OT: World Cup Day 2 Open Thread
I don't know, I thought I saw a headline from Blatter (who at one point was 100% staunchly against technology being involved in the game at all) said they're considering coach's challenges in the future. The rules have changed before, it might take a while, but I expect they will do what makes sense in the future for the betterment of the sport.
Damn I want Cameroon to win so bad.
Can't wait!
Will you post updates when you can?
I'll be repping the Maize and Blue for sure.
This game should be 2-1* Mexico...
*if Cameroon converts on what should've been a PK.
Eh, I think this game should be 327 to -4* Cameroon
*If the officials and FIFA award points based on how much I don't want Mexico to advance out of the group.
Time for limited instant replay or having two CRs in these games (like hockey). Two poor calls by the AR and two missed fouls in the box (PKs).
I ref soccer and I cringe at criticism of refs in any sport but this is getting crazy.
Never officiated soccer, but I have football and basketball, so I understand that refs are human and mistakes are made. But I just don't get how soccer expects so few refs for such a large field and spread out game that changes directions so quickly, to officiate well. Terrible position to be put in for such critical calls.
With some of the most fit athletes in the world on the field.
Like all other sports the athletes are faster, the equipment is better (used to be played with a leather ball that would weigh a ton in the rain) and better TV resolution and replay magnify the errors.
I could definitely see a two center ref system being the best solution. ARs are usually in good postion fo offsides at this level. I know they have head sets but would like to see the AR and CR seriously talking to each other after a call like the second disallowed goal. CR, in his position, should have been able to see that the Cameroon player headed the corner kick first.
When I ref I try to get the call right, not get it fast.
Another wish would be for refs to have the balls to yellow card divers. Some are starting to do this but they are few and far between. These pro players are extremely good at selling phantom fouls.
FIFA finally approved goal line technology. Maybe some other enhancements for 2018?
looks like the monstars. not good, but just huge.
Just caught the tail end...what happened? Did the Cameroon player get carded?
Where's Mark Jackson? HAND DOWN! MAAAN DOWN!!!
You got the card man...why do we need 3 barrel rolls 20 ft away from the play to prove that there was contact?
Then you're going to get up and run around like nothing happened.
Yeah, the theatrics of diving irritate me more than the dive itself. Dives make logical sense based on the potential reward for diving. But the writhing is hilarious.
That's the second time Mbia has exaggerated the shit out of a foul. My only gripe about this sport.
Not sure I see how that was a clear foul and cardable penalty.
Mexico finally break through
Both get pretty animated for both sides in their matches. Palomo does his 'gooooaaaallll' thing for any goal for both sides as well. I don't follow the rivals/friends of Central/South American international soccer, but I don't think an El Salvadorian and a Venezualian really care a whole lot about the Mexican soccer team.
I love Mexico's coach, or at least his goal celebrations.
GIF that man.
doesn't get old 
It's even raining!
+1000
Keep knocking, someone will answer. 1-0, should be 3-1.
Mexico is hitting their stride now..
...and finally a ref doesn't award a blantant flop. Told that guy "get up. get up."
The Assistant ref's had a tough game, but the guy doing the center is having a solid game.
Is a big thing that holds the progression of the sport growing in America more than it does.
It's going to grow and it'll be huge, for other reasons.
But it would be accepted and grow faster if the flopping wasn't so frequent and so AWFUL.
...and yes, your counterpoint is going to be the NBA and LeBron and Wade and everyone else flopping all over the place.
Valid. But there's a difference between trying to draw a foul and acting as if someone cut off your leg.
If guys just went down and slowly got up, it would't be a huge deal. But you'd think they were SHOT.
Again, something that could be solved by more refs. They do it because it works, and it works because refs are too far away to actually make a good call.
The flopping is also ammunition for people who want to trash the sport.
But after watching Ginobli or D Wade - hell Lebron - I'm not sure why people think soccer has a monopoly on flopping. Shit, since '05 or so seems like NFL WR's are overselling pass interference.
It's completely different because while the intent is to draw a foul...in soccer, they act go CRAZY. Even after a card is given (or clearly not given) they're still rolling around or just being silly.
The logic is like "well if I roll 4 more times, he's going to stop play at the other end of the field and retroactive call a foul."
You can't really stop flopping in any sport with contact. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is Americans who only watch the sport during the World Cup or international play generally can't stand or understand all of the rolling around and theatrics.
Guys in the NBA flop all the time, but generally the don't leave their team playing 4 on 5 while they roll around in pain.
And then here's the kicker, this, generally speaking is the icing for the American viewer.
Then the ball comes back towards the player on the ground and he pops up and takes of running full speed trying to make a play.
You can't take someone seriously when that happens.
Hulk flopping yesterday to draw what turned out to be a horrible call (and card), that's what flopping "should be." It's awful, we all hate it, but every contact sport has it. Refs just have to do a better job and not reward it.
But when you see these guys who are jumping in the air when they haven't been touched or rolling around like a child...then they're fine 45 seconds later, you just shake your head and reaffirm your alliegence to American sports - ignorance or not.
So it's the number of times a player in sport rolls when they flop. Dwayne Wade doesn't roll as much he flops. Therefore, soccer sucks!
Got it.
That's a bit of an obtuse way of summarizing what he took the time to try and explain. I'm not sure his overall view on futbol but what he wrote is a big issue with the sport. It doesn't make it a black and white issue, there are other issues people don't like the sport but it is pretty silly what goes on, and silly doesn't cut it for Americans.
Have you read his other posts? All he's been doing is bitching about people falling. I get it.
My issue is with the double standard - we'll largely ignore the players who flail and fall in the Murican sports, but prattle incessantly about soccer's annoying tendency to do the same.
I hear ya. The monstrous men in the NBA are not looked highly upon by myself for the shit they're pulling these days. They're so good at the game, being a a bit of a bitch and being cheap takes so much away from their otherwise otherworldly talents.
Given how good Croatia looked yesterday, Cameroon really has to start pushing guys forward to try to at least get a draw.
Won't win a game, they'll be lucky to score in this tournament.
I'm not a big fan of having non-native speakers call games in English. This announcer may be awesome calling games in his native Spanish, but hearing him struggle to pronounce English words is just grating.
I'm glad I have no sound right now.
You've certainly missed the Mexican crowd yelling "PUTA" about 50 times.
I'm used to that. I go to LA Galaxy games. Last week when they played Chivas USA the, Chivas fans started a LA Putas chant.
WOW. Free header from the 10. How do you leave a guy unmarked there now?
This is like watching MSU or OSU win