World Cup!

Boges · July 7, 2014

Best league is the Bundesliga.

Is that definable? Messi and Ronaldo (best 2 players on Earth) play in Spain. In 2014 both teams playing in the Champions League finals were from Spain.

Regardless, they all get to play each other in the Champions league.

Another

Another what?

Players can sign for big money pretty much anywhere. China and the UAE for example. Also, aren't all athletes looking for a pay day? I don't see how that's a concession that the league is bush.

Sure but what a player can make in Europe might be different in North American close to the end of their career. Athletes have to optimize the money they can make as their career is very short.

It seems a prudent financial decision to leave once you've peaked and not wait until you're quite clearly on the downhill of your career. Some of the players I've been seeing during this World Cup have been making their money in the Middleeast. It's all the same, going to a lesser league who's willing to pay you like you're a top player.

Not sure what your point is here.

Jermaine Defoe is a big deal in Toronto (as far as Soccer goes) remember the ads with all the Brits spitting up? But back in the UK he's a midlevel players.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Boges

Big Guy · July 7, 2014

Once you accept and realize it's part of the culture of the sport, it's easy to move past. Like I said, at least there's an actual tactical advantage to be gained by diving etc. Not so much hockey fights.

And I believe that to be the problem. Getting a "tactical advantage" by "faking" an injury - is cheating. North American sports fans do not like cheating be it performance enhancing chemicals, flaunting of rules or getting away with breaking the rules. I think that to be the reason why North American sports embraced technology so quickly. Their fans want their teams to win - but to win fairly.

I suggest that the culture of soccer evolved with the structure of refereeing. Now with games on TV and the ability of the camera to catch and record fouls that most fans and certainly the referee miss, it points out the flaws and emphasises the inconsistencies of refereeing. The better team may not win or the worse team may win because the referee either missed a penalty in the box or assigned one that did not take place. It is the same with off sides that called or not called can easily dictate the winner of a match.

I enjoy the game of soccer. I have also been to games where the youngsters in the crowd refer those trying to get a "tactical advantage" as sissies. This may effect their decision to play the "honest" North American sports.

Black Dog · July 7, 2014

Is that definable? Messi and Ronaldo (best 2 players on Earth) play in Spain. In 2014 both teams playing in the Champions League finals were from Spain.

Regardless, they all get to play each other in the Champions league.

Nah, I'm messing around.

Another what?

See my edit.

Sure but what a player can make in Europe might be different in North American close to the end of their career. Athletes have to optimize the money they can make as their career is very short.

It seems a prudent financial decision to leave once you've peaked and not wait until you're quite clearly on the downhill of your career. Some of the players I've been seeing during this World Cup have been making their money in the Middleeast. It's all the same, going to a lesser league who's willing to pay you like you're a top player.

That's my point: there's a lot more money to be made outside of MLS.

Jermaine Defoe is a big deal in Toronto (as far as Soccer goes) remember the ads with all the Brits spitting up? But back in the UK he's a midlevel players.

Defoe is past his prime as a top flight player, but he was a top flight talent. Same goes for most of the other fading stars who have come to the MLS.

Anyway, i'm struggling to see your point here: you deride the league for paying big money to not top flight players, but seem to understand that's the only way they can get that kind of talent. Should the MLS just not bother to attract name players?

Boges · July 7, 2014

Another point for Soccer

Considering North America is the epicentre of capitalism it's ironic that pro sports in North America are very socialist. The leagues are centralized and the teams all share revenues. You don't have to be the most successful financial team to win. Sup Leafs!

In Europe it's No Holds Bar, Soccer teams with the most money often get the best players. It's a lot more complicated.

The MLS is run like other North American Pro Leagues. That immediately puts them at a disadvantage because the salary cap is tied to the leagues revenue. They have a caveat that you can poach a certain number of stars from other leagues, but you can't stock your team with ringers.

So it's kind of a chicken or the the egg argument. Would the MLS be bigger if their support and revenue was better (meaning the could attract the best players) or are the best players not wanting to come because the support isn't that great. You could play in front of 20,000 people at the Ex or 90,000 in London or Barcelona.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Boges

Black Dog · July 7, 2014

I don't really think MLS is looking to compete with any of the established Euro leagues for talent from overseas. The goal is to provide a domestic alternative for homegrown players to ply their trade. Something like 5 US starters at the WC play in the MLS.

guyser · July 7, 2014

I don't really think MLS is looking to compete with any of the established Euro leagues for talent from overseas.

I would certainly think that is the end game though.

They know thay cant...Now...but hope to someday.

The KHL does the same w the NHL (and failing miserably likley because.....um...its Russia, who wants to live there?)

Boges · July 8, 2014

Tim Howard memes are becoming all the rage on the Interwebs

-TSS- · July 8, 2014

I wonder why the semifinals are played on separate days. Now Brazil or Germany will have an advantage of one more day to rest and prepare for the final.

Boges · July 8, 2014

I'm sure giving Brazil an advantage over potentially Argentina wasn't intentional at all. :rolleyes:

However without Neymar or Silva I can't see how Brazil beats the Krawts. I read yesterday Germany has never lost a shootout.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Boges

Black Dog · July 8, 2014

Germany has to be the favourites today, but the dodgy reffing in the Colombia game had me wondering if the fix is in. Be interesting to see.

guyser · July 8, 2014

I wonder why the semifinals are played on separate days.

Same reason everything is done..... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Big Guy · July 8, 2014

Another example of the use of modern methods and technology to minimize the "cheating" inherent and "acceptable" in soccer;

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/07/sport/football/world-cup-magic-spray-free-kick/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Boges · July 8, 2014

So it's not even half and Brazil is down 5-nil to Germany. Poland put up a better fight in World War 2.

It'll be a bad night in Brazil.

guyser · July 8, 2014

Taking bets on the violence and damage....

How many killed tonight?

Property damge estimates.

Call now for odds.

Oh man...bye bye Brazil. Thanks for hosting.

-TSS- · July 8, 2014

I'm beginning to have doubts about getting my prediction correct that Brazil would win the world cup. At this rate they will not only not win it but end up with a negative overall goal difference.

Nevertheless, brilliant stuff from Germany to expose the weakness of Brazil.

guyser · July 8, 2014

Anyone know if this is already the worst loss in a quarter final...evar ?

(Let alone for a host nation)

Big Guy · July 8, 2014

Looks like the German tanks rolling over the Brazilian dancers.

Sad to see such a good side play so badly.

Germany for the cup!

Boges · July 8, 2014

How Canadian, Brazil scored a rouge to Germany's Touchdown.

July 9, 2014

Poland put up a better fight in World War 2.

Hahaha, good one.

What a stunning result. Brazil played like a team who thought they had a right to the final, and fell to pieces when they saw a chance they might not make it. Atrocious defending. Schoolyard stuff.

kimmy · July 9, 2014

-k

-TSS- · July 9, 2014

It was something of a mental-breakdown for Brazil. Don't get me wrong, Germany were magnificent, probably no team could have beaten them in their yesterday's form but the Brazilians really imploded and it seems that they couldn't handle the enormous pressure that was facing them in front of their home-crowd and 200m people expecting them to win.

Yesterday's catastrophe for Brazil could really be harmful for those players themselves; Even though many of them are young enough to still have many years of active playing-career ahead of them and opportunities to become champions even if some of them do they will be reminded of yesterday's match for the rest of their careers.

Black Dog · July 9, 2014

Taking bets on the violence and damage....

How many killed tonight?

Property damge estimates.

Call now for odds.

Oh man...bye bye Brazil. Thanks for hosting.

Hey look almost nothing happened. Brazilians are obviously able to control themselves. They aren't animals or Vancouverites.

Boges · July 9, 2014

Hey look almost nothing happened. Brazilians are obviously able to control themselves. They aren't animals or Vancouverites.

They did apparently tell Zee German fans to stay put after the game so they could get escorted out.

waldo · July 9, 2014

https://twitter.com/Pornhub/status/486620532343730176

Black Dog · July 9, 2014

They did apparently tell Zee German fans to stay put after the game so they could get escorted out.

Says nothing about how Brazilians overall reacted. I thought the predictions here, on twitter and elsewhere that they'd riot in the streets over a loss horribly insulting to them as a people.