Month: November 2022

  • World Cup Dispatch (Update): USA v England

    So, we are through the first half of the match, and it’s going as well as I could have expected. England did start out leading this match, and Harry Kane did have an early opportunity. But as the match has gone on, USA has started playing more confidently. They sure started working on England’s right side, and several times USA had some explosive runs down the pitch. That’s not to say that England was being out played. The last two minutes of the first half, Sterling had a solid chance for a goal, and even got a corner kick to end the half.

    Also, it has been a rather clean match. Sure, a little pushing and shoving, but no hard tackles. I expected USA to play a little cautious, as they did get several yellow cards against Wales. England… well… they always play rather polite.

    In the second half, I see the US playing the same, testing England’s backline, and keeping the pressure on. England, I see them playing harder, and working the ball forward to Kane, Saka and Sterling.

    Here we go!

    UPDATE: A draw against England is pretty damn good. USA gets to live another day, but now means that they have to beat Iran on Tuesday. Team USA looked good out there. They challenged England on the ball, and pushed hard, but just couldn’t get it across the line. England, on the other hand, didn’t look that great out there. Their defense was good, and they held the ball, but there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure in the American box.

    So… Tuesday is going to be a big day. Winners get to go to the Knockout Round.

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  • World Cup Dispatch: Wales v Iran

    As this match was the early one of the day, I did not get up at 5am to watch it. But reading the recaps this morning, it appears all the drama happened at the very beginning and end of the match.

    The Iranian team decided that they would “sing” their national anthem at the match’s opening ceremony. With the men barely moving their lips, and looking down, they gave more of an impression of reluctance and shame than national pride. No matter how hard FIFA and the Iranian authorities try, you can’t stop politics and protesting from happening.

    Then late in the match, Wales goalkeeper was shown the red card, leaving the Welsh shorthanded. This gave Iran what they needed to get over the hump and quickly scored two successive goals in stoppage time.

    With this out come, Group B just got a hell of more competitive. Wales isn’t fully out if it, but to survive they will have to beat England on Tuesday, which isn’t likely. Iran will need to win against the USA on Tuesday to advance, which will add another level of drama to that match. And that leaves today’s face off between England and the USA. For survival purposes, the US has to get a draw if not a win. But if they lose to England… Tuesday is going to be a crazy three way fight for second in the group.

    That’s right, right? I got my math correct on the outcomes in the group, right?

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  • It’s Thanksgiving, Ya’ll!

    Yup, it’s Thanksgiving, and I can say that I do have many things to be thankful for. My amazing wife, wonderful daughter, family, and friends. I did want to also say thank you for taking the time to read this silly little blog. I also wanted to mention that I am thankful for the bots, from China, Vietnam, and Croatia, who continue to check out my posts for some reason. Maybe you’re looking to hack me, or maybe you are a real person who finds short story reviews, Ikea essays, and general bitching about the state of Tottenham Hotspur highly entertaining. Either way, thank you, all of you, for taking your time and spending it on me.

    Now, here’s to the Cowboys beating the Giants!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  • World Cup Dispatch (Update): Belgium v Canada

    I don’t know a whole lot about these teams. What I know about Belgium is that they are a small country that produces good teams. I know this because they once knocked the USA out of the Cup back in 2014. Word on the street is that they are ranked #2 in the world. Whenever I see them play, they play good. Canada on the other hand, I know nothing about them. I know the qualified this year, and I know they will be in the next World Cup as they will be co-hosting with the USA and Mexico. So, I’m pretty much a blank slate on this match.

    I had to pick my kid up from school, so I missed the first half. It seems that Canada had a chance on a penalty kick, but Belgium’s goaltender, Borjan, blocked it handily. Then there was a non-penalty call that didn’t go Canada’s way. To end the half, Belgium got a goal at the 44th minute. That’s the recap.

    But watching the second half, Canada is the more aggressive team. They keep knocking and threatening Belgium’s goal, but they just can’t seem to catch a break. That’s not to say that Belgium hasn’t had a few chances to score, but the shot totals are slanted to Canada’s favor. I wouldn’t say Canada is playing amazing football, but they look hungry and are fighting for every ball.

    The match is at the 80th minute right now, with Canada making some changes. Time is running out if something is going to happen. In this group, a draw for Canada is just as good as a win.

    UPDATE: And it was not to be, Canada. Sometimes the Football Gods are unforgiving. Canada could have won this match. They earned a draw, but they shouldn’t have lost. Canada was the better team.

    (And, thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of this post. If you could do me a favor, hit that like button over there. It will help me out, with rankings and stuff.)

  • World Cup Dispatch: Spain v Costa Rica, and Other News

    I don’t know a whole lot about either team here; Spain or Costa Rica. What I do know is that Costa Rica is a scrappy squad whose best showing was back in the 2014 Cup when they made it to the Quarter Finals and lost to the Netherlands on penalties. And then there is Spain, who won it all back in 2010. What I do know about Spain and football, comes from my uncle who lived most of his life in Madrid. What he told me is that Spain’s love of football cannot be described, it just is part of Spanish life – it is the culture. All that having been said, Spain should win this… And at the 11th minute, Spain just scored.

    As we know, I will not get up at 5am to watch the first match of the day, but I am a little surprised that Croatia didn’t beat Morocco; I will need to read up and see what happened there. I mean, Belgium is predicted to win this group, but if Canada can pull a draw (very unlikely) then this group could end up rather competitive and fun to watch.

    Lastly, is anyone else having issues with the FIFA app on their phone? It’s glitchy and slow to update on my end, and was curious to see if anyone else is having problems.

    And Spain just scored again…

    (And, thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of this post. If you could do me a favor, hit that like button over there. It will help me out, with rankings and stuff.)