Great video explaining some of the issues concerning how the 5 year may push talented kids down.

He also talks about youth tournaments and cost.

https://youtu.be/k2o938oxKTc?is=s0fLojVW_ewRwPmw

Quote from: Kuiper on July 12, 2026, 02:26:18 PMEngland v. Argentina should be a nice friendly semifinal match

From the Hand of God

Quote from: FCGrizzliesGrad on July 11, 2026, 11:48:09 PMAfter a full month and 100 games... we're left with the top 4 ranked teams in the semifinals.

Did you all see that Gianni Infantino is talking about 64 teams?? And I am guessing they would then have 64 women's teams?? What country (other than the US) will be able to host that many games??

I know Mexico and Canada hosted games, but the US hosted 78 with Canada and Mexico each hosted 13.

FYI apparently there are 211 countries who are members of FIFA, and, with 64 teams, a little over 30% of these teams would make the WC field. 

Yup absolutely nuts imo. I don't know how we will be able to get away from the pay-to-play system.

One thing that is stunning from my days of reffing all teams from mens to U7. Every level fewer and fewer Hispanics teams/players. Another indication clear indication that US soccer is for the middle class and rich. So, so much talent is not being developed imo. 

A lot of truth here -

https://x.com/TheSammahmood_/status/2074434672201785728?s=20

That's a wrap. USMNT now has to go away for another 12 years back into irrelevancy unless we can find some more foreign born players who have shoestring relations to the US. Fortunately, 48 teams now qualify. So that is something.

Ponch ain't coming back, imo. Apparently, he was offered an extension and he passed until after the tournament. Unless he just loves to coach in the US and get beaten down by middle talented soccer teams, he isn't coming back.

Saw the perfect analogy. USMNT = James Franklin Penn St teams i.e. can beat up on lower ranked teams but fold against a top 20 team.

Half the goals were scored by a German who has an American service man for a father and the other is a Nigerian whose mom gave birth to him in the US and was raised in England. Also, USMNT goalkeepers?? Used to be our strength. Had at least 2 or 3 playing in high level leagues. Not so much now. Pulisic was just a shadow and I feel sorry for him with all the hype.

Vir. Wesleyan Univ. is not Batten Univ. as of this month. https://www.vwu.edu/becomingbattenuniversity/

 

Quote from: Kuiper on June 28, 2026, 12:20:55 AMHeck of a final two games of group play.  Messi comes on because the game needed some Messi and a game broke out in stoppage time of what was setting up to be the Disgrace of Gijon II between Algeria and Austria

I'm going for no as to Gijon II. It was almost so when they were just passing it back and forth near the end till Mahrez scores. Then Austria just ripped Iran's heart out. Obv. Austria had to score to get to the knockouts. Great game.

Crazy how many permutations with 32 of the 48 qualifying for the knockouts.

For Germany which qualified after its second game and assuming that it beats the team in the first round, could be meeting France in the round of 16. Or maybe Germany plays Norway?? if Norway can beat France in the last group game which I don't think will happen.

For the US and assuming that it beats its first round opponent, it could be meeting Egypt if Egypt beats its first round opponent or maybe Belgium (all depends on the final group stage games). Note could be Iran depending?? as well. All three have a shot at winning their group. The Iran v. Egypt game in Seattle should be epic.

Under a similar scenario, red hot Mexico could be playing England in the second round. That should a really good game. 

So, so many chances. IMO, probably the greatest WC up to this point. Looking for some big upsets. Just hope it won't have to be in PKs. I am in favor of the NHL style of finishing a game with a golden goal.

Another twist to all of this is that it is better to lose in the Algeria v. Austria game. Now called the "Disgrace of KC" Round of 32 opponent is most likely much easier for the 3rd place team in this group.

Not my thoughts, but makes sense. Check out this - https://x.com/SoccerWithSam/status/2069544490424008875?s=20

Quirky, but Austria was involved in the first "Disgrace" game. The "Disgrace of Gijon" in 1982 which lead to the final games in WC and other big tournaments to be played at the same time. So I have Austria to lose. 

Absolutely. Many remember the US (and maybe still today to a certain extent) when it was a lot of Germans on the USMNT which was primarily through so many service members stationed in Germany. Will always remember Thomas Dooley, Jermaine Jones, Timothy Chandler and Fabian Johnson.

One child of an  American dad, but playing for the German Nat'l team, Nathaniel Brown.

Even today it is hard to say that USMNT players were trained by the US system. Many have went over to Europe to learn and train.

Quote from: VASoccerDad on June 20, 2026, 03:32:15 PMThis is the "Wenger Law" for offsides and is currently being trialed in the Canadian Premier League. Led by FIFA and approved (but not voted on yet) by IFAB.

If and when it happens that will be crazy. Been seeing that coming for years. Not sure how I feel about it, but will def. change the game substantially.

Quote from: Kuiper on June 16, 2026, 11:41:28 PMThis Messi kid looks pretty good.  Not tall enough for Amherst, of course, but I'm sure he could find the right fit with some college recruiting consultants.

Hahaha, are you saying they can only have one below average in height a year since Nuhu is their man??  https://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/mens-soccer/roster/mohammed-nuhu/17526

Says 5'7" but I think they might be stretching it a bit.

Quote from: Kuiper on June 13, 2026, 12:03:42 AMUSA 4 - Paraguay 1

WOW!  That's how you start out the first World Cup competition on home soil in 32 years.

The flow of the US attack felt like Trinity (TX)'s 5-0 win over Augsburg in the NCAA Quarterfinals if we're doing something crazy and comparing it to a D3 men's soccer NCAA Tournament game.

Whether on home soil or not, that was really really impressive. Yeah, Paraguay, but still I was impressed. Besides getting goals which always seems like pulling teeth, Freese did not face a single shot on goal.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on June 11, 2026, 06:32:53 PM

Quote from: jumpshot on June 11, 2026, 05:36:30 PM... including WINNING 13 in a row from 1999-01 ....

That "gold standard in excellence in academics" does not seem to include mathematics.

Hah. Thinking the same thing.