I am pretty stoked for this last round of qualifying.
I'm still not really "into" soccer (I'll sit and watch high-level international soccer on TV but I don't go out of my way to do so) but I love watching the World Cup and the qualifying process thereof - I can't think of any sport that literally has a tournament that encompasses almost the entire world. I remember staying up late to watch the 2002 tournament. I was studying abroad in Spain in 2006. I remember being packed in a half-American/half-Italian crowd in a touristy bar in Barcelona, being a hostel in Madrid hoping Spain could beat France in the Round of 16, and happening upon a bar full of Germans in the streets of Sevilla during the Round of 8.
So, yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting the 2010 edition. Hopefully the US will make a respectable showing this time.
I love football and all, but there are more actors there on the field than on the West End and Broadway combined. If you have to make a stumble look like JFK got shot while your mother was being plugged in the ass by some strange hybrid of the SS and La Guardia Civil in order to win then clearly you suck at the sport you're paid to excel at. Even in basketball the point guard don't roll around like they've been contracted a sudden case of epilepsy when they're trying to draw a foul.
Also hooligans need to shrivel up and die because they are the largest group of twats ever spawned from Satan's arse.
I am pretty stoked for this last round of qualifying.
I'm still not really "into" soccer (I'll sit and watch high-level international soccer on TV but I don't go out of my way to do so) but I love watching the World Cup and the qualifying process thereof - I can't think of any sport that literally has a tournament that encompasses almost the entire world. I remember staying up late to watch the 2002 tournament. I was studying abroad in Spain in 2006. I remember being packed in a half-American/half-Italian crowd in a touristy bar in Barcelona, being a hostel in Madrid hoping Spain could beat France in the Round of 16, and happening upon a bar full of Germans in the streets of Sevilla during the Round of 8.
So, yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting the 2010 edition. Hopefully the US will make a respectable showing this time.
The US doing good is like Canada at least making it this far. It would be cool, but I'm not going to see it for many years.
I think U.S. youth soccer now has as many kids playing as peewee football and baseball combined.
Canada has a booming soccer growth too. Hopefully these combined will bring our nations to a point where we can compete a little better. And to a point where Canada can compete at all.
I love football and all, but there are more actors there on the field than on the West End and Broadway combined. If you have to make a stumble look like JFK got shot while your mother was being plugged in the ass by some strange hybrid of the SS and La Guardia Civil in order to win then clearly you suck at the sport you're paid to excel at. Even in basketball the point guard don't roll around like they've been contracted a sudden case of epilepsy when they're trying to draw a foul.
Also hooligans need to shrivel up and die because they are the largest group of twats ever spawned from Satan's arse.
The reason so many children play soccer is that it has the least apparent gap between kids who are skilled and those that suck. (most of the time you are standing, or running back and forth)
And parents want their kids to have high self esteem
If we (England) get through our group and we also manage to cause Ukraine to go through instead of Croatia, my painful memories of 2008 will be erased.
The reason so many children play soccer is that it has the least apparent gap between kids who are skilled and those that suck. (most of the time you are standing, or running back and forth)
And parents want their kids to have high self esteem
I love football and all, but there are more actors there on the field than on the West End and Broadway combined. If you have to make a stumble look like JFK got shot while your mother was being plugged in the ass by some strange hybrid of the SS and La Guardia Civil in order to win then clearly you suck at the sport you're paid to excel at. Even in basketball the point guard don't roll around like they've been contracted a sudden case of epilepsy when they're trying to draw a foul.
Also hooligans need to shrivel up and die because they are the largest group of twats ever spawned from Satan's arse.
The reason so many children play soccer is that it has the least apparent gap between kids who are skilled and those that suck. (most of the time you are standing, or running back and forth)
And parents want their kids to have high self esteem
What in the name of fuck are you talking about?
I am going to hazard a guess that you have not played organized youth soccer!
I've played soccer since I was 4-5. Yes the first couple years is definitely all about having fun while learning the basics of working as a team etc... there aren't many 4-5 that would be skilled at any sport.
But by the time you hit 7-8 it's all about the winning. And gaps in skill become readily apparent.
I've been playing since about the age of 5 and there have always been kids in the team who couldn't play and always started as a substitute coming on for the last 10 minutes so they could "get a game".
Yea but this is good. With lets say, 50% of kids playing soccer, instead of 30%, we have 20% more good players filling our teams and clubs. Which in turn gives us a higher chance of pro-level players getting out there and winning some North American team a fucking Fifa World Cup.
he's right though, there are a ton of people who play organized soccer up until the start of high school without being any good at all
it also has many less equipment requirements than football and hockey
This is true of any organized sport, it just depends on the kid, I think.
It only took me 2 years to realize I was terrible at soccer but I played baseball from when I was 5 until I was 13 before I realized how terrible I was at that.
Any competent coach/trainer can tell when a player is just drifting around. Eventually the ball is going to be in your vacinity and if you just sort of shy away you'd be lucky if the coach/trainer doesn't say anything.
Any competent coach/trainer can tell when a player is just drifting around. Eventually the ball is going to be in your vacinity and if you just sort of shy away you'd be lucky if the coach/trainer doesn't say anything.
well i don't know what leagues you played in but in massachusetts the non-traveling teams were all about encouragement and you'd never actually get criticized by a coach
Yeah, there's definitely multiple levels of youth soccer. All the good kids play what we always called "club" soccer whereas the rest of us played in local AYSO league.
Any competent coach/trainer can tell when a player is just drifting around. Eventually the ball is going to be in your vacinity and if you just sort of shy away you'd be lucky if the coach/trainer doesn't say anything.
well i don't know what leagues you played in but in massachusetts the non-traveling teams were all about encouragement and you'd never actually get criticized by a coach
And you wonder why your country never does well at international events.
I am pretty stoked for this last round of qualifying.
I'm still not really "into" soccer (I'll sit and watch high-level international soccer on TV but I don't go out of my way to do so) but I love watching the World Cup and the qualifying process thereof - I can't think of any sport that literally has a tournament that encompasses almost the entire world. I remember staying up late to watch the 2002 tournament. I was studying abroad in Spain in 2006. I remember being packed in a half-American/half-Italian crowd in a touristy bar in Barcelona, being a hostel in Madrid hoping Spain could beat France in the Round of 16, and happening upon a bar full of Germans in the streets of Sevilla during the Round of 8.
So, yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting the 2010 edition. Hopefully the US will make a respectable showing this time.
The US doing good is like Canada at least making it this far. It would be cool, but I'm not going to see it for many years.
I think U.S. youth soccer now has as many kids playing as peewee football and baseball combined.
Canada has a booming soccer growth too. Hopefully these combined will bring our nations to a point where we can compete a little better. And to a point where Canada can compete at all.
Unless you're only like 6 years old you've already been alive for a World Cup where the U.S. did really well.
Any competent coach/trainer can tell when a player is just drifting around. Eventually the ball is going to be in your vacinity and if you just sort of shy away you'd be lucky if the coach/trainer doesn't say anything.
well i don't know what leagues you played in but in massachusetts the non-traveling teams were all about encouragement and you'd never actually get criticized by a coach
OK, now I'm pretty sure it's us, because I am from MA too.
I have to assume at this point that we're all limp-wristed sissies.
I really don't dig football but when the World Cup's on I'll watch the England games simply because everyone else is and it's nice to feel a part of this society just for a couple of hours.
Posts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXzXsdZJ5AQ
I am pretty stoked to watch him play a bit more this World Cup.
FOR THIRD PLACE
Wasn't that the original (brasilian) Ronaldo? Or did C.Ronaldo do it as well?
Crazy hot women, damn good food, mediterranean locales. They can cheat a little if the rest can stay.
Blackjacks in every umbro pair.
I'm still not really "into" soccer (I'll sit and watch high-level international soccer on TV but I don't go out of my way to do so) but I love watching the World Cup and the qualifying process thereof - I can't think of any sport that literally has a tournament that encompasses almost the entire world. I remember staying up late to watch the 2002 tournament. I was studying abroad in Spain in 2006. I remember being packed in a half-American/half-Italian crowd in a touristy bar in Barcelona, being a hostel in Madrid hoping Spain could beat France in the Round of 16, and happening upon a bar full of Germans in the streets of Sevilla during the Round of 8.
So, yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting the 2010 edition. Hopefully the US will make a respectable showing this time.
Also hooligans need to shrivel up and die because they are the largest group of twats ever spawned from Satan's arse.
The US doing good is like Canada at least making it this far. It would be cool, but I'm not going to see it for many years.
Canada has a booming soccer growth too. Hopefully these combined will bring our nations to a point where we can compete a little better. And to a point where Canada can compete at all.
you must not watch many spurs games
And parents want their kids to have high self esteem
What in the name of fuck are you talking about?
Clearly not. But regardless I stand by it.
I am going to hazard a guess that you have not played organized youth soccer!
But by the time you hit 7-8 it's all about the winning. And gaps in skill become readily apparent.
you're not even related to Mia Hamm. I will not listen to you. You're a wannabe Ham. One M!
it also has many less equipment requirements than football and hockey
This is true of any organized sport, it just depends on the kid, I think.
It only took me 2 years to realize I was terrible at soccer but I played baseball from when I was 5 until I was 13 before I realized how terrible I was at that.
in soccer you can sort of just drift around
Not yet, but they are... Klose. :winky:
well i don't know what leagues you played in but in massachusetts the non-traveling teams were all about encouragement and you'd never actually get criticized by a coach
And you wonder why your country never does well at international events.
Unless you're only like 6 years old you've already been alive for a World Cup where the U.S. did really well.
OK, now I'm pretty sure it's us, because I am from MA too.
I have to assume at this point that we're all limp-wristed sissies.