World Cup 2018
 

It's nearly here :jump:

I have no country to root for with both USA and Ireland staying home.
Still, it's going to be great to watch even if I have no dog in the fight.

Hoping Mo Salah recovers in time to play for Egypt.
He was dragged to the ground by Ramos in the ECL final.
Could have been a red card. An Egyptian lawyer is suing Ramos.
Good luck with that, but it shows the passion there is for the sport.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...-a3849566.html

Greatest WC Player Ever?
 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeRMh0OU0AE1X6e.jpg:small

Has to be Pele for me.
The complete package plus pure genius. :ThmbUp:

WC 2018 Schedule
 

*Times listed below are GMT:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeRlvsHWsAAC6yT.jpg:small

I'm not sure if Pele was the best ever player, because I am a bigger fan of the European style of futball...but I think Lev Yashin was clearly the best ever goalkeeper.

I was 8 years old when Yashin played in the 1966 World Cup.
Definitely one of the greats of the game.
Russia could use him this year - I think they will be under pressure.

Pele still the greatest for me although many others could lay claim. Messi and Maradona have to be up there but Pele was around when my interest in football started in 1970 so I will stick up for him and he was a total gentleman. Never liked Maradona especially after his cheating to knock England out of the 1986 tournament, although I will concede his second goal was sheer brilliance.

Obviously rooting for England but don't think they will go far, perhaps the quarter finals. Un-original but I think it will be Germany who always put up a good show, Brazil or Belgium. Only eight teams Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Uruguay, Argentina and England, have ever won so it would be nice to see a new name on the trophy so would love to see Belgium do well.

Maradona's goal against England in 1986.

Maradona's cheating in the same match when he punched the ball into the net, very probably off side as well.

The Brazil team of 1970 were probably the best I've seen and I would put this at the top of the list of all time goals.

And, talking of goalkeepers, Gordon Banks from England has to be one of the best. This save from Pele's header in the same 1970 tournament is the best I've seen.

Kick Off
 

snappit,

We are similar in age, as the first World Cup I watched at length was in 1970.
That Brazilian team was very special, and a joy to watch.

Hard to see England reaching the last four this year.
Any of the top four rated teams could win, and you can probably
add Argentina and Belgium into the mix. Both have very strong squads.

The highest ranked teams are all capable on past performances.
It is what they put forward in the next month that wins the trophy.
Group matches are often routine for the top nations.
They aren't really tested until they reach the elimination stage.

Could there be a rank outsider (high odds long shot) making the semis?
Unlikely, but everyone's dream is still alive - at least for their group matches.

Good luck to anyone making a wager! :ThmbUp:

Soccer missed me by a few years. As evident by my use of the term “soccer”.

I did hear an interesting podcast talking about the problem with American futbol (look!) being it’s reliance on high income families as the source of most of it’s players.

Poor kids (Hispanic, Black, Asian, Appalachian, or otherwise) don’t get the opportunities that lead to the national team.

I know nothing about this sport and find it boring as hell. I have zero investment.

But I thought I’d stir the pot and see what came to the surface.

Please describe how my 60 minute podcast didn’t nail this sucker shut.

I don't know. Sylvester Stallone looked pretty darn good in the movie Victory

First, the best athletes in the U.S. have always gravitated to football, basketball and baseball. I believe a lot of these athletes will eschew football and soccer may benefit.

You're right about poorer folk not really embracing the game, but again as football becomes less attractive, they may play that game. You can play soccer with one ball on any kind surface. You don't need a 110 X 55 yard stadium with perfectly groomed grass.

If it's boring it is probably a lack of appreciation for the skill it takes to play the game. Yes, there are far too many kicks back to the goalie, and some teams are far too patient with the ball in the midfield, but a good attack is exciting.

The players love to take their shirts off and show off the six-packs. Of course if you were running 7-8 miles in a game - well, let's just say you have to be a really great athlete to do that.

I've done a few pieces on the worst rules in soccer and how the game could be improved, but when you are dealing with something people call the "beautiful game" it's hard to convince people

As was I. My limited experience was when I was in college in Ireland. We had George Best, and I will always think of him as the best player ever. Pretty much the Mickey Mantle of soccer.

I think the reason the game is so difficult for many Americans of my generation is because most of us never played the game as kids. Being from the south, I never connected with hockey, either, but I learned to love the sport anyway. (Still don't really understand it as I do the games I player, though.)