US Soccer is thinking about starting a Soccer NIT for next summer. Seriously.
<a href=" https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2017/11/14/16652530/usa-soccer-world-cup-nit-netherlands-italy-chil e" class="bbcode_url"> https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2017/11/14/16652530/usa-soccer-world-cup-nit-netherlands-italy-chile
Would be a great idea, why not? The more games we can play, the better.
Sure it won’t be as prestigious as the World Cup, but I’d watch. There are enough big names countries in there to peak my interest.
World Cup draw just happened.
[hide]Group A:
Russia
Uruguay
Egypy
Saudi Arabia
Group B:
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
Iran
Group C:
France
Australia
Denmark
Peru
Group 
Argentina
Iceland
Croatia
Nigeria
Group E:
Brazil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia
Group F:
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea
Group G:
Belgium
England
Tunisia
Panama
Group H:
Poland
Senegal
Colombia
Japan
[/hide]
Group E looks like the Group of Death to me, most competitive top to bottom
Russia got pretty much the ideal draw, lol
England fared well pulling Tunisia and Panama
Group D is intriguing, Argentina should top it, but that should be a fun battle for 2nd
Group H is definitely the easiest
Japan is in Group H too.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
I would say that Group A is by far the easiest. Uruguay should win that group with their "B" team. Since they seeded everyone by ranking (except the host), the Group of Death is not really there anymore, but Group C and Group E look to be the most difficult. Group D... Argentina should win, but they struggled to even qualify. Iceland and Croatia are both capable of beating them. That could be the most interesting group.
Auf gehts Deutschland! Die Weltmeister!
Hard work will beat talent, if talent doesn't work hard.
I would say that Group A is by far the easiest. Uruguay should win that group with their "B" team. Since they seeded everyone by ranking (except the host), the Group of Death is not really there anymore, but Group C and Group E look to be the most difficult. Group D... Argentina should win, but they struggled to even qualify. Iceland and Croatia are both capable of beating them. That could be the most interesting group.
Yeah, there really is no "true" group of death, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably go with E.
Agreed with you on D. I think that's easily the most intriguing group, especially if Iceland plays like they did at Euros. An early Argentina loss or draw would make that group veeery interesting.
Auf gehts Deutschland! Die Weltmeister!
:good2:
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
Although the Germans just seem to always reload this is probably their last run with guys like Mueller, Ozil, and Neuer as the core of the team.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Ozil so I hope we see the 8 year ago Ozil instead of the one from the last World Cup.
Although the Germans just seem to always reload this is probably their last run with guys like Mueller, Ozil, and Neuer as the core of the team.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Ozil so I hope we see the 8 year ago Ozil instead of the one from the last World Cup.
That's just because you're a Gooner!! 
Belgium is the team that needs to do something. Their "Golden Generation" is now experienced enough to make a run and they have a relatively easy path to the Quarterfinals. Unfortunately for them, ether Germany or Brazil would likely be waiting there.
No Americans or Dutch. Meh.
Go Ticos I guess? I've got some Danish, Russian and German in me so there's that.
Nigeria and Argentina have been grouped together in the last 3 World Cups.
Saw a comment on Reddit today from an Argentina fan saying "it's basically El Clasico at this point" 
US Soccer is thinking about starting a Soccer NIT for next summer. Seriously.
<a href=" https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2017/11/14/16652530/usa-soccer-world-cup-nit-netherlands-italy-chil e" class="bbcode_url"> https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2017/11/14/16652530/usa-soccer-world-cup-nit-netherlands-italy-chile
Would be a great idea, why not? The more games we can play, the better.
Bowl practices!!!
USMNT plays Bosnia & Herzegovina tonight at 8:30, on FS1.
MNUFC player Christian Ramirez is in the squad and may get his first appearance for the national team!
USMNT plays Bosnia & Herzegovina tonight at 8:30, on FS1.
MNUFC player Christian Ramirez is in the squad and may get his first appearance for the national team!
Second half starts and still no Ramirez.
USMNT plays Bosnia & Herzegovina tonight at 8:30, on FS1.
MNUFC player Christian Ramirez is in the squad and may get his first appearance for the national team!
Second half starts and still no Ramirez.
Yeah, he's not even on the bench. Lame.
What a snoozer...
Do not like how this board is run?
Get your own board!
♃
What a snoozer...
We'll, it's soccer so....
What a snoozer...
Yeah, not much to really get excited about. But, the next year is all about playing the kids and finding the ones who stick out and play well together.
I’m by no means a soccer expert, but why did they play such old players when they have no future for the US making the 2022 World Cup. That seems like poor management.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
What a snoozer...
We'll, it's soccer so....
US soccer at that. Soccer was my life for years but I can only really watch the highest level without getting bored.
I’m by no means a soccer expert, but why did they play such old players when they have no future for the US making the 2022 World Cup. That seems like poor management.
Well, 6 of the 11 were 25 years or younger. One of those 25+ players was Bill Hamid, presumably the goalie of the future.
I didn't really have a problem with the ages of the players. You want some veteran experience out there. If you throw an entire team of U21 players out there, they'd likely get destroyed, and you don't want to shatter their confidence.
There were some questionable lineup decisions (Zardes/Morris), but there will be plenty of time to work some youth into the lineup. We've got well over a year until the next WCQ phase even starts. The name of the game is going to be getting different young guys involved over the course of the next year and seeing who performs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/sports/soccer/geoff-cameron-stoke-city.html?smid=tw-share
Probably difficult to go from two more different coaches than Jurgen and Bruce, I remember being shocked that the US put out a tired group in the last qualifier rather than their freshest group of players. Felt like energy was going to be more important in that game than skill.
USMNT playing Paraguay in a few minutes on FS1
Paraguay going full goon squad.
Solid result. Tyler Adams looks like he could be quite the player.
BBC is reporting that Salah has a dislocated shoulder which would cause him to miss the World Cup.
Absolutely gutted for him. 
Really terrible news. Was looking forward to seeing him play for Egypt.
Just got back from Brazil. With the Dutch out and America not even there to watch with half interest, I suppppppose I can support the wife's country that happens to play the most beautiful soccer. 
Just got back from Brazil. With the Dutch out and America not even there to watch with half interest, I suppppppose I can support the wife's country that happens to play the most beautiful soccer.
They stopped playing that a long time ago. Now they make Robbie Earl look like he never ever took a dive in his career
Unfortunately that is why it's hard to watch soccer in general lately. And if they want to actually win this one they'll have to cut the antics.
Just got back from Brazil. With the Dutch out and America not even there to watch with half interest, I suppppppose I can support the wife's country that happens to play the most beautiful soccer.
Your wife is German??
Just got back from Brazil. With the Dutch out and America not even there to watch with half interest, I suppppppose I can support the wife's country that happens to play the most beautiful soccer.
Your wife is German
FYP
I'll take the Brazilian wife over the German one even if it means the soccer team is a little worse these days. 
BBC is reporting that Salah has a dislocated shoulder which would cause him to miss the World Cup.
Absolutely gutted for him.
Really terrible news. Was looking forward to seeing him play for Egypt.
Sounds like he thinks he's gonna play. Plus, how would a dislocated shoulder affect your ability to play soccer (other than goalie and throw ins)? I guess if you can't flop your arms around to fake an injury you're no good in today's soccer...
Neymar's back with a sick goal
World Cup final for the US team today.
USA up 1-0 in quest for miracle on grass
Heard they are going 3 at the back today. Nice to see them winning, at least!
Shots 15 2 lol trying to hold it at 1-1
I can't even remember a second shot on goal happening
1-1 final
Any standout performances?
Goalie was borderline amazing. No offensive pressure at all but I guess in that way the D held up well.
Neymar another sick one
Brazil domination to head in as favorites
Neymar another sick one
Brazil domination to head in as favorites
Brazil's weakness though is definitely at striker, which may be their undoing. Gabriel Jesus and Douglas Costa are their only true strikers, IIRC.
If they run into a Germany or Spain, a team that can contain Neymar and Coutinho, they might have difficulty.
The book on Neymar seems to be that if you can frustrate him, play physical, and get him whining, he gets off his game.
Neymar another sick one
Brazil domination to head in as favorites
I think the Germans should still be the favorites. They just get stronger and stronger every major tournament as it goes along. Juergi Low just has an embarrassment of rIches to pick from too from a roster perspective.
Brazil overtook them as betting favorites today or yesterday and I think it's deserved based on form.
Interesting website that breaksdown tactics for each group in the world cup.
https://www.tifofootball.com/video/topics/world-cup-tactics/
Interesting website that breaksdown tactics for each group in the world cup.
https://www.tifofootball.com/video/topics/world-cup-tactics/br >
Nice find, I'll dig intimate that over the next couple days, for sure.
I saw this on Reddit, the NYT has a preview up for each team: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/sports/world-cup-groups.html
One of the sections for each team is "How to sound smart talking about [Team]". Here they are all in list form, if you want some water cooler one liners to drop, then walk away, and leave everyone marveling at your in depth knowledge of international soccer.
Saudi Arabia: "I really feel Fahad al-Muwallad could have offered something to Levante, if only he'd been given a chance."
Egypt: "Salah's form has been spectacular, but I still wonder what Mohamed Aboutrika could have done if he'd moved to Europe."
Uruguay: "Of course it's easy to praise Suárez, but the best example of garra charrua is Diego Godín."
Portugal: "Arguably, Ricardo Quaresma has just as much natural talent as Cristiano Ronaldo."
Spain: "It would be a fitting goodbye for Andrés Iniesta for Spain to win this competition."
Iran: "There will be a few teams hovering around Alireza Jahanbakhsh, given his form for AZ Alkmaar."
Morocco: "For a team drawn from so many countries, it's amazing how well Morocco speaks the universal language of soccer."
France: "The irony of this quarterfinal exit is that France could have named an entire other squad and done just as well."
Peru: "I think we have to face the very real possibility that Jefferson Farfán is immortal."
Denmark: "Kasper Dolberg has the talent to be a Danish equivalent to Zlatan Ibrahimovic."
Australia: "I wonder if they've tried to tamper with the ball, the way they did in cricket."
Argentina: "It's a shame that a team built around Lionel Messi in attack has to be built around Nicolas Otamendi in defense."
Croatia: "The midfield is as good as anything in the tournament, but I question whether Mario Mandzukic is reliable enough at this level."
Iceland: "This story really is powerful evidence for nurture in the age-old debate against nature."
Nigeria: "I have many strong opinions on Ogenyi Onazi, but look at that jersey. It's just incredible."
Brazil: "I do wonder if Roberto Firmino should be leading the line here, given his ability to lead a press from the front."
Switzerland: "It is amazing how one country can produce so many enthusiastic but ineffective strikers."
Costa Rica: "I've never quite understood why Real Madrid spent every summer trying to sign a goalkeeper when they have Navas."
Serbia: "You can see why they compare Milinkovic-Savic to Paul Pogba when he plays like this."
Germany: "It was telling that they did not differentiate between midfielders and forwards when announcing the squad: it's just so fluid."
Mexico: "Hirving Lozano just needs an impressive tournament and he'll be leaving PSV Eindhoven, that's for sure."
Sweden: "Victor Lindelof has really grown in stature during his year at Manchester United."
South Korea: "Ki Sung-yueng is as big as Beckham in Seoul, you know."
Belgium: "They have the players, but does Martínez have the defensive acumen? That's the question."
England: "By breaking the last bond with the golden generation, this finally feels like a team worth supporting."
Tunisia: "Hopefully the squad can overcome the domestic rivalry of Esperance and Etoile du Sahel to come together."
Panama: "Imagine what this team could do if Julio Dely Valdés was still young enough to be involved."
Poland: "Lewandowski is just so obvious. Piotr Zielinski's blend of technical ability and long-range goals is Poland's real strength."
Colombia: "Yerry Mina, Stefan Medina, Davinson Sanchez: this Colombia is strong at the back, and that's the difference."
Senegal: "Keita Balde has the pedigree to be one of this summer's breakout stars."
Japan: "Actually, it was an American, Tom Byer, whose coaching program helped Japan produce the vast majority of this team"