Who's watching the World Cup?

[Bazza]

There's a thread in PRO sports, but only has 13 posts in this entire year!

So I thought it would be OK to start one here in the football thread. I mean...it is "foot" ball, right?

The USA Team is looking pretty good, so let's cheer them on!

Yesterday in Seattle, we defeated Australia 2-0 without our best player, out with a thigh injury.

Seattle understood the assignment.

 

[Bazza]

Games schedule can be found here:

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule - ESPN

The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule on ESPN, including kick off times, stadium information and TV listings.

www.espn.com

 

[davefrat]

I’ve watched every game so far.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Dutch just destroyed the Swedes.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I’ve watched every game so far.

Been pretty manageable at 4 matches per day but will get more hectic on Wednesday with 6. Problems problems lol.

 

[davefrat]

Been pretty manageable at 4 matches per day but will get more hectic on Wednesday with 6. Problems problems lol.

I work from home so I can have the games on my iPad while I work.

 

[TDBama78]

If I was I wouldn't admit it

 

[Bazza]

If I was I wouldn't admit it

 

[Con]

I have enjoyed watching some of it. Sometimes it gets a little slow but it is a one of a kind event so it is worth watching. We have looked pretty good from what I can tell.

I am having trouble understanding “offsides” though. I have read the rule and I’m trying to figure out why the defense just doesn’t go back too far so that would make the offense get behind them and cause them to be offsides. I feel like I am missing something with the attack or when the ball is kicked though. If you who can clear this up it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I was trying to watch, then saw the Paraguay player get a red card for covering his mouth while yelling at another team’s player in anger.

It just reinforces everything I feel about soccer: smaller field, enclosed, and tougher players.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I have watched almost every match. The win yesterday was fantastic.

Pulisic has a calf injury btw.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I was trying to watch, then saw the Paraguay player get a red card for covering his mouth while yelling at another team’s player in anger.

It just reinforces everything I feel about soccer: smaller field, enclosed, and tougher players.

This is due to reports of verbal racism as players cover their mouths. Weird rule but they are trying to get that out of the game.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I am having trouble understanding “offsides” though. I have read the rule and I’m trying to figure out why the defense just doesn’t go back too far so that would make the offense get behind them and cause them to be offsides. I feel like I am missing something with the attack or when the ball is kicked though. If you who can clear this up it would be greatly appreciated.

I am not sure exactly what you are asking.

You can’t be offside on your side of the field. So the defense will push a high line at times to create offside position behind them but they won’t do it past midfield. Also it matters when the ball is played, after it is kicked an attacking player can run behind the defense and not be offside.

 

[BhamToTexas]

Soccer players are plenty tough. I still play in a competitive league and our over 40 matches are unbelievably physical.

 

[CoolBreeze]

You are my teammate, you pass me the ball when I am past the midfield stripe headed to the opponent's goal, if at the time you touch the ball to pass it to me my lower body (even a half step) is past the last defender on the other team, I am offsides.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

You are my teammate, you pass me the ball when I am past the midfield stripe headed to the opponent's goal, if at the time you touch the ball to pass it to me my lower body (even a half step) is past the last defender on the other team, I am offsides.

So why would the defender back up at all (unless he is defending a driving player)?

 

[CoolBreeze]

So why would the defender back up at all (unless he is defending a driving player)?

Got to defend your goal. If I am not a half step past him when the ball is passed to me then I have a one on one against the goal keeper and that is in the back of the net over 90% of the time.

 

[Con]

I am not sure exactly what you are asking.

You can’t be offside on your side of the field. So the defense will push a high line at times to create offside position behind them but they won’t do it past midfield. Also it matters when the ball is played, after it is kicked an attacking player can run behind the defense and not be offside.

I don’t know what I am asking either but you covered it in your last sentence. I appreciate it. If you have speed and the guy kicks it your way you can run it down with a chance at getting a one on one with the goalie.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I don’t know what I am asking either but you covered it in your last sentence. I appreciate it. If you have speed and the guy kicks it your way you can run it down with a chance at getting a one on one with the goalie.

Exactly. And that is what every attacking player is doing. They are trying to hang right at the offside line and time their run to get that one step advantage to get behind the defense and have a chance on goal.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

Last time I paid any attention to soccer/futbol was around the time of Freddy Adu. With that said, I've been entertained by the World Cup.