2022 World Cup Thread

[MUBurrow]

simpsons.stop he's already dead.gif

[Its DJOver]

Richarlison has been quite good for Brasil. Should help him get a move in near future to a big club worthy of his potential.

I see what you did there, well done.

[21Jumpstreet]

Richarlison has been quite good for Brasil. Should help him get a move in near future to a big club worthy of his potential.

That's pretty funny. His game today is what I was hoping for from Reyna when he got his chance—relentless energy, relentless pressure, tracking back to defend, score when give the opportunity. I know, Reyna was out of position, but had he had effort like Richarlison, perhaps it makes a difference.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Richarlison has been quite good for Brasil. Should help him get a move in near future to a big club worthy of his potential.

If we had anyone but Conte, I could see a 4231 with Kane at the 10 and richarlson at the 9, with Son and Deki on the wings.

Funny, as Kane would almost be playing the Dele role from the Poch era.

[jesmu84]

If we had anyone but Conte, I could see a 4231 with Kane at the 10 and richarlson at the 9, with Son and Deki on the wings.

Funny, as Kane would almost be playing the Dele role from the Poch era.

Is that a role Kane would have any interest in? Truly no idea

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Is that a role Kane would have any interest in? Truly no idea

Not while he's chasing the goal record.

But, he has developed into such a deep playmaker from the 9 as it is, I could see it being viable to get all 4 of the attackers on the field at once if they were chasing a goal.

[jesmu84]

Wow

[Its DJOver]

There were some truly awful pens there.

[Dish]

That was great drama, what a match. Bono bigger rockstar than the other Bono today.

[StillAWarrior]

Karma. Never, ever throw a match.

[21Jumpstreet]

All the pressure was on Spain when extra time ended. Morocco looked cool and loose, especially Hakimi. Wow, while I hate to see such a great game end on spot kicks, it was pure drama.

[lawdog77]

Karma. Never, ever throw a match.

And never, ever wear baby blues (at least I think that was the color)

[ZiggysFryBoy]

And never, ever wear baby blues (at least I think that was the color)

Especially on international TV, aina?

[JWags85]

There were some truly awful pens there.

Without exaggeration, Busquets pen could be in the top 3 worst pens I've ever seen at a professional level.  My 3 month old son likely could have saved it.

You couldn't have written a better finish than Hakimi putting the winning penalty in.  The Madrid born and bred Real product, married to a famous Spanish actress...sending the Spaniards home.

Also amusing, we see so much conversation about the diverse nature of some of the "colonizing" countries national teams.  The African players for France and Belgium, the diverse makeup of the English team, the German team having a cache of Turkish immigrants in recent years as well as African roots...

Morocco is just the opposite.  The stars of the Moroccan team are Dutch, Spanish, and French born and raised.

[StillAWarrior]

Without exaggeration, Busquets pen could be in the top 3 worst pens I've ever seen at a professional level.  My 3 month old son likely could have saved it.

Nope...no exaggeration there.

[JWags85]

I was thinking watching US matches of the tragic and cautionary tale of Matt Miazga.  Even if he didn't end up in the Chelsea XI, I expected him to be successful and a part of the US backline in 2022 and 2026.

Loan spells in nearly every major league in Europe.  La Liga, Eredivisie, Ligue 1, 2 years in the Championship, and a year with one of the top 2 clubs in Belgium playing under a legendary CB...all to end up in MLS, at the start of his prime, to fade out like Paul Arriola or Aaron Long, and not even as a DP

[Its DJOver]

I was thinking watching US matches of the tragic and cautionary tale of Matt Miazga.  Even if he didn't end up in the Chelsea XI, I expected him to be successful and a part of the US backline in 2022 and 2026.

Loan spells in nearly every major league in Europe.  La Liga, Eredivisie, Ligue 1, 2 years in the Championship, and a year with one of the top 2 clubs in Belgium playing under a legendary CB...all to end up in MLS, at the start of his prime, to fade out like Paul Arriola or Aaron Long, and not even as a DP

Massive reason why I have infinite respect for Tim Ream.  Spent the vast majority of his career on yo-yo teams and on the outside lookin in for the USMNT.  Revival in the last 18 months, partly due to injuries among other CB, but also has absolutely been on form.  He could have easily packed it up and come state side when Dempsey and Bradley did and been a borderline star for an MLS team, but he stuck it out abroad.  He has deserved every bit of praise he has gotten recently.

[JWags85]

Massive reason why I have infinite respect for Tim Ream.  Spent the vast majority of his career on yo-yo teams and on the outside lookin in for the USMNT.  Revival in the last 18 months, partly due to injuries among other CB, but also has absolutely been on form.  He could have easily packed it up and come state side when Dempsey and Bradley did and been a borderline star for an MLS team, but he stuck it out abroad.  He has deserved every bit of praise he has gotten recently.

Totally agree.  Same with Eric Lichaj, though he never got his revival.  Geoff Cameron stuck it out for years until his final seasons.

Its no wonder some of the former hot names are out of the USMNT forever, following moves back stateside.  Emerson Hyndman, Brek Shea, Vassilev... I still have hope for Brooks Lennon but he'd have to go back abroad.  Novakich and Daryl Dike continue to grind it out abroad and I hope that continues

[mug644]

With no matches today or tomorrow, here's a historical match to ponder...

https://youtu.be/LfduUFF_i1A

[tower912]

That was not an exciting half of futbol.  Which, I guess, was a victory for Croatia.

[withoutbias]

That was not an exciting half of futbol.  Which, I guess, was a victory for Croatia.

Is there ever?

[MUBurrow]

That was not an exciting half of futbol.  Which, I guess, was a victory for Croatia.

When I think teams will do well/surprise, that has pretty much been the kiss of death for them - I liked Belgium, Ecuador, Switzerland, and Denmark.  But I also filled out a knockout bracket with some folks that had Croatia in the final.  They are disruptive as hell and have enough inspiration up front to make the most of it.  Then again I had them running out of gas in the final to Spain, so consider the source.

[tower912]

It feels like Croatia is hanging on on defense and not really threatening on offense.   Brazil seems like they think it is inevitable and getting a little frustrated.   

[Golden Avalanche]

It feels like Croatia is hanging on on defense and not really threatening on offense.   Brazil seems like they think it is inevitable and getting a little frustrated.   

Similar to Spain late in the game against Morocco.

Also, Richarlison so far showing why he is where he is regarding club level (78th minute).

[panda]

Similar to Spain late in the game against Morocco.

Also, Richarlison so far showing why he is where he is regarding club level (78th minute).

Champions league ?