2018 World Cup in Russia

[MudPuppy]

now who is this martinez guy? lol. in the middle of the world cup semi finals, which is almost as high as the stakes get in sports, this guy only known in MLS gets a moment of glory posing for a friendly summer game of a minor league? sorry MP, lol, don't take it personally... but even ronaldo's signature for the juventus is absolutely meaningless right now (unless you're a RM or juventus fan) as we are aproaching towards the end of the most important sports event in the world! hehe

I don't pretend to argue that MLS is anywhere near the level of World Cup play. Though, I am encouraged that ATL Utd games had higher average attendance during the World Cup than the World Cup games. Soccer is still a minor sport in the U.S., but those attendance numbers are impressive... hopefully we're headed in the right direction.

As for the Ronaldo signing being meaningless, we can agree to disagree there. Sure it has no impact on the World Cup which is the current focus of the soccer world but, even at 33, he had quite the showing... and I don't just mean the goals... he was just as impressive dribbling, etc. I'm no fan boy of his but you can't help but respect the man's play. Anyway, I'm just excited to hopefully get a shot to see him play live.... But the Italian term of "Prima Donna" could be used to describe him and I could easily see him declining to participate in a "Minor League" game. In any case, I'm already saving for tickets to the 2026 Cup when I hope to see the Major Leaguers play.

I've watched just about every game this World Cup as it corresponded with a week and half long staycation and it's definitely been my focus. Glad to see Croatia get the win today. It'll be a joy to see Belgium dismantle England on Saturday and am pulling for France to win it all on Sunday. The final two matches should be a ton of fun. Just wish the kids from Thailand were given clearance to accept their invite to the game... I think it's crazy they're going to make them pass on that opportunity and force them to watch from a hospital bed.

[waauw]

Ugh, I can't believe we'll be facing England in yet another useless game.

[betiko]

now who is this martinez guy? lol. in the middle of the world cup semi finals, which is almost as high as the stakes get in sports, this guy only known in MLS gets a moment of glory posing for a friendly summer game of a minor league? sorry MP, lol, don't take it personally... but even ronaldo's signature for the juventus is absolutely meaningless right now (unless you're a RM or juventus fan) as we are aproaching towards the end of the most important sports event in the world! hehe

I don't pretend to argue that MLS is anywhere near the level of World Cup play. Though, I am encouraged that ATL Utd games had higher average attendance during the World Cup than the World Cup games. Soccer is still a minor sport in the U.S., but those attendance numbers are impressive... hopefully we're headed in the right direction.

As for the Ronaldo signing being meaningless, we can agree to disagree there. Sure it has no impact on the World Cup which is the current focus of the soccer world but, even at 33, he had quite the showing... and I don't just mean the goals... he was just as impressive dribbling, etc. I'm no fan boy of his but you can't help but respect the man's play. Anyway, I'm just excited to hopefully get a shot to see him play live.... But the Italian term of "Prima Donna" could be used to describe him and I could easily see him declining to participate in a "Minor League" game. In any case, I'm already saving for tickets to the 2026 Cup when I hope to see the Major Leaguers play.

I've watched just about every game this World Cup as it corresponded with a week and half long staycation and it's definitely been my focus. Glad to see Croatia get the win today. It'll be a joy to see Belgium dismantle England on Saturday and am pulling for France to win it all on Sunday. The final two matches should be a ton of fun. Just wish the kids from Thailand were given clearance to accept their invite to the game... I think it's crazy they're going to make them pass on that opportunity and force them to watch from a hospital bed.

Don't get me wrong... cristiano signing for juventus is huge news... he's far from done and one of the best in history.
I also see it from the perspective of a guy who still has his nation in the world cup... it's funny how the more countries get eliminated, the higher the stakes... less people remain interested from outside and the more people are interested from the inside...

[MudPuppy]

Don't get me wrong... cristiano signing for juventus is huge news... he's far from done and one of the best in history.
I also see it from the perspective of a guy who still has his nation in the world cup... it's funny how the more countries get eliminated, the higher the stakes... less people remain interested from outside and the more people are interested from the inside...

Yeah, my wife and daughter watched the last two French games during their trip to Paris. Quite the joy for them to share the experience with French fans!!! Really hoping Les Bleus can take the cup home.

[iAmCaffeine]

I hope France win. Pretty much every team we've played apart from Sweden has tried to kick us off the field. That's usually what lesser teams do to the likes of Spain and Brazil because they know they don't have the technical ability to contest, so I was a little surprised to see all the teams England faced treat them that way.

[waauw]

I hope France win. Pretty much every team we've played apart from Sweden has tried to kick us off the field. That's usually what lesser teams do to the likes of Spain and Brazil because they know they don't have the technical ability to contest, so I was a little surprised to see all the teams England faced treat them that way.

Didn't watch the game against Croatia, was it as bad as the game against Colombia? Or do the latin-americans still take the cake?

[benga]

Say what?

Lol

[betiko]

Say what?

Lol

How are things in croatia benga ? People must be all crazy and shit! I can t imagine how it is back there after winning 3 consecutive stages in overtime and 2 penalty sessions. I just can’t manage to be confident, too used to lose Finals lately

[The ram]

I hope France win. Pretty much every team we've played apart from Sweden has tried to kick us off the field. That's usually what lesser teams do to the likes of Spain and Brazil because they know they don't have the technical ability to contest, so I was a little surprised to see all the teams England faced treat them that way.

Didn't watch the game against Croatia, was it as bad as the game against Colombia? Or do the latin-americans still take the cake?

Some woeful finishing and defending were the real reason we lost. Of course there were a few fouls but I wouldn't describe it as a dirty game.

[benga]

Say what?

Lol

How are things in croatia benga ? People must be all crazy and shit! I can t imagine how it is back there after winning 3 consecutive stages in overtime and 2 penalty sessions. I just can’t manage to be confident, too used to lose Finals lately

At first I believed we should have been European champions, but it didn't work out. This is the first time I see them playing and giving their best. Looking forward to great finals. We have been waiting for a long time for this. We are just enjoying the moment.

[jfm10]

Croatia wins the cup is my prediction.

[betiko]

Say what?

Lol

How are things in croatia benga ? People must be all crazy and shit! I can t imagine how it is back there after winning 3 consecutive stages in overtime and 2 penalty sessions. I just can’t manage to be confident, too used to lose Finals lately

At first I believed we should have been European champions, but it didn't work out. This is the first time I see them playing and giving their best. Looking forward to great finals. We have been waiting for a long time for this. We are just enjoying the moment.

I m pretty sure we can have more regrets than you guys after losing the final vs a weak portugal while you guys got eliminated in 1/8 by portugal with still a long way to go. Like for the euro 2016, you guys were in the weak part of the braket, so things were in your favour to go far.

[iAmCaffeine]

I hope France win. Pretty much every team we've played apart from Sweden has tried to kick us off the field. That's usually what lesser teams do to the likes of Spain and Brazil because they know they don't have the technical ability to contest, so I was a little surprised to see all the teams England faced treat them that way.

Didn't watch the game against Croatia, was it as bad as the game against Colombia? Or do the latin-americans still take the cake?

I mean the Colombians were ridiculous but there were plenty of decisions that didn't go our way when they very clearly should have.

[benga]

France seems to me like best team of the tournament, like they haven't played 100% till now. We'll see.

[betiko]

France seems to me like best team of the tournament, like they haven't played 100% till now. We'll see.

The problem is.. are they able to play close to 100%? I have my doubts. Although France has been playing better each time it passed a new step on the brackets. It's probably part of the preparation.
Yesterday I heard Pogba say that after beating germany for the 2016 eurocup semi finals, they thought the cup was in the bag and didn't take portugal seriously enough... And that they are making sure it won't happen again sunday against Croatia. I hope it's true.

[iAmCaffeine]

Betiko if you come in here saying France played well and deserve to be winning 3-1 (and will probably win now) I’ll shoot you in the mouth. I’m almost as pissed off as when England were knocked out. Griezmann dives for the free kick when he wasn’t touched and then the penalty was complete bullshit as well. I don’t know how anyone can be proud of themselves or their team for winning like that.

[MudPuppy]

I woulda been disappointed if they won based off those 1st two goals... But the 2nd two were quite nice and has pushed France past the "deserving" threshold. It was also kind of Lloris to give back one of the dumb luck goals. What a 1st half by Croatia, though... beautifully played.

[iAmCaffeine]

Their second half was a lot better and both goals were good I’ll admit, but to even be in that position they had two goals gifted to them by cheap play and poor refereeing.

[nietzsche]

strong teams win even when they don't deserve it.

France was the strongest team during the whole tournament, they never seemed in trouble, they always seemed to have control of the situation. It appears they never even needed it to shift to 4th gear.

[DoomYoshi]

.... they didn't even have to wear their Francey pants.

[The ram]

French supporters have got to be the shittyest supporters in the world. No atmosphere what so ever. Much like France itself, a nice place for a quiet break but no more.

[rockfist]

Congrats to France.

In regards to Ronaldo...complete douchebag...5 mins after the end of champion’s league he HAD to steal the spotlight back from the Team and from his teammate who had endured miserable treatment for much of the season only to persevere and deliver off the bench in the biggest game of the year...then during the World Cup he had to run off and sign with Juventus again to steal the spot light from those players and teams that rightfully earned it, he could’ve waited until the World Cup was over and signed next week, but he is king douchebag so nope.

[iAmCaffeine]

Congrats to France.

In regards to Ronaldo...complete douchebag...5 mins after the end of champion’s league he HAD to steal the spotlight back from the Team and from his teammate who had endured miserable treatment for much of the season only to persevere and deliver off the bench in the biggest game of the year...then during the World Cup he had to run off and sign with Juventus again to steal the spot light from those players and teams that rightfully earned it, he could’ve waited until the World Cup was over and signed next week, but he is king douchebag so nope.

Is this serious lmfao?

To be fair to France, they have adapted to each game and played better and better as the tournament has progressed. They've looked like a great team. I just really dislike how this particular game played out and I think everyone would've preferred a proper match, rather than one basically decided by bad decisions and foul play.

[rockfist]

I don’t think it was the best game but they won it, so yeah.

I’m 100% serious about Ronaldo.

[waauw]

Golden Glove: Thibaut Courtois
Golden Ball: Luka Modric
Best Youngster: Kylian Mbappé

All three, well deserved I think.