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Post by CalgaryGM on Jun 13, 2006 15:03:57 GMT -5
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the stamina and skills of a soccer player. I played the game in high school, although I was always on the bench and never got into too many games. Everyone was always better than me it seems. But when it came to watching the game, I was always bored.
But I will say this, if Canada was in the World Cup, as they were back in 1986, I would definitely be watching them play, but I can't get up for soccer as you guys do. Enjoy.
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Post by LAKingsGM on Jun 13, 2006 15:37:34 GMT -5
It doesn't translate very well onto the television which has always been the knock from the North American continent. However, if you're a true die hard like me, and understand the strategy of the game, it makes the game very enjoyable to watch...even a 0-0 tie.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Jun 13, 2006 21:53:25 GMT -5
No Nate, I have to disagree with you. There's never a good reason to watch soccer live or on TV.
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Post by ex-BluesGM on Jun 14, 2006 8:39:24 GMT -5
Mark said it all rather well. Although if you're standing in the wall and Robert Carlos is taking the free kick you're praying not to get hit by a 100mph ball flying at you from only 10yards away!
As someone whose played baseball at a high level, and hockey at a very competitive level, I can say soccer is the most skilled of any of the three sports....(and American football takes little skill at all unless you're the QB) which I have also played and had my a$$ handed to me!
There's a reason soccer is called the beautiful game and a reason it is the most popular sport in the world. Americans are just way too into instant gratification to appreciate all the nuances off a great soccer match. I would think a hockey fan would understand more. Usually hockey fans are intellegent....? As the knocks against hockey in the US are often the same knocks giving to soccer.
Anyway.... US made me sick. I knew going in they'd have a hard time getting out of the group, but they played so uninspired. Donovan definitely needs to play the middle and Beasley needs to play the right side. They also need to start some overlapping and diagonal off the ball runs. There was little creativity. Which is the same I can say for France. As I said before I don't expect them to really challenge, I only expect them to advance as far as their easy draw will allow them. They basically walked around all game just expecting the ball to come to them and opportunities to just fall to their feet. The first half all they did was try to send the ball to Henry and make him do everything. The second half the Swiss shadowed Henry and that was it.
The Dutch looked good, fast...Serbia had the best defensive record in WC qualifying. The English played about as well as the US but got lucky.
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Post by LAKingsGM on Jun 14, 2006 9:14:11 GMT -5
No Nate, I have to disagree with you. There's never a good reason to watch soccer live or on TV. Hey Dave, don't you have some trading to do or something?......leave us soccer fans alone, please.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Jun 14, 2006 9:49:54 GMT -5
Good observations there Gav. I was not happy at all with the effort from the French today. At least Ribery looked like he wanted to play, which I can't really say for anyone else. I usually don't put much stock into each team's first game of the Cup, but France and the US especially looked like robots. I'm not really sure why Mastroeni is still playing at this point. If it were up to me this is how I would have them lineup: Lewis-Pope-Onyewu-Bocanegra Beasley-Reyna-Dempsey-Donovan Johnson-McBride I would like to see Wolff up front, but I'm still ok with McBride. I think having Donovan play mid would allow him to create more offensively, which is what he needs to be able to do. I would also love to see them actually let Dempsey play. I don't have anything against Convey, and he didn't look horrible against the Czechs, but with Donovan and Dempsey in the mid I like our chances of creating something much more. It's probably not the best defensive alignment, but at this point I think we need to be more aggressive, especially up the field. So now we would have 3 mids that can create chances and our backs can actually stay back (are you listening Mr. Lewis???). Just my opinion. I'm looking forward to the Poland-Germany game today. The Poles are going to need a monumental effort to hang with Germany, but I'm hoping they play well today. Getting Ballack back can't hurt the Germans any . There's no love lost between these two, so it should be a crazy environment. And it appears Spain has decided to show up today. I am at work so I'm not able to see the game (maybe they will replay it tonite). They have always had the talent to be a factor, hopefully this year they can find some consistency. But they pretty much looked up their group already. Anyway, I'm already anxious for the match with Italy on Saturday. Can't come soon enough. Although if the boys play like they did a couple days ago it won't matter who they play, hehe. So far my picks to do some damage (France, Portugal, Argentina, the US somewhat, and Poland for family reasons) look pretty bland. Hopefully they pick it up.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Jun 14, 2006 10:42:10 GMT -5
Nate.....I'm looking, I'm looking, but there's nothing out there right now.....lol.....Besides, every four years, for one month I get my period. It's called the World Cup! Don't worry. In 24 days, I'll be happy and healthy again.
P.S. Gavin.....You couldn't have played hockey at such a high level if you give soccer that much of a kudo!
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Post by LAKingsGM on Jun 14, 2006 10:50:50 GMT -5
"Period"....I'll say. You're worse than a pre-menstral woman without her Pamprin. If you want to trade, take Yelle off my hands. Late round pick will seal it.
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Post by ex-BluesGM on Jun 14, 2006 12:14:12 GMT -5
Competitive level Dave...
I used to be like you...I'll admit it, in my earlier, less intellectual years... if you watch the game... and actually focus on what the players are doing... not just on the score line, you'll learn to love it.
To be successful in soccer you don't just need to be a great athlete. YOu need brains, finesse, you need be a chess players and think several moves ahead on the field. Have you played hockey Dave? You think you need field (or ice) vision and awarness to know where all 4 of your teamates are on the relatively small ice surface? Try knowing where all 10 of them are on a field larger then 100yrds.
Soccer players need to be able to use their feet like a pitchers uses his hand to throw breaking pitches. They need to use their feet like golfers use every club in their bag to chip, or drive the ball. They need to learn to use every single part of their body to play the ball in a meaningful way accept the one part that comes nature to all people, their hands.
BTW, hey Roger do me a favor, don't post any score lines during games or anything man...I record all the games while I'm at work and watch them when I get home.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Jun 14, 2006 12:16:57 GMT -5
Noted. Sorry Gav.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Jun 14, 2006 17:09:36 GMT -5
Nate......Let's talk Yelle! lol
Gavin......Most of my days of playing hockey were spent in the penalty box. At the time, I was what you'd call an enforcer. Got the knuckle scars to prove it. So for the shot at intelligence, as a sports reporter for a major market radio station, who works for a soccer crazed boss, my job, as I've seen the prophecy, and it is to change soccer fan one person at a time to real sports where men don't kick and fall like old women when someone sneezes. To get that evil out of you, and the 3.5 billion other people in this world that need cleansing, that's my goal in life.
Nate......Call me!
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Post by oldthrashersgm on Jun 14, 2006 21:29:27 GMT -5
Loving every minute of the World Cup so far.
Go Italy!
Die England!
So far I am up $180US on my online betting.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Jun 15, 2006 2:01:06 GMT -5
Marty, you also loved Jim Dowd. Your credibility's shot with me man!
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Post by ex-BluesGM on Jun 15, 2006 7:36:36 GMT -5
I'll give you one thing Dave... the diving in soccer (esp Italians & Argentinians) is pathetic!
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