rjshae

France seems the more enjoyable watch, but it wouldn't surprise me if Spain won.

Well, it seems like FIFA got their seedings correct: the surviving four teams were ranked one through four before the draw. Apparently that has never happened before.

"...once you start down the dark path... forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will..." Yeah, in retrospect it looks a bit like a Faustian bargain. I suppose in worse case outcome the band can get back together to try and form a new studio. I'm not sure how viable that will be in the face of AI-everything though.

That red card in the Arg-Swi game is why I'd like to see FIFA allow an 'Orange' card option for two yellows. (It's like a red card, except the team can sub for the ejected player.) Red cards should just be for the most flagrant and dangerous fouls.

I don't know if Norway was "robbed", but Miami in July has miserable conditions for playing a football match. I'm glad the MLS is switching to a winter schedule, if only for that reason. It seems like Bellingham may be on his way to superstardom.

Gotta love how much effort this President is expending to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources: The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy Keep up the good work! We couldn't have done it without you.

People seem to keep underestimating the Swiss, yet they're still here. Argentina seemed worn out during their game. Not sure how much they have left in the tank.

Yeah, the WC was a fun escape from US politics, up until US politics intervened. Most of the world was then cheering on Belgium and they didn't disappoint. However, I don't think Belgium will top Spain, but you never know.

Well that's it for the USA. Not a surprise really. I don't think we'll go further until we have a whole team of Pulisic quality or better players. But they should at least be able to play a better brand of defense. Yes, that Portugal-Spain match was a snoozer.

It's probably a cultural thing; some cultures consider it rude. In the USA, certain cities are known for their propensity to boo; Detroit, for example.

I'd say it was normal for a game in Mexico. USA vs. Mexico games are perhaps even more crazy because we've got a history. But well done by England, especially in that stadium. With Bellingham and Kane, England has a real 1-2 combo.

Or it may motivate Belgium. Fun games today.

Well I was thinking the only way that's corruption is if Redacted is involved. Sure enough: Did President Donald Trump, White House Influence Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Appeal?

Yeah, things that make you go "hmm". They'd have been better off changing it to a yellow card, but perhaps that's against regs.

Looks like we finally reached the real part of the tournament, although I always seem to enjoy the group stage more. We might well see France vs. Spain and Brazil vs. Argentina in the semi-finals. Should be interesting. I was thinking, rather than having a game for 3rd place, wouldn't it be fun if the last four played a group-stage style round robin?

43 years old now.

Soccer has just become the most played sport at the youth level in the USA. Part of that may be the revelations about CTE among 'American football' players; I'd imagine Moms across the country are directing their kids into "safer" sports. I would like to see youth soccer requiring protective headgear, but that's for another day. Yes, Belgium has proven a challenge for the USA and it would be fun to see them overcome that roadblock. I'm skeptical, but we'll see...

Just walk away...

Arghhhhhhhh...

Many of those African clubs are looking rather good. Senegal almost pulled it off against Belgium. Perhaps we're looking at a sea change for future WCs?

More evidence that this administration doesn't quite grok how science works: Harvard professor with polarizing alien theories is picked to lead new White House UFO council As if we needed more.

Yeah, that synchronized clap thing can be chilling.

As with most sports, the "playoff" contests are often about matchups; some teams will match up particularly well with certain opponents. In that sense, it's a lot about the luck of the draw. Apparently in this case the Peruvian style matched up well against what looked like a more stodgy Germany team. I've watched a few Copa América tourneys and their rivalries can be quite intense; it can be a very different look compared to European matches.

Not really a surprise, given the 14th amendment. The SCOTUS has been pretty literal about their interpretation of Consitutional wording. But I am sympathetic toward the administrations view about children of foreign temporary visitors. People flying to the US just to give birth seems a dubious practice.

Meh, it's just irony. No need to turn it into anti-Americanism as usual. Keep in mind that there are millions of immigrants to the USA who grew up playing football, and know more about the game than you might think.