Inside: U.S. Soccer's March to Brazil
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I question some of this. I don't think soccer is necessarily #1 in China, at all. Baseball is every bit as big in Mexico.
And if soccer is so big in all those Asian and African countries, then why do they get short shrift in WC entries.
And, beyond everything, the only one that really matters is that big pick country on the left.
And, beyond everything, the only one that really matters is that big pick country on the left.
Yep, that's your problem right there. I can fix it, but it'll need something to open your mind, and I can't order the can opener for another few days.
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You seem to not understand the tactics, and act like they are just doing whatever they feel like. This leads me to seriously question your understanding of the game. An ignorant view of it is an easy pathway to criticize it
If you're going to actually compare baseball to soccer when it comes to how physically demanding they are then fuck... This is even more pointless than I thought.
I'm not even sure how we got to this hockey vs soccer debate. Its like you are trying to just find any way to attack soccer and are jumping all around to do so.
We've been over this before, the World Cup selection thing. The point is to get the best countries in the works cup, not to get an equal amount from each region. Europe is clearly the most skilled region, so they get the most teams. What is there not to understand?
You seem to not understand the tactics, and act like they are just doing whatever they feel like. This leads me to seriously question your understanding of the game. An ignorant view of it is an easy pathway to criticize it
Again, I understand it fine. I just don't give a shit about it. What the fuck is it about that you don't understand?
If you're going to actually compare baseball to soccer when it comes to how physically demanding they are then fuck... This is even more pointless than I thought.
I am saying that there are opportunities in soccer for the players to catch a blow. If they couldn't catch blows...if they couldn't find opportunities to rest while the action is taking part in another part of the field they could not play as continually as they do.
I'm not even sure how we got to this hockey vs soccer debate. Its like you are trying to just find any way to attack soccer and are jumping all around to do so.
We got into this because hockey and soccer are played essentially the same way. A rectangular field with a goal and a goalie. And the tactics to score are almost the same. One is played on ice with a puck, the other on grass with a ball....but otherwise there is not much difference.
We've been over this before, the World Cup selection thing. The point is to get the best countries in the works cup, not to get an equal amount from each region. Europe is clearly the most skilled region, so they get the most teams. What is there not to understand?
Then here is what you do: do NOT select countries from regions. Why is there a regional selection process? Why does Europe warrant receiving 13 of the 32 entries? I don't think they do. Have the entire tournament played on a worldwide basis....disregard regions altogether.
E.g. in preliminaries, Honduras say, must play of against the US/Canada/Mexico/etc. North American countries. Why? Why can't it play Columbia/Venezuela/Suriname/Chad/Togo/Benin/Indonesia/Goa/Iraq/Iran/Bosnia...whatever.
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South America has 10 international soccer teams and gets 4 to 5 world cup spots
Europe has 54 international soccer teams and gets 13 world cup spots
Sounds pretty fair for South America. In fact, by ratios, you could say the World Cup committee thinks there is a higher percentage of talent in SA.
I guess I should have said most skilled region as a whole. Especially with all of the top leagues in the world existing there. With these amazing professional clubs and youth teams in place, the development system would seem to be much more prevalent. This then cold lead to more skilled players. It clearly makes sense they get more spots when the region includes England, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc etc etc. (though I know you weren't arguing against that point)
South America has 10 international soccer teams and gets 4 to 5 world cup spots
Europe has 54 international soccer teams and gets 13 world cup spots
There aren't even 54 nations in Europe. How can they have more teams than they have countries? Are they like taking countries and dividing them up? Like does England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland count as 4 different "teams". Well, fuck, if they can do that, then we should have different soccer teams for California/Texas/Florda/New England/New York/Ohio/Montana etc. etc. etc.....and demand at least 10 slots for all those teams.
Sounds pretty fair for South America. In fact, by ratios, you could say the World Cup committee thinks there is a higher percentage of talent in SA.
I guess I should have said most skilled region as a whole. Especially with all of the top leagues in the world existing there. With these amazing professional clubs and youth teams in place, the development system would seem to be much more prevalent. This then cold lead to more skilled players. It clearly makes sense they get more spots when the region includes England, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc etc etc. (though I know you weren't arguing against that point)
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There aren't even 54 nations in Europe. How can they have more teams than they have countries? Are they like taking countries and dividing them up? Like does England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland count as 4 different "teams".
Basically, international matches started out as being between England and Scotland, and generally what's known as the 'home nations' over here - including Wales and the Irelands. The fact that those places still have teams is a legacy thing. but even if you disagree, and count the UK as one team, you're still looking at 50-odd teams compared to south america's 10.
We got into this because hockey and soccer are played essentially the same way. A rectangular field with a goal and a goalie. And the tactics to score are almost the same. One is played on ice with a puck, the other on grass with a ball....but otherwise there is not much difference.
Disagree entirely about the tactics to score. Other than 'get it in the net without it getting stopped' - which is also how you score in basketball - there's not much similarity, if any.
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There aren't even 54 nations in Europe. How can they have more teams than they have countries? Are they like taking countries and dividing them up? Like does England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland count as 4 different "teams".
Basically, international matches started out as being between England and Scotland, and generally what's known as the 'home nations' over here - including Wales and the Irelands. The fact that those places still have teams is a legacy thing. but even if you disagree, and count the UK as one team, you're still looking at 50-odd teams compared to south america's 10.
We got into this because hockey and soccer are played essentially the same way. A rectangular field with a goal and a goalie. And the tactics to score are almost the same. One is played on ice with a puck, the other on grass with a ball....but otherwise there is not much difference.
Disagree entirely about the tactics to score. Other than 'get it in the net without it getting stopped' - which is also how you score in basketball - there's not much similarity, if any.
Basically, international matches started out as being between England and Scotland, and generally what's known as the 'home nations' over here - including Wales and the Irelands. The fact that those places still have teams is a legacy thing. but even if you disagree, and count the UK as one team, you're still looking at 50-odd teams compared to south america's 10.
You are going to have to list all those teams for me to get to 50. Though I guess if you count Luxembourg, Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstien, Vatican City, San Marino, Malta and all the recent splintered countries after the breakup of Yugoslavia you might get there.
Disagree entirely about the tactics to score. Other than 'get it in the net without it getting stopped' - which is also how you score in basketball - there's not much similarity, if any.
Not from a neutral point of view. It is similar. Create creases in front of the goal and get it in.
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Countries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine Wales -
Countries in CONMEBOL (South America)
ArgentinaBoliviaBrazilChileColombiaEcuadorParaguayPeruUruguayVenezuela -
The current world top 31 ranked countries are made up of 3 african teams, 3 teams from north/central america, 6 south american teams and 19 european teams. The next 31 ranked countries have 8 African teams, 4 Asians, a couple from north/central america, 3 from S. America, and another 12 from Europe.
So why exactly should the other continents get an equal amount of teams there?
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Countries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine WalesCountries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine WalesThe nations in bold are in fucking Asia. Can't these guys read a map?
And the Faroe Islands? Gibralter? Those are like declaring Hilton Head and Martha's Vineyard as separate nations. WTF?
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The current world top 31 ranked countries are made up of 3 african teams, 3 teams from north/central america, 6 south american teams and 19 european teams. The next 31 ranked countries have 8 African teams, 4 Asians, a couple from north/central america, 3 from S. America, and another 12 from Europe.
So why exactly should the other continents get an equal amount of teams there?
The current world top 31 ranked countries are made up of 3 african teams, 3 teams from north/central america, 6 south american teams and 19 european teams. The next 31 ranked countries have 8 African teams, 4 Asians, a couple from north/central america, 3 from S. America, and another 12 from Europe.
So why exactly should the other continents get an equal amount of teams there?
So, I guess what I say is correct. Soccer is merely a regional sport.....Europe and SA.
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I showed you the map, that's not true. Its the most popular sport in the world.
The tactics in hockey and soccer are very different, unless you're just looking at it from an incredibly high level. This belief again just plays in to you just not knowing what you're talking about.
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I showed you the map, that's not true. Its the most popular sport in the world.
The tactics in hockey and soccer are very different, unless you're just looking at it from an incredibly high level. This belief again just plays in to you just not knowing what you're talking about.
I showed you the map, that's not true. Its the most popular sport in the world.
The tactics in hockey and soccer are very different, unless you're just looking at it from an incredibly high level. This belief again just plays in to you just not knowing what you're talking about.
It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
And yes, I AM looking at the two sports from a high level. Because the purpose of the game is to play on a rectangular field and to put a biscuit in a basket, the methodologies of doing so..as I said, the passing, the spacing, are all very similar. Soccer is played on a larger surface and you cannot use your hands, but the maneuvering to get into position to score are quite similar.
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Countries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine WalesThe nations in bold are in fucking Asia. Can't these guys read a map?
And the Faroe Islands? Gibralter? Those are like declaring Hilton Head and Martha's Vineyard as separate nations. WTF?
Countries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine WalesThe nations in bold are in fucking Asia. Can't these guys read a map?
And the Faroe Islands? Gibralter? Those are like declaring Hilton Head and Martha's Vineyard as separate nations. WTF?
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan - doesn't matter, they wouldn't qualify anyway. I'm not sure why it's split up like this, but the countries have to apply to join the confederation, and so obviously they did and their application was successful.
Israel - joined UEFA because matches with neighbouring Asian countries were becoming highly political, with lots of violence surrounding them.
Turkey - has always been the bridge between Europe and Asia. Could go either way, they chose Europe - probably due to the improvements in their game that would come with playing against a higher standard of competition, is my guess.
Cyrpus - half greek, half turkish. So half european, half half-european-half-asian (and just a tiny bit British) - 75% european.
If Martha's vineyard declared independence from the USA, became a sovereign state in its own right, it would have a football team that could compete in the world cup qualifying.
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I showed you the map, that's not true. Its the most popular sport in the world.
The tactics in hockey and soccer are very different, unless you're just looking at it from an incredibly high level. This belief again just plays in to you just not knowing what you're talking about.
It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
And yes, I AM looking at the two sports from a high level. Because the purpose of the game is to play on a rectangular field and to put a biscuit in a basket, the methodologies of doing so..as I said, the passing, the spacing, are all very similar. Soccer is played on a larger surface and you cannot use your hands, but the maneuvering to get into position to score are quite similar.
It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
And yes, I AM looking at the two sports from a high level. Because the purpose of the game is to play on a rectangular field and to put a biscuit in a basket, the methodologies of doing so..as I said, the passing, the spacing, are all very similar. Soccer is played on a larger surface and you cannot use your hands, but the maneuvering to get into position to score are quite similar.
If you're looking at it like that, then soccer, hockey, basketball, netball and quidditch are all the same sport, while you have another group of gridiron football, rugby and ultimate frisbee.
There are crossovers between basically any sport in terms of high level tactics - move the ball/puck/frisbee around to move the defence around, wait until it loses its shape and exploit the weakness
Similar to how a coffee cup is topographically equivalent to a donut - doesn't mean I'm drinking my morning joe out of a krispy kreme though.
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Countries in UEFA:
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel[n 6] Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine WalesThe nations in bold are in fucking Asia. Can't these guys read a map?
And the Faroe Islands? Gibralter? Those are like declaring Hilton Head and Martha's Vineyard as separate nations. WTF?
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan - doesn't matter, they wouldn't qualify anyway. I'm not sure why it's split up like this, but the countries have to apply to join the confederation, and so obviously they did and their application was successful.
Israel - joined UEFA because matches with neighbouring Asian countries were becoming highly political, with lots of violence surrounding them.
Turkey - has always been the bridge between Europe and Asia. Could go either way, they chose Europe - probably due to the improvements in their game that would come with playing against a higher standard of competition, is my guess.
Cyrpus - half greek, half turkish. So half european, half half-european-half-asian (and just a tiny bit British) - 75% european.
If Martha's vineyard declared independence from the USA, became a sovereign state in its own right, it would have a football team that could compete in the world cup qualifying.
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan - doesn't matter, they wouldn't qualify anyway. I'm not sure why it's split up like this, but the countries have to apply to join the confederation, and so obviously they did and their application was successful.
Israel - joined UEFA because matches with neighbouring Asian countries were becoming highly political, with lots of violence surrounding them.
Turkey - has always been the bridge between Europe and Asia. Could go either way, they chose Europe - probably due to the improvements in their game that would come with playing against a higher standard of competition, is my guess.
Cyrpus - half greek, half turkish. So half european, half half-european-half-asian (and just a tiny bit British) - 75% european.
If Martha's vineyard declared independence from the USA, became a sovereign state in its own right, it would have a football team that could compete in the world cup qualifying.
Neither the Faroe Island nor Gibralter are sovereign states....by any means. They are like, I don't know Guam or something aren't they? The only thing on Gibralter is a rock and navy base,no?
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It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
And yes, I AM looking at the two sports from a high level. Because the purpose of the game is to play on a rectangular field and to put a biscuit in a basket, the methodologies of doing so..as I said, the passing, the spacing, are all very similar. Soccer is played on a larger surface and you cannot use your hands, but the maneuvering to get into position to score are quite similar.
If you're looking at it like that, then soccer, hockey, basketball, netball and quidditch are all the same sport, while you have another group of gridiron football, rugby and ultimate frisbee.
There are crossovers between basically any sport in terms of high level tactics - move the ball/puck/frisbee around to move the defence around, wait until it loses its shape and exploit the weakness
Similar to how a coffee cup is topographically equivalent to a donut - doesn't mean I'm drinking my morning joe out of a krispy kreme though.
If you're looking at it like that, then soccer, hockey, basketball, netball and quidditch are all the same sport, while you have another group of gridiron football, rugby and ultimate frisbee.
Sure, there are some similarities between a lot of sports. The difference perhaps between soccer and all those others is that they move at a much faster pace.
There are crossovers between basically any sport in terms of high level tactics - move the ball/puck/frisbee around to move the defence around, wait until it loses its shape and exploit the weakness
Similar to how a coffee cup is topographically equivalent to a donut - doesn't mean I'm drinking my morning joe out of a krispy kreme though.
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I showed you the map, that's not true. Its the most popular sport in the world.
The tactics in hockey and soccer are very different, unless you're just looking at it from an incredibly high level. This belief again just plays in to you just not knowing what you're talking about.
It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
And yes, I AM looking at the two sports from a high level. Because the purpose of the game is to play on a rectangular field and to put a biscuit in a basket, the methodologies of doing so..as I said, the passing, the spacing, are all very similar. Soccer is played on a larger surface and you cannot use your hands, but the maneuvering to get into position to score are quite similar.
It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
Alright?
You claimed it us a "regional" sport. That isn't true. But you seem two consider the USA one region, and the rest of the world another, equal region.
It is the most popular sport in the world. That's a fact. I'm sorry you don't understand the game and don't enjoy it. That doesn't make what you're saying true. Either about the popularity of the sport or the tactics used within the game
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It is not the most popular sport at all in the two largest Democracies in world....the USA and India.
Alright?
You claimed it us a "regional" sport. That isn't true. But you seem two consider the USA one region, and the rest of the world another, equal region.
It is the most popular sport in the world. That's a fact. I'm sorry you don't understand the game and don't enjoy it. That doesn't make what you're saying true. Either about the popularity of the sport or the tactics used within the game
Alright?
You claimed it us a "regional" sport. That isn't true. But you seem two consider the USA one region, and the rest of the world another, equal region.
Sounds about right to me, no?
It is the most popular sport in the world. That's a fact. I'm sorry you don't understand the game and don't enjoy it.
I do understand it. That is precisely why it is not as enjoyable.
That doesn't make what you're saying true. Either about the popularity of the sport or the tactics used within the game.
I said that I think the tactics are similar to hockey. That is a basic truth....even if perhaps you are too close so you can't see the forest for the trees.
As for popularity...as we noted elsewhere, that is apparently an economic issue, as I guess you can play soccer in a landfill if you have a ball..
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From your previous posts it is clear you do not understand the sport.
You can claim that the sport is only popular worldwide because of its ease to play for the poorer countries. That obviously doesn't work in a lot of countries, but you seem to be jumping around to try to prove the sport as inferior or something. You want to just call it an "economical issue"... That's stupid.
Its the most popular sport in the world. Its growing in popularity in the US and will continue to do so. And the US is just one country in the world. It doesn't determine the popularity of a sport.
Ja.brill Peppers - Cleveland Brown OldBrownsFan, on 02 Jun 2017 - 5:09PM said: "No you are not the work of the devil but you are deceived by the devil." Who's got it better than us? Nooooobody! -
In what way is it an economic issue? It's by far the most popular sport in western Europe, which is one of the wealthiest parts of the world.
You could play gridiron football in any place you can play association football, you just need a ball. So why isn't it so popular in China?
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