Soccer is the sport of those in poverty. Costs nothing to play.

You'd think you could find 23 out of a billion.

True. Same could be said for China, and they have TWO billion. Heck, the only things China is good at are putting underage girls in Olympic gymnastics and rec sports (ping pong and badminton).

 

[Jimjamesak]

So there's an American-born player on Iran? He must be popular at parties.

Yeah. It's a bit weird.

 

[jmh]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Soccer is the sport of those in poverty. Costs nothing to play.

You'd think you could find 23 out of a billion.

You could say the same about China. Just not prevalent in the culture in either country.

I actually discussed this with a soccer-playing/watching Indian friend over the weekend. He suggested that in India (like I think is the case for many people here), because they're not very competitive, people don't get too excited about it. They'd rather watch and play cricket, where they kick butt.

 

[J.D.]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

also, queiroz had to go to iran for work? sheesh. like bradley going to egypt. crazy to me.

was this american born iranian on klinsmann's radar?

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Yeah. It's a bit weird.

It's like Sgt. Slaughter sympathizing with Iraq.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Since Iran is playing, I've got to put this here.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/armintamzarian/works/10122266-ayatollah-assaholla

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

Is Iran going to challenge Nigeria to the Indian Club Challenge a la the Iron Sheik?

 

[joecct]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

So there's an American-born player on Iran? He must be popular at parties.

There's a US born female basketballer playing for Russia. Sports citizenship is rather fluid.

 

[Priceless]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

I'm pulling for Nigeria here. I've been in contact with a former Nigerian general who wants to give me millions of dollars...

 

[French Rage]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

So JJ Abrams is producing this game?

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The FIFA World Cup Thread (Spoilers Welcome)

I'm pulling for Nigeria here. I've been in contact with a former Nigerian general who wants to give me millions of dollars...

Is he in Abuja as well? I bet you have to give him $200 and your personal information before you see a dime.