2022 FIFA World Cup Thread

#205      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
For those on here that are more knowledgeable in football, can someone explain to me why Pulisic, who is supposed to be one of if not the best player on the team, is the one they have taking the corners? I'd think they would want someone like him in the box.
 
#208      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Welp, it was one helluva run. Didn't expect to see the U.S. win but you still have to be happy about their run in this tournament.

Now to look ahead to 2026 (with some other CONCACAF tournaments between now and then).
 
#209      
Ryllini
I'm definitely a passing national team soccer fan, but it seems to me this team is lacking for size. This teams gets enough corners, but thr ball never finds one of our players heads. There is never any stress in the box for our opponents.

I think this team is pretty good at ball control, but the passing is pretty bad. I don't know if it spacing or miscommunication, but we can be better.
 
#210      
the juiceman cometh
Ryllini said:
I'm definitely a passing national team soccer fan, but it seems to me this team is lacking for size. This teams gets enough corners, but thr ball never finds one of our players heads. There is never any stress in the box for our opponents.

I think this team is pretty good at ball control, but the passing is pretty bad. I don't know if it spacing or miscommunication, but we can be better.
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You're right, and specifically what the team is missing is traditional striker. It's been a consistent problem and I don't understand the decision to start Jesus Ferriera (5'9") over Haji Wright (6'3"). The attack started to look a lot more dangerous when Wright came on.

As for passing I think there were are a lot of attacks where one too many passes was being made. Passing on a shot and instead trying for one more (low percentage) pass.
 
#216      
KBLEE
Morocco sends Spain home in penalties. Spain was 0-3 on their penalty kicks. The first one hit the post and the next 2 were saved by the Moroccan keeper.
 
#217      
KBLEE
Goncalo Ramos, who started in place of Cristiano Ronaldo today, scored a hat trick in Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland.
 
#218      
PassingBy
Down goes Brazil

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#221      
wettsten
the dutch equalize in 90+11' but still fall 4-3 in penalty shootout.

pretty wildly entertaining matches today!
 
#223      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Well known U.S. soccer writer Grant Wahl has died at the age of 48 while covering today's Netherlands-Argentina match. He had wrote the following on Monday about some health issues he had been having while over there (per ESPN.com):

"My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,'' Wahl wrote. "What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. I didn't have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I'm already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.''
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This was his final tweet today:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1601322251973894144
 
#224      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
One thing I have enjoyed in this World Cup has been listening to Derek Rae on commentary. With him being the English language voice in this part of the world for both Bundesliga and La Liga, I've liked hearing him rattle off the club teams some of these players play for, especially the ones in the Bundesliga.
 
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