Futbol Talk

[Uncle Rico]

This ends up with the US forcing Israel into the World Cup as like some kinda independent wild card doesn't it.

More DEI, SMDH

[panda]

So Blackburn was up 1-0 over Ipswich, and Ipswich were down to 10 men when a large rain cell caused a delay in the 79th minute.  It was determined that the field was unplayable so the game was abandoned and now has to be replayed in full.  Incredibly harsh to Blackburn.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy4j74ll4xwo

Games gone

[Its DJOver]

Anyone even trying for WC tickets?  I was, but there's just no way I can justify it at this point.

[The Sultan]

Anyone even trying for WC tickets?  I was, but there's just no way I can justify it at this point.

My guess is the secondary market will tank for some of the less in-demand games in some locations. But I'm not terribly interested in going anywhere to see Ecuador play Uzbekistan.

[Its DJOver]

My guess is the secondary market will tank for some of the less in-demand games in some locations. But I'm not terribly interested in going anywhere to see Ecuador play Uzbekistan.

I should have been more clear, I was referring to US games.  I have in the past/would have grabbed tickets day of to a game like that were it in Chicago but between the locations and the prices it looks like I'll just be watching from the couch/bar, which is really a shame.

[tower912]

But I'm not terribly interested in going anywhere to see Ecuador play Uzbekistan.

If it stops the war between them, it will have been worth it.

[The Sultan]

I should have been more clear, I was referring to US games.  I have in the past/would have grabbed tickets day of to a game like that were it in Chicago but between the locations and the prices it looks like I'll just be watching from the couch/bar, which is really a shame.

Ah. I was unaware that the hosts had been assigned locations.

Anyway, I guess I wouldn't be opposed going to Kansas City to see a game between countries I know nothing about. KC is great for an event like this - Arrowhead, however, is not. You're pretty much required to take a car.

[Its DJOver]

Ah. I was unaware that the hosts had been assigned locations.

Anyway, I guess I wouldn't be opposed going to Kansas City to see a game between countries I know nothing about. KC is great for an event like this - Arrowhead, however, is not. You're pretty much required to take a car.

Yea, for the group stages logistics sake, everyone is going to be in either the West, Central or East region.  US is in the West so the guaranteed games are in LA/Seattle, so on top of the ticket prices, you'd probably have so outrageous lodging prices too.

Agree that KC is a great soccer town. If I were closer I'd consider heading there just for the watch parties.  It's supposed to be an incredible environment. 

[The Sultan]

Yea, for the group stages logistics sake, everyone is going to be in either the West, Central or East region.  US is in the West so the guaranteed games are in LA/Seattle, so on top of the ticket prices, you'd probably have so outrageous lodging prices too.

Agree that KC is a great soccer town. If I were closer I'd consider heading there just for the watch parties.  It's supposed to be an incredible environment.

I was there for Copa last year. Power and Light District was awesome. We spent a day just wandering around downtown to various restaurants, breweries, etc. Very walkable city.

But Arrowhead is just a boring-ass parking lot on the edge of town. No public transportation to get you there (though my guess is there will be for the WC) and the ride sharing situation was abysmal. I guess I'm just used to Packer games where there is plenty to do around the stadium pre-game, or Brewer games where you can always find places to shuttle from. KC didn't have any of that.

Yeah maybe just hanging out there during the WC without going to a game is a good idea.

[wadesworld]

I will most likely get to one of the games in KC.  Under a 2 hour drive for me.  But yeah, the logistics of Arrowhead are bad.  KC is a cool city with some really good food.

Would rather see Ecuador vs. Uzbekistan than watch the USA play.  But hoping for at least one cool country to see.

[Shaka Shart]

I will most likely get to one of the games in KC.  Under a 2 hour drive for me.  But yeah, the logistics of Arrowhead are bad.  KC is a cool city with some really good food.

Would rather see Ecuador vs. Uzbekistan than watch the USA play.  But hoping for at least one cool country to see.

I'm cheering for FIFA's profit margins

[panda]

I should have been more clear, I was referring to US games.  I have in the past/would have grabbed tickets day of to a game like that were it in Chicago but between the locations and the prices it looks like I'll just be watching from the couch/bar, which is really a shame.

I would rather walk across burning hot coals than pay to watch the usmnt

[The Sultan]

Cape Verde qualifies for the World Cup today. I believe they are the second smallest country ever to qualify.

To put this in perspective, they didn't even qualify for this year's version of the Africa Cup of Nations.

[JWags85]

Cape Verde qualifies for the World Cup today. I believe they are the second smallest country ever to qualify.

To put this in perspective, they didn't even qualify for this year's version of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Literally one of the best stories you could write for the WC.  Country with a smaller population than Wyoming.  None of their players are in the top 5 Euro leagues, and outside of a few in Portugal and Turkey, all in even lower leagues.  40 year old goalie thats never played major level soccer.  And unlike a lot of the smaller African nations, all of their most capped players and the vast majority of the starting line up are actually Cape Verde born and bred instead of coming up in Europe and switching international allegiance later on.

And doing it by beating and finishing ahead of a Cameroon squad that is flooded with guys playing in the EPL, Ligue 1, and Serie A.  African Cup of Nations and WC Qualifying is always pure chaos, far more than any other federation.

They will be cannon fodder but still super cool.