Saw my only World Cup game at the Rose Bowl in 94 - Sweden vs Cameroon. A great game for my straight friends to be at - warm, sunny with a lot scantily clad Swedish women around.
But I’m sure AZGF would’ve been ogling the Cameroonian chicks.
Expanding from 32 to 48 teams Are there 48 countries out there with good national teams?
(Had to look this up):
1930s-1970s: 16 teams
1982-1994: 24 teams
1998-2022: 32 teams
2026: 48 teams
So GF, what's the next thing we're looking forward to with the USMNT? I used to watch friendlies, but have lost all interest. I assume the early CONCACAF stages for 2022 will start next fall?
89Hen wrote:So GF, what's the next thing we're looking forward to with the USMNT? I used to watch friendlies, but have lost all interest. I assume the early CONCACAF stages for 2022 will start next fall?
Nobody really plays in the friendlies (for either side) so only the real diehards watch those.
Qatar 2022 is still more than 4 years away (playing in the winter that year, doesn't even start until November 2022) so not a lot of national team focus right now. CONCACAF Gold Cup is next year - basically mid June to early July, and it's in the US again (Chicago is hosting the finals).
As for World Cup qualifying, I don't think they've even come out with what that will be. There's been talk of revamping the whole process. Qatar is still a 32 team tournament, but then it increases to 48 in 2026 when the US hosts. Heck, CONCACAF has even talked about changing their name (too many controversies) so I don't think they've gotten to set up qualifying yet.
89Hen wrote:
They lost 2-0 at HOME in a WC qualifier and play on the road in a couple of hours. They very well could have to play in to the WC vs an Asian team. I was wrong about US being no better than they were years ago... they're worse.
This will always be your 6.93 moment. We are certainly better than we were in 1994, which is what you first said. And yes, we'll still make the World Cup - the CONCACAF qualifying is extremely forgiving. We're basically doing what Mexico did to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. I'm sure they were worse than our 1994 team then as well.
GannonFan wrote:
This will always be your 6.93 moment. We are certainly better than we were in 1994, which is what you first said. And yes, we'll still make the World Cup - the CONCACAF qualifying is extremely forgiving. We're basically doing what Mexico did to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. I'm sure they were worse than our 1994 team then as well.
So you've come around?
Or they've finally gotten to that point. Weren't there before.
So watched some of the NCAA finals as it was Georgetown vs UVA, both of Mrs89's alma maters. Hoyas win in a shootout, but the most important takeaway of the night...
89Hen wrote:So watched some of the NCAA finals as it was Georgetown vs UVA, both of Mrs89's alma maters. Hoyas win in a shootout, but the most important takeaway of the night...
Soccer playing men wear sports bras???? WITAF???
I have an answer for that.
Son's HS soccer team was playing a game. It was really hot. Son's friend developed two blood stains on his white shirt. Turns out the shirt rubbed his nipples raw and they began bleeding. I WITAF'd and was told that marathon runners have to use band-aids or other protective measures to prevent the rubs.
Now that was in really hot weather but the same applies to cold weather. When the nipples get hard, they stick out more and are more prone to rubbage.
Weird, I know.
I actually told Mrs89 that was the reason (she noticed it before I did) but it still seems dumb. Wear a tight t-shirt for God's sake, or at least a wife beater.
CAA Flagship wrote:
I have an answer for that.
Son's HS soccer team was playing a game. It was really hot. Son's friend developed two blood stains on his white shirt. Turns out the shirt rubbed his nipples raw and they began bleeding. I WITAF'd and was told that marathon runners have to use band-aids or other protective measures to prevent the rubs.
Now that was in really hot weather but the same applies to cold weather. When the nipples get hard, they stick out more and are more prone to rubbage.
Weird, I know.
A buddy runs marathons and he has to use band-aids. Last race I ran with him I told him should of had some whisky growing up to put hair on his chest.
“The best of all things is to learn. Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever.” – Louis L’Amour
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” - G. Michael Hopf
"I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.” – Albert Einstein
Not US soccer but didn't want to start a new thread:
Somehow Watford in 19th of 20 places (EPL) takes out unbeaten Liverpool, 3-0. Liverpool hadn't lost in 13 months. Watford moves to 17th after the win (one spot above relegation). Liverpool is now "only" 22 points ahead of second place Manchester City.
∞∞∞ wrote: ↑Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:55 pm
Not US soccer but didn't want to start a new thread:
Somehow Watford in 19th of 20 places (EPL) takes out unbeaten Liverpool, 3-0. Liverpool hadn't lost in 13 months. Watford moves to 17th after the win (one spot above relegation). Liverpool is now "only" 22 points ahead of second place Manchester City.
Nobody gives a shit.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
- Thomas Jefferson, in letter to William S. Smith, 1787
∞∞∞ wrote: ↑Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:55 pm
Not US soccer but didn't want to start a new thread:
Somehow Watford in 19th of 20 places (EPL) takes out unbeaten Liverpool, 3-0. Liverpool hadn't lost in 13 months. Watford moves to 17th after the win (one spot above relegation). Liverpool is now "only" 22 points ahead of second place Manchester City.
Liverpool lost a tough Champions League match at Atletico Madrid on 2/18, 1-0. They go home for the second leg without a road goal. So if Atletico nets at least one in the match at Liverpool, Liverpool will need to win the second leg by two goals in order get to the quarterfinals (because road goals are the first tiebreaker). Liverpool will be back on their heels if Atletico gets the first goal.
Now this.
February hasn't turned out they way they expected.
Are there 48 countries out there with good national teams? 
First thing I said to 89Jr yesterday.
