World Cup 2026

[StillAWarrior]

I was really happy to have a chance to see Messi play last year in Cleveland against the Crew. I figured that if I had a chance to see the GOAT play, I had to take it. I hoped to see him score, but his only shot was just wide to the left. It was interesting seeing how he seemed to just observe the game at his own pace (i.e., mostly walk), but then come to life and make plays.

[CreightonWarrior]

Messi is VERY cool.  He's really easy to root for despite the fact that he's getting old for soccer. 

wow this is very discriminatory versus old people. very appaling.

[Its DJOver]

I was really happy to have a chance to see Messi play last year in Cleveland against the Crew. I figured that if I had a chance to see the GOAT play, I had to take it. I hoped to see him score, but his only shot was just wide to the left. It was interesting seeing how he seemed to just observe the game at his own pace (i.e., mostly walk), but then come to life and make plays.

Was able to see him at the 2016 Copa America in Chicago. Yea, it was against a not great Panama side that were playing with 10, but seeing him get subbed on when it was still only 1-0 and casually score a hat trick in a half hour just put into perspective how much of a cheat code he is.

[Billy Hoyle]

Watching Messi last night felt like watching late years Jordan with the Bulls. Just feel lucky to be alive at the same time as the true GOAT of the sport.

For many years, I took Renaldo in the Messi/Renaldo "GOAT" debate, especially after Portugal's EURO title in 2016. 2022 changed my mind.

[Its DJOver]

For many years, I took Renaldo in the Messi/Renaldo "GOAT" debate, especially after Portugal's EURO title in 2016. 2022 changed my mind.

The EURO where Portugal won a grand total of one game in regulation, against Wales, only advanced past the group stage because they started taking third place teams, and CR7 got got hurt 25 minutes into the final with the score 0-0? The Messi/Ronaldo debate had merit for quite a while, the 2016 EURO's played very little in it IMO.

[The Sultan]

Messi is lucky he was still in the game after that foul. Should have at least been a yellow card.

[JWags85]

Beyond the fact that the Messi/Ronaldo debate is toxic and filled with more absurdity on both ends than even Jordan/Lebron, the aspect of the debate that has always been fascinating to me (and further makes it so much harder apples to apples) is how different than are as players.

Messi is an attacking playmaker who often drops deep to recieve possession and start an attack/counter attack.  Whereas Ronaldo is a finisher, a poacher, lethal in the final 3rd. 

They were, at their peak, insane dribbling talents.  But Messi is a magician in traffic and became famous for the slaloming runs through midfield and defense.  On the other hand, Ronaldo's strength was always eviscerating people 1v1 off the wing or in straight line attacks.

Messi is obviously very athletic, great body control, very fast/quick, amazing balance.  But Ronaldo is a physical freak, his vertical ability to get up for headers was unlike almost any other fast wing player ever.  Not to mention Ronaldo has evolved from a wiry fast winger in his youth to an incredible strong physical finisher in the box as he got older.

It just makes it amusing and disjointed when you see some of the arguments based on stats and metrics when their games and outputs can be so dissimilar at times.

[Hards Alumni]

France clearly felt jealous of all the press that Spain got for their opening match performance...bout to drop an xG of under 0.05 in the first half. Senegal isn't a minnow but France has looked completely toothless

I would say they seemed 'confident'.

[JWags85]

I would say they seemed 'confident'.

I don't hate Lalas as much as most, I don't love him, I just don't detest him like many soccer fans.  He's clearly meant to be the loud hot take artist, Fox's soccer version of Skip Bayless, and he aggressively leans into the role. 

That being said, Zlatan clearly and blatantly can't stand him and its INCREDIBLE television.  There is ZERO chemistry between Lalas, Zlatan, and Henry. Zlatan hates Lalas and Henry doesn't really respect him/put much stock into what he says.  Zlatan and Henry were peers/rivals and their respective (and much deserved) egos doesn't lead to them being buddy buddy.  So its just chaos and tension, its incredible.  I could watch Henry's facial reactions to Zlatan not giving a f*** all day.

[The Sultan]

It's really too bad that Fox thinks that's what the World Cup broadcast needs. It clearly doesn't.

[Hards Alumni]

It's really too bad that Fox thinks that's what the World Cup broadcast needs. It clearly doesn't.

Eh, depends.  It makes for entertaining TV, but the European snark directed at Lalas does come off mean at times.  But Lalas is a great target for it, and takes it in stride (mostly).

[The Sultan]

Eh, depends.  It makes for entertaining TV, but the European snark directed at Lalas does come off mean at times.  But Lalas is a great target for it, and takes it in stride (mostly).

I just prefer something along the lines of NBC's PL coverage than more hot takes.

[Hards Alumni]

I just prefer something along the lines of NBC's PL coverage than more hot takes.

Same, but they want these interactions to drive viewership and provide viral moments.  I get what they're doing and why... but if it makes more people tune into the matches and enjoy the matches it's fine.

[JWags85]

It's really too bad that Fox thinks that's what the World Cup broadcast needs. It clearly doesn't.

Yes and no.  I mean, it's not like they picked a bunch of randoms to create a hot take factory. They are using their established/in house talent.  If if you hate Lalas, he's been their lead soccer analyst for a decade plus, he was always gonna be the main studio guy.

Henry has done US media off and on for awhile and he's the biggest name for CBS' Champions League studio show which LEGITIMATELY compares to prime era Inside the NBA as an incredible studio show with unreal chemistry. Henry, beyond being a huge name, is a fantastic analyst.  He reminds me of A Rod in someone who was such a naturally gifted player yet is able to articulate nuances of the game in a simple, digestible, and compelling way.

And Zlatan is Zlatan.  For all his ego, I've always found his bluntness and lack of sugar coating to be pretty effective in breaking down the game from a player/psychology perspective.  You don't want him doing color, but I think he's great in studio.

So I don't think they put the studio team together hoping/expecting a contentious ego drama fest, but it's happened.  And at the end of the day, regardless of focus, it needs to be watchable and entertaining, and I think it is.

I mean, if you want the alternative, ESPN FC and their coverage is pretty devoid of big names and tries to be more "soccer purist" focused...and I frankly think it usually stinks.  And then they try to get punchy for clicks, like Grella's statement about the US destroying Australia, and they look like idiots.

Also, FWIW, Lalas was actually quoting something Landon Donovan said in game.  You want a disaster, imagine if they had put Donovan in Lalas' place.  Zlatan would still think he was a joke (especially given Donovan's awful commentary lately) and Donovan wouldn't be able to take it, because like Hard's said, Lalas is at least aware of the game and his role

[JWags85]

I just prefer something along the lines of NBC's PL coverage than more hot takes.

To be fair, that is a very British focused sort of broadcast. I love Rebecca Lowe, I like the Two Robbies, but it's a very dry, by the book, BBC Match of the Day kind of broadcast.  Which isn't bad (it was obviously originally created to lift and shift the British PL coverage to the US when NBC acquired the rights), but it's not targeted to a younger or global audience.  It's not even an "American" thing, this coverage has a lot more in common with what you see from La Liga or Serie A studio coverages for example. 

Like I said, I think Fox's target was more like CBS CL show which has a lot of good insight from Henry and Carra, but a ton of silly stuff and some good natured hot takes. 

But all in all, we're not even a week in, let it settle a bit, and I think we'll get some good stuff and it will be a good studio portion over all

[The Sultan]

Yes and no.  I mean, it's not like they picked a bunch of randoms to create a hot take factory. They are using their established/in house talent.  If if you hate Lalas, he's been their lead soccer analyst for a decade plus, he was always gonna be the main studio guy.

Henry has done US media off and on for awhile and he's the biggest name for CBS' Champions League studio show which LEGITIMATELY compares to prime era Inside the NBA as an incredible studio show with unreal chemistry. Henry, beyond being a huge name, is a fantastic analyst.  He reminds me of A Rod in someone who was such a naturally gifted player yet is able to articulate nuances of the game in a simple, digestible, and compelling way.

And Zlatan is Zlatan.  For all his ego, I've always found his bluntness and lack of sugar coating to be pretty effective in breaking down the game from a player/psychology perspective.  You don't want him doing color, but I think he's great in studio.

So I don't think they put the studio team together hoping/expecting a contentious ego drama fest, but it's happened.  And at the end of the day, regardless of focus, it needs to be watchable and entertaining, and I think it is.

I mean, if you want the alternative, ESPN FC and their coverage is pretty devoid of big names and tries to be more "soccer purist" focused...and I frankly think it usually stinks.  And then they try to get punchy for clicks, like Grella's statement about the US destroying Australia, and they look like idiots.

Also, FWIW, Lalas was actually quoting something Landon Donovan said in game.  You want a disaster, imagine if they had put Donovan in Lalas' place.  Zlatan would still think he was a joke (especially given Donovan's awful commentary lately) and Donovan wouldn't be able to take it, because like Hard's said, Lalas is at least aware of the game and his role

I think ESPN FC is miles ahead of this.

[pbiflyer]

Was able to see him at the 2016 Copa America in Chicago. Yea, it was against a not great Panama side that were playing with 10, but seeing him get subbed on when it was still only 1-0 and casually score a hat trick in a half hour just put into perspective how much of a cheat code he is.

It hysterical watching InterMiami games. He basically just strolls around. Then if the other team scores or we miss an opportunity, he gets an annoyed look on his face kind of shrugs his shoulders and you can see his body language is almost like fine. I'll do it myself. He'll then do something ridiculous score or assist to a place where the player can't help but make it. He then goes back to walking around.
It just goes to show you how head and shoulders above the average player he is.

[21Jumpstreet]

Was able to see him at the 2016 Copa America in Chicago. Yea, it was against a not great Panama side that were playing with 10, but seeing him get subbed on when it was still only 1-0 and casually score a hat trick in a half hour just put into perspective how much of a cheat code he is.

A favorite memory of mine is seeing him at Camp Nou. Sitting front row along the pitch between the 18 and center circle, classic free kick whipped into the back of the net, the entire squad celebrated right in front of us. Magical moment.

[panda]

Reyna for Pulisic tmrw? I say yes. Need puli later on in the tournament and give him a week more to rest.

[MuggsyB]

Any concerns with Australia? 

[MU82]

Anybody got $3800 lying around and want to give it to me so I can buy the two cheapest nosebleed tickets on Stubhub for tomorrow's game?

[Skatastrophy]

Any concerns with Australia? 

They call themselves the Socceroos

[Shaka Shart]

Any concerns with Australia? 

Woke

[CreightonWarrior]

Any concerns with Australia? 

they flush their toilets the wrong direction like a bunch of weirdos. Says enough about them.

[JWags85]

Pulisic ruled out against Australia this afternoon.  Hoping its further precautionary since the US will still be favored against the Aussies and are in a VERY likely position to advance given their opening result...and not bad flair up of a previous/existing injury.  He's had a fairly healthy 2026, so that gives me some optimism.

Pepi starting up top with Balogun will be interesting.  They played that kind of fluid pentagon/4-2-3-1 against Paraguay with Balogun on top and the midfield shifting and moving around depending on the runs from Dest or Tillman.  Now, I'd assume it will be more of a 2 up top, diamond in the middle (McKennie in the attacking CM role and Adams more deep lying) with Tillman and Dest on the wings outside of them?

Either way, I think it will still be an exciting/attacking formation and press.  Pepi wasn't great in limited time against either Paraguay or Germany, but he didn't really have much in terms of minutes to get going.  He was much better in the warm up against Senegal last month and the other significant USMNT minutes against Belgium in March.

That being said, he was absolutely SCORCHING for PSV to end the year.  6 goals in his last 5 matches, 2 of those matches were against Ajax and Twente (top 4 clubs in the Eredivisise this year) and he had a brace in another match against a top half club.  So I'm still high on him and hope he shows it today