Who's watching the World Cup?

[mlh]

I played soccer when I was at the Capstone. We had a "club" team but we traveled some and played a few games off campus. On our team we had 5 Americans. The rest were students from Europe, South America, a few from the far East, and even a couple of Iranians. This was before they decided to hate America.

I also played throughout my time in the USAF. The competition was actually pretty good in the service. Most bases had soccer teams comprised of guys who played at the Academy.

I loved playing soccer. I found it way more fun to play than to watch. It's kind of like golf. It looks simple but you can't really appreciate some of the things they do until you try to do them yourself.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

So, what does everyone think of these hydration breaks?

From what I have read, this is not the first World Cup to use them but in the past they were only used at the matches where the weather made them necessary. This year they are being used in every match, even if humidity is low and the temps are similar to other locations around the world where they were not needed. They are also using them in the indoor, climate controlled stadiums.

I see many soccer fans blasting them on Reddit, says they ruin the flow of the game, can kill a teams momentum and allow a struggling teams a chance to regroup outside of halftime. Yet others claim it would be unfair for some matches to use them and others not, even though that is how it was done in the past.

Then there are others that think they have nothing to do with hydration and blame the American TV rights holder and FIFA for basically finding a way to have more commercial breaks during a match. My cynical view of the corporate world almost has me taking this view, but I am not a long time soccer fan so what do I know.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I played soccer when I was at the Capstone. We had a "club" team but we traveled some and played a few games off campus. On our team we had 5 Americans. The rest were students from Europe, South America, a few from the far East, and even a couple of Iranians. This was before they decided to hate America.

I also played throughout my time in the USAF. The competition was actually pretty good in the service. Most bases had soccer teams comprised of guys who played at the Academy.

I loved playing soccer. I found it way more fun to play than to watch. It's kind of like golf. It looks simple but you can't really appreciate some of the things they do until you try to do them yourself.

It seems to me like it is a sport more fun to play it than watch it.

 

[denver]

It seems to me like it is a sport more fun to play it than watch it.

Its both...thats why its the world's #1 sport

 

[AlistarWills]

Some are taking suitcase loads of it with them.................I have a friend over there email me about the possibility of getting some and I told him anytime you want some let me know. I might rebrand myself as a Ranch Broker

And TSA is giving them fits for bottles in their carry on. Ship him some packets if the Hidden Valley dry mix. He can add the wet ingredients.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

And TSA is giving them fits for bottles in their carry on. Ship him some packets if the Hidden Valley dry mix. He can add the wet ingredients.

If it goes in the check bag its all good............I will send him some of both

 

[AlexanderFan]

Its both...thats why its the world's #1 sport

It’s the world’s number one sport because it’s simple and inexpensive. America is blessed beyond belief, and our pastimes reflect that.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

So, what does everyone think of these hydration breaks?

From what I have read, this is not the first World Cup to use them but in the past they were only used at the matches where the weather made them necessary. This year they are being used in every match, even if humidity is low and the temps are similar to other locations around the world where they were not needed. They are also using them in the indoor, climate controlled stadiums.

I see many soccer fans blasting them on Reddit, says they ruin the flow of the game, can kill a teams momentum and allow a struggling teams a chance to regroup outside of halftime. Yet others claim it would be unfair for some matches to use them and others not, even though that is how it was done in the past.

Then there are others that think they have nothing to do with hydration and blame the American TV rights holder and FIFA for basically finding a way to have more commercial breaks during a match. My cynical view of the corporate world almost has me taking this view, but I am not a long time soccer fan so what do I know.

I hate them. It just feels so wrong and changes the flow of the game.

I'm sure FIFA and Co would justify it as competitive balance because if one game has it they all should but I'm sure money was a significant factor. Overall I just don't think you should do it unless it's necessary.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I hate them. It just feels so wrong and changes the flow of the game.

I'm sure FIFA and Co would justify it as competitive balance because if one game has it they all should but I'm sure money was a significant factor. Overall I just don't think you should do it unless it's necessary.

My son who played the sport is in your camp. Says it kills momentum. To me, I understand these guys have real jobs with the clubs they play for so giving them a couple of extra breaks in each match helps from overextension and injury. Playing for country is great but long term injury could cost you millions in this sport.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

So, what does everyone think of these hydration breaks?

From what I have read, this is not the first World Cup to use them but in the past they were only used at the matches where the weather made them necessary. This year they are being used in every match, even if humidity is low and the temps are similar to other locations around the world where they were not needed. They are also using them in the indoor, climate controlled stadiums.

I see many soccer fans blasting them on Reddit, says they ruin the flow of the game, can kill a teams momentum and allow a struggling teams a chance to regroup outside of halftime. Yet others claim it would be unfair for some matches to use them and others not, even though that is how it was done in the past.

Then there are others that think they have nothing to do with hydration and blame the American TV rights holder and FIFA for basically finding a way to have more commercial breaks during a match. My cynical view of the corporate world almost has me taking this view, but I am not a long time soccer fan so what do I know.

Well, its not like our football where there are breaks between plays. Its constant play without break and I can see where it is far more exhausting that what we see in American popular sports, Also, another opportunity for advertisements....

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I played soccer when I was at the Capstone. We had a "club" team but we traveled some and played a few games off campus. On our team we had 5 Americans. The rest were students from Europe, South America, a few from the far East, and even a couple of Iranians. This was before they decided to hate America.

I also played throughout my time in the USAF. The competition was actually pretty good in the service. Most bases had soccer teams comprised of guys who played at the Academy.

I loved playing soccer. I found it way more fun to play than to watch. It's kind of like golf. It looks simple but you can't really appreciate some of the things they do until you try to do them yourself.

Yeah, I played a little in junior college and we had a player from South America that could do things with the ball that still amazes me to this day!

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Yeah, I played a little in junior college and we had a player from South America that could do things with the ball that still amazes me to this day!

I really thought that we would be at that point by now with almost every child now playing soccer (seemingly) for the last 20 years, but we aren't quite there yet.

 

[Bazza]

England vs. Ghana coming up in about an hour! Should be a good game!

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

I really thought that we would be at that point by now with almost every child now playing soccer (seemingly) for the last 20 years, but we aren't quite there yet.

We aren't that close tbh. We would need to make some major changes to reach the elite countries level.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I really thought that we would be at that point by now with almost every child now playing soccer (seemingly) for the last 20 years, but we aren't quite there yet.

Other sports in the USA are more popular, most of which we invented so not too surprising with me. MLS is a start but still, not a lot of viewership. Birmingham Legion FC in the USL is good for us locally but only hardcore fans know about it. Frankly, a lot of fracture at the club level around here with too many clubs and cost way too much for kids to play. Frankly, I don't see the sport ever being more than a passing interest of the few here in the US. Seems fledgling sports like LaCross are growing faster than soccer unfortunately.

 

[davefrat]

Under the updated guidance, deliberately covering the mouth while directing comments toward an opponent can trigger disciplinary action if match officials determine it violates the competition’s code of conduct. Almiron’s dismissal has nevertheless sparked debate because the exact words exchanged between the Paraguayan midfielder and Muldur have not been publicly disclosed.

Very subjective rule

MSN

IF you cover your mouth during a confrontation with another player, you get an ejection.

Because there are so many languages spoken on the field, it is impossible for a referee to understand what is being said, and per the rule it doesn't matter whether the referee understands what is being said.

The rule was unanimously approved by the international governing board for the simple reason that racist and abusive language is still such a persistent problem.

The fact that some people are upset with the rule or think it's unfair because we don't know what was said isn't relevant in terms of the application of the rule or whether it is subjective.

It may seem harsh, it may seem stupid, but it's not subjective.

 

[davefrat]

I played soccer when I was at the Capstone. We had a "club" team but we traveled some and played a few games off campus. On our team we had 5 Americans. The rest were students from Europe, South America, a few from the far East, and even a couple of Iranians. This was before they decided to hate America.

I also played throughout my time in the USAF. The competition was actually pretty good in the service. Most bases had soccer teams comprised of guys who played at the Academy.

I loved playing soccer. I found it way more fun to play than to watch. It's kind of like golf. It looks simple but you can't really appreciate some of the things they do until you try to do them yourself.

I played on the club team during 1995-96.

 

[dtgreg]

There have to be two defenders (typically the goalie and another defender) between the player receiving a pass and the opponents goal, and the player receiving the pass has to be “onside” (meaning he is even with or in front of the defenders…meaning closer to the attackers own goal than the opponents goal) of the second defender at the time the ball is passed to him).

It can be confusing especially now that the rule is you can be off even if only one of your nose hairs is behind the defender.

Part of what makes soccer confusing is that many of the rules are basically purely judgment calls by the referee.

The again, FIFA is about as corrupt as any governing body can be and is you combine that with the fact that more than half the calls are judgment and the game is ripe for cheating.

Think of it as "no forward lateral allowed". You can run the ball by yourself all you want but if you pass it, it has to be behind you if you're covered. If you're not covered, why would you pass?

 

[denver]

Other sports in the USA are more popular, most of which we invented so not too surprising with me. MLS is a start but still, not a lot of viewership. Birmingham Legion FC in the USL is good for us locally but only hardcore fans know about it. Frankly, a lot of fracture at the club level around here with too many clubs and cost way too much for kids to play. Frankly, I don't see the sport ever being more than a passing interest of the few here in the US. Seems fledgling sports like LaCross are growing faster than soccer unfortunately.

Youth sports, especially soccer, has a very different objective in other countries than here. Most HS athletes in the US are trying to get scholarships, then get seen and go onto a pro-career or at the minimum get their education paid for ( the parents dream too) From age 12 kids in Europe involved in soccer at the highest level, are looking to go pro...you can sign on at 16 full time and at 12-14 you can commit to a club and play in their academy. Here in the US you generally stay in school until you are 18 then try college and then pro if you are good enough. The structure in Europe and South America for soccer is vastly different and has been in place for decades longer...its going to take a while for the US system to change and then it may not due to restrictions and parental goals for their kid....pay for play is also hurting the ethnic/lower income players here in the States...on the MLS level, I think they are being smart, limiting salaries and slowly building the stadiums and fan bases...most MLS teams now get large crowds on a regular basis...with vocal and viciferous fans..this is way better than when I came here in the late 80's...diatribe over! mea culpa..

 

[Bazza]

Pretty cool commercial!