The 2010 World Cup Thread

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 8:32am

It all starts in about 90 minutes with hosts South Africa against Mexico, and the US takes on England tomorrow. Anyone else here a fan?

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 8:43am

I am so looking forward to the US-England game. Someone will be getting a nice dinner from that game.

[Piper3500]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 8:52am

yip yip yip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MotorTink]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 8:53am

I have US-England tomorrow and then Germany-Australia Sunday. I'm excited!!

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 8:59am

SO READY!!!!!!


Now I am trying to keep expectations reasonable. My bf Clint and his boys, I hope we can draw England. Win would be bliss but a draw just seems far more realistic.

As far as other nations go. Maradona at the helm of Argentina has a lot of crash and burn factor if only because a Maradona outburst is a given, but they could also do well for themselves.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 9:10am

I'll be rooting hard for South Africa in the early game, and Uruguay in the afternoon game. I'm a big critic of US coach Bob Bradley, but I'm hoping he'll prove me wrong.

[shameless]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 11:45am

LMAO! Boobs, I will be getting a nice dinner out of that game!

I sent this to the girl and her sister. They were not amused.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCqZsFM7Sg8

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 11:53am

Shamey, we will have the last laugh and you a nice dinner. *crosses fingers*

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/11/10 at 1:06pm

I will never get that image of Archbishop Desmond Tutu dancing around in his South Africa cap and scarf after they RSA scored from my mind-- and I don't want it to! The RSA team still had their heads high from the draw, just a great sight.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 10:21am

Well, it's a beautiful, warm, sunny day in England and the pubs have been full since lunchtime as this football obsessed nation continues to exalt its (over-rated) national team in anticipation of their first match.

How is support building up stateside?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 10:45am

Scripps- While there is more support than there was in 1960 there still isn't much, though the media is covering it a lot this year. I've heard from many people that "soccer is a child's game" (then you get the idiots who are upset that the rest of the world calls it football). It is truly sad that we feel the need to be so isolated from the rest of the world, in the typical "America is better than all" mentality that we have.

[clever name]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:19am

I wish I liked soccer. I really do. This would be so fun to get into. Is the World Cup held every year or is it like the Olympics?

I agree jacob, there has been alot more media coverage. Why don't Americans embrace soccer like the rest of the world?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:33am

VERY exciting!

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:06pm

You still have the snarky 'Soccer. Heh.' from the media though I give ESPN, the go-to national sports channel carrying the tournament, credit for this time learning from their mistakes of 2006 by actually hiring announcers and analysts who truly understand and love the game. 2006 they gave us Dave O'Brien, primarily a baseball announcer who I am certain never called a match in his life. This year, Adrian Healey.

My favorite soccer complaint is when there are calls to change the rules to make the games 'more exciting' for Americans because clearly that is at the top of FIFA's priorities and that really has worked like a charm for the MLS.

I agree with Jacob that there is a lot of stubbornness on account of the fact the US was never the best at the sport but I think that is shedding since it is a bit generational.
Updated On: 6/12/10 at 12:06 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:08pm

What time is the US/England game on? And Boobs, who is that in your avi? Bobby Sherman?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:22pm

I believe it is 1:30 (et) on ABC.

[Hulmeman]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:27pm

I watched a world cup 1980 qualifier in Florida. US v. Mexico I think. Very exciting and I can't think why America hasn't taken to "soccer" in a big way. It's had a very chequered history with various attempts to set up administration and leagues. I hope this W.C.F engages Americans in a bigger way.

As a Welshman, I'll be supporting England in the World Cup campaign, so I'm sorry not to be on the side of you, my hosts on BWW for this game. However, after this game is over, I'll be like an HRT dependant at a Barry Manilow concert in my support of your team.

My team in the office have adopted USA as their world cup team. To indicate our support we have been busy decorating our work area with pictures of Bob Bradley and his son and other players. We have red, white and blue favors and pictures of American landmarks and famous Americans all over the walls. The only dispute I had was when I wanted to put a picture of Bernadette Peters up - my colleague said she was the MT equivalent of starting the game one goal down. So I bitch slapped him.

A queen who loves soccer, whatever next?!!!!!!

[canmark]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:37pm

Nigeria hung in there against Argentina, losing 1-0 on a header in the 6th minute. I must say that after seeing parts of 3 of the first 4 games, the vuvuzela noise (which sounds like buzzing bees) is beginning to grate.

Match of the day: England vs. USA. I think the broadcast starts at 2pm EST.

Other big name team games upcoming: Germany (vs. Australia) on Sunday afternoon (EST); Netherlands (vs. Denmark) on Monday morning and Italy (vs. Paraguay) on Monday afternoon; Portugal (vs. Ivory Coast) on Tuesday morning and Brazil (vs. North Korea) on Tuesday afternoon; Spain (vs. Switzerland) on Wednesday.

How do they expect people to work with all these games going on during the day?

[WestEnd2]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:07pm

I hate football with a fiery passion, but I've always wondered: Why is it that it has never really taken off over there, what are the reasons given for why 'Americans' (I say this in quotes, becuase I know it doesn't apply to all) don't like it? I mean, how does the vast majority of a country just not like one sport?

Oh, and 'How do they expect people to work with all these games going on during the day?"

They don't. Which is why in a couple of weeks time countries which are very football orientated will announce that there have been a record number of sick days taken by employees.



Updated On: 6/12/10 at 01:07 PM

[Scripps2]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:31pm

Just to help you guys with this, your team are the ones in white shorts: cheer them on especially when they score a goal.

Your old fourth of July adversaries are in dark shorts: jeer and boo them vociferously.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 4:26pm

A tie!!! That feels like a win for US, and a loss for England.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 4:30pm

TIM HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless his heart.

Of course it would have been great if Jozy did not hit the cross-bar but Clint's goal was a nice gift, so I can compromise the two. I agree with madbrian, especially when the first 5 minutes teetered on the disaster of 2006, this felt like a win. Now let's worry about killing Algeria and Slovenia now.

[Hulmeman]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 4:33pm

Good game Team USA!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 5:22pm

Yep, madbrian, you're right.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:22am

Ha! I like the way the NY Daily News refers to the careless goalie letting in the ball as "the shot heard around the world."

I'm tempted to paraphrase the line from Evita...

"This does not reflect badly on British sportsmanship as 45% of the American squad play for British football clubs."