Originally posted by Digi
It's not actually defiance. Defiance suggests a knowledge of it, and a willing rejection of it. People really just couldn't tell you the first thing about it. Of the dozen or so people in my office, I doubt a single one even realizes it starts today. So it's not being against it on principle. It really just never caught on, and for most people - even sports fans - it's either a non-event or it's something they tune out on Sportscenter during their morning routine.American cities have large soccer contingents. But a lot of it is either college kids in need of something to be into as a group during football's offseason, and/or it's foreign immigrants. Like, the club team I'm into...their hardcore fan base is maybe 30% college kids, 70% Mexicans.
Originally posted by Omega Vision
In mainstream American media there's an incredible level of ignorance about football/soccer. A lot of Americans assume it's a sport for snobby Europeans, English hooligans, and South American street urchins, not realizing that it's the closest thing that Earth has to an official international sport.This is already changing, and will change more depending on how well America does internationally and how big the MLS gets. Like anyone else, Americans care about sports they excel at.
The level of interest in America now would already have been unimaginable 10 years ago, so 10 years from now who can say how popular it will be. One thing's certain, we'll never call it 'football.'
And here I was just kidding around...
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Brazil were the better side, but not by a whole lot, imo. They were on the up and up, but that penalty decision REALLy shifted things in their favour.
Originally posted by Omega Vision
Brazil won the game without question, but Croatia were cheated by the ref on two occasions.I hope shit like that doesn't happen in closer matches like USA-Ghana.
I'd be surprised if it didn't; they do this shit in every world cup.
Remember Spain and SKorea in 2002?
2002 was my blindspot WC. I was in France when they won in 98 and when they played Italy in 2006 and 2010 was interesting because it seemed to be America's year. Don't remember where I was in 2002, but for whatever reason it didn't pull me.
2002 was the freak one right? Where Korea and Turkey did better than the likes of France and Argentina?
Originally posted by Omega Vision
2002 was my blindspot WC. I was in France when they won in 98 and when they played Italy in 2006 and 2010 was interesting because it seemed to be America's year. Don't remember where I was in 2002, but for whatever reason it didn't pull me.2002 was the freak one right? Where Korea and Turkey did better than the likes of France and Argentina?
Yup, though France were shit anyway.
Spain had TWO perfectly good goals disallowed, and it was painful to watch.
Expect Brazil to get every decision their way that's possible.
I'd like to say that they should have referees from major leagues and nations instead of ones from smaller countries, but tbh, Fifa will tell them what to do anyway.
Originally posted by Omega Vision
Brazil won the game without question, but Croatia were cheated by the ref on two occasions.I hope shit like that doesn't happen in closer matches like USA-Ghana.
Sh_t starting already? This is going to be one of those lousy unsporting World Cups?
At least I'll get to troll hardcore fans.
Originally posted by Robtard
I'd not be surprised if you're correct, considering Brazil has a lot too prove being host again.Last time they hosted was 1950 and that is known as one the biggest faceslaps in WC history. The "Maracanazo".
Yep. Combine that with the civil unrest in the country, and Fifa will do whatever they can to save face.
"Oh, your country is being pretty much raped by us financially? But it's not all bad; we gave you the world cup trophy!"
Originally posted by Omega Vision
FIFA refs are almost always from poor nations and thus disposed to being bribed.Really though, FIFA is categorically corrupt. The African football heads just claimed that allegations of bribe-taking for Qatar's WC 22 bid are rooted in 'racism.' I guess it's racist to point out the obvious now.
😂
Who is it racist against? The predominantly white countries that want to actually host it and have the infrastructure in place already? Such bribing... Yeesh.
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Spain and Holland tomorrow. Looking forward to the big fight...
In 2002 Brazil won by same way against Turkey. Hard game with a fake penalty....
At least, the whole world is talking about this cheat. I guess, maybe after this, they will not try to help Brazil anymore. Even the brasilian (some)press said it was not fair.
Even tough im brasilian im not support Brasil in this WC (and didnt in last two). As someone said here, i think the patriotism talk is bs. For me its more like a "regular" soccer championship than the country itself in the field.
I hope Argentina won...
Originally posted by Omega Vision
In mainstream American media there's an incredible level of ignorance about football/soccer. A lot of Americans assume it's a sport for snobby Europeans, English hooligans, and South American street urchins, not realizing that it's the closest thing that Earth has to an official international sport.This is already changing, and will change more depending on how well America does internationally and how big the MLS gets. Like anyone else, Americans care about sports they excel at.
The level of interest in America now would already have been unimaginable 10 years ago, so 10 years from now who can say how popular it will be. One thing's certain, we'll never call it 'football.'
I listen to a podcast that jokingly calls soccer "America's Sport of the Future...since 1970." But yeah, there's some evidence that it's gaining steam.
