USA set to receive thumping next month..

[Pigslilspaz]

Only 1 CONCACAF team and only 1 CONMEBOL team didn't make it to the round of 16. However, MORE THAN HALF of UEFA didn't make it.

Remind me why Europe gets so many slots again?

[guncrasher]

Only 1 CONCACAF team and only 1 CONMEBOL team didn't make it to the round of 16. However, MORE THAN HALF of UEFA didn't make it.

Remind me why Europe gets so many slots again?

that's because a some continents dont really have strong teams.  for example oceania, they get 1 spot.  tahiti made it to the 2013 confederations cup in brazil.  the ended up with 1 goal scored and 24 against.    in that part of the globe it's always australia/new zeland. who else can participate in the cup?

however Africa has had some really strong teams this cup and made some decent showing.  asia  had japan and south korea.  not very skilled teams but they played with a lot of heart.

It all comes down to really have strong teams compete against each other.  give it a few more years and more african/asian/oceania countries will be strong enough to compete internationally.

semp

[FLOOB]

Wow the media is really hyping up the soccer games. They so badly want americans to give a crap about it. It's on par with the olympics or royal wedding hype. It's all about getting a bigger audience to see the commercials.

[guncrasher]

Wow the media is really hyping up the soccer games. They so badly want americans to give a crap about it. It's on par with the olympics or royal wedding hype. It's all about getting a bigger audience to see the commercials.

I have yet to see a commercial during the world cup.  on the other hand I watch the super bowl just for the commercials.  go figure.


semp

[Pigslilspaz]

Wow the media is really hyping up the soccer games. They so badly want americans to give a crap about it. It's on par with the olympics or royal wedding hype. It's all about getting a bigger audience to see the commercials.

Except there aren't commercials in soccer, compared to basketball, football, and hockey where they stop the game specifically to show more commercials.

And Americans already "give a crap about it" considering that every world cup, Americans buy the most tickets to the matches aside from the host nation

[Bruv119]

Wow the media is really hyping up the soccer games. They so badly want americans to give a crap about it. It's on par with the olympics or royal wedding hype. It's all about getting a bigger audience to see the commercials.

I drove past a field I used to do laps around growing up the other day and to my absolute astonishment I saw luminous yellow American Rugby posts  .   A little bit of sick came up into my mouth as that field is normally reserved for cricket in the summer and football in season.   Shocking that NFL corporates are trying to establish fans in the UK!   Works both ways I guess!   

[Curval]

Wow the media is really hyping up the soccer games. They so badly want americans to give a crap about it. It's on par with the olympics or royal wedding hype. It's all about getting a bigger audience to see the commercials.

You guys have a great team.  It is a shame it doesn't get the support it deserves, because of some "It isn't an "American game"" attitude.  Commercials??  That is precisely the reason that it isn't popular in the US...there aren't ENOUGH commercials capable of being shown without eating into the game time.  Thus your networks aren't interested.

Again, crying shame.

[MiloMorai]

Well Curval, it isn't manly enough. Needs more violence and mayhem for many, yet baseball and basketball have a big following.

[BoilerDown]

If the USMNT wins version Belgium I would not be surprised if the MLS signs a better TV deal in the next year.  Things have been building up to this for a while now.

[Bruv119]

whilst I want USA to do well and for the nation to appreciate football more, I can't see them progressing against a well balanced Belgium.   They have a lot of premier league stars and were classed as dark horses by many. 

Brazil vs Chile next and I think Chile may edge it.   

[TheCrazyOrange]

whilst I want USA to do well and for the nation to appreciate football more, I can't see them progressing against a well balanced Belgium.   They have a lot of premier league stars and were classed as dark horses by many. 

Brazil vs Chile next and I think Chile may edge it.   

Odd... We say the same of you lot.

[BoilerDown]

whilst I want USA to do well and for the nation to appreciate football more, I can't see them progressing against a well balanced Belgium.   They have a lot of premier league stars and were classed as dark horses by many.

Did Spain, Portugal, Italy and England have a lot of premier league stars?

[Bruv119]

Have you watched Belgium's games?  They have performed much better and more consistent than the teams you listed.  I'm all for 11 vs 11, any given day and all that but I'm saying this is a bridge too far. IMO   

[craz07]

USA sucks!!

[BoilerDown]

Have you watched Belgium's games?  They have performed much better and more consistent than the teams you listed.  I'm all for 11 vs 11, any given day and all that but I'm saying this is a bridge too far. IMO  

I have, I watched most games of the World Cup so far.  The last game they played a bunch of subs and got a red card, so someone isn't playing versus the US (not sure if he's a normally starter or not), and then nearly lost to lowly South Korea.  They also had to play Albania and Russia.  Not exactly powerhouses.  Meanwhile the US had to play much tougher sides to advance.  Oh and 2/3rds of the teams the US qualified with in the World Cup are still in the tournament.

If Altidore is still out, I give Belgium a chance, otherwise USA wins, no problem.