Best World Cup ever.
Soccer Topics: No goalies in the USA
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Last: 5 min ago by Cal88
dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
Did anyone hear the British announcer Fox had working the Kansas City last night?
He kept commenting on how hot it was and how the temperature hadn't dropped one bit even though the sun had gone down.
I had to laugh at him.
β¦.okay, I'm awake now. Make the next game start now, please.
I'm going to go through serious withdrawal, you know that?
It's like binging on March Madness!
He kept commenting on how hot it was and how the temperature hadn't dropped one bit even though the sun had gone down.
I had to laugh at him.
β¦.okay, I'm awake now. Make the next game start now, please.
I'm going to go through serious withdrawal, you know that?
It's like binging on March Madness!
concordtom said:Big C said:concordtom said:Cal88 said:smh said:sluggo said:smh said:sluggo said:
.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DIDN'T GET NO STINKING TSHIRT
This explains a lot, concordtom.
Yes, I suppose it does.
You know how they say some drugs (LSD?) can get stored in your fat, and then years later if you are losing weight and those fat cells get burned off you can re-experience an old Trip?
Well, maybe concussions has residuals, too.
But why am I sharing all this here?
Because... I actually LIED.
THIS is my greatest sporting moment!!!
GO BEARS!
As I'm sure you know, ct, I was just messing with you a little there, as I am want to do now and then, because I know you're not going to have a cow. You're a great guy. Happy 4th to you and your family!
Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
Big C said:concordtom said:Big C said:concordtom said:Cal88 said:smh said:sluggo said:smh said:sluggo said:
.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DIDN'T GET NO STINKING TSHIRT
This explains a lot, concordtom.
Yes, I suppose it does.
You know how they say some drugs (LSD?) can get stored in your fat, and then years later if you are losing weight and those fat cells get burned off you can re-experience an old Trip?
Well, maybe concussions has residuals, too.
But why am I sharing all this here?
Because... I actually LIED.
THIS is my greatest sporting moment!!!
GO BEARS!
As I'm sure you know, ct, I was just messing with you a little there, as I am want to do now and then, because I know you're not going to have a cow. You're a great guy. Happy 4th to you and your family!
You know, you do this every time.
You make a joke, but then are so decent that you worry the written word has not carried your sneaky smile behind it, and then you explain or apologize to make sure the joke wasn't interpreted the wrong way.
But here's what you fail to realize:
I KNOW YOU!
or at least
I GET YOU!
dajo9 said:Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
But they do have needles on the beach!
concordtom said:dajo9 said:Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
But they do have needles on the beach!
Been to the beach many times and never seen any
dajo9 said:concordtom said:dajo9 said:Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
But they do have needles on the beach!
Been to the beach many times and never seen any
Of course.
But I like to joke around now and then.
Google "syringe tide".
In the late 1980s, the "syringe tide" environmental crisis hit the Jersey Shore, where thousands of hypodermic needles and medical waste washed up on beaches from Manasquan to Atlantic City. This massive pollution, largely traced to aging New York area sewer systems and illegal dumping, devastated the summer tourism economy.The influx of medical debris triggered massive public health concerns over HIV and hepatitis transmission. It was so culturally impactful that it was famously referenced in Billy Joel's 1989 hit song, "We Didn't Start the Fire," with the lyric: "hypodermics on the shore."
The crisis eventually spurred major legislative action, including the Ocean Dumping Ban Act and the Medical Waste Tracking Act, both passed in 1988. It also catalyzed grassroots environmental activism, with organizations like Clean Ocean Action expanding their efforts to organize regular coastal cleanups. Today, while occasional debris from sewer overflows still washes ashore, the large-scale dumping seen in the 1980s is heavily regulated.
How do u miss this call?????? pic.twitter.com/SZFPi8To3A
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) July 4, 2026
Canada-Morocco off to a good start, Canucks not holding back.
Morocco's keeper Bono was born in Canada, dual citizen, would have started at the other end.
Morocco's keeper Bono was born in Canada, dual citizen, would have started at the other end.
The fanaticism in Mexico is at such an extreme that they are literally dying.
Mexicans prepare for tomorrow by telling England, "it's coming home - to Azteca!"
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49264397/mexico-city-security-crowds-england-fan-deaths
For some reason, I think this is going to be the game of the tournament.
Mexicans prepare for tomorrow by telling England, "it's coming home - to Azteca!"
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49264397/mexico-city-security-crowds-england-fan-deaths
For some reason, I think this is going to be the game of the tournament.
was that at the end of regulation? I totally saw that and was really ****ing pissed off. What a joke!Cal88 said:How do u miss this call?????? pic.twitter.com/SZFPi8To3A
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) July 4, 2026
Cal88 said:
Canada-Morocco off to a good start, Canucks not holding back.
Where is Alphonso Davies?
Is he available to sub in?
AI answer:
Yes, Alphonso Davies is available to sub in for Canada against Morocco. He is starting the Round of 16 match on the bench as head coach Jesse Marsch carefully manages his fitness and workload following a severe hamstring injury.
Davies is healthy enough to see the field as an impact substitute, a role he successfully played in Canada's Round of 32 win over South Africa.
Very disappointing to see lots of empty seats in Houston. Blame FIFA greediness!!!
Looks full to me, people wearing red blending in with the seats, and people out in the concourse for halftime.
Cal88 said:
Looks full to me, people wearing red blending in with the seats, and people out in the concourse for halftime.
Yep, it was posted right around the end of halftime. A lot of games have looked "empty" for the first ten minutes of the second half.
concordtom said:
Very disappointing to see lots of empty seats in Houston. Blame FIFA greediness!!!
maybe, but shirley weather considerations limited demand too.
stuck@home bear
Two winners today play in quarters in Boston that I am attending. Hoping for Morocco and France.
Morocco looking pretty legit.
dajo9 said:Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
Is the weather in Greece "tropical" enough for you right now? Athens, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and New Jersey for that matter all have hotter summers than Buenos Aires. Argentina is not a tropical weather country. Avg annual temperature in Buenos Aires is 60F. You're wrong about Argentina having an advantage in hot weather. This assertion is even more ridiculous as they are playing Egypt next...
24-year-old USMNT and Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Malik Tillman is the HIGHEST RATED attacking midfielder in the 2026 World Cup so far, per FotMob π₯
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 3, 2026
You love to see it πΊπΈπ pic.twitter.com/sV8BxAX3mz
sycasey said:
Morocco looking pretty legit.
They looked bad today, but still won. They are very good but France should prevail.
Suck it Canada, stick to curling and poutine
Round of 16 was about the upper limit for this Canada team, I think.
sycasey said:
Round of 16 was about the upper limit for this Canada team, I think.
You sure? Jesse had the "energy" just right. (Don't look up Poch, he believes in some flaky stuff, too.)
Jesse Marsch #paccwatchβΌοΈ pic.twitter.com/KFhnM7MRnZ
— scuffed (@scuffedpod) July 4, 2026
concordtom said:sluggo said:
12. Lastly, I love Poch. I hope he stays. He has gained a little weight, grown his hair, and looks like a boss. Who needs the every day stress, it will shorten your life?
At halftime of Ausie Egypt, they showed him trying to learn how to catch and throw a baseball. Hilarious!
Tyler Adams' prediction for how well Poch will do throwing out the first pitch at the Mariners game tonight?
With laughter, he said, I don't think baseball is a very big game in Argentina.
Poch being Poch.
RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE FROM MAURICIO POCHETTINO! βΎοΈπ₯ pic.twitter.com/SOnoMH1pgc
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 4, 2026
Cal88 said:dajo9 said:Cal88 said:dajo9 said:concordtom said:
FIFA RANKINGS OF REMAINING 16 TEAMS:
LISTED IN BRACKET FORMAT
My picks in bold, some are my predictions and some my hopes.
Canada (30)
vs
Morocco (6)
Paraguay (34)
vs
France (1)
---
USA (16)
vs
Belgium (9)
Portugal (7)
vs
Spain (3)
====
Brazil (5)
vs
Norway (21)
England (4)
vs
Mexico (10)
---
Switzerland (15)
vs
Columbia (11)
Argentina (2)
vs
Egypt (24)
I want Argentina to be eliminated ASAP.
Aside from the USA game, I'm really looking forward to that Mexico-England game on Sunday.
I also would like to continue watching Erling Haaland, so go Norway over Brazil.
...Probably France and Argentina will waltz to the final, and then France is going to spank them. That's my predication.
I'd love to see all 3 hosts continue all, but Canada isn't going to be around this time tomorrow. Hopefully 2 of the 3 advance to final 8. CONCACAF!!!
I think Argentina will have the advantage in a hot, humid, New Jersey July game. I think the Northern European teams will be at a disadvantage on that day.
Argentina isn't a tropical weather country, Buenos Aires has similar climate to southern Europe. like Rome or Barcelona (except for wetter summers), and most of their players play in Europe.
Atlanta, Houston and Dallas are indoor/AC venues, so the only hot weather stadiums are Miami, NY/NJ Philadelphia and maybe Boston on mid-afternoons.
New Jersey isn't a tropical weather state
Is the weather in Greece "tropical" enough for you right now? Athens, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and New Jersey for that matter all have hotter summers than Buenos Aires. Argentina is not a tropical weather country. Avg annual temperature in Buenos Aires is 60F. You're wrong about Argentina having an advantage in hot weather. This assertion is even more ridiculous as they are playing Egypt next...
You are all over the place.
First, no Greece isn't tropical at all right now. It's hot but not tropical. I don't know why you keep bringing up tropical weather anyway. But according to Argentinians, Buenos Aires is humid in the summer.
https://www.menteargentina.com/blog/a-survival-guide-for-a-humid-summer-in-buenos-aires/
Second, I don't know why you are talking about an Atlanta match against Egypt. I was referring to a potential finals game in NJ. You predicted France vs. Argentina and I said Argentina would have the NJ July weather advantage against Northern European teams.
Cool picture of the USA soccer team! πΊπΈπΊπΈ pic.twitter.com/cOs3x5i9VT
— Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) July 4, 2026
Estacionar el autobus.
sluggo said:PAC-10-BEAR said:sluggo said:PAC-10-BEAR said:concordtom said:Cal88 said:concordtom said:PAC-10-BEAR said:
E) The American way is to keep playing until someone scores. Golden goal rules should be changed so that the first one to score in extra periods wins if this isn't the rule in the knockout rounds already.
FIFA last used the Golden Goal rule in a major tournament in 2004.
Why was it abolished?
It is deemed unfair, because the other team cannot respond. A bit like the difference between the sudden death NFL overtime back in the day vs the NCAA rules where both teams have a possession in OT, the latter rule is more "fair".
Not the answer I was looking for, nor the respondent.
Lone gripes about something already explained in this thread.
So I'll say it again. Golden goal caused refs to not want to call anything for fear of suddenly ending the game.
I never heard this before, but it makes total sense. Imagine the outrage in an elimination game where the golden goal is a result of penalty taken after the VAR shows the ball grazing a player's arm that sort of looks like it's in a natural position in one angle vs. another angle in the corner of the 18-yard box far away from the goal.
I hate the golden goal because soccer is a timed event and tiebreakers should model the standard game. This is why I also hate penalty kicks.
What would be the solution then if the score is still tied after extra periods?
Remove players like in hockey and play on.
Imagine we had old school MLS penalties in the 2026 World Cup ππΊπΈ pic.twitter.com/IOjZdmvL0G
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 4, 2026
What if teams took penalties like this?
At the water break Paraguay is going for 120 minutes of pure bunker. Yuck. We need to French goals. But I am a little scared as Enciso is dangerous and could beat one or two players himself. If I go to Boston to see Paraguay, I will not be happy. But the money is already spent.
Would like to see Mbappe next to Dembele so they can play off each other instead of taking turns. Deschamps is not the most innovative.
Would like to see Mbappe next to Dembele so they can play off each other instead of taking turns. Deschamps is not the most innovative.
Olise is not a #10. Would like to see he and Mbappe swap.
I swear I could coach France better than Deschamps. Just dismal. Stagnant. No overloads. No size in the box. Wasting Mbappe.
Where is Stephen Giroud when you need him? I see he is only 39 and playing in France, I thought he was about 5 years older. He would be useful if he is still himself.
Where is Stephen Giroud when you need him? I see he is only 39 and playing in France, I thought he was about 5 years older. He would be useful if he is still himself.
PAC-10-BEAR said:sluggo said:PAC-10-BEAR said:sluggo said:PAC-10-BEAR said:concordtom said:Cal88 said:concordtom said:PAC-10-BEAR said:
E) The American way is to keep playing until someone scores. Golden goal rules should be changed so that the first one to score in extra periods wins if this isn't the rule in the knockout rounds already.
FIFA last used the Golden Goal rule in a major tournament in 2004.
Why was it abolished?
It is deemed unfair, because the other team cannot respond. A bit like the difference between the sudden death NFL overtime back in the day vs the NCAA rules where both teams have a possession in OT, the latter rule is more "fair".
Not the answer I was looking for, nor the respondent.
Lone gripes about something already explained in this thread.
So I'll say it again. Golden goal caused refs to not want to call anything for fear of suddenly ending the game.
I never heard this before, but it makes total sense. Imagine the outrage in an elimination game where the golden goal is a result of penalty taken after the VAR shows the ball grazing a player's arm that sort of looks like it's in a natural position in one angle vs. another angle in the corner of the 18-yard box far away from the goal.
I hate the golden goal because soccer is a timed event and tiebreakers should model the standard game. This is why I also hate penalty kicks.
What would be the solution then if the score is still tied after extra periods?
Remove players like in hockey and play on.Imagine we had old school MLS penalties in the 2026 World Cup ππΊπΈ pic.twitter.com/IOjZdmvL0G
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 4, 2026
What if teams took penalties like this?
My brother took a photo with Cobi Jones at the last US game. Sent me the photo and called him "Kobe." I have decided not to disown him, but I briefly considered it.
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