Soccer Topics: No goalies in the USA

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In reply to dajo9 • 5:41p, 7/13/26
dajo9 said:
DiabloWags said:
The U.S. loss to Belgium Drew a Record 30 million Viewers on Fox.

Also on Fox...

2025 World Series Game 7 --- 27.3 million

US vs Bosnia and Herzegovina --- 26.4 million

NBA Finals (Game 5) --- 24.5 million

US vs Paraguay --- 18.0 million

US vs Turkey --- 17.0 million

US vs Australia --- 16.2 million


That's terrible news for US soccer if 30 million Americans watched that

LOL
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Cal88
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In reply to sluggo • 5:49p, 7/13/26
sluggo said:
Quick Semifinal Preview:

Spain v France. They are the two most talented teams by far. France has the best athletes, with Dembele winning the world player of the year last year and Mbappe maybe winning it this year (and definitely should have won it many previous years, he has been the best for awhile but his teams have not done so well). They have two dominant center backs in Saliba (Arsenal) and Upemecano (Bayern). They should win this game and the whole tournament. But they have some weakness:
1) Their coach Deschamps like to play a slow tempo, which is crazy
2) Their #10 (attacking center mid) Olise is not a great passer and should probably play another position
3) Their left back Digne is just okay and must face Lamine Yamal
4) Their keeper Maignan is not top tier.

Spain has the best ball control and passing of any team. But they have the following weaknesses:
1) They play Rodrigo (Rodri) over Pedri, which is a joke if you watch them regularly. Rodri plays the center midfield Busquets maestro position of neither attacking nor defending. This is an old-fashioned style of play and hurts both the offense and defense.
2) Their only real striker is Ferran Torres who is average.
3) They are not nearly as fast as France.
4) Their goalie Simon has been much too eager coming out of the nets and made a few mistakes.
On the other hand, Nico Williams, who plays left wing to Yamal's right wing, came back for a few minutes last game and probably can play 45. He is dynamic and having two such dynamic players changes everything.

Last time they played it was 5-4 Spain. I see 2-1 Spain.

The other semi is to find an opponent for France or Spain. I don't really care, but I think it will be England 2-1 because they have a better bench. That has been the key to their tournament.


Surprised to see you say this about Olise, he leads the tournament in assists, and many of these are a sight to behold, the guy is incredibly gifted as a passer.

The team that lost to Spain was still new with this lineup. They seemed to have gelled in the 2nd half of their first game against Senegal and never looked back...

Part of the reason for the slower pace was that France was stuck in hot venues in the muggy northeast outdoor stadiums, the game tomorrow is in air conditioned Dallas stadium, I wonder if they will pick up the pace a bit, or if the French technical team knows that the indoor playing field in steamy Dallas will actually be cooler?

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5:49p, 7/13/26
FIFA is so horribly corrupt:

https://www.si.com/soccer/shocking-truth-how-fifa-suspended-folarin-balogun-ban
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bearister
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In reply to SBGold • 5:56p, 7/13/26
SBGold said:
FIFA is so horribly corrupt:

https://www.si.com/soccer/shocking-truth-how-fifa-suspended-folarin-balogun-ban


Corrupt FIFA + Corrupt Trump + Corrupt Infantino = Justice for Balogun
“Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside”
—Jim Morrison

“I love Cal deeply, by the way, what are the directions to The Portal from Sproul Plaza?”
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In reply to bearister • 5:56p, 7/13/26
bearister said:
SBGold said:
FIFA is so horribly corrupt:

https://www.si.com/soccer/shocking-truth-how-fifa-suspended-folarin-balogun-ban


Corrupt FIFA + Corrupt Trump + corrupt Infantino = Justice for Balogun

100%
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 6:03p, 7/13/26
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Quick Semifinal Preview:

Spain v France. They are the two most talented teams by far. France has the best athletes, with Dembele winning the world player of the year last year and Mbappe maybe winning it this year (and definitely should have won it many previous years, he has been the best for awhile but his teams have not done so well). They have two dominant center backs in Saliba (Arsenal) and Upemecano (Bayern). They should win this game and the whole tournament. But they have some weakness:
1) Their coach Deschamps like to play a slow tempo, which is crazy
2) Their #10 (attacking center mid) Olise is not a great passer and should probably play another position
3) Their left back Digne is just okay and must face Lamine Yamal
4) Their keeper Maignan is not top tier.

Spain has the best ball control and passing of any team. But they have the following weaknesses:
1) They play Rodrigo (Rodri) over Pedri, which is a joke if you watch them regularly. Rodri plays the center midfield Busquets maestro position of neither attacking nor defending. This is an old-fashioned style of play and hurts both the offense and defense.
2) Their only real striker is Ferran Torres who is average.
3) They are not nearly as fast as France.
4) Their goalie Simon has been much too eager coming out of the nets and made a few mistakes.
On the other hand, Nico Williams, who plays left wing to Yamal's right wing, came back for a few minutes last game and probably can play 45. He is dynamic and having two such dynamic players changes everything.

Last time they played it was 5-4 Spain. I see 2-1 Spain.

The other semi is to find an opponent for France or Spain. I don't really care, but I think it will be England 2-1 because they have a better bench. That has been the key to their tournament.


Surprised to see you say this about Olise, he leads the tournament in assists, and many of these are a sight to behold, the guy is incredibly gifted as a passer.

The team that lost to Spain was still new with this lineup. They seemed to have gelled in the 2nd half of their first game against Senegal and never looked back...

Part of the reason for the slower pace was that France was stuck in hot venues in the muggy northeast outdoor stadiums, the game tomorrow is in air conditioned Dallas stadium, I wonder if they will pick up the pace a bit, or if the French technical team knows that the indoor playing field in steamy Dallas will actually be cooler?


I know you are a big Olise fan. I saw him live in Boston, and it was not that hot. He not break down down Morocco. He is a great player but not a #10. He is a winger. He has Mbappe and Dembele and Doue to pass to so that inflates his stats. Let's talk about this after the Spain game.
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Cal88
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8:57p, 7/13/26
Team unis for the semis, Argentina in their normal 2nd navy kit.



I don't know why they don't let Spain wear their usual home colors, which don't really clash with France's, maybe it's their blue sleeves. Their white and maroon uniforms don't look right.



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Cal88
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9:14p, 7/13/26
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concordtom
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6:20a, 7/14/26
This thread has been a great way to avoid all the lathered up bison fighting happening elsewhere in OT land.

Nonetheless, soccer has its own rutting season where the big dogs turn on each other.

Here's US legend Eric Wynalda going after Landon, Howard, Lalas and more - ten months ago.

Funny, now I know why I heard Lalas sleight Wynalda in a network broadcast at the start of the tournament.

Also funny how he admits to self moderation of a prior video.



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concordtom
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6:37a, 7/14/26
Big dog bison fighting doesn't just happen on the soccer field or in OT land, it also happens in the commentary booth.

Who hasn't witnessed the tension between Alexi Lalas and newcomers to US television Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimavich? It's been pretty funny watching Loudmouth Lalas get shown up.



My biggest gripe about this video is the depiction of Alexi's hair in the cartoon sketches.
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bearister
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6:55a, 7/14/26

20 different clubs have at least two players still competing in the World Cup. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)
“Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside”
—Jim Morrison

“I love Cal deeply, by the way, what are the directions to The Portal from Sproul Plaza?”
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sluggo
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10:11a, 7/14/26
I think this article is good about youth development. And there is one nonsense paragraph about Michael Olise that Cal88 will like.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49353204/the-usmnt-struggles-world-cup-fixed-overhauling-youth-development
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sluggo
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11:43a, 7/14/26
France start Tchouamni, a traditional defensive mid, which I think is smart, they need to win the ball. Spain start Rodri over Pedri, which I think is not smart, but I think this is their typical starting lineup. No Nico Williams, I hope he comes on at the half. It is crazy the level of talent on the bench. A merged team of bench players for these two would be the third best team in the tournament, perhaps. Either bench alone might make the quarters.






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Cal88
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In reply to sluggo • 11:45a, 7/14/26
Olise gells really well with this French team, not sure he would have contributed as much to this English team, though he would certainly be worthy of starting there. This French team has great locker room chemistry as well, something that previous talented French teams did not.

You have Spain winning today, who do you have for the other semi? I think Argentina advances, though I would welcome an England upset. The betting odds have England slightly ahead, but that is mostly the bias from the UK being the bookkeeping hub in international soccer.
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 11:49a, 7/14/26
Cal88 said:
Olise gells really well with this French team, not sure he would have contributed as much to this English team, though he would certainly be worthy of starting there. This French team has great locker room chemistry as well, something that previous talented French teams did not.

You have Spain winning today, who do you have for the other semi? I think Argentina advances, though I would welcome an England upset. The betting odds have England slightly ahead, but that is mostly the bias from the UK being the bookkeeping hub in international soccer.

As I said in my very short preview of that almost meaningless game, I see England 2-1 based on better reserves.

Olise would certainly help England as a starting winger, but I still think they would be the third best team.
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 11:55a, 7/14/26
Cal88 said:
Olise gells really well with this French team, not sure he would have contributed as much to this English team, though he would certainly be worthy of starting there. This French team has great locker room chemistry as well, something that previous talented French teams did not.

Yes, in person it seems like the French team really likes each other. As does the Spanish team. So I think they are even in that regard. I think the Brazilian team does not like each other, which is one of their problems.
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sycasey
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In reply to Cal88 • 12:49p, 7/14/26
Cal88 said:
Team unis for the semis, Argentina in their normal 2nd navy kit.



I don't know why they don't let Spain wear their usual home colors, which don't really clash with France's, maybe it's their blue sleeves. Their white and maroon uniforms don't look right.



I have a hard time understanding the rules around uniform clashes. Seems like they have some aversion to just having a blue team vs. a red team and always make one of them change to white. Saw the same when France had to switch to white against Morocco.
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Cal88
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12:53p, 7/14/26
Tough half for France, I thought the penalty should have been a handball on Yamal instead. Spain doing a great job holding the ball, but also on 50-50 balls. Laporte, the French defender who has chosen to play for Spain is having a great game in the back.
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sluggo
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12:59p, 7/14/26
At halftime:
1. Spain giving a lesson.
2. The penalty was weird. It definitely could have been handling on Yamal. Even though his arm was in the offensive and defensive players are treated differently.
3. This is not the real Spain without Nico Williams.
4. Michael Olise is getting his butt kicked so badly I think it might impact his career, like how Nick Anderson's career was destroyed when he missed key free throws in the finals. On a scale of 1-10 he gets a 0 for the first half. I noticed they moved him to right wing and Dembele to #10 late in the half. Not playing Cherki is insane.
5. France plays like it is winning 2-0 no matter the score. To have any chance other than a lucky play they need to increase the pressure.
6. I am not usually a fan of Rodri but in this game, wow, breathtaking.
7. I hate seeing a crap Concacaf ref doing the game. Although he has been okay. He missed Olise's borderline red card foul early in the game.
8. Nice that Stu Holden now has a cultural spotter. No chance he can recognize Javier Bardem. In a previous game they lingered on Penelope Cruz and the announcers awkwardly said nothing.
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Big C
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1:36p, 7/14/26

France starting to look like US (against Belgium): too many different things going wrong

Allez, les Bleus, allez!
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Anarchistbear
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1:44p, 7/14/26
Vamos Espana!
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sluggo
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2:00p, 7/14/26
This Spanish team is fantastic and young, with only two irreplaceable players, Lamal (19) and Williams (24).
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Cal88
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In reply to sluggo • 2:01p, 7/14/26
Hey you were right, France midfield was not up to par, Digne, Olise as well.
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 2:05p, 7/14/26
Cal88 said:
Hey you were right, France midfield was not up to par, Digne, Olise as well.

I get lucky every once in a while. Cherki was the obvious play, Deschamps is bad at his job, though I feel sorry as he lost his mother during the tournament.
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sluggo
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2:10p, 7/14/26
As Zlatan said, there are levels. Soccer is a game of levels more than any other game, I think. Because it is so complicated. I don't mean to compare it to poetry or something, but it requires you to feel things you can't see, as things are constantly happening in all directions. Every single Spanish player feels the game.

The only other team at all like Spain is Portugal. And they were tied late and hit the crossbar while tied. All while carrying the baggage of Ronaldo. Watch out for them in the 28 Euro. Then the 30 World Cup will be in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Can't wait. Hoping to see England easily dispatched in the finals.
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Cal88
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In reply to sluggo • 2:19p, 7/14/26
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Hey you were right, France midfield was not up to par, Digne, Olise as well.

I get lucky every once in a while. Cherki was the obvious play, Deschamps is bad at his job, though I feel sorry as he lost his mother during the tournament.


Agreed about Deschamps, he rarely gets more than the sum of the parts on his teams. I wonder who's next, Zidane is reportedly in the lead, I am not sure if that's the right call.

Spain will be a heavy favorite in the final.
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Anarchistbear
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2:22p, 7/14/26
On Bastille Day.
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 2:23p, 7/14/26
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Hey you were right, France midfield was not up to par, Digne, Olise as well.

I get lucky every once in a while. Cherki was the obvious play, Deschamps is bad at his job, though I feel sorry as he lost his mother during the tournament.


Agreed about Deschamps, he rarely gets more than the sum of the parts on his teams. I wonder who's next, Zidane is reportedly in the lead, I am not sure if that's the right call.

Spain will be a heavy favorite in the final.

Zidane lets stars be stars. Fine for a club but I think they need someone who can reform the way they play. Poch would be a good choice.
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Big C
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2:42p, 7/14/26

I don't trust my observations to be accurate, but what I saw from Spain today was great team defense with no brainfarts or lapses (like France had when they gave up that second goal). No flashy Haalands or Mbappes but they just play winning soccer the entire game with no let up

How am I coming along?
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Anarchistbear
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In reply to Big C • 2:52p, 7/14/26
Big C said:

I don't trust my observations to be accurate, but what I saw from Spain today was great team defense with no brainfarts or lapses (like France had when they gave up that second goal). No flashy Haalands or Mbappes but they just play winning soccer the entire game with no let up

How am I coming along?


Flagged
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smh
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In reply to Anarchistbear • 2:58p, 7/14/26
Anarchistbear said:
Big C said:

I don't trust my observations to be accurate, but what I saw from Spain today was great team defense with no brainfarts or lapses (like France had when they gave up that second goal). No flashy Haalands or Mbappes but they just play winning soccer the entire game with no let up

How am I coming along?


Flagged

huh? sorry but this fool saw Nothing above remotely flammable. care to elaborate?
signed, alzheimers bores R us
not dead yet # funk trunk and i.c.e. too (allergic to AI)
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sluggo
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In reply to smh • 3:00p, 7/14/26
smh said:
Anarchistbear said:
Big C said:

I don't trust my observations to be accurate, but what I saw from Spain today was great team defense with no brainfarts or lapses (like France had when they gave up that second goal). No flashy Haalands or Mbappes but they just play winning soccer the entire game with no let up

How am I coming along?


Flagged

huh? sorry but this fool saw Nothing above remotely flammable. care to elaborate?
signed, alzheimers bores R us

Joke, funny one, too
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sluggo
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In reply to Big C • 3:03p, 7/14/26
Big C said:

I don't trust my observations to be accurate, but what I saw from Spain today was great team defense with no brainfarts or lapses (like France had when they gave up that second goal). No flashy Haalands or Mbappes but they just play winning soccer the entire game with no let up

How am I coming along?

I think Lamine Yamal is a top 2 player in the world. They play a disciplined system with him staying on the wing. It is hard to score from there with two out of bounds lines and two defenders. I think later in his career he will move to attacking center mid and have even more impact. I also think the key to the game was the Spanish midfield dominating the French midfield. Ruiz, Olmo, Rodri all breathtakingly good. But focusing on the defense is a perfectly fine way to look at the game.
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Cal88
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In reply to sluggo • 3:10p, 7/14/26
Digne was struggling and when Saliba came out injured the coordination in the back was off. In addition this French team needed a Viera and a younger Kante' to match up with Spain.
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sycasey
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3:21p, 7/14/26
Well, so much for my "France is the team to beat" takes. Though in fairness, I did also think Spain looked like the next best team so this isn't a shocking result.
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