World Cup 2026 Thread

[Bil522]

So during half time we've been plotting and planning our scapegoat.

Time to turn on our German manager.

How hard is it for a manager, of any nationality, to say " Get the ball to Harry" ?

[mostonmike]

So during half time we've been plotting and planning our scapegoat.

Time to turn on our German manager.

How hard is it for a manager, of any nationality, to say " Get the ball to Harry" ?

I know I am biased but he is like a fine wine getting better and better with age and maybe a World Cup win might see him get recognised up there with Messi, Maradona and Pele in the all time greats list.

But overall, play like that and Mexico will see us off and send us home on Sunday.

[gil]

Nice victory for the US yesterday evening. Except for the questionable red card, which will leave them without top goal scorer Folarin Balogun for the round of 16.

Belgium having a prolonged holiday in Seattle. Yesterday, down 2-0 with 5 minutes to go in regulation, won 3-2. Wish I had watched that one!

US versus Belgium, here, on Monday, 5pm. It might be right up there with one of the most amazing sports days in Seattle history.

[Bil522]

Nice victory for the US yesterday evening. Except for the questionable red card, which will leave them without top goal scorer Folarin Balogun for the round of 16.

Belgium having a prolonged holiday in Seattle. Yesterday, down 2-0 with 5 minutes to go in regulation, won 3-2. Wish I had watched that one!

US versus Belgium, here, on Monday, 5pm. It might be right up there with one of the most amazing sports days in Seattle history.

Last year, there was the Mariner game 7 playoff game and a Seahawk Monday night game...not a bad day

[XpertDBA]

What's everyone think of the FIFA decision to let Balogun play?

I think the penalty was ridiculous to begin with, so it should never have gotten to this point.

The rest of the world can kiss my butt.

[mostonmike]

What's everyone think of the FIFA decision to let Balogun play?

I think the penalty was ridiculous to begin with, so it should never have gotten to this point.

Several points… FIFA don’t have a process to appeal these decisions. Every other competition does. That needs fixing for sure and maybe it could have been legitimately overturned.

UEFA thinks it’s a disgrace and they are just as corrupt as FiFA.

None of the other 12 red cards have been treated this way so it’s just taking the piss of the integrity of the competition. And no transparency.

If you are so dependent on one player your team is shite. And what I would do is not select Balogun at all. What message does it send to the other 10 players? “Sorry lads we can’t without him?”

I would use his absence as the biggest motivator to the rest of the squad…..

So a mixed bag really.

The rest of the world can kiss my butt.

It doesn’t work that way. You might dominate politics, finance, and pretty much the entire world. But you can’t throw your USA weight around football like you can in everything else in the world.

For once there is something bigger than the USA and it’s football. That’s why we love it. Everyone is treated equally (ish). Or they should be - even Curacao.




And despite all that I really want to see you win tonight, oh and keep your eye open for the Open Golf mate. I will probably get it underway Thursday or Friday

[gil]

I really don't like the way this has unfolded. There was no call by the ref on the field, then the review official apparently looked at in slow motion (which I read that they are not supposed to do for a play like that) and called the red card. At the time I thought it was a bad call. The slow-mo replay looked like it might be a bad injury, but I didn't see it being a bad play by Balogun. On the other hand I don't claim to understand criteria for red cards (but at least I knew that there would be a one match disqualification).

OK suck it up and play without your best scorer. Shit happens and as you said, Mike, let's use it as motivation.

But the worst thing I think is that there may have been "political" pressure. I hate that.

I also agree with you: if you rely that much on one guy, your team isn't that strong. Then again, I think the "culture" in the United States leans more to the "great man" view of history (and probably sports) and perhaps doesn't view "team" as important as other cultures do.

[mostonmike]

Brilliant assessment gil.

The funniest thing about football is EVERY COUNTRY ON THE PLANET hates FIFA.

Therefore, any team should vomit in their own mouths if they ever get any preferential treatment from them.

[Gametime]

Pulisic is the most overrated US soccer player I’ve ever seen. Even more than Freddie adu.

He doesn’t look elite.