Tag: World Cup

  • Women’s World Cup: Team USA is Out

    First of all, we in the States have been spoiled by the legacy of this team. No one wins forever, and that expectation is untenable. It was bound to happen, and there will be a Cup where the USWNT will get bounced in the Group Stage. Maybe even a year when we don’t qualify. All of that is possible.

    The reality is that this is a team in transition. Maybe we were all to hyped up to notice. There was a gulf between the veterans and the rookies. As time goes on, that gap will disappear, and Team USA will return to its top caliber form.

    I was traveling at the time on Sunday, so I only caught the tail end of the match. What I can say with full honesty is that Team USA doesn’t suck: the world is now a more competitive place. They conceded a single goal in the Tournament, and none on Sunday, so defense isn’t the issue. This was a matter of scoring production which Team USA just couldn’t get going. Sweden was USA’s equal and when teams like that meet on big stages, the smallest mistake or opportunity makes all the difference.

    It was heartbreaking, and and all those other clichés, to watch this match. But the die had been cast for this team after the Portugal match, and sometimes in sports you just cannot change your stars no matter how hard you try. But try they did, and this was a good squad. They just met their match. And in sports, you want it be be a challenge. If not, then it becomes predictable, and that’s not fun.

    As for the rest of the Cup; I’m calling Japan v England in the final. Odds are I’ll be wrong about that call. But in my defense, I did get the Team USA one right.

  • World Cup Dispatch: The Final

    Was it the greatest World Cup Final, ever?

    I would say so. Mind you, I have only been paying attention since 2002, which means I only have six Finals under my belt, but nothing in my memory compares to what happened on Sunday.

    Argentina controlling the match for 80 minutes, then France came roaring back to life. Then Extra Time drama; Goals and Fouls! All of it ending with Penalties – terrible, unfair, gut-wrenching Penalty Kicks. It was a show, and Messi and Mbappe didn’t disappoint. Those two guys played like the superstars that they are. And in the end, either outcome would have been impressive. France winning back to back Cups would have been amazing, and something to truly celebrate. But Messi winning it, that was the ending everyone was hoping for; what a cap to end a career on? (Though rumors are already flying that Messi has changed his mind.) At the end of that match, no one could say that both teams didn’t give it their all.

    And because of that, I was left feeling that FIFA and Qatar didn’t deserve that Final, let alone this tournament. Let’s not forget the bribery, the intolerable working conditions for the migrant workers building these stadiums, the authoritarian government, the lack of civil liberties, the inability of players and fans to wear a rainbow. I was left feeling that the bad guys got away with it. Like FIFA was saying to me, “You were entertained, so it wasn’t that bad to get here, right?”

    And I was entertained. Morocco was fun to watch, and made you think that anything was possible, like Brazil losing when they looked unstoppable. Don’t forget about Japan never giving up, and fighting for every ball. The drama of Team USA having to beat Iran to get into the Round of 16. I mean, I could go on and on…

    What I am left with is loving the show, and hating the producers.

    I’m still not happy about that.

    Yet, Tottenham picks up play again on the 26th of December, and there still is the Champions League. And, don’t forget that July 2023 is the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

    Lots of football left to play.

  • ODDS and ENDS: Trump Trading Cards, School Holiday Concerts, and World Cup Prediction

    (Elon is watching…)

    Trump released trading cards yesterday. It was a big announcement, if you haven’t heard. A great number of people who are funnier and fast than me have already jumped on this, and created some spectacular comedy from this shit show. I only bring it up here, because I wonder how many people will be receiving these trading cards for Christmas? And of those who received them, how many actually wanted them? And I also wonder how many cards were given because the giver knew it would piss off the recipient? We do live in polarizing times.

    I love school concerts and recitals. I never thought about them in conjunction with becoming a parent, but it is a requisite activity that parents are required to take part in, or at least sit through. And for the record, it normally is a very cute hour of your life. Having gone to several now, I want to give a shout out to the kid, who is always in the back, who refuses to take part. You know, the kid that just stands there; not mad, or angry, or afraid. They just stand in the back and don’t move. I look forward to seeing who that kid is every year, for sometimes it does change. One year my kid stood in the back and didn’t move. Then the next year she was up front and singing as loud as she could. Tip of the cap to the kid not moving in the back!

    Argentina.

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): France v Morocco

    And here we go, the second leg of the semifinals; France v Morocco. The colony versus their oppressor, at least that’s what I have been reading all day. You could also call it David v Goliath. And then there is Cinderella v The Clock. This could be an amazing match, or it could be a drumming. There is no in-between here – It’s all or nothing.

    I hope it’s not a blowout, like yesterday’s Argentina v Croatia match.

    I will say this, France did not look unstoppable against England, and I will argue that England was the better team out there. I wouldn’t say France looked weak, but they looked vulnerable. Both teams cannot play defensively, and I think France will come out as the aggressor which will only play into Morocco’s hands. For France to win, they have to score quick, and often – try to put the game away by half. If France doesn’t do this, then Morocco has a chance. Morocco will sit back, and wait for their opportunities, as they have proven they know how to be patient. Oh, it’s a long shot, don’t get me wrong, but if there is one team in the world that can make a long shot possible, it’s Morocco.

    That having been said, I’m still picking France.

    UPDATE: I guess I was sort of right about the match. I said France would win, and France won. I also said France would have to score early to win: They scored in the 5th minute. What I got completely wrong was who would be the aggressor and who would wait for their chances. Morocco attacked and had the ball for the majority of the match, but France was the one that seized their opportunities. Won’t lie, I was hoping my prediction was wrong.

    That sets up the final on Sunday: Current World Champion versus the GOAT.

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): Argentina v Croatia

    Here we are. Messi is just one win away from making it to the Final of the World Cup. Not that I’m getting ahead of ourselves here, as there is a very good Croatian team standing in his way. And I already have given Argentina the kiss of death by picking them, so sorry about that. If it goes to penalties, then my money is on Croatia.

    I will say this about Messi, there isn’t much push back about him winning the Cup. Maybe from the Dutch, but outside of them, Messi seems to carry good favor from around the world. That’s pretty impressive in this day and age. Seems like there is always a group of haters for any public figure, no matter who they are. But not Messi. I could be wrong, but I’m not seeing it. Good for him.

    I will find myself again on the sofa watching this match. I don’t have anything riding on it, as now I’m just watching the Cup to it’s conclusion. I came this far , I might as well see it to the end.

    You know.

    UPDATE: Hey! I do know something! Argentina is going to the final. And did you see that assist Messi had for their third goal? That was impressive. And that team earned it, as that was a solid performance from start to finish. Not the most exciting match of the tournament, but if you want to win the World Cup, that’s how you have to play.

    (I think I’m going to stop asking people to like my blog. I noticed that my likes have dropped off a cliff since I started doing this. So, I’m just going to respect your space.)