Official World Cup 2014 Thread

[Senser81]

And Neuer, god, what a beast of a goalie. The way he comes and claims high balls is just awe inspiring. Always looking up and then firing perfect throws/kicks down field.

It seems like he is the only goalie who can quickly and accurately distribute the ball.

 

[Sharkweather]

Who thinks Mueller can break Klose's record? 10 goals in two World Cups, would not be surprised to see him get another on Sunday. He's 24, so could possibly have 3 more World Cups ahead of him if he gets put on the Klose plan

Müller, Rodriguez and Benzema all might have a shot at the record, should be fun to watch them for the next two WCs at least.

 

[Bigpapa42]

It seems like he is the only goalie who can quickly and accurately distribute the ball.

To be fair, he's really the only keeper who tries to be quick about things. A goal kick is typically seen as a tiny rest for a team. You want to give you team a chance to organize, but also catch their breath. A throw in is the same - teams can take quick throws but often don't. Pep Guardiola, the manager at Bayern, doesn't like those breaks and wants the ball recycled into play as soon as possible. The opposition can be be disorganized and therefore vulnerable. I honestly don't recall if Neuer did that at Bayern prior, or even at Schalke.

Lots of sides also don't want quick distribution to defenders as they aren't looking to build up play from the back. Many defenders are poor with the ball at their feet, so its "safer" to have the keeper hoof it up the field, even though its a 50-50 proposition as to which side ends up with the ball.

 

[Senser81]

Dutch-Argentina was a blah game. For all of Argentina's attacking power over the years, it seems like whenever I watch them play in the World Cup, they have no imagination. But in this game, the Dutch were even worse. Van Persie has been putrid this entire tournament, and he not only sucked against Argentina, his substitution prevented Holland from brining in their penalty stopping goalie. Don't know if that would have made any difference in the final outcome, but Van Persie's substitution was probably the most significant event in an incredibly boring 120 minutes of soccer.

 

[calgaryballer]

Dutch-Argentina was a blah game. For all of Argentina's attacking power over the years, it seems like whenever I watch them play in the World Cup, they have no imagination. But in this game, the Dutch were even worse. Van Persie has been putrid this entire tournament, and he not only sucked against Argentina, his substitution prevented Holland from brining in their penalty stopping goalie. Don't know if that would have made any difference in the final outcome, but Van Persie's substitution was probably the most significant event in an incredibly boring 120 minutes of soccer.

I texted some friends back home that I was surprised RVP was starting. He's shown all year that he's not effective when operating at less than 100%. Why risk it? Start Huntelaar, and if he sucks, then bring on RVP at the 75 minute mark and let him try and make the difference in extra time.

 

[DDRGuido]

Do Brazil fans root for their arch rival or the country that just gave them the worst beat down in their country's history?

 

[the Brain]

Gotta noob question: What's w/the kids @ the beginning of every game?

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Good to see MMs own Boatang winning a sports title.

 

[calgaryballer]

Good game last night. Another 0-0 game that was quite enthralling as chances came pretty frequently.

Higuain will kill himself for missing that 1v1, as will Messi for dragging his shot wide. Neuer was on form this tourney, but you gotta at least work the keeper.

I'd be interested to compare US v UK coverage on Kramer's concussion. Concussion awareness doesn't really exist yet in Soccer, or at least over here. When he got up, Lawrenson said he must be OK because he's jogging on the sideline. Ummm... He went down like a fighter that just got KOed

Thought Aguero was lucky to survive whacking Schweinsteiger in the face. Could/should have been a yellow

Fantastic goal by Gotze to win it. When he was on the ball he seemed a bit nervous, but that was an instinctive finish

The whole tourney, and Hoewedes didn't cost the Germans. Played his best, was still the weak point, but he usually made up for it with some effort. He looked scared to cross half with the ball and always passed as soon as possible. Perhaps that was the plan

Regardless of his miss, I thought Messi played well. Created chances, but teammates weren't around to finish. His win of Player of the Tourney was a farce though and it looked like he knew it

 

[SethMode]

The US commentary was a little more focused on how ridiculous it was that he was still on the field (particularly after he staggered off like he didn't know that he was human, let alone playing a soccer game), but even still, I'd say not as intense about it as they probably should have been. Not that they can do anything, but the situation was absolutely ridiculous. If it were an NFL game, no way that guy is allowed to stagger his way up and keep playing. Just my perspective though.

 

[calgaryballer]

Good to know. The hit he took was basically the same as some of the worst hits you see in hockey. He's played the ball, was looking away and got clipped right in the jaw by a fast moving shoulder. It was a rather nasty tumble too.

 

[Senser81]

Regardless of his miss, I thought Messi played well. Created chances, but teammates weren't around to finish. His win of Player of the Tourney was a farce though and it looked like he knew it

Who do you think should have been Player of the Tourney? Mueller? I really don't know, because its seemed like outside of Messi the World Cup didn't really showcase any starts. I thought Robben had a great WC.

I thought Germany played great as a team (German cliche), and as you said Neuer wasn't really tested the entire tournament. Germany played good enough defense and didn't turn the ball over on offense. Their players seemed to track back on defense and were in great shape (more German cliche).

 

[calgaryballer]

I was on the Rodriquez hype train. Golden Boot winner, played some great football. Sure, they didn't get to the final but he plays for Columbia. If it has to be someone who made the semis then I'd have gone for Mueller or Messi. Maybe even Mascherano as he was an absolute house. His time at Barca really shows as his passing skills were far and beyond what they were at the last WC. Robben is a good shout as well

 

[1ke]

I will say, in the final, Javier Monster Mascherano played his soul out. I've not seen a better individual performance for 120 minutes in quite some time if ever. He played so fucking good. Tons of respect for his game.

 

[Bigpapa42]

Yeah, that's the real irony of Messi getting the Gold Boot... I don't think he was even Argentina's best player throughout the tournament.