Originally posted by TheSkipperOr they could stop adding expansion teams, and keep the MLS to 6-8 teams to keep teams more talented. Remember the old NBA? David Thompson? 130 points a game for each squad? Expansion teams ruined that.
Good point. I also worry that since it is tought to get commercials in every 3 mins our networks won't broadcast it.
TheSkipper
Originally posted by lioyankTrue diving is a problem in soccer - referees are supposed to give yellow cards to divers, but instead they nearly always fall for their thetrics, and it's immensely frustrating. Some countries are worse offenders than others and it seems the Ghanians are obviously used to a much weaker gravity field back in their own country.
I don't know. It seems that the majority of people around the globe consider this the most important sporting event in the world. Why, I don't understand. The fact that they only play 3 actual games after years of qualifying, the bad refs with the bad calls, the time wasting, and the huge increase of yellow cards flying around this year... all leads me to be ...[text shortened]... alled "best" sporting event. All the diving, faking injuries, etc. only adds to the problem.
The fact is though that if you score goals, this mitigates the problem.
Originally posted by RagnorakIn my opinion the yellow/red card against Pope was a foul but far from a booking. He was playing the ball (actually got more of it than the Italian player) and we had seen the exact same tackle many many time during this World Cup with no such result.
Which red card wasn't justified?
D
I'm not exactly an expert in this sport though. 😉
TheSkipper
Originally posted by TheSkipperWhy do you sign your name on the bottom of your posts? We know who's they are...
In my opinion the yellow/red card against Pope was a foul but far from a booking. He was playing the ball (actually got more of it than the Italian player) and we had seen the exact same tackle many many time during this World Cup with no such result.
I'm not exactly an expert in this sport though. 😉
TheSkipper
Originally posted by TheSkipperHaven't read most of the thread, but you're looking for some reasons why soccer is so popular?
I think I get what he/she means with regards to "constant time outs". Think about an NFL game. The game is constantly stopping; Baseball is slow, basketball is somewhat fast paced but each side get so many time outs that the last two minutes of any game takes almost as long as a half of soccer.
At least when you go see a soccer match you get to see people playing soccer and very little else.
1) Its very accessible. You need 4 jumpers (for goalposts), and something resembling a ball (some old jumpers sewn together and stuffed with old jumpers) and you have a game. Money doesn't come into the grass roots of soccer, ie: they don't have to buy hundreds of euros worth of equipment.
2) The players don't use their hands. This is a quite important part of appreciating the game. If you've never tried to run with the ball or control a 40 yard pass with your foot/chest, you'll find it very difficult to appreciate the difficulty of the game.
3) Time wasting isn't pretty, but it's part and parcel of the game. You get into a winning position, and try to keep the ball until the end, while running down the clock. Think about how your game of chess changes (boring forcing of exchanges, etc) once you get into a won position. Think about T/O's in basketball and NFL which are to upset the rythm of your opponent. Players have rightly had their international careers finished due to being stupid and crossing a ball in the last minute of a won game, only for the opponents to counter attack and get the draw meaning France in this case (and Ginola is the player) not making the world cup. 3 years work wasted over 1 thoughtless act.
4) Games can change in 1 second. See 1999 Champions League Final where Manchester United scored 2 goals in injury time to win a match they were never in.
5) Players have to be big, they have to be fast, they have to be skillful, they have to be intelligent. People appreciate that.
If you've only been watching the U.S. so far, you haven't erally been watching football. I didn't see their game today, but they were atrocious in the first game, and they didn't REALLY play football in the second game, they just went in to impose themselves physically. Also, the real excitement in the WC comes in the knockout stages where the result is more important, and where players haven't been rested.
If you want to appreciate football, catch an Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Germany or Brazil game. These teams can impose themselves physically, but they also contribute the much needed skillful aspects of the game.
My last tip to understand the game is to either catch a game live, or at least go to a pub to catch the next game. If its an English game, go where the english are. Only when you catch the real atmosphere, can you truly appreciate the game.
D
Originally posted by TheSkipperHis second card was definitely deserved. I can't remember his first, but do remember not feeling that it was out of order. And remember, he knew that he was on a yellow card. Its a rule that you can NEVER go through the back of an opponent to win the ball. 99 times out of a hundred, that'll end up as a booking.
In my opinion the yellow/red card against Pope was a foul but far from a booking. He was playing the ball (actually got more of it than the Italian player) and we had seen the exact same tackle many many time during this World Cup with no such result.
D
Originally posted by Derfel CadarnOne huge problem with american soccer is that there is no fan association with their team AKA franchise. Franchises can move between cities. This has happened once from memory in England and the club that was formed in protest is now doing better than the moved club, Wimbledon. You need a loyal fan base. Otherwise, you're wasting your time.
Or they could stop adding expansion teams, and keep the MLS to 6-8 teams to keep teams more talented. Remember the old NBA? David Thompson? 130 points a game for each squad? Expansion teams ruined that.
D